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"The Agency: Meeting of Souls "Written By: Karina Pairings 13x6 [eventual], 5xS, 3x4, Others undecided at this time. Warnings: Extreme Alternate Universe setting. Unbetaed, Aussie spelling and grammar, not much else in the early chapters though it will involve murder, stalking and possibly some colourful language down the track. Some Out Of Character depictions are unavoidable considering the alternate universe setting. Rating: M [In Australia that would be mature adult 15+] Not sure with the new rating system about international ratings. Rated for violence and language and adult concepts. Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. That's about as plain as you could say it. Summary: The world took a very different turn with the acknowledgement of psychic abilities and training of select psychic individuals enlisted in elite fields such as law enforcement and politics. A grading system for the strength of psionic abilities was developed and those who were the top of the elite have been dubbed Prime Talents and are highly sought after. Elite institutions have been developed to mark, train and employ individuals with useable psionic talents. The colonies of canon Gundam Wing do exist in this fic and were constructed before the psionic system was founded. With the advent of psionics in open use in society younger people are appearing in positions of power as they are awakening to their abilities earlier and are highly trained in their fields of expertise. Archive: Gundam Wing Universe [gundam-wing-universe.net]
Many thanks to ShenLong for betaing this chapter. //…// Thoughts
Chapter Twenty Four He was uncertain what Marquise thought of Gabriella. Treize was well aware the younger man was hyper sensitive of the people surrounding them at the conclusion of his work session, and of the need for discretion. Whatever Marquise was thinking there was no leakage from his shields to betray their previous contact. The Agency Prime was fairly certain he could say, with a high degree of accuracy, what it was the Dean had come to think of the Gypsy Prime. The man would be only too happy to see her depart from his domain. Gabriella had, from the outset, disturbed Hargraves’ peace of mind, forcing him to reassess his preconceived and comfortable notions of the world. She had revealed how little he knew of the forthcoming world they were shaping and he would view that as an inadequacy within himself. Hargraves, not just Treize, had been forced to acknowledge change was coming and would shape their comfortable, and short sighted, view of normality. Preconceived notions of the future direction of the University must now be reassessed and modified to better fit the new world order. Gabriella had not just hinted at change to come, she had spelled out those changes in somewhat graphic detail, leaving them to flounder and wonder at what she had not revealed. And Treize, knowing the Gypsy Prime as he did, knew Gabriella never revealed all of the cards in her hand. The conclusion of the work sessions had culminated in a successful assessment of the young man’s still developing Psychic potential. Marquise would undoubtedly be certified for planetary grade telepathy, and an initial note of his pre-assessment exercise for inter colony communication would be included in that assessment. His projected range beyond the planet would add considerable credit value to his future contract. Gabriella’s assessment of Marquise being capable of reaching out to L5 was known only to Treize and he knew enough of her past accuracy at determining such things to trust her judgement. Initially Treize had been concerned Marquise would give away their interference in the session at their official meeting, but such concern had proven unfounded. In the presence of the Dean and his supervisor Zechs Marquise was the epitome of the psychic gentleman. He was quiet, controlled and accepting of the feather light touch Gabriella had offered, Psi to Psi. The Dean had handled the formal introductions quickly and efficiently, expecting Gabriella to make a few comments, perhaps ask a question or two, concerning Marquise’s satisfaction with the working conditions at Tsuberov. The man had been visibly horrified at being informed by Gabriella that she intended to supervise the young Psi’s recovery from the session. Horrified, but accepting of the inevitable. The man had learned quickly, as had Treize, that it was easier not to argue. After all, in the end Gabriella always won. Taking a few minutes to confer with the session Controller on Marquise’s diet plan, and following due consideration approving it, Gabriella had breached every rule of Psi etiquette by tucking the young man’s arm through her own. With an inclination of her head to the Dean and the suggestion he lead the way, she proceeded to follow at a casual saunter to chatter about inane trivialities and escort Marquise to the recovery room. Resigned to having the Prime linger at the University, the Dean had escorted them to the room where Marquise would be monitored. The room was a rather relaxing lounge, furnished with an overstuffed couch and two matching armchairs, a table and four chairs and a relaxing photo print of a tropical beach and aqua blue ocean on the far wall. The walls were painted in soothing tones and the carpet was pale beige, neutral, as was the colour of the couch and chairs. The entire room was designed not to jar the physical senses of a person fresh from an extensive work session. Wasting no time, Gabriella informed the young Psi he should seat himself at the table and his meal would be along directly. Ignoring the hovering Dean, Gabriella seated herself at the table and centred a glare on the Supervisor, looking pointedly at the empty table. To Treize’s relief a calorie rich meal was delivered before the woman could make any comment on tardiness. Working psi’s were monitored for up to four hours following a work session, the exact time depending on the duration and level of the work required. During this period the Psychics vital statistics; pulse and respiration, blood pressure and temperature were monitored and recorded. Whether it was a training session, as this had been, or a full working session for a privately contracted psi such as Treize himself, the recovery session was required to ensure the health of the Psi. Gabriella‘s focus, Treize could see, was on the younger man who did little more than pick at the meal set before him. This meal was specifically designed to replace the lost calories used in the session. Treize was far from surprised Marquise appeared to lack appetite, even following so extensive a session. Many psi’s came from deep level work with appetites that could strip a well stocked larder, there were just as many psi’s who felt ill at the sight of food. It was clear Zechs Marquise was one of the latter and though his stomach threatened to revolt with each bite, the young man was well aware he needed to replace lost calories. “Tsk. No good this is. Eating to satisfy Gabriella you will, before sleep you might. Having breakfast sent to your room Gabriella will, so assured one is recoup calories you do.” “Yes, Ma’am.” It was plain to them all Marquise really did not feel like eating, but beneath the pressure of those dark eyes there was no escaping. Treize knew from personal experience that if Marquise wished to be treated as a professional, he must BE a professional. Queasy stomach aside, he had to replace his energy. The unexpected appearance of two Primes in his own talents field at the working session and their entry into his life, was a golden opportunity for him to escape from what had to be feeling more and more like a trap encircling him. He had struck Treize as being an intelligent young man and he would recognize that Gabriella and Treize could represent an assurance he would not have to face a future position he honestly did not want. For his part, Zechs was well aware by this stage of his training he should have been inundated with offers for his future services. The lack of invitations for him to communicate with any company, or private individual who sought to take up a contract with him, boded ill for him having any personal input into his future. He had been entertaining troubling dreams recently of a shadowy figure, his benefactor he assumed, throwing him to a pit full of lions. To his shame as a professional psychic he had entertained thoughts of blatant misuse of his talent. Trying his hand at stripping aside the Headmaster’s shielding and taking the knowledge of his Guardian’s identity had become a particularly disturbing fantasy. Such abuse of a person’s mind was not only a breach of etiquette, but also one of the greatest crimes a telepath could perform. “Picks at his food this one does, like delicate hoity toity lady of nobility,” Gabriella turned her gaze from the wide eyed young male to Treize and sniffed. “Is opposite, this one. Wolf food down like starved infant he is. Need to keep both under my eyes I will, to make certain one is not skinny rake and other does not blimp like balloon.” Crystal blue eyes widened and turned to met resigned, but amused, sapphire blue and Treize smirked, not daring to look at the Dean or the Supervisor. He suspected if he did he would break down into laughter, which was extremely unbecoming of his position as a Prime. Gabriella would have a few more words to say to him if he did and that was something he was intending to avoid at all costs. “You get used to it after a while.” He permitted himself a smile and the ghost of a wink. “Nothing and no one is sacred to Gabriella.” “Good health and well being, these are sacred to Gabriella,” the gypsy retorted. “If Gabriella does not see to matters, then it is nothing which will be done. Talent is exploited and enough is enough says Gabriella. Had my fill of idiots who profess to know all and yes, Naughty Boy, well aware am I that Gabriella may be biggest idiot of all.” Treize blinked in astonishment at the small dark woman. “I never said or thought such a thing!” “Pffftt!” A dismissive wiggle of fingers and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice was pushed toward the blonde. “Gabriella is knowing your thoughts before think them you can. Drinking, you do this thing for Gabriella, yes?” “Yes, Ma’am.” Blue eyes, wider than they normally would be, flicked once again to the tall Prime seated at the table, begging some sort of aid. All he could do was motion to the glass and roll his eyes, offering a small smile. Marquise would learn, as did everyone who associated with her, that Gabriella was to be obeyed. It was just so much easier that way. The door opening distracted them all and a technician Treize recognized from the work session nodded to the Supervisor, stepping back outside. The Supervisor and the Dean excused themselves and left the room, closing the door in their wake and the Gypsy Prime rose immediately with fire in her eyes. “Half food gone when coming back I am is what I will to see.” Dark eyes shifted from Marquise to Treize. “Help a little you might, but not enough to fatten trim waistline. Gabriella is having a few words to say best said out of delicate hearing.” Treize inclined his head, watching as the short, plump woman made her way to the door, throwing it open and striding through. He caught a glimpse of the Dean’s startled face before the door swung closed and he leaned back in his seat with a slow sigh, relaxing. If the technician thought to discuss any of the session privately, then Treize wished them well with their attempt. They had not even begun to scratch the surface of the Gabriella he knew and if they thought they could keep any details from her, then he wished them well trying to keep the data out of her hands. Their attempt did, however, mean he was granted a few minutes alone with the soon to be accredited Prime. For his part, Zechs watched the woman depart with wide eyes, finally turning to Treize and motioning toward the door. His night had proven to be anything but a standard work session at Tsuberov and he was feeling uncomfortably off balance “Is she always like that?” “Mr. Marquise, there are some days when she is utterly impossible. You will find our Gabriella is quite unique, but you can be assured she get things done. We consider her our trouble shooter and I can tell she likes you. I am sorry to have to inform you, that now she has met you and determined she likes what she sees, you will not be free of her attention from now on. I swear the woman has x-ray vision and distance is no impediment to her sight.” The crystal blue eyes flicked back to the closed door and Treize could almost see the thoughts in that pale blonde head. Marquise would be recalling everything he had heard of the Primes in the ESUN and no doubt Gabriella’s name would have been mentioned on more than one occasion. There was the more recent meeting of their minds which, given Gabriella was on her best behaviour so as not to spook him, had Treize thinking Marquise had no real comparison between the many facets the woman could present to the world. “Ah. I’m not sure if I should be honoured or terrified.” Treize had to smirk at the younger man who was rolling the glass of orange juice between his palms and paying not the slightest attention to his meal. He knew Gabriella expected him to distract Marquise and get him to eat without even realizing what it was he was dining on. Some days he wondered what the woman expected of him, other than a miracle every hour, on the hour. “Both, my friend. Both extremes are equally acceptable when one is dealing with Gabriella.” Zechs took a sip of the juice and sighed, eyeing the plates of food with a gloomy air. “I suppose I will need to eat to escape seeing another side of her.” Sudden mischief sparked in his gaze. “Can I ask about the Naughty Boy thing?” Treize sighed dramatically, hiding the smirk. He knew he could get to like this younger man, even had he not already entertained notions of a far more intimate nature than that of a friend. “Gabriella will rechristen you. She will give you a name and I am sorry to say it is unavoidable. All you can do is grin and bear it. For some strange reason I found myself saddled with the title ‘Naughty Boy’ within the first five minutes of making her acquaintance.” He liked the smile and wanted to see more of it. Marquise had a devastating smile and Treize wondered how often he had cause to use it. For an instant he thought the younger man, recalling who it was he was keeping company with, would start apologising because he was amused. He wanted his association with Zechs Marquise to be anything but formal. “Some have been named within seconds of meeting her, but sometimes it may take her as much as a day or up to three, though such a period of time is most unusual, for her to settle on a means of address she deems suitable. No amount of protest will do more than amuse her. You will receive a name when she feels she has read you sufficiently to determine what suits you best. Of course she will only use this name when she wishes to peeve or embarrass you, though she usually refrains from using pet names in public. If you think Naughty Boy is bad, she calls one of the Kinetic Primes; The Blimp.” Blue eyes danced with amusement. “The Blimp? God, I hope she doesn’t call me something horrendous.” Oh, Marquise was in love with Gabriella already. Another smitten and captured as he himself had been caught at an even earlier age than Marquise. He looked younger when he laughed, more relaxed and Treize liked that look. “I assure you, to our deep despair, we have little influence over her choice. Do eat something. She was serious about you finishing a decent meal.” “Food turns my stomach after a session.” Treize nodded. “I know, so does Gabriella, but she has never let that get in the way of a meal, as her waist line attests to. Please do not tell her I said that. I have made the acquaintance of a number of high level talents who can’t face food immediately after working, but they are utterly useless for days after if they don’t eat a certain amount after a session. Gabriella, believe it or not, is one.” “She is?” Treize nodded, motioning to the plates spread across the table. “Why do you think she is so insistent on you eating? She’s been through depletion too many times not to know and, I am sorry to say, she feels obligated to ensure you don’t make her past mistakes.” “Ah.” After a moment of considering the offerings Marquise reached for a banana. “Is fruit okay? I honestly can’t face meat. If I force myself to eat it I will only throw it back up and that will land me in the infirmary for the night.” That had been said with the tired resignation of one who had practical experience. So at one stage Marquise had forced himself to eat meat, or been forced to eat it soon after a working session. Treize filed away that bit of information for later thought. “So long as you eat a broad selection, and maybe a little cheese, she should leave you be.” Treize watched the young man eat the banana neatly and set the skin aside on the plate before him, before washing it down with some juice. “Do you have any questions?” “Too many of them to even know where to begin, ” he whispered, fingers absently moving to tuck long strands of hair behind his right ear. “I sympathize. I went through that stage too. Gabriella appeared one night and, with no effort or assistance from me, my life changed thereafter. For the better, I might add. It was expected that I fulfil familial obligations and forgo my every interest in other matters. Gabriella took my family to task and tucked me firmly beneath her wing. I have been quite content to shelter there ever since.” “What is it exactly that you do?” An orange was being steadily peeled, dextrous fingers making short work of the skin and breaking the fruit into segments. Treize liberated a Mandarin from the fruit platter and proceeded to peel the skin from it for himself. He suspected Marquise would feel more relaxed if he too ate. “Aside from being the non working owner of the family corporations, I work for the Agency. We do many things, including criminal investigations, crowd control and making regular assessments of the city's temper.” Pale brows pulled down into a frown. “The city's temper?” “Empaths of varying levels, not just Prime level, are assigned to certain areas of the city. There we take a sample of the emotional gradients; we test the flavour of the people as they go about their daily business. From these assessment scans we can generally determine if there is trouble brewing and what form that trouble might take. In particular we attempt to determine the cause behind any negative emotions we encounter before there is trouble. The instances of riots have fallen dramatically since the introduction of empaths and telepaths as human barometers. Gang wars too have fallen off as we determine where the hot spots are and enable the police and enforcers to move in before the problem actually erupts into violence.” “That’s… fascinating. I’ve not been told about that use for empathy. It is more general use that Tsuberov teaches.” Treize cut a slab of cheese into sections, placed half before the blonde and the other half at his left hand. He was pleased to see Zechs took one without so much as looking at it and was watching him with an eager glint in his eye. Treize was well aware that in Tsuberov, Psychics received the best of training, but were also sheltered from the real world. “Courtesy of Gabriella and her inability to accept the words ‘no’, ‘classified’, or ‘privileged’ information, I have seen your records.” At Marquise's startled look Treize lifted a hand slightly. “As it happens she has every right to investigate the abilities of an emergent Prime. You will find it never pays to underestimate her and it does little good to argue the point with her. While she finds such entertaining, she has her own ideas and they are unshakable.” “She sounds formidable.” “Oh, she is. Now then, while we are here we need to know where your interests lie. What is it you think you would be happiest doing and where in a working environment you could be content?” Zechs absently rolled a piece of the cheese around his fingers, a restless movement, one governed by the subconscious and one that spoke to Treize of uncertainty. “I was under the impression I was to settle for whatever was offered.” “Perhaps that might have been the intention, but I assure you it will not eventuate. By law a Psi must have discussion in any work agreement situation and if you do not feel easy with the options offered, you have full rights to refuse.” He nudged an apple closer to the slender hand resting on the table and Marquise glanced down, reaching for a knife and cutting the fruit into eighths. “Gabriella has taken an interest in you and be assured she will not be permitting anyone to dictate terms and conditions to you. As of this point, any contractual offers will be required to be approved by her before being presented to you. You are now known to the other Primes in our field and I can tell you from experience, they are all exceedingly parental.” Treize accepted a piece of the apple Marquise offered him, finding it crunchy, juicy and sweet. “You and I are the youngest of the Primes in our field and as you are aware, our field is considered to be perhaps the most precarious of the Psi sciences. Our elders, but by no means betters, will keep an eye on circumstances surrounding you, and they will ensure you are not being taken for granted or abused in any way. This observation and near obsession by the older Primes has proven to be a necessity.” He had the grace to blush, but he did not mind revealing to Marquise a part of why Gabriella had made such an abrupt appearance. The apple had been eaten and Treize reached for a second, slicing it as Marquise had and offered him the bulk of the fruit, keeping two slices for himself. “I am sorry to say that Gabriella’s presence here is partly due to my blunder. I have permitted my employer to push the bounds of my contract in the last year or so, and my elders had decided such will not continue. They have taken the Agency to task over the abuse of contractual obligations and Gabriella is in the process of overseeing a revision of my contract.” “You are an adult by law. Can she do that?” “This is Gabriella we are talking about.” Treize sighed. “It is so much easier to just nod and hope she goes away quickly. I suppose the best way to think of this situation, is to consider it as older family members keeping a watchful eye out for you.” “I’ve… not had that. A family I mean. It is going to seem… odd.” Treize could read between the lines well enough to know what was passing through that mind. Marquise was bright enough to know what might happen if events got out of hand. “You mean invasive?” Treize smiled. “It’s alright, I admit I have thought it on more than one occasion myself. You get used to it after a while and in all honesty, it’s rather nice to know that someone out there understands and is looking out for you.” “But… well… You are a Duke.” Treize shrugged and offered up a quick smile. “Yes and I have a family who don’t want me to forget it. I should be a politician guiding the steps of the ESUN, not chasing criminals around the city like a common policeman. And sitting in an ivory tower isolated from the world and the really important work that needs to be done is a cop out, and unbecoming of a Kushrenada.” At the wide eyed look he received Treize shrugged, perusing the fruit bowl and plucking a few grapes. “I should be breeding a host of little Kushrenadas for them to raise and introduce into political circles. They are under the impression that is the ideal lifestyle and I personally think it a frightful bore.” “Do you have a large family?” “It is large enough to be a pain. There are, unfortunately, few relatives I feel comfortable with, which has a great deal to do with my talent and their political passions overflowing. Most disagreeable. I have a daughter whom I adore and hope to see in the next few weeks for more than a few hours. Given my age, and the age of Mariemaia, I suppose I will need to consider having another child by contract soon. That might still the bays of discontent from the family for a while.” “You had your daughter by contract? You are not married then?” He blushed, realising what it was he had asked. Such personal queries were not of his concern and a breach of etiquette. “Sorry. That’s…” “Quite alright. I told you, we Primes must stick together and you will find we know each other quite well. With our particular talents there is little in the way of secrets between any of us. Our number, as far as we are now concerned, includes you.” Did he dare? It was the perfect opportunity to present himself as he was, to be honest and to set the stage for the future. He already suspected Marquise was homosexual and as he had said, between Primes in their elite family there were no secrets. “I am not married, nor am I likely to be, unless I can find another man who is equally as bound by obligations to breed as I am.” He only hoped Gabriella would not skin him alive and accuse him of planting suggestions in a susceptible mind. Then again, being Gabriella she might just read him the riot act if he did not fess up and reveal his sexuality. She took an inordinate interest in his lack of a sex life after all. “He would need to be tolerant of the fact that, by contract, I am required to provide heirs to my family and to the psionic genetic pool.” He could see the information turning over in that beautiful blonde head and he knew the exact instant Zechs decided he had heard what he thought he had. Treize waited, patient, wondering if the young man would question him, though he thought Zechs might be a little too shy to be so forward as to make a comment. “It… it isn’t a… problem then? A high level Psi being… being… homosexual?” //Ah, so someone has led you to believe your homosexuality will be a problem for you? An instructor here at Tsuberov? Or perhaps your Guardian? Well, I can not say I am surprised by the revelation. I basically had this conversation with Trowa after all. Their sex education curriculum requires a drastic overhaul. What the hell are they intending you sign? I want to know what they thought they could get away with before you became known to us.// Treize poured himself a glass of juice and shook his head slightly. He sipped before he met the crystal blue eyes and maintained enough control not to lose himself in their very emotional depths. “Being homosexual is not a problem at all. According to my family it is a problem, they desire a Duchess and a herd of offspring they can manipulate, but the other Primes are fine with my sexuality. Having children does not mean I have to suffer through what would be a very unsatisfactory encounter for myself, and what ever unfortunate woman they pointed the finger at as being a suitable mate for me. I am free to look for a partner of my choosing. A partner who is mentally as compatible as he is physical. A high level telepath and empath cannot be deceived, and we would know if we were right for each other.” Blue eyes locked with darker blue and it was the blonde head which ducked, taking refuge in lifting the glass of orange juice. Treize sat back, nursing his own glass, more than satisfied. His interest had been marked and understood and there had been the most fleeting of mental touches, the acknowledgement there was interest in return. For the moment, for both of them, that was enough. Zechs, as a Telepathic Empath approaching Prime level, understood what a rarity it was to find a mind that was a perfect compliment to his own. It was too early to know if they were suited to each other as Treize suspected they might be; but they had time. It would not be long before Zechs entered the work force as a fully ranked Prime, and when that occurred Treize would make it a point to renew their acquaintance. Zechs would be accounted a full adult prior to leaving Tsuberov and there would then be no impediment to his looking up the younger man and paying court to him. //Pay court to him? Yes, I will indeed pay court to this one. He feels… right. I would want so much more than a passing encounter with him. There is something that calls out to me and from that touch, brief as it was, I can not doubt he feels it too. He will need time to find himself in the outside world and I can trust Gabriella to oversee him. When he is settled I can dare to make my interest in him known and pay him court. He must have time to determine it is right for him, but I do want this utterly enchanting creature to be mine.// Perhaps he might delay these annoying thoughts of fulfilling the breeding aspect of his contract. In this modern day of genetic manipulation it was possible for him to have a child with a male partner. An agreeable female to act as surrogate and he could have this blonde’s child as his own. Breeding a Prime to a Prime produced talented offspring and, given the nature of their empathic and telepathic talents, there would need to be genetic modification to ensure the child did not become tragically oversensitive. Given Marquise’s talent Treize had no doubt the younger man would find the government would insist on a breeding contract being included in any contract a gay empathic telepath signed. Treize could make that work for them and any child he had with this blonde he would have designated as heir to his family estates and title. //It is incredibly off putting to find the layers of a woman’s mind engaged in everything but the moment of sex. The male mind concentrates solely on the act and the pleasure given and there is not the distraction. It was an incredible turn off for me to receive thoughts on tonight’s casserole, cleaning the oven, or the dirty sod who missed the toilet and watered the floor.// He suppressed a shiver. //I know I am pushing a little here, but he need not know. Nothing will happen unless it is by his choice, and then only when I am certain it is what he truly wishes. I will investigate the requirements of such a delicate piece of genetic manipulation to get a child; not a clone, but a natural joining of two males modified to produce the genetic code of a new individual. He feels so right to that part of me that has been too long solitary. It is clear he feels something, but I must remember not to rush. Not to push. I want something far more than merely casual with him.// “I’m… I don’t…” “You are gay?” Treize smiled, keeping his expression and his voice friendly. He needed to maintain care with every encounter with this young man. There must be no accusations of improper behaviour on his part and he was well aware the young man was vulnerable emotionally. He could not pick up on it fully, and no doubt Gabriella would have the cheek to explore it more deeply than he dared, but there was something there. Perhaps something from his past, from before the mysterious benefactor took him in hand. Perhaps the ‘something’ was the rather old fashioned outlook Treize suspected Tsuberov taught their students? Or it might be an unconscious reaction to being stalked? A worrying possibility, he mused, and one he hoped was not a result of the stalker targeting Zechs, though it was possible. The younger man’s talent was enough that he might pick up on some aspect of the Stalker, even should one of the other young men be the target. Empathy could be such a difficult thing to determine, it was not always clear what you picked up on, or what one might be reacting to. “Yes.” A flaring sense of relief flowed from Zechs before the leakage stopped and was replaced by the crystalline purity of his re-established shields. “Yes, I am.” “There is nothing wrong with being homosexual, Zechs. I won’t lie, I had hang-ups about it. At the time I was under a great deal of family pressure and in the isolated and proper order of the old noble families of Europe, being gay was not at all acceptable. Especially as I was to become Duke on my father's death. It was at a delicate stage of my life that Gabriella appeared and not only silenced my relatives, but helped me to see there is not a thing wrong, or unnatural, with the way I am. I simply am. My mind, as much as my body, did not want the intimacy of sex with a female.” “It’s not exactly smiled on at Tsuberov. Almost everyone is from the best families and there are family obligations to be considered. The teachers stress the importance of passing on the psi genes to another generation, and there is not much mentioned about same sex couples in sex ed.” Treize sighed and placed a bunch of grapes before the young man, a silent nudge to eat which Zechs took, chewing slowly on the grapes and not looking as though he enjoyed it at all. “I have found that everywhere, though it is becoming more acceptable for people to use the invitro methods for procreation. Artificial insemination and genetic manipulation is something which makes breeding tolerable for high level empaths and telepaths, who find it more than difficult to tolerate such close contact between minds. I had my daughter through invitro contract, and I am under contract to provide at least another two children. Mariemaia is delightful and I could ask for no better child. I have access to her and we correspond regularly outside of our visits.” “How old is your daughter?” “Five, but she will turn six before the end of the year.” “You must have been… I mean…” He blushed wonderfully, Treize decided. This heightened colour deepened the gold in his skin tone and increased the contrast with his incredibly pale hair. “I was barely nineteen when I agreed to the Barton contract. Given I had not, at that time, found my place in the world beyond being the Duke on my father’s death, I determined to produce a child to quiet my relations fears. Recently there have been suggestions I should enter into another contract and I might.” He sighed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose. “It is something I might consider, in a year or so. I adore my daughter, but she is listed as a Barton heir and my family are screaming for a Kushrenada heir. They are periodically attempting to wrap me in cottonwool until I produce said heir and I am heartily tired of the entire situation. I personally can not see what the panic is all about. There is genetic material in the gene banks for them to produce an heir should something happen and I die. Regardless of whether I am alive or not, they can have their Duke to keep the family title in an unbroken line.” “Quatre said his father will expect him to produce heirs within a few years.” “It is the curse of the young men and women of noble bloodlines and the rich and famous. The next generation is vitally important to the older generations. You do realize there will be a breeding clause included in contracts presented to you? Our society is becoming more reliant on the psi capabilities of individuals and psi’s are in high demand accordingly.” The blonde winced and blushed furiously and Treize grinned, totally unrepentant. He reached out to lightly brush a finger over the back of the younger man’s hand. The rare physical touch between psi’s of their level sent a warm current through Treize and he was pleased Zechs did not shy from the contact. “Sex is a necessary, and usually very enjoyable, part of life. Fulfilling the breeding contract will not be a problem for me, in that it leaves me free to find and court the one who suits me. I can put up with the necessity of it because of the freedom it gives me. I like children and I will want more than Mariemaia. Invitro techniques and genetic manipulation have come a long way, and there are women out there who are willing to stand as surrogates. You don’t actually have to lie with a woman to father a child anymore. Given the necessity to increase the genetic diversity of the psi population, invitro techniques are a Godsend. The government want psi active children; indeed they advocate their birth and set target numbers. To achieve those numbers we must use invitro procedures.” It was a delight to make him blush, but very soon now they would be interrupted and Treize had no intention of having anyone suspect him of making improper advances to get the younger man to blush so becomingly. “Such matters can be dealt with over time, but you should not be surprised to find the clause in future contracts brought to you for your consideration. You need not fear exploitation and you should know that nothing will be presented to you that Gabriella has not already perused.” It was clear Zechs was uncomfortable with the topic and Treize took pity on him, chasing a small run of loose grapes toward him as a reminder Gabriella would be back soon and he should eat a little more. “Now, tell me about which studies you like?” t.b.c. Karina Robertson 2008 ————— Treize Kushrenada : Level 10 Sending/Receiving Telepath + Receiving and Projecting Empath at Level 10. Prime rated. Agency Operative contracted term of 5 years with 2 years remaining. [25yrs of age] Training facility: Psychic Institute Munich Division. Zechs Marquise: Psi Student 5th year at Tsuberov Parapsychic Investigation and University. Level 10 Receiving/Projecting Empath [approaching Prime Designation] + Level 9 Sending /Receiving Telepath, Projected L10 function. Finder function suspected, not officially registered. Country of origin, Luxemburg. [20 years of age] Dean Alexander Hargraves: Dean at Tsuberov University and Parapsychic Institute. Neural Implant. Sending / Receiving Telepath Level 3 Gabriella : Romany descent. Level 10 Sending / Receiving Telepath + Level 10 Receiving and Projecting Empath. Prime Rated. Training facility rumored to be Government Laboratories of the Prussian Republic deposed in the year AC 45. Age: Unknown [rumored to be approximately seventy four]. Oldest of the Prime Telepathic Empaths. |
