Title: Paint
Fandom: SD Gundam G Generation Eternal
Rating: PG
Length: 455 Words
Content Notes: This is silly.
Author Notes: Celebrating the release of the new game, perhaps.
Summary: Why call it red when it is obviously pink?

* * * *

"May I ask you a question, Captain?" Ellis had her arms crossed as she looked up at the Zaku II, grimacing at it as the mechanics caused sparks to rain from its joints.

"Concerning my suit. Lieutenant?" Char stroked his chin, the corners of his mouth hinting at amusement despite his mask hiding half his face. "Yes. You may."

"Thank you. I am aware, as everybody here is aware –" She nodded to him. "– that your nickname is the Red Comet. This is established. This is fact. But –" She nodded at his Zaku. "– your suit ... isn't red. I look at it, and I look at it, and all I see is ... pink."

"Exposure to the sun," he replied immediately. "It causes the color to fade very quickly, especially in space. And Zeon is never going to have enough of a budget to humor me by putting on a fresh coat every time I bring it back from a mission." A soft laugh. "But you can humor me by pretending it's still red, even if it is pink at this moment in time."

She nodded. "All right, Captain. Can't do to have anybody getting confused, after all." And she turned to leave, but she paused. "You seem like you have a comment, sir."

He glanced at her Tornado Gundam, located several bays down from his Zaku. "Lieutenant, would you say your suit is blue ... or purple? It's a fair question."

"I'd say it's –" She narrowed her green eyes at it. "Well, Captain, you could make a good argument for either color, but, from where I'm standing, I'd say it's more ... purple."

Again, he laughed. "You pilot it every day, and yet you don't sound very sure."

"You've got me there, I think." She shook her head as welders sparked in the background. "I'll call yours red if you call mine blue, then. Is it a deal?"

"Agreed." He extended his hand, and she shook it. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

"Yes, sir." He departed the hangar, and she remained at the rail, observing as the mechanics continued their maintenance. Soon, footsteps sounded, and she noticed Ranaleau from the corner of her eye. "Okay, Shade. Tell me. Is it red or pink?"

"Oh, it's pink." His face as grave as if he had been delivering news of a death in the family. "It's incredibly pink. I'd say it's one of the pinkest things I've ever seen."

"Good. I feel validated." Silence for a long second. "Billy joining us for cards later?"

"Yeah. He's buying the drinks this time, too."

"Think he's going to win at all?"

"Absolutely not."

They both laughed as the sparks continued to rain down.

END.