Disclaimer: The characters who make up this story do not belong to me. Takeuchi Naoko-san created them and deserves all credit for that creation. I confess....I did take a little creative liberty with certain facts and events in the Sailor Moon timeline, but I think I give ample explanation for the changes:)
Author's Notes: This story was a long time in coming, much longer than anyone knows. It's sort of been my secret pet project. A lot of factors contributed to its formation and completion. Certainly the response I've gotten on my other Sailor Moon stories helped a great deal. Domo arigatou minna. Another great help came from a composer named Gustav Holst who, before his death in 1934, wrote seven pieces of music dedicated to the seven planets (Pluto hadn't been discovered when he wrote them and Earth didn't get one). The final two pieces, "Uranus, the Magician" and "Neptune, the Mystic" provided hours of inspiration. Wherever you are, Gustav, dankeschoen!! Ich liebe dich!
Dedication: To my brother, Clifton, who has always thought that Sailor Moon should be a little more violent with a little more sex....
**********
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure-dome, decree.
Where Alph, the sacred river ran, through caverns measureless to man.
Down to a sunless sea...."
-Samuel Taylor Coleridge
"Mortal men and women defending their own world is not about death...but life."
-Mortal Kombat
*********
A Stately Pleasure
by Kristen Elizabeth
*********
I don't have very much time left. I probably shouldn't even be doing this, taking the time to write these words. And there are so many words to write. I should be planning, strategizing, focusing on the battle ahead. I am, after all, a warrior. A Sailor Senshi. The last one.
But I find myself drawn to the pen and the paper that lay in front of me. These last moments which should be spent in preparation, I have instead chosen to spend in reflection. They are painful memories, to say the very least, but they're all I have left.
I correct that. There's one other thing I have. The thing that started it all. I will enclose it with these pages, so you who read this might have it to look at. Preserve it. Cherish it. Put it in your museums, a reminder of the old days which were lost. The days when the Moon was the center of the universe and the planets worked together to protect it. The days when the rule of a woman named Serenity was good and fair and the future was visible in the clear blue of her daughter's eyes.
The days when I fell in love and promptly lost it.
*********
The invitation you hold in your hand arrived by air express. I was the first one at the ship when it landed. So little news came to my planet; I wanted to be the first to see what it was.
"Princess." The mail carrier bowed to me. It surprised me that he could tell I was a girl right away. I had to give him credit....most people couldn't. "This is for you."
I took the heavy white envelope from him and nodded my thanks. I recognized the silver-edged stationery immediately. And I could already sense what the invitation was asking me to participate in.
The only question was.....did I really want to meet the other Sailor Senshi?
********
Three days later, as I stepped off the air transport and got my first look at the Moon Kingdom, I realized the answer to that question.
Not really.
The first person to greet me was not a palace courtier or embassary as I had expected, but a young girl with long, blond hair, pulled away from her pretty face by a big red bow. "You must be Uranus!", she squealed, grabbing my arm. "We've heard so much about you. Everyone thought you were a prince for the longest time and now I see why!"
"Venus!!" Another girl with short, blue hair and a sweet smile came to my rescue. "Really, Venus....Uranus must be exhausted from her journey. Don't bombard her with all your crazy thoughts!"
I gave the girl a grateful smile. "It's all right....um...", I trailed off, realizing I had no idea who she was. I knew she was a senshi though. Even though I had never met any of them, I could feel a connection to her, as well as Venus.
"Mercury", she said, lowering her head briefly. "Venus is right about one thing, though. We have heard a lot about you, Uranus. It's an honor to finally meet you."
I decided I liked the Princess of Mercury. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. Her little friend Venus was far prettier, but appeared to be more than a little flaky. "You too, Mercury. And Venus", I added, as an afterthought.
"Hey!", Venus cried. "We should take you to the palace so you can get settled in!" With a wave of her hand, she called a porter over to us. "Everyone gets their own room because the Palace is so big. You're going to love it!!"
We began walking a long path to the Palace, the porter following with my one simple suitcase.
"We're sorry that we were the only ones able to come and welcome you", Mercury apologized. "Princess Serenity and Saturn are still sleeping, although only one of them actually needs it." She and Venus exchanged a knowing look. "Jupiter and Mars left the Palace early to go riding..."
"You ride, Uranus, right?", Venus interrupted. "I've heard that you do and you're really good at it!"
"Um..yeah....I'm all right." I felt very overwhelmed; I found myself almost longing for the peace and solitude of my planet.
"Venus", Mercury chided her friend. Then, she turned back to me. "The other senshi have not arrived yet."
"Neptune and Pluto?", I guessed, naming the only two planets she hadn't mentioned, besides Earth.
She nodded. "They'll be here in time for dinner tonight."
We were fast approaching the famous Moon Palace. I had to admit...it was stunning. Stretching nearly a half mile, it was home to over 100 rooms, one being a ballroom that took up almost an entire floor, an indoor pool for swimming and one kept frozen for ice skating...not to mention grounds full of gardens, a tennis court and stables. I was particurally interested in the stables; riding my horse, Amaterasu, back on Uranus was one of my favorite things to do.
The two princesses took me into the Palace through one of the side entrances. Before we went inside though, I dismissed the porter and took my bag. I wasn't used to being waited on.
I was amazed at not only the size and complexity of the Palace, but of the girls' knowledge of the interior. "You two seem to know your way around here pretty well", I commented, as they led me through a long corridor and up a back stairway.
Venus smiled happily. "We practically grew up here. In fact, I think I know it better than I do my own home, Minne Palace." We emerged from the cramped stairwell into a much larger, much more ornate hallway. "Sorry to have to take you up the servants entrance. Queen Serenity is having the main staircase decorated and you can't get through at all right now."
"It's all right", I assured her. Although the palace I called home was no shack, it definitely paled in comparision to this. A large painting hanging in the hall caught my eye. It was of a lovely woman with long silver hair, holding a small, blond child. "This is Queen Serenity?", I asked, stopping in front of it.
Mercury walked back to me. "Yes. And Princess Serenity when she was younger. This portrait has always been a favorite of mine."
I felt a slight twinge of jealousy, an emotion that was foriegn to me. There was a bond between the Senshi of the inner planets and our Queen. I wondered if I would fit in here at all, or if the next few weeks would be spent in isolation. I could handle the latter, isolation; I didn't even mind it, I told myself. But I couldn't help but feel the former would be preferable.
Venus and Mercury stopped in front of a large set of beautifully carved ivory double doors. "The Queen has given us this entire wing for the time we're here", Venus bubbled. A man in full livery stood to the side of the doors. Two cats, one black and one white, but both with gold crescent marks on their foreheads, dozed on the floor near him. The guard watched us out of the corner of his eye. I smiled, wryly. Princesses needed to be watched, after all.
The man moved to open one door for us and we stepped inside. Down the long hall were ten doors, five on each side. As we walked past each door, Venus pointed out which room belonged to which Senshi. "The first on the left is Mercury's...mine is across the hall from hers." We walked a bit more. "This one is Princess Serenity's....she decided to move from her real room, to be closer to us. Mars is across the hall from her."
Mercury took over for Venus as we moved a bit further. "Jupiter's room is next to Serenity's and Saturn stays across from her", she whispered. "Saturn hasn't been feeling well since she got here, so we sort of have to be quiet."
I nodded that I would be.
"Here's your room", Venus continued a moment later. "Neptune, when she arrives, will stay across from you. Pluto's room is next to yours and across from her...." She giggled. "Well...we're not supposed to let it get around the Court, but that's where Prince Endymion is staying."
"Hence, the guard at the door." Mercury hid her own giggle behind her hand. "At least he and Serenity aren't right next door to each other. You know what a light sleeper Jupiter is. If either one of them tries to get to the other's room....." She laughed, too embarassed to continue her thought.
I had to smile at that. Word of the Prince of Earth and the Moon Princesses' involvment had reached even the outer planets. I was surprised though that Queen Serenity would even consider letting him stay in the same wing with us. I supposed she must trust him and her daughter a great deal.
"You're probably famished, but lunch won't be served for another hour or so. We can have the kitchen send you up something, if you'd like", Mercury offered.
"No, thanks", I refused the offer. "I'd really just like to take a hot bath." The transport from Uranus had been as long as it had been tedious.
Mercury smiled. "We understand. We'll see you at lunch then. It'll be served in the Moon Garden."
"Bye Uranus!" Venus gave me a little wave before she and Mercury walked back towards the main hallway.
I sighed when they were out of earshot. "If the rest of the Senshi are anything like Venus, I may just go crazy in two months", I said aloud.
"Don't worry", a masculine voice behind me replied. I swung my head around to see who it was. A tall man, taller than I, with pitch-black hair and piercing blue eyes stood before me. "The Inner Princesses seem a bit silly at first, but once you get to know them, you'll realize they have a great deal of power, and know how to use it." The man moved towards me. "I'm Prince Endymion."
"Um...Princess Uranus", I introduced myself in turn. I surprised myself, using my full title; I didn't on an everyday basis. "But I suppose you probably heard that, too."
The Prince of Earth reached down and took my hand. He brought the back of it up to his lips briefly. "I don't want you to think I was eavesdropping; I just happened to come out of my room at the wrong time. It's a pleasure to meet you, Uranus."
On some sort of instinct, I pulled my hand away. No man had ever treated me like a princess before. I wanted to be angry, but truth be told, it wasn't so terrible. "Thank you. It's...um...good to meet you, too."
There was a pause. "Well, I'll let you get settled, Uranus. Will we see you at lunch?" I nodded my reply, unable to think of anything more to say. "Until then." He gave a slight bow before walking off in the direction Mercury and Venus had just taken, his cape trailing after him.
I sighed again and shook my head. As much as I hated to admit it, being here with my fellow Senshi was throwing me for a loop. And I hadn't even met all of them yet. With that thought, I let myself into my room and closed the door behind me.
My room was incredible. Simple, but elegant. Classically done in shades of dark blue, highlighted with golden yellows. My lips curled up. "Like my fuku." I had to wonder if it was a mere coincidence. I set my suitcase down by the four poster bed and put my hands on my hips. Coincidence or not, it would be a daily reminder of why I was really there.
A little searching led me to my small, private bathroom. Quickly, I shed my journey-worn clothes and twisted the silver knobs of the bathtub. Streams of hot water poured into the porcelain tub; soon, the room was clouded with steam, just the way I liked it. I stepped in and sat down, sinking into the hot water.
I didn't let myself think for a full five minutes. There were a lot of new things to think about, true, but I wanted to take in everything slowly...if that was possible. I had gotten so used to my everyday life on Uranus. Training, riding my horse, more training. I never had to be around anyone except my parents and the servants, never had to make small talk or act like a real princess. I could wear men's clothes and nobody cared.
But here, everything was different. Mercury, Venus and the Prince were all polite about it, but I could tell they had been surprised to see me in loose breeches and a button down shirt. Both girls had been wearing dresses, Venus' in bright yellow and Mercury's in deep blue. They were princesses, bound and determined to look the part. I, on the other hand, was a princess, bound and determined to make others forget it. And maybe even to make myself forget it.
And what of the Senshi I had yet to meet? Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto and the Moon Princess herself. Would they have the same reactions? Could any of them accept me for what I was? I brought my fist down into the water, sending a spray across my face.
"Who cares if they don't", I told myself, angrily. "I don't need their approval to do my duty and do it well. It's only two months. After that, I can go back home and I never have to see any of them again if I don't want to."
With that resolution, I reached for the soap that had been laid out for me and ducked my head under the water.
***************
When I emerged from my room an hour later, clad in a fresh pair of navy blue breeches and a white blouse, I was relieved to see no one in the hallway. Perhaps I could find my own way to the Moon Garden without having to ask for anyone's help. I took off towards the main hallway, walking carefully as not to be heard by anyone who might still be in their room.
"Are you Princess Uranus?", a very small, very quiet voice behind me asked. It was the second time that day someone had snuck up behind me; I didn't appreciate it. I whirled around, prepared to confront whoever the voice belonged to, but as soon as I saw who it was, I thought better. A frail, ebony-haired child in a long, lavender dress stood in front of one of the doors, her pale hands clasped together at her heart. It was Saturn's room, I remembered Mercury having said, so this must be the Princess of Saturn. But could this, I hated to say it, sickly-looking child really be a Sailor Senshi? The protector of her planet and defender of the Moon Kingdom?
"Yes, I'm Uranus", I answered her question. I approached her and knelt to her level. "And you're Princess Saturn, right?"
She nodded. "I've wanted to meet you ever since I can remember", she whispered.
I wasn't quite sure what to say to that. "The other princesses told me you weren't feeling well. I hope you're...um...feeling better now."
"Yes, I am...a little. Actually..." She looked up at me with wide, violet eyes. "I was hungry. Were you going to lunch too?"
I had no rational explaination for it, save for the same Senshi connection I had sensed with Mercury and Venus, but I felt an immediate link to this girl. They say that children judge less than adults...maybe that was part of it. There was definitely more to the child than met the eye. I felt as though I wouldn't have to put up so many barriers against her. "I am going to lunch. And to tell you the truth, I have no idea where the Moon Garden is."
Saturn smiled for the first time. She took my hand in hers. "You can walk with me. I'm sure we can find it together."
It was the nicest offer I had recieved in a long time. I straightened back up, still holding onto her little hand.
We passed the guard at the door with barely a glance, making a sharp turn to the left and proceeding down the hall. After a moment we stepped through another doorway into the heart of the palace. The main residence of Queen Serenity's home was shaped like a giant rectangle with wings of rooms on all four sides and a huge open air area in the center. From the fourth floor, the top floor, a crystal staircase began. As it reached each floor, it picked up in width. It lead all the way down to the ballroom at the ground level. My jaw dropped open; I had never seen anything quite so breathtaking.
Saturn tugged on my hand. I let her lead me around the balcony and down the grand staircase. When we reached the empty ballroom, I looked up. Far above us, a glass dome enclosed the courtyard, still allowing light to bathe the clear crystal of the last flight of the staircase. I could imagine how beautiful it would be at night when the stars were out.
"Excuse me." Before I could stop her, Saturn caught the attention of a servant passing us. "Where is the Moon Garden?"
The servant stopped and bowed. Amazingly, he didn't drop the two pots of flowers he was carrying in the process. "Directly behind the staircase, Princess. Through the salarium." Bowing again, he continued to wherever he had been headed.
"I'm sorry if you wanted to explore some more, Uranus. I'm just hungry."
I wasn't angry. How could I possible get angry at the child? "It's all right, Saturn. They'll be plenty of time for exploring later."
My apprehension grew as we made our way to the Moon Garden. Everyone would be there. Well, with a few exceptions. Maybe we would be the first ones to arrive. Then I could look everyone over as they came in instead of the other way around.
I was making myself angry. I had never buckled under pressure before...never given a damn what anyone thought of me. Why did the thought of meeting these other girls have such an effect on my state of being? I clentched my jaw. They weren't going to get to me. They just weren't.
We emerged into the Moon Garden a moment later. I could only imagine how many hours the Palace gardeners must have spent to create the lush forest that surrounded us. At the far end of the garden, a foliage dotted rock formation stood, the support to a lovely waterfall. It gracefully tumbled down into a small, winding creek that lazily made its way around the garden, forming a small island in the middle. Like the ballrooom, the Moon Garden was enclosed in glass. It was a fairyland....a private fairyland for the Queen's guests.
I was out of luck. There were already several people on the island, sitting on blankets spread out over the grass. I recognized Venus and Mercury right away; they sat with two other girls in dresses of red and green. Beside them on the blanket, the same two cats I had seen before rested on their sides. Venus idly stroked the white cat's fur. Upon seeing us enter, she gave me a happy wave. Prince Endymion was also there, sitting with a young girl in white. Her long, perfect blond ponytails gave her away. She was the Moon Princess, Serenity.
All eyes were on us. Saturn seemed to sense my hesitation and squeezed my hand. "They're all really nice", she assured me.
I smiled down at her. "Thank you."
A small bridge stretched across the brook to the island. Before we even reached it, Venus stood up. "Uranus!" She headed towards us. "Come meet everyone." She took Saturn's other hand. "I'm so glad to see you up, Saturn." The child turned her face up and grinned at the older girl.
As we approached the small group, the brunette girl in green stood and smoothed down her dress, awkwardly. She reminded me of myself whenever I had been forced to dress up. "I'm Jupiter", she introduced herself. "And this..." She pointed to the girl in red who remained seated "...is Mars."
Mars pushed her thick, black bangs out of her eyes and smiled up at me. "Hello, Uranus."
"Hello", was all I could manage. Too many introductions for one day....
Princess Serenity stood as well and came to my side. "Princess Uranus....I can't tell you how wonderful it is to meet you."
The girl had a surreal quality to her that belied her tiny figure. I felt loyalty, I felt wonder, I felt.....out of place. But I lowered my chin to my chest out of respect. "Princess, it's an honor", I replied.
"Let me introduce Prince Endymion of Earth", the Princess continued.
Endymion stood up. "Actually the Princess and I have already met", he said, but he bowed to me anyways.
"Oh?", Princess Serenity asked, surprised. "Have you heard that Endymion is going to be training with you all, too, Uranus?"
"Only for a week", Endymion corrected her. "Then I have to return to Earth."
"I thought you were going to put off your return as long as you could." Serenity looked up at the Prince, a pout on her lovely face.
He took her hand. "And a week is as long as I can...." They moved off to the side together to talk in private.
Mars looked up at me apologetically. "Excuse their dramatic relationship", she sighed. "It's like a bad Pelenian romance novel."
I laughed; I couldn't help it. The same thought had just run through my mind. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one.
"Come sit down with us", Mercury said, shifting to the left to provide more space on the blanket. "I know you must be hungry now."
I gingerly sat on my knees next to the girl in blue. Venus plopped down next to me, Saturn on her lap. "I am...thank you", I said, reaching for a handful of grapes.
Jupiter sat back down and picked up her goblet. "Venus told us you'd be interested in going riding in the mornings, Uranus. We'd love your company." She drank, still looking at me over the rim of the cup.
I accepted my own goblet of wine from a servant who approached me from behind. "That would be...great."
"We get up very early, but it's the best time to go. No one else is awake and we have the grounds to ourselves, not to mention our choice of the best horses." Mars spread a bit of pate onto a cracker and took a small bite.
"I wish Neptune and Pluto would hurry up and get here", Venus exclaimed. "I can't wait to have everyone all together at once!" Her eyes shone with excitement as she began braiding Saturn's silky black hair.
"It's good to know my absence doesn't go unnoticed", a voice from behind us called out across the water. Everyone, including Serenity and Endymion turned around to see who it was. A tall girl with long, dark green hair stood in the garden's entrance way, a sweet smile on her lips to show her comment's jest.
"Pluto!", Serenity cried, happily. She gathered her skirts and ran across the bridge, flinging herself into Pluto's slender arms. The older girl returned the embrace with as much affection. The blood red color of Pluto's dress spilled onto the white of Serenity's.
"I gather they've met before", I commented aloud.
Mercury smiled. "Pluto comes to the palace often...long before we were born. She's a special friend of the Princess."
"But...she can't be that much older than I am." My brow crinkled in confusion.
Endymion chuckled. "Don't let appearances fool you. Pluto is older than all of us combined."
It was then that I remembered hearing of the Senshi of Time. Pluto. My confusion cleared.
Serenity and Pluto walked back to us, arms linked. "Pluto...I'd like you to meet Uranus", the Princess introduced us. I hastily stood upon hearing my name.
"Uranus", Pluto's voice was warm. "I'm so glad to meet you. It's shame that we never have before....being that our planets are so close to one another."
"A shame", I repeated. I wanted to say more, but no words came out.
Fortunately, little Saturn came to my rescue. "Where is Neptune?", she asked the newcomer.
Pluto kneeled and pulled Saturn onto her own lap. I could feel the bond between them. "Neptune and I were supposed to share the same transport. I've actually gotten to be on Pluto for the past few days. But at the last minute, she sent word that she wouldn't be coming with me. I'm afraid she won't be arriving until at least this evening...maybe not even until tomorrow afternoon."
Mercury looked disappointed. "I was hoping she and I could swim together while everyone else is out riding."
Mars gave her old friend a knowing smile. "Figured that if anyone could compete against you, it'd be the Princess of the Sea?" Mercury blushed, giving herself away.
"She won't miss the ball, will she?", Venus worried. "Queen Serenity told me she's asked Neptune to play the violin.....I hear she's better at it than anyone."
Jupiter broke a cracker in half. "I met her last year when my mother and I spent a weekend at the Triton Hot Springs on Neptune. Trust me....she's not the type to miss an opportunity to dress up and dance."
A princess who liked to make herself pretty and dance with all the handsome young men.....what a surprise. Dress up for the ball..... Inwardly, I groaned. A ball. Balls meant dresses. Princesses wore dresses. I was a princess going to a ball.
I decided I wanted to go home.
******************
Surely enough, when I returned to my room later that afternoon, a white satin garment bag hung from the mahagony beams of the four poster bed. I sighed and took it down, rehanging it in the closet. I didn't want to look at it...didn't want to think about it until the next day.
There was a knock at my door. "Coming", I replied, walking to it and twisting the knob. The Princess of Jupiter stood in the hallway.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you", she said, politely.
I shook my head. "No...not at all. Um...come in." I gestured her in. Once her green dress was clear of the door, I closed it. "What can I do for you?"
"Nothing really...I just didn't get a chance to talk to you much at lunch, what with Venus and Serenity talking and all." She crossed her arms. "I love them dearly, but there are times I wish I could somehow mute them."
I smiled. "I can imagine."
There was a little pause as she looked around my room. "Let me guess...", she began. "Your fuku has a navy blue skirt with a yellow bow."
"I knew it wasn't a coincidence."
Jupiter grinned. "My room is green and the bathroom is pink. Queen Serenity likes details. It's one of the most amazing things about her...she knows how to make you feel at home even when you're light years away from it."
"I'm...looking forward to meeting her", I replied, truthfully. "Please...um...sit down." I pointed to a small armchair near the room's dressing table.
Jupiter complied, sinking down into it. I took the smaller, harder chair that belonged to the dressing table itself. "So...", I said, unsure of where to go from there.
"May I ask you something?", Jupiter wondered.
"All right", I replied, more than a little wary.
"How come you've never visited the Moon Kingdom before?"
I took a breath and held it for a moment. "Well....it's just that it's so...far away from Uranus..."
"Pluto is even farther out, yet I know Pluto like a sister."
"I don't know what to tell you, Jupiter." I ran a hand through my hair. "Maybe it's just easier to stay on Uranus....train alone." I regretted the words as soon as they came out of my mouth.
Jupiter reached for my hand, as though we had known each other for years. "Well, you're here now. And I'm glad. Venus was right....having the whole team together is just what we need." She stood up. "On that note, we're going to do a little bit of training before dinner...if you want to come along."
I thought for a second. Of course I wanted to...I had a lot of energy to burn. But.... "Will everyone be there? Pluto, Saturn...Venus?"
"Not Saturn. Queen Serenity doesn't want....well, let's just say it wouldn't be a very good idea to let Saturn exercise her powers. But Pluto and Venus, yes. Especially Venus."
"Why especially Venus?"
Jupiter cocked her head to the side, strangely. Her long ponytail draped over her shoulder. "She's our leader."
**************
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Under Venus' direction, the other girls and I went through a series of rigorous warm up exercises, ending with some energy work. We had agreed not to transform into our Sailor Senshi states until Neptune arrived...somehow it seemed appropriate to do it together. Like a team.
I was forced to admit; Prince Endymion had been right. The Inner Senshi knew what they were doing. Even Venus, despite how she presented herself in everday conversation. But I couldn't help but feel a little proud to note that although the girls were strong, especially Jupiter, Pluto and I could easily gain the upper hand in the sparring exercises. I couldn't wait to see if that held true when were allowed to use our real powers.
Dinner was an informal affair, much like lunch except we ate in the dining room. The Queen did not join us, but the Princess promised it wasn't because she didn't want to. Important affairs of state.... I understood; it was the same reason I barely knew my own parents. Affairs of state.
After the meal was over, I found myself with nothing to do. I was too wound from the late day training to sleep, but it was too dark to take a horse out riding. I could read, I supposed, but that would require finding the library. Fortunately, Mars approached me as I left the dining room.
"Everyone's heading to the parlor, Uranus." She smiled. "There's not a whole lot else to do. Will you come?"
I nodded, gratefully. "Thank you."
The group sans Neptune, who much to Venus' dismay still had yet to arrive, had somehow beaten us to the parlor. Pluto sat in a high backed armchair, Saturn on her lap. Together, they were poring over a large picture book. In front of the fireplace, Jupiter and Mercury were setting up a chess game. Venus sat on the love seat with Serenity and Endymion. I double-blinked upon seeing the two girls together, that close. The resemblance between them was striking. I knew why, and it comforted me to know that if the Princess ever came into danger, Venus would have no problems passing for her.
Serenity looked up as we came in. "Uranus", she addressed me happily. "Is it true that you play the piano?"
I couldn't lie. "I do...a little." I had to wonder how everyone knew so much about me. It was disquieting. My eyes strayed to the upright piano against one wall. Oh....they wanted me to play. I gave a little shrug and walked over to it.
It was in tune, I was glad to discover after playing a few notes. I sat down and started up a waltz I had commited to memory.
As I played, I realized something. Being there...it wasn't as terrible as I had envisioned it. But when I took my eyes from the keys and looked at the other girls, I still felt slightly lost in the group. Something was missing, I just couldn't define what it was.
The feeling stayed with me through the evening. When I eventually retired for the night, promising Jupiter and Mars that I would not fail to get up in time to go riding with them, I locked my door behind me and slumped onto the bed, not bothering to undress. The sooner I fell asleep, the sooner I could escape the feeling. The feeling of....lonliness. I snorted into the covers. Imagine, feeling lonely while surrounded by eight other people. But lonely I was. Would I stay that way for two months?
***************
My internal clock woke me up the next morning. A very weak, struggling light peaked through the curtains and told me it was time to get up. Mars and Jupiter would be by at any moment. With as much energy as I could muster, I managed to drag myself up and into my riding clothes.
I met Jupiter and Mars in the hallway and we left the palace together, heading for the stables. We chose our horses and had the stable boy saddle them for us. It didn't surprise me that Mars chose to ride side-saddle, but I was glad to see Jupiter go with a traditional saddle. I didn't stick out quite as much when I chose the same. From the elaborate grounds, we took off in a trot, moving the animals quickly up to a gallop. I let my horse follow the others, having absolutely no idea where we were or were going.
After almost an hour, Mars held up her hand and signaled for a break. Jupiter and I slowed our horses down, although I could tell she wanted to keep going, as I did.
As we let the animals graze, Mars shifted in her saddle. "Did you all hear Neptune arrive this morning?"
Jupiter nodded. "It woke me up around four thirty."
"I didn't know transports ran that late", I commented.
Mars shrugged. "Well, it wasn't a regularly scheduled one, I don't think. She probably has her own."
"La di da", I found myself muttering, quite cattily, under my breath.
The Princess of Jupiter laughed out loud. "Oh...she's not that bad. I didn't spend a lot of time with her last year, but I got the feeling she's more quiet than anything. Reserved, but not stuck up."
"I hope you're right", I replied. The last thing our team needed was a prima donna from Neptune. "At least Venus will be happy now."
"Yes, but we probably won't get to do any training with her today. I overheard her tell the porter that she planned to sleep until it was time to get ready for the ball." Jupiter pulled on the reins to keep her horse from wandering away.
Mars stroked her horse's mane. "Actually, I'm with her there. A nap before the ball sounds good."
The ball. I gave an involuntary shudder. I had almost managed to forget about it.
"Hoping to look your best for a certain general from Earth?", Jupiter innocently suggested.
The raven haired girl blushed deeply, betraying herself. "As if you won't be spending a good amount of time in front of a mirror today for the same reason."
I was so consumed with the thought of dressing up, that I failed to hear Jupiter's reply. I did hear Mars say something back and the sounds of laughter, but the next words I heard clearly were from Jupiter. "Come on, Mars." She tapped her heels into her horse's sides and clicked her tongue. "Uranus and I will give you head start back to the Palace."
**************
It was a short day. Days are always short when you're dreading something to come. And I dreaded going to this ball. I lingered over breakfast, putting off looking at the gown that had been left for me yesterday. Afterwards, I played chess with Mercury until I had beaten her four times in a row.
"You're amazing, Uranus. I'd love to keep going, but the dressmaker is coming to adjust my gown in ten minutes."
Lunch was served soon after that. I was the first at the table and the last to leave. Anything to avoid going to my room.
With the help of a servant, I found the library and spent a few hours looking through the Palace's collection of books. At five past four, a servant approached me.
"Princess...." Her eyes strayed to my breeches for a second. "The Queen has sent me to give you this." The young girl held out a large, square velvet box. A jewler's box.
I accepted it without opening it. "Thank you." The girl bowed and left the room.
With a heavy heart, I climbed the crystal stairs, heading for my room. I could no longer put it off. It was my duty to be at the ball.....in a dress and jewels. Duty was duty.
When I entered our wing of the palace, I heard laughter. The door to Venus' room was open; inside, Venus sat in front of her dresser, clad in a robe. A servant was curling her hair with a hot piece of iron. Catching my appearance in the mirror, she waved to me. I smiled in return and continued down the hallway.
I heard sounds from the room across from mine as well. A violin being tuned. Anyone else would have taken the opportunity to meet the mysterious Princess of Neptune. I simply went into my own room and shut the door.
Setting the box down onto my dresser, I went to the closet and stared at the hateful white satin garment bag. "If you're pink...I'm not going", I told the dress inside.
There was only one way to find out. Taking a deep breath, I reached out and unbuttoned the side of the bag. A fold of soft, navy blue silk peeked through the opening. Gingerly, I lifted the dress out and held it arm's length. It was entirely dark blue, strapless with a higher than normal waist and a long, full skirt. Beautiful...but was it me? I sighed. What choice did I have? Show up in the dress uniform I had brought with me? It was an option, but did I really feel like being stared at by courtiers and whispered about by society matrons all night long? I laid the dress on the bed before going to take a long bath. I'd decide when I was good and relaxed, I told myself. No rush.
Two hours later found me sitting at my dresser in a white terrycloth robe, no nearer to deciding what to wear for the ball than I had been before my bath. I picked up a silver comb and idly ran it through my short hair, remembering the last time I had been to a ball. It had been the 50th anniversary of my grandmother's reign over Uranus. I was thirteen at the time, but I already knew I wasn't the pretty princess everyone expected me to be. So, I wore a full dress uniform of my younger brother's. And I still haven't heard the end of it.
No, I wouldn't be the cause of another scandal. I wanted to get through the evening, unnoticed. Let the attention be put on Serenity or Venus or this Neptune. But not me. I would blend. And to blend...I'd have to wear the dress.
*************
Author's Notes: This story was a long time in coming, much longer than anyone knows. It's sort of been my secret pet project. A lot of factors contributed to its formation and completion. Certainly the response I've gotten on my other Sailor Moon stories helped a great deal. Domo arigatou minna. Another great help came from a composer named Gustav Holst who, before his death in 1934, wrote seven pieces of music dedicated to the seven planets (Pluto hadn't been discovered when he wrote them and Earth didn't get one). The final two pieces, "Uranus, the Magician" and "Neptune, the Mystic" provided hours of inspiration. Wherever you are, Gustav, dankeschoen!! Ich liebe dich!
Dedication: To my brother, Clifton, who has always thought that Sailor Moon should be a little more violent with a little more sex....
**********
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure-dome, decree.
Where Alph, the sacred river ran, through caverns measureless to man.
Down to a sunless sea...."
-Samuel Taylor Coleridge
"Mortal men and women defending their own world is not about death...but life."
-Mortal Kombat
*********
A Stately Pleasure
by Kristen Elizabeth
*********
I don't have very much time left. I probably shouldn't even be doing this, taking the time to write these words. And there are so many words to write. I should be planning, strategizing, focusing on the battle ahead. I am, after all, a warrior. A Sailor Senshi. The last one.
But I find myself drawn to the pen and the paper that lay in front of me. These last moments which should be spent in preparation, I have instead chosen to spend in reflection. They are painful memories, to say the very least, but they're all I have left.
I correct that. There's one other thing I have. The thing that started it all. I will enclose it with these pages, so you who read this might have it to look at. Preserve it. Cherish it. Put it in your museums, a reminder of the old days which were lost. The days when the Moon was the center of the universe and the planets worked together to protect it. The days when the rule of a woman named Serenity was good and fair and the future was visible in the clear blue of her daughter's eyes.
The days when I fell in love and promptly lost it.
*********
The invitation you hold in your hand arrived by air express. I was the first one at the ship when it landed. So little news came to my planet; I wanted to be the first to see what it was.
"Princess." The mail carrier bowed to me. It surprised me that he could tell I was a girl right away. I had to give him credit....most people couldn't. "This is for you."
I took the heavy white envelope from him and nodded my thanks. I recognized the silver-edged stationery immediately. And I could already sense what the invitation was asking me to participate in.
The only question was.....did I really want to meet the other Sailor Senshi?
********
Three days later, as I stepped off the air transport and got my first look at the Moon Kingdom, I realized the answer to that question.
Not really.
The first person to greet me was not a palace courtier or embassary as I had expected, but a young girl with long, blond hair, pulled away from her pretty face by a big red bow. "You must be Uranus!", she squealed, grabbing my arm. "We've heard so much about you. Everyone thought you were a prince for the longest time and now I see why!"
"Venus!!" Another girl with short, blue hair and a sweet smile came to my rescue. "Really, Venus....Uranus must be exhausted from her journey. Don't bombard her with all your crazy thoughts!"
I gave the girl a grateful smile. "It's all right....um...", I trailed off, realizing I had no idea who she was. I knew she was a senshi though. Even though I had never met any of them, I could feel a connection to her, as well as Venus.
"Mercury", she said, lowering her head briefly. "Venus is right about one thing, though. We have heard a lot about you, Uranus. It's an honor to finally meet you."
I decided I liked the Princess of Mercury. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. Her little friend Venus was far prettier, but appeared to be more than a little flaky. "You too, Mercury. And Venus", I added, as an afterthought.
"Hey!", Venus cried. "We should take you to the palace so you can get settled in!" With a wave of her hand, she called a porter over to us. "Everyone gets their own room because the Palace is so big. You're going to love it!!"
We began walking a long path to the Palace, the porter following with my one simple suitcase.
"We're sorry that we were the only ones able to come and welcome you", Mercury apologized. "Princess Serenity and Saturn are still sleeping, although only one of them actually needs it." She and Venus exchanged a knowing look. "Jupiter and Mars left the Palace early to go riding..."
"You ride, Uranus, right?", Venus interrupted. "I've heard that you do and you're really good at it!"
"Um..yeah....I'm all right." I felt very overwhelmed; I found myself almost longing for the peace and solitude of my planet.
"Venus", Mercury chided her friend. Then, she turned back to me. "The other senshi have not arrived yet."
"Neptune and Pluto?", I guessed, naming the only two planets she hadn't mentioned, besides Earth.
She nodded. "They'll be here in time for dinner tonight."
We were fast approaching the famous Moon Palace. I had to admit...it was stunning. Stretching nearly a half mile, it was home to over 100 rooms, one being a ballroom that took up almost an entire floor, an indoor pool for swimming and one kept frozen for ice skating...not to mention grounds full of gardens, a tennis court and stables. I was particurally interested in the stables; riding my horse, Amaterasu, back on Uranus was one of my favorite things to do.
The two princesses took me into the Palace through one of the side entrances. Before we went inside though, I dismissed the porter and took my bag. I wasn't used to being waited on.
I was amazed at not only the size and complexity of the Palace, but of the girls' knowledge of the interior. "You two seem to know your way around here pretty well", I commented, as they led me through a long corridor and up a back stairway.
Venus smiled happily. "We practically grew up here. In fact, I think I know it better than I do my own home, Minne Palace." We emerged from the cramped stairwell into a much larger, much more ornate hallway. "Sorry to have to take you up the servants entrance. Queen Serenity is having the main staircase decorated and you can't get through at all right now."
"It's all right", I assured her. Although the palace I called home was no shack, it definitely paled in comparision to this. A large painting hanging in the hall caught my eye. It was of a lovely woman with long silver hair, holding a small, blond child. "This is Queen Serenity?", I asked, stopping in front of it.
Mercury walked back to me. "Yes. And Princess Serenity when she was younger. This portrait has always been a favorite of mine."
I felt a slight twinge of jealousy, an emotion that was foriegn to me. There was a bond between the Senshi of the inner planets and our Queen. I wondered if I would fit in here at all, or if the next few weeks would be spent in isolation. I could handle the latter, isolation; I didn't even mind it, I told myself. But I couldn't help but feel the former would be preferable.
Venus and Mercury stopped in front of a large set of beautifully carved ivory double doors. "The Queen has given us this entire wing for the time we're here", Venus bubbled. A man in full livery stood to the side of the doors. Two cats, one black and one white, but both with gold crescent marks on their foreheads, dozed on the floor near him. The guard watched us out of the corner of his eye. I smiled, wryly. Princesses needed to be watched, after all.
The man moved to open one door for us and we stepped inside. Down the long hall were ten doors, five on each side. As we walked past each door, Venus pointed out which room belonged to which Senshi. "The first on the left is Mercury's...mine is across the hall from hers." We walked a bit more. "This one is Princess Serenity's....she decided to move from her real room, to be closer to us. Mars is across the hall from her."
Mercury took over for Venus as we moved a bit further. "Jupiter's room is next to Serenity's and Saturn stays across from her", she whispered. "Saturn hasn't been feeling well since she got here, so we sort of have to be quiet."
I nodded that I would be.
"Here's your room", Venus continued a moment later. "Neptune, when she arrives, will stay across from you. Pluto's room is next to yours and across from her...." She giggled. "Well...we're not supposed to let it get around the Court, but that's where Prince Endymion is staying."
"Hence, the guard at the door." Mercury hid her own giggle behind her hand. "At least he and Serenity aren't right next door to each other. You know what a light sleeper Jupiter is. If either one of them tries to get to the other's room....." She laughed, too embarassed to continue her thought.
I had to smile at that. Word of the Prince of Earth and the Moon Princesses' involvment had reached even the outer planets. I was surprised though that Queen Serenity would even consider letting him stay in the same wing with us. I supposed she must trust him and her daughter a great deal.
"You're probably famished, but lunch won't be served for another hour or so. We can have the kitchen send you up something, if you'd like", Mercury offered.
"No, thanks", I refused the offer. "I'd really just like to take a hot bath." The transport from Uranus had been as long as it had been tedious.
Mercury smiled. "We understand. We'll see you at lunch then. It'll be served in the Moon Garden."
"Bye Uranus!" Venus gave me a little wave before she and Mercury walked back towards the main hallway.
I sighed when they were out of earshot. "If the rest of the Senshi are anything like Venus, I may just go crazy in two months", I said aloud.
"Don't worry", a masculine voice behind me replied. I swung my head around to see who it was. A tall man, taller than I, with pitch-black hair and piercing blue eyes stood before me. "The Inner Princesses seem a bit silly at first, but once you get to know them, you'll realize they have a great deal of power, and know how to use it." The man moved towards me. "I'm Prince Endymion."
"Um...Princess Uranus", I introduced myself in turn. I surprised myself, using my full title; I didn't on an everyday basis. "But I suppose you probably heard that, too."
The Prince of Earth reached down and took my hand. He brought the back of it up to his lips briefly. "I don't want you to think I was eavesdropping; I just happened to come out of my room at the wrong time. It's a pleasure to meet you, Uranus."
On some sort of instinct, I pulled my hand away. No man had ever treated me like a princess before. I wanted to be angry, but truth be told, it wasn't so terrible. "Thank you. It's...um...good to meet you, too."
There was a pause. "Well, I'll let you get settled, Uranus. Will we see you at lunch?" I nodded my reply, unable to think of anything more to say. "Until then." He gave a slight bow before walking off in the direction Mercury and Venus had just taken, his cape trailing after him.
I sighed again and shook my head. As much as I hated to admit it, being here with my fellow Senshi was throwing me for a loop. And I hadn't even met all of them yet. With that thought, I let myself into my room and closed the door behind me.
My room was incredible. Simple, but elegant. Classically done in shades of dark blue, highlighted with golden yellows. My lips curled up. "Like my fuku." I had to wonder if it was a mere coincidence. I set my suitcase down by the four poster bed and put my hands on my hips. Coincidence or not, it would be a daily reminder of why I was really there.
A little searching led me to my small, private bathroom. Quickly, I shed my journey-worn clothes and twisted the silver knobs of the bathtub. Streams of hot water poured into the porcelain tub; soon, the room was clouded with steam, just the way I liked it. I stepped in and sat down, sinking into the hot water.
I didn't let myself think for a full five minutes. There were a lot of new things to think about, true, but I wanted to take in everything slowly...if that was possible. I had gotten so used to my everyday life on Uranus. Training, riding my horse, more training. I never had to be around anyone except my parents and the servants, never had to make small talk or act like a real princess. I could wear men's clothes and nobody cared.
But here, everything was different. Mercury, Venus and the Prince were all polite about it, but I could tell they had been surprised to see me in loose breeches and a button down shirt. Both girls had been wearing dresses, Venus' in bright yellow and Mercury's in deep blue. They were princesses, bound and determined to look the part. I, on the other hand, was a princess, bound and determined to make others forget it. And maybe even to make myself forget it.
And what of the Senshi I had yet to meet? Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Pluto and the Moon Princess herself. Would they have the same reactions? Could any of them accept me for what I was? I brought my fist down into the water, sending a spray across my face.
"Who cares if they don't", I told myself, angrily. "I don't need their approval to do my duty and do it well. It's only two months. After that, I can go back home and I never have to see any of them again if I don't want to."
With that resolution, I reached for the soap that had been laid out for me and ducked my head under the water.
***************
When I emerged from my room an hour later, clad in a fresh pair of navy blue breeches and a white blouse, I was relieved to see no one in the hallway. Perhaps I could find my own way to the Moon Garden without having to ask for anyone's help. I took off towards the main hallway, walking carefully as not to be heard by anyone who might still be in their room.
"Are you Princess Uranus?", a very small, very quiet voice behind me asked. It was the second time that day someone had snuck up behind me; I didn't appreciate it. I whirled around, prepared to confront whoever the voice belonged to, but as soon as I saw who it was, I thought better. A frail, ebony-haired child in a long, lavender dress stood in front of one of the doors, her pale hands clasped together at her heart. It was Saturn's room, I remembered Mercury having said, so this must be the Princess of Saturn. But could this, I hated to say it, sickly-looking child really be a Sailor Senshi? The protector of her planet and defender of the Moon Kingdom?
"Yes, I'm Uranus", I answered her question. I approached her and knelt to her level. "And you're Princess Saturn, right?"
She nodded. "I've wanted to meet you ever since I can remember", she whispered.
I wasn't quite sure what to say to that. "The other princesses told me you weren't feeling well. I hope you're...um...feeling better now."
"Yes, I am...a little. Actually..." She looked up at me with wide, violet eyes. "I was hungry. Were you going to lunch too?"
I had no rational explaination for it, save for the same Senshi connection I had sensed with Mercury and Venus, but I felt an immediate link to this girl. They say that children judge less than adults...maybe that was part of it. There was definitely more to the child than met the eye. I felt as though I wouldn't have to put up so many barriers against her. "I am going to lunch. And to tell you the truth, I have no idea where the Moon Garden is."
Saturn smiled for the first time. She took my hand in hers. "You can walk with me. I'm sure we can find it together."
It was the nicest offer I had recieved in a long time. I straightened back up, still holding onto her little hand.
We passed the guard at the door with barely a glance, making a sharp turn to the left and proceeding down the hall. After a moment we stepped through another doorway into the heart of the palace. The main residence of Queen Serenity's home was shaped like a giant rectangle with wings of rooms on all four sides and a huge open air area in the center. From the fourth floor, the top floor, a crystal staircase began. As it reached each floor, it picked up in width. It lead all the way down to the ballroom at the ground level. My jaw dropped open; I had never seen anything quite so breathtaking.
Saturn tugged on my hand. I let her lead me around the balcony and down the grand staircase. When we reached the empty ballroom, I looked up. Far above us, a glass dome enclosed the courtyard, still allowing light to bathe the clear crystal of the last flight of the staircase. I could imagine how beautiful it would be at night when the stars were out.
"Excuse me." Before I could stop her, Saturn caught the attention of a servant passing us. "Where is the Moon Garden?"
The servant stopped and bowed. Amazingly, he didn't drop the two pots of flowers he was carrying in the process. "Directly behind the staircase, Princess. Through the salarium." Bowing again, he continued to wherever he had been headed.
"I'm sorry if you wanted to explore some more, Uranus. I'm just hungry."
I wasn't angry. How could I possible get angry at the child? "It's all right, Saturn. They'll be plenty of time for exploring later."
My apprehension grew as we made our way to the Moon Garden. Everyone would be there. Well, with a few exceptions. Maybe we would be the first ones to arrive. Then I could look everyone over as they came in instead of the other way around.
I was making myself angry. I had never buckled under pressure before...never given a damn what anyone thought of me. Why did the thought of meeting these other girls have such an effect on my state of being? I clentched my jaw. They weren't going to get to me. They just weren't.
We emerged into the Moon Garden a moment later. I could only imagine how many hours the Palace gardeners must have spent to create the lush forest that surrounded us. At the far end of the garden, a foliage dotted rock formation stood, the support to a lovely waterfall. It gracefully tumbled down into a small, winding creek that lazily made its way around the garden, forming a small island in the middle. Like the ballrooom, the Moon Garden was enclosed in glass. It was a fairyland....a private fairyland for the Queen's guests.
I was out of luck. There were already several people on the island, sitting on blankets spread out over the grass. I recognized Venus and Mercury right away; they sat with two other girls in dresses of red and green. Beside them on the blanket, the same two cats I had seen before rested on their sides. Venus idly stroked the white cat's fur. Upon seeing us enter, she gave me a happy wave. Prince Endymion was also there, sitting with a young girl in white. Her long, perfect blond ponytails gave her away. She was the Moon Princess, Serenity.
All eyes were on us. Saturn seemed to sense my hesitation and squeezed my hand. "They're all really nice", she assured me.
I smiled down at her. "Thank you."
A small bridge stretched across the brook to the island. Before we even reached it, Venus stood up. "Uranus!" She headed towards us. "Come meet everyone." She took Saturn's other hand. "I'm so glad to see you up, Saturn." The child turned her face up and grinned at the older girl.
As we approached the small group, the brunette girl in green stood and smoothed down her dress, awkwardly. She reminded me of myself whenever I had been forced to dress up. "I'm Jupiter", she introduced herself. "And this..." She pointed to the girl in red who remained seated "...is Mars."
Mars pushed her thick, black bangs out of her eyes and smiled up at me. "Hello, Uranus."
"Hello", was all I could manage. Too many introductions for one day....
Princess Serenity stood as well and came to my side. "Princess Uranus....I can't tell you how wonderful it is to meet you."
The girl had a surreal quality to her that belied her tiny figure. I felt loyalty, I felt wonder, I felt.....out of place. But I lowered my chin to my chest out of respect. "Princess, it's an honor", I replied.
"Let me introduce Prince Endymion of Earth", the Princess continued.
Endymion stood up. "Actually the Princess and I have already met", he said, but he bowed to me anyways.
"Oh?", Princess Serenity asked, surprised. "Have you heard that Endymion is going to be training with you all, too, Uranus?"
"Only for a week", Endymion corrected her. "Then I have to return to Earth."
"I thought you were going to put off your return as long as you could." Serenity looked up at the Prince, a pout on her lovely face.
He took her hand. "And a week is as long as I can...." They moved off to the side together to talk in private.
Mars looked up at me apologetically. "Excuse their dramatic relationship", she sighed. "It's like a bad Pelenian romance novel."
I laughed; I couldn't help it. The same thought had just run through my mind. It was nice to know I wasn't the only one.
"Come sit down with us", Mercury said, shifting to the left to provide more space on the blanket. "I know you must be hungry now."
I gingerly sat on my knees next to the girl in blue. Venus plopped down next to me, Saturn on her lap. "I am...thank you", I said, reaching for a handful of grapes.
Jupiter sat back down and picked up her goblet. "Venus told us you'd be interested in going riding in the mornings, Uranus. We'd love your company." She drank, still looking at me over the rim of the cup.
I accepted my own goblet of wine from a servant who approached me from behind. "That would be...great."
"We get up very early, but it's the best time to go. No one else is awake and we have the grounds to ourselves, not to mention our choice of the best horses." Mars spread a bit of pate onto a cracker and took a small bite.
"I wish Neptune and Pluto would hurry up and get here", Venus exclaimed. "I can't wait to have everyone all together at once!" Her eyes shone with excitement as she began braiding Saturn's silky black hair.
"It's good to know my absence doesn't go unnoticed", a voice from behind us called out across the water. Everyone, including Serenity and Endymion turned around to see who it was. A tall girl with long, dark green hair stood in the garden's entrance way, a sweet smile on her lips to show her comment's jest.
"Pluto!", Serenity cried, happily. She gathered her skirts and ran across the bridge, flinging herself into Pluto's slender arms. The older girl returned the embrace with as much affection. The blood red color of Pluto's dress spilled onto the white of Serenity's.
"I gather they've met before", I commented aloud.
Mercury smiled. "Pluto comes to the palace often...long before we were born. She's a special friend of the Princess."
"But...she can't be that much older than I am." My brow crinkled in confusion.
Endymion chuckled. "Don't let appearances fool you. Pluto is older than all of us combined."
It was then that I remembered hearing of the Senshi of Time. Pluto. My confusion cleared.
Serenity and Pluto walked back to us, arms linked. "Pluto...I'd like you to meet Uranus", the Princess introduced us. I hastily stood upon hearing my name.
"Uranus", Pluto's voice was warm. "I'm so glad to meet you. It's shame that we never have before....being that our planets are so close to one another."
"A shame", I repeated. I wanted to say more, but no words came out.
Fortunately, little Saturn came to my rescue. "Where is Neptune?", she asked the newcomer.
Pluto kneeled and pulled Saturn onto her own lap. I could feel the bond between them. "Neptune and I were supposed to share the same transport. I've actually gotten to be on Pluto for the past few days. But at the last minute, she sent word that she wouldn't be coming with me. I'm afraid she won't be arriving until at least this evening...maybe not even until tomorrow afternoon."
Mercury looked disappointed. "I was hoping she and I could swim together while everyone else is out riding."
Mars gave her old friend a knowing smile. "Figured that if anyone could compete against you, it'd be the Princess of the Sea?" Mercury blushed, giving herself away.
"She won't miss the ball, will she?", Venus worried. "Queen Serenity told me she's asked Neptune to play the violin.....I hear she's better at it than anyone."
Jupiter broke a cracker in half. "I met her last year when my mother and I spent a weekend at the Triton Hot Springs on Neptune. Trust me....she's not the type to miss an opportunity to dress up and dance."
A princess who liked to make herself pretty and dance with all the handsome young men.....what a surprise. Dress up for the ball..... Inwardly, I groaned. A ball. Balls meant dresses. Princesses wore dresses. I was a princess going to a ball.
I decided I wanted to go home.
******************
Surely enough, when I returned to my room later that afternoon, a white satin garment bag hung from the mahagony beams of the four poster bed. I sighed and took it down, rehanging it in the closet. I didn't want to look at it...didn't want to think about it until the next day.
There was a knock at my door. "Coming", I replied, walking to it and twisting the knob. The Princess of Jupiter stood in the hallway.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you", she said, politely.
I shook my head. "No...not at all. Um...come in." I gestured her in. Once her green dress was clear of the door, I closed it. "What can I do for you?"
"Nothing really...I just didn't get a chance to talk to you much at lunch, what with Venus and Serenity talking and all." She crossed her arms. "I love them dearly, but there are times I wish I could somehow mute them."
I smiled. "I can imagine."
There was a little pause as she looked around my room. "Let me guess...", she began. "Your fuku has a navy blue skirt with a yellow bow."
"I knew it wasn't a coincidence."
Jupiter grinned. "My room is green and the bathroom is pink. Queen Serenity likes details. It's one of the most amazing things about her...she knows how to make you feel at home even when you're light years away from it."
"I'm...looking forward to meeting her", I replied, truthfully. "Please...um...sit down." I pointed to a small armchair near the room's dressing table.
Jupiter complied, sinking down into it. I took the smaller, harder chair that belonged to the dressing table itself. "So...", I said, unsure of where to go from there.
"May I ask you something?", Jupiter wondered.
"All right", I replied, more than a little wary.
"How come you've never visited the Moon Kingdom before?"
I took a breath and held it for a moment. "Well....it's just that it's so...far away from Uranus..."
"Pluto is even farther out, yet I know Pluto like a sister."
"I don't know what to tell you, Jupiter." I ran a hand through my hair. "Maybe it's just easier to stay on Uranus....train alone." I regretted the words as soon as they came out of my mouth.
Jupiter reached for my hand, as though we had known each other for years. "Well, you're here now. And I'm glad. Venus was right....having the whole team together is just what we need." She stood up. "On that note, we're going to do a little bit of training before dinner...if you want to come along."
I thought for a second. Of course I wanted to...I had a lot of energy to burn. But.... "Will everyone be there? Pluto, Saturn...Venus?"
"Not Saturn. Queen Serenity doesn't want....well, let's just say it wouldn't be a very good idea to let Saturn exercise her powers. But Pluto and Venus, yes. Especially Venus."
"Why especially Venus?"
Jupiter cocked her head to the side, strangely. Her long ponytail draped over her shoulder. "She's our leader."
**************
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Under Venus' direction, the other girls and I went through a series of rigorous warm up exercises, ending with some energy work. We had agreed not to transform into our Sailor Senshi states until Neptune arrived...somehow it seemed appropriate to do it together. Like a team.
I was forced to admit; Prince Endymion had been right. The Inner Senshi knew what they were doing. Even Venus, despite how she presented herself in everday conversation. But I couldn't help but feel a little proud to note that although the girls were strong, especially Jupiter, Pluto and I could easily gain the upper hand in the sparring exercises. I couldn't wait to see if that held true when were allowed to use our real powers.
Dinner was an informal affair, much like lunch except we ate in the dining room. The Queen did not join us, but the Princess promised it wasn't because she didn't want to. Important affairs of state.... I understood; it was the same reason I barely knew my own parents. Affairs of state.
After the meal was over, I found myself with nothing to do. I was too wound from the late day training to sleep, but it was too dark to take a horse out riding. I could read, I supposed, but that would require finding the library. Fortunately, Mars approached me as I left the dining room.
"Everyone's heading to the parlor, Uranus." She smiled. "There's not a whole lot else to do. Will you come?"
I nodded, gratefully. "Thank you."
The group sans Neptune, who much to Venus' dismay still had yet to arrive, had somehow beaten us to the parlor. Pluto sat in a high backed armchair, Saturn on her lap. Together, they were poring over a large picture book. In front of the fireplace, Jupiter and Mercury were setting up a chess game. Venus sat on the love seat with Serenity and Endymion. I double-blinked upon seeing the two girls together, that close. The resemblance between them was striking. I knew why, and it comforted me to know that if the Princess ever came into danger, Venus would have no problems passing for her.
Serenity looked up as we came in. "Uranus", she addressed me happily. "Is it true that you play the piano?"
I couldn't lie. "I do...a little." I had to wonder how everyone knew so much about me. It was disquieting. My eyes strayed to the upright piano against one wall. Oh....they wanted me to play. I gave a little shrug and walked over to it.
It was in tune, I was glad to discover after playing a few notes. I sat down and started up a waltz I had commited to memory.
As I played, I realized something. Being there...it wasn't as terrible as I had envisioned it. But when I took my eyes from the keys and looked at the other girls, I still felt slightly lost in the group. Something was missing, I just couldn't define what it was.
The feeling stayed with me through the evening. When I eventually retired for the night, promising Jupiter and Mars that I would not fail to get up in time to go riding with them, I locked my door behind me and slumped onto the bed, not bothering to undress. The sooner I fell asleep, the sooner I could escape the feeling. The feeling of....lonliness. I snorted into the covers. Imagine, feeling lonely while surrounded by eight other people. But lonely I was. Would I stay that way for two months?
***************
My internal clock woke me up the next morning. A very weak, struggling light peaked through the curtains and told me it was time to get up. Mars and Jupiter would be by at any moment. With as much energy as I could muster, I managed to drag myself up and into my riding clothes.
I met Jupiter and Mars in the hallway and we left the palace together, heading for the stables. We chose our horses and had the stable boy saddle them for us. It didn't surprise me that Mars chose to ride side-saddle, but I was glad to see Jupiter go with a traditional saddle. I didn't stick out quite as much when I chose the same. From the elaborate grounds, we took off in a trot, moving the animals quickly up to a gallop. I let my horse follow the others, having absolutely no idea where we were or were going.
After almost an hour, Mars held up her hand and signaled for a break. Jupiter and I slowed our horses down, although I could tell she wanted to keep going, as I did.
As we let the animals graze, Mars shifted in her saddle. "Did you all hear Neptune arrive this morning?"
Jupiter nodded. "It woke me up around four thirty."
"I didn't know transports ran that late", I commented.
Mars shrugged. "Well, it wasn't a regularly scheduled one, I don't think. She probably has her own."
"La di da", I found myself muttering, quite cattily, under my breath.
The Princess of Jupiter laughed out loud. "Oh...she's not that bad. I didn't spend a lot of time with her last year, but I got the feeling she's more quiet than anything. Reserved, but not stuck up."
"I hope you're right", I replied. The last thing our team needed was a prima donna from Neptune. "At least Venus will be happy now."
"Yes, but we probably won't get to do any training with her today. I overheard her tell the porter that she planned to sleep until it was time to get ready for the ball." Jupiter pulled on the reins to keep her horse from wandering away.
Mars stroked her horse's mane. "Actually, I'm with her there. A nap before the ball sounds good."
The ball. I gave an involuntary shudder. I had almost managed to forget about it.
"Hoping to look your best for a certain general from Earth?", Jupiter innocently suggested.
The raven haired girl blushed deeply, betraying herself. "As if you won't be spending a good amount of time in front of a mirror today for the same reason."
I was so consumed with the thought of dressing up, that I failed to hear Jupiter's reply. I did hear Mars say something back and the sounds of laughter, but the next words I heard clearly were from Jupiter. "Come on, Mars." She tapped her heels into her horse's sides and clicked her tongue. "Uranus and I will give you head start back to the Palace."
**************
It was a short day. Days are always short when you're dreading something to come. And I dreaded going to this ball. I lingered over breakfast, putting off looking at the gown that had been left for me yesterday. Afterwards, I played chess with Mercury until I had beaten her four times in a row.
"You're amazing, Uranus. I'd love to keep going, but the dressmaker is coming to adjust my gown in ten minutes."
Lunch was served soon after that. I was the first at the table and the last to leave. Anything to avoid going to my room.
With the help of a servant, I found the library and spent a few hours looking through the Palace's collection of books. At five past four, a servant approached me.
"Princess...." Her eyes strayed to my breeches for a second. "The Queen has sent me to give you this." The young girl held out a large, square velvet box. A jewler's box.
I accepted it without opening it. "Thank you." The girl bowed and left the room.
With a heavy heart, I climbed the crystal stairs, heading for my room. I could no longer put it off. It was my duty to be at the ball.....in a dress and jewels. Duty was duty.
When I entered our wing of the palace, I heard laughter. The door to Venus' room was open; inside, Venus sat in front of her dresser, clad in a robe. A servant was curling her hair with a hot piece of iron. Catching my appearance in the mirror, she waved to me. I smiled in return and continued down the hallway.
I heard sounds from the room across from mine as well. A violin being tuned. Anyone else would have taken the opportunity to meet the mysterious Princess of Neptune. I simply went into my own room and shut the door.
Setting the box down onto my dresser, I went to the closet and stared at the hateful white satin garment bag. "If you're pink...I'm not going", I told the dress inside.
There was only one way to find out. Taking a deep breath, I reached out and unbuttoned the side of the bag. A fold of soft, navy blue silk peeked through the opening. Gingerly, I lifted the dress out and held it arm's length. It was entirely dark blue, strapless with a higher than normal waist and a long, full skirt. Beautiful...but was it me? I sighed. What choice did I have? Show up in the dress uniform I had brought with me? It was an option, but did I really feel like being stared at by courtiers and whispered about by society matrons all night long? I laid the dress on the bed before going to take a long bath. I'd decide when I was good and relaxed, I told myself. No rush.
Two hours later found me sitting at my dresser in a white terrycloth robe, no nearer to deciding what to wear for the ball than I had been before my bath. I picked up a silver comb and idly ran it through my short hair, remembering the last time I had been to a ball. It had been the 50th anniversary of my grandmother's reign over Uranus. I was thirteen at the time, but I already knew I wasn't the pretty princess everyone expected me to be. So, I wore a full dress uniform of my younger brother's. And I still haven't heard the end of it.
No, I wouldn't be the cause of another scandal. I wanted to get through the evening, unnoticed. Let the attention be put on Serenity or Venus or this Neptune. But not me. I would blend. And to blend...I'd have to wear the dress.
*************