Disclaimer: Two words. Masami Kurumada.
Notes: This was a request from DaHaloChick. I have, in the course of writing this, dubbed the Pandora/Rhadamanthys pairing the "Panda ship." Please leave a comment if you like it.
First Impressions
"Good day, my lady."
Pandora raised her gaze from the floor harp to meet the eyes of a tall, serious-looking man. "Good day," she answered curtly. "And who may you be?"
"My name is Rhadamanthys, my lady."
"Rhadamanthys. I see. You may go now. I will call if you are needed."
"I would rather remain, my lady." Pandora flushed.
"You are nothing but Lord Hades's tool, to dispose of if he so desires! Do as I say, for I am Lord Hades's sister, and you are but a poor foolish wretch that he has pitied in his greatness." Rhadamanthys did not flinch.
"It is true, perhaps, that you are his sister, my lady, but I am determined to remain. After all, it was Lord Hades who assigned me to guard you, and the enemy forces are even now drawing nigh."
"Then leave me and prepare to defend the castle!"
"It is you I am to protect, my lady, not the castle." Pandora sighed wearily.
"What must I do to make you leave?" she finally demanded.
"Ask?"
"Fine." She rolled her eyes. "Please, Rhadamanthys. Would you kindly leave me and prepare to defend the castle from the attacking enemies?" He smiled, as if he were satisfied with something.
"Yes, my lady." And suddenly, he was gone.
--
It was two days later before she found out that Rhadamanthys was one of the three judges of the underworld.
"Good day, my lady."
Pandora raised her gaze from the floor harp to meet the eyes of a tall, serious-looking man. "Good day," she answered curtly, before suddenly adding, "…Rhada…manthys?"
The man nodded, looking slightly surprised. Pandora looked rather surprised herself.
"You remembered, my lady?" he queried, with something like precarious delight in his voice.
"I seem to. Have we met?"
Rhadamanthys smiled softly to himself.
"A very long time ago."