Chapter
Two
Deep Space
Several Thousand Years Later.
"You know, you really are getting much better at this."
Seiryo Tennan leant back against the wall of his ship, eying his companion with a wry smile as he observed the growing pile of scrap paper that had become scattered across his desk. "I have to admit that I'm impressed. Such ciphers might not be the most difficult but they're by no means simple to decode. Yet you've more or less got the basics down in next to no time."
"Well, when I put my mind to something, I do my best to get it done." His companion pushed her chair back, meeting his glance with a triumphant grin. "And there's more to being an Elite Agent than just running around spaceships. Since our confrontation with Yugi Kuroda, I've been dying to get my hands on some encryption work…it's so frustrating when everything is in code and if I'd been able to read the ciphers then, we would have broken the case sooner. I'm glad you gave in and let me play with the Unko's decoder, Seiryo…I really appreciate the time."
"Well, it saves me from anything more energetic." Seiryo said, amused. "Kiyone, your work ethic continues to amaze me. Since we began these secret training sessions four months ago, you've already come on leaps and bounds. It really is a criminal waste of your ability, keeping you down in the Regular division. Mihoshi-san should be grateful – if she knew what you were giving up to stay partnered with her…"
"Mihoshi isn't the kind of Detective who can be left to work alone." Kiyone Makibi grimaced, shaking her head slowly at the mention of her scatterbrained partner. "And besides, it's sort of fun this way. Being trained without all the red tape, I mean. I didn't know what it would be like – you can be full of yourself, sometimes, and I figured you'd be a hard task-master. But you're also a pretty good teacher – I admit it, you've taught me a lot even in the last few months. Maybe you missed your calling after all. Perhaps you should have followed in the footsteps of Mihoshi's father and taught Elite techniques at the Galaxy Police Academy."
"I don't think I could bear it." Seiryo grimaced. "I was eighteen when I joined the Force, and underwent basic training. But some of the youngest recruits are fifteen or sixteen. Can you imagine me in charge of a group of teenagers? I don't think so. I'd lose my patience sooner than my sanity, stuck in that environment day after day."
Kiyone smirked.
"Perhaps you do lack the patience." She agreed critically. "But not all sixteen year olds are hopeless cases. I started my Police career at sixteen, you know."
"No offence meant, I'm sure." Seiryo held up his hands in mock surrender. He came to stand behind her, scanning his gaze across the screen, then nodding his head approvingly. "You certainly have the hang of the software, that's for sure. It's just a shame that you're so limited in your background education."
"Excuse me?" Kiyone wheeled on him, surprised indignation in her blue eyes. "What kind of a remark is that?"
"A true one." Seiryo leant across her, flicking his fingers across the keys, and a new screen flashed up on the monitor. "Tell me. What do you make of that?"
"Is this another cipher?" Kiyone eyed him suspiciously. Seiryo shook his head.
"No. Not at all." He responded, tapping a sequence of keys again and standing back. "What about this one? Is that any clearer?"
"No." Kiyone admitted. "What are they, anyway?"
"News reports." Seiryo said with a slight smile. "The first was written in pure Seniwan. The second in Old Era Juraian."
"Oh." Kiyone sighed, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed at the screen. "That's what you meant. I don't have any other languages under my belt. The planet I'm from has only ever used Galactic Tongue, at least in living memory. And I never learnt any other at school. Heck, I was lucky I stayed at school till I was sixteen, to be honest. I never really had that option."
"That's what I suspected." Seiryo owned. "Many cultures now are losing their own languages in favour of Galactic Tongue. Whilst its useful for communication purposes, it seems somewhat sad. And certainly, from the perspective of an Elite Officer of the Galaxy Police, it's practically criminal. There's no way you can rank highly in encryption without at least one of the commonly encoded languages under your belt. And few organisations will sanction coding done in Galactic Tongue. Far too easy to break."
"I see." Kiyone frowned. "I never thought of it like that before. How many languages do you speak, Seiryo?"
"Three." Seiryo grinned. "The three we've just been discussing. All of Jurai's noble class learn Old Era Juraian as standard - well, there are still political texts and documents drafted and written in that language, even though it is largely an ancient tongue and rarely spoken. And Seniwan, because Jurai and Seniwa have long since been allies. You should speak to your partner, Kiyone. I'm sure Mihoshi-san must speak some of her native tongue as well as Galactic Tongue."
"Not so much." Kiyone shook her head. "Her parents do, and her brother also. But Mihoshi's is basic at best. It's like you said. Cultures adopt the common language and don't keep up with their own. And Mihoshi's not exactly a gifted academic. She never really grasped it, when most of the people around her weren't speaking it."
She grimaced.
"So what do you suggest? Take a crash course in a second language?" She asked helplessly. "It's a bit late to begin grabbing dictionaries and study books now, you know. And well, the two languages you showed me don't even use the same alphabets."
"No, they don't." Seiryo agreed. "But you have a smart mind, Kiyone. If you can learn to see them as symbols rather than words, maybe you can learn to think your way around it."
"I don't follow."
"It doesn't matter. For now, we'll leave it alone." Seiryo decided. "You've already been here for nearly three hours as it is, and your Commander will be suspicious if the Yagami is out of dock for much longer on your night off. Especially since Mihoshi-san is back at Headquarters."
"Mihoshi should be asleep in bed." Kiyone said acidly. "At least, that's what I hope. The less she knows about these sessions of ours, the better. I can feel that I'm already improving, and that's a good thing - but if she knew, the whole of Headquarters would find out in hours. And that's not really what I want. The Commander has a very dim view of you still, and I don't want him to decide I'm still suffering from 'mental stress'."
"That was some time ago now, though." Seiryo pointed out. Kiyone shrugged.
"He can be overly protective of his officers, if he feels they're in trouble." She said with a sigh. "It's annoying and reassuring, but mostly annoying."
Seiryo laughed, nodding his head.
"I can see that." He reflected. "Like me, you like to think things out for yourself."
"Yes." Kiyone confirmed. She got to her feet, stretching her arms over head as she stifled a yawn. "Staring at a screen is more tiring than it looks, you know. I guess I was concentrating harder than I thought."
"Then I can offer you a drink, before you leave." Seiryo suggested. Kiyone shrugged, then nodded her head.
"All right." She agreed. "Though honestly, should I be wasting your time sitting around your ship sipping tea? You have six thousand things to do on Jurai, as well as my responsibilities at Headquarters. Won't people think it's odd that the Unko is out in space?"
"No." Seiryo said calmly. "Sasami-sama knows that I'm training you."
"She does?" Kiyone looked startled, as the nobleman led the way into the ship's living quarters, indicating for her to sit down as he began to make tea. "I didn't realise."
"Sasami-sama is my liege lord. Or well, lady." Seiryo pursed his lips, considering his words. "In either case, I'm her vassal and her advisor - in some ways I'm more associated with her than I am with Lord Azusa or Lady Ayeka. And she rarely misses a trick. She approves of it, in any case. She thinks its a good thing that you and I have become friends, considering our past encounters. And she encourages that all the way."
"I see." Kiyone smiled, nodding her head. "I suppose that makes sense. Though I haven't told anyone anything. I thought that it would seem weird."
"Sasami-hime is a very understanding mistress." Humour sparkled briefly in Seiryo's malachite eyes as he remembered his Princess's reaction to the news. "So you needn't worry. If anyone questions my absence, she will simply say that it's with her knowledge and blessing."
"Thank her for me." Kiyone grinned. "Although in truth we've not managed to fit in as many secret sessions as I'd have liked, with one thing and another. Jurai really does keep you busy, and well, my own workload can be oppressive. This is the first time since you came back from Yousai that we've even managed to get together."
"Yes." A faint shadow touched Seiryo's expression at this, and Kiyone frowned, eying him keenly.
"What's up?" She questioned, as the nobleman set a mug of steaming tea down in front of her, sitting opposite and taking a slow sip from his own mug. "I thought that everything worked out on that visit, in the long run. From what was reported on the Galactic News, it's a safe place again now, and the young Lady of Yousai was crowned without incident. Why the dark looks, Seiryo? I don't understand."
"I suppose not." Seiryo swirled his tea thoughtfully, setting it down on the unit. He shrugged. "I suppose everything did go well, in the end. But I still feel somewhat responsible for Yurikage Motonoya's untimely death. That's all."
"I thought that Lord Motonoya was something of a hothead?" Kiyone raised an eyebrow. "I remember that before you even left for Yousai, you were commenting to me on his lack of discretion and composure around Sasami. It sounds to me like he got himself killed. Why would that be your fault?"
"I should have taken him in hand sooner, I suppose." Seiryo reflected.
Kiyone snorted.
"Don't be stupid. He was a grown man. He was responsible for his own actions."
"Well, he died protecting Lady Sasami's life." Seiryo said simply. "And if I'd listened to him more closely from the start, I might have been more aware of danger myself. I'll never know if Yurikage's fixation with Sasami-sama's safety was his overzealous nature or whether he had some inkling or premonition of trouble. Having seen and heard about his strange sword, I really don't know what to believe. But I do feel that the young fool lost his life needlessly. And that I should have curbed his enthusiasm rather than laughed at it. I was in charge of the party, after all. His death is my responsibility - I was the one who had to make report to the Emperor and explain what went wrong."
"Does Lord Azusa blame you, then?" Kiyone asked quizzically, taking a sip of her drink as she eyed him thoughtfully. Seiryo shook his head.
"No." He admitted. "He said that Yurikage died in the carrying out of his duty, and that his death was an honourable act of preservation towards Princess Sasami. He's been honoured as a hero and a loyal subject of Jurai, and his family can take pride in his actions, once the grief has begun to fade. But I don't know. He was so young, really. Younger than Lady Ayeka, even. And I feel I let him down. That's all."
"You know, you take too much on yourself, sometimes." Kiyone said frankly, pushing the mug aside and resting her chin in her hands. "You want to control everything and you can't. It's arrogant as much as anything, you know - assuming everything rests ultimately with you. It doesn't necessarily work that way."
"Sympathy isn't high on your list of attributes, Kiyone, is it?" Seiryo raised an eyebrow, and Kiyone pulled a face.
"I'm just saying." She said with a shrug. "The world doesn't revolve around you and your decisions. Yes, it's sad that this guy died. And it's even sadder, the way his death came about. But honestly, Seiryo, you're just one man. Sasami is the Goddess and even she wasn't able to save him. There's no reason for you to feel to blame. Things happen when you're so wrapped up in dangerous political situations. Heaven knows I've seen my share of them in recent years. Your trouble is that you get a complex that you can save the world - I've seen it before and it's as reckless as this Yurikage-sama's hot-headed defence of Sasami. If you want to think anything about his death, think about learning from it and thinking before you act."
"Consider me scolded." Seiryo said dryly, holding up his hands, and Kiyone grinned sheepishly.
"Okay, so I'm maybe being a bit harsh." She owned. "But it's true, all the same. I mean, that you care he died, that's a good thing. It would be weird and kind of callous if you didn't. After all, you did know him, and better than many. However, I'm sure that Lord Motonoya would be the last one to lay the blame at your door. There's really no need for you to take it to heart."
"Perhaps." Seiryo looked thoughtful. He sighed, draining the remains of his tea. "I take rather too much to heart these days, that much is true."
"What does that mean?" Kiyone frowned. Seiryo started, then shook his head, a rueful look entering his malachite eyes.
"It doesn't matter." he said simply. "You came here to train. Not be burdened with my ramblings. And it really is getting late."
"It is." Kiyone acknowledged, finishing her own drink and getting to her feet. "So I should probably be heading off, you're right."
She set the mug down on the unit of the small ship's kitchen, then paused, turning to meet her companion's gaze.
"We're friends, right?" She asked softly. Seiryo started, then nodded his head.
"I think so." He agreed evenly. "Why?"
"Mihoshi and I are also friends." Kiyone said thoughtfully. "And she doesn't think twice about burdening me with her ramblings, as you put it. It's all right, you know. I know you're not made of steel. I've seen your weaknesses before and I've seen you struggle against Tokimi's magic and the effects it left on your body. Don't think that because you're healed now that you have to play the invincible noble again. It won't wash with me, and I'd rather you didn't."
"I don't understand." Seiryo looked blank, and Kiyone sighed.
"You're overdosing on some of that Juraian court ego again." She said frankly. "All I'm saying is, Seiryo, if you have a problem and you can't tell your friends, well, either your friends suck or you do. That's all."
She shrugged her shoulders, flashing him a smile.
"And I'll be going. Thanks for the training and the tea - and I'll see you soon, no doubt. Just let me know when you can fit me in next."
With that she was gone, and Seiryo got slowly to his feet, rinsing out his tea mug as he pondered her words.
"Maybe." He acknowledged. "She never does mince her words. But then again, burdening is not something I do. People are different. Mihoshi-san shares her problems and her thoughts. I can fight with mine better when I keep them inside. And besides, Kiyone's already been hurt once because I let my raw ambition and pride be taken in by Kihaku's black magic. I think it's better for everyone if I don't fall victim to that particular evil again"
He grimaced, setting the mug down on the drainer.
"After all, just because I feel it, doesn't mean I have to show it." He added. "I might not be quite the same man as I was before Tokimi possessed me, and Yurikage's death may have affected me more than the deaths of twenty officers I crossed paths with during my time at the Galaxy Police Elite. But I've learnt that some things need to be kept in hand, else they rail out of control and cause hurt to the people around me. Kiyone means well, but she doesn't understand that being Lady Sasami's advisor and a Councillor of Jurai doesn't permit time for that kind of weakness."
A smile twitched at the corner of his lips as he made his way back to the study.
"But she is making quick progress, even if she is hampered by her education." He admitted out loud, casting a brief glance down at the scrappy notes his companion had made as she had worked through each example diligently and neatly. "At this rate, she'll be equal to the Elite in no time, even if she is not permitted to use the title or the badge!"
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"You know, thinking back to it now, it hardly seems real."
Sakura Ito settled herself down on the balcony of the small Osaka apartment, taking a sip of her cool drink as she watched the sun slowly setting over the city horizon. "Everything has gone back to normal, and it's like none of it even ever happened. I swear, if I tried to tell my sister or my parents where we went, they just wouldn't believe me."
"Well, now you know how I feel." Her companion shot her a wry smile, mock-toasting her with his own glass as he leant up against the railings opposite. "Ever since Ryoko and the others crashed into my life, pretty much everything that happens has a slightly surreal twist. In a way, it's nice to know that you and Ikeda have experienced that side of things, now. At least then I know that I'm not losing my mind, even if it seems that way."
"Space is beautiful." Sakura owned. "And that Jurai planet was something else. I have to admit, if the opportunity arose to go back there, I probably would. I mean, so long as it was all quiet and all. I've surprised myself feeling that way - when we got back here, I was so sure I'd never want to leave the Earth again. But now, after some time's passed...I'm not sure. It seemed so pretty, and unlike anything here on the Earth. And it has made me see things in a new light. That there aren't just countries full of people, but planets. People who think and feel just like we do. It's mind-blowing, but it's true all the same."
"Even so, there's nowhere I'd rather be than safe at home in Japan." Tenchi said pensively, turning his mind back to the madcap events that had led him and his friends on a wild goose chase through space. "In the week since we've been back, nothing unusual or alarming has happened, and that suits me fine. Planet hopping is all very well, but it's definitely more Ryoko's domain than mine."
"I think I understand Ryoko a little better now, too." Sakura owned, offering him a playful grin. "And what it is that binds the two of you so closely together. It put her in context, if you like. On the Earth sometimes she seems to stick out – she doesn't know certain traditions or conventions, and her magic sets her aside from most average Earthlings. But out there, in space, it was like she was in her element. When it came to facing down that Goddess girl, when she'd been possessed…she didn't even think twice about launching herself into the fray. I think I gained a new respect for her, when that happened. And for you too, actually. The way you wielded that sword – it was almost out of a fairy tale."
"Well, it wasn't my weapon of choice, but thankfully it helped." Tenchi said thoughtfully. "In the last few years I've truly learnt why it is Grandpa taught me so obsessively about wielding sticks and blades. It's really come in handy, being able to utilise those techniques. It's like Najya-san said – it's not just the weapon but the force behind it. I guess I learnt a whole lot from Jii-chan's instruction, even more than I realised."
"Ikeda's headed back north to see his family…his father's birthday is this Friday and he thought he'd better go. I think it's a fiftieth, or something like that." Sakura drained her glass. "So I know why it is he's not here. What I don't understand is why you and Ryoko are in Osaka this weekend. I would have thought, with term so far away still, you'd be taking your chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains."
"Peace and quiet?" Tenchi raised an eyebrow. "You've stayed at my house, Sakura. Do you really think peace and quiet are on offer at the Masaki shrine, seriously?"
"Well, perhaps not." Sakura grinned, looking sheepish. "So is that it, then? Lover's retreat to the city?"
"Yes and no." Tenchi agreed. "I mean, it's not a lover's retreat exactly, although Ryoko will probably tell you it is. We just wanted some space after everything that happened. More often than not of late, when something drastic has occurred, we've been separated by one thing or another. And we're both getting a little sick of it. This is a chance to spend some time together – out of the firing line of any potential enemy. At least, that's the hope."
He grimaced, amusement flickering in his brown eyes.
"And Ryoko wanted to buy sake from a particular store, so she decided we should make a trip of it." He added. "She should be back soon. It's a shame Ikeda isn't around – but I think we should probably drink to the fact we all came back from that little adventure unscathed. There were a lot of times when I thought we might not."
"Me too." Sakura owned. "And you know I'm always glad when you're in the city. It's boring and dull when you're all away home – it sucks being the only one who lives right on top of the university."
"I thought you were moving places. Setting up on your own."
"That is the plan." Sakura agreed. "At least, I've been looking into a couple of ads in recent months, seeing if I can sort something out. I sort of hoped that you and Ryoko and Ikeda might not be too far spread, after graduation, although I'm coming to realise that you belong to the whole universe and could end up anywhere at any given time."
"Not as much as you might think." Tenchi shook his head. "Though it is nice to just take Ryo Ohki and fly through the stars from time to time. Once you're used to the space altitude and everything – and the speed. And so long as you don't have anyone chasing you…it can be fun."
"Yeah, I can see that." Sakura admitted, resting her chin in her hands. "To be honest, I'm curious to meet more people from outside, now. True, Seiryo Tennan didn't make a great first impression on me or on the Earth, and I still don't know how I feel about him…he did let us hide out on his ship, so I suppose he might be all right. But Lord Imada and your cousins Ayeka and Sasami seemed sweet enough. And Misao, too – poor little kid. There must be others in the universe like them."
"Yes, and many of them." Tenchi nodded. "I admit, most of my travelling has been to Jurai. But I've met people from other places. Mihoshi, one of our Galaxy Police friends, she comes from a planet called Seniwa. Her partner Kiyone – I don't even know what world she originated on, to be honest. Washu, of course, is Kii, and so is her sister, Tokimi. People travel far more from planet to planet than you might expect. Especially if they are politically allied in some way."
"Washu-san is hard to make out." Sakura said thoughtfully. "She seems nice enough, but…"
"Washu is harmless, though she'd like you to believe she isn't." Tenchi grinned. "I've known her long enough now to realise that it's a trait she and Ryoko both share – hiding their real feelings behind distraction techniques. Washu's had a hard life, Sakura, and a long one, too. She's been hunted by despot Princes, imprisoned by scientific colleagues, and almost everyone who was ever dear to her died in some way or another. She's been alone a very long time, and it's affected her, in more ways than one. For a long time, she even disguised herself as a child, as if she was trying to hide the fact she was an adult with responsibilities to face. I think she's been lonely, that's all. And now she isn't, little by little, she's changing. Maybe it's crazy, but I think she's showing more of her real self now than she ever has."
"Maybe she's put that long past behind her, and moved on." Sakura suggested. "When we were on Jurai, Tenchi, I asked her about it. About what it was like to live so long and whether she ever got bored of it. She said there had been times…but she didn't elucidate and I didn't like to push her. I got the feeling there was sadness in her background – but she doesn't seem the sort of person who dwells."
"Not outwardly, no." Tenchi shook his head. "Internally, it's hard to know. In a lot of ways, she's the last of her kind. Her people died out millennia ago, and with the exception of her sister, she's the only one who remembers the way life used to be there. The language, the culture – all of those things. I think she tried to forget who she was, for a long time. But now she's accepting it more…I've noticed that she doesn't mind being called Kii any longer, and considering how reluctant she was to even open up to us about it in the first place, that's a big step."
"Her whole planet died out?" Sakura's gaze softened. "Poor Washu-san. Everyone?"
"Everyone." Tenchi confirmed, nodding his head. "I don't understand all of it, but I know the planet turned on its people somehow, and killed the whole population. Washu felt that she could have stopped it from happening – and maybe she could, but we'll never know for sure. Either way, she couldn't have known what would happen, when she chose to leave."
"One person can't have that much impact on life and death – can they?" Sakura looked doubtful. Tenchi shrugged.
"You've met Tsunami. Or should I say, Sasami." He reminded her. "Her life force controls all of Jurai's energy, ecology and prosperity. Yes, Sakura, I think one person can have that much impact. Especially in light of recent events."
"You know, you two really are boring this evening."
Before Sakura could reply, a fresh voice broke through the conversation, and Ryoko flickered and blurred into view, perching neatly on the balcony railing as she dropped a bag down into an empty outdoor chair. "There. I had to queue for ages, and when I come back, you're psychoanalysing my mother and discussing the physics of the universe. Do we have to be so heavy? Washu's brain is a scary place, and believe me, we're all better off not going there."
"Ryoko." Tenchi grinned at her, as she hopped daintily down onto the balcony itself. "We were only talking. I was trying to help Sakura understand. That's all."
"And as I said, it's just not possible." Ryoko said pragmatically, settling herself on Tenchi's knee as she reached across to open her bag. "Besides, I brought sake. I thought we were celebrating Sakura's first trip into the beyond, not holding an impromptu university seminar on universal properties."
Sakura laughed.
"I guess you're right." She said good-naturedly. "But this is a big thing for me, Ryoko. Understanding that part of your lives. It might be routine for you to go space flying, but it's all been a big adventure for me."
"But you lived to tell the tale, and that's always a good sign." Ryoko offered her a grin, looping her arm around her fiance's neck as she did so. "You never know, when you get wound up in Jurai's politics, just what the outcome will be."
"Kura was saying she'd like to go back to Jurai, one day." Tenchi eyed her speculatively, and Ryoko snorted.
"You're nuts." She said categorically. "Believe me, I've been to umpteen galaxies and seen many, many planets. Jurai think they're special, but they're really not."
"I thought it was beautiful, even if things were in decline, when we were there." Sakura said pensively. "It's still a novelty to me."
"With Jurai, the novelty fades quickly." Ryoko said frankly. "If not for Sasami and I guess, Ayeka, I wouldn't go near Jurai at all."
"Yes you would, because I'd ask you to." Tenchi's eyes twinkled. "Stop throttling me, will you? You're hurting my neck doing that."
"So what are you guys planning for this week, then, now that you're here?" Sakura asked curiously. "Aside from tonight - do you have plans?"
"Not really. We're winging it." Ryoko shook her head. "Washu's taken my spaceship to go see Najya on Airai, so we can't exactly go upwards. We'll probably wind up staying in Osaka for a while, get some time away from the madness in the mountains."
"Washu has flown Ryo Ohki a lot lately." Tenchi reflected. Ryoko grimaced.
"I know, and I don't like it." She owned. "But she did invent Ryo Ohki, and the trouble is, Ryo Ohki doesn't seem to mind. So I don't see what I can really do about it. Either way, it gets Washu out of our hair for a while, and if Ryo Ohki isn't on the Earth, we don't have a chaperone to stop us behaving badly."
"You have me." Sakura teased. Tenchi laughed.
"Believe me, you're probably safer out of it." He bantered, casting his fiancee a sidelong glance.
"And you think you're going to marry me, with an attitude like that?" Ryoko shot him a soulful glance, meeting his dark eyes with hurt amber ones. Tenchi grinned.
"Yes." He agreed calmly. "It's the best survival technique I have."
"You two crack me up." Sakura laughed. "You're like no other couple I've ever met, you know. And not just because Ryoko flies and stuff. I don't know what it is. Just something you guys have. It's hard to put my finger on it, but it's there all the same."
"Well, we're soulmates." Ryoko told her simply. "That's all. Tenchi and I were meant to be. I just had to stick around till he gave in and admitted that I was right. I'm persistant, and at the end of the day, he has sense. He didn't resist."
"Oh, so that's how it was." Tenchi teased. "I thought it was a conversation on Jurai when you spilled your heart to me under the influence of truth serum?"
Ryoko flushed at the memory, and Sakura smiled.
"It's all right." She said with a shrug. "I think the both of you are sweet. And I'm looking forward to when you do set a date. I have a feeling that a wedding involving a space pirate might be something to see!"
