Forever and A Day
By Kukaburry
Sailor Moon Disclaimer
Chapter 4- An Ephemeral Hello
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"Up Serena! Up up!" Luna bustled about, opening draperies and pulling off covers. "Prince Endymion will be here any minute! You're not even dressed!"
Serena lifted her head with great effort, stuck out her tongue at Luna and shoved the upper half of her body under her pillow.
"Well I never!" Luna put her hands on her hips, "Princess Serenity, don't make me take drastic measures here." A loud snore met these words and Luna huffed out of the room. She returned moments later with a large bucket filled to the brim with ice cold water. With a flip of her wrists the entire contents washed over the sleeping princess.
"Ahhhhh!" Serena, wearing nothing but a night shirt, dove from under the soaked sheets and toppled to the floor in an unceremonious fashion. "How could you Luna!" She shrieked, still breathing hard and beginning to shiver.
"I had to wake you somehow princess," She retorted with a single hand planted to her hip moodily. "Would you prefer I drag you downstairs right now in nothing but your skin?"
Serena grumbled and shook her head. "Fine Luna, you win." Luna gave a satisfied sniff. "Now, go be a good girl and put this lovely dress on and meet your mother downstairs immediately."
Serena groaned agitatedly, but complied nonetheless. The dress was satin pink and fitted tightly from the bosom to the hips. The bottom of the dress flowed out much like a prom dress might.
She brushed her hair quickly and put it up in her usual buns, slipped the dress on, and powdered her nose. "He'd better be cute for all the work I'm putting into this." She grumbled to herself, fixing the upper bodice of the dress.
She held her chest out smartly and pulled back her shoulders. She descended the stairs with unfaltering grace; at least until the last step when her shoe caught on the hem of her dress and she tumbled to the ground with a loud crash.
Four figures that Serena had not noticed standing in the doorway spun around when they heard the calamity. "What in the galaxy happened Serena?" Lady Serenity's concerned voice called to her. "Are you alright?"
Serena cringed slightly as she saw four sets of feet stop to her left. She managed to hold back embarrassed tears and look up. She swung her eyes from right to left: Her mother first, Lady Nashita, a young man she did not recognize and…The breath was swept from her lungs by the man standing at the end of the line.
He was wearing a navy blue blazer and dark black slacks. The pants matched his unruly raven hair and abnormally midnight blue eyes. His cheekbones were set high on his face and his chin was chiseled to perfection, giving him a very masculine look. His height seemed to dwarf everyone standing in his presence; he was well over six feet tall. His shoulders were broad and held back in an intimidating and confident manner.
"I'm fine mother. Thank you." She clenched her teeth and pulled herself up daintily. She saw from the corner of her eye the man in the navy blazer roll his eyes. "Serena… Serenity, this is Lady Nashita," Lady Nashita curtsied, "her youngest son, Demitri," Demitri bowed lavishly from the waist and Serena giggled quietly, "And her oldest son, and heir to the throne, Prince Endymion." Endymion nodded his head curtly, not even looking her in the eye.
Serena felt that it was rather rude of him not to bow or acknowledge her otherwise. She smiled at him sourly at which he pretended not to notice. "Lady Nashita and her sons will be our honored guests until the tournament. As will the King and Prince of Saturn. They, of course, will be arriving at midnight tonight." Serenity said this with slight annoyance in her voice.
"Yes, how is Sir Rylmond these days? I hear his son is becoming quite the politician." Lady Nashita's expression was sweet but her voice held mockery. "Oh, Sir Rylmond and Preston are fine. They come from a long line of excellent rulers as you know. It's natural for them to be bold politicians. Endymion of course knows Preston isn't that right Nashita?"
Lady Nashita smiled at Endymion fondly, "Yes. Darien and Preston go way back. I was never fond of Rylmond but fortunately Preston got his mother's personality." She laughed a high, tinkling laugh that Serenity mimicked. "Oh, where will we all be staying Serenity? I am feeling quite tired from my journey. I think a quick nap would perk all of us up."
"Oh, you will be sleeping on the East wing, down the hall from me. Endymion and Demitri will be sleeping on the upper West wing overlooking the Gardens. Serena dear, show these young men to their rooms." Serena looked at her mother with her eyebrows raised, "The one with the red and green draperies sweetheart. Here Nashita, I'll show you to your room."
Serena understood and nodded her head as her mother walked in the opposite direction. "Follow me please," She ordered the two boys who picked up their bags and followed her quietly.
As they reached the upper landing, Darien burst out with what had been thinking, "Have you ever noticed that your hair looks like a pair of meatballs?" Serena stopped dead and whipped around, her face contorting with anger. "How dare you insult your hostess! Is everyone from Earth as rude as you?"
Darien smirked and said lazily, "First of all, you're not really our hostess because this house technically doesn't belong to you. It belongs to your mother and father. Secondly, yes. Demitri and I are about the nicest guys you'll find on Earth."
Demitri began to snigger uncontrollably, "You're right Darien. Her hair does look like meatballs." Serena inhaled harshly and counted to ten, just as she had been taught the slowly exhaled. "If you two are done being imbeciles, your rooms are right down here." She made a point of turning her back coldly to them and stalking off down the hallway.
Just as Serena was passing the library, Raki calmly made his entrance on the scene. "Good morning Serena. You're looking scrumptious today… uh…" He faltered as he saw her sour expression. "Is something wrong?"
"No. Everything's wonderful." She said through clenched teeth. "I'm just showing these two to their rooms." She rolled her eyes meaningfully and jerked her head backwards. He understood immediately and chuckled. Her expression softened tremendously.
"I'll meet you for training," She emphasized the word enticingly, "later." His lip curved up knowingly and he bowed humbly. "As you wish my lady. I look forward to it." He straightened himself up and brushed past Serena. His face changed instantly the moment he was past her, from loving to threatening. He glared daggers at Darien who merely raised his eyebrow.
Even though Raki was a bulky six foot, Darien clearly beat him by a good five inches and had more defined muscles. The glaring contest was over in a matter of seconds and Darien went triumphantly on his way to his room, but Raki stood where he was, anger coursing through him.
Serena showed Demitri his room first, and he was ecstatic to have a bathroom all to himself and to have a queen size bed. He danced around the room for a few moments and thanked Serena several times over. "I'm glad you like it Demitri. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to show your brother his room. He will be two doors down from you if you need him."
She walked stiffly down two doors, jiggled the handle until it came unstuck and graced him into room. He looked around unimpressed. "Fantastic. I have a door that doesn't open properly and room that smells like mold. Is that any way to treat your guests?" His eyes flitted to her tauntingly.
"I'm terribly sorry it is not to your liking Endymion." She snapped, narrowing her eyes angrily. "Oh, please call me Darien, Serena," Darien offered.
"And please call me princess Serenity." She bit back, not bothering to keep her temper in check. "Oh, but dear Raki is allowed to call you Serena. Why am I not allowed to?" He stuck his bottom lip out in a pout. "Are you having a relationship with one of the servants? That's pretty low."
"That is none of your business!" She roared, stomping her foot on the floor dramatically, "And he happens to be the swords master for your information." She tried to defend Raki's image. She crossed her arms at her chest, simmering.
"Oh, I see how it is. You want to win so bad that you'll trap a second-rate swords master into giving you lessons?" He sneered the word 'second rate' with obvious bitterness.
"You're just mad that he beat you three years ago." She said scathingly. Darien held his hands up in mock defense. "Oh that's it. You got me. I'm mad he beat me at a stupid sword fighting tournament. It has nothing to do with the fact that he's a pompous twit."
Serena's mouth dropped open in shock. "Have you never thought that maybe it is yourself that is the arrogant, pompous twit? I can tell you one thing mister; you will never be as sweet as him even if you were dunked in a vat of sugar!"
Darien stared at her, thoughts lingering on her words of 'vat of sugar'. He couldn't help himself; he began to laugh so hard that his ribs hurt. His laughter was interrupted by the door opening quickly and Tal's slender form entering.
"Serena! I've been looking for you everywhere darling. Your mother told me to look up here," His eyes swept over Darien's happy face, "Why are you alone in a room with a man? That is not proper for a young woman to do so." Tal shook his head, disgraced.
"Tal, would be so kind as to meet me in the gardens in a few minutes? I won't be long." Her words were dripping with honey and Tal immediately took the bait. "Of course! Don't go getting and ideas here sir." He stated pointedly at Darien. "I tell you I am a fair boxer and I will fight for my woman any day." He made a bold exit and Serena felt her face become hot with embarrassment.
"You have two men on your line! How did you do it? A love potion? What man in his right mind would chase a woman as klutzy and whiny as you?" Darien taunted, a smirk emerging onto his lips as he saw her attempt to withhold her anger.
"You are the most arrogant pig I have ever had the misfortune of meeting." With that, she whipped her body around and pounded out of the room, leaving Darien chuckling mirthlessly.
Serena ignored what she had said to Tal and changed into shorts and a t-shit and went straight to the fencing room. The moment she entered the door, she was greeted with soft lips. Raki placed his arms securely around her waist and hoisted her into the air, not breaking lips even for a moment. He set her down gently and they finally emerged for air.
"Hello to you too," She giggled playfully, lips puffy from recent usage. "I hope that dimwit Darien didn't cause you too much trouble. Does he live up to your expectations?" He asked, raising his eyebrow anxiously.
Serena merely shrugged and said simply, "He was everything a prince shouldn't be." Raki smiled and pecked her on the lips. "Shall we?" He offered Serena a sword and strode purposefully onto the floor. "Show me how well training has been going." He challenged, smiling adoringly at Serena.
Their practice lasted for two hours. They took frequent 'breaks' where they 'caught up' on their kissing skills. "Fantastic Serena. At this rate, you might even be better than me!" He declared, causing a feeling of pride to course to Serena. "Oh, I don't think so. I do hope I make it to the final rounds though." Raki smiled reassuringly and said, "I'm sure you will Serena."
"Serena! There you are. We have had the worst time finding you lately young lady. The king and prince of Saturn have arrived early! Get some decent clothes on this instant!" Artemis stood with his hands crossed menacingly across his chest and a vein throbbing in his temple.
"Yes Artemis. Right away. Thank you Raki," She curtsied politely and he returned it with a bow. She hurried to her room and splashed cold water on her face, dried it with a towel and threw on the dress she was wearing this morning. She decided to forgo to the makeup, seeing as it had no effect earlier. Her brow furrowed when an image of Darien crossed her mind.
Suddenly, she remembered that she had planned on spending the afternoon with the girls in the gardens. She had completely forgotten. "Oh no! They're going to be so angry with me!" She decided to worry about it later since she had more important matters at hand.
She descended the stairs quickly, yet precisely, and breathed deeply when she managed not to trip on the last step. She hurried to the foyer and found that no one was there yet. "Finally, I've managed to be early for something."
She took a seat but jumped up as if she had sat on pins when the door opened to present her mother, followed by a heavy-set man with a thick mustache and a thick neck. His head was topped with a meek amount of greasy black hair.
The young man who followed him looked very clean-cut and seemed to be the same age as Darien. He had thick, curly brown hair and deep hazel eyes that were flecked with gold. He was much shorter than most men she had met, but he still towered over her meek form. He had slender arms and a decent chest… 'nothing like Raki though.' She thought as she looked the young man over.
"It is a surprise that you managed to get here so quickly. We weren't expecting you so early. We'll just wait in here until Serena…. Oh! Well, it looks as if my daughter has succeeded in being early for once." Serenity chuckled good-naturedly.
"Ah yes. So this is the famous Princess Serenity. Very pretty, very pretty. Eh? What do you think Preston?" Sir Rylmond slapped Preston the back encouragingly and guffawed merrily. Preston took a second to look Serena over, and she felt flames tint her cheeks. "Very pretty." He agreed, and smiled warmly at her.
'Finally. A nice prince.' She thought to herself, returning the smile genuinely. "Preston here is planning on challenging that Prince Endymion and Raki fellow. Where is he from again?" Serena perked her ears as she looked to her mother.
"Raki is from the outer regions. A small planet called Negon. He has very politely accepted the spot as sword master here since unfortunately, our old one went missing on a trip to Uranus over a month ago." Serenity concluded.
Sir Rylmond considered this delicately, "That's too bad madam. I hope he's not filling your daughter's head with too many dangerous ideas. She is planning on entering correct?"
Serena answered this for herself, "Yes sir, I am. I am eighteen, almost nineteen and well above the age limit. Of course it is just for sport sir. Being a lady, I can't be expected to win." She laughed, hoping that her eagerness wasn't too blatant.
Preston eyed her impressively. "I find it rather intriguing for a woman to be bold enough to clash swords with a male." Serena's blush deepened and she averted eyes and said meekly, "Thank you."
"Ah yes, good old Preston here happens to be a very worthy adversary. I hope you don't worry your pretty little head about it," He added, looking at Preston fondly, "The boy would probably refuse to fight you, being the gentleman he is." He laughed again, his belly jiggling.
"Yes," Serenity interrupted, "Well, Rylmond, you and Preston must be exhausted. Dinner will be at five today. I would have Serena show you to your rooms, but I'm afraid she has been summoned elsewhere. I'll have Luna and Artemis escort you both to your rooms." She clapped her hands and Luna and Artemis appeared instantly at the doors. "Take these fine gentlemen to their rooms please."
As soon as they were gone, Serenity turned to Serena. "Now what is this I hear about you forgetting your friends and Tal! Did you not make plans with them today?" Serena nodded her head sadly. "Does this have something to do with the arrival of Darien? I could hear your fight from across the house." Her voice was stern, but a smile was tugging at her lips.
"I'm sorry mother. My temper was short with him. He insulted me, and I didn't wish to tolerate it." Serenity nodded understandingly. "Yes my dear. Venus has summoned you to her room. I should think you would want to visit with her yes?" Serena nodded eagerly. "Ok then, get going!"
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For those of you that are confused:
Serena: 18
Mina: 17
Lita: 18
Rei: 18
Ami: 18
Darien: 22
Tal: 18
Raki: 20
Preston: 22
Hope you liked it! I gave a hint about Raki in this chapter….. and if you don't catch on, that's too bad. Mwhaha. ----Kukaburry!