2/21/06

Title: Fountain of Delight
Author: Raya
Theme: Usagi &/or Mamoru (Optional Theme: Chocolate)
Genre: Humor / General
Version: Manga (post StarS / pre Crystal Tokyo)
Rating: G

Disclaimer: All characters were created by Takeuchi Naoko. I have merely converted them into paper cutouts to play with for a little while.

Fountain of Delight

Usagi stood and stared at the little fountain with wide, amazed eyes. Never had she seen such a thing before, but she decided right then and there that she wanted one. It was amazing!

"Mamo-chan, look!" she exclaimed softly, her eyes never leaving the flowing, cascading liquid. "Is that really...?"

Mamoru looked at her in surprise, and then chuckled. Deftly, he snagged a medium-sized, ripe strawberry from a plate. Usagi's eyes widened, and her mouth gaped open in surprise as she watched him carefully dip it into the top level of the fountain and roll it about. He raised his other hand up to catch any stray drops as he drew it out carefully and turned to offer it to his wife. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he popped it into her open mouth.

Instinctively, she shut it, and began to chew. "MMMMmmmmm..." she moaned as the sweet juice of the ripe strawberry fought with the rich dark chocolate for control of her taste buds. Her eyes closed so she could appreciate the taste more. "Oh, that was so good," she sighed after she swallowed. She opened her eyes, and eagerly turned to see what other fruits were provided.

"Mamoru-kun, use a plate," Reika laughed as she stopped beside them. "Really, this is my wedding, not yours. Show a little restraint," she teased. She laughed again as he blushed faintly.

"Oh, Reika-san," Usagi gushed as her right hand hovered over a selection of orange pieces. The plate in her left hand had a small pile of bananas, melon, and grapes already on it. "Reika-san, where ever did you find this? It's wonderful! I wish I had had one at my wedding!"

Reika turned her shining face to the younger girl. "Isn't it wonderful? One of my professors had one set up for a Christmas party, and I just knew that I had to have one for the wedding."

Usagi grinned at her as she selected several pieces of orange, and then moved to the strawberries. She paused as she gazed at the wonderful cascades of chocolate once more. "How much chocolate is in there?" she asked in a softer, reverent voice. Mamoru shook his head as he grabbed a handful of small skewers and began to prepare her fruit for dipping.

"Ninety five liters," Reika replied, her voice just as reverent. Mamoru nearly dropped the piece of banana he was working on, and looked at her in shock. Usagi's azure eyes flew to her as well. Reika nodded. "Really. Ninety five liters. And they add more if it starts to get low."

Usagi and Mamoru could not imagine how the fountain could ever get low with so much chocolate syrup flowing through it. Simultaneously, Usagi's eyes lit up, and Mamoru winced. "Usa," he said warningly. "If you eat that much, you will get a stomach ache!"

Her face fell, and she turned to pout up at him. "But, Mamo-chan... How often do I get to eat all the chocolate I want?"

He shook his head, resisting her sad azure eyes. "This plate, and that's it. No more. At least not until after dinner."

She looked at him pleadingly for a few more moments, and then sighed in disappointment. "Meanie," she muttered under her breath as she reached out to take the skewered banana pieces away from him.

"You'll thank me later," he said softly as he leaned over and took her hand to show her how to push the pieces into the side of the fountain and roll them around to coat them evenly.

Reika giggled at the tender display, and looked around the room to find Motoki. 'Who would have thought,' she thought in amusement as she made her way over to her groom. 'Who would ever have thought that Mamoru-kun would have such a tender, romantic side.'

A/N#2: 95L is 25 gallons. One of our VP's had a retirement party today with a small fruit table and chocolate fountain set up, and the lady who was operating it said it took either 20 or 25 gallons of chocolate. I was shocked at the amount. It didn't look like it could hold that much! (smile)