A/N: I rewrote this three times. It probably shows.


Don't ask for help, you're all alone (Pressure)
You'll have to answer to your own (Pressure)
-Billy Joel, "Pressure"


Laying back against the bed she felt like humming. It was said she had a pleasing voice to carry notes of a song but as she had few reasons to sing, it seemed for naught to engage in such. So tempting as it was to burrow back into the warmth of the bed she almost did so, perhaps would have had it not been for the fact that who she desired to share the bed with her was at the door instead. Regardless though she drifted off for a moment, sated for the most part, returning to the here and now only when she heard the door close itself once more.

"The King wants to meet with you."

She gave something that could be considered a comital sound, it was an acknowledgement of sorts at least, blinking her eyes open as her head turned, peering at the Priestess who remained at the door. "Does he now?"

"Both of us actually." It seemed to make her quite perturbed, noting the dryness of her voice. It was borderline disdain, distant and hard to pull out had she, herself, not felt the same thing. Too often she had been called to meetings, denied of even the simplistic pleasures that came from just a decent's nice rest or an unhurried meal. She didn't think on the other things she had been interrupted from, already feeling her body wanting more.

She gave a tilt of her head against the pillows, debating before proceeding on with the questioning. She could assume yes, but that just made an ass out of those involved and truly, the Priestess had quite a nice ass now that she got to see it sans robes… trailing off she bit back the quirky grin, clearing her throat. "So you two have spoken?"

"You could have told me … that … that's who he was." The other snapped back at her, irritated but she couldn't deduct if it was feigned or not, nor who the irritation was directed at.

Releasing a sigh she sat up, unashamed of her body, her virtually nude state minus the bandages tightly bound across her ribs and hands. "Princess-"

"Don't call me that!"

A breath followed, "As you wish… Rei… I could have yes. I knew; it was the entire reason why I was sent to look for you anyway. The essence of the planet always flows through the first born Princess, just as it has for Jupiter, as it has for Mercury, as it has for you and has it has for me. It's only because the Queen has a reason, has foreseen a great need, has it manifested. Otherwise it has been dormant for eons untold. Maybe lifetimes ago someone like you existed, just like someone like the rest of us did, and we had a reason to come together."

She was aware of the attention the other cast upon her, a look of judgement but it wasn't enough for her to stop. "I had a dim idea of what happened on Mars, most of it was what the Queen related to me and why I was sent. I was warned of warlords; we saw these very same warlords and still fled them when they pursued. The King was not doing anything to stop it, much less prevent it. You, along with a lot of the others, spoke with such disdain about the King, how he was worthless… Honestly, how would it have come across had I said 'by the by, you're also his daughter?' for I can think of no scenario in which it has a favourable outcome."

"You still could have told me." Rei muttered at her, looking away and finding more interest in her drawn on robes, or at least some aspect of them.

"Aye, I could have and I didn't. There was a lot I wanted to, but then things happened."

Her eyes could blaze, a feature she hadn't thought of before. Their violet hue was breathtaking already, to see it shimmer with checked rage, or maybe it was a desire to find an understanding, or maybe something else. Whatever it was, it almost made her self conscious of sitting on the bed, bare to the world. "And what might that be."

Wonderful, back to questions as statements. She pushed up to her feet, not even drawing attention to the fact that at once the Priestess blushed, realizing perhaps that how they were having this conversation. With an almost errant flick of her fingers she gestured to her own body; her ribs, her hands, and finally her temple. "There was a lot I wanted to do, but I hadn't anticipated getting my ass handed to me either. More so in multiple ways." When Rei didn't say anything further; she was too busy staring as it were, she continued on. "When is the King expecting us?"

"I…" The Priestess started, trailing off as though she was struggling to find words. Her gaze dropped to the floor, the blush remaining across her cheeks. Finally she spoke, though her voice was almost a whisper. Taking a breath she looked back up at her. "He wants to see us in twenty minutes. You'll gain more favor though if you can show up sooner than that."

"Fuck!" Was all she could say, looking at her to see if she was joking. When no indication came she let out the rest of the series, mostly countless derivatives of the very word, somehow artfully put together as only she could manage and accomplish. If she hurried she could be ready in about seven minutes, but that would require her to be at her top form. Her breath caught too much still to be considered anything but that, moving quickly regardless. She pulled out clean clothes from the wardrobe, dimly aware of movement by the other but not enough for her to focus on.

As she pulled on panties and socks; so she dressed in a strange order but who cared, she watched as Rei disdainfully picked up her garments she had been devested of earlier that day before pulling them on. She reached, holding aloft clean attire to her view only to be met with a resolute shake of her head. "I am not wearing orange panties Minako."

"Aww come on, you'd look great in them!" Happy to exclaim even though it didn't change the other's mind. Shrugging she went back to dressing, careful about donning a shirt before she emerged from behind the wardrobe's door, sticking feet into boots that remained unlaced. The length of cloth she pulled from her hair, drawing a hair brush through it instead as she walked. A basin full of water later had her washing her face, scrubbing her teeth as best she could before the length of red cloth went back into her hair as a bow.

Her jacket came next, sitting on the bed to lace up her boots before she pushed back to her feet again, tugging at her uniform before a kept sigh escaped. Collecting her armor, she began slipping into it, muttering under her breath before hands that were not her own batted hers away, looking up from the buckles with a start.

"I never understood how you did this on your own." Almost under her breath Rei spoke, features drawn in concentration to firmly settle the armor about the other's form. Whether she found difficulty in the actions or not it was hard to tell, her face drawn too much in concentration to give any sort of indication away. With the last buckle in place her hands grasped the uniform top underneath it tightly, tugging out any bunches of material that could have remained. Lingering for a moment her fingers ghosted along the metallic alloy, pausing where the smith had repaired the piece before her hand fell away. "You're not planning on wearing that ridiculous helmet are you?"

Otherwise silent for the duration it still took her a moment or two before she responded, reaching behind her to gather her sword belt. Drawing it on around her waist she busied herself with settling its weight, almost feeling marginally better to have something so familiar once more, despite how she preferred not to. She still didn't answer as she turned, gathering her cloak to draw on next. It wasn't until it was fastened and hanging from her shoulders that she finally spoke with a soft, wistful smile. "I live to serve Priestess. You said it looked absurd; how ill would it be for me to appear at your side looking ridiculous?"

She knew it drove her to a stunned silence, she could tell that easily enough. Her eyes widened a bit, her lips parted just a touch more, and she had the look about her. Busying herself at her clothing she gave herself a once over; it wasn't the best to be meeting royalty in but neither did she wish to lug about more than what she had. It wouldn't be enough, she knew that already, but it would have to do. If the King didn't like it, he could file a formal complaint with the Queen, and good luck to him there… he was already in a shit filled situation given the fact the Queen had been forced to act in the manner she did.

"Was the only reason you sought me just because of my birthright?" The blonde stopped in her examination, straightening to stand tall. The otherwise amused enjoyment that had taken up residence on her face had long since faded away, leaving behind only the same rather stoic look she had arrived with, when she first saw her. It felt like ages ago and at the same time just yesterday. Her fingers were busy, wrapping her hands once more after sparing a glance at her palms. If she was dismayed by any of it she bore not a sign.

"If you're asking me, do I regret being here. Do I regret what happened, do I regret what I've done… the answer is no. If you're asking, had circumstances been different, had you arrived at the Moon, would I have approached you as more than just my titles… and instead as me, a woman, in the rawest sense of self identity… that answer is yes." Flexing her fingers she walked to the door, opening it before she turned to look back at her. A bow followed, righting to ask, "Shall we?"


The trip along the halls was both short in length and long in implications. The same dark marble that made up the throne room that either of them had seen remained here, illuminated by torches set into wall sconces. Few decorations occupied the walls; whatever was present was always something that dealt with war. The hall was wide, fitting easily five men in full armor and weaponry, and none would be hampered to draw their arms. They walked down the center of it, either of their steps sure and confident, just echoing in their own fashion.

They hadn't said a word since they exited the blonde's room, be it too wrapped up in thoughts or otherwise. The closer they got to the throne room the more some impending sense of doom seemed to fill the air before it relaxed all at once. Two guards stood outside of thick, iron bound doors, dressed in dark reds that were close enough to black one could almost call it such unless the the torchlight flickered on the material just right. The hilts of a great two handed sword peaked out over either shoulder, a shield in one hand with a spear in the other. Obviously the placement meant they could both lunge forward while drawing the shield up to an arm. A longsword on one and an axe on the other's belt said they were ready for an extended fight.

Both were already at attention at their approach, looking them over before, with practiced movements, they each grasped one of the door handles to pull the great doors open. As the air rushed out, enough to ruffle hair, robes, and cloak worn, so did a blast of heat wash over them. Front and against the far wall the Throne of Mars stood occupied by the King. Guards were posted along the walls as well.

Otherwise the room was empty save for two men that turned at their approach, armed just as the two guards were but with more. A great sword, two short swords at his waist, and a belt of knives across his torso from shoulder to opposing hip. Mail with a bit of plate, a helmet was tucked under his arm. He bore a scowl on his hard face, the scar that ran across it didn't help matters either.

The other was enough to cause the blonde to almost stop in her tracks, almost mirroring the other man's scowl for half a second. White hair fell to shoulder length, a yellow crescent moon on his forehead. Bearing not a weapon, his garments were almost as white as his hair, flowing. At their appearance he seemed to half smile, presenting a mood he did not completely believe in. It was worry instead that clung to him, doing absolutely nothing to set the blonde at ease.

"Fuck." Was all that Minako had to say under her breath, her demeanor instantly changing. Stopping she offered a bow to the King, as befitting his position but also her own. He very much well outranked her as she was just a mere Princess, but she knew her own standing in the Lunar Court, of which Mars was a member of. She pointedly ignored the man, fingers flexing for a moment before she forced herself to relax.

A herald behind them spoke, announcing their presence in Martian. The blonde did not seemed too concerned over what he said, until she realized that Minako didn't understand Martian. Of course, she should have known… it did make so much more sense. Glancing over at her, she followed the cerulean gaze, finding it too focused on the white haired man. Giving her a slight nudge she nodding up at the King as he rose from his chair, drawing her attention to the here and now, not the guest she apparently knew.

The other man, the one armed enough to take on a small army, spoke first and foremost to the King, a large and imposing man. "That's her. No Martian has hair the color of the sun." With a jerk of his head he indicated the blonde, giving her a hard look before the King nodded.

Minako looked over at her, concern and wariness existing. "What's he saying Who is he anyway?"

"That … you're who he's looking for, because no one else looks like you." She softly responded. The man though… taking in a breath before responding. "That's Warlord Staedtler. He's … he was the one that … we ran into in town, before the monastery."

It seemed to settle on her, meeting his gaze as he continued on, "She had a part in killing my men. The Princess' guards were the other two." The armed man continued to speak, glancing at Rei but for the most part, his glare remained on the blonde.

"He says that … you've killed some of his men. That Phobos and Deimos were with me." She supplied without needing to be asked, putting it all together. Of course, only one person bore the title of Staedtler; it was the equivalent of Lord Commander, a General of Generals. The man commanded the very armies of Mars, and apparently they had run afoul of him. She understood her place at once; it was almost acceptable what she had done, but that a foreigner had dared to strike part of the army…

"I demand compensation. I want her head."

The look on the white haired man's face was enough for her not to need future translation.