title: Elusive Thoughts | Chapter 7
rating: PG-13
author: Mir
email: incandescence@juno.com
website: http://cathedraldragon.tripod.com/sm/
disclaimer: Sailor Moon, et al. belongs to Naoko Takeuchi,
etc., etc., and so on and so forth ^_^. The other characters
belong to me...for whatever that's worth. I have no money
to speak of, so suing me will not make you rich. Yes, and
this story was inspired by Melanie Rawn's *Dragon Prince*.
Kudos to her, it's an excellent novel.
AN: Again, please note the upped rating on this section. In
this chapter, the rating is for content...nothing overly shocking -
but more I think it warrants to upped rating. I figure it's
better to overrate than pull readers into something they would
rather not read. That's all. So sit back and enjoy -
*Chapter 7*
Darien, sitting quietly at his place at the table, looked around at the
other Princes and sighed. 'Why is it that I'm always surrounded by idiots and
schemers?' he wondered, forcing a smile as Prince Helder concluded his p
roposition with a grand flourish of his hand. It was the first day of the political
deliberations, and Darien wished with all his heart that it were the last.
"I support Helder's concept, but what if a group of rebels from Kerse
decide to cross into Domar?" Prince Taro replied with vehement concern.
"If I'm supposed to lend my support against border disputes on his side, why
can't he pledge to help me with disputes on my side as well?"
"It's your problems that are causing all the trouble," Helder responded
with undisguised scorn. "If you'd only keep them to yourself I wouldn't give
a damn, but they're spilling over the border and causing problems for my vassals.
Anyway, if you can't keep your own people under control how can you expect
me to come and do it for you?"
"How are you even sure where the border is exactly?" Taro retorted
angrily, slamming his fist down upon the table. "How can anyone be sure?
We've all got our own maps, don't we? But whose do we go by, um?" He
stared at the others as if challenging anyone to oppose him.
"Wait." Darien sat forward, hands resting on the table. "There's no
point in arguing over this today. We've each got our own records, for sure,
but there's no way to tell whose are correct until we've had time to sort through
them." He paused, but when no one spoke up shrugged and continued. "I
propose that when we return home we each gather up the records and bring
them to the next Caucus for discussion...then we can decide on permanent,
lasting boundaries with the help of an uninterested mediator."
He hadn't realized it before, but he was certainly aware of it now. 'They
fight like children, and Raonus just sits back and watches. He wants them at
each other's throats...that's how he keeps them in line.' Surprisingly no one
had shot down his proposal - yet.
"I second Darien's idea." Helder's support was pure music to his ears,
and he listened with interest as the older Prince continued. "And I also want to
add Lady Ariane as a possible mediator. She's got her own land and is fairly
autonomous in her own right." Several other heads nodded, but it was the High
Prince who snatched the baton.
"I, myself, question her impartiality," Raonus commented, voice low but
firm. "After all, didn't she arrive with the Desert train?" He met Darien's eyes
cooly. Suddenly a low murmur rose from various seats as the princes began
to take sides. Darien sighed. It was only the first day, and his head already
ached.
- - - - - - - - - -
Serena lay in the grass, fresh scent tickling her senses as she gazed
dreamily up at the setting sun. It had been awhile since she'd last thrown
herself into a fragrant carpet of greenery. The Desert's arid climate was
absolutely rotten when it came to late summer grass. She rolled onto her
stomach, closing her eyes and dozing as the sun sank below the horizon.
The temperature began to drop as twilight spread out across the sky,
smothering the remnants of daylight in hazy darkness, and she shivered.
Hands in pockets she wandered down to the river shore, gaze watching
the clouds pass in front of the moon. They drifted by, wispy shadows of
darkness that danced and spun to the song of the wind. And as always,
her thoughts flew home to Darien.
'What if he's right. What if we're merely pawns to Lady Ariane's plans,
whatever they may be' she mused, pausing at the water's edge to stare vaguely
off into the distance. Her foot hit something hard, and she reached down to
explore the ground with her fingers - three moonstones, glistening with water
and worn smooth by the river's motion. She dropped them in her pocket and
sighed.
'But if she expects us to be together how can she expect me to continue
to be true to who I am? I killed for him yesterday...and I would do it again
tomorrow if he asked.' She was frightened, frightened by the power she held
and frightened by the power he held over her. 'I love him, which matters more
to me than any vow I made to Ariane.'
She kicked at the dirt with her foot, chewing on her lip in frustration.
'How dare the princesses think that they even have a chance at winning his
heart.' But then she found herself chuckling, wrapping her arms around her
chest in giddy amusement. 'Because he's mine, all mine'
"Your laughter is as lovely as your face, Lady Serena." He stood
there, tall and straight-backed, dark hair illuminated by the light of the moon.
But there was grey at his temples, and his arms were folded across his chest,
his chin held high in confidence.
She turned in astonishment, thinking that she was alone underneath the
stars. "Prince Raonus," was her stammered reply as she dropped to one
knee, eyes fixed on the patch of grass by his boots.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you," the other replied, placing a
hand on her arm to pull her back to her feet. His eyes, dark brown in color,
met hers, and his mouth twitched into a half-smile. "My daughter Berlyn
described you as proud and arrogant, but from what I've seen you're anything
but."
"I...I wouldn't know, your grace." She shifted slightly within his grasp,
dusting the dirt from the front of her dress. Her senses were heightened by
recent thoughts, she could feel the masculinity in his touch, sense his attractiveness,
and it frightened her. "Is the banquet over?"
"Nora sleeps better on the barge than in our tent," he explained, finally
letting his arm drop to his side. "The dinner began early, and I'm thankful it
didn't end too late. There's so much to be accomplished these next few days."
He sighed, stepping close beside her. "But I found myself wakeful and thought
that a quiet stroll alongside the river would do wonders for calming anxious
nerves. It is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
Resisting the urge to step backwards and then flee into the darkness,
Serena forced a smile and replied through clenched teeth, "Very beautiful,
your grace." The High Prince nodded, reaching for her hand. "Would you do
me the honor of sharing the moonlight with me tonight, Lady Serena?"
It was not wise to refuse the High Prince, especially when on was soon
to become the wife of his chief rival, and Serena bit back the scathing remark
that had almost slipped her tongue. No, she would use this time to try to
gather information off of Roanus; perhaps he'd let something slip that she could
tell Darien later. And so she accepted his hand, nodding in agreement.
"Have you been enjoying the Caucus thus far?" he inquired, setting off
along the river bank at a leisurely pace. "I remember my first, so many years
ago. After a while it all becomes blase. One forgets how exciting it must seem
to a newcomer."
"That it is, my Lord. I was surprised Lady Ariane allowed us to attend,"
she replied, careful to keep her tone neutral. "Ah, but I can see why she
might have her reservations - " Serena's stomach twisted, and she mentally
cringed. 'Oh, he's going to start off into a whole spiel about how uneasy it
makes everyone feel having us here. And what if he knows about what happened
at the races...I can't stand it. Please go away, please go away'. But the dreaded
words never fell. " - If I were her I wouldn't let such enchanting young women
out of my sight for long."
She blushed, eternally grateful that the darkness hid her reaction. "It's
getting late..." she stammered, trying to pull herself together. "No later than it
was a minute ago." He placed his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to turn
to face him. "But I see that I'm upsetting you."
She clenched her fists and made herself look up into his eyes but was
astonished by what she found. 'He's the High Prince; he can have any woman
he wants...his power would attract many, though he's not painful to look at
either.' She'd seen his mistresses, beautiful women he'd claimed for his own.
She was frightened, scared like a fish out of water.
"I haven't seen much of you these past days. I'm a stranger. But if you'll
allow me I'd like to change that. I'm a patient man, Serena, and a powerful one."
His voice was deep, seductive, and his touch was soft. "When you decide that
the little princeling isn't man enough for you, I'll be waiting."
His words kindled a fire within, and she wrenched herself from his
grasp, even as his lips brushed her cheek. "I'm no man's whore, not even when
the man is you!" Resisting the urge to slap him she held her ground, teeth
clenched tightly together.
"If you meant to intrigue me, let me suggest a better tactic. If you meant
to reject me - I think it would be best to reconsider." He took a step back,
sweeping his arm across his chest and bowing low. Then before she could
react he disappeared into the night as silently as he'd come. Serena stood there,
shivering underneath the pale moonlight, terrified. He wanted her....
As she began to slowly make her way back to the tents she felt the
moonstones tap against her thigh, and she took them out, clutching them until
her knuckles were white. 'Oh Darien, what have I done? What will I do?'
- - - - - - - - - -
Darien arrived back at his tent, head spinning dizzily from music and wine.
The banquet was still carrying on, and lively music fluttered across the sky with
every gust of the cooling wind. He murmured a dismissal to Justin and slid beneath
the smooth sheets of his bed, turning restlessly to find a position that wouldn't jar
his shoulder. Sleep crept up on him, enfolding him with its warm embrace, and
he dreamed of Serena.
He could almost feel her soft lips touch his forehead, her fingers caress
his cheek. He rolled toward her finding it completely natural for his arms to
enfold slim shoulders, skin warm velvet under his hands. She pulled back the
blanket and began an exploration, sending shivers down his back from sensations
he hadn't known with her before.
"Shhh." She placed her fingers on his lips, and he kissed them, wishing the
lamp were closer so that he could see her face. The glass-shaded candle threw
long shadows upon the tent walls, backlighting her midnight-darkened hair. He
grabbed her wrists to pull her closer - and froze.
Slender...as he remembered, but pliant, as her shoulders and arms had
been as well, a slight layer of flesh between bone and skin. Serena was strong
and firmly-muscled, not sleek-fleshed like this. The rich sent perfume rose
from her body, not the clean fragrance of the wind and the wild he associated
with her. This was not Serena.
A sudden flare in the brazier outside illuminated her features, and the
woman turned her head in alarm. Darien got a good look at her profile, and
the violence of his reaction sent her sprawling on the floor, gasping for breath.
"Berlyn," he stated in disgust, suddenly feeling sick. He tore a blanket from
the bed to cover his nakedness as his guards rushed to the brazier to control
the over spilling fire.
"Hide me," she pleaded urgently. "If anyone finds me here - "
"Go on, get out of here! I don't give a damn what happens to you!" He
replied irately, voice only sightly under a horse whisper. "I'll distract them,
but you'll have to run quickly, now get out!" She looked up at him from the
ground, emerald eyes displaying neither fear nor anger. "Darien - "
"God damn, you want to be found here with me, don't you?" He grabbed
her roughly by the elbow and hauled her unceremoniously to her feet. "You
thought you could shame me into marrying you by tricking me into dishonoring
you tonight? You fool, get out!"
"You wanted me, you know you did." She flung herself at him, throwing
her arms around her neck. "Shut up!" He disentangled himself from her arms
and dragged her over to the side of the tent. "One more word and I'll yell out
and tell them all what a whore you really are." When she didn't reply he pulled
the blanket tighter around his waist and whispered. "Wait until I've got their
attention and then run."
He pushed through the flaps and commanded the guards to go and fetch
water. Others, wakened by the commotion came over to gawk, and he sent
them back to their tents with calming words. The fire was out; the danger had
passed. Only he glimpsed Berlyn's flight.
When the frenetic activity had quieted he went over to inspect the brazier,
expecting to find it charred. Water pooled in puddles around it, but not a single
scorch-mark marred its surface. There had been no fire - at least of the normal
sort. He glanced around him, catching sight of a slim figure lurking in the shadows.
He started toward her, but one of his guards intercepted him with apologies.
"My Lord, I don't have any idea how it could have happened! The fire
just leaped right out of the brazier!" Darien sighed. "Never mind, no damage
was done." He patted the man on the back and retreated inside his tent, for the
shadow had vanished.
As he stepped inside the doorway, though, his feet came in contact with
several smooth orbs, and he stooped over to collect them. As he made his way
slowly to the bed he smiled gently. 'How had she gotten them in here?' he
pondered. He opened his coffer and placed the moonstones beside the diamonds
he'd won at the race the day before, the former ever more precious to him than
the later. "So you yourself were watching over me tonight," he whispered to the
air. "May I always defend you as effectively, my love."
*end of Chapter 7*
- - - - - - - - - -
I'm so sorry that it's taken me this long to get the next chapter out.
But I did warn you, didn't I? Well, exams are over (until the spring),
so maybe I'll have some more time...It's so frustrating - I know what
I want to write, but I just don't have the time to put thoughts down
into words. Oh, and I've started a new longer story. It's about
Serena going away to summer camp one year... ^_^ It'll be a funny
one (not like this one...I didn't realize it was going to be so serious,
especially this chapter). I just start typing, and the story runs away
with a life of its own. ~chasing after it and yelling "Come baaack!"~
Anyhow, getting email would be nice motivation to getting the next
part out...hint, hint, hint. Oh I'm so bad, aren't I? *grins shamelessly*
- Mir 01.13.01
.
rating: PG-13
author: Mir
email: incandescence@juno.com
website: http://cathedraldragon.tripod.com/sm/
disclaimer: Sailor Moon, et al. belongs to Naoko Takeuchi,
etc., etc., and so on and so forth ^_^. The other characters
belong to me...for whatever that's worth. I have no money
to speak of, so suing me will not make you rich. Yes, and
this story was inspired by Melanie Rawn's *Dragon Prince*.
Kudos to her, it's an excellent novel.
AN: Again, please note the upped rating on this section. In
this chapter, the rating is for content...nothing overly shocking -
but more I think it warrants to upped rating. I figure it's
better to overrate than pull readers into something they would
rather not read. That's all. So sit back and enjoy -
*Chapter 7*
Darien, sitting quietly at his place at the table, looked around at the
other Princes and sighed. 'Why is it that I'm always surrounded by idiots and
schemers?' he wondered, forcing a smile as Prince Helder concluded his p
roposition with a grand flourish of his hand. It was the first day of the political
deliberations, and Darien wished with all his heart that it were the last.
"I support Helder's concept, but what if a group of rebels from Kerse
decide to cross into Domar?" Prince Taro replied with vehement concern.
"If I'm supposed to lend my support against border disputes on his side, why
can't he pledge to help me with disputes on my side as well?"
"It's your problems that are causing all the trouble," Helder responded
with undisguised scorn. "If you'd only keep them to yourself I wouldn't give
a damn, but they're spilling over the border and causing problems for my vassals.
Anyway, if you can't keep your own people under control how can you expect
me to come and do it for you?"
"How are you even sure where the border is exactly?" Taro retorted
angrily, slamming his fist down upon the table. "How can anyone be sure?
We've all got our own maps, don't we? But whose do we go by, um?" He
stared at the others as if challenging anyone to oppose him.
"Wait." Darien sat forward, hands resting on the table. "There's no
point in arguing over this today. We've each got our own records, for sure,
but there's no way to tell whose are correct until we've had time to sort through
them." He paused, but when no one spoke up shrugged and continued. "I
propose that when we return home we each gather up the records and bring
them to the next Caucus for discussion...then we can decide on permanent,
lasting boundaries with the help of an uninterested mediator."
He hadn't realized it before, but he was certainly aware of it now. 'They
fight like children, and Raonus just sits back and watches. He wants them at
each other's throats...that's how he keeps them in line.' Surprisingly no one
had shot down his proposal - yet.
"I second Darien's idea." Helder's support was pure music to his ears,
and he listened with interest as the older Prince continued. "And I also want to
add Lady Ariane as a possible mediator. She's got her own land and is fairly
autonomous in her own right." Several other heads nodded, but it was the High
Prince who snatched the baton.
"I, myself, question her impartiality," Raonus commented, voice low but
firm. "After all, didn't she arrive with the Desert train?" He met Darien's eyes
cooly. Suddenly a low murmur rose from various seats as the princes began
to take sides. Darien sighed. It was only the first day, and his head already
ached.
- - - - - - - - - -
Serena lay in the grass, fresh scent tickling her senses as she gazed
dreamily up at the setting sun. It had been awhile since she'd last thrown
herself into a fragrant carpet of greenery. The Desert's arid climate was
absolutely rotten when it came to late summer grass. She rolled onto her
stomach, closing her eyes and dozing as the sun sank below the horizon.
The temperature began to drop as twilight spread out across the sky,
smothering the remnants of daylight in hazy darkness, and she shivered.
Hands in pockets she wandered down to the river shore, gaze watching
the clouds pass in front of the moon. They drifted by, wispy shadows of
darkness that danced and spun to the song of the wind. And as always,
her thoughts flew home to Darien.
'What if he's right. What if we're merely pawns to Lady Ariane's plans,
whatever they may be' she mused, pausing at the water's edge to stare vaguely
off into the distance. Her foot hit something hard, and she reached down to
explore the ground with her fingers - three moonstones, glistening with water
and worn smooth by the river's motion. She dropped them in her pocket and
sighed.
'But if she expects us to be together how can she expect me to continue
to be true to who I am? I killed for him yesterday...and I would do it again
tomorrow if he asked.' She was frightened, frightened by the power she held
and frightened by the power he held over her. 'I love him, which matters more
to me than any vow I made to Ariane.'
She kicked at the dirt with her foot, chewing on her lip in frustration.
'How dare the princesses think that they even have a chance at winning his
heart.' But then she found herself chuckling, wrapping her arms around her
chest in giddy amusement. 'Because he's mine, all mine'
"Your laughter is as lovely as your face, Lady Serena." He stood
there, tall and straight-backed, dark hair illuminated by the light of the moon.
But there was grey at his temples, and his arms were folded across his chest,
his chin held high in confidence.
She turned in astonishment, thinking that she was alone underneath the
stars. "Prince Raonus," was her stammered reply as she dropped to one
knee, eyes fixed on the patch of grass by his boots.
"I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you," the other replied, placing a
hand on her arm to pull her back to her feet. His eyes, dark brown in color,
met hers, and his mouth twitched into a half-smile. "My daughter Berlyn
described you as proud and arrogant, but from what I've seen you're anything
but."
"I...I wouldn't know, your grace." She shifted slightly within his grasp,
dusting the dirt from the front of her dress. Her senses were heightened by
recent thoughts, she could feel the masculinity in his touch, sense his attractiveness,
and it frightened her. "Is the banquet over?"
"Nora sleeps better on the barge than in our tent," he explained, finally
letting his arm drop to his side. "The dinner began early, and I'm thankful it
didn't end too late. There's so much to be accomplished these next few days."
He sighed, stepping close beside her. "But I found myself wakeful and thought
that a quiet stroll alongside the river would do wonders for calming anxious
nerves. It is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
Resisting the urge to step backwards and then flee into the darkness,
Serena forced a smile and replied through clenched teeth, "Very beautiful,
your grace." The High Prince nodded, reaching for her hand. "Would you do
me the honor of sharing the moonlight with me tonight, Lady Serena?"
It was not wise to refuse the High Prince, especially when on was soon
to become the wife of his chief rival, and Serena bit back the scathing remark
that had almost slipped her tongue. No, she would use this time to try to
gather information off of Roanus; perhaps he'd let something slip that she could
tell Darien later. And so she accepted his hand, nodding in agreement.
"Have you been enjoying the Caucus thus far?" he inquired, setting off
along the river bank at a leisurely pace. "I remember my first, so many years
ago. After a while it all becomes blase. One forgets how exciting it must seem
to a newcomer."
"That it is, my Lord. I was surprised Lady Ariane allowed us to attend,"
she replied, careful to keep her tone neutral. "Ah, but I can see why she
might have her reservations - " Serena's stomach twisted, and she mentally
cringed. 'Oh, he's going to start off into a whole spiel about how uneasy it
makes everyone feel having us here. And what if he knows about what happened
at the races...I can't stand it. Please go away, please go away'. But the dreaded
words never fell. " - If I were her I wouldn't let such enchanting young women
out of my sight for long."
She blushed, eternally grateful that the darkness hid her reaction. "It's
getting late..." she stammered, trying to pull herself together. "No later than it
was a minute ago." He placed his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to turn
to face him. "But I see that I'm upsetting you."
She clenched her fists and made herself look up into his eyes but was
astonished by what she found. 'He's the High Prince; he can have any woman
he wants...his power would attract many, though he's not painful to look at
either.' She'd seen his mistresses, beautiful women he'd claimed for his own.
She was frightened, scared like a fish out of water.
"I haven't seen much of you these past days. I'm a stranger. But if you'll
allow me I'd like to change that. I'm a patient man, Serena, and a powerful one."
His voice was deep, seductive, and his touch was soft. "When you decide that
the little princeling isn't man enough for you, I'll be waiting."
His words kindled a fire within, and she wrenched herself from his
grasp, even as his lips brushed her cheek. "I'm no man's whore, not even when
the man is you!" Resisting the urge to slap him she held her ground, teeth
clenched tightly together.
"If you meant to intrigue me, let me suggest a better tactic. If you meant
to reject me - I think it would be best to reconsider." He took a step back,
sweeping his arm across his chest and bowing low. Then before she could
react he disappeared into the night as silently as he'd come. Serena stood there,
shivering underneath the pale moonlight, terrified. He wanted her....
As she began to slowly make her way back to the tents she felt the
moonstones tap against her thigh, and she took them out, clutching them until
her knuckles were white. 'Oh Darien, what have I done? What will I do?'
- - - - - - - - - -
Darien arrived back at his tent, head spinning dizzily from music and wine.
The banquet was still carrying on, and lively music fluttered across the sky with
every gust of the cooling wind. He murmured a dismissal to Justin and slid beneath
the smooth sheets of his bed, turning restlessly to find a position that wouldn't jar
his shoulder. Sleep crept up on him, enfolding him with its warm embrace, and
he dreamed of Serena.
He could almost feel her soft lips touch his forehead, her fingers caress
his cheek. He rolled toward her finding it completely natural for his arms to
enfold slim shoulders, skin warm velvet under his hands. She pulled back the
blanket and began an exploration, sending shivers down his back from sensations
he hadn't known with her before.
"Shhh." She placed her fingers on his lips, and he kissed them, wishing the
lamp were closer so that he could see her face. The glass-shaded candle threw
long shadows upon the tent walls, backlighting her midnight-darkened hair. He
grabbed her wrists to pull her closer - and froze.
Slender...as he remembered, but pliant, as her shoulders and arms had
been as well, a slight layer of flesh between bone and skin. Serena was strong
and firmly-muscled, not sleek-fleshed like this. The rich sent perfume rose
from her body, not the clean fragrance of the wind and the wild he associated
with her. This was not Serena.
A sudden flare in the brazier outside illuminated her features, and the
woman turned her head in alarm. Darien got a good look at her profile, and
the violence of his reaction sent her sprawling on the floor, gasping for breath.
"Berlyn," he stated in disgust, suddenly feeling sick. He tore a blanket from
the bed to cover his nakedness as his guards rushed to the brazier to control
the over spilling fire.
"Hide me," she pleaded urgently. "If anyone finds me here - "
"Go on, get out of here! I don't give a damn what happens to you!" He
replied irately, voice only sightly under a horse whisper. "I'll distract them,
but you'll have to run quickly, now get out!" She looked up at him from the
ground, emerald eyes displaying neither fear nor anger. "Darien - "
"God damn, you want to be found here with me, don't you?" He grabbed
her roughly by the elbow and hauled her unceremoniously to her feet. "You
thought you could shame me into marrying you by tricking me into dishonoring
you tonight? You fool, get out!"
"You wanted me, you know you did." She flung herself at him, throwing
her arms around her neck. "Shut up!" He disentangled himself from her arms
and dragged her over to the side of the tent. "One more word and I'll yell out
and tell them all what a whore you really are." When she didn't reply he pulled
the blanket tighter around his waist and whispered. "Wait until I've got their
attention and then run."
He pushed through the flaps and commanded the guards to go and fetch
water. Others, wakened by the commotion came over to gawk, and he sent
them back to their tents with calming words. The fire was out; the danger had
passed. Only he glimpsed Berlyn's flight.
When the frenetic activity had quieted he went over to inspect the brazier,
expecting to find it charred. Water pooled in puddles around it, but not a single
scorch-mark marred its surface. There had been no fire - at least of the normal
sort. He glanced around him, catching sight of a slim figure lurking in the shadows.
He started toward her, but one of his guards intercepted him with apologies.
"My Lord, I don't have any idea how it could have happened! The fire
just leaped right out of the brazier!" Darien sighed. "Never mind, no damage
was done." He patted the man on the back and retreated inside his tent, for the
shadow had vanished.
As he stepped inside the doorway, though, his feet came in contact with
several smooth orbs, and he stooped over to collect them. As he made his way
slowly to the bed he smiled gently. 'How had she gotten them in here?' he
pondered. He opened his coffer and placed the moonstones beside the diamonds
he'd won at the race the day before, the former ever more precious to him than
the later. "So you yourself were watching over me tonight," he whispered to the
air. "May I always defend you as effectively, my love."
*end of Chapter 7*
- - - - - - - - - -
I'm so sorry that it's taken me this long to get the next chapter out.
But I did warn you, didn't I? Well, exams are over (until the spring),
so maybe I'll have some more time...It's so frustrating - I know what
I want to write, but I just don't have the time to put thoughts down
into words. Oh, and I've started a new longer story. It's about
Serena going away to summer camp one year... ^_^ It'll be a funny
one (not like this one...I didn't realize it was going to be so serious,
especially this chapter). I just start typing, and the story runs away
with a life of its own. ~chasing after it and yelling "Come baaack!"~
Anyhow, getting email would be nice motivation to getting the next
part out...hint, hint, hint. Oh I'm so bad, aren't I? *grins shamelessly*
- Mir 01.13.01
.