Painting the Way
***Her violet eyes darkened dangerously as she regarded the four senshi surrounding her. "You know this is treason. Your Queen will not be pleased."
The leader of the group stepped forward, holding her jeweled sword menacingly. "I don't care. I still think you took hold of her mind and forced her to agree to your scheme. That's the only way she'd agree to this wild goose chase. We should be back at the Palace, not in this stinking hole with you!" Her blue eyes flashes as her anger rose.
The aqua haired woman to her left crossed her arms across her chest and gripped her Mirror tightly in her right hand. "You know as well as we do that the attack will be taking place any moment. We need to be protecting our Queen! We can do NOTHING here. You're keeping us from our duty."
Ryuusei Houkou's eyes flashed a brilliant red. "YOUR QUEEN sent us on this mission! If she thinks that this will halt the attack, then we should do everything in our power do complete it. If what she told us is true, then if we succeed then there won't BE a war!"
The woman in the blue and yellow fuki shook her head, her short blonde hair swaying slightly. "Why should we believe you? You've seen the visions in the Mirror, you know Metallia's attack is about to start. How do we know you weren't sent by Beryl to keep us out of the fight?"
The youngest of the group stepped forward, her purple trimmed fuki whispering slightly as she moved. "The Queen trusts her, Uranus. That is beyond a doubt." The Wanderer nodded to the violet-eyed senshi, but the young girl shook her head. "However, I must agree with Uranus and Neptune. I think we can do the most good back at the Castle."
"I agree," the fourth senshi stepped forward. Her Garnet Rod clicked softly as she set its base to the floor. "Come with us, my friend. I'm sure Queen Serenity could use your help in the coming battle."
Ryuusei Houkou shook her head. "I cannot, not unless Serenity herself sends for me. I cannot abandon my duty nor abandon the mission she set forth. You of all people should understand that, Pluto." The dark eyed girl looked away, her dark green hair falling to cover her face.
"Look, we don't have time for this. We don't need your help, and we don't want your help. If you want to stay here, that's fine by me. It's better if you did. I don't want to see you back at the Palace. Either way, we're leaving. Come on." Uranus moved back down the tunnel the way they came, and Neptune followed. Saturn turned to regard the Wanderer sadly, and then left. The last two women's eyes locked.
"Look, Lady Wanderer, I have to agree with them. I hate abandoning my post, but I have to follow my heart. Please, come with us."
Ryuusei Houkou shook her head, her long auburn hair swaying slightly. " I was given a task, and I shall do it. I truly believe if I can defeat Metallia, then Beryl's power will fail."
"You can't do it by yourself! Its suicide to try!"
The older woman shook her head sadly. "Perhaps, perhaps not. You have to follow your heart, and I have to follow mine. I will defeat Metallia, or die trying. That is the mission your Queen gave us, and I shall do just that. I made a promise to Serenity, and I never go back on my promises. If I have to go alone, so be it." With that, the violet-eyed senshi moved off down the tunnel to meet her destiny, while the Outer Senshi of the Solar System returned to the Court of the Moon.***
The sun set was beautiful, Menagi thought to herself. She leaned against the railing of the balcony, waiting for the gala to start. The wind blew across her bare shoulders and ruffled the satin skirt of the violet gown she wore. She sighed and closed her eyes in contentment; the evening was perfect.
"Menagi-chan! Menagi-chan!"
The young artist turned. Walking across the balcony were her friends. Rei wore a lovely red dress that clung to her body like a sheath, and had a purple sash tied at the waist. Minako wore a pretty pastel floral gown that came to her calves, and had a white petticoat underneath. Ami wore a conservative blue dress with a matching blue short coat over the top. The neck was pinned together with an antique brooch. Makoto looked lovely in a full length green gown similar to that which Menagi wore except Makoto's had sleeves. The top was made of crushed velvet, and the bottom of satin, while around her waist was a sash of a darker green. Menagi's dress was also crushed velvet the color of eggplant on top, however, it was sleeveless with a deep V-neck to show off her ample cleavage. Mamoru wore a tuxedo, and had his arm around his Usagi. She wore a lovely pink dress trimmed with faux pearls that set off her creamy skin nicely. "Konbanwa, minna! You all look great!"
"So do you!" Minako exclaimed. "We almost didn't recognize you."
Makoto elbowed the blonde in the ribs. "What she meant to say was that you look so different like that. Older, some how. You look lovely." Makoto blushed and looked at the ground.
"Not that you don't look nice all the time," Minako added hastily. The whole group laughed.
Menagi smiled and, much to their surprise, hugged each of her friends in turn, except for Mamo-chan. "You don't know how much it means to me to have you all here with me tonight. I've never really had any close friends before, and it means more than words can say for you to be here." Tears shown in her eyes, which had changed to a violet-blue color.
Rei put a hand on the American girl's shoulder, and drew her into another hug. "We're glad we could be here for you." As she pulled away, she whispered to Menagi, "We're your friends, and we always will be here for you. Don't for get it."
Menagi smiled, and wiped the tears with the back of her hand. "OK, enough of this, or my mascara will run." She sniffled slightly. "Lets go inside and get you guys some drinks. I hear there'll be a buffet, too, so, I hope you're all hungry."
Usagi's blue eyes widened at the mention of food. "Ooooo, I wonder what they'll serve? I hope they have dessert..."
The group wandered from painting to painting, from sculpture to freestanding art form. Even Usagi was interested; however, it seemed she was more into the snacks than the artwork. She wandered to the next exhibit, happily munching on her 30th bon bon.
"Where are your works, 'Nagi?" Rei asked. She stopped a nearby waiter and scooped up a few more pieces of crackers and pate on to her plate.
Menagi pointed down the hall to a set of double doors that had yet to be opened. "That's where the new artists are being shown. They'll open the doors at 9:00pm." She stopped the next waiter, and relieved him of the remainder of his sushi and a glass of champagne. When everyone gave her a strange look, she said, "What? You don't like fish?"
Mamoru raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you a little young to be drinking?"
"She's the artist on exhibit, it's only right. Besides, knowing who she is, I'm sure she's quite used to sipping champagne at parties, right Ms. Starnigh?"
The group turned almost as one. Walking up behind them was Michiru and Haruka. Haruka wore a tuxedo not unlike Mamoru's, while Michiru wore a lovely lavender organdy dress. Haruka's blue eyes raked up and down Menagi's slender form, and a slow smile spread across her lips. "You look beautiful-oof!"
Michiru elbowed Haruka hard in the ribs. "You ALL look quite lovely." The aqua haired woman smiled sweetly at the American. "I must admit, I was surprised when Haruka told me that you were friends with Usagi-chan and the girls. Did Usagi-chan really break your arm?"
Usagi blushed, and Mamoru pulled her closer. "I didn't break it! It was just a sprain, right, Menagi-chan?" Her big blue eyes looked at Menagi pleadingly.
Menagi laughed. "She didn't do any permanent damage, I assure you, Ms. Kaiou." She blushed slightly as she noticed Haruka's blue eyes were glued to the V of her gown. On a whim, Menagi leaned forward, and whispered to the blonde. "I'm glad you could make it, Haruka-sama. I was afraid you wouldn't come." She held the pose for a moment, to make sure the young woman got a good look. When she saw Haruka redden noticeably and stammer, she pulled back. She also noticed Michiru was frowning.
"Of course," Michiru cut in, "we wouldn't have missed this for the world. Right, Haruka?"
Haruka's eyes sought out the ceiling again as she blushed furiously. Menagi decided to change the subject. "So," she said, turning to the other girls, "who wants to see if we can sneak in and see the display before they open it?"
"Can we do that?" Minako asked, toying with her long blonde hair.
Michiru nodded. "We both have displays in there, I don't see why not. Do you want to go, too, Haruka?" Haruka nodded, but her eyes never left the ceiling.
As everyone headed toward the new display area, Menagi grabbed Mako-chan and pulled her aside. "I thought Haruka-san said Michiru-san wasn't her girlfriend?"
Mako-chan turned a bright shade of red. "It's hard to explain. I think Haruka-san just has a hard time being with one person all the time. That's why she dresses like she does and flirts with all the pretty girls. Haruka-san loves to flirt, but I really do think she loves Michiru-san very much. She just has a wandering eye." She looked at Menagi funny. "I don't mean to get personal, but, I thought you liked men?"
Menagi smiled. "I do." She turned to follow the group inside. "Mostly."
"Wow, Menagi-chan! These are incredible!" They stood in front of Menagi's section of the gallery. There were 5 paintings, several sketches, and a carving. Makoto was admiring a painting that was similar to the one Menagi had seen a few days earlier. It was a vast starscape with a comet screeching through it. However, the comet looked almost like a phoenix in flight.
"I like these sketches, they're very poignant." Michiru stood in front of a frame that held several black and white portraits the American had sketched of people doing every day things. Children at play, a mother and her child, and old man fishing. They were done in pencils and charcoals, and a very heavy-handed style of shading.
"Oooo, pretty!" Usagi and Minako cooed almost in unison. They stood in front of the one painting Menagi hated most. It was of a lovely woman who stood in the moonlight gazing across a lake. Her hair fell in waves to her ankles; a dark brown etched silvery in the moonlight. Her long white gown shone almost blue white against the dark background, and the gold lame on the skirt shimmered softly. She had a three-pointed tiara on her head, a white choker with a teardrop pendant, and matching teardrop earrings. It was titled Moonlight Princess, and Menagi shuddered ever time she looked at it. It was the woman who rescued Menagi two years ago. The gods only knew why she painted it. Menagi remembered waking up one morning after the crash feeling the urge to paint, but that's it. She hardly remembered actually painting it. It was as if some unseen force had guided her hand, just like it seemed to constantly guide her life as of lately. It was beginning to irritate the hell out of her. The young artist wandered over to where Haruka was standing.
"Now this I like," the blonde said as she approached. It was of a woman who was flying into the sunset, her snow-white wings spread wide. She was nude but for a white choker around her neck. Her auburn hair streamed behind her like a banner, and a golden star was barely evident on her forehead. Her eyes were closed and her face looked as if the flight was pure ecstasy. Haruka leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "It reminds me a lot of you. I'd love to see that look on your face some day. " Menagi's eyes got as big as dinner plates and her face turned beet-red. The blue eyed woman chuckled softly until she heard someone clear their throat behind the two of them. Menagi didn't even look behind her to see who it was; she just walked away, blushing furiously the entire time.
"So, what were you two talking about?" Michiru asked sweetly. Haruka started to study the painting in front of her, then, realizing what a mistake that would be, opted for the ceiling again. Michiru sighed and shook her head, her aqua hair swaying slightly. "What am I going to do with you?"
Haruka stopped studying the ceiling and looked deep in to the other girl's blue-green eyes, and then smiled slowly. Michiru slowly smiled back.
Rei stopped Menagi as she passed by. She was admiring on of the pieces of another artist. This artist's specialty was in unique jewelry, and replicas of antique jewelry. There were several necklaces, headbands, armbands and the like. The one that caught Menagi's eye was of a replica of an old pharaoh's crown. It was made with the traditional blue and red lapis on gold, however, rather than the traditional snake at the top of the crown, there was a gold loop with an onyx inset in it. It looked like a large eye. "You're asking for trouble with that one, 'Nagi," Rei admonished. The two girls had become very close as of late, and Menagi had asked Rei to call her "Nagi", a nickname her father had given her. Both young women got along amazingly well, especially considering both girls were fire signs and had tempers to match.
Menagi rolled her violet colored eyes. "You ruin all my fun, Rei-chan." She looked back over to where the couple now stood arm in arm, whispering softly to one another, and sighed. She looked up and saw Rei's "I-told-you-so" look, and stuck out her tongue. "Biiiiiiii-daaaaaaaaaaaa!" and both girls laughed.
"Hey, its almost 9pm. They should be getting ready to open the exhibit." Ami glanced up from her watch and looked at the others. "Shouldn't we be out of here before they open the doors?"
Menagi shrugged, and looked over at Michiru. The lovely aqua haired woman nodded and said, "We'd better get going." Everyone filed towards the door and Haruka opened it.
"Oh God, not again," Minako sighed in exasperation. On the other side of the door, all the revelers were passed out on the floor. There was no movement to be found, save one person in the next gallery over. Walking from exhibit to exhibit on the far side of the room was none other than Lady Ebonite.
***Her violet eyes darkened dangerously as she regarded the four senshi surrounding her. "You know this is treason. Your Queen will not be pleased."
The leader of the group stepped forward, holding her jeweled sword menacingly. "I don't care. I still think you took hold of her mind and forced her to agree to your scheme. That's the only way she'd agree to this wild goose chase. We should be back at the Palace, not in this stinking hole with you!" Her blue eyes flashes as her anger rose.
The aqua haired woman to her left crossed her arms across her chest and gripped her Mirror tightly in her right hand. "You know as well as we do that the attack will be taking place any moment. We need to be protecting our Queen! We can do NOTHING here. You're keeping us from our duty."
Ryuusei Houkou's eyes flashed a brilliant red. "YOUR QUEEN sent us on this mission! If she thinks that this will halt the attack, then we should do everything in our power do complete it. If what she told us is true, then if we succeed then there won't BE a war!"
The woman in the blue and yellow fuki shook her head, her short blonde hair swaying slightly. "Why should we believe you? You've seen the visions in the Mirror, you know Metallia's attack is about to start. How do we know you weren't sent by Beryl to keep us out of the fight?"
The youngest of the group stepped forward, her purple trimmed fuki whispering slightly as she moved. "The Queen trusts her, Uranus. That is beyond a doubt." The Wanderer nodded to the violet-eyed senshi, but the young girl shook her head. "However, I must agree with Uranus and Neptune. I think we can do the most good back at the Castle."
"I agree," the fourth senshi stepped forward. Her Garnet Rod clicked softly as she set its base to the floor. "Come with us, my friend. I'm sure Queen Serenity could use your help in the coming battle."
Ryuusei Houkou shook her head. "I cannot, not unless Serenity herself sends for me. I cannot abandon my duty nor abandon the mission she set forth. You of all people should understand that, Pluto." The dark eyed girl looked away, her dark green hair falling to cover her face.
"Look, we don't have time for this. We don't need your help, and we don't want your help. If you want to stay here, that's fine by me. It's better if you did. I don't want to see you back at the Palace. Either way, we're leaving. Come on." Uranus moved back down the tunnel the way they came, and Neptune followed. Saturn turned to regard the Wanderer sadly, and then left. The last two women's eyes locked.
"Look, Lady Wanderer, I have to agree with them. I hate abandoning my post, but I have to follow my heart. Please, come with us."
Ryuusei Houkou shook her head, her long auburn hair swaying slightly. " I was given a task, and I shall do it. I truly believe if I can defeat Metallia, then Beryl's power will fail."
"You can't do it by yourself! Its suicide to try!"
The older woman shook her head sadly. "Perhaps, perhaps not. You have to follow your heart, and I have to follow mine. I will defeat Metallia, or die trying. That is the mission your Queen gave us, and I shall do just that. I made a promise to Serenity, and I never go back on my promises. If I have to go alone, so be it." With that, the violet-eyed senshi moved off down the tunnel to meet her destiny, while the Outer Senshi of the Solar System returned to the Court of the Moon.***
The sun set was beautiful, Menagi thought to herself. She leaned against the railing of the balcony, waiting for the gala to start. The wind blew across her bare shoulders and ruffled the satin skirt of the violet gown she wore. She sighed and closed her eyes in contentment; the evening was perfect.
"Menagi-chan! Menagi-chan!"
The young artist turned. Walking across the balcony were her friends. Rei wore a lovely red dress that clung to her body like a sheath, and had a purple sash tied at the waist. Minako wore a pretty pastel floral gown that came to her calves, and had a white petticoat underneath. Ami wore a conservative blue dress with a matching blue short coat over the top. The neck was pinned together with an antique brooch. Makoto looked lovely in a full length green gown similar to that which Menagi wore except Makoto's had sleeves. The top was made of crushed velvet, and the bottom of satin, while around her waist was a sash of a darker green. Menagi's dress was also crushed velvet the color of eggplant on top, however, it was sleeveless with a deep V-neck to show off her ample cleavage. Mamoru wore a tuxedo, and had his arm around his Usagi. She wore a lovely pink dress trimmed with faux pearls that set off her creamy skin nicely. "Konbanwa, minna! You all look great!"
"So do you!" Minako exclaimed. "We almost didn't recognize you."
Makoto elbowed the blonde in the ribs. "What she meant to say was that you look so different like that. Older, some how. You look lovely." Makoto blushed and looked at the ground.
"Not that you don't look nice all the time," Minako added hastily. The whole group laughed.
Menagi smiled and, much to their surprise, hugged each of her friends in turn, except for Mamo-chan. "You don't know how much it means to me to have you all here with me tonight. I've never really had any close friends before, and it means more than words can say for you to be here." Tears shown in her eyes, which had changed to a violet-blue color.
Rei put a hand on the American girl's shoulder, and drew her into another hug. "We're glad we could be here for you." As she pulled away, she whispered to Menagi, "We're your friends, and we always will be here for you. Don't for get it."
Menagi smiled, and wiped the tears with the back of her hand. "OK, enough of this, or my mascara will run." She sniffled slightly. "Lets go inside and get you guys some drinks. I hear there'll be a buffet, too, so, I hope you're all hungry."
Usagi's blue eyes widened at the mention of food. "Ooooo, I wonder what they'll serve? I hope they have dessert..."
The group wandered from painting to painting, from sculpture to freestanding art form. Even Usagi was interested; however, it seemed she was more into the snacks than the artwork. She wandered to the next exhibit, happily munching on her 30th bon bon.
"Where are your works, 'Nagi?" Rei asked. She stopped a nearby waiter and scooped up a few more pieces of crackers and pate on to her plate.
Menagi pointed down the hall to a set of double doors that had yet to be opened. "That's where the new artists are being shown. They'll open the doors at 9:00pm." She stopped the next waiter, and relieved him of the remainder of his sushi and a glass of champagne. When everyone gave her a strange look, she said, "What? You don't like fish?"
Mamoru raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you a little young to be drinking?"
"She's the artist on exhibit, it's only right. Besides, knowing who she is, I'm sure she's quite used to sipping champagne at parties, right Ms. Starnigh?"
The group turned almost as one. Walking up behind them was Michiru and Haruka. Haruka wore a tuxedo not unlike Mamoru's, while Michiru wore a lovely lavender organdy dress. Haruka's blue eyes raked up and down Menagi's slender form, and a slow smile spread across her lips. "You look beautiful-oof!"
Michiru elbowed Haruka hard in the ribs. "You ALL look quite lovely." The aqua haired woman smiled sweetly at the American. "I must admit, I was surprised when Haruka told me that you were friends with Usagi-chan and the girls. Did Usagi-chan really break your arm?"
Usagi blushed, and Mamoru pulled her closer. "I didn't break it! It was just a sprain, right, Menagi-chan?" Her big blue eyes looked at Menagi pleadingly.
Menagi laughed. "She didn't do any permanent damage, I assure you, Ms. Kaiou." She blushed slightly as she noticed Haruka's blue eyes were glued to the V of her gown. On a whim, Menagi leaned forward, and whispered to the blonde. "I'm glad you could make it, Haruka-sama. I was afraid you wouldn't come." She held the pose for a moment, to make sure the young woman got a good look. When she saw Haruka redden noticeably and stammer, she pulled back. She also noticed Michiru was frowning.
"Of course," Michiru cut in, "we wouldn't have missed this for the world. Right, Haruka?"
Haruka's eyes sought out the ceiling again as she blushed furiously. Menagi decided to change the subject. "So," she said, turning to the other girls, "who wants to see if we can sneak in and see the display before they open it?"
"Can we do that?" Minako asked, toying with her long blonde hair.
Michiru nodded. "We both have displays in there, I don't see why not. Do you want to go, too, Haruka?" Haruka nodded, but her eyes never left the ceiling.
As everyone headed toward the new display area, Menagi grabbed Mako-chan and pulled her aside. "I thought Haruka-san said Michiru-san wasn't her girlfriend?"
Mako-chan turned a bright shade of red. "It's hard to explain. I think Haruka-san just has a hard time being with one person all the time. That's why she dresses like she does and flirts with all the pretty girls. Haruka-san loves to flirt, but I really do think she loves Michiru-san very much. She just has a wandering eye." She looked at Menagi funny. "I don't mean to get personal, but, I thought you liked men?"
Menagi smiled. "I do." She turned to follow the group inside. "Mostly."
"Wow, Menagi-chan! These are incredible!" They stood in front of Menagi's section of the gallery. There were 5 paintings, several sketches, and a carving. Makoto was admiring a painting that was similar to the one Menagi had seen a few days earlier. It was a vast starscape with a comet screeching through it. However, the comet looked almost like a phoenix in flight.
"I like these sketches, they're very poignant." Michiru stood in front of a frame that held several black and white portraits the American had sketched of people doing every day things. Children at play, a mother and her child, and old man fishing. They were done in pencils and charcoals, and a very heavy-handed style of shading.
"Oooo, pretty!" Usagi and Minako cooed almost in unison. They stood in front of the one painting Menagi hated most. It was of a lovely woman who stood in the moonlight gazing across a lake. Her hair fell in waves to her ankles; a dark brown etched silvery in the moonlight. Her long white gown shone almost blue white against the dark background, and the gold lame on the skirt shimmered softly. She had a three-pointed tiara on her head, a white choker with a teardrop pendant, and matching teardrop earrings. It was titled Moonlight Princess, and Menagi shuddered ever time she looked at it. It was the woman who rescued Menagi two years ago. The gods only knew why she painted it. Menagi remembered waking up one morning after the crash feeling the urge to paint, but that's it. She hardly remembered actually painting it. It was as if some unseen force had guided her hand, just like it seemed to constantly guide her life as of lately. It was beginning to irritate the hell out of her. The young artist wandered over to where Haruka was standing.
"Now this I like," the blonde said as she approached. It was of a woman who was flying into the sunset, her snow-white wings spread wide. She was nude but for a white choker around her neck. Her auburn hair streamed behind her like a banner, and a golden star was barely evident on her forehead. Her eyes were closed and her face looked as if the flight was pure ecstasy. Haruka leaned forward and whispered in her ear. "It reminds me a lot of you. I'd love to see that look on your face some day. " Menagi's eyes got as big as dinner plates and her face turned beet-red. The blue eyed woman chuckled softly until she heard someone clear their throat behind the two of them. Menagi didn't even look behind her to see who it was; she just walked away, blushing furiously the entire time.
"So, what were you two talking about?" Michiru asked sweetly. Haruka started to study the painting in front of her, then, realizing what a mistake that would be, opted for the ceiling again. Michiru sighed and shook her head, her aqua hair swaying slightly. "What am I going to do with you?"
Haruka stopped studying the ceiling and looked deep in to the other girl's blue-green eyes, and then smiled slowly. Michiru slowly smiled back.
Rei stopped Menagi as she passed by. She was admiring on of the pieces of another artist. This artist's specialty was in unique jewelry, and replicas of antique jewelry. There were several necklaces, headbands, armbands and the like. The one that caught Menagi's eye was of a replica of an old pharaoh's crown. It was made with the traditional blue and red lapis on gold, however, rather than the traditional snake at the top of the crown, there was a gold loop with an onyx inset in it. It looked like a large eye. "You're asking for trouble with that one, 'Nagi," Rei admonished. The two girls had become very close as of late, and Menagi had asked Rei to call her "Nagi", a nickname her father had given her. Both young women got along amazingly well, especially considering both girls were fire signs and had tempers to match.
Menagi rolled her violet colored eyes. "You ruin all my fun, Rei-chan." She looked back over to where the couple now stood arm in arm, whispering softly to one another, and sighed. She looked up and saw Rei's "I-told-you-so" look, and stuck out her tongue. "Biiiiiiii-daaaaaaaaaaaa!" and both girls laughed.
"Hey, its almost 9pm. They should be getting ready to open the exhibit." Ami glanced up from her watch and looked at the others. "Shouldn't we be out of here before they open the doors?"
Menagi shrugged, and looked over at Michiru. The lovely aqua haired woman nodded and said, "We'd better get going." Everyone filed towards the door and Haruka opened it.
"Oh God, not again," Minako sighed in exasperation. On the other side of the door, all the revelers were passed out on the floor. There was no movement to be found, save one person in the next gallery over. Walking from exhibit to exhibit on the far side of the room was none other than Lady Ebonite.