The Hand of Fate
AU
Serena's First Day in Plintos~A

Will eventually include all characters!

Enjoy!
lady_sphinx @hotmail.com
loves to hear your comments on this
story.

****************************************************

"Wow! What a beautiful town!" Serena could see Plintos, now. She was entranced by the pretty little village. She started running for it, but Darien caught
her hand and pulled her back, gently.


"Whoa, there. Don't get in too much of a hurry. We'll get there soon enough." He
continued holding her hand and led her toward the village.


Meanwhile, Artemis watched their little display, grinning. 'Well, well, well. So, Darien
has finally found a girl who interests him, eh?' he thought to himself. Out loud, he
said, "Yes, Serena, it is a lovely village, isn't it? My shop is right here; this is the
south end of town. You probably want to go on to Darien's shop, and see more of the village. But, don't forget to come back later! I'll make some fine dresses for you."
He smiled at her. "And don't argue about it anymore. It will be my
pleasure to make dresses for such a pretty
young maiden." He bowed dramatically.


Serena blushed and mumbled some arguments, but ultimately
had to agree. 'I thought he would
forget about it after breakfast,' she thought to herself. 'Guess not.'


Soon they reached the village. Serena was interested in all the people walking
about, and all the businesses in the village. She turned her head to and fro
trying to see everything around her. Darien had to practically drag her
through the village. Serena saw a small park-filled with flowers and children playing.
She stopped to watch them. She laughed at their silly escapades, enjoying watching
the joy of children. One little girl was knocked over and began to cry. Serena ran to
her. "Here, honey, it's okay. Let me help you. What hurts?" Serena hugged the child
close to her, trying to give comfort.


"I scraped my knee. I'll be okay." The little pink haired girl smiled up at Serena
through her tears.


"Reenie! Are you okay?" Serena and Reenie turned to see a pale girl with short black
hair and large, wise-looking black eyes.


"Yah. I'm okay, Hotoru. Look! Here comes Auntie Puu!"


"Mommy!" Hotoru ran and jumped into the woman's arms.


A woman with deep green hair and garnet eyes walked up, hand in hand with Hotoru.
"Reenie, how many times have I told you to be careful?" With a sigh the woman
turned to Serena. "Thanks for helping her. Are you here with a child?"


"No. I'm not a mother. I'm visiting this village."


"Oh! How wonderful! Where are you from?"


"I live...used to live in a village near the sea. It was ravaged by the storm. I live in a
cottage near here now, with the Catz family."


"How nice! And what's your name?"


"I'm Serena. And you?"


"I'm Setsuna Rolex. Where exactly were you headed?"


Serena suddenly realized she was lost. "Oh! Oh no! I've lost Darien!"
Serena quickly looked all around, but didn't see any
sign of Darien. "What am I going to do?"


"Darien? As in the gardener? Well, he'll be extra busy for the next few days. C'mon,
I'll take you there, and then, since it's my day off, I'll show you around town as I run
my errands." Setsuna turned to the girls. "Time to go, kids. Let's go visit the flower
shop!"


"Yay!"

"Let's go! Race ya, Hotoru!"

"You're on!"


The girls took off, Setsuna jogging behind, trying to keep them out of trouble.


"Hurry, Serena. They just refuse to walk anywhere where they can run!" Setsuna
called.


Serena and Setsuna eventually came to the shop, to find Darien standing outside
calling frantically for Serena.


"Where could she be? I thought she was right behind me!"


"I'm right here, Darien." Darien turned and hugged her close.


"Why did you run off like that?" he whispered into her hair. He had been very worried about her. "Don't do that again." He stroked her cheek and smiled at her. "Shall I show you around the shop?"

Setsuna had seen Darien's display of affection for Serena, and pulled the children away from the shop. "Come on, kids. We'll take a walk and come back in a minute."

Serena thought the flowers in the shop were the most beautiful in the world, and told Darien so. He laughed and replied. "Pick your favorite, and I'll bring it home to decorate your room."

She looked and looked, trying to choose a favorite. Finally, she chose a beautiful red rose. "This is my favorite."

Darien promised to bring it home to her. He was bending down to drop a kiss on her lips, when the bell over the door rang. Setsuna walked in, with the kids in tow.

"Hi Dare. Hope your vacation was enjoyable. I came by to see
if I could borrow Serena for the day. I'll show
her around the village, and she can
help me with my errands. Okay?"


"Please, Darien?" Serena gave him the puppy-dog-eyed-look.


He sighed and agreed. "But, remember, you need to be to Artemis's shop by 4:00, okay?"


"Got it!" Setsuna called as they walked off. "Bye Darien!"


"Bye Darien!" Serena blew him a kiss, and turned back to talk to Setsuna.


"Wow. She sure has got you whipped." Darien's blonde partner and best friend,
Andrew, walked up from behind the counter to wave a hand in front of a spaced out
Darien. "Well, shall we make the wedding a double?"


Darien turned bright red and mumbled something about overdue orders he needed
to work on.


"Alright!" Andrew called to him, laughing. "Be that way. But, personally, I think she's
good for you!" Andrew had been watching the *couple* all through Serena's search
for the perfect flower. 'Hmm...Darien never was one for emotions, but with her, he
actually acts human. Yes, that girl is definitely good for Darien. I don't think I've seen
him smile so much in years! Maybe I'll ask them to come on a double date with Rita
and I.' Andrew smiled at the thought.


Andrew decided to deliver a special tree to a garden at a local inn. "I'll be back in
about 30 minutes, Dare. That'll give your face time to fade. Ha!"


"Hmmm...very funny." Darien just continued pruning bushes.


Meanwhile, Setsuna was showing Serena around the village. "Our first stop is the
school, where we will drop off the kiddies."


"Aw, Mom, do we have to go to school?"

"Can't we come and show Serena around, too?"


"No. Miss Amy wouldn't appreciate your missing a day. Now, lets head for school."


When they arrived, Serena saw more children playing outside. At the door to the
school house there was a pretty, blue-haired woman Serena supposed was the
teacher. Setsuna headed for her. "Hi Amy! How are you?"


"Hi, Setsuna. How are you today? Who might this be?" Her voice was soft and nice,
but firm. Serena felt sure she was a wonderful teacher.


"This is Serena. Serena, this is Amy Anderson, the schoolteacher. Serena is here
visiting Darien."

"Oh. It's a pleasure to meet you, Serena. How long will you be staying here in
Plintos?"


"I'm not sure." Serena answered honestly. "I...I just don't know what I may do."

Serena and Amy talked for a while, exchanging stories about places they'd been
and such. They were getting along splendidly.


Setsuna was suddenly struck with a brilliant thought, and interrupted their chat. "Amy, yesterday, didn't you say you needed an assistant here at
the school? Serena has already demonstrated her expertise with children." Setsuna
explained how she and Serena had met. "Serena
probably needs some form of employment, since she is new here.
Could she be your assistant?"


"Oh! Of course. That would be wonderful! That is, if she wants to work with me?"
Amy turned and looked shyly at Serena.


"Amy! I'd love to work with you!" Serena seemed genuinely excited. Just then
the clock overhead rang 10:00.


Amy looked up at the clock, startled. "10 o'clock already? Time to start class!" She
turned back to Serena. "You can start next Monday. Come around 10, that is when
we start classes here. Thanks for your help. I must be going now. Can't leave those
children unattended too long, you know!"


She ran in the door, where her class waited for her. Serena and Setsuna walked
away from the schoolhouse chatting amiably.


"I'll be able to repay Luna and Artemis's kindness, now. I felt so guilty, before. Thank
you, Setsuna."


"It's no problem at all. I'm certain you'll love it here. Actually, my next stop is the
temple. There's someone there I'd like you to meet." She pointed ahead. "There it is.
And there she is, sweeping again!" She cupped her hands around her mouth. "Raye!"
A woman with long, dark hair looked up and waved them over.


"Hey, Sets. How are you?"


"I'm fine. Actually, I came to introduce you to Serena." She motioned toward Serena.
"I thought you might let her look at the gardens or something while I take
care of some business on
the east end of town. It's so busy there, I'm afraid she'll get lost in the shuffle!"


"No problem. I appreciate the company." Raye turned to Serena. "I'm Raye Hino. I'm
a priestess here. My grampa and I tend this temple. You are welcome
to stay for a while. Would you like some tea?"


"Certainly. Thank you."


Raye ushered Serena into a room and they sat and conversed pleasantly
while Setsuna continued
her errands.


Meanwhile, back at the flower shop, Darien was suffering endless mocking from
Andrew. Darien finally got disgusted and gave his friend a dirty look.
"I need to go do some trim work at Mr.
Davenport's house. I'll be back later. Maybe after lunch."


Andrew stopped him. "Hey! Don't get mad. I'm just playing around! How about we meet for lunch? At Lita's? Say, at 12:30?"


"Hmmm..."


"I won't say a word about her during lunch, I promise."


"Okay. See ya then, Drew!"

*****************************************************

Next Chapter: Serena's First Day in Plintos continues.

Lady Sphinx
lady_sphinx@hotmail.com