Thanks to every one who posted a review! I love the feedback, really! I'm sorry that the chapters aren't longer. When I typed the last chapter up in Word it came to over three pages, but oh well. I shall try harder!
Only A Memory Away
By Lirial Raito
Chapter 2: The Queens Art Gallery and New Palace Jobs
Michiru sat in the waiting hall outside the Queens chambers. She had been summoned this morning to show Neo Queen Serenity the progress on her painting. The swim last night had calmed her nerves to the point where she could finish, but Michiru was still unnerved.
The picture still looked more like Usagi, than of Serenity, and she hadn't been able to bring herself to remove Luna from the picture. Perhaps the crescent moon on Luna's forehead made her perfect for the picture, adding a touch of the royal family's presence to the painting.
Absently Michiru smoothed her hair down some, watching the door that was supposed to be the Queen's personal art gallery. She had once seen some of Serenity's painting in a public display. At that time, Serenity had watched the reactions people had to her paintings, and then had given the paintings away to those she thought appreciated them most. Several people Michiru knew had gotten paintings, including her. Michiru had been given a painting of Neptune, filled with endless ocean and beautiful blue lights. After studying the picture for a week, Michiru had finally noticed that the painting also had a small but wonderful ornate mirror painted into each corner.
Some nights Michiru would have sworn that she was able to see herself in those mirrors.
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Serenity stared at herself in her mirror, tugging slightly at her hair. She wanted to go out and speak with Michiru, really, but she was so blasted nervous! She hadn't seen Michiru since she had given away some of her paintings, and even though Michiru didn't remember Serenity as Usagi, she knew deep down who the Queen was. All her Senshi did, deep down. Serenity was still puzzling over how to make them remember, and if she even should. Life was so peaceful… what damage to their psych would occur, if she made them remember? Serenity sighed. I wish Luna and Artemis where here… I wonder what happened to them? I know Chibi Usa has Diana, but I haven't been able to find those two.
Slowly Serenity reached up to her hair, carefully unpinning her odangos. Her hair fell down to her knees in waves of gold and silver. She smiled slightly. I look more like Mother every day
She picked up a silver brush and slowly ran it through her hair, thinking of whether or not she should up it back up into the odangos. Think I'll leave my hair down today, see how people like the look. At least no one calls me meatball head anymore.
Standing she moved gracefully to the door, no sign of her past klutziness showing. She opened the door a crack, allowing herself to watch Michiru for a moment before opening the door all the way and entering the waiting room.
"Hello Miss Kaiou, thank you for coming on such a short request." She waved her hand toward a table, and tray full of snacks appeared, "Please, have a seat and help yourself to a snack. Have you brought the painting I requested?"
Michiru sat closer to the tray of snacks, as did Serenity. The Queen was smiling gently which at the moment did little to ease Michiru's unease. "Yes your majesty, I have brought the painting along. I hope you like it…"
She picked the wrapped painting up, and offered it to Serenity. Still smiling Serenity took the painting, and carefully undid the wrappings. Michiru waited silently for the Queen's judgment of her work.
Serenity slowly unwrapped the painting, while keeping her smile in place. She refused to show how she truly felt, how much she wondered how Michiru has represented her. Years of being queen allowed her to maintain her composure when she finally unswathed painting.
The golden hair, bright blue eyes… Luna lurking behind a tree, her transformation broach. Michiru had painted the Serenity as Usagi, instead of as the Neo Queen. She looked up at Michiru and made her smile a little larger.
"Your work is wonderful Michiru, how did you know I always wanted to have my hair more golden?"
She stood and reached a hand out to Michiru, who stood quickly to shake Serenity's hand.
"Thank you for the painting Miss. Kaiou, I will make sure you are nicely compensated for your efforts."
Michiru curtsied to Serenity, keeping her eyes one the floor. "Thank you for the chance to do something for you my Queen."
Serenity nodded, "well, you're a lovely artist. I must be going now, I have to prepare for a meeting."
Michiru uttered her thanks again and quickly left.
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Serenity watched Michiru leave and then walked back into her room. She placed the painting in a spot she had previously designated for Michiru's work.
Oh Luna… where are you and Artemis? I haven't seen you since we woke up
She stared at Luna's image in the painting, then shook her head. Luna would turn up again if she was needed, and probably not until then. Shaking her head she gathered the papers she had prepared earlier and headed to a meeting with her palace advisor.
The hallways glistened in the early light, as Serenity's meeting with Michiru had taken place at five a.m., yet another factor for her old friends to not think that the queen was Usagi. Even inside she could hear the birds start to sing, bringing a more genuine smile to her face again. She passed by the entrance to her gardens, the largest of which was the rose garden. Finally she reached the meeting room and walked in before someone could announce her. She had taken a seat before her advisor could stand to greet her.
"Oh Serenity, there you go again, not following protocol. I was supposed to stand for you before you sat down!"
The queen laughed softly.
"Arisu, I don't need such formalities when we're alone, or in close company. Only act such when the stuffiest dignitaries are around, ok? Now, I brought those papers on who should fill our new positions, alright?"
Arisu smiled in spite of the queen's behavior, delighted to be treated as a friend. The natural lighting in the room made her strawberry blond hair sparkle, and gave new warmth to her green eyes.
"Alright Serenity, list the positions and tell me who you want to fill them. I'll try to get everyone you ask for."
Serenity smiled more, her smile gaining more warmth by the second.
"Well, for my rose garden and adult health advisor, I would like Chiba Mamoru. I heard he is the best in dealing with adult patients, and loves roses."
Arisu nodded her agreement.
"For royal chef, I want Kino Makoto. I know her food is great, and she hasn't opened her own place up yet. For spiritual matters, I want Hino Rei. She has a multi-religious background."
Arisu carefully wrote down the names, occasionally asking Serenity to repeat or spell out a name.
"For a pediatric consultant, a want both Mizuno Ami and Aino Minako. As a team, they'll do great in dealing with every aspect of a child's needs. Minako will also be our entertainment director. I want Chiba Usagi and Tomoe Hotaru to live here, just because it will be nice to have young people running around. By watching them, we can keep up with the trends of Crystal Tokyo."
Arisu stopped writing for a moment. "Serenity, is that wise? I mean, their families…"
Serenity smiled.
"For clothing designs, I want Meiou Setsuna. Miss. Michiru, who just left, will be royal artisan. Tenou Haruka will be our activities director. And that will be all, unless you have more suggestions?"
Arisu smiled and shook her head.
"No Serenity, no more suggestions from me. Unless you want to start holding trials for new Sailor Scouts? You do so love stories about them, even the scraps told on the streets. No? Well, I shall have the letters written up immediately, and sent out before the day is half over."
Serenity looked up at the skylight. "One other thing Arisu… I want their room located in the same wing as my chambers are."
Her advisor nodded once more as the door opened, and the current set of dignitaries entered.
"As you wish my Queen."
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To Be Continued: