Chapter Six
The Friendship of a Kindred Spirit
The long corridor was lined with wide stained glass windows that were up in the high walls. Each window depicted a fantastic scene and characters from popular legends and well-known folk-tales in delectable detail and supreme craftsmanship.
Universe recognized quite a few of the events and people she saw as she looked up while strolling down the corridor. Starlight shone through the beautiful glass and sparkled against the other while making it look like a wall of snow and apparently created a series of identical inverted windows that were formed by the glittering light.
The reflections were perfect because the wide white featureless wall was the perfect surface on which to cast an image. Universe sighed as she wandered down the corridor with her arms behind her back while she examined the windows.
This was her eighth day in the Moon Kingdom and she found that she was still on rather uncertain terms with the princesses. Since their talk three days ago Charon had been warm and friendly to her but Universe while grateful made no attempt to become friends with her.
Universe had wept in front of Charon and although she knew that the Charonian thought no less of her because of it she still felt humiliated and so she avoided her eyes whenever they were in the same room even though she could feel Charon's eyes on her.
As for Estrella...
Universe had no idea how she was supposed to act towards the kitten after learning that she had told Charon that she had cried like a little girl for her mother. She knew that Charon was right and she couldn't find it in her heart to condemn Estrella for her act of childlike innocence but she still felt unsettled around the Queen's youngest advisor now.
Estrella had noticed Universe's change in behaviour towards her and not understanding the reason for it the kitten quickly became hurt. Universe had soon become accustomed to leaving the kitten behind her wailing in a flood of tears as she ignored her.
Universe's eyes drifted up and come to rest upon a window which depicted a tall girl with long legs, long and silky dark-green hair, eyes of pale blue and a purple gown with a high collar a pink sash and a long slit up her right leg revealing the smooth skin of her slender thigh. This girl stood tall and her back was as straight and proud as the trunk of an ancient and noble tree and she seemed to drip with charm and flow with grace.
The purple-haired girl cracked a smile. Now there's a familiar face, she thought as she walked past the stained glass window of the legendary outer moon Princess Charon.
As she walked Universe didn't see the pair of large eyes shining at her from the darkness of the shadows between two windows a few yards behind her.
The owner of these eyes had seen her entering through the doorway that led to this corridor and had decided to follow her in order to find out what she was doing. The eyes gleamed suspiciously from the darkness as Universe came to a halt next to a stone carving set into the wall.
The stone of the wall had been carved into a perfect likeness of the gates of the Palace and was done with such remarkable skill that it was quite akin in likeness to the real thing. She had stopped because she had suddenly noticed the ache in her legs. However the person watching her didn't know this and so her eyes glimmered suspiciously.
Glancing around Universe was unable to find anything to sit on. Not knowing this the stalker in the shadows took this to mean that Universe was looking around to see if anybody was around.
Universe's gaze fell upon the carving in the wall - she sighed and leaned back against the smooth grey stone tucking her leg behind the other and folding her arms. God I'm bored… she thought glumly as she rested against the carving. Her elbow just happened to nudge against a small round piece of stone that was part of the gateways intricate bars.
This small stone was also a separate piece from the rest of the caving. As her elbow touched it ever so slightly the tiny stone moved inwards and disappeared into the wall!
Universe leapt back the wall behind her shifted and with a groan began to move! Her eyes were wide with astonishment as the gates moved inward and then both suddenly slid apart from each other to reveal dark shadowy passageway behind where the wall carving had been moments before.
This newly appeared passageway was lit by a faint white glow - as she stared into it Universe's jaw was hanging open. "Hey...cool!" she breathed in a deep thrilled whisper.
Her silent watcher in the shadows stared with baited breath as Universe stepped into the newly revealed secret passageway. Then she scuttled forward from the darkness and followed the purple haired girl with the stealth that was intrinsically natural to her species.
Blissfully unaware that she was being followed and watched walked down the mysterious passageway as she wondered what in the world she had stumbled across. The light at the end of the passageway was getting brighter as she continued and it was as if the ghostly white light drew her ever on through the corridor.
Finally Universe emerged in a large chamber that was illuminated by a light which glow was so pure that it may have been just to say that it rivalled the light of the very moon that was its home. Universe caught her breath in awe not actually realising that she'd done so until she needed to breath for air as she gazed around the great hallway she had accidentally discovered.
This place had beautifully carved pillars of white marble holding up the ceiling and most marvellous and fantastic of all was the source of the enchanting light that had led her here. In the middle of the chamber there was a large flat table made of black ebony and on it there was sat on a pedestal a crystal that sparkled with pure white light.
Moonlight...
Universe felt her breath leaving her as she no longer required it in a sigh of pleasure as she stared at the sparkling and glittering surface of the exquisite crystal in awe...
The most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life...no actually it was the second. The first was also in this palace somewhere at this very moment and Universe had no idea whether she'd ever be able to approach her…
Only time would tell...
Still this crystal was a close second, very close but not quite there. There was a strangely compelling enticing quality about the light of the crystal and Universe simply could not bear to tear her eyes away from it. Suddenly she felt the urge to go up and touch the surface pf the stone and run her fingers across its smooth surface. Without thinking about what she was doing Universe stepped up to stand before the table on which the crystal sat. Leaning forward she reached out with her hand breathing deeply with happy expectation...
"AHA!" a voice exclaimed and Universe's gloved fingers froze little more than an inch away from touching the crystal as her heart almost stopped beating.
Turning her head she tried to act nonchalant as she looked over her shoulder…
In the doorway that led back out into the secret passageway stood Luna who stared up at her with an accusing glare on her furry black face. "So THIS is what you have been up to!" Luna exclaimed as she trotted further into the chamber to confront Universe. "I knew that you could not be trusted!"
"Huh?" Universe exclaimed, startled by the cats indignant tone. "What're you talking about?"
"Don't pretend! What are you doing here?" Luna demanded.
"Well, I took a wrong turn and found this place by accident…"Universe stammered, thrown off balance by the unexpected accusation that she was faced with.
"Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" Luna scoffed scornfully. "That has to be the most pathetic excuse I have ever heard!"
Universe stared at the black cat in silence as her eyes grew hard and cold – she had been dismayed and a little alarmed by the accusation at first but now it had passed. "Are you callin' me a thief?" she asked in a deceptively mild voice.
"So it's sunk in at last has it?" Luna retorted sarcastically. "Why not call a thief a thief? Well now…why don't we see what Queen Serenity has to say about this?"
Universe breathed deeply – she was strongly tempted to kick Luna all the way back along the secret passageway but she sensed that that would only serve to make matters worse. But anger was gathering in her heart – the pure anger of somebody faced with an unjust accusation of theft. "Well let's not waste time!" she snapped angrily, her feelings flaring up in her eyes. "We'll go together and see who she believes!"
Luna looked surprised and for a minute or two she felt the faintest of doubts - she had not expected Universe to react like this…could she have been wrong about her after all?
But then she told herself that Universe was only bluffing and turned contemptuously back towards the doorway. "Come." She ordered coldly.
"All right…" a calm voice spoke causing them both to look up in startled surprise. "…now what exactly is going on here?"
The Queen of the Moon had come to study the stained glass windows in the corridor as she often did in her rare moments of time for herself and had been startled to see that the secret door that led to the chamber of the Imperium Silver Crystal had been opened. Cautiously and quietly she had walked over to it and listened carefully...from the chamber that lay beyond the passageway she had heard raised and angry voices and wondering who could be in the chamber Serenity had promptly passed through the dark doorway and hastened in the direction of the voices.
Universe and Luna looked at the Queen, startled as she gazed inquisitively at both of them. Universe rapidly searched her mind for something to say…Luna beat her to it.
"I'm afraid to say that I have some bad news to tell you your Majesty." Luna began in a voice that didn't sound at all sorry to Universe as she stepped forward formally. "I regret to inform you that I came here and found Princess Universe trying to steal the Imperium Silver Crystal. It seems that it has been her intention to steal the crystal right from the start."
Universe had heard enough. "CRAP!!!" she snarled.
Luna gave her a look of outrage. "How dare you..." she exclaimed angrily.
"GET STUFFED!!!"
There was a small but significant cough and they all looked back at Serenity again. "Why don't we talk about this calmly?" Serenity suggested gently. "I'm sure that this tangle can be resolved if we talk about it."
Universe felt a bitter pang. Serenity was bound to believe what Luna told her. After all, the cat was one of her Advisors. What was going to happen?
"Thank you." the Queen turned to Luna. "Luna why don't you tell me what you saw?"
"Of course your majesty." the cat was eager to get it off her chest. "I noticed Universe coming into the window corridor and I thought that I really ought to follow her to find out what she was doing..."
"You spied on me!" Universe's voice was bitter as she accused the cat - a gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder and Universe looked up and saw the Queen's reassuring face and fathomless eyes looking at her.
Under Serenity's gaze Universe felt her bitterness fade although it didn't go away.
Queen Serenity motioned for Luna to speak again. "While I watched her in the corridor I saw Universe press the secret switch and open the door. She went into the passageway and I followed. When I got here I found her about to steal the Crystal." Luna concluded as she gave Universe a frosty look.
In response Universe gave her a glower of hate.
"And is that all?" Serenity asked.
"Isn't that enough your majesty?" Luna exclaimed taken aback.
"Yes - if it is as you say Luna."
"What do you mean your majesty?" Luna asked making a real effort to keep a slightly prickly note out of her voice.
It hadn't occurred to Luna that Queen Serenity might not be convinced by what she said. The cat had taken it for granted that she would immediately start thinking about how to deal with the thieving 'princess'...
"Let me ask you a question Luna." Serenity spoke again in a reasonable voice. "What did Universe do to make you think that she was trying to steal the crystal?"
"I saw her reaching out with her hand to pick it up." Luna explained.
"But you didn't actually see her with it in her hand?" Serenity pressed the Advisor.
"No your highness but I am certain that she would have taken it, had I not gotten here when I did." Luna's voice was adamant.
"Another question - did Universe explain what she was doing here when you confronted her?"
"She claimed that she only wanted to touch the crystal." Luna's voice was bitingly scornful as she glanced at Universe again. "Of course I did not believe her for a moment."
"Oh of course not." Universe muttered. "I mean just because I said so doesn't make it true huh?"
Serenity glanced at her and then she turned to give Luna a long searching look. Serenity could not help but feel that there was a little personal disliking for Universe in Luna's judgement that had prevented her from being just to the princess. If it had been any of the other princesses then Luna would probably have given them the benefit of the doubt but since it had been Universe who she had found the cat had jumped to the wrong conclusions.
The Queen looked at Universe's face. There was deep bitterness in the girls eyes but that was all - She did not look frightened like a thief would if she was caught in the act but angry.
Universe looked like somebody who had been wrongly accused of theft...that was all.
"I see. Thank you Luna." Serenity declared.
Luna knelt before the Queen - an odd sight in a creature with four legs. "Of course your majesty. I am deeply sorry that I have had to tell you this but now that the girls true intentions are known it is clear that she cannot remain here."
"Go chase a mouse..." Universe muttered beneath her breath.
Serenity turned to face Universe whose heart sank. Universe held her breath – she felt that she could imagine what was coming next. The purple-haired girl felly expected Serenity to slap her around the face and start shouting names at her…
"Now Universe would you care to tell me what happened?" Serenity asked her kindly.
Universe could only stare at her with astonishment in her eyes. The girl stood practically dazed…she couldn't believe it. Queen Serenity was not condemning her – instead she was actually giving her a chance to have her say about what had happened?
But then she snapped out of her shock and to attention. If she really stood a chance then she wasn't one to let it pass her by even though she could hardly believe that Serenity was serious – she was going to go for it! Universe felt weak as her spirits lifted a little.
Luna stared at Serenity in shock. She had expected the Queen to have Universe exiled and now she was asking her to tell her what had happened? Luna just couldn't understand it at all...
Serenity nodded her head for Universe to begin and gave her an encouraging smile. "Um thanks!" Universe's voice was uncertain. "Well I was...I mean I was looking at the windows outside and I stopped to look at the one with Charon in it..."
"The Legend of the outer moon Princess?" Serenity nodded and smiled. "Yes, that one is one of my favourites as well. I'm pleased to hear you taking such an interest! Yes, go on?"
"Um...yeah! Well I noticed that my legs were starting to kill me and I leaned against the wall. I must have hit a secret switch or something because a door opened in the wall. I wanted to know where it led so I went in..."
Serenity's smile broadened at that - Universe reminded the Queen of herself in many ways. When she had been her age she and her dearest friend the Queen of Charon, princess Chara had been absolutely curious and eager to find out all the secrets there were to be discovered in the world.
"Um?" Universe cleared her throat for Serenity's attention.
Serenity gave a startled jolt as she realised that she had let her mind wander while Universe had been explaining what had happened. "Oh I'm sorry!" she apologised. "You were saying...?"
"I saw the Crystal and I wanted to see what it felt like. That's all." Universe concluded with a deep breath.
"I see. Thank you Universe." Serenity said thoughtfully.
Universe took a deep breath as she suddenly felt very wretched. "I hope that you can believe me Queen Serenity!" she said earnestly. "I could bear that mongrel thinking I'm a thief but if YOU did then..." her voice came to a miserable silence.
"So you value my opinion Universe?" Serenity asked with a warm and pleasant smile which seemed to light up the room.
"Yeah. I do." Universe replied adamantly.
"I believe you Universe." Serenity replied gravely.
"You do?" Universe exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes...I believe you."
"But your Majesty..." Luna exclaimed hardly able to keep the indignation from her voice.
"Luna have you any reason to believe that she was trying to steal the Crystal?" the Queen asked as she raised her hand for silence.
"I caught her in the act!" the cat exclaimed hotly.
"But did you actually see her picking the Crystal up?" Serenity pressed her.
Luna opened her mouth but she didn't say anything - on reflection she had to admit that she couldn't be sure that Universe had actually meant to steal the Imperium Silver Crystal.
"Now come along Luna." Serenity said gently. "I'm waiting for an answer."
Luna gave a great sigh. "No your Majesty - I did not see her with the crystal in her hand."
"And what made you so sure that it was her intention to steal it?"
Luna gave an awkward cough, not sure of how to put it. "Well due Universe's most - ahem! - unusual background your majesty, I felt that it would be for the best if I were to..."
Universe gave a bitter laugh at this. "So the fact that I used to be a pirate makes me a thief?" she sneered.
Queen Serenity gave her a thoughtful look. "Universe why don't you go on with your walk?" she suggested. "I think that this matter has been cleared up now. Please try not to think about it too much."
Universe reluctantly turned and left the chamber. Guess I don't get to see Luna getting a dressing down, she thought regretfully as she went.
Serenity knelt and beckoned for Luna to come nearer. "Luna what troubles you about Princess Universe?" she asked her plainly.
Luna sighed again. "I can't say exactly. She just seems to be so..." she trailed away as she searched for the right words to explain how she felt.
"Yes?" Serenity prompted her.
"She's so cold." Luna continued eventually. "She acts as if she's hiding something from the whole world."
"She is." Serenity told the Advisor. "She is hiding her fear and that is why she acts as she does."
"Fear?" Luna wondered. "What is she afraid of your majesty?"
"People." Serenity said simply. "All her life she has been deprived of warmth and friendship and because of that now that it is finally in her reach Universe is shying away from it because the way it feels terrifies her." the Queen's eyes shone with compassion for the unhappy princess. "She is frightened of tenderness because she has never felt it before. Up until now all she has known has been hatred, aggression and fear. And peace and bliss makes her feel unfamiliar with herself. This is the reason Universe has distanced herself from the other princesses."
As Luna had listened the cat's eyes had grown softer as she had thought about the kind of life that Universe had left behind.
A pang of shame struck the Advisor of Queen Serenity as she thought of how she had been acting towards Universe ever since her arrival in the Moon Kingdom. "I see." she murmured. "I...I think that I understand."
"That is better" Serenity approved as she saw the suspicion and disapproval lift from Luna's eyes. "I knew that you would Luna. And do not worry for I know that there is good within her."
"But how can you be so sure?"
Serenity did not reply at once - the Queen of the Moon was thinking about the light in Universe's eyes that had seized her attention since the very first moment they had met…the light of the Lyanore as well as the great sorrow of a hidden remorse she held within.
"Because there is starlight in her eyes." Serenity breathed as she rose and walked out of the chamber with Luna by her side.
Behind in the chamber the Imperium Silver Crystal sparkled gorgeously as the room was left empty was again.
~*~*~
"Universe! Univeeeeeersssse!" Estrella squealed as she ran behind the purple-haired princess trying to keep with her in vain. "Wait, me!"
Universe growled in irritation. All she wanted to do was find somewhere private and quiet and fume. But the foul look on her face had attracted Estrella's childlike fascination as she had walked past the kitten in the hallway.
"What, matter?" Estrella demanded.
"Go away Estie!" Universe growled.
"What, matter Universe?"
"Go away!" Universe snapped walking faster.
"Tell, Strella!" the kitten ordered as she ran quicker. "Tell, Strella!"
"Leave me alone!" Universe hissed walking ever faster.
"Tell, Strella!" Estrella repeated insistently.
"My god Estie!!!! Leave me alone!!" Universe groaned in exasperation.
"Universe...you angry...me?" Estrella whimpered suddenly.
Universe came to a halt so suddenly that the kitten bumped her nose against the back of her heel. The purple-haired girl blinked down at Estrella and saw that the kittens face was sorrowful and her eyes wideand hurt.
"Eh? What?" Universe asked baffled.
"Universe, you angry, me?" Estrella whimpered again.
Universe gave a fond and exasperated little laugh - she didn't know whether to be amused or vexed. "No I'm not! Look Estie I'm sorry about this okay? I am angry with someone but it's not you." Universe smiled down at the kitten, her face pleasantly flushed after her annoyance a moment ago. "Alright?"
Estrella looked relieved. The look on her face was so adorable that Universe quite forgot the kitten's unwitting betrayal a few days ago and Luna's accusation.
"Universe and 'Strella, friends?" Estrella asked warily.
Universe could only fondly chuckle as she gave in. "Yeah. Guess we're friends." she sighed in feigned regret. "Guess it can't be helped. Oh well!"
~*~*~
Princess Mercury snapped out of her deep thoughts and looked up in surprise. Mercury had been deeply immersed in the information inside the book she had located on the topic of Charonian Wildlife in the great library. Her mind had been focused entirely on the black writing in the countless white pages and there had been a small contented smile on her face as she reached the eleventh page of the section that dealt with the subject of the Lyanore that lived in the plains of Ayadi.
This page had an illustration of a female Lyanore in all her glory and she had become so fascinated by the beauty of the noble animal that she had been lost to what was happening around her. But as the door was flung open with such violence that it struck the wall behind it with a resounding crash Mercury dropped the ornate thick tome and leapt to her feet as it landed on the floor.
As Universe stormed into the library Mercury was startled by the expression of foul and concentrated fury on her face. "Frickin' mongrel…" the purple-haired princess spat venomously as she turned around – then she saw Mercury standing there gazing quietly at her and came to a stop.
The torrent of verbal abuse that had been about to spill from her lips froze – her mind had been slightly appeased after she had left Estrella in the hallway but then she had remembered that she was supposed to furious about Luna's accusation and her ire had flared up once more. By the time she had reached the library she had been spitting with rage but her anger had fizzled and died away at once when she had seen Mercury standing there.
"Oh…you!" Universe exclaimed as she felt a little embarrassed to have been seen in such a foul temper - why this was she had no idea at all…but she was sure that whatever the reason was it was because it was Mercury who had seen her like that.
"You seem to be a little upset." Mercury observed mildly. "Whatever is wrong?"
"A 'little upset'!!" Universe snarled as her fire flared up again on the spot. "Oh yeah just a bit! Maybe I'm just being a little unreasonable about the whole thing but I seem to be feeling kind of insulted to have been called a thief! What do you think?"
Mercury's eyes widened in astonishment. "Who called you a thief?" she exclaimed although she had a resigned feeling that she could guess.
"That stupid cat, that's who!" Universe spat with vile bitterness.
"Who?" Mercury wondered. "Artemis?"
"No, Luna!"
"Tell me what happened." Mercury suggested gently.
Universe didn't notice the faintly commanding quality in the Mercurian's voice. Mercury's tone was gentle, friendly and kind and much to her own surprise Universe found herself beginning to tell her all about how she had stumbled across the secret chamber that housed the Imperium Silver Crystal and how Luna had discovered her there and accused her of trying to steal it. As Mercury listened without interrupting or judging her Universe realised that she had been right all along about the blue-haired princess.
Mercury wanted to help her…and to be her friend. Unexpectedly Universe felt a sudden fierce desire to have the Mercurian's friendship. Although Mercury was very different to herself in many ways Universe felt a very special bond with the quiet girl.
Mercury and herself were kindred spirits.
"…so that's why I'm just a little bit upset." Universe concluded her tale wearily.
"But Queen Serenity knew that you were telling the truth Universe." Mercury reminded her soothingly. "I'm glad."
"Well Luna wasn't." Universe replied bitterly. "That flea-ridden little bitch almost died of disappointment when the Queen said that she believed me."
Mercury flinched inwardly at the expletive but didn't show it. "I'm sure that Luna is sorry that she accused you now that she knows you were telling the truth." she assured the purple-haired girl, knowing that though she'd never have admitted it Universe was feeling upset as well as angry to have been accused.
Universe gave a derisive snort. "Yeah right!" she scoffed. "She's had it in for me ever since I came here. Oh god…I hate it here!! She's glad to believe that I'm a thieving…"
"I don't think that you are a thief Universe." Mercury said softly but firmly.
The explosive tirade against Luna that had been on the verge of spewing forth from Universe's mouth died on the edges of her lips and she stared at Mercury, shocked into silence. Mercury was smiling sweetly at her and her eyes were both shy and quite friendly at the same time.
Universe blushed to the tips of her ears. "You don't?" she asked in disbelief.
Something the trust of the Mercurian combined with the faith of Serenity was enough to finally quell the flaming and embittered rage that had been burning in her heart ever since she had stormed out of the Crystal chamber.
Mercury shook her head from side to side and her hair swished around her ears. "No." she told the other princess firmly. "There's no way that I could ever think that."
Universe blinked in confusion. "Why not?" it was the only thing that she could think of saying.
"Because you aren't capable of being a thief Universe - your heart is too honest and clear for that."
"But how could you possibly know that?" Universe pressed her insistently. "You and I…we've hardly spoken since the day I arrived!"
Mercury's responding smile was warm and uncomplicated. "Universe…words aren't the only way to tell someone how you feel." She murmured gently. "When I first saw you I looked into your eyes and saw the real you."
Universe was overcome as she gazed the blue-haired girl who looked honestly back at her. "…and?" she whispered.
Universe didn't realise it but she was hanging on the blue-haired princess's words, desperate to know what this quiet and innocent girl thought of her.
"…and I wanted to be your friend." Mercury finished sweetly. "I just could not help it."
Universe realised that she was holding her breath and that all her blood had rushed to her cheeks as she thought about what the Mercurian girl has just said to her. "And…now?" she whispered breathlessly.
"Now…" Mercury let the solitary word trail away into silence and looked at Universe meaningfully.
Universe could feel the corners of her mouth slowly turning up to form a smile of happiness as she realised that she had now found what she had wanted ever since she had gotten here…even though she hadn't admitted it to herself. "Y'know…I don't think that we ever really weren't friends." She murmured softly.
"I'm glad." Mercury whispered and now that she had said what had been needed her cheeks became a gorgeous pink which to Universe's eye only made her look all the more good-looking.
"Mercury, I…" Universe began and then stopped for a moment or two before sighing. "…thanks."
"I've done nothing for you to thank me for." Mercury told her honestly. "I like you and unless it would be conceited for me to say so I think that you like me…"
"You couldn't ever be conceited!" the purple-haired princess exclaimed almost fiercely.
"Why thank-you!" Mercury smiled pleasantly at the compliment. " But what I'm saying Universe is that since we are friends there isn't any need for you to thank me at all. I already have your friendship which is all I want from you." An anxious look appeared on her face and she added hastily. "It IS alright for me to say that isn't it?"
It was definitely all right as far as Universe was concerned.
The Friendship of a Kindred Spirit
The long corridor was lined with wide stained glass windows that were up in the high walls. Each window depicted a fantastic scene and characters from popular legends and well-known folk-tales in delectable detail and supreme craftsmanship.
Universe recognized quite a few of the events and people she saw as she looked up while strolling down the corridor. Starlight shone through the beautiful glass and sparkled against the other while making it look like a wall of snow and apparently created a series of identical inverted windows that were formed by the glittering light.
The reflections were perfect because the wide white featureless wall was the perfect surface on which to cast an image. Universe sighed as she wandered down the corridor with her arms behind her back while she examined the windows.
This was her eighth day in the Moon Kingdom and she found that she was still on rather uncertain terms with the princesses. Since their talk three days ago Charon had been warm and friendly to her but Universe while grateful made no attempt to become friends with her.
Universe had wept in front of Charon and although she knew that the Charonian thought no less of her because of it she still felt humiliated and so she avoided her eyes whenever they were in the same room even though she could feel Charon's eyes on her.
As for Estrella...
Universe had no idea how she was supposed to act towards the kitten after learning that she had told Charon that she had cried like a little girl for her mother. She knew that Charon was right and she couldn't find it in her heart to condemn Estrella for her act of childlike innocence but she still felt unsettled around the Queen's youngest advisor now.
Estrella had noticed Universe's change in behaviour towards her and not understanding the reason for it the kitten quickly became hurt. Universe had soon become accustomed to leaving the kitten behind her wailing in a flood of tears as she ignored her.
Universe's eyes drifted up and come to rest upon a window which depicted a tall girl with long legs, long and silky dark-green hair, eyes of pale blue and a purple gown with a high collar a pink sash and a long slit up her right leg revealing the smooth skin of her slender thigh. This girl stood tall and her back was as straight and proud as the trunk of an ancient and noble tree and she seemed to drip with charm and flow with grace.
The purple-haired girl cracked a smile. Now there's a familiar face, she thought as she walked past the stained glass window of the legendary outer moon Princess Charon.
As she walked Universe didn't see the pair of large eyes shining at her from the darkness of the shadows between two windows a few yards behind her.
The owner of these eyes had seen her entering through the doorway that led to this corridor and had decided to follow her in order to find out what she was doing. The eyes gleamed suspiciously from the darkness as Universe came to a halt next to a stone carving set into the wall.
The stone of the wall had been carved into a perfect likeness of the gates of the Palace and was done with such remarkable skill that it was quite akin in likeness to the real thing. She had stopped because she had suddenly noticed the ache in her legs. However the person watching her didn't know this and so her eyes glimmered suspiciously.
Glancing around Universe was unable to find anything to sit on. Not knowing this the stalker in the shadows took this to mean that Universe was looking around to see if anybody was around.
Universe's gaze fell upon the carving in the wall - she sighed and leaned back against the smooth grey stone tucking her leg behind the other and folding her arms. God I'm bored… she thought glumly as she rested against the carving. Her elbow just happened to nudge against a small round piece of stone that was part of the gateways intricate bars.
This small stone was also a separate piece from the rest of the caving. As her elbow touched it ever so slightly the tiny stone moved inwards and disappeared into the wall!
Universe leapt back the wall behind her shifted and with a groan began to move! Her eyes were wide with astonishment as the gates moved inward and then both suddenly slid apart from each other to reveal dark shadowy passageway behind where the wall carving had been moments before.
This newly appeared passageway was lit by a faint white glow - as she stared into it Universe's jaw was hanging open. "Hey...cool!" she breathed in a deep thrilled whisper.
Her silent watcher in the shadows stared with baited breath as Universe stepped into the newly revealed secret passageway. Then she scuttled forward from the darkness and followed the purple haired girl with the stealth that was intrinsically natural to her species.
Blissfully unaware that she was being followed and watched walked down the mysterious passageway as she wondered what in the world she had stumbled across. The light at the end of the passageway was getting brighter as she continued and it was as if the ghostly white light drew her ever on through the corridor.
Finally Universe emerged in a large chamber that was illuminated by a light which glow was so pure that it may have been just to say that it rivalled the light of the very moon that was its home. Universe caught her breath in awe not actually realising that she'd done so until she needed to breath for air as she gazed around the great hallway she had accidentally discovered.
This place had beautifully carved pillars of white marble holding up the ceiling and most marvellous and fantastic of all was the source of the enchanting light that had led her here. In the middle of the chamber there was a large flat table made of black ebony and on it there was sat on a pedestal a crystal that sparkled with pure white light.
Moonlight...
Universe felt her breath leaving her as she no longer required it in a sigh of pleasure as she stared at the sparkling and glittering surface of the exquisite crystal in awe...
The most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life...no actually it was the second. The first was also in this palace somewhere at this very moment and Universe had no idea whether she'd ever be able to approach her…
Only time would tell...
Still this crystal was a close second, very close but not quite there. There was a strangely compelling enticing quality about the light of the crystal and Universe simply could not bear to tear her eyes away from it. Suddenly she felt the urge to go up and touch the surface pf the stone and run her fingers across its smooth surface. Without thinking about what she was doing Universe stepped up to stand before the table on which the crystal sat. Leaning forward she reached out with her hand breathing deeply with happy expectation...
"AHA!" a voice exclaimed and Universe's gloved fingers froze little more than an inch away from touching the crystal as her heart almost stopped beating.
Turning her head she tried to act nonchalant as she looked over her shoulder…
In the doorway that led back out into the secret passageway stood Luna who stared up at her with an accusing glare on her furry black face. "So THIS is what you have been up to!" Luna exclaimed as she trotted further into the chamber to confront Universe. "I knew that you could not be trusted!"
"Huh?" Universe exclaimed, startled by the cats indignant tone. "What're you talking about?"
"Don't pretend! What are you doing here?" Luna demanded.
"Well, I took a wrong turn and found this place by accident…"Universe stammered, thrown off balance by the unexpected accusation that she was faced with.
"Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" Luna scoffed scornfully. "That has to be the most pathetic excuse I have ever heard!"
Universe stared at the black cat in silence as her eyes grew hard and cold – she had been dismayed and a little alarmed by the accusation at first but now it had passed. "Are you callin' me a thief?" she asked in a deceptively mild voice.
"So it's sunk in at last has it?" Luna retorted sarcastically. "Why not call a thief a thief? Well now…why don't we see what Queen Serenity has to say about this?"
Universe breathed deeply – she was strongly tempted to kick Luna all the way back along the secret passageway but she sensed that that would only serve to make matters worse. But anger was gathering in her heart – the pure anger of somebody faced with an unjust accusation of theft. "Well let's not waste time!" she snapped angrily, her feelings flaring up in her eyes. "We'll go together and see who she believes!"
Luna looked surprised and for a minute or two she felt the faintest of doubts - she had not expected Universe to react like this…could she have been wrong about her after all?
But then she told herself that Universe was only bluffing and turned contemptuously back towards the doorway. "Come." She ordered coldly.
"All right…" a calm voice spoke causing them both to look up in startled surprise. "…now what exactly is going on here?"
The Queen of the Moon had come to study the stained glass windows in the corridor as she often did in her rare moments of time for herself and had been startled to see that the secret door that led to the chamber of the Imperium Silver Crystal had been opened. Cautiously and quietly she had walked over to it and listened carefully...from the chamber that lay beyond the passageway she had heard raised and angry voices and wondering who could be in the chamber Serenity had promptly passed through the dark doorway and hastened in the direction of the voices.
Universe and Luna looked at the Queen, startled as she gazed inquisitively at both of them. Universe rapidly searched her mind for something to say…Luna beat her to it.
"I'm afraid to say that I have some bad news to tell you your Majesty." Luna began in a voice that didn't sound at all sorry to Universe as she stepped forward formally. "I regret to inform you that I came here and found Princess Universe trying to steal the Imperium Silver Crystal. It seems that it has been her intention to steal the crystal right from the start."
Universe had heard enough. "CRAP!!!" she snarled.
Luna gave her a look of outrage. "How dare you..." she exclaimed angrily.
"GET STUFFED!!!"
There was a small but significant cough and they all looked back at Serenity again. "Why don't we talk about this calmly?" Serenity suggested gently. "I'm sure that this tangle can be resolved if we talk about it."
Universe felt a bitter pang. Serenity was bound to believe what Luna told her. After all, the cat was one of her Advisors. What was going to happen?
"Thank you." the Queen turned to Luna. "Luna why don't you tell me what you saw?"
"Of course your majesty." the cat was eager to get it off her chest. "I noticed Universe coming into the window corridor and I thought that I really ought to follow her to find out what she was doing..."
"You spied on me!" Universe's voice was bitter as she accused the cat - a gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder and Universe looked up and saw the Queen's reassuring face and fathomless eyes looking at her.
Under Serenity's gaze Universe felt her bitterness fade although it didn't go away.
Queen Serenity motioned for Luna to speak again. "While I watched her in the corridor I saw Universe press the secret switch and open the door. She went into the passageway and I followed. When I got here I found her about to steal the Crystal." Luna concluded as she gave Universe a frosty look.
In response Universe gave her a glower of hate.
"And is that all?" Serenity asked.
"Isn't that enough your majesty?" Luna exclaimed taken aback.
"Yes - if it is as you say Luna."
"What do you mean your majesty?" Luna asked making a real effort to keep a slightly prickly note out of her voice.
It hadn't occurred to Luna that Queen Serenity might not be convinced by what she said. The cat had taken it for granted that she would immediately start thinking about how to deal with the thieving 'princess'...
"Let me ask you a question Luna." Serenity spoke again in a reasonable voice. "What did Universe do to make you think that she was trying to steal the crystal?"
"I saw her reaching out with her hand to pick it up." Luna explained.
"But you didn't actually see her with it in her hand?" Serenity pressed the Advisor.
"No your highness but I am certain that she would have taken it, had I not gotten here when I did." Luna's voice was adamant.
"Another question - did Universe explain what she was doing here when you confronted her?"
"She claimed that she only wanted to touch the crystal." Luna's voice was bitingly scornful as she glanced at Universe again. "Of course I did not believe her for a moment."
"Oh of course not." Universe muttered. "I mean just because I said so doesn't make it true huh?"
Serenity glanced at her and then she turned to give Luna a long searching look. Serenity could not help but feel that there was a little personal disliking for Universe in Luna's judgement that had prevented her from being just to the princess. If it had been any of the other princesses then Luna would probably have given them the benefit of the doubt but since it had been Universe who she had found the cat had jumped to the wrong conclusions.
The Queen looked at Universe's face. There was deep bitterness in the girls eyes but that was all - She did not look frightened like a thief would if she was caught in the act but angry.
Universe looked like somebody who had been wrongly accused of theft...that was all.
"I see. Thank you Luna." Serenity declared.
Luna knelt before the Queen - an odd sight in a creature with four legs. "Of course your majesty. I am deeply sorry that I have had to tell you this but now that the girls true intentions are known it is clear that she cannot remain here."
"Go chase a mouse..." Universe muttered beneath her breath.
Serenity turned to face Universe whose heart sank. Universe held her breath – she felt that she could imagine what was coming next. The purple-haired girl felly expected Serenity to slap her around the face and start shouting names at her…
"Now Universe would you care to tell me what happened?" Serenity asked her kindly.
Universe could only stare at her with astonishment in her eyes. The girl stood practically dazed…she couldn't believe it. Queen Serenity was not condemning her – instead she was actually giving her a chance to have her say about what had happened?
But then she snapped out of her shock and to attention. If she really stood a chance then she wasn't one to let it pass her by even though she could hardly believe that Serenity was serious – she was going to go for it! Universe felt weak as her spirits lifted a little.
Luna stared at Serenity in shock. She had expected the Queen to have Universe exiled and now she was asking her to tell her what had happened? Luna just couldn't understand it at all...
Serenity nodded her head for Universe to begin and gave her an encouraging smile. "Um thanks!" Universe's voice was uncertain. "Well I was...I mean I was looking at the windows outside and I stopped to look at the one with Charon in it..."
"The Legend of the outer moon Princess?" Serenity nodded and smiled. "Yes, that one is one of my favourites as well. I'm pleased to hear you taking such an interest! Yes, go on?"
"Um...yeah! Well I noticed that my legs were starting to kill me and I leaned against the wall. I must have hit a secret switch or something because a door opened in the wall. I wanted to know where it led so I went in..."
Serenity's smile broadened at that - Universe reminded the Queen of herself in many ways. When she had been her age she and her dearest friend the Queen of Charon, princess Chara had been absolutely curious and eager to find out all the secrets there were to be discovered in the world.
"Um?" Universe cleared her throat for Serenity's attention.
Serenity gave a startled jolt as she realised that she had let her mind wander while Universe had been explaining what had happened. "Oh I'm sorry!" she apologised. "You were saying...?"
"I saw the Crystal and I wanted to see what it felt like. That's all." Universe concluded with a deep breath.
"I see. Thank you Universe." Serenity said thoughtfully.
Universe took a deep breath as she suddenly felt very wretched. "I hope that you can believe me Queen Serenity!" she said earnestly. "I could bear that mongrel thinking I'm a thief but if YOU did then..." her voice came to a miserable silence.
"So you value my opinion Universe?" Serenity asked with a warm and pleasant smile which seemed to light up the room.
"Yeah. I do." Universe replied adamantly.
"I believe you Universe." Serenity replied gravely.
"You do?" Universe exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes...I believe you."
"But your Majesty..." Luna exclaimed hardly able to keep the indignation from her voice.
"Luna have you any reason to believe that she was trying to steal the Crystal?" the Queen asked as she raised her hand for silence.
"I caught her in the act!" the cat exclaimed hotly.
"But did you actually see her picking the Crystal up?" Serenity pressed her.
Luna opened her mouth but she didn't say anything - on reflection she had to admit that she couldn't be sure that Universe had actually meant to steal the Imperium Silver Crystal.
"Now come along Luna." Serenity said gently. "I'm waiting for an answer."
Luna gave a great sigh. "No your Majesty - I did not see her with the crystal in her hand."
"And what made you so sure that it was her intention to steal it?"
Luna gave an awkward cough, not sure of how to put it. "Well due Universe's most - ahem! - unusual background your majesty, I felt that it would be for the best if I were to..."
Universe gave a bitter laugh at this. "So the fact that I used to be a pirate makes me a thief?" she sneered.
Queen Serenity gave her a thoughtful look. "Universe why don't you go on with your walk?" she suggested. "I think that this matter has been cleared up now. Please try not to think about it too much."
Universe reluctantly turned and left the chamber. Guess I don't get to see Luna getting a dressing down, she thought regretfully as she went.
Serenity knelt and beckoned for Luna to come nearer. "Luna what troubles you about Princess Universe?" she asked her plainly.
Luna sighed again. "I can't say exactly. She just seems to be so..." she trailed away as she searched for the right words to explain how she felt.
"Yes?" Serenity prompted her.
"She's so cold." Luna continued eventually. "She acts as if she's hiding something from the whole world."
"She is." Serenity told the Advisor. "She is hiding her fear and that is why she acts as she does."
"Fear?" Luna wondered. "What is she afraid of your majesty?"
"People." Serenity said simply. "All her life she has been deprived of warmth and friendship and because of that now that it is finally in her reach Universe is shying away from it because the way it feels terrifies her." the Queen's eyes shone with compassion for the unhappy princess. "She is frightened of tenderness because she has never felt it before. Up until now all she has known has been hatred, aggression and fear. And peace and bliss makes her feel unfamiliar with herself. This is the reason Universe has distanced herself from the other princesses."
As Luna had listened the cat's eyes had grown softer as she had thought about the kind of life that Universe had left behind.
A pang of shame struck the Advisor of Queen Serenity as she thought of how she had been acting towards Universe ever since her arrival in the Moon Kingdom. "I see." she murmured. "I...I think that I understand."
"That is better" Serenity approved as she saw the suspicion and disapproval lift from Luna's eyes. "I knew that you would Luna. And do not worry for I know that there is good within her."
"But how can you be so sure?"
Serenity did not reply at once - the Queen of the Moon was thinking about the light in Universe's eyes that had seized her attention since the very first moment they had met…the light of the Lyanore as well as the great sorrow of a hidden remorse she held within.
"Because there is starlight in her eyes." Serenity breathed as she rose and walked out of the chamber with Luna by her side.
Behind in the chamber the Imperium Silver Crystal sparkled gorgeously as the room was left empty was again.
~*~*~
"Universe! Univeeeeeersssse!" Estrella squealed as she ran behind the purple-haired princess trying to keep with her in vain. "Wait, me!"
Universe growled in irritation. All she wanted to do was find somewhere private and quiet and fume. But the foul look on her face had attracted Estrella's childlike fascination as she had walked past the kitten in the hallway.
"What, matter?" Estrella demanded.
"Go away Estie!" Universe growled.
"What, matter Universe?"
"Go away!" Universe snapped walking faster.
"Tell, Strella!" the kitten ordered as she ran quicker. "Tell, Strella!"
"Leave me alone!" Universe hissed walking ever faster.
"Tell, Strella!" Estrella repeated insistently.
"My god Estie!!!! Leave me alone!!" Universe groaned in exasperation.
"Universe...you angry...me?" Estrella whimpered suddenly.
Universe came to a halt so suddenly that the kitten bumped her nose against the back of her heel. The purple-haired girl blinked down at Estrella and saw that the kittens face was sorrowful and her eyes wideand hurt.
"Eh? What?" Universe asked baffled.
"Universe, you angry, me?" Estrella whimpered again.
Universe gave a fond and exasperated little laugh - she didn't know whether to be amused or vexed. "No I'm not! Look Estie I'm sorry about this okay? I am angry with someone but it's not you." Universe smiled down at the kitten, her face pleasantly flushed after her annoyance a moment ago. "Alright?"
Estrella looked relieved. The look on her face was so adorable that Universe quite forgot the kitten's unwitting betrayal a few days ago and Luna's accusation.
"Universe and 'Strella, friends?" Estrella asked warily.
Universe could only fondly chuckle as she gave in. "Yeah. Guess we're friends." she sighed in feigned regret. "Guess it can't be helped. Oh well!"
~*~*~
Princess Mercury snapped out of her deep thoughts and looked up in surprise. Mercury had been deeply immersed in the information inside the book she had located on the topic of Charonian Wildlife in the great library. Her mind had been focused entirely on the black writing in the countless white pages and there had been a small contented smile on her face as she reached the eleventh page of the section that dealt with the subject of the Lyanore that lived in the plains of Ayadi.
This page had an illustration of a female Lyanore in all her glory and she had become so fascinated by the beauty of the noble animal that she had been lost to what was happening around her. But as the door was flung open with such violence that it struck the wall behind it with a resounding crash Mercury dropped the ornate thick tome and leapt to her feet as it landed on the floor.
As Universe stormed into the library Mercury was startled by the expression of foul and concentrated fury on her face. "Frickin' mongrel…" the purple-haired princess spat venomously as she turned around – then she saw Mercury standing there gazing quietly at her and came to a stop.
The torrent of verbal abuse that had been about to spill from her lips froze – her mind had been slightly appeased after she had left Estrella in the hallway but then she had remembered that she was supposed to furious about Luna's accusation and her ire had flared up once more. By the time she had reached the library she had been spitting with rage but her anger had fizzled and died away at once when she had seen Mercury standing there.
"Oh…you!" Universe exclaimed as she felt a little embarrassed to have been seen in such a foul temper - why this was she had no idea at all…but she was sure that whatever the reason was it was because it was Mercury who had seen her like that.
"You seem to be a little upset." Mercury observed mildly. "Whatever is wrong?"
"A 'little upset'!!" Universe snarled as her fire flared up again on the spot. "Oh yeah just a bit! Maybe I'm just being a little unreasonable about the whole thing but I seem to be feeling kind of insulted to have been called a thief! What do you think?"
Mercury's eyes widened in astonishment. "Who called you a thief?" she exclaimed although she had a resigned feeling that she could guess.
"That stupid cat, that's who!" Universe spat with vile bitterness.
"Who?" Mercury wondered. "Artemis?"
"No, Luna!"
"Tell me what happened." Mercury suggested gently.
Universe didn't notice the faintly commanding quality in the Mercurian's voice. Mercury's tone was gentle, friendly and kind and much to her own surprise Universe found herself beginning to tell her all about how she had stumbled across the secret chamber that housed the Imperium Silver Crystal and how Luna had discovered her there and accused her of trying to steal it. As Mercury listened without interrupting or judging her Universe realised that she had been right all along about the blue-haired princess.
Mercury wanted to help her…and to be her friend. Unexpectedly Universe felt a sudden fierce desire to have the Mercurian's friendship. Although Mercury was very different to herself in many ways Universe felt a very special bond with the quiet girl.
Mercury and herself were kindred spirits.
"…so that's why I'm just a little bit upset." Universe concluded her tale wearily.
"But Queen Serenity knew that you were telling the truth Universe." Mercury reminded her soothingly. "I'm glad."
"Well Luna wasn't." Universe replied bitterly. "That flea-ridden little bitch almost died of disappointment when the Queen said that she believed me."
Mercury flinched inwardly at the expletive but didn't show it. "I'm sure that Luna is sorry that she accused you now that she knows you were telling the truth." she assured the purple-haired girl, knowing that though she'd never have admitted it Universe was feeling upset as well as angry to have been accused.
Universe gave a derisive snort. "Yeah right!" she scoffed. "She's had it in for me ever since I came here. Oh god…I hate it here!! She's glad to believe that I'm a thieving…"
"I don't think that you are a thief Universe." Mercury said softly but firmly.
The explosive tirade against Luna that had been on the verge of spewing forth from Universe's mouth died on the edges of her lips and she stared at Mercury, shocked into silence. Mercury was smiling sweetly at her and her eyes were both shy and quite friendly at the same time.
Universe blushed to the tips of her ears. "You don't?" she asked in disbelief.
Something the trust of the Mercurian combined with the faith of Serenity was enough to finally quell the flaming and embittered rage that had been burning in her heart ever since she had stormed out of the Crystal chamber.
Mercury shook her head from side to side and her hair swished around her ears. "No." she told the other princess firmly. "There's no way that I could ever think that."
Universe blinked in confusion. "Why not?" it was the only thing that she could think of saying.
"Because you aren't capable of being a thief Universe - your heart is too honest and clear for that."
"But how could you possibly know that?" Universe pressed her insistently. "You and I…we've hardly spoken since the day I arrived!"
Mercury's responding smile was warm and uncomplicated. "Universe…words aren't the only way to tell someone how you feel." She murmured gently. "When I first saw you I looked into your eyes and saw the real you."
Universe was overcome as she gazed the blue-haired girl who looked honestly back at her. "…and?" she whispered.
Universe didn't realise it but she was hanging on the blue-haired princess's words, desperate to know what this quiet and innocent girl thought of her.
"…and I wanted to be your friend." Mercury finished sweetly. "I just could not help it."
Universe realised that she was holding her breath and that all her blood had rushed to her cheeks as she thought about what the Mercurian girl has just said to her. "And…now?" she whispered breathlessly.
"Now…" Mercury let the solitary word trail away into silence and looked at Universe meaningfully.
Universe could feel the corners of her mouth slowly turning up to form a smile of happiness as she realised that she had now found what she had wanted ever since she had gotten here…even though she hadn't admitted it to herself. "Y'know…I don't think that we ever really weren't friends." She murmured softly.
"I'm glad." Mercury whispered and now that she had said what had been needed her cheeks became a gorgeous pink which to Universe's eye only made her look all the more good-looking.
"Mercury, I…" Universe began and then stopped for a moment or two before sighing. "…thanks."
"I've done nothing for you to thank me for." Mercury told her honestly. "I like you and unless it would be conceited for me to say so I think that you like me…"
"You couldn't ever be conceited!" the purple-haired princess exclaimed almost fiercely.
"Why thank-you!" Mercury smiled pleasantly at the compliment. " But what I'm saying Universe is that since we are friends there isn't any need for you to thank me at all. I already have your friendship which is all I want from you." An anxious look appeared on her face and she added hastily. "It IS alright for me to say that isn't it?"
It was definitely all right as far as Universe was concerned.