Chapter Sixteen
The Tragic Tale of Nios, Tyra and Corissa
The air that had greeted her as she had awoken that morning was delightfully cool and fresh after her nausea the night before.
Universe smiled whimsically as she walked through the wide marble archway with her head turned up, looking at the sky. The stars seemed brighter than usual and the sky in which they shone seemed a lighter blue than normal. It must be winter now, she mused and her smile became a little amused. Strange…why didn't I notice the time of year before today?
Normally she'd have been keeping track of the seasons but now she realised that she had recently begun to neglect to do so. Universe's brow furrowed as she wondered what this meant – were her peaceful surroundings the causing her sharp senses to grow dull? Or could it be that she had become so content in the Moon Kingdom that she no longer cared what was happening elsewhere in the galaxy?
What a strange thought…
Universe's smile now became wistful as she thought about Charon – the Moon of the Outer solar-system. How cold it must be over there right now. Universe would have been willing to bet that the snow would be coming down thicker than normal and that all the rivers were frozen solid… The smile on her face froze as she realised that she had just caught herself doing something that she'd never thought she would ever be able to do again…thinking pleasant thoughts about Charon.
That could never happen, she told herself as she felt the familiar coldness gripping her heart and shook her head firmly, a desolate look slowly creeping over her face. The wonderful beauty of the Outer Moon was not for her. She could never go back there, not after what she'd done…she could never see the crisp white snow that always blanketed the trees or breath the air which was just like the air she now breathed all year round…
The purple-haired girl sighed and wished that she hadn't gone to the celebrations last night. Seeing Charon's parents had brought back all the old memories of the time she had spent on the plains of Ayadi with Vaura and opened all the old wounds that always came with them and even now were still raw. At least Queen Chara had gone back home now – that was something to feel glad about. Universe gave a sigh of relief as she walked into the garden – she couldn't bear to see the green-haired Queen again or hear the warm and affectionate voice of the ruler of the Moon she had committed such an unforgivable sin against…
Then she looked in the direction of the garden bench and froze, shocked to the core by the person she saw sitting there. No… she thought in horror as she stood rooted to the ground. No, no, no, no!
There was a peaceful smile on Queen Chara's face as she sat on the wide bench and enjoyed the fine winter morning surrounded by flowers and trees of her own home-world. Chara was wearing a pale blue morning gown that had been provided for her by Serenity's own handmaiden the night before. Since Chara had not expected to still be here the next day Serenity had thoughtfully made arrangements for something else for the Queen of Charon to wear. Chara had been grateful for the change in clothing since she had never liked to wear a dress for more than two days in a row. As Queen Chara sat enjoying the fresh air of the garden she had not had the chance look at in such a long while Universe stood staring at her in appalled shock – what was she still doing here?
Universe was so stiffened by horror and indecision that as her mind flew in every direction at once she did not think to back off and slip quietly away until it was too late...Chara's keen intuition told her that she was no longer alone in the garden and slowly she turned to sit gazing curiously over to where the purple-haired girl stood. Universe almost stopped breathing as Chara saw her and smiled affectionately. "Aha…company!" the Queen exclaimed cheerfully as she fully turned so that she was facing Universe. "Tis Nios's Beloved! Good morning Universe."
The purple-haired Princess had been stricken by the panic that had been bubbling up inside her but at the odd remark Chara had made she gave her a startled look and thought "Huh?"
As Universe wondered what she had meant Chara gave her another smile and reached over and patted the empty end of the bench beside her. "Come and sit with me dear. I would like somebody to talk to very much indeed." She warmly invited.
To her own surprise Universe found herself walking through the cool grass over to the bench while Chara slid over to make room for her. Amazed by what she was doing Universe sat down on the comfortable wood and pulled her legs up so that the purple skirt of her dress curled snugly around them – somehow that made her feel very calm and relaxed.
"And how are you feeling this morning Universe?" Chara asked her in slight concern as she remembered how pale Universe's face had been when she had seen her the previous night.
Universe remembered as well and she felt almost unbearably uncomfortable as she remembered how she had ran away like a mouse. "I'm fine…" she replied distinctly as she put her gloved hands on her knees and gazed straight ahead and then to her own astonishment she added "Thanks for asking."
What the hell? So those lessons that Mercury had given her on manners hadn't been a complete waste after all…
"That's good. Everybody was worried about you after you left the Ball Room last night you know Universe." Chara remarked as she looked down at what Universe was wearing today. "Oh…you've changed!"
It was true – before she had settled down to try and catch some much needed sleep the night before Universe had taken off the white gown and prepared her everyday purple one to slide back into when she woke up. Her fun had been well and truly over…
"Yeah…it was a one-night-only kinda thing." Universe replied awkwardly. "Wasn't really me huh?"
"Oh I wouldn't say that Universe!" Chara exclaimed. "I liked that gown a lot. I think that you looked quite extraordinary in white!" Noticing the bemused expression that her comment entailed on Universe's face the green-haired Queen laughed and then added hastily. "Oh but of course I also like you in purple Universe! Wear whatever you like – you shouldn't ever tie yourself down to a single thing. If you do that then your wishes will become compromised and that is never a good thing."
Universe was bemused by this advice – it was true, she realised. Just like Mercury had said the night before she had spent all of her time with the Star Raiders focusing and concentrating on how to talk and act like a man so much that she had never had the chance to think about herself and what SHE had wanted…
Since she had come to live in the Moon Kingdom however that had all changed and she had begun to feel all the more complete because of it…and it was a wonderful feeling.
Suddenly she turned and looked at Chara, her face suddenly such a picture of curiosity that the Queen had to smile. "Chara…what were you talking about before when you called me…" she hesitated as the exact word slipped away from her. "…the Beloved of whoever?"
Chara's eyes twinkled and she laughed. "Nios's Beloved? Oh dear, that was very whimsical of me wasn't it?" she admitted. "But don't you know Universe? Nios is a character from a well-known fable…and so is his bride. Do you really mean to say that you have never heard of it before?"
Universe shook her head – none of the Raiders had ever read her bedtime stories when she'd been small…
"Well then…if you like then I will tell it to you!" Chara beamed expansively at the prospect and hoped that Universe would like the story. "But were you busy Universe?"
Universe thought it over for a moment but as it happened her schedule was a blank slate right now since Mercury had not yet risen that morning.
"Why not?" she replied a little warily since from what she knew about it so far this sounded suspiciously like it was going to be a girly story.
Chara smiled gladly – she felt just as she had once done when telling all of the stories that her mother had taught her to her own daughter Charon when she had been very young. "Well…" she began feeling that she would have quite liked to have put her arm around Universe's shoulders but since she didn't know whether the girl would like that or not she held back.
"Wait!" an urgent voice exclaimed at the top of a very tiny pair of lungs.
Universe and Chara turned just in time to watch as Estrella ran up to them having walked into the garden just in time to hear what had been said. The kitten scrambled up onto the bench and sat on Universe's lap where she looked up anxiously at the Queen – Estrella didn't want to miss this chance to hear a story that she'd never heard before.
"Well looks who's here!" Chara chuckled as she looked at her daughter's closest companion. "Very well then – I shall tell you the story as well Estrella."
Estrella purred with pleasure as she shuffled in excitement and waited for Chara to begin…
"Many long years ago before you or I were born and the constellations that we know even better than the line of our ancestors were still young the entire universe was ruled over by a King and a Queen who were both wise and powerful in more ways than one." Chara's voice was rich and lovely as she spoke softly. "Back in those innocent days the beasts that roamed the galaxies were mostly calm, some even friendly and Earth was still entirely green and beautiful, pure and untouched by the influence of man. You see during that age most of the people of the universe were still untainted by the touch of evil and so they did not need more than one pair of rulers."
Universe wondered how she would have lived her life if she'd been born during that age – surely a world like the one Chara had described would have no place for a wandering space warrior like herself?
"Well – that is not entirely true." Chara admitted. "You see each planet had a certain noble family who were chosen by the King and Queen to rule over their world while the main rulers of the universe dealt with the more far-reaching matters. However another duty that two of these families were given was to produce a son and a daughter who would later take over from the High King and Queen as rulers of the universe. You see Universe and Estrella due to an accident that had happened to her when she had been but a girl the Queen could never have any children of her own and so she and her husband both knew that their own son or daughter would never rule after they were gone."
I wonder where I've heard that before…? Universe thought as she felt a peculiar certainty that she'd heard something very similar to High Queen's plight before…but she just couldn't put her finger on it.
"Well…" Chara's voice became brighter as she steered the story in a new area. "…it so happened that one of the King's in waiting who was a young man named Nios and at the time of this story he had had just come of age. Now Nios was very happy about this because he knew that by the laws of his people he was now of the proper age to wed his beloved, a girl whose name was Corissa…now she wasn't only his cousin but she was also a High Queen in waiting and so their union was approved by not only the King and Queen but also their own families – Nios had loved her for many years and that was understandable for she was wonderfully beautiful. As beautiful to look upon as the waking world and from the very moment that that he had first seen her dancing on a beach Nios has lost his soul to her."
Booooorrrrrriiiiiinnnng! Universe thought, resisting the temptation to roll her eyes which really was almost overpowering – she'd known that this was going to be a girly story…just known it!
But on her lap Estrella was enthralled and holding her breath as she waited to hear what happened next so the purple-haired girl kept silent for her sake.
Chara smiled wryly as she watched Universe's face but continued regardless. "Nios had not always realised that Corissa was a High Queen in waiting and when he had told the rulers of the universe of his desire to wed one not selected by them they had been saddened for they had known that such a marriage would cost the young man his status as a potential king – however when it was revealed that Corissa was the girl that Nios had fallen in love with the truth came out and all was well…however their marriage which would have been a symbolic event of pure and honest love never came to be."
Universe stared blankly at her – she hadn't expected this. "Why didn't it?" she asked and to her own surprise she realised that she was now suddenly interested. "Why didn't they get hitched if they were so into each other?"
"Well you see Universe there was another person whom I have not yet mentioned – a young woman who had watched Nios for longer than he realised – this young lady was the daughter of Mondia the witch-queen, the black-hearted ruler of the planet Tenbra which was the only world that had not agreed to the rulership of the High King and Queen. Tenbra was a world as dark and cold as a bitter winter's night and its people were the first to have ever nurtured evil in their hearts for they served a master so black and foul that it preceded the world of man. Working its will to corrupt all of other life Mondia sent her daughter to taint and destroy the union of the two lovers."
"So?" Universe pressed, now totally into the story.
Chara sighed and now she seemed to become as sorrowful as though what happened next in the story had happened to herself. "The daughter of the Witch Queen whose name was Tyra did as her mother ordered out of obedience and fear of her mother's power – but when she saw Nios for the first time she was captivated by him and throughout every one of the days she spent finding out as much as she could about him in order to serve her mother's plan every thought that passed through her mind was about him. But Nios's heart belonged to the girl he loved and she knew that however intense her passion felt she would never be that girl. But just because she knew that she could never coax his heart away from Corissa, the enchantress did not give up – you see Universe this girl was by nature a white enchantress who derived her power from nature itself. Tyra had made the traditional promise to the world itself that she would never use her magic for her own selfish reasons but by now she was not only anxious to do her mother's bidding but also so desperate for Nios's love that she abused her power. On the day the wedding was to take place she appeared to Nios while he was alone on the beach where he had first glimpsed his true love, thinking about his life now that it was to become completed by his union with Corissa. There, Tyra called upon her white magic and brought the unsuspecting young man helplessly under her thrall. As she lulled him with a beautiful song that robbed him of his free will Nios slowly forgot all about the love he had once felt for Corissa – now the enchantress was the only radiant thing in what now seemed to have become an otherwise drab and grey world. Whether or not these magically induced feelings were real or not they were just as strong as his real feelings for Corissa had been."
Universe was gazing breathlessly at Queen Chara. "So what happened?" she exclaimed, desperate to hear the climax.
With a sad sigh Chara told her. "Unaware of what was really happening to him Nios went to the wedding ceremony where his bride waited to become his forever but only to announce his love for Tyra. As you can imagine, Corissa was devastated at being spurned by the man she loved with all her heart. When she saw the pain in her eyes, Tyra realised just what an evil thing she had done in the name of unrequited love and her mother's blind service of the source of all evil – you see Universe there had never been any malevolence in her heart as she had planned to tempt Nios away from Corissa. The enchantress was only a girl who loved the same man as another girl and had been desperate enough to do anything for his love."
"So she let him go right?" Universe asked expectantly.
Chara smiled sadly. "That would have been the best thing that she could have done…but no." she replied softly. "She didn't."
"Unbelievable!" Universe exclaimed shaking her head, unable to comprehend such selfishness.
"Yes but it is what she did Universe." Chara paused as she thought about whether or not she ought to tell the next part of the story while Estrella listened and then she decided to go ahead. "Corissa was heartbroken…now that she had lost the love of her life she saw no reason at all that she should carry on with it for to her it now felt empty and without any hope of finding happiness again – it was now no more than a harsh burden to her that would never get any easier for as long as she bore it. After saying her final goodbye to the setting sun she ended her empty life by throwing herself from a cliff."
Universe gasped in shock and on her knees Estrella gave a jolt and stared at the green-haired Queen in utter horror. "No way…" the purple-haired girl breathed in pure disbelief.
Chara gave both of them a moment to calm down before she went on with the story. "When she heard about Corissa's death, Tyra was filled with unbearable guilt but still she did not release her love from the spell for she could not bear to lose him after growing so close to him – but she was also frightened that he would hate her for what she had done to him and Corissa if she released him." The Queen paused and then shook her head resignedly as she prepared to wind up the story. "Tyra no longer cared about her mother – she only wanted to be with him always. But what happened in the end came as mercy to Tyra's burdened heart, Nios's meaningless life and Corissa's bitter death. The King and Queen of the universe had heard about what had happened and summoned Nios and Tyra to judgement – and when Mondia's part in the tragedy was discovered the entire ordeal came to an end. The King and Queen decided to give the three a new chance to live and sent them to a place where the evil that had destroyed their lives could never touch them again."
"And the witch-queen?" Universe probed, fascinated to know what had happened.
Chara sighed. "She was not punished for what she had done to her daughter as well as the couple for though she had believed it would cost her, her life Tyra had remained silent and refused to betray her. The High rulers knew that Mondia was the only one capable of planning such a thing but without proof they could not act against her. But they were outraged by what the witch-queen had put her own daughter through and so they decided to forgive Tyra and show her mercy." The queen sighed and she thought about it. "Some think that it was the moment Tyra abused her white magic that the evil responsible for Mondia's plot was finally able to seep into the hearts of the people of the universe…but, whatever happened then, nobody ever saw Nios or the beautiful and sad-hearted enchantress ever again. I think that it is a sad story…what do you think Universe?"
As Chara looked at her and wondered what she had made of the story she had just told her all of the feelings that had been boiling inside of Universe came rushing to the surface and spewed out. "What…a…cow!" she cried outraged. "How could she do that to her own daughter? But why did Tyra keep lying to Nios even after his girl-friend had killed herself over them?"
"Who can say?" Chara smiled sadly as she saw the anger on Universe's face. "Love is a very strong thing Universe…at times it can create powerful bonds between people and at others it can destroy everything without meaning to. As I said love is powerful…and unpredictable. "
Universe thought about that but shook her head. "But why?" she pressed. "If she loved him that much then why didn't she do what was right for HIM instead of trying to live a life that she knew was a complete lie?"
Chara nodded – this was something that she herself had asked when her mother had first told her the story when she herself had been a girl. "I think that in the end the enchantress's love was the thing that would have condemned Nios to a life of lies if the King and Queen had not intervened." She explained regrettably. "You see by the time they were alone she had only one thing left and nothing else to lose – that was Nios's 'love'. Whether or not it was real she was desperate to hang on to it and I think that she chose to face the judgement of the King and Queen rather than lose it forever."
Chara gazed at the purple-haired girl who sat silent as she thought about this, her eyes widening and narrowing slightly as she considered the meaning of this. "So…what do you think? Good story?" the green-haired Queen inquired with a fond smile.
"It was a tale and a half." Universe said dreamily and looked up and gave a long sigh. "It just…ended a little sooner than I'd have liked."
Chara smiled at this wonderful sentiment as Estrella sat feeling mystified by the story's lack of a happy ending.
"Why'd you bring it up anyway?" Universe suddenly asked. "Why'd you call me his bride?"
Chara gave a light-hearted laugh. "Well when I saw you standing there Universe I remembered how beautifully you sang last night and well that made me think about Tyra's song. It enthralled me just as much as any white magic could have done."
"Oh…" Universe murmured as she lowered her eyes and went just a little red. "It…isn't that great you know."
"Of course it is." Chara assured her again with that serious look in her eyes. "All of us have one thing that comes to us as naturally as the air we breath and your gift is that your voice is beautifully clear – now may I ask you to sing for me Universe?"
Universe blinked in surprise – she hadn't seen this coming at all. "What?" she stammered as her face grew even brighter. "Why?"
"Why? Because I would like to hear it again?" the Queen replied cheerfully. "Is that a good enough reason for you Universe?"
"I…I don't really think that I'm in the right frame of…"
"Universe!" Chara spoke her name in a voice so firm that the girls protests died away but her eyes were laughing as she smiled at Universe. "Don't you know that according to an old custom of my people anybody who has been given something should rightly give something in return? Come now – I told you the story so now I would like you to sing! When you think about it you are obligated to do so Universe!"
Universe gazed open-mouthed at her. "That's low!" she exclaimed indignantly. "I…"
Chara's face twitched – her expression was reproving but she was also fighting the temptation to burst into laughter at the look on Universe's face. Universe looked at her and then with a sigh she decided to just do it.
Closing her eyes and breathing in and out as she tried to relax the purple-haired girl drew within herself for the feelings that she needed in order to draw out the melody. She spent the next few seconds opening and closing her mouth as she failed to find what she was looking for – what she always needed in order to sing.
Chara watched as the girl struggled in vain to find the essence of her song. "Its alright Universe." She assured her regretfully. "I understand – you cannot do your best unless…"
The song suddenly came. Universe's light yet rich voice seemed to have a life of its own as she sang the song that had been the only permanent companion throughout her life.
Chara's face softened and gradually became almost empty of emotion as Universe's hauntingly lovely voice delved into her soul and brought every one of her dreams back into memory. Estrella's eyes were wide and her tail lay still on the purple-haired girls's lap as she listened to the song.
And this time Universe somehow did something that she hadn't been able to the night before – as she sang she opened her eyes and looked down at Estrella. As she met the kitten's eyes she held her intent gaze and smiled so that Estrella would know that the song was for her just as it was for Queen Chara.
This time she kept the melody short however because she could feel her blood fighting to rush to her face and she knew that if that happened then she would end up feeling incredibly embarrassed. As she prepared to allow her voice to trail off Universe looked inquiringly at Chara and she was surprised to notice that the Queen's expression now seemed distant – then Chara smiled and nodded her head as she understood what the purple-haired girl wanted to know…that it was alright for her to stop.
Since she could feel tears forming beneath her eyelids Chara thought that maybe that would be for the best.
Gratefully Universe brought the melody to an end and she her voice trailed off into silence she blushed to the tips of her ears.
"Oh…that was wonderful." Chara whispered almost to herself and Universe remembered how Charon had reacted to her song two days ago. "Just…wonderful."
Universe looked at her surprised by the trembling she was sure she had heard in the Queen's voice. "What's wrong?" she exclaimed as she leaned over and looked closely at Chara's face. "Are you…cryin'?"
Chara blinked almost furiously as the tears slowly trickled down her face as she wept. "Oh I'm sorry Universe, Estrella." She breathed, her voice wavering as she pressed her hands over her eyes trying to hold back her tears. "I'm so sorry. Its just that your voice…oh it sounded so beautiful and free that it made me think about Vaura."
The mention of her old friend's name made Universe's whole body jolt in shock but somehow she managed to keep it together – actually it hadn't really taken a lot of effort because she suddenly found that she felt inexplicably calm as she watched Chara weeping.
The sight of the Queen crying so quietly reminded her of her own grief when she had realised that Vaura was dead a year ago – her sorrow had been so intense that she hadn't been able to think clearly for several hours and in the end she'd been forced to pull herself together by necessity and returned to the Star Raiders camp leaving the lifeless body where it lay before her comrades came looking for her.
But while her grief had been violent and left her head aching as if she had been pounding it against a mountain for hours when she'd finally come out of her period of self-reproach induced madness Chara's calm and quiet tears seemed so controlled and dignified…
Estrella jumped down from Universe's lap and walked across the bench, her innocent eyes were worried as she mewed and rubbed her head against Chara's leg trying to console her as if she could really do something to make it better…
But Universe suddenly realised that Estrella was doing something to help – she was doing what she could to comfort Chara and even if it couldn't bring back Vaura or make Chara's heartache go away Estrella was doing what she could and that was more than enough.
"Are you alright?" Universe suddenly asked and her voice stammered as she felt nervous about reaching out to the Queen. "Is there anything I can…do?"
Chara uncovered her eyes and laid her hands in her lap. Her eyes were still damp but now her tears had stopped. "Oh I am quite fine Universe." She assured the purple-haired girl with a watery smile and petted Estrella with her gentle hand. "It is nothing really…but sometimes the pain is so bad that I cannot hold it inside myself forever. We all need to cry every now and again Universe or our feelings simply stay pent up inside for so long that they hurt us."
Universe hesitated – she felt so torn between forgetting about the whole thing or taking the chance to reach out to Chara. As well as feeling responsible for her sadness she now felt her nervousness of Chara and of just who she was reviving again.
What would Chara do if she ever found out that she had been on the plains the day Vaura had died, been with her an hour or so before her death?
Universe wanted to slide over and put her arm around Chara's waist but she just couldn't move – she was afraid. Then she remembered how she herself had broken down in tears the day Charon had cornered her and demanded to know the reason for her distant behaviour.
The purple-haired girl remembered how Chara's daughter had urged her to cry and let her feelings which had been slowly killing her for so long free – Universe gasped so softly that neither of her companions heard the quiet sound pass her lips as she realised that what Chara had just said about crying was very similar to what Charon had said that day.
Charon sure is her mother's daughter… she thought with a faintly amused but wholly grateful smile on her face as she thought about what it meant. Guess I oughta thank her…I bet that she taught Charon the lesson that Charon taught me!
But the thought was sincere – she knew that if Charon had not reached out to her that day then she would have gone on hurting so badly inside until she'd gone mad.
Charon had taught her a precious lesson that day and it was one that she learnt from her mother – and Universe now realised that during this time they had spent together the green-haired Queen had taught her many things about love, and life.
Universe felt a surge of clear gratitude for Chara and she wanted to do something for her in return, wanted to comfort her…reach out to her just like her daughter had done.
Then ignoring her fear Universe reached over and placed her hand gently on the Queen's and stroked it softly.
Chara's eyes were surprised as she gazed at the girl who had looked so awkward and uncomfortable a minute ago but though she felt startled she smiled and lightly placed her own hand on Universe's and stroked it affectionately.
The look on Chara's face almost spoke what she felt towards the purple-haired girl at that moment.
'Thank you'…
Chara's smile deepened thoughtfully as she gazed at Universe's face…she was sure that she had noticed a familiar glint of light in her brown eyes as she looked at her with the desire to comfort in her heart.
The Queen had a very strong suspicion about what the beautiful light sparkling in Universe's eyes meant – for it shone in her own eyes and those of Serenity also.
But surely she would have known if a Princess had once visited her Kingdom and met Vaura in the past?
Chara smiled as she decided not to ponder this mystery – if Universe wished to tell her about it then perhaps she would one day, the Queen would not pry. "Well…" she said in a voice that was very much brighter as she changed to subject to a more lighter topic. "Since I mentioned weddings and unions what about you Universe? Are you fond of any boy in particular? Do you have any plans to get married in the near future?"
Universe shook her head firmly. "No way!!" she replied defensively and Chara gave a laugh. "Anyway speaking of plans why are you still here? The celebrations are over y'know!" the purple-haired girl countered.
Chara smiled at Universe's boldness. "Serenity invited my husband and I to spend the week here." She explained although she admitted to herself that this was stretching the truth a little. "I was happy to accept since she and I have much catching up to do. I have not had the chance to sleep beneath the stars of this wonderful Kingdom since she and I were…well the same age as you Universe!"
"So you two know each other from way back?"
"We do." Chara laughed pleasantly. "I wish that she and I could have stayed in touch but it is just the way things are."
"You still get to see each other now and then." Universe pointed out. "You're here now aren't you?"
"Yes but is just isn't the same Universe." Chara sighed and shook her head. "When everything in your life stays just the same…that is true happiness. And that is why we Queen's rarely ever experience such a wonderful thing…because it is our duty to make sure that things change for the good of our people."
Universe was very quiet as she thought about that – she'd once thought that compared to the way she herself had struggled to survive in the harshness of the universe Queen Serenity led a pleasant and easy way of life. But now she realised that she'd been the one who'd had it easy.
At least she had been free to walk away if she'd had a problem – Serenity had the responsibility of finding solutions to the difficulties of her Kingdom.
Universe's could feel her respect for the Queen rising – how patient Serenity must be to take the responsibility of being in charge of a pain in the ass like herself. No doubt about it, Serenity was a woman who had inner strength that was much superior to her own – and Chara also that strength, strength that Universe envied because she knew she would never have it herself.
The purple-haired girl silently made a promise – from now on she would do her best as a Princess so that she would not give Serenity any extra trouble…after all being a Queen she already had more than her fair share.
"Oh by the way Universe my son Char is also here with us for the week." Chara said as a thoughtful look crossed her face – as she gazed at Universe a hint of steel could clearly be heard in her voice as she spoke again. "I would like you to meet him some time."
"Sure." Universe replied, surprised by the firmness of Chara's voice and wondered what it could all be about. "I'd love to."
Chara looked like she was going to say more but she did not get the chance. "You certainly have risen early." A soft voice remarked teasingly.
Universe looked up. "Look who's talking." She replied boldly.
Queen Serenity laughed as she walked elegantly over to where they at – the ruler of the Moon Kingdom had gotten out of bed early that morning with a knowing smile on her face – she had sensed that Chara would be waiting for her down in the garden and she had been eager to spend the early morning with her.
The sight of Universe sitting so comfortably with Chara had surprised her, apparently she had gotten over her strange discomfort the night before.
But when she'd seen Universe's hand being stroked by Chara and the purple-haired girl allowing her to do so Serenity had stopped and gazed at this sight in wonder.
Other than Mercury she had never seen Universe let anybody touch her like this but now she seemed almost anxious to do so.
Chara raised her head and locked eyes with Serenity as they both smiled fondly and Universe realised that she ought to leave them alone now. "I think I'll go now." She said, extracting her hand from Chara's as she got to her feet and gathered Estrella in her arms – stepping to one side so that Serenity could have her place on the bench.
"Are you sure?" Chara asked, her voice warm as she looked back at the girl. "You are more than welcome to remain you know Universe."
"Honestly I need to be somewhere else right now." Universe replied. "I should go see Mercury…I bet she's worried about me because of last night. Always worrying about me, Mercury."
"Well she sounds like a wonderful friend." Chara observed. "Well go to her Universe. Thank you for your time and company. I liked having you with me." And she meant it, she really did.
"That's okay. Thanks for the sit down and the story Queen Chara." Universe said as she turned around around and looked over her shoulder at the green-haired Plutonian. "I really enjoyed it. Good morning…see you later!"
"Goodbye Maj' Stee!" Estrella cried.
"Good morning Estrella, Universe!" Chara laughed as Universe turned and walked out of the garden with the kitten peering over her shoulder.
Serenity sat by Chara's side with a curious smile on her voice. "Story?" she echoed and raised her eyebrow inquisitively. "I see that you're still passing on what your mother taught you Chara."
"We're Queens you and I Serenity…it is our duty to teach things to Princesses." Chara replied matter-of-factly.
"Ah but you enjoy it Chara." Serenity smiled knowingly.
"And you do not?"
Serenity laughed as she gave in. "Now tell me…what did you think of her?" she asked curiously.
Chara's face became thoughtful as she thought about Universe. "Honestly Serenity she struck me as a very nervous girl to be around…and for some reason she likes to hide things about herself." She answered truthfully. "Oh and her singing…" the green-haired woman drifted into a wistful silence as she remembered how beautifully Universe has sang and then she remembered what had been nagging at her mind earlier. "You are right Serenity. Once she lets her defences down Universe is such a wonderful girl…I really liked her company. But please tell me something."
"Yes?"
"Has she ever been to Charon…to your knowledge?" Chara asked, her face very meaningful as she gazed at her friend and awaited a response.
"So you can see it too!" Serenity blurted out as her eyes widened. "I don't just imagine it…her eyes prove that she was close to Vaura!"
Chara nodded and now her eyes had become quite grave. "I wonder how they knew each other." She mused. "But what I don't understand is when Universe would have ever had the chance to meet Vaura…why didn't Vaura tell me that she had met a Princess other than my daughter?"
Serenity's thoughts were troubled as she wondered whether or not she ought to tell her friend about Universe's past. "I have never asked her." She replied honestly. "But maybe one day she will open her heart to us and we will know."
"I hope so." Chara's eyes grew sad as she worried about Universe. "Universe seems to be afraid…but I know that she trusts you Serenity. I know that if anybody can teach her to trust then it will be you."
Serenity smiled as she felt encouraged no end by her friend's faith in her. "Thank you Chara." She replied gratefully.
Chara nodded and then an almost wicked smile broke over her face. "Now tell me…do you remember the first time we rendezvoused here when we were young Serenity?"
The Lunarian woman spluttered and then broke into laughter as the memories of the things she and her friend had done while they had been children came flooding back - she could not wait to begin reminiscing about every one of them. "Certainly." She giggled as she leaned closer to Chara with an almost conspiratorial grin. "That was the night you visited for the first time and mentioned that you had always wanted to see…"