SMAG
Chapter 2 - Carnival of the Damned
The next day after practice, April and Meg walked down the row of halfway constructed booths. In a couple days they would be ready for the carnival though. April was still dressed up from the rehearsal in a blue velvet dress and her pink hair was in curls, piled on top of her head with tendrils falling around her face. One of Meg's flower wreaths was around her head, making her look like some old Irish dancer. She smiled and looked to see what the other students were doing. She paused by a palm reader's booth.
"Who's doing that one?" April asked.
Meg shrugged and they headed over to it. A guy with slicked back green hair was working on decorating the inside. He turned when he saw them. He had on glasses over his blue eyes. He extended his hand to them.
"Hello girls, I'm Jenai, do you girls attend Juuban High also?" He smiled amiably.
"Hai, we were just noticing your booth," Meg said and smiled back as she shook his hand.
"What booth are you doing?"
"I'm working with some other girls on flower wreaths for girls, and ivy crowns for guys to wear."
"And you?" His eyes turned to April. Luna, who had tagged along, nudged her foot.
"Um, I'm singing in the talent show." She glanced down at Luna. The cat gave a slight shudder as a signal to her.
"I can't wait to hear it. Do you girls want a free palm reading right now? Once in a lifetime offer for being the first to my booth."
Luna nipped at April's ankle. "No thanks, I have got some work to do at home."
"I'll have a go at it." Meg smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow at school, April."
April and Luna walked away from the booths. April sat on a bench looking out on the lake. No one was really around at that time. She looked down at her cat guardian.
"So, what was up back there?" April asked.
"I was getting a bad feeling. I don't know if it was him or the booth. Maybe both."
"He seemed nice enough."
"Heya, pom pom. Talking to your cat?" a voice said from down the path. She turned and looked to see Ryo.
"Why do you insist on calling me that?" she watched him come near her. He sat on the other end of the bench. Luna stood and padded over to him to sniff at him slightly. He smirked and lifted the cat into his lap. He petted her gently while looking back at April.
"Your cat?" The sun was glinting off his long blonde hair, giving him a sort of false halo effect. His green eyes danced.
"Her name's Luna."
"I heard you singing. I was passing by and trying to see what was going on. I sorta stayed to listen to the performers. You have a beautiful voice."
April looked at him steadily. She didn't know what to make of him. "Thanks." She said shortly.
Ryo leaned over and fingered on of the curls that was laying against her cheek. "You're dressed very nicely, too. After you perform tomorrow, will you accompany me about the carnival? Maybe have some dinner, too."
"Uh," She blinked at him. A college guy was hitting on her. She sat totally frozen. Luna nudged her hand and gave her a tiny "meow." She looked down and Luna nodded almost imperceptibly. She looked back up at Ryo. "Okay."
He grinned widely. "Great. I'll see you then." He stood and with a gentle tug on her curl, went on his way again.
April looked down at Luna. "What was up with you?"
"I was getting a good vibe from him," Luna almost looked like she smiled a little feline smile.
April shook her head. "I never figured you for a matchmaker. We can go for a walk through town now, maybe see if you sense the other senshi." She stood. Luna nodded and followed behind her.
~*~*~
Saturday before the performance, April and Megami were sitting in some chairs off to the side of the stage. Meg was staring at her feet. She was sort of slumped in her seat, too. Her hair was barely combed and one of her wreathes was sitting askew on her head. She just had on jeans and a pink blouse with sandals on her feet. April, on the other hand, had on the same blue velvet dress as yesterday and pumps. Her hair was again curled and piled on her head, which was ringed by a flower wreathe.
April looked at her friend. "You don't look that good."
"Oh, thank you," Meg rolled her eyes...which had slightly dark circles under them.
"Are you okay?"
She sighed. "I just feel really tired, even though I slept all night and went to bed really early. I'm probly getting sick or something. I'm usually one of the first to start with the cold season sicknesses...but usually you get it right at the same time."
"I don't know. Just drink lots of orange juice, it's sposed to help." She smiled. "Guess what? I've got a date with that college guy after the performance."
"Oh, cool, Ryo?" Meg looked up and April nodded. "Will you come with me and see that palm reader's booth? You didn't have time yesterday and it was really cool. He gives you this little charm afterwards." Meg lifted her wrist to show her friend.
April looked, and as she did she felt her broach start to glow. She looked down and covered it with her hand. Luna suddenly jumped across her lap and snatched the charm off Meg's wrist. Luna took off and Meg was about to go after her when the show started.
~*~*~
April walked out with Meg after the show. Ryo was standing by a post and watching her walk over. She smiled. "Meg wants me to come with her to the palm reader's booth."
Ryo looked at Meg and then back at April. "Okay, sure. I'm interested in what he's got to say about me." He winked.
They headed that way. People were milling around near it and most of them had a charm, too. April's brows furrowed. Something didn't feel right. Meg led the way through the crowd and into the booth. The three sat across a small table from the man from yesterday, Jenai. He looked up at April.
"Oh, you're back," Jenai smiled. "And you brought another friend. Sit, and I'll read you both. I'll just start the preparations for a good reading." He lit some incense on the table and the vapors wafted upward.
April's eyes got wide seconds before she inhaled. She then started coughing and wheezing. She hugged herself as she tried to breathe in. Meg moaned and patted her on the back.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about the incense and your asthma," Meg said sympathetically.
Ryo stood and helped April up. He assisted her out of the tent. Outside she started taking in big gulps of breath. Then she looked up at Ryo with watery eyes.
"I'm sorry, go inside and get your reading. I'll chill out here for a few," April smiled weakly.
"If you're sure..."
"Yeah."
He went back inside and she leaned against the outside wall of the booth. She felt something drop on her foot and she looked down. Luna was spitting out a bad taste into the grass and the charm was on her foot. She bent over to pick it up and she straightens.
"You got a strange feeling about it, too, didn't you?" April asked Luna.
"Hai, I'm going to take it back to analyze it."
"But the carnival ends tonight."
"Then he'll probably make his move tonight."
April turned as she heard rustling. Meg and Ryo were coming out of the booth. Ryo had a charm in his hand. He walked over to her. Meg waved and walked off. Ryo looked down and saw Luna.
"Your cat again," he smiled and gave her a pat.
"Ryo, lemme have that charm, please."
"Sure, I'm not going to wear it anyways."
He reached out to hand it to her when she noticed people around them -with charms- dropping to the ground. Just as she touched the one in Ryo's hand, both sparked. The first dropped from her hand shortly. The other kept attached between her and Ryo, shocking them hard. Then Luna leaped and knocked it away.
Ryo rubbed his sore hand. "That's some cat."
"I know."
They turned as a youma appeared and started to steal people's energy. April gasped and moved forward, and then she remembered where she is. Ryo took her arm and looked at her sternly. "You gotta get out of here. I'll try and help some of these people."
"That's nuts."
"Just do it." He gave her a quick kiss then turned to shoo some of the surrounding people away from the danger. She blinked and touched her lips for a second. Then she snapped out of it and went into the trees to transform. She ran back out and faced the youma.
"Hold it right there! I stand for love and justice...and hope for a bright future! I will not let you steal these people's future! In the name of the moon," she struck a pose. "I will punish you!"
The youma turned and hurled razor sharp charms at her. She jumped out of the way and landed in the grass. She quickly rolled out of the way of more attacks. Then a different charm was hurled at her. It hit her in the abdomen and vines popped out to wrap around her. She struggled, but couldn't move.
Then a pink rose flew past her. The tip ripped the vines and she could flex her arms to break them finally. She sat up and saw the rose was implanted at her feet. She touched a petal and then looked up. Standing not too far away was Gemini Knight. She smiled.
"Thanks for the help," Sailor Moon called to him.
"Hurry and stop the youma, Moon."
"Hai," She stood and faced the youma. "Moon Tiara ACTION!"
The disc of energy hit the youma and it disappeared. She looked back at Gemini Knight. He was walking into the trees. She took a deep breath and hurried after him. She didn't get to far into the small forest when arms caught her by the shoulders. She gasped as it took her by surprise. She looked up into shining green eyes.
"Why do you pursue me?" He asked.
"Because...well....I," She searched for words. She didn't exactly know what was going on either. "I want to get to know you." That was true.
"Someday," he leaned over and gave her another kiss. Something nibbled at the back of her mind.
"I really don't like kissing people I don't know," she shot back as a last ditch effort.
"Would you rather I stop?" he teased and gently pulled her further through the trees. They came to a small clearing. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the branches above.
"Is this private enough for you?" she asked hopefully.
He looked down at her pleadingly. "You've got to let go. There really is NO place that is safe enough. Even though we transform and untransform without problem normally. I can't take that chance with you...it has nothing to do with not trusting you, but to do with putting you in danger."
Moon looked up at him slowly. "Then, can you just kiss me again, once more?"
"Just once more, I have someone I need to get back and find before they notice I'm missing. You probably have to, too."
She nodded slowly. He cupped her face and gave her a deep, lasting kiss. Her mind went fuzzy. But, not long enough later he pulled back. He stepped back and released her. He gave her one last tortured look before disappearing into the trees. This time she didn't follow, but untransformed and took her own path out to the carnival.
Luna was out there looking for her. "Where'd you go off to after the battle?"
"I talked to Gemini Knight," April said. Well, they had talked, too.
They started walking down the path when Ryo finds her again. "Hey, ready for dinner now, sweeting?"
April looked up at his tall form from her small height with her round pixie face. She smiled with her little pert lips. "Hai, I am." She looked at Luna and gave the cat a motion of her head, which meant for her to go home. Then she turnd back to Ryo. "Where're we going?"
"Anywhere you want," he took her hand and they strolled out the gate.
Chapter 2 - Carnival of the Damned
The next day after practice, April and Meg walked down the row of halfway constructed booths. In a couple days they would be ready for the carnival though. April was still dressed up from the rehearsal in a blue velvet dress and her pink hair was in curls, piled on top of her head with tendrils falling around her face. One of Meg's flower wreaths was around her head, making her look like some old Irish dancer. She smiled and looked to see what the other students were doing. She paused by a palm reader's booth.
"Who's doing that one?" April asked.
Meg shrugged and they headed over to it. A guy with slicked back green hair was working on decorating the inside. He turned when he saw them. He had on glasses over his blue eyes. He extended his hand to them.
"Hello girls, I'm Jenai, do you girls attend Juuban High also?" He smiled amiably.
"Hai, we were just noticing your booth," Meg said and smiled back as she shook his hand.
"What booth are you doing?"
"I'm working with some other girls on flower wreaths for girls, and ivy crowns for guys to wear."
"And you?" His eyes turned to April. Luna, who had tagged along, nudged her foot.
"Um, I'm singing in the talent show." She glanced down at Luna. The cat gave a slight shudder as a signal to her.
"I can't wait to hear it. Do you girls want a free palm reading right now? Once in a lifetime offer for being the first to my booth."
Luna nipped at April's ankle. "No thanks, I have got some work to do at home."
"I'll have a go at it." Meg smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow at school, April."
April and Luna walked away from the booths. April sat on a bench looking out on the lake. No one was really around at that time. She looked down at her cat guardian.
"So, what was up back there?" April asked.
"I was getting a bad feeling. I don't know if it was him or the booth. Maybe both."
"He seemed nice enough."
"Heya, pom pom. Talking to your cat?" a voice said from down the path. She turned and looked to see Ryo.
"Why do you insist on calling me that?" she watched him come near her. He sat on the other end of the bench. Luna stood and padded over to him to sniff at him slightly. He smirked and lifted the cat into his lap. He petted her gently while looking back at April.
"Your cat?" The sun was glinting off his long blonde hair, giving him a sort of false halo effect. His green eyes danced.
"Her name's Luna."
"I heard you singing. I was passing by and trying to see what was going on. I sorta stayed to listen to the performers. You have a beautiful voice."
April looked at him steadily. She didn't know what to make of him. "Thanks." She said shortly.
Ryo leaned over and fingered on of the curls that was laying against her cheek. "You're dressed very nicely, too. After you perform tomorrow, will you accompany me about the carnival? Maybe have some dinner, too."
"Uh," She blinked at him. A college guy was hitting on her. She sat totally frozen. Luna nudged her hand and gave her a tiny "meow." She looked down and Luna nodded almost imperceptibly. She looked back up at Ryo. "Okay."
He grinned widely. "Great. I'll see you then." He stood and with a gentle tug on her curl, went on his way again.
April looked down at Luna. "What was up with you?"
"I was getting a good vibe from him," Luna almost looked like she smiled a little feline smile.
April shook her head. "I never figured you for a matchmaker. We can go for a walk through town now, maybe see if you sense the other senshi." She stood. Luna nodded and followed behind her.
~*~*~
Saturday before the performance, April and Megami were sitting in some chairs off to the side of the stage. Meg was staring at her feet. She was sort of slumped in her seat, too. Her hair was barely combed and one of her wreathes was sitting askew on her head. She just had on jeans and a pink blouse with sandals on her feet. April, on the other hand, had on the same blue velvet dress as yesterday and pumps. Her hair was again curled and piled on her head, which was ringed by a flower wreathe.
April looked at her friend. "You don't look that good."
"Oh, thank you," Meg rolled her eyes...which had slightly dark circles under them.
"Are you okay?"
She sighed. "I just feel really tired, even though I slept all night and went to bed really early. I'm probly getting sick or something. I'm usually one of the first to start with the cold season sicknesses...but usually you get it right at the same time."
"I don't know. Just drink lots of orange juice, it's sposed to help." She smiled. "Guess what? I've got a date with that college guy after the performance."
"Oh, cool, Ryo?" Meg looked up and April nodded. "Will you come with me and see that palm reader's booth? You didn't have time yesterday and it was really cool. He gives you this little charm afterwards." Meg lifted her wrist to show her friend.
April looked, and as she did she felt her broach start to glow. She looked down and covered it with her hand. Luna suddenly jumped across her lap and snatched the charm off Meg's wrist. Luna took off and Meg was about to go after her when the show started.
~*~*~
April walked out with Meg after the show. Ryo was standing by a post and watching her walk over. She smiled. "Meg wants me to come with her to the palm reader's booth."
Ryo looked at Meg and then back at April. "Okay, sure. I'm interested in what he's got to say about me." He winked.
They headed that way. People were milling around near it and most of them had a charm, too. April's brows furrowed. Something didn't feel right. Meg led the way through the crowd and into the booth. The three sat across a small table from the man from yesterday, Jenai. He looked up at April.
"Oh, you're back," Jenai smiled. "And you brought another friend. Sit, and I'll read you both. I'll just start the preparations for a good reading." He lit some incense on the table and the vapors wafted upward.
April's eyes got wide seconds before she inhaled. She then started coughing and wheezing. She hugged herself as she tried to breathe in. Meg moaned and patted her on the back.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about the incense and your asthma," Meg said sympathetically.
Ryo stood and helped April up. He assisted her out of the tent. Outside she started taking in big gulps of breath. Then she looked up at Ryo with watery eyes.
"I'm sorry, go inside and get your reading. I'll chill out here for a few," April smiled weakly.
"If you're sure..."
"Yeah."
He went back inside and she leaned against the outside wall of the booth. She felt something drop on her foot and she looked down. Luna was spitting out a bad taste into the grass and the charm was on her foot. She bent over to pick it up and she straightens.
"You got a strange feeling about it, too, didn't you?" April asked Luna.
"Hai, I'm going to take it back to analyze it."
"But the carnival ends tonight."
"Then he'll probably make his move tonight."
April turned as she heard rustling. Meg and Ryo were coming out of the booth. Ryo had a charm in his hand. He walked over to her. Meg waved and walked off. Ryo looked down and saw Luna.
"Your cat again," he smiled and gave her a pat.
"Ryo, lemme have that charm, please."
"Sure, I'm not going to wear it anyways."
He reached out to hand it to her when she noticed people around them -with charms- dropping to the ground. Just as she touched the one in Ryo's hand, both sparked. The first dropped from her hand shortly. The other kept attached between her and Ryo, shocking them hard. Then Luna leaped and knocked it away.
Ryo rubbed his sore hand. "That's some cat."
"I know."
They turned as a youma appeared and started to steal people's energy. April gasped and moved forward, and then she remembered where she is. Ryo took her arm and looked at her sternly. "You gotta get out of here. I'll try and help some of these people."
"That's nuts."
"Just do it." He gave her a quick kiss then turned to shoo some of the surrounding people away from the danger. She blinked and touched her lips for a second. Then she snapped out of it and went into the trees to transform. She ran back out and faced the youma.
"Hold it right there! I stand for love and justice...and hope for a bright future! I will not let you steal these people's future! In the name of the moon," she struck a pose. "I will punish you!"
The youma turned and hurled razor sharp charms at her. She jumped out of the way and landed in the grass. She quickly rolled out of the way of more attacks. Then a different charm was hurled at her. It hit her in the abdomen and vines popped out to wrap around her. She struggled, but couldn't move.
Then a pink rose flew past her. The tip ripped the vines and she could flex her arms to break them finally. She sat up and saw the rose was implanted at her feet. She touched a petal and then looked up. Standing not too far away was Gemini Knight. She smiled.
"Thanks for the help," Sailor Moon called to him.
"Hurry and stop the youma, Moon."
"Hai," She stood and faced the youma. "Moon Tiara ACTION!"
The disc of energy hit the youma and it disappeared. She looked back at Gemini Knight. He was walking into the trees. She took a deep breath and hurried after him. She didn't get to far into the small forest when arms caught her by the shoulders. She gasped as it took her by surprise. She looked up into shining green eyes.
"Why do you pursue me?" He asked.
"Because...well....I," She searched for words. She didn't exactly know what was going on either. "I want to get to know you." That was true.
"Someday," he leaned over and gave her another kiss. Something nibbled at the back of her mind.
"I really don't like kissing people I don't know," she shot back as a last ditch effort.
"Would you rather I stop?" he teased and gently pulled her further through the trees. They came to a small clearing. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the branches above.
"Is this private enough for you?" she asked hopefully.
He looked down at her pleadingly. "You've got to let go. There really is NO place that is safe enough. Even though we transform and untransform without problem normally. I can't take that chance with you...it has nothing to do with not trusting you, but to do with putting you in danger."
Moon looked up at him slowly. "Then, can you just kiss me again, once more?"
"Just once more, I have someone I need to get back and find before they notice I'm missing. You probably have to, too."
She nodded slowly. He cupped her face and gave her a deep, lasting kiss. Her mind went fuzzy. But, not long enough later he pulled back. He stepped back and released her. He gave her one last tortured look before disappearing into the trees. This time she didn't follow, but untransformed and took her own path out to the carnival.
Luna was out there looking for her. "Where'd you go off to after the battle?"
"I talked to Gemini Knight," April said. Well, they had talked, too.
They started walking down the path when Ryo finds her again. "Hey, ready for dinner now, sweeting?"
April looked up at his tall form from her small height with her round pixie face. She smiled with her little pert lips. "Hai, I am." She looked at Luna and gave the cat a motion of her head, which meant for her to go home. Then she turnd back to Ryo. "Where're we going?"
"Anywhere you want," he took her hand and they strolled out the gate.
