I'm SSSSSSSOOOOOOOOO sorry it's taken me so long to update! I've been in a
place where its not very easy for me to have a computer for a long time.
Hopefully I will be able to get to one faster next time!
-Falcon
*******************************
After the fights, Rei's friends had taken her back to her room where they had pleaded with her to tell them what had made her react so intensely. But all their efforts were to no avail and in Rei had remained silent on the matter. From then on, though, she made a point of avoiding General Jadeite as often as was humanly possible. The girls, including Serenity were all depressed by her quiet demeanor, but kept it to themselves. Soon, they just had simple Rei back, yelling and teasing just as before and they dropped the matter.
*************************** A week after the incident, Queen Selene called all the girls to her for a meeting. As they took their seats, she smiled at them and said, "I know that you all have been on your best behavior with the Prince of Earth and his guards, but I fear I have to ask you to go above and beyond that." She hesitated, "I am holding a ball to formally announce your engagement to Endymion, Serenity, and I must ask that you all do your utmost to see to the comfort of all our guests. The ball will take place in 3 days. The generals must be escorted into the ball and have willing company throughout the evening so that they are not thought any less of in front of the Moon Kingdom nobles. Whether it be you yourself who does this, or a young lady at court, the generals must have company. The escorting of Endymion is already taken care of." She finished, giving a meaningful look toward her daughter, who, oddly enough, nodded, almost dreamily. "Is this understood?"
The senshi nodded their heads politely and filed out of the room. As soon as they were out of the Queen's sight, Mina started jumping up and down excitedly, "I'm going to help General Malachite! After our spar he was so crestfallen, I simply must cheer him up!"
"I suppose I'll deal with Nephrite" Lita said with false exasperation. In reality, the man was growing on her, going to such limits as giving her flowers and 'accidentally' running in to her to end up escorting her to wherever she was headed. Truth be told, Lita was falling for the man, hard and fast. He was so charming and dashing with his chestnut hair that constantly shook as he chuckled and his navy eyes that were so deep she truly believed that she would end up falling in.
"I will not help General Jadeite." Rei said quietly, firmly, "I'm sorry Ami, I will go and speak with General Zoicite about his arrangements." She turned on her heal, leaving no room for discussion and headed to her rooms briskly.
"I suppose that leaves me with Jadeite" Ami sighed. Really she was relieved. The smooth-tongued man had been keeping his constant courtship of her none to subtle and Ami was swiftly becoming more and more susceptible to it, which frightened her. No, it was better that she not get involved with the man in the least bit. This was simply for the reason of saving face in front of everyone else, who remained nearly indifferent to the fact that they were attracted to these men.
**********************************
As they all tottered off, Mina came upon a very interesting thing. As she was walking to the kitchens to get herself a late night snack, she saw a shimmering white something on the ground. She bent to pick it up to find that it was a white shawl that belonged to none other than Serenity herself. She frowned upon this discovery. Serenity loved this shawl, it had been the first birthday present that she could remember from her father. This would take some contemplation on her part. (That means UH-OH!)
**********************************
Ami found general Jadeite where she thought she might: in the weapons room. The man had an unfathomable addiction to the sight of the steel on the beautiful tools. She watched as he reverently hefted a very long long- sword, smiling with some unknown discovery. She decided she could interrupt.
"Why do you hold such a passion for them?" she asked curiously.
He whirled around, temporarily stunned by her intrusion of his thoughts. But he recovered. "They truly do fascinate me. Ever since I lifted my first weapon, I've never really been able to turn away from them. Their curves and balances delight we in a way that I would never have believed possible." He gave her a youthful grin. "What brings you here, Lady Mercury?"
"I've come seeking you, actually." She said casually, pleased with the surprised look that appeared on his face.
"And what is it that you need my aid in, Princess?" he questioned.
"I've come to inform you of a ball being held in honor of the engagement of the prince and princess. Queen Selene has given us the task of finding you gentlemen a worthy escort."
"Have you come to offer your own services in this matter?" he replied, making her blush profusely.
"No, I have simply come to ask your taste in women, General. You can have whatever you want and more, by order of the Queen."
Jadeite frowned, suddenly thinking of Princess Rei's face. He didn't need some polite court snob to come to the ball with him. He needed her. Ever since he saw her cry soulfully in front of him, he hadn't stopped thinking about her. Her raven hair glittered in his minds eye like a lighthouse. Right now, it was what was driving him to success on this moon kingdom. She was success. Rei would be his.
'Careful there, Jade. Don't want to get too possessive. We aren't serious about this woman, she's just another challenge that you've laid out for yourself.' He thought.
"I will not be needing an escort, Princess Ami, though I appreciate the offer. Please give her majesty the queen my utmost regard."
"But the Queen said-" but he was already gone.
******************************
The next day, Mina set out in search of the elusive general she had volunteered to help at the ball the next night. Though the other girls didn't know it, the happy-go-lucky Venusian was going to skip the going with another girl thing and offer herself instead. She felt a strange need to cheer up the melancholy man and what Mina wanted, Mina got.
Coming upon his rooms, she knocked gently. No answer. She knocked again. The same. Confused, she wandered off until she suddenly heard some deep voices at the end of the hall.
Curiosity over came her as she jogged down to watch as Malachite and Nephrite stood side by side, talking quietly. Though the princess couldn't hear them, she didn't miss it when Nephrite began to laugh at his own joke. Turning to the other man, she found his expression had softened, making him possibly more handsome than he already was. Mina felt strange tears touch her eyes as she broke out in a watery smile. 'Malachite shouldn't be so unhappy. He needs someone to be there for him.' She thought.
Readjusting her peach colored skirts quietly, Mina stepped out into the corridor to face them. She gave them her most breathtaking smile and waved cheerily. She noticed Malachite's face contort oddly at the sight of her.
Walking toward them briskly, she turned toward Nephrite and said, "Could you give the general and myself a moment alone, Lord Nephrite?"
He bowed to her and strolled off. Malachite, who watched the whole exchange with wide eyes, now swiveled to face her, "Is there something you need, Princess Mina? I would happy to oblige you in any way."
"Actually, Lord Malachite, I have come to aid you at this moment. You see, Queen Selene has arranged for a ball to formally announce the engagement of our two monarchs. It will be marvelous! But we both know how vain some of these nobles can be and if you come without an escort, their opinion of you will be lowered dramatically. Because of this, I have come on terms of business to offer my own services in this matter and accompany you myself. What do you think?" her speech was so rapid, Mal's head was spinning.
Getting a grip on himself, he raised an eyebrow questioningly. "You wish to offer your services? A princess?"
Mina blushed hotly, but remained optimistic, "I figured it would be the best thing for your social status, Sir. What better than a princess to lead you down those stairs?" she sang jovially.
Malachite sighed in exasperation. He would never figure this girl out! "I suppose it would be alright." He said nonchalantly.
"Fantastic!" she cried happily, "Meet me in the front foyer at eight. That's when we're to be announced!" with a new bounce to her step, Mina skipped away to tell her comrades of the arrangement.
**************************************
Lita was walking toward the gardens when she heard soft footsteps coming her way. She looked and saw General Nephrite striding in her direction. Remembering her duties came first and foremost, the Jovian nodded at him and came to fall in stride with him.
"Princess Lita, this is a pleasant surprise." He smiled at her warmly. Honestly, the woman sent him reeling every time he saw her. The grace of her walk, the fierceness in her emerald eyes, all of these things intrigued him like never before.
Lita struggled to keep a calm face. How could he affect her so! The way he smiled at her like he was the perfect gentleman(which he was) just blew her away. A slight blush rose up and he noticed gladly. Offering her his arm, he continued on his way.
"Was there something you needed, my lady?"
Lita, who had momentarily forgotten why it was she was there, came back with a start, "Oh my! Yes! I am here on the Queen's business to find you a date for the upcoming ball."
He was surprised at this and stopped his advance in steps, "You are here to seize me a woman who will dance with me all night and cling to me so I will not be portrayed as lowly among the nobles." He said it as a statement, not a question.
"Yes, that is the purpose." She was feeling uneasy with his blank stare.
He stood like that a moment longer before he spoke, "But surely you realize, my lovely lady, that there is only one woman in the entire Lunarian Court whom I wish to escort to the ball." He gave her a knowing look followed by a mysterious stare. "Princess Lita of Jupiter, would you allow me to take you to this ball? I swear I will not dance with anyone save you and remain by your side the entire night."
It sounded more like a marriage proposal to Lita, which made it all the more romantic. Here she was, ready to give the man any man at court, not even brushing the idea of doing it herself. 'Lets be honest, Lita. Men don't exactly choose to ask you to any sort of occasion.' She thought to herself.
"Well, I'm not the most graceful dancer in the universe, but I will certainly come with you, if that is what you wish."
His heart swelled with joy as he grabbed her hands and pulled her to him. He leaned forward and pressed his warm lips to her cheek, unthinkingly. Moving away, he blushed for his daring and looked at the floor.
"Forgive me, princess. I got carried away." Lita was in shock as he lifted his eyes to meet her own. As navy met green, a new understanding developed between the two people.
Smiling softly, Lita said, "Call me Lita, not Princess or Lady or any of the sort. Just Lita."
He appeared ecstatic at this allowance of informality, "Then I insist upon you calling me Nephrite or just Neph is even better!" he caught her hand and raised it to his lips before turning away and meandering off.
Lita was left behind him, blushing like she had never blushed before.
************************************
I bet you all are wondering what happened to Rei and Zoicite. SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENS THERE!!!!!!!!! I won't tell you till next chapter, but its really cute and involves Ami!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!!!!
-Falcon
-Falcon
*******************************
After the fights, Rei's friends had taken her back to her room where they had pleaded with her to tell them what had made her react so intensely. But all their efforts were to no avail and in Rei had remained silent on the matter. From then on, though, she made a point of avoiding General Jadeite as often as was humanly possible. The girls, including Serenity were all depressed by her quiet demeanor, but kept it to themselves. Soon, they just had simple Rei back, yelling and teasing just as before and they dropped the matter.
*************************** A week after the incident, Queen Selene called all the girls to her for a meeting. As they took their seats, she smiled at them and said, "I know that you all have been on your best behavior with the Prince of Earth and his guards, but I fear I have to ask you to go above and beyond that." She hesitated, "I am holding a ball to formally announce your engagement to Endymion, Serenity, and I must ask that you all do your utmost to see to the comfort of all our guests. The ball will take place in 3 days. The generals must be escorted into the ball and have willing company throughout the evening so that they are not thought any less of in front of the Moon Kingdom nobles. Whether it be you yourself who does this, or a young lady at court, the generals must have company. The escorting of Endymion is already taken care of." She finished, giving a meaningful look toward her daughter, who, oddly enough, nodded, almost dreamily. "Is this understood?"
The senshi nodded their heads politely and filed out of the room. As soon as they were out of the Queen's sight, Mina started jumping up and down excitedly, "I'm going to help General Malachite! After our spar he was so crestfallen, I simply must cheer him up!"
"I suppose I'll deal with Nephrite" Lita said with false exasperation. In reality, the man was growing on her, going to such limits as giving her flowers and 'accidentally' running in to her to end up escorting her to wherever she was headed. Truth be told, Lita was falling for the man, hard and fast. He was so charming and dashing with his chestnut hair that constantly shook as he chuckled and his navy eyes that were so deep she truly believed that she would end up falling in.
"I will not help General Jadeite." Rei said quietly, firmly, "I'm sorry Ami, I will go and speak with General Zoicite about his arrangements." She turned on her heal, leaving no room for discussion and headed to her rooms briskly.
"I suppose that leaves me with Jadeite" Ami sighed. Really she was relieved. The smooth-tongued man had been keeping his constant courtship of her none to subtle and Ami was swiftly becoming more and more susceptible to it, which frightened her. No, it was better that she not get involved with the man in the least bit. This was simply for the reason of saving face in front of everyone else, who remained nearly indifferent to the fact that they were attracted to these men.
**********************************
As they all tottered off, Mina came upon a very interesting thing. As she was walking to the kitchens to get herself a late night snack, she saw a shimmering white something on the ground. She bent to pick it up to find that it was a white shawl that belonged to none other than Serenity herself. She frowned upon this discovery. Serenity loved this shawl, it had been the first birthday present that she could remember from her father. This would take some contemplation on her part. (That means UH-OH!)
**********************************
Ami found general Jadeite where she thought she might: in the weapons room. The man had an unfathomable addiction to the sight of the steel on the beautiful tools. She watched as he reverently hefted a very long long- sword, smiling with some unknown discovery. She decided she could interrupt.
"Why do you hold such a passion for them?" she asked curiously.
He whirled around, temporarily stunned by her intrusion of his thoughts. But he recovered. "They truly do fascinate me. Ever since I lifted my first weapon, I've never really been able to turn away from them. Their curves and balances delight we in a way that I would never have believed possible." He gave her a youthful grin. "What brings you here, Lady Mercury?"
"I've come seeking you, actually." She said casually, pleased with the surprised look that appeared on his face.
"And what is it that you need my aid in, Princess?" he questioned.
"I've come to inform you of a ball being held in honor of the engagement of the prince and princess. Queen Selene has given us the task of finding you gentlemen a worthy escort."
"Have you come to offer your own services in this matter?" he replied, making her blush profusely.
"No, I have simply come to ask your taste in women, General. You can have whatever you want and more, by order of the Queen."
Jadeite frowned, suddenly thinking of Princess Rei's face. He didn't need some polite court snob to come to the ball with him. He needed her. Ever since he saw her cry soulfully in front of him, he hadn't stopped thinking about her. Her raven hair glittered in his minds eye like a lighthouse. Right now, it was what was driving him to success on this moon kingdom. She was success. Rei would be his.
'Careful there, Jade. Don't want to get too possessive. We aren't serious about this woman, she's just another challenge that you've laid out for yourself.' He thought.
"I will not be needing an escort, Princess Ami, though I appreciate the offer. Please give her majesty the queen my utmost regard."
"But the Queen said-" but he was already gone.
******************************
The next day, Mina set out in search of the elusive general she had volunteered to help at the ball the next night. Though the other girls didn't know it, the happy-go-lucky Venusian was going to skip the going with another girl thing and offer herself instead. She felt a strange need to cheer up the melancholy man and what Mina wanted, Mina got.
Coming upon his rooms, she knocked gently. No answer. She knocked again. The same. Confused, she wandered off until she suddenly heard some deep voices at the end of the hall.
Curiosity over came her as she jogged down to watch as Malachite and Nephrite stood side by side, talking quietly. Though the princess couldn't hear them, she didn't miss it when Nephrite began to laugh at his own joke. Turning to the other man, she found his expression had softened, making him possibly more handsome than he already was. Mina felt strange tears touch her eyes as she broke out in a watery smile. 'Malachite shouldn't be so unhappy. He needs someone to be there for him.' She thought.
Readjusting her peach colored skirts quietly, Mina stepped out into the corridor to face them. She gave them her most breathtaking smile and waved cheerily. She noticed Malachite's face contort oddly at the sight of her.
Walking toward them briskly, she turned toward Nephrite and said, "Could you give the general and myself a moment alone, Lord Nephrite?"
He bowed to her and strolled off. Malachite, who watched the whole exchange with wide eyes, now swiveled to face her, "Is there something you need, Princess Mina? I would happy to oblige you in any way."
"Actually, Lord Malachite, I have come to aid you at this moment. You see, Queen Selene has arranged for a ball to formally announce the engagement of our two monarchs. It will be marvelous! But we both know how vain some of these nobles can be and if you come without an escort, their opinion of you will be lowered dramatically. Because of this, I have come on terms of business to offer my own services in this matter and accompany you myself. What do you think?" her speech was so rapid, Mal's head was spinning.
Getting a grip on himself, he raised an eyebrow questioningly. "You wish to offer your services? A princess?"
Mina blushed hotly, but remained optimistic, "I figured it would be the best thing for your social status, Sir. What better than a princess to lead you down those stairs?" she sang jovially.
Malachite sighed in exasperation. He would never figure this girl out! "I suppose it would be alright." He said nonchalantly.
"Fantastic!" she cried happily, "Meet me in the front foyer at eight. That's when we're to be announced!" with a new bounce to her step, Mina skipped away to tell her comrades of the arrangement.
**************************************
Lita was walking toward the gardens when she heard soft footsteps coming her way. She looked and saw General Nephrite striding in her direction. Remembering her duties came first and foremost, the Jovian nodded at him and came to fall in stride with him.
"Princess Lita, this is a pleasant surprise." He smiled at her warmly. Honestly, the woman sent him reeling every time he saw her. The grace of her walk, the fierceness in her emerald eyes, all of these things intrigued him like never before.
Lita struggled to keep a calm face. How could he affect her so! The way he smiled at her like he was the perfect gentleman(which he was) just blew her away. A slight blush rose up and he noticed gladly. Offering her his arm, he continued on his way.
"Was there something you needed, my lady?"
Lita, who had momentarily forgotten why it was she was there, came back with a start, "Oh my! Yes! I am here on the Queen's business to find you a date for the upcoming ball."
He was surprised at this and stopped his advance in steps, "You are here to seize me a woman who will dance with me all night and cling to me so I will not be portrayed as lowly among the nobles." He said it as a statement, not a question.
"Yes, that is the purpose." She was feeling uneasy with his blank stare.
He stood like that a moment longer before he spoke, "But surely you realize, my lovely lady, that there is only one woman in the entire Lunarian Court whom I wish to escort to the ball." He gave her a knowing look followed by a mysterious stare. "Princess Lita of Jupiter, would you allow me to take you to this ball? I swear I will not dance with anyone save you and remain by your side the entire night."
It sounded more like a marriage proposal to Lita, which made it all the more romantic. Here she was, ready to give the man any man at court, not even brushing the idea of doing it herself. 'Lets be honest, Lita. Men don't exactly choose to ask you to any sort of occasion.' She thought to herself.
"Well, I'm not the most graceful dancer in the universe, but I will certainly come with you, if that is what you wish."
His heart swelled with joy as he grabbed her hands and pulled her to him. He leaned forward and pressed his warm lips to her cheek, unthinkingly. Moving away, he blushed for his daring and looked at the floor.
"Forgive me, princess. I got carried away." Lita was in shock as he lifted his eyes to meet her own. As navy met green, a new understanding developed between the two people.
Smiling softly, Lita said, "Call me Lita, not Princess or Lady or any of the sort. Just Lita."
He appeared ecstatic at this allowance of informality, "Then I insist upon you calling me Nephrite or just Neph is even better!" he caught her hand and raised it to his lips before turning away and meandering off.
Lita was left behind him, blushing like she had never blushed before.
************************************
I bet you all are wondering what happened to Rei and Zoicite. SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENS THERE!!!!!!!!! I won't tell you till next chapter, but its really cute and involves Ami!!!!!!!!! Have fun!!!!!
-Falcon