On a Raven Wind
Author:Abigail / Pikari / Drive Me Mercury
Email: PG-13
Chapter started:12-28-04 Chapter ended: 2-10-05
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all characters and settings belong to the one-and-only Naoko Takeuchi. All created characters and plots within this story are my own.
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Chapter 14
-A World of Change-
The walk back to her room afforded Seiya barely a fraction of the time she needed to think about everything that was pounding in her mind. What made it worse was that very little of it made sense. She was angry, she was upset, she was confused. So many things had changed since she had last been here that, despite Galaxia's threat, those seemed like innocent days. She almost wished for those days again. She didn't recognize this world, or these people, anymore. But then Usagi had been right. She couldn't expect everything to stay the same. Perhaps there lay her problem.
She paused outside her own door, noticing Taiki's door beside hers was ajar. Well, she didn't need to be at odds with everybody in the world if she could help it. She let herself in, and found the brunette Starlight absorbed in a stack of dusty books. It obviously hadn't taken her long to raid the palace library's archives. Seiya picked up a book idly, not really interested in it, but Taiki was either ignoring her or so absorbed in the text she was oblivious to the rest of the world. Knowing Taiki, both were equally likely explanations. Seiya dropped the book on the table again, purposely making enough noise not to be ignored.
A pair of reading glasses teetering on the end of a nose appeared over the top of a large encyclopedia-sized book. "Seiya?" The brunette looked surprised to find another body in the room. "Did you want something?"
"Oh, I just thought I'd start catching up on all the history lessons I've been missing since we've been gone."
The other woman pushed up her glasses and reached for another book from the stack in front of her. "Well, it's quite fascinating, actually. You won't believe the things that have taken place on this world since the last time we were here. The entire infrastructure of government, society, even belief has been changed drastically! Since the Silver Crystal was used to purify the world almost eight years ago..."
"Taiki..."
"...Crystal Tokyo – the new Tokyo, you might say, or rather the new Japan – rose up as a monarchy with the Sailor Senshi and the Lunar royalty at its head, becoming one of the most powerful kingdoms on this planet. But even despite that, there was – "
"Taiki! Do I look like I care? I was kidding. This is me we're talking about, remember?" Seiya would much rather eat a history book than read one, regardless of whose history it was, and that was never going to change.
Replacing her book on the table, Taiki dropped out of lecture-mode and leaned back in the chair. "I suppose I should have known that already." She adjusted her auburn locks, which were tied loosely over her shoulder, more light and feminine than her stricter battle-ponytail.
Seiya fiddled with the book she'd picked up earlier, flipping through pages just to have something to do with her hands. "Uh, anyway..." she began lamely. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for yesterday."
"What happened yesterday?"
The dark-haired woman looked up in disbelief. For someone with such an intelligent mind, could she really be this dense? So did this mean she had never been angry? "What I meant was... the thing that I said..."
"Ah." Violet eyes darkened with realization. "Seiya, don't worry about it. You've said plenty of worse things in the past. Besides, yesterday I was... in a rather bad mood."
"What could be worse than telling your best friend why she's still single on the anniversary of her wife's death?" Seiya couldn't be as quick to forgive herself as Taiki seemed to be, because she really regretted her stupid words now. And then, Taiki tended to store things deep inside, even while she pretended it was alright.
Taiki let her eyes fall shut with a sigh. After a moment she relented. "Okay, Seiya. You are an idiot. An incredibly stupid idiot."
She opened them again to find a grinning Seiya. "Thanks, sis." When the silly expression had faded, it turned to soft concern. "How are you doing?"
Removing her glasses, Taiki glanced inquiringly in the other woman's direction. When she turned away, there were drops of the emptiness in her eyes that had once drowned them completely. But there were also hints of a sad smile that crossed her face. "I'm okay. After all, it's been five years. A person has to move on eventually if they expect to keep living in the present world, instead of the past."
Seiya took that as reassurance enough. In the silence that followed, she thought it safe to change the subject. "I talked to Usagi."
Taiki turned toward her with interest. "And?" she prompted when the other woman didn't continue immediately.
"I don't know," Seiya shrugged, her hands finding sudden interest in the book again. "I guess still I don't understand why she did everything that she did."
"What did she tell you?"
The earlier conversation played over in Seiya's head in a confusing jumble. Usagi had given her reasons for actions – at least some of her reasons, but they had seemed incomplete. She sensed there was something she was holding back. Seiya realized with some regret that she'd probably walked out before the whole story could be told. "I think... I didn't give her much chance to explain everything." She shook her head to free it from any further thoughts. "It doesn't matter right now... I'll talk to her again this week. Miya wants me to meet her adoptive mother as well. But for now, I think I'm going to search out some breakfast."
"Seiya," Taiki spoke up before she could reach the door. From the tone of her voice, the other woman could tell there was something weighing on her mind. "It's possible there's no need at all for me to say this, but..." She paused briefly to contemplate her words. "I know you've been over her for many years, but that was back on Kinmoku, and far away. Now that we're on Earth again –"
"Don't worry." Seiya flashed a brief knowing smile. She could tell what Taiki was getting at. Being near to Usagi again was going to take some getting used to, but she'd already made that decision a long time ago. "I'm not going to do that again."
"I'm not going to fall for her again."
-
"We are certainly honored at your visit, Mr. Chancellor. I thank you for respecting my request to speak together. Crystal Tokyo is grateful to have a friend in you and your people."
In an ornate drawing room deep in the Crystal Palace, two formally-suited men shook hands before sinking into opposing chairs. The taller man, and the one who had just spoken, offered his guest a cup from the silver tea service tray that sat between them.
"Europe has always valued our partnership with the East," the other man responded, accepting the steaming teacup. "I should hope that will never change."
"Indeed." The first man stirred a lump of sugar into his cup, before sitting back and crossing his legs. His face was young but dignified, blue eyes calm and composed, touched with a soft gentleness. His suit was a pristine lavender-grey, with an assortment of gold medals and rich trimmings that gave an immediate statement of authority and prestige. "In fact, I only believe it is right and natural that our people unite together even further."
"I admire your spirit, Sir Endymion, but you'll find that many in Europe like to cling fiercely to their independence." He smiled slightly, wittily avoiding the point he knew the other man was driving towards. The chancellor was the older of the two, with dark hair and a round but wise face. Despite position he held, and the power he could potentially wield if he so chose as head of the recently consolidated European states, his dress was unpretentious. His traditional old-world business suit was adorned only by the gold symbol of his nation on his lapel.
"I would certainly never wish to take away anybody's independence. Far from it, in fact."
"I'm glad to hear it. I also hope that Tokyo wishes to continue her trade agreement with the European republic. Our Parliament has approved a continued arrangement with your country and would also like to propose an increased trade – more specifically, in natural gas and manufactured goods."
The two men went on to discuss the trade agreement, going over the more mundane details and figures. Tokyo, or rather Crystal Tokyo, which now included all of Japan, Korea, and a greater part of East Asia, remained a powerful economic force in the world, despite a recent recession, and the chancellor would not be so unwise as to ignore such a profitable alliance. However, it wasn't long before the Tokyo king smoothly steered the conversation back in the direction the other man had expected, though nevertheless had wished to avoid. "You know I value our current alliance more than anything, Chancellor Kafka. But you should already know I can't help but feel our nations would be stronger if we moved together against our common enemy."
The European only shook his head good-naturedly. "You'll find quite a large number of opinions in the Parliament that would disagree with you, Sir Endymion."
Endymion leaned forward pointedly. "But you do not." The king was well aware of the sway the other man might hold over the political West – eight years ago he could easily have set himself up as a king when the world's governments were dissolved, had his modesty not prevented him. Instead he chose to orchestrate the gaggle of squabbling politicians that now presided over the sometimes fractured, sometimes unified continent.
"I will support what is in the best interest of my nation. And if I may be frank with you, Sir, I don't yet believe this enemy you speak of is as common as you think. We sympathize with your situation, of course, but Europe is not going to be willing to involve itself in the problems of another nation without good cause."
"That's where you're wrong, Chancellor. These creatures, these sub-humans... are not contained. There have been reports of them very recently in areas all over the world. Europe is no more immune than any other society on this Earth. You would be foolish to think otherwise. If your nation would accept the protection of the Silver Crystal, we might create a force strong enough to repel this threat."
"I don't appreciate being called a fool, Sir," the chancellor maintained his pleasant expression, but his words were clear.
"Of course. My apologies. I did not intend it that way," the king acknowledged with a bow of his head.
"And secondly, you offer us the protection of your Silver Crystal. But was it not this same Crystal that created these monsters to begin with?"
"That is one of the theories, yes. The truth is no one is really sure how they appeared. But I can assure you, you have no reason to doubt the integrity of the Silver Crystal."
"Forgive me if I do, Sir Endymion. If we accept this protection, how can we be sure that what happened during the purification of Earth will not be repeated? Correct me if I am wrong, but the Crystal relies heavily on the spirit of its wielder, does it not?"
"Would you question my wife's purity, Mr. Chancellor?" The question was leveled evenly at the older man, though Endymion did not allow the tone of his voice to waver.
"I would never dare to. I would, however, question the purity of the stone itself. But I won't argue science and magic with you – you have my answer. I will take your proposal back to the Parliament but I can tell you you'll get the same response. Now, I hope this won't affect our current trade agreements?"
"Certainly not. I am disappointed, Chancellor, but not ready to give up. I believe our futures are at risk, and you may think of me what you like, but I believe this is Earth's destiny. I should tell you this – the agreement was finalized yesterday, and most of the South American states will be coming under the protection of the Crystal."
The European leaned back in his chair, pondering the news in calm silence. It was unexpected, so suddenly, but not surprising. Many of the South American states had never fully recovered from the chaos and near-anarchy that had occurred in the wake of the purification. Support from Crystal Tokyo would be welcome relief for the nations currently plagued by the Atervos – the dark ones – but it also meant the Asian kingdom was growing incredibly powerful. The reaction from the rest of the world would be interesting to watch.
"Destiny... well, we shall wait and see, Sir Endymion."
-
The fifteen-year-old paused on the sidewalk, raising his eyes to the tall crystal spires that pierced the sky. They rose like spears, awesome and beautiful, each tip glinting in the mid-morning sunlight, chiseled white against the clear blue sky. There was something ethereal about them, in a frightening way – the towers of a goddess. Letting his gaze fall back to the earth, the world was transformed back into the mottle of gray and color that was the streets of Juuban, Tokyo. Hitching the strap of his bag higher up on his shoulder, he skipped to catch up with his brother, who was still striding steadily several long paces in front of him.
"Why are you always staring at those things?"
The blue-haired youth fell into step alongside his older sibling. He responded with a careless shrug and a half-smile that glinted with lightheartedness, painting over the more serious matters on his mind. "What, can't I admire fine architecture?"
The warning glare he received from cool violet eyes didn't faze him. He expected as much. "Chill, Demand," the younger spoke. The rueful expression he received in return wasn't surprising, either. Not quite a smile, but a mix of brotherly teasing and defensive who the hell are you to tell me? He had lived with him all his life and probably knew the eighteen-year-old better than any person on the planet. No, in fact, he was steadfastly confident he knew his brother better than any person on the planet. Every passion, every annoying mood, every embarrassing secret, every dream – because Demand was a dreamer... but always in a calculated, passionate way. They'd been through everything together, yet two personalities couldn't be more different. "How many people do think we'll manage to round up for this thing, anyway?" Saffir directed the conversation back to the project at hand, quickening his pace to match the other's long-legged strides.
"More than last time, if we're lucky. I think some people are starting to wake up and catch on. But we need the support of more of the population if we expect anyone to take us seriously. These damn salarymen get a little boost in their stocks and go all passive again, like everything is just fine. They can't see beyond that..."
"The economy is getter better..." Saffir inserted mechanically. He wasn't paying all that much attention – Demand could talk for hours on these subjects if you let him. Sure, he agreed with it for the most part, but he'd heard the sermon before.
"It's all a ruse! And meanwhile, good people are dying." Saffir was spared the rest of the rant by a comrade who hailed them from the site of the protest. They exchanged greetings with the man, an older college student and classmate of Demand's, who also proceeded to ruffle Saffir's blue locks playfully, to the teenager's irritation. Combing his bangs back in place, he glanced around at the sparse crowd that milled about the square. Probably less than half of them were there for the same purpose they were.
"Where is everybody?"
"This is it, man. This is everyone who showed up," the classmate waved his arm at the crowd to emphasize his words.
"Where's Lana?"
"She's not coming, man. She had some excuse about business, you know. She's been putting in more time at the office..."
"More important than the cause, huh..." the silver-haired teen muttered under his breath.
"Well, we all gotta live, you know, I guess, even if it sucks. But it's not a bad turnout, really. Could be worse."
Demand nodded, not willing to let pessimism win the day yet. "As long as our voice gets heard, nothing else matters."
"Couldn't have said it better myself, man. I know I can always count on you two to show up. You guys are awesome." With a hearty slap to Demand's back, he leapt onto the makeshift platform, calling out to the crowd to catch their attention. He got very enthusiastic responses from a few, with mild reactions of interest to complete ignorance from the remaining passersby. Demand moved toward the platform to join him, checking over his shoulder first to see if Saffir was still behind him. When he did, he found the boy once again looking thoughtfully toward the sky.
"I thought I told you to quit staring at that."
"Is it really worth it, Demand... do you think?" His suddenly reflective tone complemented the frown that pulled down the corners of his mouth.
"What are you saying?" the older brother scoffed. He knew Saffir supported the cause just a strongly, though maybe less vocally, as he did. After all, they had the same reason.
"All I'm saying is... Look at us. We can't even organize a decent-sized rally. Normal people call us crazy. We're like little kids with sticks and stones trying to storm... that fortress. It's virtually impossible."
"Saffir..." Demand raked a hand through his hair with frustration. They couldn't take the doubts and disappointments to heart. They only had to look forward, and sometimes Saffir couldn't see that. Sometimes his practical mind just couldn't dream that far ahead. He took a few steps back to where his younger brother stood while his classmate's impassioned speech began to fill the square. That was when something caught his eye – on a rooftop in the near distance... the unmistakable silhouette of a Sailor Senshi watching from the shadows. He grit his teeth silently. That just proves everything we're fighting for is right. He turned his eyes back to the towers of the Crystal Palace, still unchanging in their majesty, and laid a hand on the younger boy's shoulder.
"It's just a glass house, Saffir. And if we throw enough stones, eventually it's going to shatter."
