"Where have you been! It has been days!" Renatus worriedly asked.
"Sensei, I never knew the Earth's wilderness could be so breath-taking!" Haruka remarked while dancing in exhileration. He was now inside his domain. He took off his tunic and placed it on an empty seat. He had been gone for days, intoxicated with Gaia's exocitism.
Before Renatus became part of the Uranian royal entourage, he was known as Xandro the infamous assassin and unprecedented bounty hunter. His profession caused him to fled from one place to another. In an aborted assassination plot, he fled to Uranus almost half dead. As he dragged himself, he collapsed on the path of a Uranian nobility. He was then brought to the palace, where he was cared and nursed back to health. Never was Xandro questioned about his past nor the injuries he acquired; he was welcomed and treated like a guest without a past, only a bright future. Under the confines of this new world, he realized the beauty of a quiet and ordinary life he had forsaken. A paradise that soothed his wounded soul. A pre-teen Haruka was his constant companion and guide in this magnificent realm. In turn, Xandro taught Haruka the basics of swordsmanship and self-defense, ways of the Martian warrior, mainly because of the former's amusement and liking on the latter. Afterall, Haruka reminded him so much of a son he once had. Friendship was naturally forged between the two. Eventually, Xandro's past caught up on him; the revelation of his identity costed him deportation and execution on his return to Mars. On the day of his extradition, the Uranian king intervened on his behalf; all extradite stipulations were circumvented, and asylum on Uranus was brilliantly maneuvered to be the best and the only option left. The Martian authorities knew they were politically entrapped hence, hesitantly assented. Overwhelmed by gratitude, Xandro pledged his life and loyalty to the crown and embraced the name Renatus. Despite his ill reputation, Uranians saw the goodness within him, and gave him the chance to start anew. Nobody cared who he was, only what he can be. Amnesty was relatively unheard in other parts of the galaxy. He finally found a place where he belonged. Of course, he appropriately became the guardian, instructor and confidante of the Sangre, Haruka.
"Take a look at these!" Haruka pulled out a penlight structure. The moment its base was about to contact the surface of the table, three pods emerged from its circumferential sides, serving as support over the vertical framework. A red light flashed, and a slide show of Earth's scenery was projected over the tent's wall.
Loosening his clothes, he sat down on his bed and laid back, indulging over its softness and comfort. He definitely missed the finer aspects of life.
"It is unlike you to be irresponsible, your grace!" Renatus scolded.
"Have I ever let you down? And quit addressing those fancy names! Or are you tired covering for me?" Haruka retorted with a mischievous smile.
At a glance, Haruka and Renatus looked the same, particularly in height, posture and fair-hair complexion. Closer perusal would reveal that Renatus is slightly darker and filled with scars of victory. He is also bigger and therefore heavier in muscular density. Renatus has always tolerated Haruka's secret escapades, if it was the only means of temporary easing the latter's pain; he stood in Haruka's stead . As long as Renatus doesn't move much or utter a sound, the ploy is perfect!
"But you have to be reminded of your status at times. The way people, especially the youth, look up on you." Renatus calmly reminded him.
"So what did I miss?" Haruka grabbed an inch diameter circular, 0.0625" thick electronic interface. He put it on his left ear and pressed the button at its center. Automatically, a silver rod-like speaker protruded toward his mouth, as a 0.5" translucent LCD screen was placed over his left eye. The glove-like device on his hand enabled him to browse over. He sat on a chair, raised and rested his crossed up legs on the adjacent table, and brought his other folded arm at the back of his head.
Uranus is the most affluent and most advanced civilization in the Silver Alliance. When other planets were barely discovering simple machines in the form of wheels or pulleys, Uranians have exploited atomic fission, aviation and biotechnology. Presently, they are harnessing the power of crystals to sustain their collective need for energy. Their innovative ingenuity is matched with their liberal thinking. Long before slavery was abolished, Uranian society has long adopted revolutionary concepts such as equality, liberty and unity. Indeed, only in Uranus are people from all walks of life have truly attained equality in every sense of the word. It was simply Euthopia. Yet, emigrants have difficulty assimilating to their culture. Uranians are simply eccentric; they are individualistic yet traditional, diplomatic yet aloof. The Uranian spirit has always been bold, untamed and free. Nothing seems to be the same; flux was the norm. It's amazing how the co-existence of extremities be in perfect harmony in Uranus; many wonder if self-annihilation is the inevitable consequence if this delicate balance is upset. Notwithstanding, Uranians have always been driven by philanthropic pragmatism -- for the love of humanity, concern is over the greatest good whatever the sacrifice/consequence might be -- rather than morality. In this, becoming a sailor senshi is the greatest pride of them all. So much so, Sailor Urani have been designated with the honorary title of 'Sangre'.
As Haruka was busily finishing his (other) royal duty, Renatus gave him a letter bearing the seal of Empress Serenity.
"It seems the delegation would be delayed. There's a problem with the moon transporter and our men are repairing it as we speak. It would take at least 6 more weeks before normal operation can resume." The passage way toward the moon has been strategically and exclusively situated on Earth for security and protection purposes.
"Good, very good!" Haruka switch the headset off and stood. "That means we can observe the ritual in full." He took his cape and bag. "And I can explore further what this planet has to offer!"
Uranians annually celebrate "Dokuritsuhan" in honor of their origin and roots. Despite their technological progress, Uranians humbly recognize their dependency and need for peaceful co-existence with nature. During "Dokuritsuhan", Uranians temporarily withdraw from their modern ways and simply enjoy life as it is. It was a golden opportunity to retreat, reflect and search for the truth from within themselves, rather than their surroundings, collectively and individually. At best, this commemoration keeps them level-headed and centered, refreshed to face the real world once again.
"Indeed, the people are busy preparing for the festivities outside". Renatus affirmed.
Outside Haurka's tent, people were all busy doing something. Some where chopping and carving woods, others were preparing food. Everybody, be a man or woman, had the same rugged outfit as that of Haruka's and Renatus'. Unless one is a Uranian, one would never know Haruka is of privileged birth, and is the leading figure of the Uranian envoy. There were no signs of royal luxury, even his tent was the same with the rest. Furnishings were kept to a minimum, and were based on the barest necessities.
"Be back before the festivities begin!" Renatus reminded.
"I will!" was Haruka's fast response, and he headed off toward another journey.
" For crying out loud,take a bath first!" Renatus shouted with all his might.
Ah, his good friend never lets an opportunity to banter him cease, despite how quick their rendezvous was. Haruka chuckled, and sped off at lightning velocity.
Author's note: At this point, it is apparent why Haruka keeps on being addressed with a masculine pronoun even if his sexual attribute is female. It is his chosen gender, and given the radical way of thinking of Uranians, Haruka is recognized and treated as if he is indeed a man, as far as the Uranians are concern. FYI, sex is different from gender; sex is the physical attribute one is born with while gender is the social role one has chosen. In general, sex and gender usually go hand-in-hand but there are exceptions.