Moonlight Horizon
A Sailor Moon Sekkushiaru Roman Story
By Lady M. Harris
Chapter Two
"Lady...?" Came the voice somewhere above her. Rini opened her eyes slowly and heard movement around her. The room before her seemed dark and ancient looking. It looked something like an old fashioned cabin, used as a storage area. The wind howled outside and the building creaked precariously on its old foundation, the window shutters banging off and on continuously, enough to set ones teeth on edge. Water leaked in various sections of the building as it rained steadily outside. She turned her head slowly, ignoring the sounds of outside and focused her eyes on the man sitting next to her. Behind him, a young woman peered anxiously at her.
"She's finally waking," the man said over his shoulder to the woman.
"That's good," came the woman's concerned reply.
"Where am I?" Rini croaked, clearing her voice at the same time. There was something odd about the man and woman sitting next to her, although she couldn't quite place the feeling. She looked around the cabin once more, trying to recall why she was in the cabin and how she got there. The memory surged through her like an exploding cannon ball and she quickly sat up, startling the other two occupants with her swift movements. Her last memory was that of their ship careening wildly out of control towards the planet Paradise. She briefly recalled closing her eyes during the disaster and reaching deep within her to call upon her powers to help the angel guide the ship out the perilous dangers of the Cycle, before passing out.
"Ahhh!" Rini cried out, clutching the back of her head as pain sliced through her neck and up to her head. Her body felt bruised and battered. The sheet that was covering her body slipped down, exposing her upper naked torso.
"Please-lady, you must take it slowly," Bark said with great concern as he tried to ease the young woman back down into the pillows and tried not to stare at the woman's perfect, full, lustrous orbs. He reached over to quickly cover the woman, hoping Marilee couldn't see how red his face was becoming.
"Our ship-it was attacked!" Rini cried out, trying to loosen her arms, but failing as the man struggled to gently push Rini back into the pillows. She had no strength, could feel the stress of fighting ebbing away any fortitude that she claimed and was easily subdued.
"Yes, we know. But you must take it easy, we're here to try and help you," the woman said, her face softening as she noticed the woman's distress from behind the man. She got up from her chair and walked close to the bed as Rini began to calm down.
"Your ship crashed right off of the shores from here a couple days ago. Luckily, we still have a few working boats here on the island and we were able to fish you, the Angian and another man, whom I was told is a guard from what was left of the ship." The woman said quietly as she noted the expression of horror on the young lady's face. "I'm sorry, but the rest of the crew was dead by the time we arrived." Marilee said shaking her head in sympathy and answering the question that already on the woman's tongue.
"We arrived just in time too, otherwise the Cycle would have finished you off," Bark finished for Marilee, his composure back in place. The young woman's eyes were a fascinating reddish hue as was the color of her luxurious, pale pink hair and Bark was helpless but to continue to stare at her comeliness. He tried again not to think about those lovely breasts he had just merely glimpsed of earlier. "I'm Bark, the chief engineer and doctor of sorts and this here, is Marilee, my apprentice. You're on the island of Hades, closed off from the rest of the world by the Cycle." Bark said sweeping his hand past Marilee and towards the outside door of the cabin.
Rini's eyes followed Bark's hand, but her eyes stayed glued for long moments on the man's hand. He only had three fingers. She quickly glanced at his other hand and realized that his other hand revealed three fingers as well. Her gaze glanced back into his face and she noticed how his eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned slightly.
"It is a natural birth defect that is found commonly here on Hades," Bark replied tersely as he noticed her eyes straying back to his hands. It never bothered him before, since everyone on Hades was imperfect. However, it reminded him why there were on this island and why they choose to stay.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend," Rini offered to Bark, her eyes imploring softly that Bark felt all of the stiffness melt out of him as he gazed back into the woman's pleading eyes. He smiled back at her, nodding hesitantly in acceptance of the apology.
"That's okay, it takes a little getting used to here. You will see a lot of that on Hades, my dear," Marilee interjected, as she watched the exchange. "Those who live on Hades have a birth defect of some kind. Some are very noticeable while others are hidden from the eye. It is rare indeed, to see physical perfection such as yours and the Angian."
"You mentioned an Angian," at their nod, she asked hesitantly, "which one survived?" "The archangel, of course," Bark replied waving his hand again towards the door, then added, "He's the one who saved you. He was knocked out by the crash, but otherwise all right. We found the both of you unconscious, with you protectively cocoon within his wings. The guard suffered broken ribs, a broken leg and sustained some internal bleeding. Unlike you, he hasn't come to, yet."
Rini let out a small breath of relief and the woman Marilee, smiled in response. Rini blushed, wondering why it was so important that the archangel Elios should survive the crash as opposed to the other Angian. She felt a stab of guilt rush through her at the thought. Then another thought struck her, and forgetting her guilt, blurted out, "Where is the archangel?"
"Some of the town people and him are preparing the old abandon caverns in the mountain for you and him and eventually the guard to stay in. Especially since there is no room here," Marilee stated, walking over to the cabinet to pull out some clothing. "They should be finished soon, and now that you're awake you should probably put some cloths on. The place won't be luxurious, but it least it'll be decent" Marilee said as she pulled an old dress out of a neat pile of folded clothes. She glanced askance at Bark, not missing how Bark's gaze strayed impulsively towards the young woman's bosom from time to time. "And with time, you may even return it to its former glory". She added softly, hoping that the girl would catch on to the meaning.
Marilee could not fault the girl, as the woman did not know Bark. She hadn't missed the shocked visage that came over Bark's face when he glimpsed the young woman's body shortly after the townspeople and him brought the survivors into the medical bay. His eyes had made a thorough sweep of the girl's body-Rini was her name, as they stripped her of her clothing to find out if anything was grievously wrong with her. Marilee had felt a twinge of jealousy and dismay at the time, even as she acknowledged the fact that she could never come close to such perfection.
Those who knew and were close to her proclaimed Marilee the most beauteous woman on the tiny island. Her only marring defect was cosmetic and meant nothing to her or to her love, Bark. Birth had laid forth an erroneous lack of outer parts of her ear, leaving in its wake tiny holes for her hearing. Hence her hearing suffered the most and was not as good as most, but it was sufficient enough that it did not hinder her speech or learning process. The defect was hardly noticeable but to the discerning eye as most of her brown locks covered her from her head to her above her waist. It was not looks that attracted her to Bark, as he would often quote, but her fine intelligence to grasp the knowledge he was willing to bestow on his apprentice.
Marilee had promptly stanched the dragon of jealousy as Bark began hastily issuing orders to the men who were carrying the survivors to be extremely careful with their handling. They didn't have to examine the archangel as he came to, shortly after they arrived at the medical building.
However, Bark knew exactly how Marilee felt about him. She wasn't about to let Bark become infatuated with this woman as Marilee already had a deep ingrained sense that the archangel wouldn't allow such a thing. Even though the archangel indicated he barely knew the girl, only that he knew she was a princess from the planet called Earth. He had stayed protectively close to the girl, while they examined the young woman.
Marilee never thought she would see the day when she would be confronted with an Angian, much less an archangel. The Angians did not visit Hades as their island was virtually hidden away by the Cycle and shrouded in mystery. The mystery was the people's doing, as they didn't want any outsiders in their world of imperfection. It was uncommonly hard to predict or penetrate a Cycle around Hades and the people of Hades were fine with that.
Once long ago, an Angian visited their island, and occupied the mountain caverns during her stay. The Angian stated that she would make sure the island would stay as it was. She had kept her promise, as all Angians were known to do. Every two blue moon, something or someone would slip past the Cycle's barrier and never leave the island. The individual was usually welcomed and absorbed into Hades society.
Hades was a reminiscent of a once booming city on a beautiful island during the first century when humans first inhabited the planet. Some of the most prominent genetic scientists conducted their experiments here. Of course, as human nature had tendency towards good, there were those of other less than considerable nature. Secret experiments done in the honor of power and greed were also conducted on Hades, and as secrets were meant to be found out, that is what came to pass with these bad deeds. The results of these experiments were now those who made up Hades. When the rest of the population abandoned Hades due to the Cycle, those who chose to stay were the ones who shunned society's view of perfect humans.
"What do you mean by that?" Rini whipped out, her brows creasing her forehead in a worry frown. Not missing the subtle meaning behind the woman's words, Rini stared back at her and then at the man named Bark.
"In a moment," Bark added, frowning back at Marilee as he tried to convey a slower pace of addressing their concerns to their wary invalid. "We'll make everything clear to you," he said.
"First things first, let's get you dressed. Are you thirsty?" Marilee asked coming over and laying the dress on Rini's bed.
Rini opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it at the mention of something cool and refreshing down her throat.
"Now that you mention it, yes I am. I would appreciate a glass of water."
"Good. Bark, would you please fetch our guest a glass of water?" Marilee said, her tone of voice broaching no challenge.
"But it's howling like a banshee on a mystic moor outside-" Bark protested. He didn't relish the idea of walking through the slashing rain or torrid gusts of wind. The building's facet was outside on the side of the building. "Blasted water facet," Bark muttered on the side, hoping Marilee couldn't hear him.
"While you're getting the glass of water, Rini can get dressed. Please knock first before coming back in, Bark," Marilee asked, ignoring Bark's outburst even as he waved his hand toward her, indicating that he had heard her. He opened the door cautiously against the winds, only to have the door swing open on its own accord and slamming loudly against the wall. Rain splattered outside of the door, but there was porch on the building and afforded some comfort to Bark as he closed the door behind him.
Rini quickly put the dress on and muffled a dismay at the size of the dress. Its previous owner had obviously been several sizes larger than its new owner. The dress practically floated around her, ballooning in the center and settling at her ankles. However, its neck size was small enough and stayed on Rini comfortably. Marilee stated that the rest of the clothes belonged to same owner and that dress was of the better pick of the lot. She was given some worn shoes, drudged up again from the same cabinet. This time, the shoes fit comfortably and Rini sat back against the bed as Bark knocked loudly on the outside door and walked in without waiting for instructions to be let in.
"There's no way, you're going to make me stand outside any longer, wil'st I freeze my arse off," Bark answered the glowering Marilee as he handed a dripping wet glass full of water to Rini. He shivered slightly, glad to be back in the warmth of the cabin, his body thoroughly soaked from the rains.
Rini quickly gulped down the water and promptly spluttered half of it back out and over Bark as she choked. Although it felt good going down her throat, it was another matter settling on her queasy stomach.
"Slow down! Not too fast!" Marilee shouted, her lips twitching in amusement as Bark jumped back in surprise.
"Ah Christ! I guess it makes no difference, since I'm already wet!" Bark replied in disgust as he began wringing out his clothes on him. "Think it's a good idea to have her and the archangel trying to fly back to the cave in this weather?" He asked Marilee after a moment of silently glaring at Rini's red face.
"The weather isn't supposed to let up for another couple of days and you see the condition this building is in. It won't last for very long and there's no more room in the main medical building," Marilee suggested. She didn't like the idea either of their guests burrowing through the gust of wind and rain.
Yesterday and all day, the archangel and several men from the town had been scurrying about trying to get the caverns decent to inhabit before the storm would hit. It was agreed that two women and one of the lady's husband of the people would stay and help out with some of the mundane chores and helping Rini adjust to living in the caverns for the time being. Eventually, the injured guard would join them until a plan could be thought of breaching through the Cycle.
The fact was, both Angian and Hadians believed such feat was impossible and would have to relent to fact that the newcomers may be stuck for the rest of their lives on Hades. In short, Marilee doubted Rini knew of their current situation and was glad that she would not be the one to tell the girl.
They didn't have to wait for very long for the arrival of the men coming back from the caverns. Someone banged loudly on the rickety door, startling Rini somewhat with its loudness and interrupting their low discussion about the island Hades.
Bark hastily opened the door and two men obviously from Hades walked in soaking wet, followed by an equally wet Angian, Elios.
Rini's eyes instantly sought out the angel's gaze, her gaze by passing the other two ordinary men. Her breath slammed into her throat as she was reminded once again of the obvious splendor the angel represented.
"Marilee, Bark," Elios said quietly, his gaze touching them each briefly before he let his eyes roam slowly on the princess' face. "My Lady," he said finally acknowledging Rini last, the sound of his deep baritone voice saying her title was like listening to the caress of a warm and dark wine running smoothly down one's throat.
Rini's eyes once more helplessly traced the outline of his magnificent physic as she was treated to sight of his wet clothes molding to the obvious smooth, muscular structure of his body. Although the rest of him was gleaming wet, his wings looked surprisingly dry as if they repelled the water naturally. She felt her heart accelerate heartily and she found her senses overwhelmed by the sight of the angel and wondered if Marilee was afflicted with the same confounded emotions as she, as she continued her appraisal of the angel.
Quelling the turmoil rising within her, Rini found her voice, "Sir-I don't know how to address you, but 'My Lady,' is a bit formal considering the circumstances-Rini will do just fine," she said, her eyebrow going up in query as to how to address him.
Elios' lips sardonically twitched in the barest hints of a smile, "Elios will do as well-Rini," he tested out her name slowly and liking the sound of her name on his lips as he bowed low to her.
Rini thought her knees would knock in nervousness as he paused slightly upon straightening his bow to narrow the sharp contrast of his deep, blue eyes on her. His gaze lightly touched on her apparel.
"Good Lord, could you have found a larger garment for her?" Elios burst out caustically, after straightening back to his imposing height and causing Rini to stiffen self-consciously, her fingers reaching up to lightly touch the bodice of the used dress. One of the Hades men chuckled as they continued to dry themselves off with the towels that Marilee provided them. Of the younger of the two, who walked with a pronounced limp, smiled at Rini and openly admired her loveliness despite the rag tag clothing on her.
Marilee felt the back of her hairs raise up like a ruffled hen with her egg being snatched out from underneath her, "Ambassador-there was naught else to give her. And it totally slipped my mind to bring an extra change of clothes from my own closet."
"It's just as well," Bark began, "and if my memory serves me right, there are several trunks in the caverns that contain cloths and some clothing that may be of use to you and those who will be staying there. Either way, she'll be soaked to the skin by the time you get there." He finished as he walked over once again to one of the cabinets to pull out a heavy blanket.
"Yes...I recall seeing them and thought nothing to look them over, especially with time being of the utmost importance," Elios summarized, thoughtful.
"Well, perhaps I like my bellowing dress just fine, thank you very much!" Rini bit out sarcastically, glaring at the Angian. How dare he say such things as if he had any say in how she should dress in HIS presence, she thought angrily!
"However charming the view is of your delectable curves, the dress is rather thin and revealing, " Elios stated dryly as his eyes made a final sweep of Rini's form once more. He hadn't missed the tale tell look Bark or the younger Hadian, Broad displayed as they continued to devour the princess' rather shapely silhouette.
Rini felt her face become warm, her blush matching the color of her hair. Her arms reached up to cross over her chest in an act of defense. How dare he look down his autocratic nose at her with a contemptible smirk on his face! That he should mention her curves in a manner that almost intimate, made her shudder with other than a quickening within her lower belly that she didn't quite understand.
"Now that you mention it," Marilee added as she gazed at the dress and how the play of light displayed Rini's figure most revealingly and not missing Bark's sharp interest in the princess again. "It is rather thin, but there's no time to change." Marilee shook her head. She reached over and plucked the blanket out of Bark's arms and placed them around Rini's shoulders. Marilee smiled in understanding as Rini looked up into the woman's face with gratitude.
Despite her disfigurement, Marilee had been ogled over a couple of times in her life and so could well understand what the young woman was feeling. "The cover won't keep you from getting wet in the rain, but it will afford you some protection against the cold winds, " she explained to Rini.
"Thank you, Marilee. We're leaving already?" Rini asked hesitantly, listening to the commotion still going on with Mother Nature outside of the cabin.
"It's probably a good idea, especially since evening approaches soon," Bark answered her as Elios nodded in agreement.
"Although my sense of sight is a little better than the average human, " Elios understated his eyesight, but didn't elaborate, "In the wind and rain, it is far harder to maneuver flight at night," he added.
"You mean you're flying us up there?" Rini asked incredulously as he nodded in acknowledgement, his blue gaze wrinkling with humor. "Why can't we just-" she began than thought better of the question, figuring it out herself.
None the less, Bark answered her, "Because the elevator has not worked in years and the steps are too slippery, too old and far too many to trudge up to the caverns in this weather."
Rini began to groan quietly at the thought of braving the cold rains and winds. Her groan turned into a hushed gasp of surprise as she suddenly found herself swept upwards into a pair of steel like brand of arms. "Ohh!" the air rushed out of her lungs as she found her gaze within close proximity of Elios' chiseled granite face.
Her senses were assaulted with a heady mix of fragrant water, outside and his distinctly own musk that hazily reminded her of the open sea air and ocean tides. Her arms flew up to grasp him around his shoulders, her hands locking behind his neck in an effort to keep from toppling out of his arms. She doubted if such a feat would happen, considering the strong hold he held on her. Other senses came to play havoc in her mind and imagination, one breast was crushed against a nearly naked, broad and warm chest, the rest of that side of her body was held against his hard body, in an almost effortlessly manner on his part. She wondered briefly why this man seemed to cause so much awareness within her. She staunchly crushed the burgeoning thoughts and wondered again if she had the same affect on him with her presence as she continued to stare at his chin and broad neck where his pulse beat steadily.
Elios gaze shot down to the woman in his arms, his nostrils flaring slightly as he inhaled her sweet fragrance of spring wildflowers and reminding him of a soft, summer breeze on a lazy evening. Her pale, pink hair seemed to gleam with a light of its own underneath the poor lighting of the cabin. She looked up at him that moment and their gazes collided with instant awareness of each other. The others within the cabin were temporarily forgotten as they continued to stare at one another at such a close proximity. "We must endeavor to leave the safe haven of this cabin and those within," he said softly and unnecessarily to her.
"I must be extremely heavy," Rini began nervously, at a loss for words to say and said the first thing that came to her mind.
"Aye, as heavy as an Earth elephant you are," he said seriously, his eyes now shifting forward to Bark who frowned at the low tone of their conversation. In truth, her weight was no cause for concern as he had carried two; full-grown men down the slopes of the mountain today with nary little effort.
Rini's mouth popped open in dismay as she thought that perhaps she really was causing him some discomfort, until she spied the barest hints of teasing smile on his full lips. Before she could chance a retort, Bark opened the door to outside and all thoughts flew out of her head as she was confronted with the storm that brewed like a torrid swirl of dark clouds and slashing rains.
The wind whipped Elios' hair about his rugged face as they stepped onto the porch and then to the wet, dirt path. The rain fell heavily down on them and soaking their clothes within seconds. He looked back at the occupants in the cabin, acknowledging a silent salute from Marilee as she shouted above the winds for them to be careful. He looked back down at the bundle in his arms; she gazed at him with such trust in her face that he felt his blood rush through him like a streak of lightening. "Hold on tight! The cabin and medical building is at the base of the mountain. It won't take but several minutes to reach the mouth of the caverns." He instructed her above the noise of the wind.
Rini nodded her head silently, and clutched at his neck tightly. She felt his body flex and with a mighty push, he launched his body forward against the winds. Her breath froze with shock as she felt the lunge into the open air, she quickly shut her eyes in fright for fear of falling back down onto the ground. After a moment of howling winds, she heard a great swoosh, the pattern was rhythmic besides her ears and she felt slightly lightheaded. With great trepidation, she slowly opened one eye and then the other, she stared with awe at the disappearing ground below her. Within several moments, the cabin and another larger building beside the cabin grew small beneath her gaze. The loud swoosh sound was caused by Elios' great wings gliding them smoothly upwards toward the caverns.
The cover afforded little protection against the rains and was already thoroughly wet on her body. However, it helped keep the chill of the cold air from penetrating thoroughly to her skin. Elios seemed hardly affected by the rains and winds, his eyes narrowed against the slashing rain. Before she realized that several minutes of time had passed, he was already steadily maneuvering them into a dark, open mouth of a cavern. He set her down gently on the cold, rocky floor and let go of her, landing with grace and agility despite his large form. She watched with silent fascination as Elios threw his wings wide and shook the feathers free of any water.
Again, Rini felt her eyes drawn back to that wide expanse of his broad torso and shoulders, his wet clothing explicitly molding to the muscular structure of his body as he shook his wings. He caught her warm regard, and a small, knowing smile lit across his sensual lips. She followed the direction of his eyes and felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as he stared at the blanket she was still clutching about her. Water splashed loudly from the blanket to the cavern ground as if she had dipped the blanket in a lake.
She hastily pulled off the cover and tried to wring out the water with her hands. The cover was far too thick, so she was forced to wring out a section of each fold. Large hands grasped the other side of the blanket and Rini looked up with gratitude to Elios as he began squeezing the other side of the blanket, more efficiently than her. Her grateful 'Thank you' died as heat blazed across her face, noting where his glance roamed freely on her figure. She nearly moaned with dismay as she noted how the dress clung and molded to every curve of her wet body as if she had just taken a swim in a river. His hungry-eyed gaze continued to stray for long moments the delectable fullness of her breasts, the nipples erect and protruding boldly against her dress from the cold air and water, before dipping leisurely to the roundness of her hips and finally tracing the shapely curves of her long limbs. Her toes curled within her shoes and her skin suddenly felt very warm despite the coolness of the caverns underneath his obviously heated perusal. There was just far too much hunger in those blue depths of his to naturally shake her normal polite decorum into reality of their situation.
Two male servants came forth from the dark hallway of the cavern mouth, carrying oil lanterns, brightening the din of the cavern walls with a fuse of soft light.
"As much as we enjoy looking each other over, I don't relish the male servants fighting over you for your attention," Elios stated and placed the blanket over her shoulders once again.
"But it's alright for you to view me in that manner?" Rini quipped, straightening up at the same time with Elios from their crouched positions. Her face continued to blush over his statement of her wet clothes.
"Ah but, did you not just view me in the same manner as well, my lady?" He replied, his golden brow arching in the process and suddenly turning the tables on her. "Did I not see your gaze roam lustily upon my body, just now?" His brow arched even higher than she thought possible.
Rini stuttered, her face blossoming again with heat to Elios' questions that she could not answer faithfully without admitting the truth of his words.
A mischievous grin appeared on his face, his blue gaze flashing with warmth, "However, I did enjoy such fawning over and would welcome your warm regard any time you deem it necessary to bestow your lovely gaze upon a lowly male such as I, my lady."
"Ohhh!" Rini gushed out with frustration, not wanting to rise to such a statement. "Lowly indeed!" Her teeth grated together at Elios' low chuckle as she clutched the blanket around her tightly. She turned away from the impossible Angian to face their new servants, who stood before them with curiosity over their conversation staining their features.
"My Lady," the older of the two males started, "I'm Javon and this here is my son, Torane." Javon said bowing low to Rini who smiled in response as he introduced himself and his son. Javon was notably short and stocky, his arms stubby and small, but still functional. Torane apparently did not inherit his father's birth defect, but instead had the same three-finger trait as Bark.
Torane followed suit hesitantly following the example of his father.
"My wife, Sarah, her helper Denise are in your rooms preparing your bath. You must be chilled," Javon stated with concern, smiling. "Please follow me," Javon added as they turned to walk down the cavern hallway. The hallways were cool and dark, the torches lit by oiled clothes that gave off a low light. It gave one the impression of ancient castles and dungeons.
"Now that you mention it, a bath would be wonderful!" Rini said, delighted at the prospect of bathing the last couple of days of grime off of her.
"Ambassador, your bath is waiting as well," Torane added to Elios, who nodded in acknowledgement. "I can assist you with any other need," Torane began.
"Thank you, Torane, but that won't be necessary. It's been a long day and I'm sure that all of you are as tired as we are. If you can have someone bring us something to eat, you may retire for the evening. Perhaps, by tomorrow the weather will have let up some." Elios added for conversation, watching Rini under the cover of his lowered lids as they walked towards their chambers.
Javon opened a pair of wooden double doors and they walked into a surprisingly spacious and modern hallway. The hallway was dimly lit, but this time they were modern fixtures of light
"How come the lights are so dim in here?" Rini voiced out with curiosity as she glanced about her. Her body was becoming quite chilled; she could hardly feel her feet, now numbed from the cold.
"Hades is an island unto itself, sheltered and shielded away from the rest of Paradise's modern technology. And so, the lights here are powered by a century year old solar technology. Even the rechargeable battery back ups in the main buildings below are solar powered. And because of the storms, they've had to conserve the energy in the caverns. Your room, however is set at a comfortable light setting as well as the temperature." Javon explained. "The Ambassador's chambers are slightly cooler than your rooms," he added over his shoulder.
"Why is that so?" She asked, cocking her head slightly at Elios. She steadily held fast to not allowing her teeth to chatter.
Elios shrugged his shoulders, and said, "It's what our bodies prefer, princess. Angians are able to withstand very cold temperatures in order for us to fly great heights. As you will notice, these caverns are already considerably cooler than what you're used to. It will be necessary for you to dress warmly here, mainly to conserve the solar power and not just because I prefer it this cool." He watched her carefully as they continued down another set of hallways and was able to discern a slight shiver passing through her body. "Your chambers are not far away from the main room," he added to her as they came to a set of double doors once again.
"Your chambers, my lady," Torane smiled to Rini and opening the doors for her.
"Thank you, Torane," Rini smiled back, gratefully as the warmth of the chamber rushed towards her.
"My chambers are next to yours, Rini, should you need anything from me. That adjoining door will open into mine, should an emergency occur," Elios stated, nodding toward another door just to the right of her.
Rini looked towards the door and thought briefly that she didn't care for the idea that he could just barge into her rooms, whenever he pleased, unannounced.
Reading her thoughts, Elios leaned forward towards her ears and said, teasingly, "Do not worry, my princess-as you are safe from any uninvited interruptions. However, should you choose to invite me in, I will come," he finished, watching her nearly jump a feet away from him as if she had just been stung by a bumblebee. He chuckled deeply, his deep blue eyes, nearly black in the din of her chambers.
"Where's Denise?" Rini heard Javon ask his wife in a hushed voice, apparently hoping the princess couldn't hear his question.
"She's next door, preparing the Ambassador's bath-like you asked," Sarah whispered back, not liking her husband's idea of having Denise attend to the Angian's baser needs. She had quietly watched the bated exchange between the princess and the Angian and could decipher a quickening of awareness between the two. She knew that Denise had no qualms about having any male sample her charms and wondered how the Angian would react to her, when he found a maid other than the princess within his chambers.
A red blush staining her cheeks and an irrational stab of jealousy rushed through Rini at the mention of another woman in the Angian's rooms, ready to attend to his every waking need, "Well, it seems as if you have company-I wouldn't want to detain you." Rini said not meeting the Angian's piercing eyes, pushing a frowning Elios and Torane out of her chambers. She was at a loss for her actions, but did not want to examine them just yet.
"Company?" Elios exclaimed, bewildered by the turn of events and frowning fiercely down at Torane from his great height and asked, "What the hell is she talking about?"
Javon rushed out of Rini's rooms upon hearing the commotion and frowning back over his shoulders at Rini.
Rini could not hear the rest of his low words as they moved down the hallway toward Elios' chambers. Rini slammed the door shut in disgust and stomped her way into her chambers, throwing her wet blanket down into a heap.
"I must apologize, my lady," Sarah began, her hands clutching the towels she held in nervousness. She did so want to please her new mistress and yet her mistress did not seemed pleased about Denise attending to the Angian's needs.
Rini halted her tirade, suddenly realizing how foolish she was behaving; "It's no matter. It's none of my business and I should have not eavesdropped on the conversation. You have nothing to apologize for," she added, kindly to the servant and trying to make her feel at ease.
"But I must apologize for my husband. He wants so much to make you and the Ambassador comfortable for your stay, that I do believe he went over board with his hospitality." Sarah implored.
"It's no matter, really," Rini said, gritting her teeth. "Please, let's not talk of Elios," Rini asked the servant, who nodded with relief evident in her face. "I would like very much to take a bath," she said and began stripping her wet clothing from her body. When her cloths lay in a discarded heap near the brimming, steaming hot tub, Rini took a hesitant step into the hot water.
Before she could finish the rest of her step, there was muffled shout with something apparently falling to the ground with a loud crash, and in the next moment the chambers next door rumbled with a cursing roar.
Rini and Sarah jumped like startled geese as the chamber doors next door opened and the rattling of numerous steps in a hasty retreat could be heard from Elios' door.
In the next moment, Elios burst through Rini's connecting door and causing both women to squawk like chicken.
"Madam!" Elios roared furious, the sound of his voice resonating deeply throughout Rini's chambers, his fiery blue eyes blazing with agitation toward Sarah. His body was taut with irate, his wings nearly spread out, the feathers trembling with the force of his emotions. The sharp horn on his forehead, seemed much harsher from the low burning candles in her chambers,
"I beseech you to keep your husband's ideas of attending a guest under your hands. The outrageous girl thought to touch my wings before I even knew she was in my chambers! No one touches an Angian's wings unless they have been given leave to! And if I had wanted a woman to attend to my other needs, you can best bet she would have already-without someone else sending one to me! You had better ingrain that into that girl's head if she wishes to serve here!"
Rini stood halfway into the tub, clutching her towel to her body and was glad that Elios wasn't angry with her. In his anger, he was magnificently a formable foe.
Elios noticed Rini for the first time, his anger cooling somewhat. He bowed curtly to her, "Excuse me for the interruption of your bath, princess," His gaze not missing a thing or an inch of her flesh that was barely covered by the small towel before he glanced back at Sarah.
"I'm sorry, my lord-it'll never happen again, I promise!" Sarah burst out in worry and bobbing at the same time.
"See that it doesn't," he threatened, turning as his wings snapped in place from their outward agitated stance and then shut the door closed with a loud thud.
Rini slowly got into the tub, setting aside the towel she had been clutching about her. Sarah rushed forward to assist her.
"What's the big deal about touching an Angian's wings?" she asked curiously a while later and trying to calm Sarah who seemed ill at ease.
Sarah flushed and shook her head, "I can't believe that Denise is so thick headed and smug that she did such a thing! She knows better! Touching an Angian's wings is the equivalent as stroking a lover's genitalia. Many humans have done so in the past and nearly got their head bit off for it. Not only that, it's an insult and a violation of their bodies." Sarah reached over with a soapy sponge to scrub her mistress' back. "Not to mention, that I was completely out of my mind listening to husband's suggestions!" Sarah scoffed to herself. Her charge hardly noticed.
"How unusual," Rini pondered, feeling her insides flood with warmth at the thought and fascinated how the Angian wings were so sensitive. Her small wings, when she was an eternal soldier were not sensitive to touch, except to pain. Nether did her wings have the strength to carry another human as Elios had demonstrated earlier. Then a tiny smile escaped her lips. It vanished within seconds as she realized that she was supremely happy with the fact girl Denise was not able to complete her duties.
**************
An unknown amount of hours later, Rini was awaken by Sarah. Groggily, Sarah told her that the new day had arrived. It was very hard to discern between daylight and eve, since being inside a mountain meant no windows. Rini had fallen asleep immediately after her bath and nibbling on some cheese, white meat, crackers and warm wine that Sarah had laid out for her on one of the tables in the chambers.
Sarah told her that she would have to don on the same clothing she wore earlier, but it at least they had been laundered over night and were clean. In the meantime, they would try to find some clothing for her other than what she came to the caverns.
As they made their way to the dinning area, Sarah relayed to her that the storm had not let up as of yet. There a light breakfast was laid out on the long table in the enormous room. It was lit softly, the same way a restaurant would be lit. As she ate, Rini asked Sarah where everyone else was.
"Denise and Torane are helping clean out the rest of rooms. Elios and Javon are in the main communication room, looking over the equipment and checking on the supply of our solar energy. They'll probably be there for most of the day. I have to get back to Denise and Torane, when you're done eating." Sarah shook her head again; "If I leave the cleaning completely up to the two of them, nothing will ever get done."
"I'll come and help after I eat. I'm not afraid of hard work and would relish getting this place into tip top shape," she finished, gulping down the rest of her hot coffee as she looked around the room. The dining area had already been cleaned, but she could imagine what the rest of the rooms looked like.
"Very well, my lady," Sarah nodded, smiling. She was really getting to like this princess already. Imagine, a princess getting dirty with the lot of us, she thought inwardly with a tiny smile. Compared to that lazy girl Denise, who complained constantly about doing chores and would rather practice her wiles on the men of their town! Sarah's mouth turned down in the thought, the girl was bound to cause trouble, but she could not turn her back on any volunteers to serve the princess and the Angian. It was simply heaven to her and Javon, having their own private chambers. Her son was very happy with the fact that they no longer had to share their living quarters with neighbors. Denise probably thought she was some high-class lassie with a chamber of her own to call.
Having eaten her full, Sarah led Rini back to one the chambers where Denise and Tarone were busy cleaning. Tarone smiled in greeting to Rini. Rini nodded her head back and noticed the girl, Denise behind him. Rini got her first look at the girl who had caused so much commotion last night.
Although Denise was not considered beautiful, having been born without eyebrows as well as missing earlobes, Sarah discreetly relayed to Rini that Denise could never have children having also been born without reproductive organs necessary for bearing children. However, there was a certain sensuality about her, which she made sure she used to her fullest ability and that the opposite sex was fully aware of them. Her dark blonde hair complemented her brown eyes, along with her olive complexion and slim figure.
There was a distinctive disliking on their first meeting. This was evident by the way Denise completely ignored the offered hand of friendship Rini graciously bestowed to the buxom girl. Rini's brows furrowed fiercely at the girl upon hearing the disgruntled mutterings of monarchism going out of style centuries ago. Rini seriously doubted the girl even understood the meaning of the word.
However, Rini promptly declared to the girl that she agreed, but since they were all stuck for the time being together, they should try to at least be civil to one other. The two eyed each other warily until, Denise turned away discomforted by the way the princess' reddish eyes gleamed mercilessly at her. Sarah and Torane watched the women disperse, both sighing in relief as nothing came to pass over their exchange.
Having done with the initial showdown, the rest of the women and Torane quickly and methodically worked together to clean the rest of the rooms for the rest of the day. The caverns were quite huge and spacious despite its dreary and cobweb appearance. The main congregation room acted as a large gathering and meeting room because of its spacious tables, couches, chairs, library, huge fireplace and comfortable setting. There was a main kitchen area as well as a large dinning area. There were perhaps ten sleeping chambers with adjoining baths. The storage, medical bay and communication room were adjoined as one unit. As Elios explained earlier, the caverns were definitely cooler than the warm, humid storage room where Rini had awoke to with Marilee and Bark in attendance.
Sarah found the trunks of unused cloths, as well as the previous owner's own chest of clothing. The clothing was outdated, but apparently the last Angian had an eye for tasteful clothing. Sarah told Rini that she could easily fit her for the ready-made garments with a few alternations around Rini's ample chest and to close up the openings where the Angian's wings would have been.
For the most part, Rini didn't see Elios or Javon for the duration of the day. They were still going over the equipment and computers in the communication room and determining which were in working order. Sarah explained to Rini that even though Hades was closed off the rest of Paradise, they were still able to communicate to the rest of the cities with no obstruction.
It wasn't until the end of the day, did Rini glimpse of Elios. He had requested her presence for supper and had pressing matters to discuss with her regarding their stay on Hades. Sarah laid out the newly altered garment on Rini's bed, humming quietly to herself in the background as Rini attended to her toilette. Earlier during the evening, Sarah told her briefly about herself and her husband. They were childless, like many of the couples on Hades due to their birth defect. Her husband and her had been thrilled at the chance to serve the archangel and Rini, because like some many who lived on Hades, what limited space of housing was usually given to those families who could reproduce children. Her husband and their son had shared their tight living quarters with another large family. Rini liked the aging servant immensely, reminding her somewhat of her mother's talking cat, Luna.
Rini briefly speculated about their stay on Hades and wondered how Elios had come up with a plan to penetrate the forces of the Cycle. There was also the question of why they were attacked, and how their security had been breached on the Junketeer. The questions hovered in the back of her mind all day, plaguing her like a disease. She was sure that Elios was aware of the situation. She had a distinct feeling that Cerus was behind the attack of their ship. Her lips curled with distaste, reminded of the reasons why Paradise and Cerus were in such a state of hostile adversaries and why Earth was involved in the first place as a mediator between the two feuding planets.
Angians were a highly coveted and priceless prize on Cerus. There were considered game to headhunters who lived on Cerus. There had been many attempts in the past of those so-called headhunters stealing past the defenses of Paradise to try and capture an Angian for the blatant, high rewards posted on Cerus. When confronted with accusations for the hunting of Angians, Cerus society heatedly denied such goings.
During the second century of colonization on Paradise, a renegade of mad scientists decided to colonize their own planet, many of them happened to be previous residents of Hades. Despite the warnings that Cerus couldn't support a large population of humanoids, because of its harsh climate of intensive heat and dry spells of water. The scientists decided that they didn't need humans to serve them to their own ends. Cyborgs were developed for the purpose of serving the few humans that lived on Cerus. Somehow along the way of development and time, as many of the old scientists died, the Cyborgs had attained a state of consciousness. However, true consciousness and the ability to reproduce ones kind was attained by a missing DNA gene only found within an Angian's DNA. This DNA bonded to the synthetic DNA components of the Cyborg's half-human and cybernetic brain and ensuing the production of reproductive organs within its new host. Thus tricking the synthetic DNA to reproduce itself into a mutated DNA of human characteristics. In short, indicating remnants of the Angian and Cyborg background as far more related to one another than previously thought.
However, that was where all similarities ended. Cerus citizens were true Cyborgs, except for their outer skin layers, parts of their brain and undeveloped reproductive organs; the rest of their bodies were completely manufactured. In short, they acted and lived exactly as humans, having gained the knowledge of human emotions.
Rini donned the altered pale, peach dress, liking the way it settled gracefully on her body. She didn't care for how short it was, reaching mid thigh and exposing her most of her long legs. The cloth was of the softest, thinnest silk and very simple in its design. It left her shoulders bare, the neck line scooping modestly. Tiny, thin beads of pearls edged the neckline and armholes, lending an elegant flare to the rather simple dress. She smoothed the dress with her hands, turning her body back and forth in front of the long mirror in her chamber. She realized with dismay that she would have to forgo her brasserie as it only made the dress stretch taut across her bosom, despite Sarah having let out the dress as much as she could without compromising the design. Having disposed of the brasserie and sliding on a pair of soft, ivory stockings to encase her legs, she strapped on a pair of matching peach, high heels that surprisingly fit her feet. Sarah had also laid out a beautiful, ivory shawl, with more tiny, seed pearls intricately woven into the cloth to help ward off the chill of the caverns. Sarah reassured her that the main chambers would be warm, as the huge fireplace was lit so that her and the rest of them were comfortable for the duration of the evening.
Rini glanced once last time at herself in the mirrors and a frown formed on her eyebrows as she stared back at her reflection. However simple and modest the dress seemed, it was far more provocative on her than she had previously thought, especially with the brasserie missing. The silk folds molded and outlined her full breasts; her nipples obviously puckered erect from the fabric brushing constantly against the nubs. The rest of the dress loosely flowed over her sleek figure, her limbs seemly endless in the short dress, her strapped heels calling more attention back to her shapely calves. Her normal 'rabbit' ears hair-do was in place, and Sarah had brushed the rest of her trailing mane until it gleamed with a lustrous life of its own. She grabbed the shawl and threw it over her shoulders, knowing she didn't have time to change and wondered why she made such a big fuss on her appearance over having dinner with the archangel. She secretly pushed aside the inappropriate feeling of craving to see the Angian and wondered in the tiny part of mind of her mind if she would meet approval in his piercing gaze.
Stay tuned the next chapter....Lady M. Harris.
A Sailor Moon Sekkushiaru Roman Story
By Lady M. Harris
Chapter Two
"Lady...?" Came the voice somewhere above her. Rini opened her eyes slowly and heard movement around her. The room before her seemed dark and ancient looking. It looked something like an old fashioned cabin, used as a storage area. The wind howled outside and the building creaked precariously on its old foundation, the window shutters banging off and on continuously, enough to set ones teeth on edge. Water leaked in various sections of the building as it rained steadily outside. She turned her head slowly, ignoring the sounds of outside and focused her eyes on the man sitting next to her. Behind him, a young woman peered anxiously at her.
"She's finally waking," the man said over his shoulder to the woman.
"That's good," came the woman's concerned reply.
"Where am I?" Rini croaked, clearing her voice at the same time. There was something odd about the man and woman sitting next to her, although she couldn't quite place the feeling. She looked around the cabin once more, trying to recall why she was in the cabin and how she got there. The memory surged through her like an exploding cannon ball and she quickly sat up, startling the other two occupants with her swift movements. Her last memory was that of their ship careening wildly out of control towards the planet Paradise. She briefly recalled closing her eyes during the disaster and reaching deep within her to call upon her powers to help the angel guide the ship out the perilous dangers of the Cycle, before passing out.
"Ahhh!" Rini cried out, clutching the back of her head as pain sliced through her neck and up to her head. Her body felt bruised and battered. The sheet that was covering her body slipped down, exposing her upper naked torso.
"Please-lady, you must take it slowly," Bark said with great concern as he tried to ease the young woman back down into the pillows and tried not to stare at the woman's perfect, full, lustrous orbs. He reached over to quickly cover the woman, hoping Marilee couldn't see how red his face was becoming.
"Our ship-it was attacked!" Rini cried out, trying to loosen her arms, but failing as the man struggled to gently push Rini back into the pillows. She had no strength, could feel the stress of fighting ebbing away any fortitude that she claimed and was easily subdued.
"Yes, we know. But you must take it easy, we're here to try and help you," the woman said, her face softening as she noticed the woman's distress from behind the man. She got up from her chair and walked close to the bed as Rini began to calm down.
"Your ship crashed right off of the shores from here a couple days ago. Luckily, we still have a few working boats here on the island and we were able to fish you, the Angian and another man, whom I was told is a guard from what was left of the ship." The woman said quietly as she noted the expression of horror on the young lady's face. "I'm sorry, but the rest of the crew was dead by the time we arrived." Marilee said shaking her head in sympathy and answering the question that already on the woman's tongue.
"We arrived just in time too, otherwise the Cycle would have finished you off," Bark finished for Marilee, his composure back in place. The young woman's eyes were a fascinating reddish hue as was the color of her luxurious, pale pink hair and Bark was helpless but to continue to stare at her comeliness. He tried again not to think about those lovely breasts he had just merely glimpsed of earlier. "I'm Bark, the chief engineer and doctor of sorts and this here, is Marilee, my apprentice. You're on the island of Hades, closed off from the rest of the world by the Cycle." Bark said sweeping his hand past Marilee and towards the outside door of the cabin.
Rini's eyes followed Bark's hand, but her eyes stayed glued for long moments on the man's hand. He only had three fingers. She quickly glanced at his other hand and realized that his other hand revealed three fingers as well. Her gaze glanced back into his face and she noticed how his eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned slightly.
"It is a natural birth defect that is found commonly here on Hades," Bark replied tersely as he noticed her eyes straying back to his hands. It never bothered him before, since everyone on Hades was imperfect. However, it reminded him why there were on this island and why they choose to stay.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend," Rini offered to Bark, her eyes imploring softly that Bark felt all of the stiffness melt out of him as he gazed back into the woman's pleading eyes. He smiled back at her, nodding hesitantly in acceptance of the apology.
"That's okay, it takes a little getting used to here. You will see a lot of that on Hades, my dear," Marilee interjected, as she watched the exchange. "Those who live on Hades have a birth defect of some kind. Some are very noticeable while others are hidden from the eye. It is rare indeed, to see physical perfection such as yours and the Angian."
"You mentioned an Angian," at their nod, she asked hesitantly, "which one survived?" "The archangel, of course," Bark replied waving his hand again towards the door, then added, "He's the one who saved you. He was knocked out by the crash, but otherwise all right. We found the both of you unconscious, with you protectively cocoon within his wings. The guard suffered broken ribs, a broken leg and sustained some internal bleeding. Unlike you, he hasn't come to, yet."
Rini let out a small breath of relief and the woman Marilee, smiled in response. Rini blushed, wondering why it was so important that the archangel Elios should survive the crash as opposed to the other Angian. She felt a stab of guilt rush through her at the thought. Then another thought struck her, and forgetting her guilt, blurted out, "Where is the archangel?"
"Some of the town people and him are preparing the old abandon caverns in the mountain for you and him and eventually the guard to stay in. Especially since there is no room here," Marilee stated, walking over to the cabinet to pull out some clothing. "They should be finished soon, and now that you're awake you should probably put some cloths on. The place won't be luxurious, but it least it'll be decent" Marilee said as she pulled an old dress out of a neat pile of folded clothes. She glanced askance at Bark, not missing how Bark's gaze strayed impulsively towards the young woman's bosom from time to time. "And with time, you may even return it to its former glory". She added softly, hoping that the girl would catch on to the meaning.
Marilee could not fault the girl, as the woman did not know Bark. She hadn't missed the shocked visage that came over Bark's face when he glimpsed the young woman's body shortly after the townspeople and him brought the survivors into the medical bay. His eyes had made a thorough sweep of the girl's body-Rini was her name, as they stripped her of her clothing to find out if anything was grievously wrong with her. Marilee had felt a twinge of jealousy and dismay at the time, even as she acknowledged the fact that she could never come close to such perfection.
Those who knew and were close to her proclaimed Marilee the most beauteous woman on the tiny island. Her only marring defect was cosmetic and meant nothing to her or to her love, Bark. Birth had laid forth an erroneous lack of outer parts of her ear, leaving in its wake tiny holes for her hearing. Hence her hearing suffered the most and was not as good as most, but it was sufficient enough that it did not hinder her speech or learning process. The defect was hardly noticeable but to the discerning eye as most of her brown locks covered her from her head to her above her waist. It was not looks that attracted her to Bark, as he would often quote, but her fine intelligence to grasp the knowledge he was willing to bestow on his apprentice.
Marilee had promptly stanched the dragon of jealousy as Bark began hastily issuing orders to the men who were carrying the survivors to be extremely careful with their handling. They didn't have to examine the archangel as he came to, shortly after they arrived at the medical building.
However, Bark knew exactly how Marilee felt about him. She wasn't about to let Bark become infatuated with this woman as Marilee already had a deep ingrained sense that the archangel wouldn't allow such a thing. Even though the archangel indicated he barely knew the girl, only that he knew she was a princess from the planet called Earth. He had stayed protectively close to the girl, while they examined the young woman.
Marilee never thought she would see the day when she would be confronted with an Angian, much less an archangel. The Angians did not visit Hades as their island was virtually hidden away by the Cycle and shrouded in mystery. The mystery was the people's doing, as they didn't want any outsiders in their world of imperfection. It was uncommonly hard to predict or penetrate a Cycle around Hades and the people of Hades were fine with that.
Once long ago, an Angian visited their island, and occupied the mountain caverns during her stay. The Angian stated that she would make sure the island would stay as it was. She had kept her promise, as all Angians were known to do. Every two blue moon, something or someone would slip past the Cycle's barrier and never leave the island. The individual was usually welcomed and absorbed into Hades society.
Hades was a reminiscent of a once booming city on a beautiful island during the first century when humans first inhabited the planet. Some of the most prominent genetic scientists conducted their experiments here. Of course, as human nature had tendency towards good, there were those of other less than considerable nature. Secret experiments done in the honor of power and greed were also conducted on Hades, and as secrets were meant to be found out, that is what came to pass with these bad deeds. The results of these experiments were now those who made up Hades. When the rest of the population abandoned Hades due to the Cycle, those who chose to stay were the ones who shunned society's view of perfect humans.
"What do you mean by that?" Rini whipped out, her brows creasing her forehead in a worry frown. Not missing the subtle meaning behind the woman's words, Rini stared back at her and then at the man named Bark.
"In a moment," Bark added, frowning back at Marilee as he tried to convey a slower pace of addressing their concerns to their wary invalid. "We'll make everything clear to you," he said.
"First things first, let's get you dressed. Are you thirsty?" Marilee asked coming over and laying the dress on Rini's bed.
Rini opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it at the mention of something cool and refreshing down her throat.
"Now that you mention it, yes I am. I would appreciate a glass of water."
"Good. Bark, would you please fetch our guest a glass of water?" Marilee said, her tone of voice broaching no challenge.
"But it's howling like a banshee on a mystic moor outside-" Bark protested. He didn't relish the idea of walking through the slashing rain or torrid gusts of wind. The building's facet was outside on the side of the building. "Blasted water facet," Bark muttered on the side, hoping Marilee couldn't hear him.
"While you're getting the glass of water, Rini can get dressed. Please knock first before coming back in, Bark," Marilee asked, ignoring Bark's outburst even as he waved his hand toward her, indicating that he had heard her. He opened the door cautiously against the winds, only to have the door swing open on its own accord and slamming loudly against the wall. Rain splattered outside of the door, but there was porch on the building and afforded some comfort to Bark as he closed the door behind him.
Rini quickly put the dress on and muffled a dismay at the size of the dress. Its previous owner had obviously been several sizes larger than its new owner. The dress practically floated around her, ballooning in the center and settling at her ankles. However, its neck size was small enough and stayed on Rini comfortably. Marilee stated that the rest of the clothes belonged to same owner and that dress was of the better pick of the lot. She was given some worn shoes, drudged up again from the same cabinet. This time, the shoes fit comfortably and Rini sat back against the bed as Bark knocked loudly on the outside door and walked in without waiting for instructions to be let in.
"There's no way, you're going to make me stand outside any longer, wil'st I freeze my arse off," Bark answered the glowering Marilee as he handed a dripping wet glass full of water to Rini. He shivered slightly, glad to be back in the warmth of the cabin, his body thoroughly soaked from the rains.
Rini quickly gulped down the water and promptly spluttered half of it back out and over Bark as she choked. Although it felt good going down her throat, it was another matter settling on her queasy stomach.
"Slow down! Not too fast!" Marilee shouted, her lips twitching in amusement as Bark jumped back in surprise.
"Ah Christ! I guess it makes no difference, since I'm already wet!" Bark replied in disgust as he began wringing out his clothes on him. "Think it's a good idea to have her and the archangel trying to fly back to the cave in this weather?" He asked Marilee after a moment of silently glaring at Rini's red face.
"The weather isn't supposed to let up for another couple of days and you see the condition this building is in. It won't last for very long and there's no more room in the main medical building," Marilee suggested. She didn't like the idea either of their guests burrowing through the gust of wind and rain.
Yesterday and all day, the archangel and several men from the town had been scurrying about trying to get the caverns decent to inhabit before the storm would hit. It was agreed that two women and one of the lady's husband of the people would stay and help out with some of the mundane chores and helping Rini adjust to living in the caverns for the time being. Eventually, the injured guard would join them until a plan could be thought of breaching through the Cycle.
The fact was, both Angian and Hadians believed such feat was impossible and would have to relent to fact that the newcomers may be stuck for the rest of their lives on Hades. In short, Marilee doubted Rini knew of their current situation and was glad that she would not be the one to tell the girl.
They didn't have to wait for very long for the arrival of the men coming back from the caverns. Someone banged loudly on the rickety door, startling Rini somewhat with its loudness and interrupting their low discussion about the island Hades.
Bark hastily opened the door and two men obviously from Hades walked in soaking wet, followed by an equally wet Angian, Elios.
Rini's eyes instantly sought out the angel's gaze, her gaze by passing the other two ordinary men. Her breath slammed into her throat as she was reminded once again of the obvious splendor the angel represented.
"Marilee, Bark," Elios said quietly, his gaze touching them each briefly before he let his eyes roam slowly on the princess' face. "My Lady," he said finally acknowledging Rini last, the sound of his deep baritone voice saying her title was like listening to the caress of a warm and dark wine running smoothly down one's throat.
Rini's eyes once more helplessly traced the outline of his magnificent physic as she was treated to sight of his wet clothes molding to the obvious smooth, muscular structure of his body. Although the rest of him was gleaming wet, his wings looked surprisingly dry as if they repelled the water naturally. She felt her heart accelerate heartily and she found her senses overwhelmed by the sight of the angel and wondered if Marilee was afflicted with the same confounded emotions as she, as she continued her appraisal of the angel.
Quelling the turmoil rising within her, Rini found her voice, "Sir-I don't know how to address you, but 'My Lady,' is a bit formal considering the circumstances-Rini will do just fine," she said, her eyebrow going up in query as to how to address him.
Elios' lips sardonically twitched in the barest hints of a smile, "Elios will do as well-Rini," he tested out her name slowly and liking the sound of her name on his lips as he bowed low to her.
Rini thought her knees would knock in nervousness as he paused slightly upon straightening his bow to narrow the sharp contrast of his deep, blue eyes on her. His gaze lightly touched on her apparel.
"Good Lord, could you have found a larger garment for her?" Elios burst out caustically, after straightening back to his imposing height and causing Rini to stiffen self-consciously, her fingers reaching up to lightly touch the bodice of the used dress. One of the Hades men chuckled as they continued to dry themselves off with the towels that Marilee provided them. Of the younger of the two, who walked with a pronounced limp, smiled at Rini and openly admired her loveliness despite the rag tag clothing on her.
Marilee felt the back of her hairs raise up like a ruffled hen with her egg being snatched out from underneath her, "Ambassador-there was naught else to give her. And it totally slipped my mind to bring an extra change of clothes from my own closet."
"It's just as well," Bark began, "and if my memory serves me right, there are several trunks in the caverns that contain cloths and some clothing that may be of use to you and those who will be staying there. Either way, she'll be soaked to the skin by the time you get there." He finished as he walked over once again to one of the cabinets to pull out a heavy blanket.
"Yes...I recall seeing them and thought nothing to look them over, especially with time being of the utmost importance," Elios summarized, thoughtful.
"Well, perhaps I like my bellowing dress just fine, thank you very much!" Rini bit out sarcastically, glaring at the Angian. How dare he say such things as if he had any say in how she should dress in HIS presence, she thought angrily!
"However charming the view is of your delectable curves, the dress is rather thin and revealing, " Elios stated dryly as his eyes made a final sweep of Rini's form once more. He hadn't missed the tale tell look Bark or the younger Hadian, Broad displayed as they continued to devour the princess' rather shapely silhouette.
Rini felt her face become warm, her blush matching the color of her hair. Her arms reached up to cross over her chest in an act of defense. How dare he look down his autocratic nose at her with a contemptible smirk on his face! That he should mention her curves in a manner that almost intimate, made her shudder with other than a quickening within her lower belly that she didn't quite understand.
"Now that you mention it," Marilee added as she gazed at the dress and how the play of light displayed Rini's figure most revealingly and not missing Bark's sharp interest in the princess again. "It is rather thin, but there's no time to change." Marilee shook her head. She reached over and plucked the blanket out of Bark's arms and placed them around Rini's shoulders. Marilee smiled in understanding as Rini looked up into the woman's face with gratitude.
Despite her disfigurement, Marilee had been ogled over a couple of times in her life and so could well understand what the young woman was feeling. "The cover won't keep you from getting wet in the rain, but it will afford you some protection against the cold winds, " she explained to Rini.
"Thank you, Marilee. We're leaving already?" Rini asked hesitantly, listening to the commotion still going on with Mother Nature outside of the cabin.
"It's probably a good idea, especially since evening approaches soon," Bark answered her as Elios nodded in agreement.
"Although my sense of sight is a little better than the average human, " Elios understated his eyesight, but didn't elaborate, "In the wind and rain, it is far harder to maneuver flight at night," he added.
"You mean you're flying us up there?" Rini asked incredulously as he nodded in acknowledgement, his blue gaze wrinkling with humor. "Why can't we just-" she began than thought better of the question, figuring it out herself.
None the less, Bark answered her, "Because the elevator has not worked in years and the steps are too slippery, too old and far too many to trudge up to the caverns in this weather."
Rini began to groan quietly at the thought of braving the cold rains and winds. Her groan turned into a hushed gasp of surprise as she suddenly found herself swept upwards into a pair of steel like brand of arms. "Ohh!" the air rushed out of her lungs as she found her gaze within close proximity of Elios' chiseled granite face.
Her senses were assaulted with a heady mix of fragrant water, outside and his distinctly own musk that hazily reminded her of the open sea air and ocean tides. Her arms flew up to grasp him around his shoulders, her hands locking behind his neck in an effort to keep from toppling out of his arms. She doubted if such a feat would happen, considering the strong hold he held on her. Other senses came to play havoc in her mind and imagination, one breast was crushed against a nearly naked, broad and warm chest, the rest of that side of her body was held against his hard body, in an almost effortlessly manner on his part. She wondered briefly why this man seemed to cause so much awareness within her. She staunchly crushed the burgeoning thoughts and wondered again if she had the same affect on him with her presence as she continued to stare at his chin and broad neck where his pulse beat steadily.
Elios gaze shot down to the woman in his arms, his nostrils flaring slightly as he inhaled her sweet fragrance of spring wildflowers and reminding him of a soft, summer breeze on a lazy evening. Her pale, pink hair seemed to gleam with a light of its own underneath the poor lighting of the cabin. She looked up at him that moment and their gazes collided with instant awareness of each other. The others within the cabin were temporarily forgotten as they continued to stare at one another at such a close proximity. "We must endeavor to leave the safe haven of this cabin and those within," he said softly and unnecessarily to her.
"I must be extremely heavy," Rini began nervously, at a loss for words to say and said the first thing that came to her mind.
"Aye, as heavy as an Earth elephant you are," he said seriously, his eyes now shifting forward to Bark who frowned at the low tone of their conversation. In truth, her weight was no cause for concern as he had carried two; full-grown men down the slopes of the mountain today with nary little effort.
Rini's mouth popped open in dismay as she thought that perhaps she really was causing him some discomfort, until she spied the barest hints of teasing smile on his full lips. Before she could chance a retort, Bark opened the door to outside and all thoughts flew out of her head as she was confronted with the storm that brewed like a torrid swirl of dark clouds and slashing rains.
The wind whipped Elios' hair about his rugged face as they stepped onto the porch and then to the wet, dirt path. The rain fell heavily down on them and soaking their clothes within seconds. He looked back at the occupants in the cabin, acknowledging a silent salute from Marilee as she shouted above the winds for them to be careful. He looked back down at the bundle in his arms; she gazed at him with such trust in her face that he felt his blood rush through him like a streak of lightening. "Hold on tight! The cabin and medical building is at the base of the mountain. It won't take but several minutes to reach the mouth of the caverns." He instructed her above the noise of the wind.
Rini nodded her head silently, and clutched at his neck tightly. She felt his body flex and with a mighty push, he launched his body forward against the winds. Her breath froze with shock as she felt the lunge into the open air, she quickly shut her eyes in fright for fear of falling back down onto the ground. After a moment of howling winds, she heard a great swoosh, the pattern was rhythmic besides her ears and she felt slightly lightheaded. With great trepidation, she slowly opened one eye and then the other, she stared with awe at the disappearing ground below her. Within several moments, the cabin and another larger building beside the cabin grew small beneath her gaze. The loud swoosh sound was caused by Elios' great wings gliding them smoothly upwards toward the caverns.
The cover afforded little protection against the rains and was already thoroughly wet on her body. However, it helped keep the chill of the cold air from penetrating thoroughly to her skin. Elios seemed hardly affected by the rains and winds, his eyes narrowed against the slashing rain. Before she realized that several minutes of time had passed, he was already steadily maneuvering them into a dark, open mouth of a cavern. He set her down gently on the cold, rocky floor and let go of her, landing with grace and agility despite his large form. She watched with silent fascination as Elios threw his wings wide and shook the feathers free of any water.
Again, Rini felt her eyes drawn back to that wide expanse of his broad torso and shoulders, his wet clothing explicitly molding to the muscular structure of his body as he shook his wings. He caught her warm regard, and a small, knowing smile lit across his sensual lips. She followed the direction of his eyes and felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment as he stared at the blanket she was still clutching about her. Water splashed loudly from the blanket to the cavern ground as if she had dipped the blanket in a lake.
She hastily pulled off the cover and tried to wring out the water with her hands. The cover was far too thick, so she was forced to wring out a section of each fold. Large hands grasped the other side of the blanket and Rini looked up with gratitude to Elios as he began squeezing the other side of the blanket, more efficiently than her. Her grateful 'Thank you' died as heat blazed across her face, noting where his glance roamed freely on her figure. She nearly moaned with dismay as she noted how the dress clung and molded to every curve of her wet body as if she had just taken a swim in a river. His hungry-eyed gaze continued to stray for long moments the delectable fullness of her breasts, the nipples erect and protruding boldly against her dress from the cold air and water, before dipping leisurely to the roundness of her hips and finally tracing the shapely curves of her long limbs. Her toes curled within her shoes and her skin suddenly felt very warm despite the coolness of the caverns underneath his obviously heated perusal. There was just far too much hunger in those blue depths of his to naturally shake her normal polite decorum into reality of their situation.
Two male servants came forth from the dark hallway of the cavern mouth, carrying oil lanterns, brightening the din of the cavern walls with a fuse of soft light.
"As much as we enjoy looking each other over, I don't relish the male servants fighting over you for your attention," Elios stated and placed the blanket over her shoulders once again.
"But it's alright for you to view me in that manner?" Rini quipped, straightening up at the same time with Elios from their crouched positions. Her face continued to blush over his statement of her wet clothes.
"Ah but, did you not just view me in the same manner as well, my lady?" He replied, his golden brow arching in the process and suddenly turning the tables on her. "Did I not see your gaze roam lustily upon my body, just now?" His brow arched even higher than she thought possible.
Rini stuttered, her face blossoming again with heat to Elios' questions that she could not answer faithfully without admitting the truth of his words.
A mischievous grin appeared on his face, his blue gaze flashing with warmth, "However, I did enjoy such fawning over and would welcome your warm regard any time you deem it necessary to bestow your lovely gaze upon a lowly male such as I, my lady."
"Ohhh!" Rini gushed out with frustration, not wanting to rise to such a statement. "Lowly indeed!" Her teeth grated together at Elios' low chuckle as she clutched the blanket around her tightly. She turned away from the impossible Angian to face their new servants, who stood before them with curiosity over their conversation staining their features.
"My Lady," the older of the two males started, "I'm Javon and this here is my son, Torane." Javon said bowing low to Rini who smiled in response as he introduced himself and his son. Javon was notably short and stocky, his arms stubby and small, but still functional. Torane apparently did not inherit his father's birth defect, but instead had the same three-finger trait as Bark.
Torane followed suit hesitantly following the example of his father.
"My wife, Sarah, her helper Denise are in your rooms preparing your bath. You must be chilled," Javon stated with concern, smiling. "Please follow me," Javon added as they turned to walk down the cavern hallway. The hallways were cool and dark, the torches lit by oiled clothes that gave off a low light. It gave one the impression of ancient castles and dungeons.
"Now that you mention it, a bath would be wonderful!" Rini said, delighted at the prospect of bathing the last couple of days of grime off of her.
"Ambassador, your bath is waiting as well," Torane added to Elios, who nodded in acknowledgement. "I can assist you with any other need," Torane began.
"Thank you, Torane, but that won't be necessary. It's been a long day and I'm sure that all of you are as tired as we are. If you can have someone bring us something to eat, you may retire for the evening. Perhaps, by tomorrow the weather will have let up some." Elios added for conversation, watching Rini under the cover of his lowered lids as they walked towards their chambers.
Javon opened a pair of wooden double doors and they walked into a surprisingly spacious and modern hallway. The hallway was dimly lit, but this time they were modern fixtures of light
"How come the lights are so dim in here?" Rini voiced out with curiosity as she glanced about her. Her body was becoming quite chilled; she could hardly feel her feet, now numbed from the cold.
"Hades is an island unto itself, sheltered and shielded away from the rest of Paradise's modern technology. And so, the lights here are powered by a century year old solar technology. Even the rechargeable battery back ups in the main buildings below are solar powered. And because of the storms, they've had to conserve the energy in the caverns. Your room, however is set at a comfortable light setting as well as the temperature." Javon explained. "The Ambassador's chambers are slightly cooler than your rooms," he added over his shoulder.
"Why is that so?" She asked, cocking her head slightly at Elios. She steadily held fast to not allowing her teeth to chatter.
Elios shrugged his shoulders, and said, "It's what our bodies prefer, princess. Angians are able to withstand very cold temperatures in order for us to fly great heights. As you will notice, these caverns are already considerably cooler than what you're used to. It will be necessary for you to dress warmly here, mainly to conserve the solar power and not just because I prefer it this cool." He watched her carefully as they continued down another set of hallways and was able to discern a slight shiver passing through her body. "Your chambers are not far away from the main room," he added to her as they came to a set of double doors once again.
"Your chambers, my lady," Torane smiled to Rini and opening the doors for her.
"Thank you, Torane," Rini smiled back, gratefully as the warmth of the chamber rushed towards her.
"My chambers are next to yours, Rini, should you need anything from me. That adjoining door will open into mine, should an emergency occur," Elios stated, nodding toward another door just to the right of her.
Rini looked towards the door and thought briefly that she didn't care for the idea that he could just barge into her rooms, whenever he pleased, unannounced.
Reading her thoughts, Elios leaned forward towards her ears and said, teasingly, "Do not worry, my princess-as you are safe from any uninvited interruptions. However, should you choose to invite me in, I will come," he finished, watching her nearly jump a feet away from him as if she had just been stung by a bumblebee. He chuckled deeply, his deep blue eyes, nearly black in the din of her chambers.
"Where's Denise?" Rini heard Javon ask his wife in a hushed voice, apparently hoping the princess couldn't hear his question.
"She's next door, preparing the Ambassador's bath-like you asked," Sarah whispered back, not liking her husband's idea of having Denise attend to the Angian's baser needs. She had quietly watched the bated exchange between the princess and the Angian and could decipher a quickening of awareness between the two. She knew that Denise had no qualms about having any male sample her charms and wondered how the Angian would react to her, when he found a maid other than the princess within his chambers.
A red blush staining her cheeks and an irrational stab of jealousy rushed through Rini at the mention of another woman in the Angian's rooms, ready to attend to his every waking need, "Well, it seems as if you have company-I wouldn't want to detain you." Rini said not meeting the Angian's piercing eyes, pushing a frowning Elios and Torane out of her chambers. She was at a loss for her actions, but did not want to examine them just yet.
"Company?" Elios exclaimed, bewildered by the turn of events and frowning fiercely down at Torane from his great height and asked, "What the hell is she talking about?"
Javon rushed out of Rini's rooms upon hearing the commotion and frowning back over his shoulders at Rini.
Rini could not hear the rest of his low words as they moved down the hallway toward Elios' chambers. Rini slammed the door shut in disgust and stomped her way into her chambers, throwing her wet blanket down into a heap.
"I must apologize, my lady," Sarah began, her hands clutching the towels she held in nervousness. She did so want to please her new mistress and yet her mistress did not seemed pleased about Denise attending to the Angian's needs.
Rini halted her tirade, suddenly realizing how foolish she was behaving; "It's no matter. It's none of my business and I should have not eavesdropped on the conversation. You have nothing to apologize for," she added, kindly to the servant and trying to make her feel at ease.
"But I must apologize for my husband. He wants so much to make you and the Ambassador comfortable for your stay, that I do believe he went over board with his hospitality." Sarah implored.
"It's no matter, really," Rini said, gritting her teeth. "Please, let's not talk of Elios," Rini asked the servant, who nodded with relief evident in her face. "I would like very much to take a bath," she said and began stripping her wet clothing from her body. When her cloths lay in a discarded heap near the brimming, steaming hot tub, Rini took a hesitant step into the hot water.
Before she could finish the rest of her step, there was muffled shout with something apparently falling to the ground with a loud crash, and in the next moment the chambers next door rumbled with a cursing roar.
Rini and Sarah jumped like startled geese as the chamber doors next door opened and the rattling of numerous steps in a hasty retreat could be heard from Elios' door.
In the next moment, Elios burst through Rini's connecting door and causing both women to squawk like chicken.
"Madam!" Elios roared furious, the sound of his voice resonating deeply throughout Rini's chambers, his fiery blue eyes blazing with agitation toward Sarah. His body was taut with irate, his wings nearly spread out, the feathers trembling with the force of his emotions. The sharp horn on his forehead, seemed much harsher from the low burning candles in her chambers,
"I beseech you to keep your husband's ideas of attending a guest under your hands. The outrageous girl thought to touch my wings before I even knew she was in my chambers! No one touches an Angian's wings unless they have been given leave to! And if I had wanted a woman to attend to my other needs, you can best bet she would have already-without someone else sending one to me! You had better ingrain that into that girl's head if she wishes to serve here!"
Rini stood halfway into the tub, clutching her towel to her body and was glad that Elios wasn't angry with her. In his anger, he was magnificently a formable foe.
Elios noticed Rini for the first time, his anger cooling somewhat. He bowed curtly to her, "Excuse me for the interruption of your bath, princess," His gaze not missing a thing or an inch of her flesh that was barely covered by the small towel before he glanced back at Sarah.
"I'm sorry, my lord-it'll never happen again, I promise!" Sarah burst out in worry and bobbing at the same time.
"See that it doesn't," he threatened, turning as his wings snapped in place from their outward agitated stance and then shut the door closed with a loud thud.
Rini slowly got into the tub, setting aside the towel she had been clutching about her. Sarah rushed forward to assist her.
"What's the big deal about touching an Angian's wings?" she asked curiously a while later and trying to calm Sarah who seemed ill at ease.
Sarah flushed and shook her head, "I can't believe that Denise is so thick headed and smug that she did such a thing! She knows better! Touching an Angian's wings is the equivalent as stroking a lover's genitalia. Many humans have done so in the past and nearly got their head bit off for it. Not only that, it's an insult and a violation of their bodies." Sarah reached over with a soapy sponge to scrub her mistress' back. "Not to mention, that I was completely out of my mind listening to husband's suggestions!" Sarah scoffed to herself. Her charge hardly noticed.
"How unusual," Rini pondered, feeling her insides flood with warmth at the thought and fascinated how the Angian wings were so sensitive. Her small wings, when she was an eternal soldier were not sensitive to touch, except to pain. Nether did her wings have the strength to carry another human as Elios had demonstrated earlier. Then a tiny smile escaped her lips. It vanished within seconds as she realized that she was supremely happy with the fact girl Denise was not able to complete her duties.
**************
An unknown amount of hours later, Rini was awaken by Sarah. Groggily, Sarah told her that the new day had arrived. It was very hard to discern between daylight and eve, since being inside a mountain meant no windows. Rini had fallen asleep immediately after her bath and nibbling on some cheese, white meat, crackers and warm wine that Sarah had laid out for her on one of the tables in the chambers.
Sarah told her that she would have to don on the same clothing she wore earlier, but it at least they had been laundered over night and were clean. In the meantime, they would try to find some clothing for her other than what she came to the caverns.
As they made their way to the dinning area, Sarah relayed to her that the storm had not let up as of yet. There a light breakfast was laid out on the long table in the enormous room. It was lit softly, the same way a restaurant would be lit. As she ate, Rini asked Sarah where everyone else was.
"Denise and Torane are helping clean out the rest of rooms. Elios and Javon are in the main communication room, looking over the equipment and checking on the supply of our solar energy. They'll probably be there for most of the day. I have to get back to Denise and Torane, when you're done eating." Sarah shook her head again; "If I leave the cleaning completely up to the two of them, nothing will ever get done."
"I'll come and help after I eat. I'm not afraid of hard work and would relish getting this place into tip top shape," she finished, gulping down the rest of her hot coffee as she looked around the room. The dining area had already been cleaned, but she could imagine what the rest of the rooms looked like.
"Very well, my lady," Sarah nodded, smiling. She was really getting to like this princess already. Imagine, a princess getting dirty with the lot of us, she thought inwardly with a tiny smile. Compared to that lazy girl Denise, who complained constantly about doing chores and would rather practice her wiles on the men of their town! Sarah's mouth turned down in the thought, the girl was bound to cause trouble, but she could not turn her back on any volunteers to serve the princess and the Angian. It was simply heaven to her and Javon, having their own private chambers. Her son was very happy with the fact that they no longer had to share their living quarters with neighbors. Denise probably thought she was some high-class lassie with a chamber of her own to call.
Having eaten her full, Sarah led Rini back to one the chambers where Denise and Tarone were busy cleaning. Tarone smiled in greeting to Rini. Rini nodded her head back and noticed the girl, Denise behind him. Rini got her first look at the girl who had caused so much commotion last night.
Although Denise was not considered beautiful, having been born without eyebrows as well as missing earlobes, Sarah discreetly relayed to Rini that Denise could never have children having also been born without reproductive organs necessary for bearing children. However, there was a certain sensuality about her, which she made sure she used to her fullest ability and that the opposite sex was fully aware of them. Her dark blonde hair complemented her brown eyes, along with her olive complexion and slim figure.
There was a distinctive disliking on their first meeting. This was evident by the way Denise completely ignored the offered hand of friendship Rini graciously bestowed to the buxom girl. Rini's brows furrowed fiercely at the girl upon hearing the disgruntled mutterings of monarchism going out of style centuries ago. Rini seriously doubted the girl even understood the meaning of the word.
However, Rini promptly declared to the girl that she agreed, but since they were all stuck for the time being together, they should try to at least be civil to one other. The two eyed each other warily until, Denise turned away discomforted by the way the princess' reddish eyes gleamed mercilessly at her. Sarah and Torane watched the women disperse, both sighing in relief as nothing came to pass over their exchange.
Having done with the initial showdown, the rest of the women and Torane quickly and methodically worked together to clean the rest of the rooms for the rest of the day. The caverns were quite huge and spacious despite its dreary and cobweb appearance. The main congregation room acted as a large gathering and meeting room because of its spacious tables, couches, chairs, library, huge fireplace and comfortable setting. There was a main kitchen area as well as a large dinning area. There were perhaps ten sleeping chambers with adjoining baths. The storage, medical bay and communication room were adjoined as one unit. As Elios explained earlier, the caverns were definitely cooler than the warm, humid storage room where Rini had awoke to with Marilee and Bark in attendance.
Sarah found the trunks of unused cloths, as well as the previous owner's own chest of clothing. The clothing was outdated, but apparently the last Angian had an eye for tasteful clothing. Sarah told Rini that she could easily fit her for the ready-made garments with a few alternations around Rini's ample chest and to close up the openings where the Angian's wings would have been.
For the most part, Rini didn't see Elios or Javon for the duration of the day. They were still going over the equipment and computers in the communication room and determining which were in working order. Sarah explained to Rini that even though Hades was closed off the rest of Paradise, they were still able to communicate to the rest of the cities with no obstruction.
It wasn't until the end of the day, did Rini glimpse of Elios. He had requested her presence for supper and had pressing matters to discuss with her regarding their stay on Hades. Sarah laid out the newly altered garment on Rini's bed, humming quietly to herself in the background as Rini attended to her toilette. Earlier during the evening, Sarah told her briefly about herself and her husband. They were childless, like many of the couples on Hades due to their birth defect. Her husband and her had been thrilled at the chance to serve the archangel and Rini, because like some many who lived on Hades, what limited space of housing was usually given to those families who could reproduce children. Her husband and their son had shared their tight living quarters with another large family. Rini liked the aging servant immensely, reminding her somewhat of her mother's talking cat, Luna.
Rini briefly speculated about their stay on Hades and wondered how Elios had come up with a plan to penetrate the forces of the Cycle. There was also the question of why they were attacked, and how their security had been breached on the Junketeer. The questions hovered in the back of her mind all day, plaguing her like a disease. She was sure that Elios was aware of the situation. She had a distinct feeling that Cerus was behind the attack of their ship. Her lips curled with distaste, reminded of the reasons why Paradise and Cerus were in such a state of hostile adversaries and why Earth was involved in the first place as a mediator between the two feuding planets.
Angians were a highly coveted and priceless prize on Cerus. There were considered game to headhunters who lived on Cerus. There had been many attempts in the past of those so-called headhunters stealing past the defenses of Paradise to try and capture an Angian for the blatant, high rewards posted on Cerus. When confronted with accusations for the hunting of Angians, Cerus society heatedly denied such goings.
During the second century of colonization on Paradise, a renegade of mad scientists decided to colonize their own planet, many of them happened to be previous residents of Hades. Despite the warnings that Cerus couldn't support a large population of humanoids, because of its harsh climate of intensive heat and dry spells of water. The scientists decided that they didn't need humans to serve them to their own ends. Cyborgs were developed for the purpose of serving the few humans that lived on Cerus. Somehow along the way of development and time, as many of the old scientists died, the Cyborgs had attained a state of consciousness. However, true consciousness and the ability to reproduce ones kind was attained by a missing DNA gene only found within an Angian's DNA. This DNA bonded to the synthetic DNA components of the Cyborg's half-human and cybernetic brain and ensuing the production of reproductive organs within its new host. Thus tricking the synthetic DNA to reproduce itself into a mutated DNA of human characteristics. In short, indicating remnants of the Angian and Cyborg background as far more related to one another than previously thought.
However, that was where all similarities ended. Cerus citizens were true Cyborgs, except for their outer skin layers, parts of their brain and undeveloped reproductive organs; the rest of their bodies were completely manufactured. In short, they acted and lived exactly as humans, having gained the knowledge of human emotions.
Rini donned the altered pale, peach dress, liking the way it settled gracefully on her body. She didn't care for how short it was, reaching mid thigh and exposing her most of her long legs. The cloth was of the softest, thinnest silk and very simple in its design. It left her shoulders bare, the neck line scooping modestly. Tiny, thin beads of pearls edged the neckline and armholes, lending an elegant flare to the rather simple dress. She smoothed the dress with her hands, turning her body back and forth in front of the long mirror in her chamber. She realized with dismay that she would have to forgo her brasserie as it only made the dress stretch taut across her bosom, despite Sarah having let out the dress as much as she could without compromising the design. Having disposed of the brasserie and sliding on a pair of soft, ivory stockings to encase her legs, she strapped on a pair of matching peach, high heels that surprisingly fit her feet. Sarah had also laid out a beautiful, ivory shawl, with more tiny, seed pearls intricately woven into the cloth to help ward off the chill of the caverns. Sarah reassured her that the main chambers would be warm, as the huge fireplace was lit so that her and the rest of them were comfortable for the duration of the evening.
Rini glanced once last time at herself in the mirrors and a frown formed on her eyebrows as she stared back at her reflection. However simple and modest the dress seemed, it was far more provocative on her than she had previously thought, especially with the brasserie missing. The silk folds molded and outlined her full breasts; her nipples obviously puckered erect from the fabric brushing constantly against the nubs. The rest of the dress loosely flowed over her sleek figure, her limbs seemly endless in the short dress, her strapped heels calling more attention back to her shapely calves. Her normal 'rabbit' ears hair-do was in place, and Sarah had brushed the rest of her trailing mane until it gleamed with a lustrous life of its own. She grabbed the shawl and threw it over her shoulders, knowing she didn't have time to change and wondered why she made such a big fuss on her appearance over having dinner with the archangel. She secretly pushed aside the inappropriate feeling of craving to see the Angian and wondered in the tiny part of mind of her mind if she would meet approval in his piercing gaze.
Stay tuned the next chapter....Lady M. Harris.