A djinni in a Bottle.
Kunzite looked at the note again and his brow creased in concentration.
"To keep you company on the long nights in the desert..."
The package (along with the note, in the undeniable handwriting of Prince Endymion) had arrived with the most recent delivery of goods, supplies and mail from the Palace. Kunzite had been posted to the Middle Eastern region of the kingdom and had no issues with his task. Guarding the ever sliding sands was a post he felt comfortable with. The palace, with its court intrigues and dramas, were of little to no interest to him. Let Jadeite work his charms and protect their Prince in his way among the various factions, Kunzite was happiest being physically in the line of danger. With the portal to other parts of the galaxy, the Middle East was the most exposed territory of the Terran realm.
The knowledge that his liege trusted him with this duty was one he did not take lightly. Why then, would Endymion send him sort of trinket? Kunzite did not want for anything material. He commanded the men posted in the barracks, he trained falcons and raced Arabians, there was nothing further he required.
Deciding to inspect the gift when he was alone in his tent, Kunzite placed another bit of fuel to the brazier and went to unwrap the package. Inside was a curious looking object. Done in jewel tones of deeply polished gold, decorated with sparkling aquamarine jewels and tied with a bright orange ribbon, Kunzite had to wonder if his Prince had spent too long in court. Kunzite had no interest in some sort of frippery to make his desk look pretty. Was it a weapon? Some sort of object of magic powers?
And still…there was a bit of mystery. Why would Endy include the note? How could this artifact keep him company?
Kunzite looked again at the object. It appeared to be some sort of vase or bottle, but it was stoppered. He had no idea why it was so ornately decorated. If it was filled with some sort of alcohol or other spirit, and he was just to consume it, why did the creator go to great lengths to add so many embellishments?
The surface was slightly opaque and without giving it much thought, he took the edge of his great cape and rubbed the item to get a clearer view of what was inside. Seemingly out of nowhere a loud noise and puff of smoke shocked him into action. Drawing his sword he looked around the room. What devilry was this? Had someone forged Endymion's handwriting? Was he under some sort of magical threat?
Using his cape to clear the air, he asked, "Who goes there?"
When the smoke cleared, he was surprised to find a shapely young woman standing in front of him. Somehow, she complemented the colors of the glass device she must have come from. A vision in garments of clinging gold, sheer cobalt netting half covered her face, revealing nothing but a large set of kohl lined crystal blue eyes. Having not seen a woman in nearly six months, Kunzite had trouble believing if he had not conjured this image in his head.
Although his hand was on his sword, he lowered the weapon and asked, "Who are you?"
She bowed deeply, giving him an eyeful of generous cleavage, and replied, "Mina. I am djinni from the planet Venus, and a gift to his royal highness, Endymion. Are you he?"
"No."
A troubled frown filled her pretty face, and she said, "But he is to be my new master. I was sent to please him."
Kunzite began grumbling to himself, cursing his Prince and the man's terrible sense of humor. Trying his best to explain himself, Kunzite said, "You are not at the capital and Endymion is not here. He sent you to me."
She clapped her hands together and said in a delighted tone, "Then you are my new master?"
"I am…" Kunzite sat down at his desk and placed his head in his hands, muttering, "I'm going to kill him."
AN: 'Djinni' is the female version of the Arabic 'djinn' and where we get the word genie from.