I'm taking a slightly different view of Rei and I'm mixing a bit of the modern reincarnation of Hino Rei with the Silver Millennium version. Ever since I was a little girl I envisioned the Princess of Mars as being this sophisticated lady with two Ravens like her predecessor Hino Rei had. For those who have read the Manga we know that her ravens Phobos and Deimos had a human form. I've always liked that idea. In this story, I'll try to chronicle a bit of the journey Rei takes to become that sophisticated lady in my head.
Rei's tattoo is the Tomoe which is a symbol often associated with the Shinto god of war Hachiman.
Also for those who do not know what a Kogok is, I provided this little explanation. In ancient Korea these were only worn by royalty on their crowns, earrings, and necklaces. In Japan it is called Magatama, and was also worn by royalty and if I'm not mistaken became one of 3 items of royal regalia. The Kogok or Magatama has a spiritual significance to it; it signifies the human spirit and is a ward against malicious spirits. The color is also important because the different stones have meaning also; in Rei's instance I gave her the amethyst one because it is a ward against evil spirits.
Arisela – Amazing, my first review and you hit the nail on the head. I had really debated about keeping that line in the prologue. I see now that I probably should have worked that section a bit differently. They way I rationalized keeping the line to myself was Rei is in essence still a 17 year old girl, just on the cusp of completing mental development. No matter how extraordinary she is, how mature for her age she is, she is still a 17 year old not 100 developed with still a long way to go. I tried to show that, looks like I failed. I'll try harder next time .
Secretedreamer- Thanks, I'll do my best.
Trusuprise- Thank you, it means a lot. I really enjoy priestess robes and any excuse to get a character like Rei into them I believe should be taken.
Wolvenkite- I hope I live up to the potential, I feel pressure now lol. I decided to make the Senshi a little bit older ( 17,18) because I have a difficult time writing 14-15 year olds without making them sound like brats. I think that is my psychology background limiting me.
LunarMiko07- Thank you for reading, I hope I continue to please. .
Chapter 1.
'They really outdid themselves' the dark haired girl thought as she strolled through the large suite she had been given.
Crimson curtains with large brass candle sticks adorned the walls. In an absent minded way the Princess of Mars flicked the index finger of her right hand as she took in the lush room she had been assigned. Large plush chairs stood proudly around an ebony coffee table in a sitting room framed with large windows. The sun shone brightly into the room through glass doors leading to a balcony overlooking the palace gardens. In the background a lone candle by the door flared to life in time with the flicking of the young Princess's fingers.
Through a set of impressive double doors stood a magnificent bedroom, a large four poster bed sprawled out in the middle of the room was adorned with sheets the color of rubies. A dark ebony fireplace gazed out across the room proudly like a master surveying his land. Next to the fireplace stood a matching ebony clock, its ancient appeal drew the princess to it begging to be touched and admired.
Rei complied dragging a single finger down the side of the large clock, idly wondering if the old time piece would sound as brazen as it looked. It was a marvelous bedroom filled with blood red colors and ebony furniture; it had an air of sensual and exotic flavor fitting any heir of Mars.
'I feel like I'm in an over stuffed cage' Rei huffed.
" Mars Rei, I'm so glad to finally meet you", The softness of Queen Serenity's voice did little to hide the authority the ruler commanded, and for the first time in seven-teen years the Princess of Mars truly felt complete reverence.
"Lift your head, let me get a good look at you" The Queen urged like a grandmother laying eyes on a long lost granddaughter after many years of absence.
Rei cautiously did as she was told, her travel hat clutched tightly in her left hand, violet eyes slowly lifting toward the great white throne, following the folds of a long white dress, meeting the kind grey eyes of the Queen of the Moon Kingdom briefly before quickly averting to the foot of the throne. She could feel all the eyes in the room inspecting her, not only the Queen's Rei unconsciously straightened her shoulders, and resisted the urge to shuffle her feet like a shy child.
Just when the Princess of Mars had reached her limit a soft chuckle cut through the tension in the hall and Rei released a breath she had not realized she had been holding. Daring another quick look into the Monarch's eyes revealed the source of the soft chuckle which was complemented by twinkling grey eyes.
"You look just like your mother Princess Rei. She was quite the beauty in her day, still is." The twinkle in those grey eyes shone brightly to the young Martian but before she had a chance to ponder the meaning deeply a tall dark skinned woman entered the throne room. The stranger had long exquisite green hair and flashing red eyes that immediately caught the Princess's attention,' this is not a woman to trifle with' the Rei thought darkly.
Breaking eye contact with the mysterious stranger Rei realized too late that the kindly Monarch had been speaking to the distracted Martian Princess.
Training would begin in a week, as the last princess to arrive she was expected to attend a welcome ball which was to be held that night. Rei nodded her head respectfully as the Queen continued, but her mind was on the green haired women, she was sure that was the one that whispers called the Time Guardian. The aura around this woman was unreadable in a way the young princess had never seen before. The colors of her aura swirled around her, constantly shifting as if they floated on the surface of the ocean blending and mixing together. Rei could hardly keep herself from staring.
With a snap of her fingers the dark princess simultaneously brought herself back from her reverie and caused the large hearth behind her to roar to life instantly relaxing the girl and pulling her from her musings on the dark stranger.
Mechanically the Princess of Mars began to ready herself for the ball that night. She had brought her two Ravens Phobos and Deimos from the village with her and the Queen has assured her the two Ravens would be kept in the Palace gardens. Dressed in classic Martian dress robes, with the seal of the Martian Royal family emblazed on the front, Rei wandered out to her balcony to look out over the gardens.
She heard the flapping of two pairs of wings before she heard her beloved companion's calling and before she knew it two large jet black ravens's perched before her on the stone railing.
"You've been waiting, I'm sorry I took so long" the dark haired princess murmured kindness filling her eyes first the first time since arriving. The two large ravens sounded their displeasure at their mistress, fluffing their feathers in protest.
"I know, I'm sorry you were cooped up" The princess offered as she smoothed the feather's on both birds. Satisfied with their apology Phobos hopped onto the Princess's arm and she graciously lifted it allowing the Raven to navigate its way to her shoulder. Deimos on the other hand remained on the stone ledge content under the caressing hand of his mistress. Unknown to the dark haired Martian princess a pair of bright cerulean eyes had curiously watched the whole display from the garden below.
A swift knock at the door yanked the thoughtful princess from her reverie and startling the raven on her shoulder. Agitated Rei replied and a tall servant dressed in a white tunic and pants with a crescent moon embodied on the breast stiffly emerged from behind the door. The Princess of Mars must have looked intimidating in her black ceremonial robe with it's bright red knotted pattern weaving its way up the fabric to seemingly end at the large Raven perched the princess's shoulder for the servant's eyes went wide. With a shaky voice the servant informed the bemused princess that the Queen of Mars had sent a dress a few days prior to Rei's arrival.
"The Queen of Mars wanted you to wear this dress to tonight's ball your Highness." The servant said in a quivering voice then gulped at Rei's sharp look before continuing hurriedly, "A-a late birthday present"
The servant then nearly thrust the package into the Princess's arms before making a quick retreat. Rei remained standing by the door shock turning her body rigid; only the cawing of Deimos from the balcony and the gently nudging of Phobos on her shoulder shook her back to reality.
Rei seemed to move in hyper mode after that spinning on her heel so quickly that Phobos flew from her shoulder with an agitated caw but Rei paid him little attention. Within minutes Rei had the package open revealing its contents a simple but elegant black evening dress. Blinking back a sudden rush of tears Rei realized this was one of her mother's favorite dresses.
Some time later the Princess of Mars stood before the full length mirror in the corner of her bedroom. The evening dress her mother had sent fit perfectly. The thin straps at the top flowed down into a V over her chest, showing just enough cleavage to be sexy but not too much. The black color of the dress accentuated Rei's creamy complexion, and also the small tattoo of the war god's three interlocking flames on her shoulder. The dark haired princess examined her reflection critically, something was missing.
After a moment of thought she reached down and retrieved a purple pendant from her vanity and strung it around her neck. The pendant, a Kogok made of amethyst, was given to her after her clairvoyant abilities had been discovered. The curved purple stone had rarely left her person ever since. With one last look Rei took a deep breath and touched the Kogok hanging from her neck, and headed for the door.
End chapter 1.