Sailor See, Sailor Die - Chapter Two
A Fic Challenge Response by Una Moonstar
ANs: It seems I have a modest little audience for this little story. Thanks to all of you who are reading and those of you who've reviewed (whether online or just in your heads... -grin-). Now for the will... and the stipulation... Enjoy!
(fade out...)
(begin chapter...)
The group sat through a tedious fifteen minutes of legal mumbo-jumbo before finally getting to the meat of the document. Serena fidgeted and squirmed until Raye gave her a glare and a sharp elbow to the ribs. When the blonde glanced to her other side she was surprised not to see Darien sharing the priestess' attitude or even a smirk. The ebony-haired young man seemed thoughtful, even a bit confused. Serena stole worried looks at him until one of the lawyer's sentences grabbed her attention.
"And now for the disposition of the assets." Everyone seemed to perk up at the announcement. "To Lita Kino I leave twenty-five thousand dollars to be use solely for living expenses. Also, there is a fifty- dollar a week credit at the Shinozaki Family Market for you to use until you reach the age of eighteen." Lita's eyes nearly bugged out of her head at the lawyer's words.
"To Raye Hino I leave twenty-five thousand dollars to be used for the upkeep and preservation of the Cherry Hill Temple. Also, you may have the landscape painting you will find in your assigned bedroom." Raye gasped in shock.
"To Amy Mizuno I leave twenty-five thousand dollars to be used for computer equipment and other research materials you deem necessary for your studies. Also, you may have the black and white marble chess set found in the drawing room of my residence and half of the books in my library, specific titles to be decided upon at a later date following an agreement with the other heir." Amy looked at the shelves along the walls to either side of her in wonder, her gaze falling lastly on the chess set.
"To Mina Aino I leave twenty-five thousand dollars to be used in your efforts to aid children. Also, you may have the double width full- length mirror you will find in your assigned bedroom, and fifty dollars cash which you will find in your envelope on top of its original contents."
Mina leaned over to Lita. "Fifty dollars? What could that be for?"
Lita smirked. "Your half of the finder's fee, remember?"
"Oh." A smile split the blonde's face. "Cool!"
"To Darien Shields I leave twenty-five thousand dollars to be used solely for living expenses. Also, I have secured you a small amount of space in the Azabu Area Greenhouse for your horticultural projects." Darien blinked a few times, sighed, and shook his head.
"To Serena Tsukino I leave twenty-five thousand dollars to be used for your dream wedding. You'll find an extra surprise in your envelope." Serena gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Her sapphire blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears of happiness.
"I also leave to each of the previously mentioned people fifty thousand dollars to be used for their college educations," they all gasped, "with the stipulation that Serena and Darien spend as much of their weekend at my residence together as possible." Four girls groaned while the couple in question stared at each other in shock.
"To Ralph Peterson, my faithful butler, I leave two million dollars. Hopefully that will be enough to allow you to retire and live comfortably. You've earned it." A small smile of amusement appeared on the servant's features.
"To Nathaniel Blake I leave one million dollars to be used for the construction of the clinic you have been planning. Then maybe you can find patients that have pleasant personalities." The doctor chuckled under his breath and shook his head.
"To Barrett Ward I leave five million dollars so you can live comfortably for the time you have left with enough left over so you can leave your grandkids something. Also, I leave you Mascot, my sheep and living lawn mower. You know the reason." The silver-haired man began laughing uproariously, nearly falling out of his chair.
Doyle waited until Barrett had regained control of himself before continuing. "To Hewett Doyle I leave five hundred thousand dollars for all his time and patience. Maybe you can get that house in the country you've been dreaming about." He cleared his throat with a touch of annoyance and read on.
"To Roselle Gillette I leave two million dollars so you can live comfortably, at least for a while. I thank you for all the good times." The lady wiped at her eyes stoically and looked off into space.
"To Harris Kingsly I leave two million dollars so you can have fun traveling without me griping at you every two minutes. Also, I give you my autographed tennis ball collection, all six hundred of them. Since you helped me go through most of the work to get them, I thought you would enjoy the fruits of my labor." The monocle fell from his eye once again as his jaw dropped. The older people snickered.
"And lastly, to Eli Cunningham I leave the remainder of my assets including this house and land that it sits on. Yes, that's right. The family owns this island. Wonderful, isn't it? Anyway, I believe that wraps everything up, so I'll let Mr. Doyle finish off the legal mumbo jumbo, and you folks can get something to eat." There was a muted chattering amongst the older people, while the younger people withdrew somewhat within themselves. Mr. Doyle finished off the remainder of the will then began to pack everything back into his briefcase. "Ralph, if you could inform the kitchen staff that our business is finished here?"
"Of course." He bowed briefly and left through the door between the bookcases.
"The rest of us can adjourn to the dining room. Dinner will be served momentarily," the attorney said as he closed and locked the case. He gestured toward the door Ralph had disappeared through.
The group slowly made their way into the dining room. The light from the pair of small crystal chandeliers brought out a golden glow from the oak floor, china cabinets, and dining room set. A regal looking set of china with an oak leaf pattern centered each place setting, and a card sat above each plate informing the guests where they were supposed to sit. Beautiful silverware glittered from its place on either side of the settings. Crystal goblets refracted the soft light into small rainbows that played along the antique lace tablecloth.
The group separated and seated themselves in their designated places. Eli sat at the head of the table, with Mina to his left and Serena to his right. Darien sat to Serena's right, then Amy, Harris Kingsly, and Nathaniel Blake. Lita sat on Mina's left, then Raye, Madam Roselle, and Barrett Ward. Hewett Doyle sat at the opposite end of the table from Eli.
As soon as they were seated, the swinging doors behind Darien and Amy swung open revealing a pair of servants carrying two bowls of soup apiece. Quietly they placed the dishes in front of the ladies at the far side of the table. They continued the process until everyone had been served.
"This is quite good," Eli commented after eating a spoonful.
"Delicious," Lita agreed, blushing slightly. There were other quiet murmurs of agreement from around the table.
Serena struggled to keep from slurping the liquid from her spoon, partially for appearances, but mostly to limit Darien's possible ammunition for teasing attacks. She stole looks at him as she ate and saw that he seemed abnormally obsessed with his soup. Her breath caught as her concentration wavered and a slurp escaped. She waited for the inevitable jibe, but none came. Now she was worried.
Darien found himself examining his feelings for a certain Meatball Head ever since he had heard the condition set forth by John Cunningham for him and all the other girls to inherit their gifts. He must have thought he saw something between him and Serena when they helped him in the park that day. But that was impossible, wasn't it? Meatball Head and the conceited jerk together?
He didn't remember going into the dining room and barely noticed when the bowl of soup was set before him. He ate mechanically, staring blankly into the amber liquid. What did he feel for the sweet young blonde seated to his left? He… liked her; he was willing to admit that much. She was pretty and had a laugh that brightened his day. And those eyes… They were a deep, sparkling blue that put sapphires to shame.
His brain registered a slurping sound from his left, but he paid it no heed. He had suddenly come to the conclusion that this little requirement just might be the best thing to happen to him in a long time.
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
While Darien and Serena pondered each other, the others concentrated on the soup placed before them, and an uneasy silence enveloped the dining area. Only the occasional small slurp and clack of utensil on china echoed in the sparsely decorated room. That is, until a loud slurp came from the meatball-headed blonde near the head of the table.
Suddenly a giggle started softly from the blonde across from the offender. It spread slowly at first, but eventually everyone was laughing, even Serena somewhat sheepishly, with two exceptions. Darien sat back and smiled, having just had his emotional revelation, and Hewett Doyle continued to eat his soup, a scowl firmly planted on his features as he glared unnoticed at the rest of the table.
After the ice was broken, tentative conversations sprung up around the table.
"So, Raye," Madam Roselle said to the raven-haired girl beside her, "you were raised in a Shinto shrine, is that right?"
"Yes," she responded a touch warily.
"Is it true you can see the future in the Sacred Flames?"
"Sometimes, if the fire wishes the vision to be seen."
"Ah. How utterly fascinating, my dear. You must tell me more about your faith later, when we have more time to ourselves."
Raye just looked at her suspiciously.
(cut to...)
(scene change...)
"So, how many broken-hearted men did you two beauties leave behind to come out to this haunted old mansion?" Eli asked Mina and Lita with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Neither girl noticed.
"Haunted?" Mina asked with wide eyes.
"Come now," Eli said, warming up to his subject, "this house has been in the family for generations. You don't honestly believe it can get away from history without a few spooks and specters, do you?"
"Well…" Mina began hesitantly.
"You're joking, right, Eli?" Lita asked with a quiver in her voice.
He raised his eyebrows. "Am I?" He smiled.
The blonde and brunette to his left shivered and went back to the last of their soup.
(cut to...)
(scene change...)
Harris Kingsly finished his soup and dropped his spoon into the bowl with a loud clatter. Amy, who had finished a few moments before him in a much quieter fashion, turned her head at the noise and smiled shyly.
"Ms. Mizuno, is it?" he asked politely.
"Yes, it is," she replied quietly.
"Perhaps you've read some of my books." Amy's eyes grew wide. "Beverly Hills On Five Shillings a Day?"
"No, I'm afraid…"
"Beautica: City On The Moon."
Her jaw nearly dropped before she responded. "Uh, no, I don't…"
"Philadelphia: Where To Find It?"
"Um…"
(cut to...)
(scene change...)
Nathaniel Blake and Barrett Ward carried on a conversation over the table of memories and reminiscing. The few snippets heard by the other occupants of the table told of a man who was most certainly not an old man all his life. Hewett Doyle merely sat back and scowled during the exchange, listening intently, unseen by anyone.
(cut to...)
(scene change...)
Serena finished the last of her soup and turned to face Darien. "You don't think Eli is right, do you? About this place being haunted I mean." Her sapphire blue eyes were wide in tentative fear.
He smirked at her, although if she had looked closely at his eyes she would have seen an unfamiliar softness there. "Don't tell me you believe in that kind of thing, Meatball Head! How old are you?"
She pouted. "Hey, when it comes to ghosts, it doesn't matter how old you are! And don't call me Meatball Head!"
"You have a point. It's not like age is a sure cure for gullibility. But hey! If that's the way you think, I might be able to get my hands on some oceanfront property in Kansas for you!" His infamous quirky grin grew.
Serena just looked at him confused. "Where's Kansas? And why would I want oceanfront property? I live in Tokyo. Do you know how expensive that would be?"
Darien rolled his eyes and sighed with an almost audible chuckle. "Never mind, Meatball Head. If you have to explain the joke, it's not funny anymore."
"You were making fun of me? You jerk!" Something inside of her hurt more than usual at this latest round of teasing. She was hoping that maybe they could call a truce since they were stuck together for the weekend. And maybe that would lead to an actual friendship. Or maybe something more…
Darien took notice of the slight note in her voice that told him he might have gone a bit too far, considering the circumstances. "Just… leave it be, Serena." He used his spoon to play around with the slight puddle of liquid at the bottom of his bowl, avoiding the blonde to his left's direct gaze.
Her injured feelings drew up short at the minute sound of dejection in his remark on top of the use of her real name. "O… okay, Darien," she replied, barely above a whisper. Her eyes searched his profile, sensing a tiny shift in their relationship, and seeking confirmation. The muscles in his jaw were clenching just enough to make her believe she was right. Now what did she do with this information?
(fade out...)
(scene change...)
The main course was served then, cutting off all the conversations. Fortunately the uneasiness that had prevailed before did not return, and light chatter ruled the rest of dinner. After dessert, a flaming Baked Alaska, the group leisurely returned to the drawing room. Darien held the door for everyone, entering just after Serena, who had lagged behind in hopes of discovering the reason behind the tight, thoughtful look the ebony-haired young man wore. He only glanced at her strangely, leaving her biting her lower lip in worry that she had done something wrong.
The chandelier had been lit, and the girls all gasped in wonder at the gorgeous picture it presented. Serena felt Darien step up directly behind her as she gazed at the crystal light fixture and glanced over her shoulder to gage his reaction. He had a slight look of awe on his face, and she smiled to see it.
Meanwhile, the older members of the group gathered murmured in confusion at the sight of envelopes placed at various places around the room. Their voices brought the younger people back to Earth. "What's going on?" Serena asked wide-eyed.
"Envelopes, with our names on them," Madam Roselle said from the seat she had occupied during the will reading.
"And all placed where we had been sitting while Doyle read the will," Nathaniel Blake added, holding his own envelope.
"Did you do this, Ralph?" Darien asked, picking his letter up off the sofa.
"No," the butler responded, looking as bewildered as everyone else. "I was in the kitchen eating with the other servants."
"Did you arrange for this, Mr. Doyle?" Amy asked, examining her envelope.
"No, I did not. As all of you know I was in the dining hall with the rest of you all during dinner. And I had already completed everything Mr. Cunningham had requested me to do."
"Looks like there's nothing else left to do but find out what the letters say," Lita said as she shrugged and opened her envelope.
Mina followed suit. "I wonder what it says." Her eyes widened as she read the first few lines.
"What? What's it say?" Serena asked as she struggled with opening hers. Darien silently grabbed it, tore it open, and returned it. "Thanks."
Darien didn't respond as he read his own letter. When he finished he leaned in close to Serena's ear. "We'll have to talk about this in private once we get up to our room," he whispered. She nodded.
Raye caught each of the other girls' eyes for a moment and gave them a look that unknowingly said the same thing. Each nodded, with Serena discreetly flashing her communicator and getting a smile in return.
"I… I think it might be time to show us to our rooms, Ralph," Madam Roselle said quietly, looking a bit shaken by whatever she had read.
"Of course," he responded, his wide eyes the only indication that he had been affected by the new information. "I'll take you up two at a time, as the hall leading to the sleeping rooms is quite narrow. Mr. Blake, Mr. Kingsly, if you'd follow me please?" The two men rose and let the butler lead them out of the drawing room and up the marble staircase to their rooms.
While the three people were gone, the remaining guests looked warily at each other, only the five girls that had come together saying anything. The adults in the room glanced at the group of nervous girls, with their unnoticed dark-haired protector looming over them, specifically the meatball-headed blonde in the center, then suspiciously at each other, as if waiting for one of them to try something. Eli moved closer to the younger group in the center of the room.
Everyone jumped when Ralph returned with a slight cough to announce his arrival. "Madam Roselle, Mr. Ward, if you would?" The next group left.
After another ten suspicious minutes passed, the butler returned once more. "Mr. Doyle, Mr. Cunningham?" They left.
"I wonder how many bedrooms this place has?" Mina asked as she examined the stained glass lamp on the table between the two overstuffed chairs.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you, Mina," Raye said with a smirk. "I don't think Eli would appreciate a broken Tiffany lamp."
The taller blonde shot the raven-haired priestess an annoyed look then went back to her examination. "It's not Tiffany," she said authoritatively.
The others in the room looked at her in shock. Amy stepped forward to look for herself. "She's right. The signature is here on the base." The blue-haired girl gazed up at her friend, impressed. "Very good, Mina. Sharp eye, too. That signature is easy to miss."
Mina smiled and straightened with pride as Ralph reentered the room. "Miss Mizuno, Miss Aino, Miss Kino, and Miss Hino, if you would follow me?" he asked, gesturing toward the stairs.
"Wait a minute," Lita said before anyone had moved. "I thought you said the hall was too narrow for more than two people at a time."
The butler's dark brown gaze met the tall brunette's emerald green one. "The four of you will be sharing a room, so there will be no confusion and awkward maneuvering when we reach it. Now if you ladies would?"
The girls shrugged and followed. Once they were on their way up the stairs, Darien turned to face the small blonde at his side. "Look, Serena, I know this isn't the most comfortable of situations for you, and I don't want to make things worse. So I suggest a truce for the weekend. Is that alright with you?"
Serena examined the neutral expression the tall young man in front of her wore. "I like that idea very much. And if it works for the weekend, how about we think of extending it?" She smiled shyly.
He looked surprised for a moment, then returned the smile with his own quirky grin. "That sounds like a marvelous idea, Serena." He extended his hand to seal the deal.
She reached out and shook the offered hand, both parties noticing the electrical shock from the contact. They quickly let go and stepped away from each other, Serena moving to the chess set, and Darien to the nearest bookcase.
"Oh, wow, how appropriate," Serena said as she examined the underside of the white queen.
"What's appropriate?" Darien asked as he examined one of the brass busts on the bookshelves.
"The symbol for Mercury has been carved into the base of these chess pieces, and now the set belongs to Amy," she said as she looked at the other pieces.
"Next question: why is that appropriate?"
"That's easy. She's Sa…" Serena quickly cut herself off before she told Darien Amy's other identity. "She's a Virgo. Mercury rules the sign of Virgo, Gemini too actually." Blushing, she moved to the other side of the board to look at the black pieces.
Darien glanced over his shoulder at the blushing blonde. "I didn't know you studied astrology, Serena."
"Yeah, a little bit. It's kind of interesting."
"I've always kind of scoffed at that whole horoscope thing." He shrugged and turned his attention back to the books.
"The horoscope you read in the paper isn't worth your time. The only way to get an accurate reading is to use the whole chart. Using the whole natal chart and the current transits, you can get a more accurate picture of the upcoming climate."
Darien turned completely around and looked at the petite blonde in shock. "Only a little?"
Serena looked up at him and blushed. "Well, it's an interesting subject."
He smirked. "So you're saying that you can tell me exactly what's going to happen to me based on where the stars are on any given day?"
She smirked back. "Nope. I could tell you the major trends that are most likely to happen based on where the planets are in the sky on any given day and time compared to where they were at the exact moment of your birth. Astrology gives you a map; you use your own free will to decide what path you'll take."
His smirk faded to a genuine smile. "You really seem to know your stuff."
She giggled. "I guess so. Maybe I could do your chart one of these days."
"Maybe."
Just then Ralph returned. "Miss Tsukino, Mr. Shields, if you would?" The two of them followed the butler up the stairs and to the end of the extremely narrow hall. "This is the master bedroom," he said opening the large door in front of them. "Your things have been placed inside and the bed turned down. If you need anything use the bell pull to the side of the bed. Are there any questions?"
"We're sharing a bedroom?" Serena asked quietly.
"Of course. Mr. Cunningham said you were to spend as much of the weekend together as possible. Thus he assigned you the master bedroom."
"Mr. Cunningham arranged the sleeping arrangements?" Darien asked incredulously.
"He was always a most methodical man, Mr. Shields. Everything for this weekend was arranged two months before he passed on. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must also seek my bed." He bowed slightly and went back down the hall.
The two of them were standing in the open doorway of their room in shock when the door to their right opened and four heads popped out. "You guys are sharing a room?" Mina asked excitedly.
"How romantic," Lita said with a snicker.
"Now no hanky panky, you two," Raye said, smirking.
Serena glared at them helplessly while Darien chuckled. "What's the matter, girls? Jealous?" Mina, Lita, and Raye turned red, while Amy's shade went from red to purple. "You heard the will. We're supposed to spend as much of the weekend together as possible. Apparently that includes while we're asleep. So if you would please lay off the jokes, we'll take care of getting you your college money."
"Well, if you put it that way…" Mina's voice trailed off while Amy tried to drag them back into their room.
"Night, guys. Don't keep us up too late with your arguments," Raye commented as she stepped back into the room with a wave. Serena rolled her eyes.
Lita looked as though she were going to say something, but then apparently changed her mind and retreated into the room laughing. Amy hung her head in embarrassment while Mina continued to look speculatively at the couple in front of her. "You will tell us everything, won't you, Serena? That's only fair you know."
"No, I won't! It's none of your business!" Serena sputtered indignantly as Amy finally succeeded in yanking the blonde busy body into the bedroom.
"I'm sorry for… that, you guys. Why don't we get together tomorrow morning and discuss what we received in those letters? It looks really suspicious, the way they were left behind and no one knows where they came from."
"Sounds good. Talk to you then!" Serena said cheerfully, smiling and waving as the blue-haired girl disappeared behind the now closed door.
"Speaking of talking, why don't we do that?" Darien suggested, bowing slightly and gesturing for Serena to enter the room first.
"What a gentleman!" she exclaimed as she stepped inside with a giggle.
"I do my best," he responded as he followed, shutting the door behind him.