Title: Crystal Power
Author: AriallaZarinth
Chapter Nine: Consequence

"I need to be alone with my wife," Dymion's stern baritone sent the servants from the room. Gaia didn't raise her eyes, though her hands shook as she tended her needlepointing. In her heart she thanked him for the privacy, for she knew what he had come to do. "Gaia. Your disobedience pains me."
"Technically you only said that you wouldn't go, you did not clarify about Endy and I, so really,"
"Wife, you knew you were going against my wishes, and still you went. My son and his generals have not yet returned, and I have not yet fathomed a way to retrieve them without risking the ire of the Lunarians. You have put me in a bad place."
"As you put me in one! I signed no treaties; I gave our son to no one. I did nothing against Earth politically. I allowed the rest of the system to see that our son bears a Crystal, is that so wrong?"
"We do not treat with members of the Alliance, Gaia." His hands, so large and familiar, took the delicate cloth from his wife's hands. Carefully he put it away for her.
"I know why you have come, Dymion." She stood, her blue eyes staring into his. They stayed that way, bodies close, but bereft of an embrace. Then the Earth Queen turned her back to her husband. "Go on; the laces shouldn't be hard for you." It was the last thing she said while he stayed in the room. She bit her lips, a cry of pain only escaping them once. As she lay, aching, on their bed, Dymion paused in the doorway. His voice was soft, but it reached her ears.

"I, I am sorry, my wife." And with a heavy sigh he left their bedchamber. Gaia let the tears come, then, the sobs that pained her bruised, beaten body. She had heard the shame deep in the king's voice as he had apologized. This was not something he enjoyed, but the court would have talked if he had let her get away with disobeying him like she had done. He had no choice, but her king was a good man, and to beat a woman shamed him. She knew he would not share their bed again until her bruises healed and her physical shame had dissipated.
A soft hand stroked Gaia's hair.

"He is a fine man, my queen. He asked me to attend to you. It was a hard thing for him to do, I could tell from speaking to him." Gaia's eyes had spent their tears, and she turned them to the woman seated on the bed next to her. It was her most trusted servant, a woman who had tended the noble as a mere girl. The wrinkled face and calm brown eyes looked at Gaia with no pity, just needed reassurance. "He has spared your face and most of your arms. This will not be hard to hide."
"Does it matter, Kythri? Everyone in the court will know of my punishment." Her eyes closed against the tears that threatened again.
"My queen, if no one knew of your punishment, there would be no reason for the king to have punished you in this manner. You know it was not his choice to handle things this way." Gaia felt the bed lift as the older woman stood. Gaia's ears strained for where Kythri went, but the servant was trained to be unnoticeable, and she was very good at it. Gaia felt the familiar touch of Kyrthi's hands as a cooling salve was spread over her bruises.
"I only hope he does not punish Endy when he returns," Gaia said with a whimper at a particularly deep bruise.

&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!

A week and a half of vigorous training added to her already busy schedule, Serena knew she should be exhausted, but she could not sleep. She had been hours already lying in her bed, eyelids refusing to close, to grant her the darkness she needed for slumber.
They had been very cautious in training ever since the Jupiter incident. Serena knew in her heart that those powers were the ones that mattered the most, those were the ones that they were being called to use, but they needed to find some other way to hone them. It had been terrifying to see the Earth Prince so disfigured, so horrifically wounded. It had been instinct and the Silver Crystal that had told her what to do, how to take his hands in hers and knit the flesh back together.

Serena in frustration abandoned her bed for her balcony. There in the dim Earth light she sought respite from insomnia. She loved her mother for designing the palace in this way; her balcony looked over her private gardens. Since she was five, Serena had weaned the gardners away from this garden, choosing instead to work on it herself, only occasionally handpicking one or two helpers whenever her schedule didn't permit her the time to tend it. It was beautiful, especially by Terra's light. Serena smiled, closing her eyes and lifting her face to the blue-green planet.
Muffled voices reached her ears, breaking the silence she was so accustomed to. Who would dare profane her space? Who would enter the Princess' garden without permission? Serena ducked behind her balcony railing, peering out at the two figures who entered within the gardens' grounds.
Even at that distance the distinctive short hair of Prince Endymion was recognizable, and no one but Rei held themselves with that much haughture. Silently Serena touched her Crystal, muting the glow as she transformed. Her sharpened senses brought the figures into focus, their voices into clarity.
Endymion pressed Rei to him, his lips ravishing hers hungrily. With equal fire and passion, Rei tangled her fingers in his hair, clutching the man. His hands were at her dress' bodice, his lips slipped down her neck, down her collarbone...

"Endymion! No." She roughly pulled his face to hers in another kiss. He lingered there for some time before dropping back down towards her bosom. "Endymion! Won't you be content without that?"
"You tempt and tease, woman, and then deny me what you offered?" Endymion's voice was rough, his hands even more so.
The Moon Princess had seen enough; she detransformed.

Serena struggled to shut the thick doors to her balcony, and upon realizing they would create too much noise, she simply released the heavy curtains, placing a barrier between her bed and the gardens. Her face was flushed as she slid back between her welcoming covers.

&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!

"How under Terra's light was this facility built so quickly?" The question exploded in amazement from Artemis; eyes wide he took a few wondering steps into the chamber. "And it really works the way you say, Majesty?"

Queen Serenity's eyes were calm, close to fatigue, though she nodded with approval as her own eyes scanned over the sterile room. "It works exactly as I say, Artemis. I deemed it a necessary addition to the training of our senshi; your story of Sailor Jupiter made that clear. It was not difficult for me to create." Artemis' eyes found his queen again, searching her impenetrable public facade. There were no signs of stress, no signs of forced support. She seemed, on the contrary, more buoyant, especially serene, if needing a little rest. His eyes going over the incredible facility once more, a small shiver ran from the base of Artemis' neck down his spine.

"It is, indeed, perfect for the training, Majesty. I will introduce it tomorrow, though I am sure we will need time before we are accustomed fully to it."
"Of course," Serenity's fingers flicked away his hesitation, "it is yours to use as you will. I am glad it pleases you. You will be sure to let me know how the training progresses with this new addition?"
"Most certainly, Majesty." Artemis bowed. Serenity nodded approval and made her exit. Artemis wondered at the room for moments more before proceeding to the connecting control room that Serenity had showed him. If he were to draw up a training schedule around this facility -- and simply from hearing the description he knew he would -- then he best learn how to use it properly.

&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!

"My Prince, I understand that it would be beneficial for you to remain here for training, but you know it is dangerous to prolong our stay indefinitely. Your honoured mother made it clear that the king would be most displeased at our absence."
"Kunzite," Endymion's voice rippled with amusement. The man was seated on the windowseat in one of the chambers in his suite, a book lying open on his lap, collecting dust as the prince watched the gardens out his window, "my dear general, Father would no more come to the Moon to retrieve us as he would abdicate his throne. I understand you haven't lived in the palace as long as I, but trust me, this vacation is a golden opportunity -- no pun intended. We should savour it."
"Yes, my Prince, extended vacations are rare for you I know, but you must admit it would not be politically safe for us to remain here long."
"I don't intend to live here." Endymion bit out snidely, arching his eyebrows at the silver haired general. Kunzite inclined his torso respectfully.
"I shall make preparations to depart then."
"Another three days, Kunzite. I'm not letting you run me home yet." Endymion's sternly set mouth curved into a smirk as the general bowed again in acquiescence.
"As you wish, my Prince." He opened his mouth again, as if he would add some parting advice, but sighed and bowed again before exiting the room. Endymion ran his hand through his hair, agitated. He should be glad to be leaving; something about the Moon tickled a feeling in him he had never felt before, and he was still unsuccessful in identifying it. Besides, the situation with the Martian princess was just getting agitating. If she had decided to act on her own whim, she should damn well act on it!

A soft knock sounded on the door to Endymion's chambers. He ignored it at first, but when the knock sounded again, just as quiet and unintrusive, he knew it wasn't one of his generals at the door. He called out permission to enter, and one of the demure Lunar servants curtseyed her way into the room.
"Her Majesty the Princess Serenity wonders if his Majesty the Prince Endymion would enjoy sharing tea in the Princess' gardens." Endymion almost rejected the suggestion off hand, until he decided it would be more beneficial to go than to mope about his room. He stood abruptly, leaving the book on the window seat.
"I'm assuming you mean now. Lead on."

Endymion was surprised when the servant stopped at the entrance to the gardens, her face sliding into patient waiting. He recognized the gardens vaguely; they looked different in the day than at night, and he had never actually been in them. He felt a stirring of curiosity, first about the gardens, and then about his own curiosity. Princess Serenity came out of the gardens after a few awkward moments, Endymion wondering why he was still standing there.

"Prince Endymion, my apologies! I was just making sure everything was prepared." The Moon Princess' smile was brilliant, something like Endymion had seen that first night as she had gazed up at his planet.
"Quite alright, Princess." He took her hand, bowing to place a light kiss on her knuckles. The slight hum that sang from her skin to his lips through his bones was pushed aside as Endymion straightened. "And, please, Endymion is fine. Honorifics get tedious, don't they?"
"Quite, Endymion. Serenity is fine, as well." Her smile emphasized the natural curve to her lips, as well as making her blue eyes shine, hypnotic. Endymion tucked her arm in his and gestured towards the garden entrance. "I thought that, considering your planet, you might enjoy seeing my garden. I have the most delightful array of flora, and most are in bloom at the present."
"Everything looks meticulously tended; your gardeners must be stellar."
"They are, but you are mistaken, Endymion. This is my garden, and as such I tend it, as much as my other duties allow. I thank you for the compliment." That was impressive, Endymion admitted to himself grudgingly, as was the garden itself. "Aside from enjoying this particular duty, it is lovely to have a place entirely my own. The palace is spacious enough, but sometimes it's hard to find a moment's peace. I am sure you understand; I have heard that Earth has a lively court life."
"Yes, that it does, but what planet doesn't?"
"You might be surprised at how many do not. Oh, not in this solar system really, unless perhaps on Pluto, but some of the other systems I have visited... well, Selene have mercy on anyone who has to stay in those courts long. You know that expression being 'bored to death'? That may actually be possible." Endymion's laugh faded in surprise as Serenity led him into the midst of some of the most beautiful flowers he had ever seen. They had come through the only entrance to this particular area: a square marked by four bush walls, covered in yellow flowers and white flowers. Serenity had left him standing there in awe as she glided towards the small table that had been set up towards one of the far corners. Her pale dress and golden hair complimented the impeccable blossoms around her. She turned towards him with a soft smile.

"I am sure you recognize the Terran yellow rose; the white flowers are called Selene's Cheeks. They compliment each other well, I have always thought, and it turns out they also grow well in company." Her voice broke his trance, and Endymion walked across to the table, holding Serenity's chair out for her. She took her seat and filled both their teacups.
"It is a striking combination, Serenity, gorgeous to say the least." He took an appreciative sip from his cup.
"Ah, the Prince enjoys flowers," Her cornflower eyes sparkled, "does he also enjoy his drink?"
"Very much so," he wondered if his surprise at its taste had registered on his face, "I've never had anything like it."
"The Princess of Neptune left some for me; it is apparently a favorite on her planet, and she was appalled I had never tried it. I personally was surprised at not having tried it myself." Serena inhaled the perfume from the pale blossoms, releasing the breath as a contented sigh."If you enjoy your flowers as well, Serenity, you would very much enjoy a visit to Earth, especially during the springtime."
"The repute of Earthen flora is much to be admired, and if it were ever possible, if the opportunity were to arise, I would be honoured to visit your planet. She is so prominent in our sky... I must confess a curiousity." Her eyes had found the blue-green planet, blending in with the blue sky. "How long before you and your generals return?"
"I fear our visit is only for a few more days. I do have a court to get back to, and lively as you mentioned before."
"Of course. From the tales of Earth's, ah, vivacity you perhaps find the Moon a little lacking in outward frenzy, though I am sure you have found something interesting with which to occupy your time." Her look never changed, smooth and mildly pleased; she sipped her tea politely. Endymion did his best to dismiss his fears, surely this princess knew nothing. When she spoke again, Endymion didn't know if she was continuing the same sentence or not. "Though our training is enough to burn away any excess energy."
"It would seem that way, and as for my generals that is true. When I am training transformed, it does the opposite. I feel all this energy and power in me, and sparring just isn't cutting it."

"Ah, I know of what you speak." Endymion raised his eyebrows at her. Rei had completely refused to speak of their Crystals or any other subject that suggested them. Then again, she hated speaking of anything that reminded her how 'wrong' their fling was. "It is one thing to hone our sparring; I for one have never trained in hand to hand combat past minimal self defense. Some of the others, the Princess of Jupiter for instance, have other backgrounds, but for the rest of us this martial arts training is quite beneficial. It is, however, a very incomplete exercise. I am sure Artemis has been working for a way to expand our instruction. Mother made it clear that we are to become well versed in our powers. The gods wished it so."

"That first day of transformation, Queen Serenity mentioned two Crystalbearers who did not attend?"
"The holders of the Solar Crystal and the Amethyst."
"The Amethyst..?" His voice trailed off, wondering what its sphere of influence was.
"The Amethyst of Death and Rebirth, held by the princess of Saturn."
"And the Solar Crystal? By the princess of the Sun, I assume."
"Yes, my elder sister Marigana." Her words caused Endymion to cough a little of his tea back up. When he had cleared his airway, he swallowed another mouthful ruefully.
"I was not aware that you had a sister. Elder you say? Why is she not here as your mother's heir?"
"She is my father's daughter, as I am my mother's. Planetary intermarriage causes some odd shifts in power." An elegant shoulder rose and fell.

The movement brought Endymion's eyes fully to the princess' person. Her golden hair was in its usual twin buns, though she had tucked Selene's Cheeks in each, one blossom on either side. Her silken gown was of a shimmering pale blue with a wide oval neckline. No jewelry lay cold against that incredibly fair skin, though the smooth metallic crescent moon shone perfect gold on her forehead. Her blue eyes were smiling at him, even if her mouth didn't betray her mirth.
"Ah, yes, the Sun King is your father. I had forgotten." In response to his comment she ran her fingers through one of her ponytails.
"I don't take after him much, but there are still signs."
"It is odd that your own sister did not make it to the celebration. What kept her?" Serena's quiet non articulated politically politely avoiding answer made Endymion change the subject. As they chatted about foods and drinks, the Terran prince marveled at this woman's impeccable diplomacy. He gave credit to her upbringing as the heir to, well, to galaxies.

"Do you ever feel odd, the only man to bear a Crystal?" Her sudden switch in topic caught Endymion off guard.
"Not really, though it is odd don't you think that the monarchies on all the planets but mine would have only daughters. It makes sense for me to be a Crystalbearer because all of the heirs to the crowns of the planets are Crystalbearers."
"It does make sense that way, but what do you mean about only daughters?"
"Well I understand that if the Moon were to have sons, still the females would rule, but as for the rest..."
"Not all of the monarchies are centered around male heirs. Jupiter, for instance, names the first born as heir to the throne regardless of gender. In the old days, the younger children could challenge the oldest to a duel for the heirship, but I think that has mostly died down. Fighting within a government isn't something the Alliance is really approving of, you know? Mars has another way of deciding who to inherit the crown; Princess Rei is not the eldest. Her brother Aories is her senior by at least five years." She could tell this surprised Endymion and smoothly re-entered familiar territory, "The Solar Kingdom is a strict patriarchy, sometimes more so than Earth. If I remember correctly, your mother was the eldest of only daughters, and the crown still passes to you through her."
"Yes, that is correct."
"In such a situation -- only daughters being born to the crown -- one of the highest male nobles would assume the crown, or the eldest grandson if there were any at the time of the death of the Sun King." Endymion opened his mouth to ask why Serena's sister was considered the heir to the Solar Kingdom, but before he got a chance to, the conversation had already drifted on to another topic and he felt it would be too awkward to backtrack.

When Serena went to refill Endymion's cup and found the pot to be empty, they realized how long they had been sitting there.
"We must have been here for hours! How is it that some servant hasn't come by to pester us? Such an uninterrupted stretch of time is very rare at home."
"Servants do not enter my garden unless there is something extremely urgent. There is only one other than myself whom I allow to enter at any time." Serena's eyes showed her contentment as she looked around her garden. "I do suppose that we have been here more than long enough to fall behind someone's schedule, and it is time to return to the palace."
"That sounds reasonable." Endymion stood and offered his hand to her. With a murmur of thanks, the princess took it. Again the two shrugged off the resonance from their contact. Endymion tucked Serena's arm in his and they began along the garden path.

"You obviously value your privacy here very much; what is the punishment for entering the princess' garden without permission?"
"As of yet, no one has been accused of such a thing. I spend much of time around the garden, tending it, escaping there, my bedchamber even looks over it. It would be foolish to enter without my permission. If such a thing were to happen, I suppose the punishment would be left up to my discretion. It wouldn't be so much a transgression of law so much as privacy." Serena's blithe tone was enough to hide her knowledge, though her words made Endymion's insides twist nonetheless. They had thought the deserted garden to be their place of privacy, when in actuality it seemed to be one of the most closely watched pieces of ground around the palace. The fears that Serenity knew something began to surface again.
"I see. Hopefully you will never have to deal with such a situation."
"Hopefully." Serena considered speaking further, but decided against it.

When they exited the garden, a servant was waiting for them. Relief washed through his eyes as the young man bowed.
"Your Majesties." He waited for Serena's nod, "Princess, the governess and Princess Mars are in the usual solar."
"Ah, yes. Am I quite late?"
"Not yet an hour late, Highness." He bowed again. "Prince Endymion, if you are not too busy, Lord Artemis would like to speak with you." Endymion hadn't realized that their sparring instructor was nobility; he certainly had an interesting store of knowledge.
"I would be pleased to meet with the man."
"If it please, I shall take you to him."

Endymion turned to Serena.
"Thank you much for the tea; it has been a most pleasant afternoon."
"Of course, Endymion. You were pleasant company." Serena pushed down the thrill in her stomach when Endymion's lips brushed her knuckles. As he straightened again, a flicker of confusion danced in his dark blue eyes. "Good day, sir."

"Good day, Princess." Endymion gestured for the servant to lead the way. His mind raced over the few times that he and the princess had made actualy skin to skin contact. Though his logic tried to protest, he determinedly put down the strange sensations down to some Lunarian trait. So absorbed in his thoughts, he wasn't even sure what part of the palace he was in when the servant bowed and opened a door. The room was small: a desk to one side, a simple wooden chair tucked neatly beneath it, two plush armchairs next to the fireplace which was currently filled with a basket overflowing with violets. Artemis was standing by the fireplace, one hand on the mantle, his eyes on the violets. Instead of the simple clothing Endymion had always seen him in, the man wore a highly embroidered tunic and rich loose pants. His long white hair was tied back with cloth-of-gold. He turned around with a smile of welcome.

"Prince Endymion. Thank you for coming to see me. Please, have a seat." He looked past the prince and nodded at the servant. "That is all." The peon ducked a bow and backed out of the room, the lord's words fading as the heavy door was shut: "Prince, I trust you have been enjoying your stay here on..."

&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!

Serena couldn't concentrate on her embroidering. The governess had left the room after their history lesson, leaving she and Rei alone in the solar working studiously with their needles. Her eyes kept finding the Martian again, studying her face. What was it that Endymion found so irresistible? Was it her eyes, their deep shade of purple, with all their empathy.. or her dark hair, like his.

"You're not concentrating, Serena." It could be her voice, Serena thought, it was certainly alluring, or at least it sounded that way. An inner voice chided her -- you know what he likes her for. Images of the two in her garden flashed briefly across her mind. It was a dangerous thing that her friend did, too dangerous. She leaned towards her and murmured,
"He is charming."
"Wh, who?" Rei's face had turned sharply towards Serena. The Lunarian could feel the other trying to press into her thoughts. She gave Rei a fierce glare, and the other girl shrugged half-apologetically.
"Charming, intelligent -- I suppose you find him attractive."
"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about."
"Stop being a fool, Rei. You know what could happen. Please, for your sake, for his -- Great Selene, for the Alliance's sake if for nothing else." Serena's harsh whisper carried all its ferocity to Rei's ears. She winced.
"How do you know?"
"My garden, Rei? You really thought that no one would see you there?"
"I...I understand. Thank you, Princess, I seem to have lost my wits."

&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!&!

The Mists of Time were quiet, as ever. They rolled softly as if there were a wind in that dimension of nothing. The great stone doorframe held a picture of a lush Lunarian parlor, the younger Serenity and the Ruby Holder sitting close to one another on one of the sofas.
Setsuna watched the two princesses with slight disdain.
"Hypocrite," she muttered towards the fair-haired girl, "Or at least you will be."