Neptune walked to the pool. It felt odd that there wasn't somewhere to bathe just about everywhere here. Or a beach within walking distance. On Triton Castle, the whole castle was surrounded by beaches, where one could swim in the oceans. The rivers that ran within the castle also led to the ocean. It felt good to be emerged in water, even if it wasn't deep water, she thought. She looked up, feeling that she was being watched. A girl was indeed standing there. From her dress, Neptune assumed her to be one of the hand maiden, although she had never seen her.
"Hello."Neptune greeted her, looking confused.
It seemed odd that a hand maiden would be away from her duties, especially to observe someone she wasn't supposed to wait on. She couldn't be one of Queen Serenity's personal assistant
"May I help you? If you're new and you lost your ways, I don't think I can be of much help to you."Neptune apologized. "I have only spent a few days here, in the Crystal Palace myself."
The girl remained silent.
"I am not lost."she said finally.
Neptune was more confused than ever.
"Oh, well, I'm glad, but what could I help you with?"she asked again.
Suddenly, Neptune felt something heavy hit her from behind, and she knew nothing more.
"That's odd. Have you seen Neptune?"Uranus asked Mercury.
Mercury shook her head.
"No. Why?"she asked, surprised.
"Hmm. I thought you might have. She went swimming for a while. I figured you might have met her, or something?"
"No."Mercury sighed. "I do wish to, but some days there's just no time."she smiled. "That's why I try to relax as much when I am able to go to Marina."
Uranus smiled.
"Isn't that ironic? It's like a treat for us to be here. Like a vacation, and you're saying you'd much rather be at Marina?"she asked. "That's very hard for me to believe."
"I guess you have missed Neptune, haven't you? I, myself, can't imagine only viewing Zoicite on trimensic for only an hour or so a day."
"Yeah, but we each have our own posts, our own duties, and we do try to keep each as up to date as we can. That's part of why it's such a treat to be able to be here, in Crystal Tokyo. We're together."said Uranus.
Mercury nodded.
"I can imagine."
"Well, I guess I'll keep searching."
"I do know where the pool is, though. Maybe she's still there?"Mercury suggested.
Uranus shook her head.
"I've already looked there. Twice."
"Oh."Mercury thought for a while. "Perhaps…I know the there are hardly any continents on Neptune. Mostly islands. Neptunians enjoy bathing in the ocean. And especially where they can get further away from the shores, in the deep waters. There's a beach not too far from here. Perhaps she went there?"
Uranus frowned.
"I guess that does make sense, but she would probably have told me."she insisted.
"It's not within walking distance. You usually have to drive."
"Hmm, even stranger."said Uranus. "I guess I could go there."
"Or simply wait until she gets back."
"I could do that, too."Uranus sighed. "Well, thanks."she turned and left.
Uranus walked down the hall. It was odd for Neptune to have gone to the beach without saying anything. But again, Neptune had probably forgotten she was in Crystal Tokyo. On Triton, that's what she would have done, simply decided to go somewhere else, and go, without saying anything to anyone.
However, as the day went by, there was still no sign of Neptune, and Uranus was still worried. Pluto, and the others began to worry as well.
"Where could she have gone?"Jupiter asked.
"No one could have disappeared from this city, much less this palace!"said Kunzite, firmly.
"Such a thing hasn't happened since…"Nephrite trialed off.
"Maybe she went exploring."suggested Saturn.
"I don't think so."said Mercury, gently.
"Do you think we should organize a search?"Endymion asked Kunzite.
"That might be the best."Kunzite acceded. "But where? If she's anywhere in Crystal Tokyo, anywhere in the Solar System we'd know."
"Another star?"suggested Jupiter.
"Which one?"asked Zoicite.