"I don't believe it, you look exactly like Seiya."
I smiled at Michiru. "Really," I asked. "I was worried about the details. It was all from memory."
"You look like her," Haruka said flatly.
I threw my head back laughing and stepped aside for another hotel goer to pass me. "God, bitter much?" Haruka hmmphed and Michiru smirked at her wife.
"Let's go," Haruka finally said, leading the way to the elevators. My smirk grew as I extended my hand toward Rei. She eyed me playfully as she slid her figners between mine and we followed the group. As we walked and entered the elevator, I took in what my friends were all wearing. When I had told them is was customary to wear a costume, it was instanty unanimous that they do so themselves. They each had decided to wear a uniform that they no longer wore, with the exception of Mako-chan, who dressed in the Mercury's fuku; Ami, who wore Jupiter's fuku to compliment her wife's; and Rei, who wore a replica of her own battle garment.
Haruka and Michiru wore their old Infinity Academy uniforms. I always liked these uniforms and was happy to see that they choose to wear them. It also brought back memories of when I first met Michiru and my heart skipped a beat. Even after all these years, I could still feel the residual feelings Haruka felt for Michiru. Although, admittingly, I think part of it was me, too.
Mako-chan and Ami wore the others' fuku and it was...strange. They even wore wigs to match the other and I couldn't help but giggle to myself. A tall, brawny Mercury and a small, mousy Jupiter was just weird. Kind of fun, but weird.
Minako wore a replica of her old Sailor V uniform. It was nostalgic to see her in the uniform even though I never read the Sailor V manga. It was just one of those childhood fangirl moments that came out in me every so often. Although, I think the skirt on this version was shorter...I have to admit, Minako has great legs.
It was decided that since Usagi's hair had changed from blond to silver in the years she had been queen, that she would wear a replica of her Moon mother's dress when she was Queen. When asked why she didn't dress as a solider, she simply smiled. I think it was because she had spent so many years in a long flowing gown and not in a short skirt, she was probably too embaressed to do so now. Besides, her bearing, to me anyway, screamed royalty and she deserved to look the part. Mamoru wore a replica of his uniform from when he was Earth's prince those many many years ago. He seemed to struggle with the weight on his shoulders but it could have also been because we were all crammed into a metal box.
The merfciful ding of the elevator signaled we were now on the first floor. As we poured out of the elevator, I saw there were many other con goers up and about,rushing about the lobby. I heard Minako squeal when she saw a group of girls dressed up as the senshi. I chuckled.
"So where to first," Haruka asked. I saw her smirk when yet another scantily clad woman passed us and I chuckled to myself.
"The dealers room is open," I said. "Lets head there."
"'Dealers room'," Usagi asked as the group began to follow me.
"Its basically a market for cons," I said. "You can buy all sorts of stuff there" I laughed. "I had a friend one year who blew all her food money on merchandise the first day there. I ended up having to pay for all her food the rest of the trip and didn't get to buy anything for myself." Chuckling at the memory and still holding Rei's hand, I led our charmed circle to one of the hotel's many conference rooms. This one stated 'Dealers Room 1' on the sign beside the door and we enetered.
It was a maze of tables and booths inside. The tables were all covered in banners and bright colors, tempting you to come and look. It seemed we were late to the party, as it were; there were many other people already here shopping and many of them were cosplaying as well.
We all looked at a few booths together, but it wasn't long before we all split up and went our own way. Before they left my sight, I did see Usagi and Mamoru being stopped by someone wanting pictures.
"Is it normal to be photoghrpahed by strangers," Rei asked, watching the young man thanking Usagi and Mamoru for the photo.
"Yeah, it is," I answered. And no sooner had I said this, that the same young man spotted us, smiled, and rushed over.
A few hours later, we all met back up and headed toward the dining area for lunch. We all got our food and picked a large enough table the nine of us could easily sit at.
As we began to eat, Minkao squealed and I nearly choked from surprise.
"Oh my God," Minako squealed. "There are two people dressed as Usagi and Seiya!"
We all looked to where she was pointing and saw a girl dressed as Usagi in her high school uniform and a boy (I think) dressed as Seiya in his red suit. They were holding hands as they waited in the lunch line. The Seiya cosplayer bent down and gently kissed the Usagi cosplayer.
"Aww, they make a cute couple," I remarked.
"Why Seiya," Mamoru asked. I turned to look at him. He had already worked out that, in this world, Seiya had more or less replaced him with the fans. I could see it in his eyes.
"Because more people prefer that relationship compared to the one you have with Usagi," I replied. "I have to admit, before I got to know you, I was one of them."
"Why," Usagi asked.
"I grew up with the anime," I said. "In the anime, Mamoru is a bit of selfish douchebag." I quickly turned to the King and smiled sheepishly. "No offense." I turned back to the cosplay couple. They had bought their food and were heading toward a table with several others, possibly friends. "Most people tend to agree with me." I looked back to Mamoru. "You're not very liked here. Usagi is a sweet girl and no one can understand why she'd pick such a selfish man, so the fans tend to hook her up with other characters."
"What other characters," Usagi asked slowly. She seemed terrified of the answer.
I laughed as I took a sip of my coke. "Do you really want to know," I asked and sat the can back onto the table. Usagi nodded and I could tell the others were just as interested.
"I would have to say, the other person fans like to hook Usagi up with would be Rei," I said.
My friends' collective jaw dropped as they sat, staring at me.
"I guess it makes sense," Ami said, being the first to come out of shock. Usagi and Rei, as well the others, turned to look at her. "You two are very close."
"Exactly," I agreed. "And the fans believe the love-hate relationship you once had as teenagers hid something more," I added, looking toward Rei.
"But it didn't," Rei said flatly. "Yes, I love her but she's my best friend. Of course I would love her."
I chuckled. "Don't take it personally." Rei gave me an are-you-serious look and I couldn't help but laugh. "Really, don't. I used to be one of those people who hooked you guys up. I outgrew it. The more saner ones always do."
"You used to pair us up," Mako-chan asked, amused.
"Oh god," I said, "I'm going to be in trouble now. Aren't I?" The group laughed at my discomfort but I nodeed and laughed myself. "Hai, I paired you guys up."
"Who were your favorite couples," Minako asked. She rested her chin in her hands and smiled at me. When talking about romance of any kind, Minako always paid attention.
I felt my face begin to burn as I looked at the senshi of love. "You and Mako-chan. I wrote many a story and drew many a picture." I looked over at Mako-chan and saw her blush. I turned my attention to Ami. "Sorry."
The group chuckled and I began to list my favorite pairings that were were now made up of my friends. "There is the Rei and Usagi pairing, of course. That's pretty much a staple. Then there is Mako-chan and Ami; Rei and Minako; Usagi and Price Diamond; Mamoru and Pluto; Michiru and Ami; Haruka and anything female." As everyone laughed, Haruka hit me in the face with a flying french fry. I just smiled at the blond.
"What was the weirdest pairing," Mako-chan asked.
I shifted in my seat. "I wouldn't call it weird so much as disturbing, but I did read a story about Mako-chan, Minako, and Artemis in a three way. He was still in his cat form."*
Everyone's face held a combination of disbelief and disgust. I shrugged, "Yeah, I wish I hadn't read it. Some things can't be undone." I laughed, and, thankfully, so did my friends.
As our laughter died down, I became aware of a man dressed as Chuck Greene staring at me from across the diner. He seemed confused at first, but then I saw him smile. He left his place in line and came over to us. As he approached, his smile grew.
"Caden," he said, resting a hand on the back of my chair. "Is that you?"
Terribly sorry this took so long to get out! I never forgot about this story and its been bugging me that its taken so long to get chapters out. It's been a rough year and I've had a major case of block. But, I'm hoping with this chapter that I'm finally over it. Here's hoping!
And even though I didn't use much of her info, thanks to SMColumbia for helping me with con stuff. I've never been and it was one of the reasons I was hung up on the chapter.
*This story is actually real and found here on FFN. Feel free to look for it. Just have brain bleach ready.