22.) Dust of Dreams
Dreams are true while they last, and do we not live in dreams?
- Lord Tennyson
SETSUNA
In the months that followed the final battle the aftermath of war was deal with in the way it always was; new treaties were being negotiated, resources were being allocated, and the spoils of war were being divided between the victors. The fallout was also being dealt with as best as possible.
The Martians would begin their attempts at rebuilding their home world but Neptune and Uranus were deemed uninhabitable after Haruka and Michiru had attempted to return. The war had been won but the two planets had fallen into shadow; given enough time the worlds would be habitable again but that would take decades if not longer. The Neptunians and Uranians were already in discussions with various other planetary leaders about establishing colonies.
The idea was about as well received as it could have been, which is to say it went over abysmally. The politics involved were far too complex and convoluted to even allow negotiation on the matter. There was too much history between the people for that kind of measure.
For now the refugee camps on Lunar soil would have to do until it was no longer necessary, another solution would be reached soon enough.
The Lunar Empire was returning to normal, as if nothing had ever happened, peace and prosperity was swiftly returning despite the destruction that lingered in the rest of the galaxy. I sighed.
A part of me still regretted the decision I had made, things could have turned out so much differently... so much better in certain aspects.
However one thing was certain, hardship would find my friends again in the future when Beryl and Metallia returned. But now was not the time to worry about that, now was the time to celebrate.
Life in the Lunar capital had swiftly returned to normal, and as such, the talk of finalizing the Alliance quickly became a major issue. The war had convinced the Lunar court of the necessity of keeping the Martians around; they were now eager to see Rei and Minako wed.
I gave a small smile at the thought of Rei, her nerves were starting to show now that Prometheus and the High Queen had said that it was time. I understood her tension over the matter, especially considering her unease around nobility. That and how she had yet to meet the mother of her bride.
In the conversation to come, Rei would receive more answers than she wanted; certain truths would be revealed and not all of them would be easy for Rei to hear. It would end up alright in the end but first Rei had to meet with Aphrodite.
REI
Artemis rested a hand against my shoulder, gently guiding me towards the door. I looked over at him wondering why this was finally happening now. Lady Aphrodite had never felt any inclination to meet with me before, so what was she doing asking for me now?
"You have nothing to worry about." Artemis told me, obviously sensing my hesitation to open the door. "She just wanted to officially meet you before the wedding."
"And yet... I don't believe you." I muttered under my breath as I pushed open the door. For some reason I felt like I was walking into a battle unarmed and unprepared.
Once inside I paused, lingering near the exit as I made eye contact with Lady Aphrodite. Her eyes rooted my feet to the floor as I caught the hint of power in them, it wasn't power like I had become accustomed to seeing in Minako or Rhode. It was deeper, more like what I had sensed in Hades and Ares... the fact that this amount of power was emanating from a human was offputting.
"I suppose I should thank you." I said feeling the need to say something. The silence with which she watched me was becoming... uncomfortable. "You're the reason I'm alive after all."
"You don't need to thank me. When Ares chose you as his avatar I knew I couldn't let you be alone. Not with how things were looking on Mars and in the rest of the galaxy." Lady Aphrodite replied, I took a few steps closer.
"You...couldn't let me be alone?" I asked, feeling confused as to where this was going. Aphrodite leaned back in her seat, an indulgent smile on her face.
"Of course not." She told me. "We could not allow the avatar of Ares to be so alone, so lonely, in this era. And so Minako was created for you."
My eyes narrowed as a frown built on my face.
"What are you saying?" I asked, trying to keep the confrontational tone out of my voice. I didn't like what she was implying.
"Minako is not supposed to become the next Aphrodite because she is my daughter, Rhode will be the next Aphrodite." Lady Aphrodite stated in an enigmatic tone. I clenched my jaw, trying to sort through what Minako's mother was getting at. Eventually I sighed.
"I'm sorry but you've lost me... Isn't Rhode your daughter as well?" I questioned, Lady Aphrodite shook her head.
"No. Rhode is Aphrodite XXVII's daughter, not mine. Minako is not her daughter but she's mine. I rocked back on my heels, trying to get this straight.
A goddess was Minako's mother?
"So she's..." I pinched the bridge of my nose trying to figure this whole thing out. "She's Phobos and Deimos' half sister?"
Aphrodite looked pleased that I had caught on so quickly.
"Yes, you must have noticed how quickly they took to each other. Some part of Minako recognizes them for what they are."
"Why are you telling me this?" I gritted out, feeling a headache building behind my eyes.
"Because, I want you to know that we didn't intend for you to be alone... or for you to suffer. It was just unfortunate timing." Aphrodite paused again, somethign stirred in the back of my mind before falling into place.
"Wait, is that why Rhode seems so much more attuned to others? Why she's... so open? She was supposed to be the one to inherit the powers associated with the title 'Lady Aphrodite'."
"Yes. Had Ares' not chosen you as his Avatar, Rhode would have been Aphrodite's eldest daughter. But looking at the timing, we decided that it would be best if your companion, your soul mate, be closer to you in age."
"And you didn't tell Minako any of this." I accused sharply, then I realized the tone I was taking with a goddess and softened it into a question. "Why?"
"Because I knew that she would chose not to become Aphrodite after meeting you, Ares and I have intertwined your fates to a degree that has never been seen before. Minako may have been created for you but without her you wouldn't have reached this point at all."
Aphrodite watched me, trying to see how much I was understanding of what she was saying. I still felt a bit shell shocked. I raised a hand to massage my temples, trying to rid myself of the pressure that was building. Aphrodite seemed to understand that I wasn't going to say anything for she began to speak again.
"She influences you as you influence her. It's why the time lines have been in flux around you, Minako was not supposed to exist... and since your life revolves around her, you are unpredictable." Aphrodite explained. "Setsuna can see most of your time lines and potential, as well as Minako's, but sometimes the two of you cause the unexpected to happen."
"Like me dying? Well, that and coming back to life?" I asked her somewhat wearily, resigning myself to the headache.
There was a look of profound sadness on her face at my words but the goddess nodded, I could sense the pain in her but it didn't press against me like Minako's emotions sometimes did; it just lingered there, allowing me to read every feeling that flitted through her.
"I am sorry for everything you have had to suffer. Everything you two have gone through..." Aphrodite sighed and in her I could see something of Ares; that frustration I had seen in him during our earlier discussion painted her as well.
"Sometimes I worry we did the wrong thing." She continued then she paused, looking thoughtful. "I fear I may have put a bit too much humanity in her. Or not enough. It's hard to tell."
"So you let Minako believe for her entire life that she was meant to become Aphrodite?" I asked, unable to understand how a mother could do that to her daughter. I'd seen internal conflict Minako had faced over that issue, the arguments she had within herself. I felt the need to explain myself to Aphrodite.
"Minako... she struggled with that; well, she struggled with me. With choosing between the two." I muttered, feeling an almost accusing indignation on Minako's behalf. It was a slow growing anger but it seemed like it would soon flare up.
Aphrodite frowned again but did not refute the fact that she had caused her child pain. Instead she just accepted my implications and let them rest between us.
"Do you think it would have been kinder to raise her with the knowledge that she wasn't intended to be until you were chosen? To grow up as something akin to a demigod... to be alone in that sense?" Aphrodite asked me calmly, I rocked back on my heels; taking time to consider what she was saying.
"I see your point." I admitted finally. I'd grow up knowing that I was the avatar of a god and that had been isolating enough... and I had been given a family out of that deal. The two demigods had practically raised me so I was comfortable with being different. Minako wouldn't have had that, she would have looked at Eros and Rhode and felt alienated. Aphrodite laid a hand on my shoulder.
"It was hard to tell what option was more merciful. And I'm sorry you had to suffer for our show of kindness to Minako." She told me. I frowned, not quite understanding her meaning... but then I got it.
All her life Minako had believed she was to become the next Aphrodite and despite that she had wanted a more singular love. A soul mate; a type of relationship she had failed to recognize between the two of us... because deep down she didn't believe she was capable of that kind of love.
"Fuck." I swore softly under my breath as I continued to contemplate what had happened.
"I honestly don't think I'd have it any other way." I finally admitted. My initial meeting with Minako and the subsequent interactions could have gone better... and my childhood wasn't exactly painless but that had made me who I was. I may not always be comfortable with who I was but... that was getting better. And that was because of my interactions with Minako.
All of them, the good and bad.
APHRODITE
I rose out of my seat, turning to face my partner. He was smiling to himself, looking pleased with the way things had turned out... despite the fact that along the way things had gone horribly horribly wrong.
"What?" I asked, a hint of curiousity in my voice. It had been a fair while since I'd seen him look so content.
"The kid's getting married and that daughter of yours is finally acting reasonable." Ares chuckled. "I'm just happy."
"Even with everything that has gone wrong?" I asked him, still feeling regret over the past. He sighed.
"Especially becuase of that." He told me. "You spoke to Rei. You explained things and you set up a way for them to be together always. I couldn't be happier with how things are turning out for my Avatar."
"Even if she dies?"
"Dying is guaranteed for them." He stated, I knew that fact as well as he did but for some reason he didn't seem as concerned about it as I did.
"You can't kill an idea, Aphrodite, you can only kill those who hold it. It's a fact of life but so long as someone somewhere has that idea held in their heart or in their head... it will live on. And you tying those to girls together means that idea will always live." Ares explained, once again I was taken aback by the simplicity and straightforwardness of his thinking. "You're going to make them soul mates and that will never die even when they do. That's all I need to know to be happy. If making my Avatar experience happiness is the last thing we're able to do in this realm, well, it's worth it."
REI
I balled up yet another design, tossing it at the wall so it fell to join the others. I sighed. I wasn't very good at this. Ask me to design her a sword and I would have no problem... but a ring? I had no idea where to begin. Well, I did... I just had not way to put my idea down on paper so that anyone else could understand it.
My artistic capabilities were sorely lacking in this department... among others. I brought the charcoal pencil back down to the parchment, beginning the sketching process again. It only took me a few seconds before I hated everything about it. This time I didn't even bother balling it up, I just pushed the top paper away and started again.
Half an hour and six failed ideas later, I tossed the pencil down on the table and leaned back in my chair. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I groaned, still unable to get over how royally screwed I was. The door was pushed open and Michiru slipped into the room, smiling at me.
"I take it you're having trouble?" She asked. I grabbed the most recent, and worst, sketch and wadded it up before incinerating it in my hand. No one needed to see the evidence of that particular idea.
"Shut up." I grumbled, she laughed and came to sit next to me.
"You have an idea in mind, yes?" She asked, pulling the last piece of parchment in front of her and picked up the charcoal pencil.
"Yeah but..." I started.
"I was wondering why I was getting the urge to draw out a ring. Then I remembered what you told me about Martian customs and I realized you were probably in here contemplating burning the entire palace down." She explained as she began to sketch, I leaned over in interest... seeing the ring I'd imagined take shape on the page.
"I'd almost forgotten that you could do that." I admitted as she slid the finished sketch over to me. "Thank you."
"You're welcome Rei, now I think you should go round up your assistants. You're going to need a lot of time to make this design work out."
PROMETHEUS
"Where do you think you're going?" Deimos asked me, laying a hand on my chest preventing me from leaving. I looked back at her as she continued. "You're her closest male relative, you share blood; you're supposed to help Rei make the ring for Minako."
I looked over to Phobos, he was lounging on one of the couches looking thoroughly disinterested in my departure.
"It's not about blood, it's about family." I told them, not knowing how they didn't understand this. They were the children of Ares for gods' sake. I continued, trying to make my point as clear as possible. "In a normal family the closest male relative would be the father. And we are all well aware of the fact that Cycnus wasn't her family or her father. Phobos, you raised her. You protected her. You cared for her. This is your right and privilege more than it is mine."
"Rei? It looks like its up to you to explain things." Phobos prompted, he had a smile on his face. He was her family and he knew it. Rei looked between him and I, almost seeming at a loss for words then she frowned.
"Are you serious? I actually have to explain?" She asked, finally looking at Deimos for help. Deimos gave a shrug. Rei sighed, looking towards me. Her expression was grim.
"With all due respect, Autokrater..." Rei said, I tried not to wince at the use of my title. I knew from the beginning that it was perfectly clear who Rei would choose. Her eyes refused to leave mine, her expression almost warming as she continued. "You're being an idiot; you're both going to help me make that damn ring. Why do you think I askyou here in the first place?" I only just managed to hear her mutter under her breath. I let out a laugh at the annoyed tone in her voice. I approached her, laying a hand on her shoulder.
"And you're sure about this?" I asked, unsure if I was being serious or just trying to annoy her. Being able to treat her as family was still a foreign thing to me and we both seemed uncomfortable with it in the presence of most people.
Rei didn't say anything, she just glared. Phobos rested his elbow on her other shoulder, leaning down over the table where some hastily drawn designs were scattered.
"You really think you're going to need that much help, Koraks? Have you lost all your talent around fire and metal?" He asked her in a mockingly condescending tone, Rei sighed and shook her head; already looking a bit annoyed with the two of us.
"You should have thought twice about having two older brothers, Rei." Deimos told her, sounding sympathetic.
"My idea is a bit more complicated than just a ring Phobos..." Rei said, pulling a folded piece of paper out of her pocket. She unfolded it and tossed the sketch on to the table, I immediately recognized the Neptunian woman's artistic style. Both Phobos and I leaned closer, trying to figure out how exactly we were going to make this work.
MINAKO
"Who will say their vows first? My mother asked, looking between Rei and I. I caught Rei's eye, this was something we hadn't discussed. Then I noticed the half smirk on Rei's face, her eyes were dancing with humour.
"Go ahead, commander." She prompted, giving a bit of a bow. I laughed softly, this was probably another one of the annoying Martian marks of status or something. I'd have to talk to her about this later, we were equals in this relationship and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I glanced over Eros, who passed me the ring he'd helped me craft, we were having a Venusian wedding so we thought we should follow the Martian's tradition around the symbols of our vows.
I met Rei's eyes again, starting to feel a bit shaky again. My sheer happiness over the fact we were getting to do this at all was nearly overwhelming. I took a calming breath as I took Rei's hand in mine and started in with the vows I'd written, following the Venusian template. I said them first in my native tongue, slipping the ring on to her finger, then repeated them in Lunar Common.
"With these rings we unite our hearts in tenderness and devotion." I started with the traditional opening line then started in on the personal vows. "We promise to dedicate our lives to the creation of a loving world. A world of peace, hope, and respect for all people."
I took a breath, letting the calm I felt from Rei erase everyone else from the room.
"We will forever honour each others cultures as we join customs to form a trusting relationship." I'd chosen my vows very carefully. I wanted Rei to feel proud of her heritage and world. I was vowing to learn all that I could about her people and world so that maybe, I could help her find that pride in herself and where she came from. I wanted Rei to love herself as much as she loved me.
"Do you, Minako, forever promise to uphold those vows?" My mother asked me with a proud smile on her face.
"I do." I stated, trying not to grin like a fool as my mother placed her hand under our joined hands. Rei gave my fingers a soft squeeze as my mother's attention turned to her; she gave Rei a simple encouraging nod, prompting her to continue.
I watched as Rei turned slightly to Prometheus and Phobos, both of whom brought forth a small band of metal and linked them together. A few quick motions were completed by the two of them and the band interlocked; creating a single, intricately designed ring. Eros let out a low whistle, even he was impressed. Together they placed the ring in Rei's hand.
Then Rei looked over to me, taking my right hand with her left just as I had done with her. Our other hands hadn't broken contact in the slightest. I could see both Prometheus and Phobos smile as she began to say her vows.
Listening to Rei speak in her native tongue was now enthralling to me but I wasn't surprised when she didn't slip the ring on my finger during the opening line like she was supposed to. I'd heard her speak Martian before, arguing with her father over something, and as far as I could tell... when she wanted to emphasize her point she would switch to Lunar common. She was trying to further distance herself from her roots. Her full acceptance of her heritage would take time.
Rei gave me an indecipherable look as she brought the ring closer to my finger, her eyes never leaving my face. She cleared her throat and began to repeat her vows. I could see the fondness in her eyes as well as feel the emotion in her heart.
"With these rings we unite our hearts in tenderness and devotion." Rei stated clearly in Venusian rather than Lunar Common like we had planned. I was taken aback, I hadn't known she could speak our language.
Her hand was steady as she slipped the ring on to my finger, then she continued on with her Venusian vows. A smile rested gently on her face.
"From this day forward our lives will be intertwined forever, blessed in faith, and filled with compassion, understanding, and love. We will forever protect, support, and encourage each other through life's joys and sorrows as we create a meaningful future."
"And do you, Rei, forever promise to uphold these vows?" Aphrodite asked her, bringing her other hand to rest on top of mine, holding our joined hands together.
"I do." Rei's head nodded involuntarily as she spoke the last two words in Venusian. I didn't even hear the rest of my mother's words, feeling an unfamiliar sensation wash over me. It was like the world had suddenly righted itself and I was finally where I was meant to be. I found myself glancing down as Rei's warm hands left mine, my attention instantly snapped back to the ceremony.
I wrapped my arms around Rei as we brought our lips together. The kiss was short and relatively chaste then Rei pulled back again; just to look into my eyes... seeming like she wanted to do nothing but get lost in them. I felt my mother's hand rest gently on my back and I tore my gaze away from Rei, her other hand had settled on Rei's shoulder.
"Welcome to the family, Rei." My mother told her softly, with an unfamiliar tone in her voice. I looked to Rei trying to see what she made of my mother's tone... but her eyes hadn't left my face. Even without trying to sense her emotions I could tell she was completely at ease and entirely happy.
REI
I leaned back in my seat, not even feeling slightly obligated to conceal my boredom with this celebration. Most of the nobles present had accused me of conspiring against the Lunar Empire and, barely months ago, they had treated me like a criminal and accused me of warmongering. I didn't feel any need to be civil to these two faced bastards.
I felt Minako's hand settle on mine and I looked over at her, suddenly realizing my poor mood was probably a bit discouraging for her but instead of sadness or even slight annoyance I saw that familiar look of fondness on her face.
"It all seems a bit hypocritical, doesn't it?" She whispered. I smiled at her, giving a nod. She reached by me, refilling my glass again.
"You trying to get me drunk?" I asked her teasingly, trying to ignore my complete and utter disgust for the farce we had been dragged in to.
"No, I'm trying to help you relax until Eros finishes gathering the others."
"What?"
"You honestly think I'd make you suffer through this all night? We're escaping to the common room as soon as possible, Eros is just letting our friends and other family members know. They'll join us there. You were too busy glaring at the aristocracy to notice Eros and I setting this up."
I smiled at her.
"Thank you. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to take this before.." My voice trailed off, I wasn't entirely sure how to finished that sentence.
"Before you set someone on fire?" Minako questioned innocently with a smirk on her face. I laughed, squeezing her hand.
"Pretty much. I'm not a huge fan of protocol and... well, this kind of thing bothers me." I replied.
"I know, Michiru told me that this kind of event would drive you insane. And that it might even drive you to forget your desire to avoid bloodshed." Minako explained, her tone light. I looked over.
"How often do the two of you talk about me?" I asked her lowly, well aware of the fact that she and Michiru had been spending more and more time together lately... and that all their conversations stopped abruptly when I was close enough to try and hear what they had been discussing.
"Every chance we get. She was telling me a rather amusing story about taking you horse back riding..." Minako teased.
"I'm going to kill her." I muttered under my breath, sending a glare in Michiru's direction. She and Haruka were lingering by the entrance. Michiru seemed to know exactly what Minako and I were currently discussing for she sent me a taunting smile and a cheerful wave. I rolled my eyes. Was it a bad thing I was pretty sure some part of me still loved her?
"No." Minako told me, pressing a kiss to my cheek. I looked over at her questioningly. "You two are best friends, of course you love her. I can feel it in you... and that doesn't mean you love me any less."
"Venusians..." I sighed, pulling back as she slapped at my arm.
"I think I liked it better when you were still wary of me." Minako whispered back, still trying to be discreet in front of the gathered nobles.
"Oh, don't worry Commander. I'm still incredibly wary of you." I told her in mock reassurance, earning myself an elbow in the ribs for the use of the title. "Now, are we sneaking out of here or not?"
"Just wait. They're going to set off fireworks in half an hour, we'll leave when everyone is distracted." She told me, gesturing towards the balcony. I looked over, seeing a collection of fireworks assembled and ready to be lit. I smirked, concentrating on igniting the fuse so we could retreat sooner rather than later.
MINAKO
"Rei, I can't believe you did that." Michiru laughed as she and Haruka joined us in the hallway. Rei was smiling as she held on to my hand, slowing so the two of them could catch up with us. We'd beaten a hasty retreat from the hall when the fireworks spontaneously went off.
"I was annoyed." Rei replied with a shrug.
"Nereid was right, you are trouble." Haruka grinned, nudging Rei in the arm. "Now come on you two, Ami and Makoto took off a while ago to start setting up the common room. They should be done by now."
"What?" I asked, all I had requested was a chance to get out of there and spend a relaxing evening with our friends and family rather than the hordes of nobles... who so obviously terrified Rei.
Rei had been ready to run and hide the moment we joined the gathering. Which was something else I now understood after talking to Michiru,
Rei hated politics because her entire life she had been well aware that they were the only thing keeping her alive... so she had to be incredibly wary of any missteps around the Lunar Court and the other planetary leaders just in case they decided to withdraw their support of our marriage... and send her to her death.
I felt the now familiar twinge of sadness and regret over Rei's hardships again before I felt her fingers squeeze mine. I did my best to push the thoughts aside, knowing that Rei hated it when I felt bad for her. She wanted to live in the now rather than in the past.
"You really think we'd allow you two to avoid celebrating your wedding? You've got to be joking." Haruka asked with another laugh. "Of course we're dragging you back into the festivities."
I glanced over at Rei, trying to figure out if she was okay with this.
REI
When I noticed Minako was trying to figure out my thoughts on this impromptu celebration I looked over at Haruka.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Lead the way."
"I guess you Martians aren't as boring as I thought." Haruka chuckled as she pushed open the doors to the common room. A quick glance around showed that all our close family and friends had been assembled.
I flicked my gaze to Minako, feeling my earlier commitment to this whole party idea wane. This was more Minako's area than it was mine; I was currently fighting the urge to put my back to a wall and remain there for the rest of the night. Even though the room was filled with people I knew and generally got along with I couldn't shake a life time of instinct... but I'd give it my best effort.
"We're going to have to socialize, aren't we?" I asked Minako, intentionally allowing my tone to be unenthusiastic at which she laughed.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you from the hardships of conversation."
"Good." I stated, noticing that Eros was headed our way. "Because a talk with your brother is something I could go my entire life without experiencing again."
Minako laughed again, shoving my shoulder and sending me off in the other direction.
"Go hide with Nereid and Michiru for a few moments then, he probably just wants to say goodnight to me. I think one of Artemis' friends caught his eye earlier."
I nodded and let go of her hand reluctantly even though I had wanted a moment away from her to speak to Michiru about something. Instead of focusing on the fact I was parting with Minako I concentrated on weaving my way through the room to join Nereid.
"Rei." She greeted, giving me a warm hug which I returned. "Congratulations. I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you, Nereid. It was good to have you at the ceremony... it was nice to have family there." I said in response, catching Michiru's eye as I thanked her mother; trying to indicate that we needed to talk.
"It was wonderful to be there... now, I can see that you want a word with Michiru." Nereid commented, but I got the feeling that she wasn't just leaving to give Michiru and I privacy. As she left, I could see that her eyes were a bit watery.
"That was nicely done Rei." Michiru laughed. "I forgot how easily you could make my mother cry."
"It wasn't ever intentional." I grumbled. "I just..."
"Never knew how to handle the emotional connection you had with her?" Michiru teased. "I think that's why you ended up with an empath... she's the only one who can deal with your level of emotional idiocy."
"Speaking of Minako... I had a favour I wanted to ask of you. And Haruka if she's willing. Its about a bit of a... wedding present for Minako."
"Really?" Michiru asked sounding surprised. "I guess Minako is having more of a positive influence on you than I thought possible. Especially if you're trying to be romantic."
"Hey, I didn't hear you complaining about my emotional and romantic capabilities back when we were together." I retorted with a smile as Haruka joined us.
"Anyway, how familiar are you with Venusian wedding customs?" I asked them, then proceeded to explain what I had in mind. As the evening wore on, I eventually found myself seated on one of the couches with Minako; content to just lose ourselves in a world of two.
MINAKO
"So, I didn't know that you worked with metal..." I prompted, still admiring the ring that Rei had made with her brothers. Our hands were clasped, fingers woven together, so our rings were touching. I leaned back against her, just relaxing into the atmosphere of the common room.
"Phobos and Deimos taught me. It was mostly so I could forge my own weapons and not worry about them being sabotaged but... for some reason I took an interest in some of the more delicate works." She told me softly, running her free hand along the exposed skin of my arm.
I looked back at her, sensing something more in her words than what she was saying.
"You knew... didn't you?" I asked. "You knew that you'd be marrying a Venusian. Did you do it so we would have something in common?"
Rei laughed, a low and throaty sound, as she reached past me to pick up her drink.
"That wasn't the initial reason but looking back on it... it seems like it could have been a factor. Originally I just wanted to..." She paused searching for the right way to say her next words.
"I wanted to do something that wasn't based around war. I wanted to create, not just destroy." Rei told me, I could feel the smile that was running throughout her body. The emotion that accompanied it was freeing. "That ring though? That was all about showing off a bit."
"Did you see the look on Eros' face?" I asked her with a laugh. She chuckled and gave a nod before bringing her cup to her lips and taking a long drink. I raised our clasped hands to my lips and pressed a kiss to the ring on her finger. "You were full of surprises today."
Rei gave me a curious look as she set the drink down again.
"Oh really?" She asked me, brushing her lips against my shoulder.
"I didn't know you spoke Venusian." I told her, feeling almost guilty about not knowing any Martian.
"The Martian has a talented tongue." Haruka quipped, inserting herself into our conversation with her usual finesse. Rei laughed as Michiru swatted Haruka's shoulder. "Rei's knack for picking up languages with ease annoyed the hell out of me when I found out."
"It wasn't my fault you were incompetent at grasping even a child's understanding of Neptunian grammar and pronunciation." Rei muttered. Michiru looked over at me, already used to explaining the past to me.
"When Haruka was trying to learn Neptunian Rei already knew at least the basics of reading in each of the planets languages and was fluent in Neptunian, Common, and Venusian... as well as Martian of course." Michiru said before flicking her eyes over to Rei. "And annoying Haruka was intentional back then wasn't it?"
I smiled at Rei, poking my finger into her side.
"You were jealous weren't you." I commented, Rei grinned back at me.
"Everything about Haruka annoyed me back then. It wasn't so much jealously as the fact I wanted to make her feel stupid." Rei explained, causing Haruka to laugh and Michiru to shake her head. Ami and Makoto had drifted back towards us, returning from the balcony. I imagined they were starting to get a bit overwhelmed at seeing the extravagance of the Lunar Court where these kind of celebrations were concerned; their ceremony was to take place in a week.
"That is so much worse, Rei. I never thought you were intentionally being malicious." Michiru groaned sounding exasperated.
"Well, it did prompt me to get better at Neptunian as quickly as possible." Haruka pointed out, coming to Rei's defence as much as possible. "And considering the circumstances, I'd say that's a good thing. I don't think I'd have ever mastered it if it wasn't for my competitive streak... I couldn't let a Martian best me at anything."
Rei and Haruka both gave a bit of a laugh, ignoring the fact that Michiru was rolling her eyes at them. I decided to draw her attention with something I'd been meaning to ask for a couple of days now.
"So have you two thought any more about how to resolve the relocation problem of the Neptunian and Uranian citizens?" I asked Michiru but it was Rei who cleared her throat.
"Actually, I convinced Prometheus to reassess our stance where Terra is concerned. Instead of seizing control of it, as spoils of war or whatever, we're bringing it up for negotiation with the Neptunians and Uranians. We don't have the population anymore to establish our own colonies there but we're in need of the resources that it would provide. Basically the Neptunians and Uranians get to establish colonies in return for a generous trade agreement." Rei explained then gave a bit of a shrug. "Prometheus just finished clearing the offer with the Lunar Court, dealing with their political bullshit and all that; he was going to bring it up with the two of you tomorrow. I tried to convince him to just let your people have it but... I guess since he has the opportunity to negotiate from a position of strength, he's going to take it. So that's the best I could do."
"Rei..." Michiru breathed. "That's... fantastic, we were thinking that we'd have to fight for the right to keep our people as our people. After all, as a government, we lost almost all our negotiating power with the loss of our resources."
"How do you know we're going to be able to establish colonies there? Won't we have to worry about the Terran inhabitants?" Haruka asked, Rei shifted a bit looking a tad uncomfortable now. I squeezed her hand again, knowing what was making her feel like this.
"Prometheus, well, the Martian military, received permission from High Queen Serenity to go to Terra and establish control there by what ever means necessary." Rei explained with a sigh.. "But it turns out it wasn't necessary. The whole planet is devoid of human life. Whole cities were abandoned."
"So, what? We just move to Terra?" Haruka asked. "It can't be that easy, can it?"
"It seems like it will be. Unless the Jovians or Mercurians decide to kick up a fuss." Rei replied in an offhand tone, it seemed like she was losing interest in the conversation; her attention was becoming solely focused on me. Michiru and the others seemed like they were picking up on her distraction as well.
"Actually, I think I could convince my father to help your people get themselves established on Terra." Makoto said, drawing everyone's attention away from the two of us as Rei leaned her head against mine.
"Are we allowed to leave yet?" Rei whispered in my ear. I had the feeling being around this many people was a bit wearing for her. She had been less alert and on edge tonight thanks to the relaxing effects of the alcohol but I had the feeling that it could only do so much to suppress her survival instinct. I was used to her always looking over her shoulder, making sure she didn't get a knife in the back... frankly I was surprised she had lasted as long as she did.
I got to my feet pulling her up behind me. It was our wedding night, no one should be surprised that we were leaving this early. Especially not anyone who was familiar with Venusian customs.
Together Rei and I slipped out of the common room and made our way to our rooms. As we entered, Rei pulled the door shut behind us, I could already see her relaxing as she swung open the balcony doors, looking out at the starry night.
I stood next to her, leaning my head against her shoulder as we watched the night sky. Rei reached down and took my hand as the sound of music began to filter up from the party that was still going on in the common room. It was
"You still haven't gotten that dance you wanted." She said softly, guiding me out on to the balcony where she brought me closer to her.
"When did I say I wanted to dance?" I asked her, running back through our conversations of the evening.
"It was a couple of weeks ago, back when we were talking about our cultures wedding customs. You said you were sad that the Lunar way of doing things was so different; you told me you'd miss having the chance for a first dance." Rei told me. "You mentioned that it was a highly symbolic part of the union... and that it held sentimental meaning for the couple. You're going to have to explain all of that to me some other time though, I'm pretty sure Haruka and Michiru only know how to play the one Venusian song."
I leaned in and kissed Rei, so incredibly touched that she'd thought to do this for me. I settled my arms around her as our lips parted and we began a slow dance. The emotion I could feel building up in me was almost overwhelming.
"I'm so grateful that you gave me a chance to earn your trust... and the chance to deserve your love." I whispered.
AN: If you want this story to end happy... don't read the epilogue when ever it gets posted. I mean it will still end on a happy-ish note but it will be kinda bittersweet. And sorry for the long wait, it was finished like a month ago but I didn't have much access to the internet so this is pretty much the first opportunity I've had to post.