Notes: Episode 146, "Holiday in Juban City! A Carefree Princess". Or, "The one where that princess from another country just turns up for a day."

Episode 146

King Endymion paced the length of his bedroom, the slightest hint of a frown marring his otherwise impassive features. On every full circuit, he looked to the timepiece on the wall, then at the door, and then resumed pacing. Seconds continued to pass instead of hours, the door refused to open, and Endymion's patience eroded.

When, finally, Neo Queen Serenity entered, he was instantly before her. Now relief battled with concern, and his wife patted him on the arm.

"All taken care of," she assured him. "Don't be grumpy, otherwise what's the point?"

His fingers were worrying the hem of his lavender coat again. Serenity didn't try to hide her smile. Honestly, he was too cute when he got like this.

Endymion, however, was failing to see the cute in the situation. "Luna again?" he asked.

"No, she's in New New York, remember?"

Endymion winced was small, but undeniable. "There IS no 'New New York'," he corrected in a gentle voice, which grew harsher as he added, "I wish you'd stop listening to Venus about … well about anything, really."

Before Serenity could object, Endymion sat on the edge of their bed and clasped both of her hands in his. She'd gotten her way (like he'd ever learned how to tell her no), but there was still time to change her mind. "Serenity, these are important trade relations—"

"Which aren't until tomorrow," she pointed out, jostling their hand-bundle. "Today's a boring old thing they're doing to impress me. I don't want to be impressed. I hate when people do that."

A crease appeared between her eyebrows and her lower lip jutted out. So many centuries had passed, and yet some things never changed. This pout was one of them.

"Still, we should be there," Endymion insisted, though with less conviction than he'd like. It was a winning pout, as well Serenity knew.

As quickly as the pout came, it vanished. "We're represented, it's fine. Trust me."

"But—"

"Endymion." Her voice no longer held the hint of childish petulance. "Am I your queen?"

At first, he didn't answer. Endymion released Serenity's hands, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. When her knees touched the edge of the bed, he rested his chin on her middle and gazed up at her. "Always."

"Then my queenly order," she said, running her hand through his hair, "is that you stop worrying and kiss me."

He stretched up to meet her. What choice did he have? "As you command."

... ... ...

"How could she do this to me?!" Mars demanded. Her voice echoed in the throne room antechamber, which did little to subdue its anger and slight trace of panic. "I don't want anything to do with this!"

Her fellow Senshi were anything but sympathetic, and it was doing absolutely nothing to improve Mars' mood.

Venus waved her hand airly. Mars had to resist the urge to bite it off. "Oh you're always in on these, what's the problem?"

"I'm in on the negotiating part, not all this …" She searched for the right word and gestured angrily at the room beyond. "This FROOP. I just stand there like you guys do. I don't want to have to look interested!"

None of this was helping. Time to go on the offensive.

"Ami-chan!" Mars whirled on Mercury, who immediately looked at the ceiling, at the floor, at anywhere but her friend's accusing eyes. "They aren't even sick, are they?"

"I- I should go run some scans," Mercury replied to no one in particular, "in case this is a new plague."

"You always say it's a new plague! It's never a new plague!" yelled Mars as Mercury disappeared around the corner.

"And you're welcome!" Mercury shouted from down the hallway.

Well that didn't work, but there were still two perfectly viable not-her options. "Mako-chan, you do it!"

Jupiter calmly crossed her arms. "Nope. I'm a bodyguard. I guard bodies."

Mars might have actual steam pouring from her ears by now. It felt like it. Jupiter stubbornly refused to be moved however. "How did you get the easy job?" Mars muttered.

A full-toothed crooked grin was Jupiter's only answer.

Which only left one other option. "Uh-uh," Venus said, preemptively.

"Come on, Minako. You're good with the public. They LOVE you."

Never let it be said that Rei Hino was above a little flattery when it was in her favour. But never let it be said that Minako Aino felt the need to repay it.

"True," Venus readily agreed. "But A: Serenity ordered YOU to do it …"

Mars ground her teeth at that. Vengeance would be hers, oh yes.

"And B: I have to introduce the receiving party! You can't introduce yourself, Rei-chan," Venus told her with a haughty lift to her chin. "that's just gauche."

"But …"

Jupiter peeked through the door and actually gave a little hop. "I think they've finished setting up!" she exclaimed with no small amount of glee.

There was no more time. Mars crumpled for just a moment, accepting her fate, then pulled together and stood proudly. She would meet this challenge with the same strength and dignity she met all challenges.

Venus strode to Mars, utterly unaffected by the piercing glare shooting at her. She fluffed purple bow, brushed the back of her hand across the red fuku collar, and then stepped back and considered Mars critically. Mars peered down her nose at Venus, but otherwise stood at stiff attention.

"Well they're already getting you, so how much more disappointed can they be?" Venus said, spinning on her heel and missing as Mars' glare turned murderous.

Like she hadn't seen it a million times before anyway.

Venus clapped her hands together. "Showtime!" she announced, before entering the throne room with a grand flourish.

Mars hesitated a moment longer, Jupiter at her side. "Hey, Mako-chan?" Mars peered up at her friend, her jaw set in determination but her eyes miserable. "If you see something coming to kill me? Don't stop it."