Magical Atoner Lyrical Alicia
Chapter Fourteen
Alicia smiled wryly as the young woman adjusted her dress. "I really think this is not a good idea," the young blond noted.
"You've been invited to the palace New Years party," Subaru laughed as she added, "it's a great honor, really."
"I'd rather pass on the honor," Alicia admitted, "this isn't the sort of thing that I'm all that comfortable with."
"Hmm," Subaru made a agreeing sound.
With how well Alicia was adapting with their era, she occassionally forgot that Alicia had been raised in another time and place. She had a certain degree of shyness, as well as being more comfortable being left alone, really.
"Well, at least Erica will be happy to see us," Subaru added.
"There is that," Alicia agreed. She smiled at Subaru, "Nice suit, by the way."
Subaru smiled back, the trousers and jacket a bit stiff on her. She thought about doing a dress, but... she just didn't like the neo-roman fad going around. Alicia just tended to ignore trends, and had picked out a simple dress, one that suited her lean form.
"So, are we flying to the palace or...?" Subaru asked curiously.
"Teleport," Alicia said firmly, "I have no wish to show passer-by my undies."
Subaru snickered at that. "Can you handle it?" she asked. "Raising Heart and I aren't too precise with teleporting, yet..."
"Can't have that," Alicia agreed as she extended Bardiche.
"Yes, Master," the staff intoned calmly.
"Set up, teleport by two, location, Tokyo Palace," Alicia ordered and in a burst of light they were gone from Alicia's rooms at the Hinata Inn.
They reappeared just outside the Palace security zone. A nice officer did a check of their IDs, then the two young ladies were ushered into the palace. Automated systems guided them to a lift, and in a few seconds they were at the massive ballroom where the party was happening.
"Hey, glad you made it!" Erica beamed, the sandy brown haired young woman hurrying over towards them through the crowded main hall.
"I bet," Subaru noted as she looked around them and observed, "we appear to be surrounded by old fogies."
"PLEASE don't say that near my parents," Erica laughed, "even though it's sort of true."
Alicia snickered softly. "So you just invited us to have someone to talk to?" she teased gently.
"The Queen invited you," Erica corrected, "she still feels she owes you for saving Lady Mercury from that bombing."
"Not owes," a black haired woman noted, "but greatful, maybe."
"Ran, good to see you," Alicia smiled at Ran Mizuno, also at least closer to their age.
"Please tell me I don't qualify as a old fogie," Ran added, getting a laugh from them all.
"Nah," Erica said, "you're pretty well preserved."
"Why you little..." Ran mock chased her while Alicia giggled.
"Well, someone is having fun," Usagi grinned as the pink haired girl hurried over. She was dressed in a silvery gown, a mirror of the one her mom was wearing. She usually wore matching dresses for formal events, then ducked out and changed.
"Ma'am," Alicia half bowed.
"Don't DO that," Usagi winced. "I get enough of that from the suckups who want access to Mother," she complained.
"It's not that bad, is it?" Subaru had to ask.
"Most locals know that Serenity is pretty much incorruptable," Usagi conceded, "but we get a lot of tries from the alien powers."
"That makes sense I guess," Alicia agreed. She looked at Usagi, Ran and Erica, "How have your parents taken your superheroing activities?"
"Pretty well," Erica nodded.
"They're resigned to it, pretty much," Usagi laughed.
"Not happy," Ran shrugged.
"It's your own fault for not telling them for years," Usagi rolled her eyes.
"Huh?" Alicia looked at Erica curiously as the other two snarked back and forth.
Erica dropped her voice. "Ran kind of ran away from home years back. At the time she developed powers like her moms', but kind on... neglected to tell them," she explained.
"How long did this go on?" Subaru wondered.
"Several years. They've reconcilled now, but her parents are still kind of sensitive about it all," Erica explained.
"Ah," Alicia blinked. Considering her own... losses, she couldn't imagine running away from home, but it took all types, she supposed.
"Are we going to stay here until midnight or...?" Usagi asked after a bit.
"Hell no," Ran grinned. "We'll put a appearance in, meet the Queen, break Hotaru away and take off," she said.
"I still can't get over how casually you say," Alicia smiled, "meet the Queen. Every time I do that, my knees get weak."
"I grew up with it," Erica shrugged.
The semi-formal reviewing line moved up, and eventually the young women were faced with the gorgeous, silver haired queen. "Alicia, it's good to see you again," Queen Serenity said sincerely, "and you brought a guest?"
"Subaru Yagami," Alicia introduced the blushing girl.
"Ma'am," Subaru ducked her head shyly.
Serenity hid her amusement well as she said gravely, "It's nice to meet you, young lady." Looking over at Alicia she continued, "I understand your problems with the TSAB have been resolved?"
"Yes," Alicia smiled back as she said, "and thank you for getting involved. I could probably have handled it, but..."
Serenity just waved it off. "You are a citizen of Crystal Tokyo, we stand by our own," she said, then added, "besides, you have done much to protect the Realm."
Alicia blushed again, "Ma'am."
Serenity took pity on her and changed the subject. "I expect Usagi, Ran and Erica are taking you out to celebrate New Years?" she asked impishly.
"That would be the plan," Subaru admitted, wondering how the Queen knew. Then again, one of them was her daughter...
"Well, could I ask for a little favor?" Serenity actually batted her eyes.
"Yes?" Alicia asked a bit warily.
"Do you think you could keep an eye on them for me?" Serenity asked. She smiled wryly, "They got into a bit of trouble last year, so I'd feel better if someone responsible was along."
"You do realize you're asking a teen to be responsible for adults?" Subaru had to point out.
"Sad, isn't it?" Serenity agreed.
"We'll try," Alicia said with a laugh. "No promises."
"That's all I can ask," Serenity said.
"Mom, please!" Usagi complained as she hurried up with Hotaru. "I'm a responsible near adult," she pouted cutely.
"Would you mind if we steal these two?" Hotaru asked, the older woman looking amused, "the others are impatient and the night is young."
"Have fun," Serenity waved as they hurried off.
King Endymion joined her a few moments later, having been tangled up with emissaries from the League. "Do you REALLY think she can keep them out of trouble?" he wondered.
Serenity kept her pleasant smile on her face as she answered, "Not a chance."
To be continued...