Oh to see it with my own eyes
-Local Natives, "Wide Eyes"

She knew where the transportation ship was only because she had so much time to herself to explore the Palace. While she didn't feel regret for leaving it all behind, there was some aspect of it that made her realize she was going to miss it. From what Minako had implied, going home wasn't an option. Or perhaps it was because the blonde was so busy that going home honestly wasn't an option.

Thinking of the blonde, her gaze cast itself besides her. There she kept pace through sheer will alone, looking paler by the footstep however which only seemed to cause her teeth to grit further. Not that she could hear, but she was fairly certain that she was grinding them by now. Up ahead Lord Artemis led the way, dressed in white he was a study in contrasts to the palace they were leaving.

She paid no mind to the surroundings though part of her wanted to; she lived an archaic life that all of a sudden to be thrust into technology such as interplanetary travel was enough to leave anyone wondering if it was wise or not. There would be plenty of time for that later she suspected. Phobos and Deimos said nothing, not even a caw just the occasional ruffle of wings and feathers as they remained perched to her shoulders. A simple pack carried her belongings as they had for so many years.

"Fuck…" The blonde's favorite word drew her away from her musings, looking over at her. She had stopped, looking pensively behind them though instead, it was truthfully well beyond the palace she was looking. For a moment more she lingered, looking back in her direction. "The temple… I told the guide that… I'd let them know you were ok." She finished with, looking almost ashamed. Save that she didn't think the blonde could pull off such a look.

"I already sent message to them, while you were recovering." Came her response, which was quite true because she had. She had written a letter and even had received a reply to it, not that Minako needed to know what was being said but she had her own obligations and debts to pay off. A blink was her answer, that and a slight grin before the blonde returned to walking.

Afforded a look at her back she said nothing more, frowning slightly that she would let it go so easily. It drew back to the forefront her thoughts she had earlier, about why the blonde was even here. She had been answered in a fashion she knew, it was a true answer, but it didn't mean she had to completely like it. That she could be so … so … almost frivolous with her word was not settling well.

It was put to rest though once Minako stopped Artemis outside the transport ramp that led to the ship. "I want to send a letter, something, to a temple not that far from here."

"Minako, we are already late, the Queen is expecting-" Was as far as he got before he was promptly cut off by her further.

"It's my head Artemis. Mine, not yours. I gave my word that I would do something and I have every intention to. With or without your consent."

He relented; if she could write it he would see that before they left, someone would be on their way with it. It seemed to satisfy her as she stepped inside the transport ship, ignoring her injuries to immediately begin her written word, grabbing parchment and pen, ignoring the crew that was trying to do their own job. Meeting his eyes she shrugged her shoulders, almost used to the blonde getting what she wanted she followed after her, doing her best not to openly stare at everything.

A smaller ship, it boasted a crew of half a dozen, divided into a few areas. The piloting was up front she assumed, the middle seemed to be a small area meant for talking if the seats and tables were any indication. Next was sleeping quarters, a medical room; that she knew because someone was trying to get Minako to with them to it once Artemis was onboard and stating she was injured, and the rest was the engine room or storage or something. She didn't know ships and so just guessed and assumed to be correct in it.

It was a lot to take in, instead she carefully chose a chair at the other end of the table that Minako was writing at, pointedly ignoring that the crew member was still trying to get her back to the bay. "I'll make sure she gets there." She finally answered with, earning herself the sight of the crew member nearly jumping back, eyes wide as they darted from either raven to her then to the blonde and back to her again. A hasty nod and the person all but fled, perhaps to warn whoever the lucky person was in medical that one insufferable blonde would be arriving shortly.

"Keeping that eye on me hmm?" The blonde asked while she wrote, hurrying but you could never tell by the perfect penmanship that was filling the page. Finishing however she scribbled something more before folding it neatly. Holding it up she looked at her even while directing Artemis to take the letter, waiting for him to leave to see to its delivery before she spoke further. "I promised… now." A breath was released as she slumped back in the chair, the energy leaving her. "Now I suppose I … should get to medical…"

She was trying so hard to play it off and for what? Was this all false bravado for her? Was it truly necessary? She frowned slightly before rising, ignoring the squawk of Phobos and Deimos who hopped to table to stay. Grasping the blonde by the arm she hauled her up to her feet, pushing herself towards the back of the ship. "There's no suppose about it. Go." Brooking no argument she collected the blonde's falchion that still was slung over her shoulder. "You can get this back after you've been good. Now go."

Watching Minako sputter for a moment was completely worth it. The look however in her eyes that followed was not, not when it seemed so … unnerving. Like she liked being told what to do. She was almost taken aback by it, but held firm to her resolve until the blonde finally smiled something at her, and for once, did what she was told without further word.

The ship had taken off; that was an experience. From the window she watched as Mars, the only home she knew and even then, just a fraction of it, grew smaller and smaller. The eeriness of a black sky dotted by stars, satellites, and planets made her red homeland stand out all the more. For hours it was all she had done, just watching from her seat at the window. She had found the sleeping quarters; a bed really with shelves under it, that were assigned to her and left her own meager belongings and the blonde's falchion there.

Otherwise, the seat saw her attention. Minako was currently passed out asleep in medical she found out, numerous stitches reapplied from where her wound had reopened. Otherwise everyone left her alone, finding the solitude welcomed to process what it was like to be in a foreign environment. Alone, otherwise… until Artemis appeared before her, a gesture to the seat across the way in inquiry if it was open.

Nodding to him she watched as he sat down, how his teal eyes flickered out of the window before they looked at her. She met his stare straight on, hardly intimidated though truthfully, curious. Why did him and Minako not get along for starters. What was the apparent bad blood, because someone would have to be blind to not see it. He seemed … nice … for the little she had interacted with him thus far, but appearances were deceiving. The blonde taught her that quite well.

"You're taking rather well to space flight." He spoke flawless Martian, a hint of an accent but most would let it slide by without calling attention to it.

"It's actually rather fun."

A smile came at her words as he leaned back slightly. "Minako positively hates it. You'd never guess though, given everywhere she's been. To Mercury and Jupiter, she's even been all the way to Neptune. And now to Mars."

"Maybe it's because she feels like she gets no time to herself."

He blinked, the smile falling instantly before he sighed. A soft nod came, his agreement to such statements. "She works hard, too hard. A break, even for a week… I think it would do her good."

"Then why doesn't she take it?"

"You … don't understand. She's … well." He started then trailed off, recollecting his thoughts before he shook his head. "I should do this properly. My name is Artemis, I am one of Queen Serenity's advisors. I also serve on her council as tactician of the Lunar forces, as well as a diplomat."

She inclined her head, keeping it short and to the point. "Rei. I am a Priestess."

"And the Princess of Mars."

She snorted, saying nothing.

"A sore subject, my apologies. May I call you Rei?"

"If you insist."

A nod was her answer, folding his hands before him. "I don't know what Minako has told you, about why all of this came to be."

"A bit, but … this is about her. Why won't she take a break? It looks like she has a problem with you, a feud of some sort, bad blood." She kept her tone matter of fact, not taking a side but instead, calling it for what she saw it to be.

He released a soft breath, nodding before it seemed he squared his shoulders. Meeting her gaze straight on, he spoke without pause. "Minako is the Princess of Venus. She is also the commander of the guard, namely yourself and the Princesses of Mercury and Jupiter as well, which makes up Princess Serenity's guard. In addition, she's a member within the Lunar forces. Guarding the Princess is her first and foremost duty, but it means that there are numerous things she is responsible for as well. From logistical standpoints, to security, to nearly everything else. If it involves the Princess in some fashion, chances are Minako is part of it. It requires meetings and coordination on her behalf, ensuring that at all times the Princess is protected against any pausible threat that may arise. When she is not in meetings, she is training; she's a fighter as she's shown herself to be. That kind of skill doesn't come naturally so she drills like the rest of the army does. When Minako sleeps no one knows. When she eats, no one knows. When she does anything that is not living and breathing all of this … no one really knows."

"But you said that Mercury and Jupiter are part of this Princess' guard. Why aren't they doing anything." She didn't bother phrasing it like a question, too intent on receiving an answer.

"They've just arrived. She essentially returned from Mercury to immediately set off for Jupiter, only to turn around and find you."

"She's been … wait, what? She's been doing all of that shit by herself?" The blonde was rubbing off on her in more than one fashion, picking up her less than savoury language. "Why? You're this Queen's advisor, why didn't you say anything?"

"Minako is from Venus. Everyone. Everyone knows what Venusians are like." Softly he answered her, looking down at the table.

"What the fuck does that have to do with anything?! You all are working her into the ground and for what?! What are you making her prove!" She felt her gaze narrow, standing up for the woman that though insufferable, deserved more than what everyone gave her. "What did you make her do." She whispered after a moment, refusing to let his gaze move anywhere away from her own.

"Venusians, like many others, are judged by everyone. We're all guilty of our stereotypes, of generalizations. Jovians are brutes. Mecurians are cold logic. Martians are stubborn, so on and so forth. Even I am, and I am from Mau, well outside of this system. When Minako arrived to court, many, including myself, wondered why a Venusian answered the call that the Queen set forth. Why had a Venusian done so, when no one else had. Not a single person from Jupiter, or Neptune, or even Mars answered the first message the Queen had sent. No one from the great planets known for warriors and fighters, visionaries and technology, mystics and sorcery. It was a Venusian, a planet that everyone knows is full of people more concerned about the sexual manifestation of love, the hedonistic desires, and all things beautiful. She came, by herself, not even with a herald or ladies in waiting. She requested an audience and before the entire court, she knelt, drew her falchion, and swore an oath that she would serve. That she was here to answer the Queen's message on behalf of Venus."

He took a breath. She understood why at once, but she still listened. "The assembled court laughed. At first it was contained; these were proper nobles after all. But soon enough a snicker made itself known, then another one. Like wildfire it spread. It wasn't loud, but it was jarring. It drove the point home. No one believed her; what use was a Venusian? Would she just fuck her way out of any situation? The Queen stopped the laughter but the damage had been done. Woe be it to anyone that doubts a woman's pride and wounds it so, and Minako's, by and large, had been most grievously assaulted. The Queen accepted her oath, bidding her to rise. She welcomed her to her court, thanking her for her arrival, expressing her appreciation. To the rest of the room she dismissed the court, having only Luna and myself stay. She introduced her to either of us, requesting that Luna show her to quarters that would be hers, before she asked me to see if she was skilled with arms or not."

Try as she might, or succeed where she had before, she no longer could retain his eyes. They fell, his shoulders with it as he spoke next. "I offered to let her rest; a trip from Venus to the Moon wasn't some short affair, but she declined. I tried to keep it a secret but soon enough the training grounds for the Lunar army had spectators of the court. Even with the Queen present, the whispers continued. I wish I could say they were nice but Minako is … Minako is beautiful. She truly is the embodiment of her Goddess, and more than one soldier talked about how they would be taking her, even if it was bent over a saddle, and worse. I had no idea her skill, thinking that she was more of a pacifist than anything, so choose only raw recruits for her to fight. Each one she bested without effort, after each one she just looked at me. I didn't realize it at the time but she was frustrated, on the verge of tears. It wasn't from the talk of rape or where she'd do better being on her back; I wasn't giving her the chance she deserved, and those of Mau are known to be wise. Instead, I was no better than anyone else there."

His hand rose, rubbing his temple. "She finally, after two score recruits, asked me what she had done to insult me so much that I wouldn't give her a challenge. Everyone laughed at that, a few degraded to what they'd be happy to give her if she wanted a challenge. I misunderstood, taking it as bravado … I gave up, sending in another two score, but these were well established soldiers, in the ring with her at once. I'd like to say that she defeated them all… I really would. It would have gone better … maybe there wouldn't be the bad blood between us then." The shake of his head sent his white hair dancing, finally looking up at to meet her gaze once more. "I underestimated her, I treated her like everyone else did … and I didn't give her a chance. A couple days later, those two score that had humiliated her she left lying on the training room floor. After that, she took five of seven wins against the Captain. She made a name for herself, that she was serious about this … it wasn't a game. The attitudes slowly changed but still, even now, people talk about the Venusian that reached for the stars and they wait for her to fall."

She sank back in her chair, letting it all process. It somehow made sense now, why Minako continued to push herself despite injuries to herself. "She feels like she has to prove herself." She finally answered after his tale. "So she pushes herself and won't delegate tasks to anyone else. That's why she is always busy, because if she stopped to rest, someone would think it was all just an act."

There wasn't a need for vocalization to that. She might be different than the Mau, she might be different than everyone else. But end the end, she was just as guilty.