Save me from my superstitions

Now I'm free, from this old condition

Wait just a while, and I'll greet

You with a smile

-Muse, "Save me

The intention then, after she had spoken, was for them to break away and go to their taskings. It was assumed, implied … however you wanted to ultimately view it, that once they were done, they would all report back. Yes they were freed of duty that day, but it didn't mean they had to be prisoners within their little sanctuary. At least, that was how she viewed it and thus conveyed it. No one had fears that needed to be soothed, at least from what she could tell, but as a leader, she felt it best to answer the unasked questions regardless.

The nods that came were how she expected, a pensive sort of wonderment that was still heavily influenced by what they had just discovered. There were some wary glances given at numerous things, but all in all they each agreed. Opting to go out how they were, she was the first to the door, opening it only for her plans to once more be dashed against the rocks as though hurled by force.

One the other side stood both of the Mau.

Internally she cursed a streak that would have had the most grizzled veteran to pause in their tracks, if just for a moment. Like something tangible she could feel the disappointment rolling off the others; even Rei who barely knew Artemis and had so far skated by having to put up with Luna seemed none too pleased that they were now on the verge of invasion to a sanctuary that wasn't feeling much like it. It was further compromised by the sheer question of just how long had either been standing there, outside the white oaken doors? Honestly she knew shit about the Mau or any sort of sorcery, but could it be possible they had heard every near, dancing the line sense of treason they spoke of?

The inside of their room was not bugged; there were absolutely no things of a surveillance nature within. It was to Ami she had to thank for it, finding that out while she was on Mercury that she was quite skilled in regards to electronics. The scant amount of time she had before she had to leave for Jupiter had Ami abuzz with changes. Assured on the flight to the large planet that nothing had been so laced, she had spent most of the flight trying to puzzle out half of what Ami had written of. It lasted until the end when the Mercurian sheepishly wrote that the condensed version of her page upon page report was she ensured the room would remain private.

But that was via means of technology. Not every planet was so open in regards to understanding sorcery. At some point each had it, mysticism and wizardry, a way to explain the things that they couldn't understand. It had manifested beyond a belief system into something that a few could do. Some spent their entire lives to be able to create fire from their fingertips or summon gale winds. For all that did many more fell short, able only to sense that there was a certain force about them. Countless more beyond that were oblivious to the very notion, try as they might.

In time though the wizardry fell away to that of scientific discovery, technology providing a lot more effective means for what sorcery could produce. It became the great equalizer that; no longer was it just someone's bloodline and decades of study, it was instant. Still, there were those that had that calling and ability, pursuing it where others did not, but it was a rarity and really more of a status symbol.

That was why to see one on Mars was shocking. At rare times when she had a moment to think, there was almost a tinge of regret for killing such a relic. Did the Mau possess the same, had they been listening in via those means? That was one of the reasons that sorcery was so feared, despite technology. Few understood it then and fewer still now. Electronics wouldn't detect it, no matter how much their creator said it would. It simply existed on a different level of reality.

Neither had spoke yet from the invading party, and none of her companions had voiced yet. A quick intake of breath allowed her the initiative to be for her taking, her body instantly shifting to lean her weight to one hip. It presented exactly what she wanted; Goddess knew she used it a lot at court before to present the air of being unapproachable. But it was one of those things she learned at a young age; what good was it to just invite attention when you truly needed to discourage it altogether, if not indicate you really did not want to be bothered?

"Lord Artemis. Lady Luna. To what do we owe you unexpected arrival?" She was going to skate the line of insubordination if either Mau was really over her, adding just enough scorn to her words that went well with her body language to speak the hint. Her hand rose, resting against the wooden frame, blocking not only the rest from the inquiring gazes but also furthering her stance.

The effect was perfectly given in return, either Mau looking to each other before back at her. The pensive look in the female's eyes especially matched well with the male's attempt to be neutral. It would almost make her gloat if she wasn't so naive. It was always a dance with them, more so both of them, and Goddess knew she loved to dance. It wasn't long to last though, as much as she would have liked it to.

"There is … a matter of urgency that we need to speak to you all about. In private." As she was known for, Luna cut right to the chase but it was remarkable for the simple reason she acknowledged the eyes and ears that were everywhere. Everywhere except here, she hoped. She paused at the doorway, weighing the request. As much as she clashed with Artemis, they could work together without them baring their teeth too much. But Luna. Fuck no, Luna was an arena she avoided. Not from the losses suffered, but the sheer insufferability. Had she eyes in the back of her head she would have known that Rei, Ami, and Makoto all just exchanged glances. As she didn't, it didn't matter because past actions had dictated that a look was always exchanged.

Luna simply didn't come across as friendly to them. To the Princess yes and the Queen most of all, but the rest of them really couldn't stand her. It wasn't her attitude and disposition more that it was a sense of unease. They didn't feel that comfortable around the Mau; on more than one occasion it was hard to say who was worse for the induced feeling … the Queen or Luna. Whereas the Queen was predatory, Luna was far more … weighing. Judgmental. A reminder that they were foreigners here just as much as the Mau were, but the Lunarians rarely seemed to vocalize their overall opinion of them like they were.

Perhaps it was because the Queen openly accepted the Mau unlike them. Or maybe the Lunarian's racism just ran in their own system. Goddess really knew and it wasn't something she wanted to spend a lot of time thinking on. There was simply too much to do as it were; the extra work wasn't worth it. There was a choice, she could let both in and subject all of them to an inquisition that was as draining as combat drills were. She could turn them away and shut the door, granting them their reprieve that came at the price that there would not be a next time; they would be interrogated and in a much worse fashion.

Didn't they just understand that they were tired? They had been training at something since her return from Mars, preparing for the Queen's ultimate arrival and the ball that followed. Not to mention what they had awoken to, that feeling of … of … something not feeling right yet natural at the same time. Showing weakness along with asking for mercy wasn't in her. None of them deserved pity, much less a break given by way of likely false sympathy.

Could she really subject them all to this? Was it her right? The truth was she barely knew them; she knew some Lunarians longer than she had known Rei for instance, or Makoto, or Ami. But she had spent time with them that wasn't forced or because there simply wasn't anything else to do. There was a camaraderie between them, a bond that could be easily explained as forced circumstances. Above that, they were her friends. That transcended the notion that she was in charge, and she couldn't do that.

But.

But this seemed more than her thoughts on the matter. This seemed far more important than how she clashed with both Mau. This seemed far more important than how tired they were, how they just wanted a break that didn't involve royalty or duty or expectations to be everything in the realm of perfection and absolutely nothing that was not that.

It didn't keep the exhale from her nor the way that her shoulders slumped, but she stepped back and held the door open. They would have to accept that was as far as she was willing to go right now. Maybe if they hadn't spent the morning discovering everything that had changed about them it would be a different battlefield. Right now, it was hardly neutral but they did have the advantage of higher numbers.

That had to account for something.

So did the fact that neither Mau made a comment to the state of the room, the slight scorch marks along the walls, the scent of electricity and rain, the slight glittering of ice along the floor. It could have either always been there, it could have simply belonged. It just wasn't even mentioned.

It bothered her, just a bit.

Instead, it was Artemis who closed the door and locked it under Luna's gaze, before she turned to look at them all. For once, she couldn't find a degree of judgement in her gaze. It was almost a plea that resided there instead, a plea for help which had absolutely no right to exist in someone so damnably fucking judgemental.

"The Queen of Earth wishes to see you all."

That … was hardly what she was expecting Luna to say.

"The Queen of Earth? She perished nearly two months ago, according to Terran reports." She had to thank the Goddess that Ami remained as analytical as ever, cutting through the hints of apprehension and uncertainty that still remained from this morning. "Unless you mean the Chancellor? Other reports indicated that she has taken on a greater role with the Queen's untimely passing."

"You are quite correct Ami, it is the Chancellor save now she is the Queen. The ceremony was not that long ago, according to our diplomatic relations we have. It was confirmed via the other planets-"

"That is not why we are here." Luna cut him off, prompting more than just Artemis to blink. "Chancellor or Queen, it doesn't matter her title ultimately. She is here to see you all."

"What's the big deal then? You keep tellin' us that, like it's 'posed to mean somethin'. I ain't getting what it is."

They were all still standing. None of them had taken a seat yet.

Maybe that took the wind out of the sails, as the saying went. Both Luna and Artemis exchanged a look between them. For a moment, she fancied what it would be like to be telepathic, to read the thoughts that people didn't vocalize and the ones that they did only with careful consideration.

"The … Queen knows what happened … yesterday. After the ball." Softly, Artemis spoke. It didn't matter how loud he was really, his words cut through worse than any bladed weapon ever had to her flesh. All notions, all illusions that what had happened stayed between just the five of them and the Queen were shattered. No, it was more than just that now, wasn't it? Now both of the Mau knew. The fucking Queen of Earth knew.

Was nothing sacred anymore?

Goddess she felt like screaming if it wasn't for the fact it suddenly felt so cold in the room. It felt as though the temperature had dropped more than a significant amount in but the span of seconds.

Damn Artemis. Damn Luna. Damn both of the fucking Mau. She almost went so far as to damn the Queen for this fucking reward. Was it really a reward at this point? Look at what had happened.

"When is she due to arrive?" Ever logical, Goddess she could just kiss Ami if she felt attracted to her.

"She will be arriving within two days, if the communication reports are right."

"It currently takes travel between Terra and here four days, due to their technology and lack of spaceports. Unless they have a Lunarian craft, or any other planetary craft, aiding them, for her to be here within that time frame means she left before the … conclusion."

Four sets of eyes instantly focused on the two Mau.

"Most planets have little to do with Terra due to its infant state. A long civilized planet true, the rest of the system have eons of advancement due to the Terrans constant infighting with themselves. It was only due to the Alliance the Queen has instated in the system that other planets were even open to the notion of speaking to the Terrans, much less willing to trade or allow them to establish routes to their respective ports." On Ami lectured, daring someone to speak out against her knowledge. "No planet has traded such a technological marvel to the Terrans in the form of one of their ships. Even when they are docked, they remain under heavy guard; it is considered standard operating procedure that a full regiment of troops accompanies every ship that arrives on the Terran surface. Purely to discourage a Terran from seeing something they are not worthy of seeing. I could go on about everything else that is done as a safeguard but it seems we don't have the time for that. The simple fact is if this Terran Queen is due to arrive in two days, she left before the Ball. That she knows of something that happened indicates strongly of espionage."

The silence could kill as it stretched on until at last Luna spoke. "I … I would say believe me, save that I know your dispositions will not allow for it. Perhaps the Princess of Mars has other insights but neither are we so blind to know that you all have spoken to her, about life on the Moon, about the Queen, about us. We know, and we know what our actions have done towards you. I beseech you however, to please believe us when we say that… that…" The female trailed off, looking to her companion.

"We don't trust her."

Delays. Had a lot of them. Mandatory move without help coupled with some pretty shitty depression and my plans of a chapter a month at least also became pretty dashed. The silver lining though is that it's all done, and with some newfound time it's time to get this back on the road. I've got a lot planned, so thanks to everyone who stuck with this and welcome to the new followers.