AN: Next chapter is up. Here we dive headfirst into the first fateful meeting of Methys and Serenity. Enjoy.
Previously
Following the empty path, a confused frown appeared on Methys' face. "What the…"
Still a bit in the distance was a small bridge made of a whitish glittering substance that might be something in the middle of glass and marble. On the opposite end of the bridge there was another person, the first one they have seen here. Methys appeared to be astonished by her mere presence, observing her from afar. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
The woman was clad in multiple layers of fleeting gown-like robes, a richly ornamented mantle draped over her shoulders like a cape, but what made all of them gasp was her long hair.
It was blond and bound to two very familiar pigtails.
That…
All eyes darted immediately to Usagi, who had her hand in front of her mouth in shock.
Her hairstyle.
Serenity. That must be Serenity.
That or it had been just common to wear your hair like that.
Methys stood still as if rooted to the spot, apparently shell-shocked by the appearance of the unexpected being. She skeptically gauged her from the distance, a troubled frown on her face. Suddenly, the woman on the bridge leaned over the handrails, stretching out her hand. It appeared almost comical from their point of view, how she hopped on the spot, up and down, her fingers trying to reach a tree branch that protruded far over the river.
They could see a spot of color there. Was it a blossom?
Methys cocked her head to the side skeptically, still unsure whether she was imagining things. Then she tapped again on her wrist device, without taking her eyes from her, watching her every movement closely.
"Natai?" She asked into thin air.
The response was almost immediate. "What is it, now, dearest sister of mine?"
Methys ignored the jest and rather asked in a strange tone. "Have the Venusians already arrived?" She still watched diligently with apparent confusion on her face, when the woman started to wave her arms around in a frantic way, before climbing on the rails.
"No, they are scheduled for later."
A frown appeared on her face. "Of course not. The Lunarians then?"
"Two hours ago. They were immediately escorted to their quarters at the very end of the 4th floor of the Viridian Palais as per order of our cherished Queen. I did not see them, yet. She instructed Atget to do it." He explained tersely, but with an undertone of sarcasm.
"I see. Thank you." She closed the connection. Looking at the blond woman for a last time and making a face of unnerved disbelief, she turned on her heels. An annoyed sigh escaped her lips, when she started to walk away. "A different path then…"
However, when she made the second step back the way she came, a sudden shriek caught her attention. She whirled around and she turned just in time to see the blond woman tumble over the edge of the bridge in a heap that looked entirely ungraceful. With a huge splash and a girly shriek, she vanished in the water in a tangle of limbs, fabric and silk.
For a moment, Methys just gaped, her mouth had gone slack.
Then, she blinked… only to blink again.
She looked left and right, apparently searching for something that was not miraculously jumping out of the trees.
Then she groaned, rolling her eyes in utter disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me…"
The troubled frown was edged into her grim face, now, but she remained frozen, paralyzed by her own indecision.
Caught in the middle of wanting to run and wanting to stay, she stared at the bubbling water, waiting for the blonde to resurface. Her muscles were tense like a hurdler in the starting blocks and still she held herself back and remained rooted to the spot.
"No, you stay where you are… This is not your business…" She mumbled to herself in a self-reprehensive tone, her fists clenching anxiously.
However, her frown only deepened.
She must have realized that besides air bubbles nothing resurfaced, she must have seen that the water was deep and that the current was strong at that particular spot. And with so many clothes on, swimming must be tough. Maybe she even hit her head in that summersault of a fall…
They could almost see those thoughts whirling in her head, fighting with her obvious reluctance to get involved.
Finally, something seemed to snap and she couldn't take it anymore.
"Argh, just screw it…" Methys cursed vehemently and sprinted towards the bridge. Towel and mantle fell without any care, before she dived headfirst into the water.
They followed her seeing what she saw, which wasn't much to be honest. Underwater, Methys turned around frantically, searching for a glimmer of blond, a glimpse of white silk, something that wasn't murky blue.
Where was she?
Methys continued to search looking left and right, up and down, her aquamarine mane surrounding her head like a moving fluffy cloud, whenever she turned her neck. Finally, she resurfaced.
The current was indeed strong and she had to swim actively to stay on the spot.
She briefly touched her earlobe, where they could spot a familiar stud. "Activate thermal imager!" She ordered briskly.
"Thermal Imager activated." An automated voice responded and a pair of googles manifested in front of her eyes. They could see strange signs appear and disappear on the surface covering her left eye.
These were like Ami's virtual reality visor, when she transformed into Mercury.
"Thermal signature detected." The automated voice informed her.
She swam with the current in a break neck speed. "Yeah, I am on it. Specify." She sputtered in between her strokes.
"Coordinates N53.146, E18.783. Distance 19 meters to NNW. Moving at 12 km/h downstream towards the 156th gravity cooling stream. Core temperature 36.5°C. Declining. Probability of being human 99.4%. Probability of being female 97.1%. Weight 56 kg. Approximate volume 63.3 L. Average density…"
"Yeah, believe it or not, but I don't need her cup size. Is the target moving on its own?" Methys interrupted the waterfall of calculations sarcastically.
"Negative."
"Explains the lack of screeching…" She panted dryly between her swim strokes.
"Specify request."
"Forget it, is the target underwater?"
"Positive. Target heat signature is detected 20 cm below the water surface."
She grimaced. "Figures."
"Specify type of the requested figure!"
"What?! No! Not that figure. I meant figures in a … ahem figurative sense...?"
"Specify that definition."
Methys rolled her eyes. "It's called sarcasm."
"Query could not be proces…"
"Disable voice output." They could hear a beeping sound and an annoyed huff from Methys. "Reminder to myself. Explain to Atget that per the regulations it's not required to be the exact prototype she used before. When did she update that thing the last time? Must have been before I was born."
They could see that her googles were still activated even during swimming.
She halted a moment to orient herself, finally spotting a whiff of white fabric. "Aah, there you are. And drifting where you definitely shouldn't drift to..."
Methys' worried gaze was now fixed on the blond woman and they could see her problem. The current was even stronger now, and pulled her unconscious form directly to one of the streams, that was directed upwards. The wild waters tossed her around like a boneless puppet and soon it looked as if she was flying, caught in the middle of the water pillar like a ghost surrounded by wafting foulards.
"Oh no, you won't." But it was too late. She was already pulled upwards.
Soon after, Methys reached the stream and let herself be pulled upwards as well, holding her breath. However, she never stopped swimming or in this case rather diving. She had almost reached her and tried to grasp a piece of her clothing. The first time her fingers slipped, but with her second try she could grasp the hem of her sleeve. They drifted and tumbled around each other, floating higher and higher, and she could barely keep her hold on her, but Methys somehow managed to pull her form to her own body. She put her arms around her waist, hugging her closely from behind, and managed to propel the both of them forward with a quick boast from her legs.
And then they fell.
Ending up outside of the vertical water stream, gravity took hold and pulled them down relentlessly.
Methys somehow managed to control their fall, maneuvering herself to the bottom with the blond woman on top.
Their fall ended abruptly in a big splash and a gush of air bubbles. Methys grunted audibly before the sound was swallowed by the water corpse.
When they resurfaced Methys briefly grimaced in pain and dragged the unconscious Lunarian along, while keeping her head above the water. The strong current relentlessly pulled at the both of them, back towards where they came from, but Methys resisted, although her movements appeared to be a bit less smooth than before.
They could hear her growl defiantly. "Nope, we are not going for another round."
Methys struggled with the blonde's different layers of floating clothing that tended to get in her way, but managed to pull her unmoving ballast to the shore as quickly as she could.
She dragged her onto solid ground, wincing briefly upon heaving her out of the water. Seeing her unmoving form up close a spark of panic had appeared in her eyes. Immediately, she checked for a pulse and breathing and started reanimation.
"Come on, don't bite the dust. That would definitely put me in a bad light."
She continued with her frantic ministrations and finally the blonde spat out a gulp of water.
Methys immediately turned her to the side to help her regain her breath and get the residual water out of her airways. "Hey, are you ok?" She shook her gently, but got no response. Apparently, she had fallen unconscious again right after expelling out the water from her lungs. Methys checked again for pulse and breathing and finding both she finally leaned back, utter relief on her face.
She exhaled shakily and her tense shoulders slumped.
Then she carefully rubbed her side right beneath her ribcage and flinched upon touching the tender area. "Figures that you have pointy elbows and almost manage to accidently knock me out."
Concentrating on her again, she seemed to be at a loss. "Ok, you are not dead. That's already an achievement. You breathe normally, your heart beats regularly and your liver is probably also a lot better than mine is at the moment. So, why won't you wake up?" She noticed that her legs were still halfway in the water, so she heaved her body a bit farther on shore.
Then she requested: "Conduct medical checkup!"
More numbers and calculations appeared in the visor of her googles and she mumbled. "Ok, nothing broken, no internal bleeding and your lungs appear to be in working order as well. So, what's your problem?"
Suddenly, she halted when she spotted something and her hand darted into wet blond hair, brushing it aside. The bump at her hairline was now nicely visible. "So, you truly hit your head. Excellent." Methys sighed miserably, looking her over even more lost than before and a tad bit apprehensive.
"And if that isn't already bad enough, it has to be you. I wasn't mistaken. I could have gotten at least a maid or an aide. No, I have to hit the jackpot. Why does it have to be the Lunarian Crown Princess?! Damn it. What the hell am I going to do with you?"
She looked at her more intently, an internal battle mirrored on her face.
Then, she sighed miserably while muttering under her breath.
"Guess, I don't have a choice. I need to call for medical assistance. That's going to be fun to explain for sure. If I am lucky, they are only going to insinuate, I shoved you off that bridge." She already reached for the device on her wrist with a look as if she would rather toss her back into the water, when Serenity groaned miserably.
Methys halted her movements hunkering over her. "Hey, are you awake? Are you ok?" She asked hopefully, probably seeing a last chance to avoid calling for help.
Serenity groaned again and her slender hand wandered to her head. "Argh, what… man what a strange dream…"
"Dream? I assure you this is no dream not even a nightmare. Well, at least not yours…" The last part she mumbled to herself.
Serenity flinched immediately, not completely there yet and apparently not even remotely grasping what Methys said. "Wahh, who… what…" She hastily crawled a bit backwards on her elbows upon having a stranger that close just after awakening from whatever she thought she was awakening from. "Ahem, Hi?" She questioned sheepishly.
Methys looked at her dumbfounded. "Hi."
Her sky-blue eyes jumped around frantically, before they fully settled on her. "Who are you? What…"
"You fell off the bridge and nearly drowned. I got you out of the water." She tried to explain, cocking her head to the side, trying to get a better look at her eyes without being too imposing. "Do you remember? Does your head feel ok?"
"Oh, so that's why I am completely drenched and… why it is so cold." She had goosebumps on her exposed skin and shivered. Clumsily, she pulled her arms to her body and hugged herself, completely ignoring Methys' questions.
"Your head. You bumped your head." Methys pointed out again, trying to find out, whether it caused some lasting effects. "Does it hurt?"
Suddenly, the blonde stiffened. "You are a Mercurian."
Methys blinked. "The last time I checked, I was, yes?
Her eyes seemed to light up immediately. "Wow, I am talking to a true Mercurian. That is … so exciting…."
Methys looked as if she wasn't entirely sure, whether she made fun of her. "Well, you are on Mercury. So, that might … happen at some point."
"Oh, true, I am, am I not?" She beamed at her and Methys eyed her with a scrutinizing gaze, clearly pondering about how hard she had hit her head to cause that kind of behavior.
Suddenly, Serenity seemed to remember something; her posture straightened up considerably and her face morphed into a more or less regal expression. It took them some time to get that she actually remembered her manners. Blushing briefly, she extended her hand in an overly graceful gesture that screamed nobility, granting her a smile that was guilty and nervous in equal parts. "It's an honor to meet you."
Methys eyed her outstretched hand suspiciously, as if it was luring trap ready to snap close as soon as she grasped it. Apparently, the gesture had caught her completely off guard and you could almost see the wheels turning in her head. This drenched and shaking mess of a clearly concussed princess thought it was appropriate to resort to formal handshaking at this point of their conversation. These kinds of mannerisms couldn't be inepter in their predicament. Frozen to the spot, Methys still looked for a trap, for a hidden agenda, a malicious intent, something she had overlooked.
Finding none of it, she reluctantly put her own hand forward and shook it awkwardly.
Serenity appeared pleased. "Well, that's not exactly the situation I had in mind for initiating first contact, but well…" She scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Beggars cannot be choosers."
She winced slightly, retracting her hand from her head quickly.
A worried frown appeared on Methys' face upon seeing her reaction. "How badly does it hurt?"
Serenity winked dismissingly at her, that smile that appeared to permanently fixed to her face still in full bloom. "Bah, it's nothing. Don't worry about it. It just stung a little." She was momentarily distracted by a fresh breeze of wind dancing though the purple tree leaves. An iridescent blossom detached and was carried by the gentle breeze right in front of her face. Serenity caught it with a revered gentleness and cupped the pulsing petal in her hands, lost in utter awe.
"Woah, your world is so beautiful. How do these plants even glow? And all these water channels going up and down… it's so cool…" She rambled on, excited like a bubbly kid that was one step away from bouncing on her feet.
"You almost drowned in one of those channels." Methys noted dryly, raising a skeptical eyebrow upon her scatterbrained behavior that was paired with the attention span of a two-year-old.
"Really?" She definitely sounded more enthused than anyone should be about getting to know about her very recent near-death experience.
"Was I pulled up there?" She pointed excitingly at one of the streams going up.
Methys was still looking for the ambiguous part of that question, before she responded kinda reluctantly. "Uh, yes?"
"Man, and I can't remember a thing…" She pouted. "Does it feel like flying? Like being in space? Is the view from up there as awesome as I imagine?"
"Kind of." An amused smile tugged on Methys' lips, although she tried her best to smother it to a more neutral expression. However, there was still irritation leaking through, and to a lesser part suspicion.
Suddenly, a violent shiver went through Serenity's body. "God, it's really frigging cold here." Her hands rubbed her arms to bring back some warmth into her stiff limbs.
"Ahem, you sure you don't have a concussion?" Methys asked clearly skeptical. "I can get you some medical assistance, if you need it." She clearly did not want to fetch anyone given a choice, but felt obliged to offer it anyway.
"Bahh, I am fine. They just try to stick me with their pointy needles again. My mother can fix it later on. She has loads of practice with concussions and the last times felt definitely different." She dismissed her with a radiant smile.
Methys almost didn't seem to dare asking. "The last times?"
"When I had a concussion, I mean… I was dizzy and I talked total nonsense all the time, while being really hyper… and I just couldn't stop smiling." Methys did not look as if that additional knowledge reassured her very much, when she compared it with the behavior of the Lunarian right in front of her.
"And one time I even started singing at random… but the worst was when I started hugging random people and just refused to let go. That for sure was awkward. Half of the court turned scarlet for the next month as soon as they spotted me."
Methys looked slightly taken aback, eying her arms suspiciously, as if she expected to be smothered in a merciless bear hug any second. "How many concussions did you already have?" She asked bewildered not sure, whether she truly wanted to know.
Serenity laughed awkwardly. "Well, you know I tend to run into things headfirst, or I fall over my own two feet, or other stuff that's lying around, where it shouldn't be, oh and stairs, they are a total menace. I think this time I slipped on my gown. I mean they know not to make the seams too long."
Methys appeared out of her depth. "I … see. You probably should see a doctor anyway." She suggested clearly not convinced that her behavior could be considered normal at all.
"Ah, don't worry, I have a thick skull. My mother always says I could bash my skull on solid metal and the metal would yield and beg for mercy." She chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head. "Although, I have to admit that bridge beam was pretty hard. What are these made of?"
"It's a synthetic material made of a kind of metallic glass. Actually, … it's harder than metal." She admitted thoughtfully.
"Well, that explains it." Was the cheery reply that held not the slightest bit of doubt that she found the one to blame for her aching head.
Methys just smiled politely, unsure what to do with her. She appeared reluctant as if this situation put her entirely out of her game and in a dilemma, she had no clue how to deal with.
Serenity shivered again, curling herself into a ball, tugging her knees towards her chest. "Although I have to admit freezing might be the direr problem, compared to the state of my head."
That made Methys jolt and she jumped quickly to her feet, sparing her a nervous glance.
"Wait here, and don't do… well, don't do anything!" She clarified just to make sure.
With that Methys dashed away right to the spot where her towel and robe lay. She picked both up and returned to Serenity.
"Here, put this on. Your clothes are completely drenched. This is still dry."
"Well, I…" A scarlet hue appeared on her cheeks.
Methys looked at her expectantly. Some awkward seconds passed, in which Serenity still clutched onto the dry clothes, making no effort to change.
Finally, Methys seemed to realize what the problem was. "Oh, ahem … look, there is no one here and I turn around, ok? You can change and nobody will see a thing."
"Pinky promise?" The question sounded way too childish.
Methys looked as if she wasn't entirely sure she heard correctly, before she responded with a bewildered: "Yeah… Pinky promise." Serenity beamed at her and Methys turned around politely, using the opportunity to hide her disbelieving grin. Serenity immediately blushed, when her eyes fell on the vast expanse of Methys' bare and well-sculptured back. She quickly averted her gaze and then there was the rustling of clothes.
The Mercurian waited patiently, folding her hands in front of her chest. Her lips were twitching and she was clearly pondering, how she ended up in this kind of ridiculous situation. "So, ahem forgive me the question, but what were you doing on that bridge to fall off. The handrail is built high enough to prevent such accidents."
"Well, I might have climbed on it." Was the sheepish reply and you could imagine her twiddling with her thumbs in embarrassment upon the admission.
"And why would you…" She did not seem entirely sure how to finish that question without insinuating stupidity or some equivalent insult.
"Well, there were these beautiful blossoms, those iridescent ones…" They could see Methys grimace, sporting an expression that could only mean 'Seriously?'
"Well, I did not climb over the railing for those, but you know, when I looked at them ahem… closely, my shawl came loose due to a gust of wind and it kinda got stuck in one of the tree branches."
"So, you tried to get it back and slipped?" Methys sounded as if she did not consider that much of an improvement compared to her falling off, because she admired some random flowers.
"Yeah, that's kinda what happened." She admitted embarrassed.
Methys sighed, although it was a lenient one. "Maybe, you should have let it be. A shawl is hardly worth your life and, looking at you… I mean, you can probably afford a ton of them. These ponds are dangerous and not made for swimming. Nobody ever goes into the water. These water reservoirs are solely designed for cooling the planetary shield."
The reprimand, although way gentler than they were used from her, sounded a bit weird in their ears, considering she was swimming in those forbidden ponds herself only five minutes ago.
Serenity looked guiltily to the ground upon her scolding words. "Well, yeah, sorry. But… this one isn't just a random shawl. It's special. Well, at least it was." She added sadly, hanging her head even more.
"Was? You lost it?"
"It seems so. I managed to grab it before falling in. I guess the current washed it away." It was the first time she sounded truly upset about something.
Methys appeared to hesitate. "I see… well, sorry to hear that." She finally responded lamely.
Then she added awkwardly. "You know, Mercurian silk is actually rather nice. You probably get a new one at the stores near the city center, if you are interested in local fabrics. They are of good quality and come in all kind of designs. I am sure you will find something you like."
There was a brief silence and you could see Methys worrying, whether she said something inappropriate.
Then. "Getting a new one is not the problem. This one just had… sentimental value. It… it was a birthday gift from my father. He is dead, now."
Methys opened her mouth briefly to respond, but then shut it again, looking to the ground. An uneasy silence filled the air for a moment, before Serenity announced.
"Oh, ahem … you can turn around, now. I am finished… well… sorta… as finished as I can get."
Methys turned around and the somber mood instantly evaporated, when she had just one look at her. In fact, Methys fought the semblance of a smirk appearing on her face. And it was easy to figure out why. Even they had to admit, the Lunarian looked rather ridiculous with her hair wrapped messily in the towel and clasped in the worn robe, hugging herself like a drenched newborn fledgling seeking for warmth from its mother.
"Thanks for the clothes." She smiled gratefully, although her jaw was still shivering. However, she suddenly frowned, when she seemed to realize something, scanning Methys from head to toe. "Wait… these are your clothes and you are completely drenched as well from rescuing me. You should take them back." Apparently, forgetting all about her modesty this time, she was disrobing right in front of her.
Methys blanched and held up her hands to stop her. "Hold on. It's fine. You can keep them. I am not cold."
Serenity's eyes widened in utter disbelief; her hands frozen over the bottoms covering her cleavage. "Not cold?! How can you be not cold?! It's freezing here. I was already cold, before I fell into the water and I wore three layers of clothes. You wear… em … barely one!" She blushed immediately, which made it apparent that she had noticed, how much of Methys' body her clothes were not covering.
Methys' corners of her mouth twitched slightly upwards upon her genuine astonishment and the not so subtle barb at her state of dress. "I am used to it. So, don't worry, I am fine."
"But… you shouldn't freeze just because of me." She pouted, still a bit flustered.
"I assure you, I do not." Methys was smiling now probably more because she thought it might help to get her point across and stop her from shedding her clothes right in front of her where every random passerby could see.
"You are not lying, are you?" Serenity responded somewhat suspiciously.
Methys' hand wandered to her chest in fake indignation. "Of course not. Why would I do something like that? In fact, I can even prove it. Just look at me. I am definitely not the one shivering. I don't even have goosebumps. See?" She pointed at the skin of her arm as a proof of principle, sending her a challenging look that dared her to further question her foolproof assessment.
The blonde narrowed her eyes suspiciously and inspected her skin thoroughly. Upon finding not the slightest goose bump, Serenity 's pout grew a notch in the scale of poutiness and she huddled even more into her borrowed garbs. "So not fair…"
Methys grinned upon watching her antics. "Told you. Come on, now. We should get you somewhere warm and dry, before you turn into an icicle. You are here for the conference, aren't you? I can escort you back; at least to the palace gates…I guess from there you will find your way on your own."
"You cannot enter the palace grounds? Is it not open to the public?" Serenity asked curiously.
Methys cringed slightly. "Well, typically not."
"Then, you should come with me. I am sure they will let you in, when I tell them about your heroic deeds. And I want to properly thank you for rescuing me. I mean you saved my life."
Methys good mood dropped immediately, as if that prospect was her worst nightmare combined with a disaster of unknown extent. She quickly schooled her features back to a more neutral expression. Luckily, Serenity did not see her blunder, since she was again admiring the plant life with a rapt expression on her face. Methys tempered her reply, but a significant part of her averseness still leaked through. "That's not such a good idea. I would rather prefer it, if this incident stays between the two of us."
Serenity appeared confused, since she apparently caught those small nuances in her voice. "But you saved my life. You should be rewarded for it. Please. You can dine with us and …"
"No." Methys interrupted her rather briskly, before she added a more placative: "Thank you, but… that is just not … my place." She concluded a tad bit lamely as if she was fishing for an appropriate excuse only to end up with a pretty much lacking justification for her immediate denial.
"But…" Serenity started again a slight whine to her voice.
"Please. I am grateful for your offer, but I have to decline." Serenity looked at her with sadness now, and Methys intuitively avoided her gaze.
"Is this about me being nobility?" She finally asked crestfallen.
Methys pondered about the question for a moment, clearly torn what to respond. Finally, she admitted simply. "Yes."
Serenity winced noticeably and the sadness in her eyes grew even deeper. "Please, that doesn't have to mean anything. I thought maybe we could get to know each other better…"
A forced smile appeared on Methys' face. "You don't want to know me."
"What? I assure you I…" Serenity started to object.
Methys seemed to realize how that sounded and weakened her statement. "Let me rephrase… it's just… we are from different Empires and as soon as this conference is over you will return home. We are literally worlds apart in … more than one aspect. I appreciate your… interest in my person and your … wish to express your gratitude, but this would be not a wise idea. I am sure you are a great person, but…"
"… I am a Lunarian." She concluded dejectedly, her sadness even more prominent, now.
For some reason Methys couldn't stand her looking so miserable. Instead, she was trying to soften the statement as best as she could. "No, that's not… it would be the same were you Jovian or Venusian …em… nobility." She added helplessly, when Serenity appeared even more crestfallen with every word she uttered. Clearly, Methys didn't want to hurt her feelings, but wasn't eager to encourage further contact either.
It wasn't really working and the Mercurian switched to a different approach.
She exhaled shakenly, sending her an apologizing look. "Look, at the end we just met by chance. I am sure you will meet lots of other way more interesting people at the conference to make your stay here worthwhile. People who share … your interests. Your association with me will not be necessary… and you don't need to force yourself to interact with me just to repay some kind of dept. I might have saved your life, but I don't expect anything in return." She hesitated. "… and believe me, there are better and … more appropriate ways to spend your time than with me." She finally added a tad bit awkwardly.
"I beg to differ. You…" She did not get as far as to finish her sentence, when Methys interrupted her, a growing frown on her face.
"Listen, just drop it. Please. I have my own personal obligations and technically I shouldn't even be here talking to you. Let's leave it with you being grateful and going our separate ways, ok? I will escort you back to your quarters, but then I need to leave." She emphasized albeit in a forced neutral tone, although she added an appeasing smile to her words.
Serenity finally sighed in defeat, clearly unhappy and hurt about her apparent refusal. "Ok… then… then can I at least gift you a new coat? I mean this one is pretty worn, and… I can also replace the rest of your outfit. It's ruined, … now, so you could certainly use a new one." It somehow sounded as if she considered it ruined before and they could see Methys' eyebrow twitch slightly upon her even less subtle second barb at her clothes.
"You are for sure stubborn and I repeat: that won't be necessary." She assured her and she appeared more astonished by this whole conversation than displeased.
Serenity's brows furrowed briefly. "It's not about what is necessary. It just feels wrong to just let you go like that. I am responsible for ruining your clothes. The least, I can do is replace them, if you don't allow me to do more."
"No, I like my clothes the way they are, thank you very much." Methys remained stubborn.
However, Serenity still wasn't willing to give in. "Please, there must be something, I can do for you. You can also get money or jewels… whatever you want…" She offered hopefully with her best puppy dog eyes.
"The answer stays the same: no. I assure you; I do not require your charity. I get along on my own just fine."
Serenity stiffened briefly. "I did not intend to imply that you didn't." She waved her hands around in a roundabout gesture of what was supposed to be strong denial. "I just wanna repay you for your kindness. What is so bad about that?" This time the pout was almost heart-wrenching to look at.
Methys sighed in misery. "Can we please drop that subject? For the last time, I don't need any payment for saving you. It wasn't such a big deal and your unyielding stubbornness about it won't change my mind."
"But, you… you are a commoner, are you not?" Serenity appeared unsure, whether it was polite to phrase it like that and maybe she wouldn't even have dared to say it, had Methys not proved to be so relentless in her views.
The Mercurian just blinked. "What?"
Serenity scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I didn't want to be rude, that's why I didn't say anything before, but you refused my offered dinner, because you think nobility and commoners should not mingle, didn't you? And not taking my money is probably an issue of pride, isn't it?"
Methys appeared entirely baffled for a moment, caught in the middle of astonishment, bewilderment and surprise by her boldness.
It only seemed to reassure Serenity that she hit the nail spot on. "You also don't have the braids. I mean… I read that all Mercurians have the braids with those clips in it to show their social standing."
Methys still hadn't entirely recovered from her rather forward statements, but that spark of amusement in her eyes had returned. Apparently, she couldn't really believe where this was going. "That's correct, albeit a bit simplified. During certain types of work, we take them off at least when they might be hindering or when we might lose the clips."
"So, you have been working here?" She asked enthusiastically, apparently overhearing the rest of the information in Methys' response.
"Ahem…." Again, caught off guard the Mercurian was fishing for a response that wasn't an outright lie, when Serenity came up with another completely wrong interpretation of her hesitation. "Oh god, I am keeping you from your work the entire time. That's why you were saying you shouldn't talk with me. I am so sorry. I will just stop babbling and get out of your hair."
Methys appeared genuinely astonished, how someone could draw one entirely wrong conclusion after the other. Still, she didn't correct her and rather kept her little charade up a bit longer, since it apparently played well into her hands. "Well, it's true I don't have much time so I would be grateful, if we could hurry up a bit."
"Of course, sorry." She hastily stumbled up to her feet, straightening her clothes, as if she hoped her ridiculous attire would look more appropriate without wrinkles. Needless to say, she failed utterly in looking more regal and less like a drenched and shaking kitten with fluffed fur.
Methys watched her clearly amused by her feeble tries to fix an outfit that was apparently unfixable.
"So, you are working for the palace?" Serenity tried to get the conversation going again.
"You could say that." Technically, that wasn't a lie, was it? The royal family worked for the palace after all.
Serenity was now standing on the path waiting for her, looking left and right with apparent confusion on her face. "So, you also… ahem, maybe you should lead the way."
Again, Methys' lips curled subtly upon realizing that the blonde had not the slightest clue where she was. "Sure. Just follow me."
They walked in silence for a bit, until Methys started the conversation again.
"If you allow me a question. Since you are an official guest at the conference and clearly of higher social standing: Why have you been wandering around on your own? Where is your retinue? Guards. You know, the ones, who should have gotten you out of the water, had I not been there…"
Serenity scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I kinda slipped out of their grasp."
"Really? That sounds not like something nobility would do. Not that I know, of course..." She added with a wry smile that was not entirely successful in hiding her playful streak.
Serenity, however, remained oblivious to whom she was talking to and just babbled on. "Oh, you would be surprised. Believe me, those meetings can be so boring. Politics here. Economics there. And in between they might even try to spice it up by bragging about their newest financial investments. Hurrayyy." She rolled her eyes sarcastically. "I tell you something in secret. They might do all those things to some extent, but it's not why the majority of them are participating. They might like to call it working for the better of the galaxy and forming truces and whatnot. At the end the reason why they all truly gather is to gossip."
This time she couldn't hide her smirk. "So, that's what they are doing all the time? I always suspected..."
"Yes, at least for the balls that's the typical way to pass the time. I mean, what else are you supposed to do but avoiding the notorious ass grabbers while dancing and pillaging whatever food you can grab? At the end you are tired as hell from your whole day being filled to the brim with meetings, guided tours, social gatherings, receptions, and what not and still you are expected to keep up the façade that you are interested in whatever they say. Luckily, most of them like hearing themselves talking the most, so you get away with nodding from time to time, but still… You have to be polite even to the ones who are total jackasses, just to prevent making a scene. That's so tiring. And to make matters worse they always put so much effort into their banquets using fancy names for every dish and then the courses are always so small and basically look like art but taste like dust. I mean how hard can it be to use some spices? They typically even serve a million types of whines and other beverages, but never bother to offer a proper dessert. It's what I am looking forward to the most and it's always so disappointing. I mean, what chefs do neglect dessert and what dumb organizers think it's not worth putting the most thought into? I don't get that. It's probably the same here." She looked curiously at a highly amused Methys. "Wait, do Mercurians even have dessert?"
Methys was a tad bit confused by the question. "Is there a society, which hasn't?"
"I mean good dessert." She specified as if that should have been clear from the beginning. "Isn't the food here very bland?"
Methys snickered. "Oh, we have some specialties. It's no Jovian cuisine, but it's satisfactory."
Serenity looked like a kicked puppy. "That's not very reassuring. The food was the only thing I was looking forward to…. Well, that and the culture…"
"I am sure it will not be that bad. Aren't those meetings held to impress? They will probably serve the finest cuisine there is to offer."
"Yeah, and it's mostly all the same. No one comes up with any new ideas and whatever interesting local cuisine there is, is mostly thrown out of the menu in favor of fancier boring and tasteless stuff, that's basically served by everyone, because it's just trendy right now. I mean I can't tell you how often I already had smoked veal brisket with tree spinach lately and it's truly not all that great, especially after the tenth time." She sighed as if the dilemma weighed her down more than the fact that she nearly drowned.
Methys appeared momentarily distracted by her words, as if she was thinking really hard about something.
"Well, it can't be the same for every meal. What's with breakfast? Lunarians do breakfast, do they?"
"Of course." She smirked proudly. "The breakfast is the largest meal during the day and I truly hope it won't just be snacks. And please there needs to be sweet stuff..."
"Don't worry, we do proper breakfast on Mercury, too."
Serenity just folded her arms a tad bit miffed. "I direly hope so. I need the sugar income to keep up with that over packed curriculum. It starts at 6:30 in the morning, can you believe that? I mean, when am I supposed to sleep? And the breakfast is only scheduled to 10? How am I supposed to survive until then without any food? I mean I know there are nobles, who can last through the whole day with a lettuce leaf. I, on the other hand get truly insufferable, when I am hungry. That way I am going to cause a political disaster for sure."
Methys looked at her as if she would believe that on the spot.
Serenity sighed miserably. "I should have really brought a stock of sweets from home. I mean I would have, but Luna just said, I should stop being ridiculous."
Methys mouth twitched slightly. "There are some food parlors very close to the palace. You can probably get something there."
"Not when I am not supposed to leave the palace grounds." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait… I can send Luna. That's perfect."
"Is she your maid?" Methys asked curiously.
Serenity laughed. "Nah, I wish she was. Then it would be me telling her what to do and not the other way around. Luna is my mentor and cherished advisor, although she always complains babysitter would describe her job more accurately. Seriously, she is typically bossing me around as if she owns the place. The least she can do for talking me out of bringing some supply is making sure I am not starving, although she will probably just argue a diet would do me good. And if mother agrees…" She seemed to ponder the consequences of getting her involved with growing horror in her eyes. "Damn, if I only could go by myself."
"Well, if you plan to sneak out a second time, please do me the favor and stay away from the water currents. It certainly would destroy my hard work, if you manage to stumble into another one."
"Well, I can put that worries to rest. I am typically very creative in causing unfortunate accidents. Falling into the water is now out of the list of what might go wrong for the near future. And… even if I wanted to, leaving the conference venue is going to be difficult. You have not a minute just for yourself just to take a breather in those gatherings and we will be anyway on close watch. My mother will already be very displeased with me about the stunt I pulled just now, so doing it a second time is out of question."
"Well, you don't have to tell her." Methys suggested with a tad bit hope shining through her words that whatever happened here between the two would stay between them.
"Are you serious? Just look at me. Just one glance tells the whole story in every gruesome detail, does it not?"
Methys had to agree to that assessment with a helpless shrug, clearly tempted to retort, but hesitating. "You could try to come up with a cover story…"
Serenity scoffed. "That cover story would be probably even worse than the truth."
Methys' lips twitched again and with the words that followed, they could imagine why. "I highly doubt that." The sarcasm was barely noticeable.
Serenity completely overheard the pointed remark or rather she just interpreted it in her own way. "With all due gratefulness in your trust in my creativity and acting abilities, I don't think that's going to work. Besides… I don't want to lie to my mother. This was my error. Not standing up for it, would be cowardice. So, I guess I have to live through the lecture."
Methys looked at her torn between approval and disappointment.
Serenity just babbled on. "Well, whatever mother has to say, she should have seen it coming. Our retinue has just arrived, but all days we will spend here are already completely planned through. However, the conference only begins in the afternoon, when everyone arrived, so I thought this is the only time I have to stroll a bit. I have never been to Mercury before and I want to see the planet. The capital alone is already smashing. I saw it from the airship and there is so much water and the buildings look as if they are made out of ice. I mean, I know they aren't, but it looks like it. And I also saw the royal palace with its domes, those arches and all the fountains. It's so beautiful." She was so into it that she almost forgot to breathe.
Methys smiled broadly, a genuine smile this time. "I consider Lamanai beautiful, too. Although I lived here all my life, it never lost its magic."
Serenity sighed. "I wish I could see more of the city. You know, the street markets with all the strange food, where every parlor smells differently. I wish I could visit the sights all the other people who come here for a regular visit and all the secret and amazing spots that every city has. The ones with the most beautiful view over the city and the food parlor with best local gastronomic specialties, the place with the best music and the oddities that are unique to every place… I heard you have the biggest library in the whole ten kingdoms. They say the architecture of the building is simply breathtaking with a ceiling that appears to be open to the sky. And all those bridges… is it true that none is the same as another?" With every word her eyes brightened up a bit more and bubbly excitement was oozing out of her every pore.
Her enthusiasm appeared to be contagious, because Methys gladly chose to indulge her further. "Yes, each of them is unique. It's the final exam of every grandmaster of architecture to design a bridge. If that person passes his or her final exam, that bridge is built to honor their skillset and celebrate the successful completion of their degree. A monument if you want, but not for a celebrity, Queen or whatnot, but for the very person who created it. One that persists as a reminder, attesting for every grand masters' achievement even long after they perished."
Serenity hung on her lips. "That's so cool. Do you have a favorite?"
"What?"
"Bridge. A favorite bridge?" She clarified.
"I have favorite architects, but I doubt the names will tell you anything."
"And which bridge do you like best, I mean aside from the person who built it? There must be one you consider exceptionally aesthetic or beautiful or just… awesome." She looked at her expectantly.
Methys appeared to be out of her depth with the question. She needed some time to think, before she responded.
"Well, there is one rather small one in the Laica district. It's something akin to a plank bridge. It's hard to explain, if you haven't seen it. Well, the bridge itself is always different. The planks all have different forms and shapes. They are made of almost see through metal that contains impurities of all kinds, other metals, iridescent substances, even liquid emulsions in different colors. When you encounter the waterway to cross, there is no bridge. You have to push a bottom and an electrical field will build up between two electrodes built on both shores. Due to the electrical current the planks will align, but the surface where you step on is isolated so that you don't get shocked as soon as you step on them. The planks will always align differently since the impurities disturb the electrical field. And to make it even better, you can disturb the field as well, which rearranges the bridge. The impurities will also cause light effects and if you pass the bridge during sunrise or sundown the play of colors will be even more impressing."
"That sounds awesome."
A reminiscent smile appeared on Methys' face. "As a kid I loved this bridge and I always wanted to find out why it worked the way it did. My brothers and I always made a game out of it, weakening the current bit by bit to see, who would fall into the water first. There was a trick behind it of course. You had to be really quick and use the planks as step stones, without ever putting your full weight on them. As the lightest of us, I always tended to win and my brothers always complained about it not being fair."
Serenity listened intently, smiling upon imagining the game. "It sounds like fun. I would so love to see that bridge." There was some longing in her words and Methys gauged her thoughtfully, continuing her tale.
"Unfortunately, the architect who built it died only five years after passing his exam. So, he remains rather fameless. He would have been one of our greatest, had he lived longer."
"That's so sad. Well, at least you will always remember him."
"I guess, I will."
The Lunarian quickly found back her lively self. "By the way, who designed the bridge I fell off?" She asked curiously.
"His name was Leeran Cader."
"Woah, you really know his name as well? I mean there must be hundreds of bridges. You can't know all of the names, can you?" She appeared scandalized.
Methys bore an indulgent smile. "897 in Lamanai alone. And no, even I don't know all of the architect names, but Leeran Cader happens to be the same architect that designed the library you mentioned earlier. He grew to be one of the most influential architects Mercury has ever seen."
"So,… I at least fell from a famous bridge." Serenity added proudly.
Methys huffed. "That you did."
"Still, famous or not, the handrails are too low."
"Not, when you don't climb on them." Methys commented with a raised eyebrow.
"For Mercurians maybe." Serenity pouted.
"Did you just call us short?"
"Well, you are, not that short is bad or something." She backpedaled. "I am sure it has its advantages." Her tone clearly implemented that she couldn't think of any at the moment.
"I am not short."
"You are shorter than me."
"You wear heels. And you climbed with them on the railing. That alone explains why you fell off, clumsy or not."
"Woah, I can use that. It sounds plausible enough for my mother. Besides, I really needed to see those flower trees up close. It's not my fault they are so pretty."
"Those trees are called Banyanus thermoarpophorus and they not just here to be pretty."
"Ban.. what?!"
"It's the scientific name. They are colloquially called Root trees. They are a special genetically altered breed, generated by our scientists to absorb heat for growth. I told you these waterways are not for swimming and you already noticed how cold the water is. Well, these ponds are cooling waters for the planetary shield that protects us from the sun. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and without protection we would be burned off the planet surface in an instant. That's why we need the shield. Part of the solar energy is absorbed by it to fuel our society's energy needs. The most part, however is reflected into space again. To cool the shields, we transport water up the gravity beams you see everywhere, that water gets heated during day and is transferred down again. Here the trees are planted around the ponds and almost everywhere on Mercury. Instead of photosynthesis they use the thermal energy of the water and to a lesser extent out of the air, the water itself and carbon dioxide to produce carbon-based biomass. Most of our crop production works the same way and all the greenery here somehow contributes to this cycle. Although, greenery is probably the wrong term. Those plants do not have chlorophyll, the green pigment, which is essential for normal photosynthesis out of sunlight. Without chlorophyll other plant pigments will be visible in the leaves, which then appear red, yellow or even brownish. It's the same that happens to Earthen plants in fall, shortly before they shed their leaves."
Serenity cocked her head to the side pensively. "That explains a lot. I never understood how Mercury as the planet being closest to the sun can be attributed with coldness."
"Yes, that's an oxymoron, isn't it? Well, on second thought, it actually isn't. The thing is our planet is not always hot. Only when the sun reaches us during the day. During the night the temperatures would drop to 173°C below zero. The shield is required to sustain a breathable atmosphere and to balance those extreme temperature deviations. As a result, we have a stable summer temperature of 12°C and a winter temperature of -1°C with the water corpses being warmest in the evening and coldest in the morning."
Serenity's face fell. "Please tell me it's at least summer."
"You are lucky. It is. Thirteen days ago, we have been closest to the sun."
"So, this is the warmest it will get? Ever?!"
"Exactly. With the adjustments we made, the planetary shield works most effectively. Hence, these are the temperatures we have grown used to living with. Well, I told you I am used to the cold."
"Oh, that reminds me… I have read you have polar lights, don't you? During the solstice they are the most beautiful, are they not?"
"Yes, during the solstice you can see them in the city, but that was thirteen days ago, already. If you want to see them now, you have to be higher up."
"Oh, damn, why do I always get the worst timing? I can't see the city and now not even the polar lights."
A thoughtful expression had appeared on Methys' face. "Can't it be arranged… visiting the city, I mean. If a high-ranking noble wishes to see all those things, you mentioned, won't they make it possible?"
"No, something like that is not part of the regular program. It never is and it would be insolent to ask for it. My mother says we have to be careful and keep a low profile, so voicing such requests is out of question."
She sighed miserably. "Actually, she didn't want to take me here in the first place. She told me to stay around our lodging at all times. I mean for me it is the first time to participate in any of these super official grand meetings and I think she fears; I might cause a political disaster of sorts by saying the wrong thing to the wrong person." She snorted and Methys' lips twitched in hidden amusement, since most things she said, could be probably considered scandal-worthy in their own right, and she was definitely the wrong audience.
Serenity just blabbered on. "… As if I would walk straight up to the Mercurian royals and tell them their conference program is designed like a slave labor campaign. Come on, not even I would do something that blasphemous." Methys' eyebrows twitched, not that Serenity could see, however, you could see that she truly had to pull herself together to not start laughing out loud. In fact, she looked as if she was thinking something along the line of 'This keeps getting better and better.'
Serenity meanwhile rambled on, as if she was talking to her therapist. "She told me often enough to stay by her side and tread carefully especially around our hosts. I would never say anything disrespectful towards them. I am not blind. I mean we have been allies once, but now…" She trailed off, shrugging helplessly.
The smile vanished from Methys' face almost instantly and a troubled frown replaced it, as if she was reminded of something she had almost forgotten during the course of their encounter. However, she chose to stay silent, still walking ahead of her, so Serenity did not see her change of expression.
Serenity continued in a sad tone. "I honestly don't know how it could deteriorate that far, but I hope this conference will help to better our relations again."
A small scoff left Methys' mouth, but there was considerable doubt in her eyes, as if she knew she listened to the wishful thinking of someone, who had not truly experienced the real game of politics. Still, she responded diplomatically. "That's what everyone is hoping, your people as much as mine. No one wants a war."
"Yeah, the last one was terrible enough. I might have been only a small kid back then, but I know we suffered heavy casualties. My mother is always so sad, when she is forced to talk about it. She says 'You can no more win a war than you can win an Earthquake.' If whatever we can do here, can prevent an outcome like that, then I will contribute whatever is necessary. At the end that's what we are here for. I might wish about seeing the city or tasting exotic desserts, but… these are just personal whims. They can't be important, when this is about so much more. So, I will do as mother says. She is always so tense during those occasions. And I don't want to make this even more difficult for her. It's no secret that the relations between … some of the Empires have turned quite frosty and the slightest mistake can cause in the worst case a full-out war. She knows what is on the line and she knows the throes of politics. I think she is just worried and wants to keep me out of it."
Methys stoically walked ahead, but her shoulders had tensed up considerably, a dark frown on her face. Her response, however betrayed little of those bodily signs of unease. "A noble cause but most often not easily obtained. Unfortunately, politics tend to play a role wherever you go, even when you expect it least. And for people in your position, there most probably is no way to circumvent frequent confrontations with the vexed topic."
"Yeah, even now we are talking about it. I am sorry, if I am boring you with my petty laments." She scratched her head sheepishly.
Methys smiled a croaked smile. "Not at all. I value seeing things from a different perspective. And I don't exactly approve of everything our authorities decide in some regards either. However, sometimes, it's just the way things are. It's not as if I can do much about it." The last part sounded a tad bit frustrated.
"Yeah, I know. It's not as if you are royalty." Methys almost seemed to miss a step in her stride. "If someone is able to bring some change it would be the royal dynasties and not the common folk. They are only the ones who suffer from it."
Methys' jaw had grown tense again and this time Serenity seemed to notice.
"Don't get me wrong, nothing of this is your fault. I mean, how could you make a difference? That is not your duty. It's theirs. That's why they are the leaders. At the end, I just don't understand why it's so difficult to get along. I mean we are all just people. We share the same fears and hopes, the same dreams and goals. We all want to protect our beloved ones. Cultures and home worlds aside we are all the same and we can learn to understand each other, if we just put some effort into it. I mean, look at us! We just met, we were just strangers and we have already found things to talk about. If we can already form some sort of bond and a sense of understanding in such a short amount of time, then why is it so difficult between the Empires?"
"Empires just try to best each other with little regard to the people. They rather lose themselves in politics." Methys noted absent-mindedly as if talking to herself.
"Politics are meant to prevent wars and dissolve the tensions."
"Most times they rather cause them."
"Only if that's the aim of the politicians to begin with."
Methys cocked her head in consideration. "True enough."
"But that's not right. Those in power are supposed to serve the people not themselves. They are the ones who cling to their grudges and keep the animosities alive. They are the ones who chose to play petty political games instead of doing their duty. Still, they do not learn from the mistakes of the past and just repeat them over and over."
"I am afraid it's not that simple." Methys responded a tad bit frostily.
"Isn't it? Empires are led by people and people have a free will. They have the power to make a choice. They can listen, they can sympathize and they can work for the benefit of all. And most of all they can decide against bloodshed, against war and still they most often … do not."
"And they typically have reasons for their decisions. People are easily influenced by a plethora of things. Out of those they will always choose those that mean the most to them, not those that should have priority as a basis to act on. That's the weakness of all living beings and why we are able to gloss over even the worst atrocities as just means to protect what is most important to us." She made a small pause. "Perspectives change… they are never the same… not even for the same person."
"Yes, that's what they are supposed to do. Otherwise we would never learn to better ourselves."
"Most often it works in the opposite direction."
"No, it doesn't just happen to a person. That person lets it happen, no matter what direction. You always have a choice to fight for bettering yourself or to accept becoming a worse person."
"That presumes that that person still knows the difference. That the person even cares to begin with. Quite often they do not in both cases."
"Then you need someone to tell you. Someone you care for." There was a passion in her words that seemed to impress Methys.
A lenient half-smile appeared on her face. "You make it sound so simple. You presume people want to better themselves, but people don't want to change. Change is risky. Change requires courage and you never know what that change will bring for you. Change is just the last option that is considered when everything else fails. When it can't get any worse."
Serenity looked to the side, more serious than ever. "Are we not already at this point."
Methys' tone turned solemn. "No. Not quite yet."
"Change is inevitable. It's ambivalent. It's what we make out of it."
"Exactly. And there will always be people who find a certain kind of change not to their liking. You have to understand, in their eyes a system that barely works, is better than risking to have no system at all or worse one they cannot control. There is too much political and historical baggage between the nations, which had decades to build up and fester. Enforcing the change, you want would be equivalent with bashing your head through a wall and expecting it to break earlier than you do."
"Well, I am pretty good at that."
Methys just blinked at her entirely gob smacked. Then she laughed out loud. It was a hearty laugh, genuine and… unexpected.
Serenity reciprocated with a radiant beam of a smile. "It's really nice talking to you. You are a very good listener and... and you are not at all what they say about Mercurians…" She mused, realizing too late how that must sound, her eyes widening in fright.
Methys raised a challenging eyebrow. "Oh, what is it they say?"
Serenity blushed. "Nothing. Sorry, for mentioning it."
Methys offered her an encouraging grin. "Come on. Now, you made me curious."
"No, I won't tell. That would be entirely rude. And I already told you, you don't fit that description."
"You know, you already revealed half of it in admitting it would be rude to tell. And how do you wanna know I am not the same of what you have heard? You only talked to me for five minutes. I could be the worst asshole around here."
"You saved a Lunarian from drowning, endangering your own life in doing so. If you fit in the typical description of a Mercurian I have heard, you definitely would have let me drown."
Methys grimaced, muttering. "That's quite the reputation, isn't it? I wish I could tell you; it isn't accurate."
"It's…" Serenity lowered her head. "I don't want to insult your people. I just know, we are not welcome here. Not anymore."
Methys gauged her seriously. "If you know, then why do you even talk to me? I am still one of them as you pointed out so accurately after I pulled you out of the water."
Serenity shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. I just wanted to ... try. I consider all people friends; I haven't met yet, at least until they give me reason to think otherwise. You have been nothing but friendly to me, although I have given you nothing but trouble in return so far."
The corner of Methys' mouth twitched. "Oh, believe me; you have provided far more than trouble."
"That's …good, I think? I just… well I haven't even said it so far, have I? Thank you for saving my life." She half-bowed in front of her.
Methys dipped her head in a revering gesture. "You are welcome."
There was some more silence between them and Serenity's gaze strayed again to taking in the landscape, while Methys led the way.
From time to time Serenity glanced briefly at her, almost nervously. Then she staggered out a question her hands wrung nervously. "You know who I am, don't you?" Her voice was tentative and shy as if she wasn't sure whether she had committed a huge mistake in asking that question.
Methys stiffened briefly, then she sighed. "Yes… I know. You are Princess Serenity of the Lunarian Empire. The rightful heir of the Crown and future Senshi of the Silver Crystal."
"I wasn't sure, whether you…" She trailed of sheepishly.
"You might want to consider changing your hairstyle, if you want to stay incognito... well, and the color…" Methys suggested dryly.
Serenity blinked. Then she replied slyly. "I consider it … for the next time."
"Well, and you should also not give away that much while talking. Even without the hair it wouldn't have been a difficult guess."
"I … wasn't trying to hide, who I am? Would you have preferred, if I had done so?" She asked genuinely interested in her response, but also a tad bit apprehensive.
Methys huffed gently. "No, I guess not."
Serenity gauged her thoroughly from the side, before she visibly steeled herself. "Listen, you will probably decline this one the same as you did my other offers, but I am going to make the request anyway… should you ever come to the Lunarian Empire, would you contact me then?"
"Why?"
"I would like to show you some sights…"
Methys raised a disbelieving brow. "You don't even know, whether I am the type for sightseeing…"
"You are a Mercurian. There is nothing your folks are not interested in. At least that part of your reputation appears to be true for you as well."
"Well, I can't really deny that."
"So, is that a yes?" She asked hopefully.
"I make no promises."
"You did make a pinky promise, before." Serenity pointed out, adorning a small pout.
"Well, yes, I was kind of taken by surprise … this will be not one, although… I will consider it should I ever step on the Moon, which is… not very likely, I have to admit."
Serenity sighed in half-annoyed resignation. "You are truly a hard nut to crack."
"Says the one with the hardest skull, I have ever encountered."
"Well, I have the feeling the wall I am bashing my head on right now, is showing some slight cracks. Maybe with a bit more effort…"
"I am afraid I have to inform you, that your time is up to indulge into more efforts. We have reached our destination." Methys pointed forward at some elaborately designed gates.
"Oh." Serenity sounded disappointed and her pace got slower as if she wanted to stall for some more time. With a shy side-glance, she finally dared to ask. "You sure, you don't want…"
Methys showed an indulgent smile. "The answer stays the same no matter how many times you bring it up. Your quarters are right across the courtyard and I guess the fretting lady in front of it, is looking for you."
"Oh shit. That's Luna. Oh no, and now she has seen us." Subconsciously, she made a step backwards, almost as if she wanted to hide behind the Mercurian.
Methys eyed the Lunarian advisor suspiciously. "Well, I guess that's the signal to take my leave." She had already turned around as soon as she noticed the approaching woman. Clearly, she wanted to avoid a direct meeting, because her speech got hastier. "I wish you a successful conference. Oh… and try the Nachas." She winked already retreating back the path they came.
"Wait, I didn't even ask for your name!" Serenity tried to follow her, when Luna's reprimanding voice reached her ears, distracting her momentarily. The woman with purple hair reached her, halting with her hands on her hips right in front of her, so that she had no choice but to focus on her.
"Where have you been? And what happened to you?" Serenity tried to reassure her that she was fine. The moment she managed to get away from her overbearing advisor for the split of a second, she looked around frantically, only to discover that her Mercurian savior was gone.
A notion of utter disappointment appeared on her face. She appeared to be not listening to Luna's ranting at all and only followed her reluctantly back to her quarters, throwing searching looks over her shoulder all the time.
Unbeknownst to her, Methys was still watching her, hidden in a copse of some air root trees. Mumbling to herself in a mixture of worry, resignation and irony, she waited until the blonde woman vanished inside the building. "Don't worry. You will get to know my name soon enough… and I doubt you want to show me any Lunarian sights then." She sighed.
AN: Well, it's quite dialog heavy, but yeah, I have to explain some things. I am looking forward to your thoughts. On a side note, to make it easier for you, all of our Senshi will have similar names in the past (with the exception of Serenity), but not the same since that is just not doable with the setting, at least not without causing utter confusion. So, the ones I mentioned already in Dreamers Awake are Michiko (Michiru), Minarin (Minako), Haru (Haruka), Reina (Rei) and Setsna (Setsuna). The rest will be revealed soon. As you might already guess, the fateful meeting here will have consequences. Next chapter will shed more light on what is actually going on. Thanks for reading and commenting...