Work Text:
Trumpets resounded above the heads of the crowd gathered within the ginkgo-lined promenade.
“Presenting his royal Highness, Prince Endymion of Earth.”
Cheerful caws filled the air, accompanied by a flurry of ebony feathers.
Grasping the hem of his cape, the prince made a polite bow to the Koronian Premiere.
“Earth is honoured to be a guest of planet Koronis.”
As he straightened up, the Prince fluttered his black and midnight blue cape in such a way that it evoked the dark wings of his avian hosts.
The Premiere nodded his head cordially. “Koronis is welcome to host you, Prince Endymion.”
The Prince strode to the side of the Premiere and stood attentively as the consequent foreign dignitaries were introduced.
“Greetings, your Highness.” Looking to his left, the Prince’s eye fell upon an elderly tuxedo clad man. “I am Felix, the Mautian ambassador to Koronis.”
“A pleasure, Ambassador Felix,” replied the Prince cordially.
“Is this your Highness’s first time visiting Koronis?”
“Yes,” the Prince replied simply.
“It is a most wondrous world. Of course, the music is the finest in the Silver Millennium alliance, but the natural beauty is a marvel too. And, despite this heat, you have come at a particularly lovely time of year. In summer, the Koronian atmosphere filters the light of its local star and moon in such a way that sunset and moonrise are a wonder to behold. It magnifies the natural light in such a way that it bathes the entire planet in a magnificent luminescence.”
“I shall endeavour to observe such a sight tonight.”
“Yes, given my hosts, I find it helpful to focus upon the dance of light at the end of each day. It helps maintain my discipline over my ‘natural urges’ as it were.” The Prince cocked an eyebrow but the Mautian didn’t seem to have noticed as he droned onwards. “By the same token, I enjoy these formal occasions because it gives me an excuse to adopt my humanoid form and thereby repress such urges furth-”
The ambassador cut himself off. A wave of tension and repressed chatter swept across the crowd. Any Koronians that had taken to the trees to converse flapped down to the ground and seemed to instinctively flank the promenade.
“Presenting our final guest. Her royal Highness, Serenity, crown Princess of the Silver Millennium.”
From the corner of his beady eye, the Koronian ambassador noticed Prince Endymion’s body oddly stiffen. But then, no two worlds in the Silver Millennium were more closely entwined than those of Earth and the Moon. What was perhaps more peculiar was the momentary pause in the Moon Princess’s step as she made her way up the promenade, and the slight widening of the eyes when she spotted Prince Endymion.
“Prince Endymion,” she began after greeting the Premiere, “I did not expect to see you here today.”
“Nor I you, Princess Serenity. What an unexpected pleasure.”
For a moment the Kornian ambassador was confused by the odd tones in their voices. Furthermore, he could have sworn the Earth Prince and Moon Princess had never formally met before. But then, Koronis was on the outer edges of the Silver Millennium alliance, he doubted Koronians (save their ambassadors Phobos and Deimos) were particularly up to date with Lunarian-Terran relations.
Nevertheless, as the pair parted and began to mingle amidst the other guests and native Koronians the Premiere couldn’t help but find his gaze drawn to the two royals. It was a task he found fairly easy. Whilst there were dozens of humanoid ambassadors in attendance at the ball, the Prince and Princess particularly stood out. He because of his regal mane of silver hair and she due to her equally luxurious locks of gold, topped by a bright red ribbon…
From a gilded cage, a band of blue jays struck up a song, prompting the attendants to pair off and begin dancing, whether on the dancefloor beneath the similarly gilded canopy or in the air weaving between the trees that flanked the promenade.
Naturally, as the ‘Moon Princess’, Sailor Venus had no shortage of dance partners and after a while her anxiety had almost subsided. That was until she heard a deep, almost baritone voice from behind her.
“May I cut in?”
Before Venus had the chance to respond she found herself swept away from the Cocoonian ambassador by an irresistibly strong arm about her waist. With a flash of silver she found her right hand grasped equally firmly.
“What are you doing?” she hissed.
“I could ask you the same question,” Kunzite replied.
“I’m not the one who practically kidnapped someone whilst they were talking!” Venus hissed.
Kunzite gave a small smile and a polite nod to a dignitary who had glanced in their direction. “I meant what are you doing here at all,” he said through his teeth as he continued to smile.
“As head of Princess Serenity’s security it is sometimes necessary for me to act as a decoy for Her Majesty,” Venus replied, smiling in what she hoped was a reassuring way to the dignitary herself. “Now why are you pretending to be your Prince?”
“For similar reasons as yourself,” Kunzite replied, giving Venus a spin before returning his hand to the small of her back. Venus found herself feeling a little hot and dizzy and suspected that had little to do with the summer heat. “He assured me he was in danger of being bored to death were he to attend this event. Whilst I can see why, I must admit it was an uncharacteristically irresponsible attitude from his majesty.”
“Funny,” whispered Venus as she stepped forwards, Kunzite stepping back in synchrony with her, “Serenity spun me the same line. Although in her case it was all too characteristic,”
“Your Princess’s flaunting of protocol has been a bad influence upon my Prince it seems,” Kunzite said, now stepping forwards himself, albeit a tad too much, his body closer to Venus’ than it ought to have been for the dance.
Feeling Kunzite’s sweet breath upon her face, Venus found that she felt dizzy again. It seemed Serenity had been a bad influence upon her too.
“I, er, suppose, Serenity and Endymion are on Earth together right now,” Venus said hastily, limply attempting to distract herself.
“No doubt,” replied Kunzite, “That was probably why they arranged this double deception.”
“Well, I just hope they’re on their ‘best behaviour’. I’ve heard all sorts of stories about your Prince.” Venus was surprised at how ‘Artemish’ she sounded. She supposed that was a good thing. Discipline was key right now.
“They are just that,” said Kunzite, giving Venus another twirl before bringing her in closer again, “Stories. Our Prince is a noble and dutiful man. But he is also famed for his attractiveness, a fact that breeds desire and jealousy in equal measure, and in turn generates rumour. I’m sure you, of all people, could understand the Prince’s position in this matter.”
Kunzite led them through a side-step, but his eyes never wavered from hers, making it clear that he had meant his compliment in the utmost sincerity.
“...Um…” Venus snatched desperately at something to say, “...Um…Se-Serenity is noble and dutiful too. In her own way I mean.”
“I’m sure she is.” Kunzite had broken eye contact with Venus, though she wasn’t sure if this was out of consideration for her or simple coincidence. Frustratingly, she wasn’t sure which she wanted it to be either. “I just hope her brand of ‘duty’ will not lead to any more bad influences upon our Prince whilst we are away. Neither of our kingdoms can afford any ‘happy little accidents’ occurring.”
Venus felt a hot flush, but one distinctly different to the kinds she’d been feeling throughout the dance. Whatever dizzying sensations had been filling Venus’ mind at that moment were replaced by a burning indignity. She channelled every ounce of that indignity into her next words, fighting to nevertheless keep her voice hushed. “Serenity would never ever be so careless as to do something…like…that…” Her scowl softened and melted away, her anger on behalf of her beloved friend giving way to mounting anxiety. Whilst the Shitennou might’ve been out of line in saying what he said, Venus couldn’t deny that there was a ring of truth to his words. Whether it was games, candy, or napping, Serenity was no stranger to liberally indulging her personal delights. And Venus knew of nothing that delighted her more than Endymion.
As Venus’ cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, she felt Kunzite’s grip on her back and hand suddenly relax, his body moving away from hers, though not completely. “Er, I’m sure my fellow Shitennou will keep them both out of trouble. As will the Senshi under your command, correct?”
“Oh yes, absolutely!” enthused Venus, not sure whether she should tighten or loosen her own hold upon Kunzite. “In fact I’ve been noticing our team mates getting along very well in recent months.”
“As have I,” said Kunzite. “I think that will be the mutual advantage of our two charges.”
“Exactly. If our two teams work together it will better guarantee the safety of our charges. Many hands make light work and all that.” added Venus with a laugh she hoped wasn’t too awkward or unnatural.
“Yes…Although…”
“Although…?” Venus repeated, though she had a niggling suspicion of where this might be going.
“Well…the other week I couldn’t help notice how Jadeite kept talking about your Sailor Mars…”
“...Jupiter hardly went a day without bringing up Nephrite…”
“And Mercury”
“And Zoisite”
They suddenly stopped dancing.
They had both spoken simultaneously, though suddenly Venus wasn’t entirely sure who had said what, as she saw her own anxiety reflected in Kunzite’s own eyes. Reflexively, she tightened her grip on Kunzite’s shoulder, as if to steady herself in wake of the concerning reality they had both hit upon. In response, Kunzite tightened his hold on her back and hand. Venus however got the distinct impression that had little to do with any anxiety the Shitennou might’ve been feeling.
Slowly, a new wave of hot, heady, though far from unpleasant, dizziness built within her. And, incrementally, Venus’ anxiety seemed to ebb away, along with all of her surroundings, save for the man in front of her. His tanned skin. His piercing silver eyes. His silky mane of similarly silver…hair…
Like a knife, Venus’ mind’s eye was consumed with the image of a young girl who looked very much like herself. Except her hair was the most luminous of silver.
“We…We…must endeavour to set a good example for our comrades.” The words seemed to speak through Venus rather than the Senshi saying them herself.
“Y-yes.” Agreed Kunzite.
Simultaneously, they relaxed their grips on one another, moved apart and finally, broke contact completely. With a bow to one another, they adopted other dance partners, never sharing so much as a look with one another for the rest of the gathering.
“Goodnight, Prince Endymion.”
“Goodnight, Ambassador Felix.”
Whilst it was not yet sunset, the Koronian hosts were understanding of the travel-lag many of the dignitaries in attendance would be experiencing. As such few batted a beady eye when ‘Princess Serenity’ decided to retire early, her absence prompting many other guests to do the same soon after.
Kunzite had held on as long as he could, more out of politeness to Ambassador Felix who had been talking his ear off throughout the engagement, and opted to excuse himself alongside his Mautian conversation partner.
Now, having crossed the threshold into ‘his’ room and closing the door he let out a deep sigh of relief and allowed his broad shoulders to slump, shrugging off the identity of his Master. Since he had been determined to arrive at the party on schedule, he hadn’t had much time to observe his chambers when he’d first arrived. The room was large with round, smooth white walls, and a single glass door that led out to a balcony. As Kunzite unbuttoned his grey tunic he reflected that it was far too large for a single person, making him feel as if he stood within the confines of a small stage.
Then again, whilst his own quarters back home were grander than most people’s on Earth’s, tonight he was a Prince; grandeur came with the territory he supposed. Although the king-sized bed he thought was a bit much. Unless, of course, these diplomatic quarters were prepared with a mind for dignitaries…and their partners.
“Hmmm.”
Kunzite narrowed his eyes and allowed the events of earlier to play through his mind. How Venus’ dress had flowed across the dance floor like water. How her golden locks had danced in the wind. And…how sad her eyes had been when she’d said those words.
“We…We…must endeavour to set a good example for our comrades.”
She’d been right of course. Upon returning home he’d need to have a disciplinary discussion with the others, and no doubt Venus would be doing the same with her Senshi. It wasn’t that he didn’t understand how they felt. Hell, it wasn’t as if he didn’t understand how his Master felt. For all the companionship he and the other Shitennou provided, the life of a Prince could be a lonely one. Kunzite had seen that loneliness in his Master’s eyes too often. Perhaps that was why he'd been so lax throughout this madness. Why he’d permitted his Master to flirt with catastrophe that was the Moon Princess.
His eyes suddenly squinted. A shard of golden light had cut through the window and lit up the room.
As his eyes adjusted and he saw the room in a literal new light, he tried and failed to pick up his train of thought. And soon realised his Master’s happiness had not been the only reason he’d let things go as far as they had.
And, as the sun began to set, gradually ebbing yet more golden light into his chambers, a new thought began to dawn upon him…
Despite the excuses she had made, Venus was not in bed yet.
She tried to lie to herself that it was simply too hot to sleep just yet. To that end she had changed into her coolest nightwear, a backless gold shimmer strap dress that left little to the imagination, with a deep V down the cleavage bordered by a gold hem that barely held together with its crisscrossed gold chain, leading down to a midsection cutout down the navel also bordered by a gold hem, with the waist also visible. The garment was completed by the dress skirt which consisted of two hip-high slits that gave plenty of ventilation to her legs.
The outfit had apparently worked too well as Venus felt rather cold and numb now, with sleep proving as elusive as ever. She changed tactics and went out onto the balcony, hoping to warm herself with the last vestiges of the sun, promising herself she would sleep better once the darkness of evening truly descended. However, for some reason the day was taking longer to end than it did back home.
She clenched her fist, wishing she weren’t here but instead back on the Moon where daylight didn’t overstay its welcome. Where her beloved friends resided if she needed to talk, or chew them out as the case may be. Where she could at least hit the training area to work off any pent up frustrations she might be feeling about this or that.
‘This or that.’
What a wonderfully bland way of describing the situ-
Venus abruptly snapped to attention when the light of the day at last did vanish. Except, it couldn’t have. It was unnaturally dark, as if the sun had been suddenly switched off.
She heard a commotion and confusion outside her chambers, and her combat instincts immediately kicked into gear. She snatched her Transformation Pen en route to the door and primed her tongue with the words that would turn her from ‘Princess Serenity’ into the Senshi of Love and Beauty. She would be ready for anything that lay beyond that door. Except as it turned out, for the person who gently knocked upon it.
Venus kept her hand gripped upon her pen, but lowered her guard ever so slightly. After all, what kind of attacker would knock first?
Tentatively, she opened the door.
It was somehow even darker in the stone hallway beyond her door, but her visitor stood in stark contrast to the pitch blackness surrounding him.
“May I come in?” asked Kunzite.
Reflexively, Venus gave a short nod, mostly out of surprise and confusion than anything else.
“What-What did you-?”
Kunzite shrugged. “I have the ability to drain light and generate fields of darkness. I whipped up a small field to disguise myself as I came here.” Even as he said it, all the darkness in the room began to dissipate. “I think a few of the servants and guests were confused by it, but they’ll likely write it off as another of Koronis’ odd natural phenomena.”
“Alright,” said Venus, shaking her head, still trying to process the shock of Kunzite being here, let alone possessing this mysterious ability. “But, why are you here at all? We both said back at the party. We both agreed tha-”
“I’m well aware of what we said and what we agreed,” interrupted Kunzite. “We said we must endeavour to set a good example for those who serve beneath us. So that we can better serve our Prince and Princess.”
“Precisely,” said Venus, doing her best to divert her eyes from Kunzite’s unbuttoned tunic, and the almost bronze chest beneath it.
“Yes, except it occurs to me that those who serve beneath us are currently…absent.”
‘Absent.’ Venus had never realised just how beautiful that word could sound.
“And moreover,” continued Kunzite, “We both came here as decoys for our Prince and Princess. So perhaps, just for now, just for tonight, whilst there are no Senshi or Shitennou around…we might perhaps-”
“…commit to our roles?” prompted Venus suddenly, her eyes growing as large as saucers, her heart thumping in her chest.
“Precisely,” replied Kunzite with a smirk, although far softer than those of earlier.
It was at that moment that Ambassador Felix’s promise was fulfilled. The moon rose. The sun set. And the entire world was bathed in a dance of auric and argent luminescence.
Venus hardly noticed, however. As if mesmerised, she placed her left hand on Kunzite’s shoulder, and her right in his adjacent palm, before closing the gap between them. The pair began to dance in synchrony with the golden and silver light filling the chamber. And later, as the twin light sources began to merge into one, ‘Prince Endymion’ and ‘Princess Serenity’ found themselves following suit.
