Looking around at the sights of the bustling carnival, Serena, and Pagan walked calmly, laughing and talking among themselves and Tal'lan, who is perched upon Pagan's shoulder, through a mixture of speech and thought. Skipping along slightly ahead, Serena rushed over to claim a seat at the table that Pagan and she has gone before. So lost in her thoughts was she, that she didn't notice where she was going and instantly crashed into a couple of people. "Oh, I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going."
"You NEVER watch where you're going you meatball head! I'm surprised you can walk and do anything else at the same time at all." Serena looked up to see, Rei, Lita, Mina, Amy, Darien, and Chad standing in front of her, the ones she ran into being Darien and Rei themselves.
"Sorry guys.... I was just lost in thought..." Serena said hesitantly, looking from one face to the other.
"Face it Serena, you'll never amount to anything. The only thing you're best at, besides pigging out, is being a total Klutz... Why don't..."
"Why don't you just shut your big mouth before I put my fist in it." Rei's abusing lecture was suddenly interrupted by a cold sinister voice coming from behind the group.
Turning around, the gang saw a tall beautiful woman standing behind them, her long black hair swaying in the slight breeze, her dark silver gaze, slightly ablaze with an inner fire as she glared at the Rei and the group. "Serey kitty, you okay?" Pagan asked softly, not taking her eyes off the scouts.
"I-I'm okay Paige.... ummm...I think the table is still empty...." Serena stuttered out, trying hard to control her emotions. Pagan nodded slowly, finally taking her gaze off the offenders, and looks around slowly, finally settling her gaze upon Chad.
Staring deeply into Chad's eyes for a second or two, Pagan slowly nodded to him then looked at Serena, "Then I propose we get our seats... Tal is probably waiting for us... After you, Mon Petite Cheri.." Pagan said, adopting a perfect french accent towards the end.
Not being able to help herself, Serena suddenly giggled and replied, "Bon, Merci, Madam� Paige."
Making room so that Serena can step by her, Pagan waited until she was sure she was out of hearing range before turning to the Scouts. "Alright Sailors, listen and listen well.... If I EVER catch you hurting Serena like that again, what I will do to you, will make Beryl, Wiseman, and Chaos look like Angels of Peace sent from on high. Your JOB, Mars, is to protect princess Serena from Pain, NOT give her more than she already has! Oh And Mercury, Jupiter, Venus... You three had better start to shape up. If your mothers the planetary queens were alive and well today, they would probably be ashamed of their daughters allowing this pathetic false symbol of friendship to happen."
Taking a deep breath, Pagan rolled her shoulders making herself calm down slightly and looked at the group, only to see the girls look stunned, and slightly ashamed. Turning toward Darien, Pagan nodded her head to him and spoke softly once again, but with a kinder tone. "Prince Endymion, if you like, you may join Serena and I at our table... We were on our way to get a bite to eat and watch the fireworks. I believe that Sere would enjoy having you there, and I will not object to your presence."
"Thank you, I would like that Miss."
Smiling slightly, Pagan held out her hand, "DarkChild...Paige DarkChild. I am sorry for my lapse of manners, but it is hard to remember them when a member of my family is being hurt, even if it is only emotionally."
After shaking hands, Darien and Pagan turned away and began to walk in the direction of the table when Pagan stopped and looked over her shoulder at the silent Scouts. "If you think you four can be civil, you are also welcomed to join us.... Your friend as well."
"If you find us so bad, then why invite us?" Mina couldn't help but ask the stranger.
"Despite your treatment of her, Serena still considers you her friends, though I have no idea why."
Following Pagan, the scouts, Chad, and Darien stopped suddenly at the sight of Serena, sitting calmly on a large blanket, a large pot of tea, with 10 cups and 10 plates of cheesecake, sitting around the the blanket. Calmly sitting beside her, rested two black cats, each with a crescent moon upon their forehead, though one was silver, while the other was gold.
"Well, well, well. It seems you came prepared Serey kitty. How'd you know we were to have guests?" Pagan asked amused.
Looking up from Luna and Tal'lan's conversation, Serena smiled brightly seeing the others.
"I knew you'd bring them with you after chewing them out of course. Hey guys, why don't you come over, have a seat and enjoy the great light show with us?"
Walking over toward her cousin, Pagan sat down on her left and smiled as Tal'lan jumped into her lap. Looking over to the other feline, Pagan smiled. "Hello Luna, I must say it has been awhile since I've seen you. I wonder, do you happen to remember me?"
Blinking suddenly, Luna's eyes began to fill with tears. "Princess Pagan!!!...By the moon, I had thought..."
"What? That I had died? Tsk tsk tsk, Luna. You should have remembered that it takes quite a lot to take me down. But please, within public hearing, it�s just Paige... Paige DarkChild," Pagan said grinning.
"Yes, yes of course. Forgive me Princess. It just took me by complete surprise when I first saw Tal'lan," Luna said.
Picking up Luna, Serena laid her down in her lap and smiled as Darien sat down on her other side.
"Thanks for coming Darien... Oh! Darien this is my cousin Paige...Paige this is Darien," Serena giggled.
"I believe we have met, though I have yet to meet this one," Pagan replied, gesturing to Chad.
"Oh... Paige, this is Chad. He works at Rei's temple and is a great friend.... Chad this is my cousin Paige DarkChild."
'Princess Serena.... The one you call Chad... THAT is Yuuchiru.... Pagan�s half brother and leader of the Shadowmoon Knights. He is the of the flames of Mars.' Tal'lan telepathically told her.
Suddenly staring at Chad, Serena's eyes widen slightly before blinking and looking to Darien, to see his gaze on her, a question deep within them.