V: A Ball on the Moon

�The stars look so pretty tonight, I�m almost amazed with the amount of light there is in here�
The young girl, her hair held high in two chestnut bunches stood almost motionless and enraptured at the night sky, which sparkled beyond the curving glass dome roof of the Moon Kingdom hallway. She sighed a little and spun round trying to get the best view. Around her came the low buzz of people; conversing, milling around as they gradually arrived for Serenity�s celebration ball. The girl, Princess Mellissa was alone in her own world, standing in a clear space on the cream coloured marble flooring with the long blue gown she wore scraping the tiles everything she moved.
�Good evening Mell� a soft voice interrupted her stargazing.
Mellissa lowered her head
�Oh Michiru, how great to see you again. It has been a while�
�It certainly has� the other replied with a smile.

Michiru was a beautiful girl; her hair lay loose, tumbling in aqua waves over pale shoulders and almost matched the colour of her chiffon layered gown. As the two Princesses stood there in a pause another arrived placing one careful hand on Michiru�s shoulder. Mell smiled upwards at the tall Haruka, dressed imperially in a dark blue satin.
�And you Haruka� she addressed her �How are you this fine evening? Excited about Serenity�s prospect�
Haruka sort of smiled a response, �I guess so� she decided. �Are we some of the first here?�
�Oh no the halls packed� Mell shook her head indicating the vast ballroom behind her
�Like to arrive fashionably late Mell?� Michiru enquired teasingly.
�Yep� Mell nodded
�Well it seems as though you aren�t the latest� Haruka had turned round at the loud noise of a joint arrival by Cassie, Lita, Mina and Teimei. Mina, Lita and Cassie were all fairly close friends who hadn�t seen each other for a while and their discovery at arriving together emitted lots of high pitched girly squealing of �Wow Mina/Cassie/Lita you�re here! It�s been so long and I�ve missed you so much!�
Mell sighed and shook her head, Haruka had to sympathise
�Bit loud aren�t they?�
�My god yes� Mell replied

�Oh my God! Leeetaaaa� Cassie yelled throwing her arms around Princess Lita. Lita responded equally
�Hey Cassie. I can�t believe we arrived together�
�I know!!!!� Mina joined in with a big group hug which all three pulled out of very quickly muttering �Aargh my dress!�
Near to them, Princess Teimei stood by quietly smiling in soft mirth at their reunion. She gradually strolled alone into the hallway and spied Mell standing with Haruka and Michiru
�Hi� she greeted gently
The other three acknowledged her with a nod and a smile
�Did the noisiness put you off too?� Mell enquired
�No it�s ok� Teimei replied polite as ever.
'You're too kind' Haruka decided as the dual entry of Esa and Ami prompted more shouts of happiness from the assembled girls.

The congregation moved rapidly into the great hall. The younger Serenity mingled happily with her friends but cast frequent lovelorn glances out of a tall French-style window to where Endymion stood in animated conversation with his younger brother, Topaz. Princess Lita had found the punch bowl and had spent much of her evening going back and forth from it with refills of the special Lunarian drink. It was a spectacle of a drink, glowing a bright luminescent white it was concocted of milk, fermented Moonflower petals (a popular sweet), fermented potato, white chardonnay grape and a sprig of cherry blossom for decoration. The taste was sweet, a floral candy sweet taste and Lita was downing it very quickly much to the amusement of Ami. Mell once managed to wrangle the glass from Lita and took a quick sip. She crinkled up her nose in distaste. 'Euuw' she commented 'too sweeet'.
'Ah all the more for me then' Lita had announced before wandering off in a blissful daze to where Mina and Rei were sat with their ample glasses of chardonnay grape wine.

Haruka was being a bit more mature over her drinking as she stood with her arms crossed patiently surveying the crowded ballroom and taking occasional sips from a glass of red which hung limply from her fingers. She and Michiru really stood out, both tall and elegant girls with an incredible aura of beauty. A magnetic sort of beauty, and tonight Haruka looked especially striking in her long navy satin dress. Her slight moodiness somewhat ruined the effect, the more approachable Michiru on the other hand smiled warmly at all who passed the two girls while never abandoning her friend. Teimei gradually drifted her way over to them. She left Mell in a hyperactive little world with Cassie and quietly moved through the dancing crowds. Teimei greeted as she always did, a nod and a smile of recognition before speaking with a barely audible 'hello'. She got on well with Michiru; ironically they had similar appearances with only the colour of hair being any particular distinguishing feature. Michiru was a more beautiful girl, she had a certain sparkle in her aqua-coloured eyes whereas Teimei was more of a dark-haired mystery but from a distance they looked similar. Their personality temperaments did not clash either, Teimei was quiet. Quiet, unassuming, inoffensive, she did not always like her louder counterparts and enjoyed spending time with Michiru's gentle, graceful airs. On her part Haruka liked Teimei too, she was not brash, she was not embarrassing, she had an elegance of her own.

Cassie was dancing comically with Mell, the two girls breaking into fits of giggles as they tripped over long dress trains and bumped into other couples, members of the nobility, who wanted to reprimand the two girls until they saw who they were. As they danced, Cassie grabbed the hand of the staggering Lita and drew her into their little circle. Ballroom dancing in a three became quite a show and they were being watched with particular scrutiny by Esa and Ami who stood leaning against the wall off to the side. Eventually Lita broke away and fumbled her way for the French windows and a breath of air before the ceremony. Cassie had followed her closing the door behind them as they made their ways down a short flight of marble steps into the extensive gardens of the palace. The shadows were working in their favour, Lita quickly sought out a cold dark spot to take rapid breaths, as she stood bent over with her hands on her knees.

'Is everything ok Cass?' she asked taking short gasps of breath
'I could ask the same about you' the redhead replied. 'Are you cold?'
'A little'
Cassie sighed; she took her shawl from around her shoulders and draped it over Lita.
'You drank a lot' she said
'It was so nice' Lita protested, then stopped to breathe again. 'Besides I like to dance and have fun with my friends'. She made a funny little retching sound and Cassie's eyes opened wide in fear �You�re not going to be sick are you?'
Lita breathed and retched again 'I urn I...' she stood up. 'No I'm going to be fine' she smiled in the darkness at Cassie then sat down with her back against the privet hedge. Cassie joined her. For a few moments each girl merely looked over their surroundings, the tall stone walls and turrets of the Palace, of the ballroom with it's high French windows pouring out a warm golden light. Of the noise from inside, music and laughter so far away from their peaceful nighttime silence broken only by the splashing of water from the fountain. Cassie sighed deeply; she gazed at the blackness of space. The beauty of the hot white stars sparkling high above them. She loved times like these, silent contemplatative times. She was able to think, able to be peaceful.

'How are you anyway Cass?' Lita asked breaking into her thoughts. The taller girl was now sober again; she smiled warmly at her close friend.
'Oh you know me. I'm always in a good mood' Cassie replied with a grin.
'Really?' Lita did not believe her. She knew Cassie better than that. She always appeared outgoing, always seemed to be in a good mood, always loyal and caring but like anyone she had feelings beneath the surface.
'Everyone wears masks Cass' she said.
'Lita..' Cassie reprimanded 'We're here, at a fantastic night, a fantastic ball on the Moon and you are getting all depressed. You need more alcohol my child' she leant over hugging her friend.
'You haven't told her yet' Lita continued.
'No' Cassie pulled away.
'Why?'
'Fear I guess. What stops us from doing anything but fear, or the side of common sense? She's a bit well...'
'Harsh? Uncaring? Shell-like?'
'No. A little scared or daunted I guess. It's like a high-security defense system. When arrows reign down the shields go up immediately in a tortoise around her form, virtually impenetrable.'
'Good analogy'
'It's all I can think of'
'You should tell her though'
'I'm afraid of losing the friendship'
'Trust me Cass'

A fanfare sounded from the direction of the Palace.
'Oh dear Liea' Cassie exclaimed. The two girls rushed to their feet and began to run furiously back to the Palace trying desperately not to trip as they hurtled up the stone stairs.
'Tell her' Lita reminded one last time as they ran through the doorway.
'Fine, fine' Cassie nodded hurriedly.

The ceremony of initiation was beginning. All the Princesses in their imperial planetary gowns stood behind the doorway to the Silver Gallery, the beautiful marble-and-moonstone hall where Serenity's throne was positioned. They did as they had been accorded to do. As various nobility filed in they created a walkway down the centre of the room directly before the Queen and the Princess where each senshi was to be presented. They would arrive in planetary order of distance from the moon, the farthest out arriving first. The girls shifted around excited and nervously behind the door. Esa and Haruka were (separately) rolling their eyes and sighing at having to be put on show. Mina, Mell and Rei were still a bit drunk and Ami laughed quietly embarrassed at this. Michiru and Teimei stood together in silence surveying the rest while Cassie had become a little agitated and worried over something with Lita casting frequent concerned glances at her. Within the gallery, the announcement had begun.

'We are here on this fine evening to celebrate with Our Lady Serenity, the discovery of the starseed and the powers of these entities. Her Imperial Majesty is celebrating the ascension of the owners of these seeds, the twelve Princesses' of our Glorious Federation to become the Royal Guard, the forefront of our protection and more importantly of our young Princess Serenity. For the future of our people, for the majesty of the Millennium...'
Almost all of the Princesses had turned a shade of bright crimson at these words. How on earth were they supposed to live up to this, it was all so embarrassing? All these eyes on them. Mina was loving every moment of it; she waited attentively and proudly with her arm hooked around Rei's for her name.
'May I present to you my Queen' the announcer continued 'these young ladies of such mystical beauty.'
'Who in the name writes these?' Cassie quickly hissed to Ami.
'I don't know' Ami replied with a smile, and then she laughed.

'Their Ladies, Princess' Teimei of Virgo and Cassandra of Leo'

'Oooooh crikey!' Cassie muttered and quickly grabbed Teimei's arm.

The two strode elegantly and confidently into the room. They were fully aware of the eyes on them, but Cassie sensed it was more in admiration than spite. She held her flame-red waves high and focused her eyes on the Queen. As they reached the throne, each girl curtsied deeply and fell to their knees before the silver-haired monarch. They bowed their heads and repeated the rhyme, which had been drilled into them since receiving the announcement.

They spoke in one voice, clear and slowly. The Queen acknowledged this taking her part in the protocol. She beckoned a minister forwards and he obeyed immediately hurrying forwards with a silver platter adorned with identical silver trinkets. The trinkets were tiaras, a thin elegant curving shape the lines winding around each other support a silver star in the centre. This star itself was decorated, embedded with a diamond upon each of the nine points and in the centre of the star, a coloured birth crystal. The minister approached noiselessly and bowed deeply. The Queen slowly nodded her head in recognition and placed the tiaras assigned for Virgo and Leo upon the girls� heads.
'I thank you for your grace' she spoke softly giving the two their cue to rise. This was performed immediately, with a small curtsey from each of thanks, they moved a little to one side to await the next couple through the gleaming hall.

The girls duly followed, next came Esa and Mell. Then Setsuna and Michiru, Haruka and Hotaru, Lita and Ami and finally Mina and Rei. The Princes of Earth were presented too as protectors of the Millennium. Indeed all those of Royal Blood in possession of a Starseed were to become Defenders of the Millennium, a frontline guard of both symbolism and practicality. The ceremony ended with Serenity's speech explaining her actions, explaining the senshi and then a final ritual drinking of a (non-alcoholic) sacred Lunarian drink of Milk, Moonflower and Grape.

'That was a wonderfully overdone affair' Esa commented later on once all the pomp had finished and dancing and re-started.
'And that's a bit harsh' Cassie admonished. She was grateful that they were alone for no one to hear. 'Accept it with good grace, what has gotten into you today? I thought it was wonderful. Ritual is a funny thing and it can seem unnecessary but I feel quite proud of who I now am. I'd rather it be recognised by a bit of pomp and circumstance than to let it fade into a nothingness'
The Leonine was a little taken aback with her telling-off, but it didn't really seem to take too much effect on her friend.
'I'm fine' Esa replied pushing against a tall glass door.
'It's cold out' Cassie pointed out.
'I'm not asking you to come'

Esa burst out of the doors into the crisp air. It was very chill and the girl shivered with the icy air against her bare shoulders. She stood for a moment admiring the sky, admiring the beauty of shadows and darkness that veiled the gardens with the lawns, gravelly paths, fountains and mysterious network of privet hedges. Behind her was light and warmth, a light which bathed her shoulders and back in a soft pale amber hue as she stood in contrast to the inky black beyond. Long blonde hair tumbled in soft feathery waves down her back and she had her head tipped to one side, almost melancholy with the blue stole hanging limply from the rings around her fingers. Cassie sighed a little despairing sigh then pushed open the door herself moving from the raucous to the empty quiet. Just them and the night, it was far too cold for others to venture out.
~Just me~ Cassie thought ~I'm out here again. Just me and the cold and my queen of ice~

With a sudden movement the blonde turned to hurtle down the flight of stone steps, taking two at a time and increasing in speed. She ran quickly into the shadows of the gardens. Cassie sighed once more and pursued. Esa eventually found what she was looking for, guided by the brightly shining reflective light of the Earth she wound her way through eerily lit pathways of foliage, across the lawns and fountains until, surrounded by the inky shadows she arrived at the lake. There she stood once more, watching the water seep in and out, back and forth from the black sand by the weak tidal pull of the Earth.

~Why has she come out so far~ Cassie glanced back at the Palace. It was still immense on her skyline but the figures in the giant golden windows grew smaller and smaller as she pursued her friend. Then she came into view, the solitary figure by the lake.
'What in the name of Liea are you up to?' she yelled. Her voice rang out, a cutting knife through a tense silence. Esa initially made no reply.
'In our own world again? Stop it with the defences Ese and tell me what's up. Stop running, if you can't tell me who in the world can you tell'
'Fine' Esa rounded on her semi-angrily. 'Don't you appreciate when people need to be alone�?
'Is that all the time for you?' Cassie retorted. She was hurt; she was going to follow Lita's advice although it had crossed her mind how Lita could have possibly known without her telling. Was she that obvious? That thought played on her mind equally.
'No' Esa replied. Her voice had dropped to a barely audible whisper. Then she laughed, one of her knowing laughs at a quirk of life. More of a 'hah' or short exhalation of air than anything else. Cassie realised this sudden mood change and approached a little warily.

'You know' Esa addressed her as she grew closer 'Serenity's speech had a nice note of irony tonight. Well for me anyway'
'This is about that thing isn't it.� Cassie ventured 'That thing in the sky?'
'You know me so well' Esa turned her head and smiled warmly. Cassie smiled back and sat down upon the sand.
'So..' she asked
'Well' Esa sighed. She stretched out and assumed a seat next to Cassie. 'You are not going to believe this but that was an invasion of sorts. My mother decided she would reason with them. Therein lies the irony, I become a protector of the Millennium the day my planet almost destroys that fragile unity we seem to have.'
'You're joking' Cassie tried but it was quite clear that Esa was being deadly serious. As usual the Aquarian had sought cynical humour to help her through her ordeal.
'The result is favourable for the Millennium' Esa continued 'But not for me. Mother used the Matriarchal society to her advantage. I am now betrothed to an alien invader. Which is just great' she sighed and placed her head between her knees. 'Hence my wanting to be alone'
'Except you need us more now than ever...'
'I need you Cass. You were right earlier, I would die without your support.'
'I am your best friend' Cassie replied calmly.

She realised though how distraught her friend was a gingerly placed her arms around the other girl. Her heart skipped a bit as she held her, her stomach flipped and her heart...
'I don't know what to do except I don't want to lose you' Esa kept on talking. 'I'm sorry for yelling, and running off. Stupid I suppose but at least here we can't, or my secret can't be discovered. I don't want anyone to know. It's too dangerous'
'Ok' Cassie nodded slowly. The only thing in her mind was Lita's nagging voice, and she cursed herself for her selfishness.
'You know' Esa said brightening up a bit 'My mother thinks that I am in love with you' she smiled semi-comically.
Cassie nodded at this, a breath catching in her throat.

'And are you?' was all she could think of to respond to an announcement like that.
'Yes'

Cassie stopped breathing for a second. It was bizarre, so bizarre a way to find out or anything really. She mentally made a note to breathe again despite her mind being a complex whirl of thoughts. Supposedly she had hoped such a thing in her life to calm her thoughts, to close some of the concerns, the worries, the niggles on her mind yet it seemed more furiously jumbled all of a sudden. Immediate to her thoughts were the next thing she should say.
~response response response choose a response~
her mind drilled over and over. Returning the sentiment could be clich�d in some way. Saying anything may seem clich�d in some way. There really was no action she could take to seem deeply heartfelt or fitting in her own mind. She remained silent and instead leant her head forwards. Slowly she brought her hand up to catch Esa's face, to hold and touch her skin, then very slowly and tentatively Cassie tipped her chin to one side and kissed her tenderly and deeply.