"Matrose Mond" - Chapter Nine

    Kani stifled yet another yawn.  She stole a glance over at
Wilhelmina, who was practically asleep at her desk, then she turned
her blurry vision on the clock, praying the timepiece's hands would
move faster.  The day was nearly over.
    Normally, Kani's obvious predicament would have been
foremost on Maria's mind.  Kani's friend had meant to say
something all day to apologize for her rudeness the day before. 
However, her mind was equally preoccupied; the face of that man
from the store yesterday was lodged there.  Maria sighed and
dreamed that her wishes would come true.
    At long last the final bell rang.  There was the usual mad
scramble for the door and the teacher's usual warnings about not
running in the hallway.  Slowly, Kani got her things together.  She
reached over and nudged Wilhelmina, who hadn't stirred.  "Come
on, sleepyhead, time to go."
    "Mmmm," was the wordless reply, but Wilhelmina stumbled
to her feet and readied her satchel for the trip home.  "Shall I call
the limo," Wilhelmina enquired between yawns, "or are we going to
the Nonnenkloster?"
    Kani thought for a moment and realized there was a third
answer.  "Neither.  I have to go home."  The pair headed down the
hall.
    "Kani-"
    "No arguments.  I'm needed there.  I have to go back."
    Wilhelmina shook her head doubtfully as they exited the
school.  "I'm not sure this is a good idea.  You heard your
stepfather, and I don't think he was kidding.  However" - and here
she sighed - "if you need an escort, I'm willing to volunteer."
    "Thanks, but I think it'll be enough if I'm there by myself. 
Seeing you again might make things worse."
    "Good point.  Well, I guess- hey, that's Daddy's car!" 
Suddenly Wilhelmina was wide awake, and she ran over to the
massive Daimler.  The chauffeur, standing at attention, opened the
rear door and the blonde rocketed in.  "Hi, Daddy!"  She threw her
arms around Siegfried K”nig.
    "I'm glad to see you too, meine Sch”nheitsk”nigin.  However,
I'm here to see somebody else.  Is your friend Kani here?"
    Wilhelmina was surprised, but quickly recovered.  She leaned
back out of the car.  "Kani, can you come here a moment?  Daddy
wants to talk to you."
    Kani had turned to go but retraced her steps at the summons. 
"Yes, sir?" she asked, bowing into the back of the car.
    The man sitting there was history brought to life, a face
familiar to her from the newsreels and photographs: the greatest
hero of the Great Eastern War.  His black uniform was a dark
shadow, but the sunlight from outside picked out the tiny silver
double lightning bolts and crown pips on his collar like stars against
the night sky.  He looked a little older, a little fuller of face and
thinner of hair, but he still had that classic profile, that handsome
jaw, and that winning smile.  His eyes, though, gave Kani a
moment's pause.  They locked onto her, held her in their unblinking
gaze.  "Please, come inside," he said with a slight gesture of his
hand.  "It's a pleasure to meet you, Kani."
    Kani tore her eyes away from his stare.  "Thank you, Herr
Reichsf�hrer."  She climbed into the limousine; the door closed
behind her.
    "I was advised of your - ahem - unfortunate incident
yesterday," Siegfried continued.  "I don't believe anyone should be
placed in needless danger, and, since my daughter has few
opportunities to make friends, I suspect I'm simply being
overprotective.  Nevertheless, I've had a little chat with your
stepfather and he thinks it would be best if you moved in with my
family for a while, provided, of course, that you agree."
    Kani was shocked.  "That's very generous of you, Herr
Reichsf�hrer, but I cannot accept.  My mother-"
    "I'm aware of the domestic situation in your home, and how
much your help in the upkeep of the household is needed. 
However, your mother is a remarkable woman - nine children
already, and in the process of bringing forth number ten! - and such
a woman deserves to be treated honourably by the State.  If you
cannot be there to help her cope, then others will have to do so."
    "Are you saying-?"
    "That a regular service will be provided to help with the
cleaning and the housework, and a minder will be furnished by the
State Nursery to look after the other children at regular intervals,
all of course at no cost."  He smiled, a flash of perfect teeth. 
"There's an advantage to having friends whose fathers have a little
influence."
    "And my stepfather agreed to it, Herr Reichsf�hrer?"
    "He was most excited when I made the suggestion.  In fact,
I can say with confidence that he couldn't contain his - er,
enthusiasm with the idea."
    Kani nodded.  "If you don't regard it as an imposition, then I
would be most honoured to accept your invitation."
    Wilhelmina's grin stretched from ear to ear.  "Wunderbar!  Oh,
Kani, you're gonna love it!"
    Siegfried waited until his daughter's exuberance had quieted
down, then said: "Then perhaps we should take you to your family
home so you can gather your belongings?"
    "There'll be no problems?"
    "There will be any help if you need it."  The Reichsf�hrer
pointed behind him with a thumb.
    Kani trurned her head and saw the black outline of a second,
smaller black car sitting a discrete distance behind. "Dankeschoen,
Herr Reichsf�hrer," Kani replied dutifully.
    The limousine pulled away smoothly, followed by the second
vehicle.  Maria watched them go by, taking her friend away from
her.  She shook her head and turned to go, summoning back the
image of her mystery man to keep her company instead.

                     *****

    The neighbourhood had even more to gossip about. 
Yesterday, Hans Schmidt had been hauled off by two SS men, and
today a Party limousine was dropping Kani off, with an escort by
one of the SS men who'd been there earlier.  There had never been
such goings-on before.  Naturally, everyone watched the
proceedings from the safety of their front windows; it wouldn't do
to be in the street if anything untoward happened.
    For what Kani feared would be the last time, she unlocked the
front door of the house and went in.  Tristan followed a short
distance behind.  "Why would it happen to be you on this little
detail?" Kani asked him, not entirely displeased at his presence.
    "It's not what you're thinking; I didn't volunteer for it.  Lately,
Andreas and I have been on, er, ah, special assignment to the
Reichsf�hrer.  I guess he's taken to regarding us as his personal
staff."  Tristan removed his cap and scratched the top of his head
nervously, and resolved to stay as close to the front door as
possible.
    Kani started towards the kitchen, then stopped as her mother
came down the hallway to meet her.  "Hello, Mama," the girl said
softly.
    "You needn't worry, dear," Mama replied, "your stepfather's
gone out.  You can come and get your things."  She turned and led
the way upstairs.
    The room looked threadbare and shabby in comparison to the
palatial suite at Wilhelmina's, even with her sisters' beds and things
cluttering the tiny space.  On Kani's bed sat a small, battered
suitcase.  She touched the handle.  "I remember this," Kani
breathed in a hushed tone.  "This was my case when I went to that
camp."  She turned to Mama.  "That was a long time ago, Mama: a
long time ago."  Slowly, almost reluctantly, she started to put her
belongings into the case - clothes, toiletries; she didn't have much
else to call her own.
    "That's not your school uniform," said Mama.  "Is it one of
your friend Wilhelmina's?"
    "Yes; mine needed to be cleaned."
    "Oh."  They lapsed into silence again.  Finally, Kani's few
possessions sat neatly folded in the case.  The girl lowered the lid
and pressed the fasteners closed; they snapped like two angry
gunshots.
    "Here."  Mama held out a photograph.  "You might want this."
    Kani took the picture and stared at it.  "That's you and me
and... and Daddy," she said, astonished.
    "It was taken just before he died, dear.  Do you remember
that day at the lake?  When Daddy tried to teach you to swim?"
    Kani thought back as far as she could, her eyes closing.  There
were disjointed flashes in her mind and snippets of sound tumbling
about like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  She remembered water - cool,
blue, splashing about her - and an unusual sensation, half-fear,
half-delight.  Why was she horizontal?  She couldn't swim; she was
too little.  *"Don't be afraid, meine kleines Kaninchen; I've got
you."*  Who said that?  That voice, those arms; *"Don't be afraid,
meine kleine Kaninchen; I've got you."*  Kani could feel the water
splashing about her, the odd sensation of floating, and those strong
arms holding her gently as she kicked her feet excitedly.  *"Don't be
afraid, meine kleine Kaninchen; I've got you."*  She clasped the
photo tightly to her breast.  "Yes," she whispered, "I remember." 
Her eyes opened again.  "Thank you, Mama."  Then they were
together, embracing, Kani oblivious to the pain of her ribs and the
tears in her eyes.
    Inevitably, it was time.  They let go, still not wanting to. 
Mama hesitated, afraid to spoil what could be their last moments
together for a long time, but she had to ask, for her own peace of
mind.  "Kani, what's going on?  If you can't tell me, please tell me
you'll be okay."
    The girl felt a wave of guilt pass through her; her mother
deserved far better than this.  She tried to think of an answer that
would accomplish everything, but couldn't.  "I'm sorry, Mama.  I
never meant to hurt you or anyone, even Papa Hans.  It's just
something that happened, Mama.  I'll be careful, and I've got
friends who will help me keep that promise, no matter what,
Mama."
    They left it at that.
    Slowly, Kani went down the stairs.  Only then, with her
footsteps echoing through the house, did she realize how unusually
quiet it was.  "Where are the others, Mama?"
    "They're - well, they're at the Nursery.  All except one."
    Sami stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting nervously. 
"Here, let me take that," he said gallantly, and took the grip from
his sister.  They stared at one another.  "Well, take care, sis."
    "You too, Sami."  They hugged one another.
    The procession made its way out; Mama couldn't get past the
front door; she just stood there, watching, trying to hold back her
tears.  Tristan went to the other car and got in, Andreas sitting
silently behind the wheel.  The chauffeur opened the rear door of
the limousine; Sami handed in the case, blushing slightly as
Wilhelmina herself took it, her hand brushing his.  Kani climbed in. 
The door was closed.  The cars drove away.
    Sami led his mother back inside.  The show was over.

                     *****

    "Good; you're home early."
    "What?"  Maria was caught off-guard by her mother's
greeting.  "Something the matter?"
    "We've just time for a quick supper after closing and then
we've been invited to a reception, all three of us.  I've laid out your
best dress.  Wait; don't change now.  Get your homework done, or
whatever else you need to do to get ready."
    Maria sighed.  Another reception: she'd long passed the point
where she could ever look forward to enjoying attending one.

                     *****

    The convoy pulled up in front of the K”nig mansion; before the
car door was fully opened, Wilhelmina was madly dragging Kani
along behind her to the house.  "C'mon; let's get you moved in!"
she squealed.
    "Wilhelmina!  Don't-pull-so-hard!  That's-my-aoww!"
    "Oh, sorry!"  Wilhelmina dropped Kani's right arm, waited a
full second, then grabbed the left and resumed their dash.
    Siegfried climbed out, watching the girls disappear inside.  He
then gestured to the occupants of the second car; in response,
Tristan and Andreas got out.  "Yes, sir?" Andreas enquired.
    "You gentlemen aren't doing anything tonight, are you?"
Siegfried asked, staring directly at Andreas.
    "No, sir," they both replied instantly.
    "Excellent.  This evening there is a special reception for some
visiting dignitaries; they are experts in gemstones.  Our friend
Nephrite will be there, working on his cover.  I want you two to
keep an eye on him."
    "Yes, sir."
    "You'll need cover yourselves, gentlemen, so I'll arrange
escorts for you.  I need not remind you to wear your dress
uniforms?"
    "No, sir."
    "Good.  Be here at eight.  Dismissed."
    The two Obersturmf�hrers got back into their car and drove
off.  Andreas frowned.  "Well, there go my plans for tonight."
    "A little evening with Greta?"
    "Not any more.  Can you think of anything worse than that?"
    Tristan grimaced.  "I think I can.  I have a feeling I know who
our escorts will be."
    "No!"
    Tris nodded.  "How does it feel knowing you're going on a date
with the Reichsf�hrer's fourteen-year-old daughter?"
    Andreas said nothing; he reached into his pocket and pulled
out a cigarette.
    Tristan had the lighter ready for him.  "The condemned man
has any further requests?" he joked.
    "Yes.  That you get your feet stepped on so often you'll wish
you'd drawn his daughter instead of her friend, your would-be
assassin."
    It was Tristan's turn to be shocked.

                     *****

    Kani was unpacking her clothes carefully and putting them in
the drawers or hanging them up in the closet, next to the outfit
she'd bought yesterday - a lifetime ago - and her now-clean school
uniform.  In a matter of moments, she was finished.
    Wilhelmina shook her head, staring at the nearly-empty
drawers and the all-but-barren closet.  "You're not going to object
this time; we have *got* to take you on a clothes shopping spree. 
Every spring, Daddy takes us to Paris, and then south to Monte
Carlo.  First Mother and I buy the dresses from the fashion houses,
then we wear them in high society."
    "No.  I came here to get away from my stepfather, not to be
treated like a dress-up doll.  I really appreciate your generosity,
Wilhelmina, but I'm not here to take advantage of your money."
    "You won't be."  Wilhelmina smiled mysteriously.
    "What do you mean?"
    "You're living here, now, under my Daddy's care.  That means
he's responsible for your health and well-being, and for any
expenses that you may incur.  He has to give you an allowance,
doesn't he?"
    Kani hadn't thought of that.  In the blink of an eye she'd
gained access to a fortune.  Then she shook her head.  One outfit,
maybe two, but what would she need an entire closet full of clothes
for?
    There was a knock on the door.  "Come in," Wilhelmina
ordered.
    A sallow-faced man in domestic uniform appeared.  "Fr„ulein
Wilhelmina, Fr„ulein Kani, your presence is requested in the
Master's study."
    "Righty-ho," Wilhelmina replied, and the man disappeared as
quickly and silently as he'd come.
    "Who was that?"
    "A footman.  I can never keep track of them."
    "So, essentially, all he did was to say to you that your father
wants to see us?"
    "Yeah."
    Kani rolled her eyes.  "This is going to take some adjusting to. 
I'm used to a bellowing voice shouting `Kani, get down here!', not
some polite request through a third party."
    Wilhelmina giggled.  "If you want, I could have the staff make
you feel at home and yell at you."
    Kani giggled right back.
    When they came downstairs, Wilhelmina led the way through
the living room and grand salon to her father's study.  Siegfried  sat
behind his huge oak desk, going through stacks of papers.  "Ah,
there you are," he said by way of greeting.  "All settled in, Kani?"
    "Yes, sir."
    "Good.  Wilhelmina, my pet, do you think you two are up to
a little socializing tonight?"
    "Uh-oh," Wilhelmina whispered out of the side of her mouth
to Kani; "get ready to be bored silly."  "Yes, Daddy," she then
replied dutifully to her father.
    "I knew I could count on you.  There's a function tonight that
requires the family presence, but I'm busy and your mother is, as
usual, off to another of her committees.   I've also asked two of my
best officers to attend, and neither of them have escorts.  Would
you be so kind as to fulfill that duty tonight?  Both of you?"  He
smiled at Kani.  "I know it's an imposition, asking you to fit yourself
into our family's little social quirks so soon, but I guarantee you
won't forget this evening."
    "Okay, Daddy."
    "Yes, sir."
    "Fine, fine.  You'd better go and have something to eat.  Oh,
Wilhelmina, I'm sure you can find Kani something suitable to wear
from that black hole you call a closet?  It must have one of
everything in there, and I should know, since I pay the bills every
time we come back from Paris."
    "It does not, Daddy," Wilhelmina protested in vain.
    Once outside, Wilhelmina broke into a broad grin.  "I'll bet I
know who we're escorting."
    Kani took a moment, but soon caught on.  "You don't mean
Andreas and Tristan, do you?"  She was aghast.  "Does your father
get you to do this sort of thing very often?"
    "Every now and then, when someone from our family should
be attending something or other.  Daddy's been swamped lately
with preparations for next January, Mother's got all her social
groups, and my brothers are posted away on duty.  That leaves me. 
And, if you mean, do I mind going to fancy social events wearing
my best gowns and being on the arm of some handsome young
officer, well, it sure beats another night of television."
    "If you put it that way.  Well, if we're going to be out tonight,
perhaps we should call Rachel and Charlotta and warn them
practice is off."  Wilhelmina agreed and the pair headed upstairs.
    It took a few moments for Charlotta to answer her new
communicator.  "Hi, guys; what's up?"
    Kani spoke for the two of them.  "Just to let you and Rachel
know that practice is cancelled tonight.  Wilhelmina and I have been
drafted into helping her father."
    "Sounds rough," commented the brunette.
    Wilhelmina smirked.  "We'll get by."
    "Where's Rachel?" asked Kani.
    "At Vespers," Charlotta replied.
    "Oh.  Has she said anything about her costume?"
    "Not yet, but I think it'll come up.  By the way, who designed
them?  They do seem a touch - er, unusual."
    "I don't know; mine just came up that way the first time, and
I was too busy avoiding being killed to question it.  At least yours
doesn't do things to your hair."
    "Fine.  Tomorrow night, then?  I'm itching to find out exactly
what it is I can do."
    "Tomorrow night, then.  Say `hi' to Rachel for us."
    "I will.  Have a good time."
    Wilhelmina giggled again as Kani signed off.  The leader of the
Matrosen-Amazonen sighed and wondered if living on a permanent
basis with that girl was such a good idea.

                     *****

    Zoisite kicked angrily at a stalagmite; a piece broke off and
went tumbling down a slope.  Dark Kingdom geology had conspired
to produce several very unusual-looking places, and the cavern was
certainly one of them.  The ceiling was draped with stalactites;
coupled with the stalagmites which rose from the floor at irregular
intervals, the cave had the appearance of a huge mouth filled with
teeth. "I don't like it," Zoisite said.  "He's up to something, of that
I'm sure."
    "You really don't like Nephrite, do you?"  Kunzite sat casually
on a natural rock formation, watching the elfin general pace back
and forth anxiously.
    Zoisite whirled around.  "It's more than just like and dislike. 
He's often done things that have put himself first and foremost.  I
get the same feeling he's up to it again, and this time the stakes are
too high.  If he screws this up, we could be beaten by this Matrose
Mond or, worse still, find ourselves at the mercy of that Koenig
character the Queen is growing all-too-enamoured with."
    "That almost sounds like jealousy."  Kunzite's tone was light.
    Zoisite was too unnerved to notice the play behind his
partner's  words. "I'm serious!  How much power do you really want
that human to have?!"
    Kunzite got up, came over to Zoisite, and put his hands on the
other's shoulders.  "What happened?"
    "Nephrite mentioned, in a casual way, something about this
world we're dealing with.  I didn't know whether to believe him or
not, so I went to check it out.  If this K”nig ever finds out the truth
about us, he'll kill us!"
    "Do you really believe Beryl would let him do that?"
    "If she lets him have his way, yes.  We have to watch our
step."
    "And do you believe the first move should be to watch
Nephrite?"
    "He's so full of himself he won't see anything coming until it's
too late.  I would prefer it if we could keep an eye on him."
    "Then perhaps we should take steps.  I'll have one of my
youma begin tonight."  He drew Zoisite close.  "Nothing is going to
happen to us.  Nothing."
    "I wish I could be so certain."  The elfin general snuggled
closer in Kunzite's embrace.

                     *****

    Wilhelmina frowned.  "I don't understand it.  Not one of my
dresses has looked `just right' on you, and it's too late to buy you
a new one.  What are we going to do?"
    Kani had never been in and out of so many clothes in so short
a time; her head was still reeling from the experience.  "Look; there
were many that looked fine.  Let me wear one of those."
    "Uh-uh; we gotta go for that knockout effect."
    "Why?"
    That mischievous smile flickered across Wilhelmina's face. 
"You must know why."
    Kani's mouth opened in an `o' of shock.  "You-you-,...  Just
what are you thinking of?"
    "Just giving your love-life a nudge in the right direction.  Now,
about that dress,..."  She put a finger to her cheek and tapped.
    Her friend sighed.  "Wilhelmina, would it help if I wore a
custom-made, one-of-a-kind dress?"
    "You bet it would!  But where the heck would you get one?"
    "Watch."  Kani held up her left hand: in it was the
Verwandlungsstift.  "Verwandlungsstift, verkleide mich!  Give me
the dress of my dreams!"
    Light and colour played over Kani's body.  Wilhelmina stared
in wonder as the process ended.  When it over, all she could do was
say with awe: "Oh my.  You look magnificent!"  Her eyes narrowed. 
"And just where did you get that little gadget?"
    "Luna gave it to me on one of our early forays.  I've used it a
few times to disguise myself, but this is the first time I ever used it
solely for wardrobe.  I guess I can vary it to allow me to disguise
myself, or just change my clothing."  Kani twirled around in front of
the mirror.  "You're right; I do look wonderful.  But why these
again?"  She reached behind her and pulled out one of the twin
blonde pigtails her hair had set itself into.  "First the Matrose Mond
transformation,  and now this.  If I didn't know better, I'd swear it
was trying to tell me something."  She glanced at the clock.  "Hey! 
Shouldn't you be getting dressed?"
    "Ohmigosh!"  Wilhelmina dashed around in a blur, doing her
best to let her money match the magic her friend had working for
her.

                     *****

    Nephrite had never subscribed to the theory of telling  the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth'.  Certainly he
hadn't lied to Siegfried when he'd told the Reichsf�hrer that going
to the function was part of his cover.  After all, Max von Tirpitz was
supposed to be a gem dealer in his own right.  However, that wasn't
the only reason he was going.
    He reached into the pocket of his dinner jacket and pulled out
the Dunkelkristall.  Its glow was a dim pallor of its usual strength,
but Nephrite believed that it would, given close contact, spot the
seventh Kristall - or the eighth.  Nephrite smiled.  Beryl hadn't told
her human ally about that one and, for once, Nephrite was going to
follow his Queen's lead.  He pocketed the Kristall and straightened
his bow tie.  After all, it was important to make a good impression

                     *****

    The black BMW pulled into the drive.  Tristan got out,
nervously tugging at his collar.  Too much starch again: the people
at the laundry must really hate him.  He sighed and steeled himself
for the inevitable.  With Andreas at his side, they marched forward
to the front door and pounded with the great iron crown-shaped
knocker.  Wordlessly, the footman who answered the door ushered
the SS officers into the main foyer, then departed as silently as he'd
come.
    A moment later, it began.  Wilhelmina swept down the grand
staircase, wearing a dark blue Chanel gown that was cut high in the
collar and low in the hem, but was sleeveless and slit to mid-thigh;
the fabric shimmered in the light.  For once she'd disposed of the
usual red ribbon in her hair, letting the entire blonde mane cascade
down her bare back.  White opera gloves, a wafer-thin gold
necklace, and short-heeled hand-stitched Italian kid leather pumps
to match the dress completed the ensemble.  "Well, who won the
toss?" she said, smiling coyly and holding out her hand.
    Tristan and Andreas looked at one another.  Then they both
looked at Wilhelmina.  Then they looked at each other again.
    "If you can't decide, then maybe you ought to check out your
other option," Wilhelmina cautioned.
    The men's attention went to the top of the stairs again. 
Slowly, a little hesitantly, Kani came down the staircase.  Her dress
was long and flowing and shiny, white with silver threading woven
throughout; she held up its short train in one hand, a delicate
handbag clutched in the other.  She wore wrist-length white gloves
to go with the long silver-threaded sleeves.  Her hair was done up
in an unusual ball-and-pig-tail with tiny teardrop silver beads
woven through the buns on top of her head.
    Tristan stopped.  A flash went through his mind.  He thought
he heard a voice a long ways away, then nothing.  He stepped
forward to Kani, smiled, and offered her his arm.  "Allow me,
Fr„ulein."  She returned the smile and took the crook of his arm.
    Andreas and Wilhelmina turned to one another.  "Well, looks
like we're already runners-up for couple of the night," cracked
Wilhelmina.
    "I've never seen him like this," said Andreas pensively.
    They stood there, watching the pair sweep out the door and
into the evening glow.  Then Wilhelmina looped her arm around
Andreas'.  "Come on, then; I'm not exactly pƒt‚, if I do say so
myself.  Or do you want me to tell my Daddy on you?"  She smiled
sweetly.  A half-second later, she was on her way out, clamped onto
Andreas' right arm.

                     *****

    True to her expectations, up to now the evening had been a
yawn.  Maria surreptitiously checked her brooch-watch, realizing it
was still far too soon for her folks to make a polite withdrawal. 
Besides, the higher Party representatives weren't even here yet;
officially, the reception hadn't started.  Not for the first time did
Maria stare longingly at the trays of champagne passing her by. 
Something, anything to dull the senses would be a welcome relief. 
Instead, she took a glass of Traubensaft and prepared to drown her
sorrows the hard way.
    An instant later the juice was splattering all over her dress. 
Maria stumbled, lost her balance, and nearly toppled over.  Then
strong arms took hold of her and steadied her.  "Clumsy oaf!" her
saviour barked at a fat man in an ill-fitting uniform scuttling away
as fast as his stubby legs could move.  "You could have hurt her!" 
Then the voice became softer, the hands turned her around to face
him. "Are you all right, Fr„ulein?"
    Maria turned and stared into the handsome face of Max von
Tirpitz.

                     *****

    Nephrite was oblivious to the expression on the girl's face. 
She was a bit young in his eyes, but her body had felt warm and
firm in his hands.  Perhaps later, when the champagne she was
certain to be drinking had taken effect....  "You'd better go do
something about that lovely dress before it stains," he said softly,
displaying as much charm as he felt necessary.  He let go of Maria
slowly, his hands lingering over the feel of the fabric of her dress
and the skin underneath.

                     *****

    "Yes, thank you."  It was as if it wasn't her speaking, but
someone else, that she was watching all this happen from far away. 
Finally she turned and headed for the powder room.

                     *****

    On a hunch, Nephrite unobtrusively pulled out his
Dunkelkristall and gazed at it in wonder: its glow was still faint, but
it was stronger, much stronger than it should have been.  He put
the Kristall back; now he had more questions, but still no answers. 
Silently, he licked his lips, then turned back to the growing crowd.

                     *****

    The doors of the hall were opened to admit the four newest
arrivals.  There was a soft but distinct buzz to the background
conversations as the SS officers were noticed and then Wilhelmina
was recognized.  Nobody knew who Kani was.
    Well, almost nobody.  The B„kers, Herr und Frau, came over
as quickly as they could.  "Kani!" exclaimed Herr B„ker, "what a
delightful surprise.  We didn't know you'd be here."
    "Neither did I until a few hours ago," replied the girl.  "Say, is
Maria here with you?"
    Frau B„ker peered around the room.  "She was mingling
earlier, but I don't know where she's got to.  If we see her, we'll tell
her you're here.  She'll be surprised."  They turned.  "Business calls;
we'll talk later."
    Kani watched them go; Tristan came up behind her.  "Who
were they?"
    "Parents of my best friend.  They make and sell jewellery."
    "Hmm.  Good folk with an honest trade."
    Kani turned to face him.  "Is that a pang of guilt I'm hearing?"
    "Perhaps.  You have to realize that the SS has been my whole
life.  I was orphaned as a boy and grew up in a Waisenhaus. It was
sort of pre-ordained that I'd go into the service; the SS just got me
first."  Somewhere in the background, the orchestra struck up a
waltz.  "Do you mind?  That is, can you dance?"
    "I'll ignore that.  Dancing is compulsory at our school; your
feet should be safe.  I do warn you, though, I'm often taking the
lead, so you'll have to watch it."
    He smiled and held out a hand. "I'll chance it.  Shall we?"
    They joined the throng, smoothly gliding around the floor
together.  Every now and then one or the other tried to suppress the
warm smiles that appeared whenever they heard in the distance a
faint "yowlp" of pain from Andreas.  "I guess I won that toss,"
Tristan remarked.
    "Don't be too hard on Wilhelmina.  She reminds me of a
neighbour's dog when it was a puppy; when it wanted to make
friends, it would jump up on you.  Cute for a puppy, not so cute
when you grow up to be a forty-kilo Rottweiler.  She just tries too
hard."
    "Yes, on Andreas' feet, apparently. Well, dancing comes
naturally to you."
    "Flatterer.  It took years of practice; once upon a time, I
couldn't dance a step."
    "My feet and I thank you."  They lapsed into silence again,
continuing to dance, feeling the rhythm of the music pass through
them.
    The first waltz ended; seamlessly, the orchestra began
another piece.  Something was different....
    *A ballroom.  Hundreds of masked revellers.  A slow dance. 
Two bodies swaying as one to the music.  Two hearts beating as one
to the music.  Two hearts as one to the feeling....*
    The music stopped.  Kani and Tristan opened their eyes,
realized they were the last couple to stop dancing.  They looked at
one another.  "Why?" Kani asked slowly, "Why do I feel like that
was our last dance together?"
    "I - I don't know."  Tristan shook his head, dismissing his
thoughts.  "Impossible; the night is young.  There'll be plenty more
dances."
    "You're right."  Kani blushed.  "I guess I'm being silly. 
Probably all the excitement."
    Tristan glanced around.  "Shall we find our walking wounded
and his date?"
    "Optimist, if you think he's still walking," Kani observed.

                     *****

    There had been so many new experiences for Rachel in the
past few months, so many things in her life had changed.  She could
never have imagined that, one night, she'd be up late talking and
laughing in her room with a girlfriend.  It wasn't possible, yet it was
now a reality.  She'd spent most of the time that evening telling
Charlotta about her adventures as part of the Matrosen-Amazonen,
to give the brunette an idea of what new things life had in store for
her.
    When Rachel finished, Charlotta rolled over on her bed and
blew out a long breath.  "Sounds to me like this is just the
beginning, and that it's going to be a lot more difficult before it gets
better.  Maybe I'm showing up at the right time."
    "Yes, this Nephrite worries me.  He seems so much more in
control than Jadeite ever did.  It all feels like he's one step ahead of
us; at least Luna and I agree on that."
    "Had a chat with her, did you?"
    "Yes, while you were hogging the hot water."
    "Sorry; hot baths were something of a luxury at the
Waisenhaus.  I thought it would be the same thing here, too." 
Charlotta paused for a moment, then asked: "So, how can Luna
talk?"
    "Don't push her; there's a lot of things even she doesn't know. 
I think that has her worried and, sometimes, very frustrated."
    "I see."  Charlotta rolled back again, staring intently at
Rachel.  "How badly did Spieljos' cracks last night hurt you?"
    Rachel turned away.  "I don't want to talk about that."
    Charlotta got up, crossed over to the novice's bed, and sat
there.  "Look; I know that creep from `way back.  You heard the
things he had to say about me; why should you let his rudeness get
to you?"
    Rachel turned to face the brunette again.  "Because it's true! 
These outfits we wear, they're so - so...!"  Her fists clenched in
frustration.
    "So unlike anything you've ever worn before?"
    Rachel nodded.
    "And you're deathly afraid to discover you're growing up,"
Charlotta continued.
    "I-I just don't know what to do.  Oh, I mean, living in a
Kloster full of women means you know some things - you know,
hygiene and stuff.  But they've all sworn vows of celibacy and, well,
I don't think many of them have dealt with a man unless he's worn
a priest's collar and cassock.  The few times before all this
happened that I'd been outside St. Cyriak's, if I'd seen some guy I
thought looked nice I didn't know whether that was natural or
sinful."
    Charlotta reached out and put her hand on Rachel's, shaking
her head and smiling.  "Boy, it's a good thing I came along.  Time
you learned a few things about life.  Fact number one: not all guys
are like Spieljos.  Fact number two: you're going to get hurt finding
out which ones are nice and which ones aren't.  Fact number three:
you'll get hurt even more if you never take the time to find out. 
Maybe your destiny is to be a nun, maybe it isn't.  Either way, it's
up to you to find out and then decide."
    "I understand that."
    Charlotta got up and held up her Stift.  "As for the costume,"
- she spoke the words and transformed into Matrose Jupiter - "okay,
it seems to be modelled on an old-time sailor's uniform, but with a
skirt instead of trousers, and the top's a one-piece, so there's no
underwear showing.  Lots of freedom of movement, the material
seems resistant to certain things - I mean, your clothes should've
been ripped to shreds last night if it wasn't - and they help mark us
as a team.  Seems to me a pretty good idea."
    "But, well,..." Rachel waved her arms helplessly.
    "The immodesty thing.  Okay, I'll admit you've got a point
there when you stop and consider that you're used to hemlines that
reach your ankles if the material's shrunk, plus the fact that you're
wearing heels, which do wonderful things to the leg muscles.  You're
going to have to face it, Rachel: your body's growing up.  For better
and for worse."  Charlotta glanced down at herself.  "When I first
started growing, it was perfectly natural.  When it didn't stop, there
were a few comments, but what could anybody, including me, do?"
    "It does say we were made in the image of God."
    "And if God wanted you to have great legs, then He's certainly
got you in the right outfit for it.  Besides, if Spieljos and those other
creeps are busy looking for a show, they might miss something a
little more important, like a stray flying tiara or a ball of fire."  She
winked.  "Sometimes every weapon counts."
    Rachel smiled.  "I guess there are more important things than
what we wear."
    "You'll remember to tell Wilhelmina that the next time you see
her?"
    That did it.  Rachel began to laugh; Charlotta joined in.
    And far down the hall, the other nuns slept on, unaware of
how good an idea of the Mutter Oberin's it had been to move Rachel
and Charlotta away from them.

                     *****

    For the fifth time Luna completed her circle of the Waisenhaus
and shook her head ruefully.  She knew she was looking for
something, something important; she just didn't know what or
where.  Not for the first time did she curse the gaps in her memory. 
Finally, she decided she'd had enough frustration for one night and
turned towards St. Cyriak's.  Wearily, she padded off.
    From a nearby rooftop a huge cat, silhouetted against the
moon, watched her go. *Soon, very soon,* he purred softly.

                     *****

    Fortunately, the Traubensaft hadn't ruined the dress, and
Maria came out of the washroom in time to hear the band finish the
waltz.  She glanced around the room, trying to spot her rescuer and
hero, but was unsuccessful.  The hall was quite crowded by now, so
Maria decided to mingle: with luck, she'd need rescuing again.
    It was chance that swept her in one direction and Kani in
another before they had an opportunity to say anything; the look on
Maria's face at seeing Kani there, dressed to die for, said it all.  She
was being upstaged yet again, and was certain whose money was
behind it.  Suddenly, the night was no longer as fun as it had might
have been.  She needed a breath of fresh air.  Snatching a glass of
the forbidden  champagne from a passing waiter's tray, she stormed
outside.

                     *****

    Nephrite watched Maria head for the balcony, and debated
following her.  A moment earlier, he'd sneaked another peek at his
Dunkelkristall as she'd gone by; its flare had been most unexpected. 
However, other couples were making their way to the balcony, and
Nephrite decided he'd rather not be disturbed.  He turned away and
looked for a gems dealer to engage in small talk.
    Meanwhile, Tristan and Kani had found Wilhelmina and
Andreas seated at a table and joined them.  "Well, how was the
dancing?" asked Kani slyly.
    "It was fine," replied Andreas.
    "If nothing else, he's a gallant liar," was Wilhelmina's
compliment.  "I'm really sorry about that," she apologized to the
brown-haired officer.
    "Think nothing of it.  I'll just claim danger pay for tonight,"
Andreas deadpanned.  Wilhelmina tried to look hurt.
    The next hour left no time for dancing together.  Tristan and
Andreas were kept busy being the dashing and gallant officers,
mingling with the men and dancing with the ladies; Wilhelmina was
performing her `official' duties.  Kani stuck with her friend for a
while and marvelled at how well the otherwise-hopeless girl coped
with the endless routine of introduction, polite conversation on
nothing in particular, and empty promises on leaving.  Eventually
growing bored, Kani drifted back into the crowd and recommenced
her search for Maria.
    Having no success in the hall, Kani decided to try the balcony. 
There she found her friend, alone, leaning over the terrace and
staring at the reflection of the moonlight on the huge ornamental
pond.  A pair of empty champagne flutes rested on the balcony
railing at Maria's elbow.  "Hey," Kani said, tapping Maria on the
shoulder, "fancy meeting you here."
    Maria wrenched herself away from Kani's touch.  "Come to rub
it in, have you?"  Her face was twisted in disgust.
    Again Kani was caught off-guard by Maria's reaction.  "What? 
Wait, I don't understand.  Rub what in?"
    Maria waved her hand.  "It's clear where all your interests lie. 
New clothes, a boyfriend in the SS - you sold out."  She whirled
around and stomped away, off the balcony and into the garden.
    "You don't know, Maria," whispered Kani.  "You don't know at
all."  At that moment she wished the pain she felt was merely her
ribs.
    A third party had watched the proceedings with some interest. 
Nephrite had once again checked his Dunkelkristall while Maria was
engaged in her dispute with the blonde girl.  Sure enough, it had
flared brightly.  When the other girl had returned inside, Nephrite
headed into the garden.  Now was his chance; if he didn't have
enough energy to extract the Kristall Maria probably carried, he
could at least siphon off some of her energy.

                     *****

    Maria had found a marble bench by the lake.  Sitting there,
she held her head in her hands, near tears, cursing herself.  Once
again she'd had the opportunity to apologize, to draw her and Kani
closer together again, just like it had been, and again she'd let her
temper get the better of her.  She hadn't given Kani a moment's
chance to say anything.  Maybe there was a good reason for Kani to
be here, wearing a dress finer than anything Maria had ever owned
and probably dancing with a handsome young man.  Life was never
fair, and sometimes you just had to accept that.  Maria bit her
tongue and cursed the champagne for letting her say such wicked
things.
    "Are you all right, Fr„ulein?"
    This time Maria recognized the voice before she looked up. 
There was no sense in her sitting tongue-tied; perhaps she could
say what she really meant at least once tonight.  "Yes, thank you. 
Just mad at myself, that's all."
    Nephrite smiled and laid the `Max von Tirpitz charm' on as
thick as he could.  "I seem to be running into you; this is the second
time we've met."
    "Actually, it's the third," she corrected, "but you wouldn't
remember the first.  You were in my folks' jewellery store yesterday
and bought-"
    "I bought this ring."  He grinned and held the jewelled ring
up; the diamond caught the moonlight faintly.  "All I thought was
if this girl was just some tongue-tied cleaning lady, where was the
real staff?"  He chuckled.  "I must apologize; your being here must
make you an expert."
    She shook her head.  "No; Mama's the real expert in gems. 
Papa makes the jewellery.  Actually, come to think of it, I am pretty
well the cleaning lady."  They shared the joke, laughing softly
together.
    "Then you don't go to these events often?"
    "Often enough to know they can be a bore."
    "So you decided to hide in the garden."  Nephrite glanced
around.  "Very nice; nothing like this where I come from."  He
turned back to face Maria and saw something in her eyes,
something he didn't recognize.  "I guess if we're going to keep
meeting one another, we should at least be on a names-basis.  I'm
Maximilian von Tirpitz, but my friends calls me Max."
    "Maria B„ker.  Pleased to meet you, Herr von Tirpitz."
    He shook his head.  "I said: `my friends call me Max'."
    "I'm honoured."
    "No, you're Maria."  Again they laughed.
    "I'm afraid I'm taking up your precious time; this is business
for you tonight.  Besides, my parents will start worrying," she
apologized.  "Thanks for everything," and Maria got up to depart.
    "No; thank you," Nephrite answered as he pulled out the
Dunkelkristall.  A thin beam shot forth; a tiny sphere of light came
out of Maria and was absorbed into the Kristall, which glowed
fiercely.  Maria, unconscious, slowly toppled over, until Nephrite
gently caught her and placed her on the bench.  "Rest here, Maria
B„ker; you've been a great help.  Now, sleep, and when you
awaken, remember nothing of this."
    She'd given him energy, but she'd raised more questions than
answers.  Did she possess the seventh Kristall?  Or, more
importantly, the eighth?  He walked away quietly, lost in his
speculations on how he could find out.  The Kristall would need time
to assimilate the energy, so he could not confirm his suspicions just
now.  Better to wait until he had the other six.
    Nephrite was so lost in thought that he never noticed the
shadowy form sitting in the tree, watching his every move. Yasha
would have something to report to her master Kunzite tonight.

                     *****

    The hairs on the back of Kani's neck stood straight up for a
moment, then settled down again.  Across the room, Wilhelmina felt
the same thing.  They managed to see through the crowd to one
another, but what could they do?

                     *****

    Tristan also felt the odd sensation and realized guiltily he had
another purpose for being here.  He quickly scanned the room, and
mentally sighed with relief when he saw Nephrite come back into
the hall.  For the rest of the evening, his eyes never left the general.

                     *****

    "Well, that was interesting."
    The voice that replied was excited but still seductive: "Care to
try it again?"
    "Soon, my dear Greta, soon.  I'm not as young as I once was. 
Even I need a few minutes to recuperate."
    "I'll try to wait, Herr Reichsf�hrer."
    "Please, call me Siegfried."
    "Okay, Siggi."
    "Not that informal, my dear."
    She laughed again.  "So you sent poor Andreas off to a gem
dealers' soiree with your daughter?  You are a devil; you also know
what that would be called by some people?"
    "All the better for us, my dear.  By the way, have you ever sat
for a portrait?"
    "Have I made it that far already?"
    "So you've heard of my little - fancy."
    "I have, and my answer is: I would be honoured.  Now, let me
try to earn a good frame to go with the portrait."  She rolled over. 
There was the rustle of sheets.

                     *****

end Chapter Nine.

Glossary:
Traubensaft: grape juice