*smiles at Megan*   Arigatou for remembering me and my Saffir-chan....
This teaser is dedicated to Meredith, just because I feel like 
getting even with her for all those nasty cliff hangers of hers.
This scene takes part around part seven, but makes sense by itself 
(Petz is being a bit-ca to me so part six is sorta stalled for now) 
right after Saffir finishes telling Ami his life's story.
Please send encouragement, flames, feedback ANYTHING!   I need to 
dscuss this to get myself properly motivated.... otherwise, it's back 
to that Ezzy/Mamoru piece....  ^_~

Quicksilver's Quill Offers
VIRGO
mbsilvana@yahoo.com
standard disclaimers
AN: Thanx to Trio Maxwell for all the help with the VIRGO quotes- her 
site is located here- stop by and drool of the GW boys, ne?


***
Virgos are forever the butt of jokes for being so picky and critical, 
but their 'attention to detail' is for a reason: to help others.

***

	The dawn had finally come.    Ami's eyelashes fluttered a few 
times before she entirely came to.   She loved mornings, but getting 
out of her bed was never her favorite activity.   Usually she would 
lie for a few minutes to gather her thoughts and plan her day, but 
today wasn't an ordinary day.   The Crystal in the center of the city 
was growing, and the time for action had come. 
	On quiet feet she moved to the kitchen and started to brew 
some tea.   Her mother often worked the night shift, so Ami had 
become acustom to moving silently.   Placing the kettle over the 
flame, she smiled slightly.   They had stayed up way too late last 
night, but now she felt she could fight this battle.   The enemy 
wasn't the Nemisians; it was a demon, a monster that wasn't human.   
	She waited in the kitchen for a few minutes, smiling as the 
kettle finally whistled its protest.   With deft hands she removed it 
from the heat, pouring it over some teabags into two mugs.   She 
pulled out a tray and quickly cut up a grapefruit and tossed a few 
muffins on it.   Then she carried it out to the living room where 
Saffir was still sleeping.
	He looked about fifteen years old in his sleep, the deep blue 
bangs falling charmingly across his eyes.   He was curled up around a 
pillow, and Ami giggled to herself.    He looked so sweet and 
innocent- it was hard to believe that he was the main tactician for 
an army.
	Before her thoughts could darken, she set the tray down 
beside the game of chess they had never finished playing.   "Saffir-
san," she said quietly, walking towards him quietly to wake him.   
She reached out a hand to shake him by the shoulder, but never got 
the chance to finish the gesture.
	Saffir bolted upright, snagging her by the wrist in a 
bruising grip.    His blue aura flared around him, and Ami gasped.   
He shook his head, releasing her.   "Sorry, Ami-chan," he said.   
"Habit.   It's not a good idea to try to wake me up."
	She nodded dumbly, then forced a smile onto her face.   "We 
should eat.   I hope you like grapefruit and muffins."
	He gave her a tired look in return.   He really hadn't had 
enough sleep, but they both realized that they would be on the move 
soon.   "I've never had them," he said.
	Ami blushed.   She had again forgotten that the man was not a 
native of earth.  "Well, I like them.   They're popular breakfast 
foods."   She handed him a spoon and one of the grapefruit halves 
with amusement.   "You have to eat this carefully, or else it'll 
squirt you in the eye."
	He gave it a dubious look.   "You make it sound like it's 
almost alive."
	She laughed.   "Sometimes I think it is- otherwise how could 
it always hit you in the eye and no where else?"  She picked up her 
one half, and with a dainty scoop, cut a piece of the pink fruit free.
	Saffir watched how she handled it carefully before managing 
to get a piece free.   Taking a bite, his lips puckered and he glared 
at her.
	She couldn't help it; Ami started to laugh, which only earned 
her an even more evil frown.
	"It's sour!" he exclaimed after a second.
	"But I bet it woke you up, ne?" she teased, still giggling as 
she took another bite.
	He looked like he wanted to throttle her for her bad idea of 
a joke.   "On Nemesis, most food is very bland.   I'm not used to 
extremes in taste."
	She looked apologetic.   "Sorry, but I just couldn't resist- 
it comes from hanging out with Sailor Moon and the others."
	He smiled, forgiving her.   "It's ok.... it's nice to see 
someone laugh.    People rarely laugh on Nemesis."   He picked up his 
spoon again and dared another bite.   "It grows on you," he said.
	They finished their breakfast quickly, and Ami took the 
dishes back to the kitchen while Saffir stretched slowly, relieved to 
find all the damage the Wiseman had done had apparently healed.   
There was something to be said for magical healing abilities.  Ami 
came back into the room, and he turned to look at her.   "Shouldn't 
you be in school?" he asked, remembering how young she was.
	She shook her head.   "No- I checked on the radio and they 
cancelled all schools on account of that Crystal.   People are scared 
of it, and no one is to be out without a good reason."
	"I think we have good enough reason.    What time are we 
suppose to meet the Senshi?" he asked.
	"Nine.   We're going to attempt to find some way into the 
Black Crystal."
	Saffir glanced at the clock on the wall.    "We have half an 
hour.   We probably should leave.   Should you change?"
	"Hai- I don't want the police grabbing me."   With a shy 
smile she produced her henshin stick, and held it aloft.   "Mercury 
Star Power, Make-Up!" she exclaimed, and then was engulfed in a flood 
of water.
	Saffir watched as her clothes dissolved, and was 
fascinated.    He had heard that his droidos had always let the 
Senshi transform before attacking, and he finally understood why.   
There was an aura of power and beauty about the process, something 
that made one just hold their breath, waiting to see what would 
happen.
	For a moment, he suddenly realized how far out of their 
depths Nemesis was.   The Seishi didn't merely control their element; 
they became it.... Ami -no, Mercury- WAS water and ice.    Blue on 
blue...  he watched at the fuku finished forming over her well-curved 
body.
	Sailor Mercury struck her final pose, then looked at him, 
blushing.   It wasn't often she transformed in front of a male (that 
was the nice thing about most of their opponents being women), and 
she was embarassed.
	Saffir had the grace to say nothing, and she was grateful.   
"I hate to do this to you, but we're going to have to go off of the 
balcony- I don't want anyone seeing Sailor Mercury wandering around 
my appartment building.   Do you think you're well enough to manage 
if I help you?"
	Saffir nodded.    "I finished healing sometime while I 
slept.   I shouldn't need your help- I can teleport down."   His blue 
aura flashed around him, and he vanished.    
	Mercury raced over to the balcony to see him leaning against 
the base of the building.    Sighing, she jumped, falling rapidly to 
the ground.   Saffir watched as she cursed slightly at the impact- 
even though she could do feats that were beyond mere mortal, it 
didn't mean she LIKED it.   Her body was strong, but it still felt 
pain and discomfort.   
	"Where are we meeting?" Saffir asked.
	"In front of the Black Crystal," she said.   "Then we're 
going to have to figure out a way to get into it."
	Saffir looked hesitant, than nodded.   "Just remember- I get 
to talk to my brother before you guys do anything rash."
	Ami nodded.   "Let's get going, then."