Prologue

Behind a rusting chain link fence the megaliths known as Stonehenge

stood undisturbed and forgotten. No druids or neo-pagans of any description

had arrived to celebrate the Spring Solstice. In the wake of the Great

Darkness the survivors had more immediate concerns than thanksgiving

ceremonies. Simple survival consumed most everyone's attention, besides

when the Acolytes rolled ice across England their prayers for any season but

winter had gone unanswered. The ice was gone now but not at the hands of

the Earth-Mother. While some said Neo-Queen Serenity must be some manner of

goddess they could not bring themselves to truly believe it. The whole world

had felt her touch when she awoke and broke the Acolytes power yet for all

that none felt compelled to worship her. In later times when academia

flourished once more many learned papers would be written explaining the

failure of the multitudes to deify Serenity. Yet the answer was quite simple.

She didn't want them too.

So Stonehenge stood abandoned by those who had once sought mystery,

magic and enlightenment there which was rather unfortunate. Because for the

first time in millennia enough mana poured forth to make spellcasting

simplicity itself. There was a probably a moral there but there was no one

there to comment upon the irony. At least not until the day the green haired

man materialized within the stone circle.

His arrival was unheralded and unnoticed, which was fine with him. Once

he was sure that he was alone he took the time to appreciate his surroundings.

It had been over two decades since he stood on this spot and in those days

haste had kept him from any sort of aesthetic appreciation. The trickle of

mana from the well far beneath the Saracens had been insufficient to fuel his

metabolic requirements. At the time it was only thanks to crystal magic

augmentation that it had sufficed to slow his dying. Today the well pumped

out ample energy for him to thrive yet he no longer required a mana-saturated

environment. Life could take some very strange turns. Perhaps none stranger

than his reason for returning. Then as now the same person compelled it.

A girl back then, a woman today and to say his opinion of her had changed was

the height of understatement.

Smiling at the thought he consulted the map; his backup copy, he had

given the original to a pair of friends who had more need of it than him.

Hopefully they hadn't been here yet.

He wasn't being hypocritical, far as he was concerned they were welcome

to everything in the cache. With one exception that hadn't occurred to him

until recently. The ground looked undisturbed, not to mention rock hard.

That didn't concern him. Good, it was still there. Or at least if it was

gone it hadn't been his comrades' doing. He grasped the air as if holding

a handle and concentrated a moment. The weight of the shovel was negligible

though the balance was unfamiliar. His specialty was edged weapons, not

agricultural implements. No matter, he raised it and got to work, the blade

biting deep and easily into the ground even though the frost had yet to

retreat. Very uncharacteristically he half hummed, half sang an old show tune

as he worked. Unaware of doing it or of revealing his state of mind

"... ding dong the bells are going to chime, dum dum dee dum dum, dum dum

dee dum dum, but get me to the church on time."

There was a flat crunch as the shovel-blade struck something. Working

with paranormal speed and strength he swiftly uncovered the box and hauled it

from the ground's cold embrace. He brushed the dirt off and rested his hand

on the lid. There was a click as it recognized him as one of the quartet

allowed to open it and unlocked itself. He smiled, he would have to

compliment the builder next time they met. It hadn't been intended to sit

undisturbed and underground for twenty years but it remained in perfect

working order. As always the work of a master craftsman.

He began sorting through the contents. Eight sets of ID for four people

with two different names each (two of which bore pictures that strongly

resembled him) all long since expired; rolls of British pounds, none dated

later that 1991; gold in both coin and ingot form; a set of Project A-ko

laserdiscs that his sister must have slipped in when he wasn't looking;

bankbooks to several widely separated banks and lastly the item he sought; a

small canvas bag closed by a drawstring.

He undid the string and poured uncut gemstones into his hand. They

glittered in the sunlight but that wasn't what he wanted. He was sure he had

added a very special stone to the mix. On a whim really as it didn't have the

terrestrial value of diamonds or emeralds ... ahh, here it was! Glowing so

brightly it made the others look like dull pebbles. The sun shifted behind

a cloud but the gemstone continued to ripple with light. Beautiful! Perfect

for his intentions. He poured the rest of the gemstones into the bag and

repacked the box, save for the anime discs which no one but his sister

would have any use for, then set to work reburying the treasure. When he had

finished filling the hole he set to work hiding traces of the dig and set a

minor glamour spell to complete the concealment until nature had erased the

evidence.

Good as new! If they needed the cache it would be here waiting for them

when they came. They would never miss the stone and they definitely wouldn't

miss the anime. The latter he would return to his sister when the time was

right. Which would be after he had the gemstone polished and mounted on a

ring and had presented that ring to a very special lady. He studied his

prize and his smile widened.

She would love it and recovering the stone so smoothly and without any

fuss must surely be a good omen. He nodded with satisfaction. Everything was

going to go just the way he intended.

We've got it made ...

Nothing can stop us now ...

Trust me, I know what I'm doing ...

Everything is going as planned ...

Whom the gods would destroy they first give straight lines.

End of prologue.

"The best laid schemes o' mice and men

Gang aft a-gley"

- Robert Burns, Scottish Poet

"Shit happens"

-Forrest Gump, American Philosopher

Phase 1 (Spring 2017) : An Interrupted Proposal

The watcher waited in the darkness for his prey, presence hidden by

the shadows of the foliage where he lurked impatiently. Things were balanced

very delicately, he had to be sure his strike connected. Timing was crucial!

A few minutes either way and all his efforts could be undone.

He ignored the fragrant scent of blossom that filled the rose garden, he

was in no mood to appreciate it. Its only importance to him was the romantic

ambiance it gave this place. An aura that would draw the weary couple like

a moth to flame. Thankfully the world beyond Crystal Tokyo was in utter

disarray. It limited their chances to be together as all the Court worked

frantically to set things right. But there were still far too many

opportunities for his liking and while he could not prevent their trysts it

was still possible to see things didn't escalate. He believed that with all

his heart, refusing to accept the possibility of defeat. All it would take

were the right elements in the right place at the right time and he would

triumph. Failure was not an option, victory would be his!

A door soundlessly slid open in the white crystal wall and arm in arm the

pair stepped out into the privacy of enclosed garden. Despite their grueling

schedules both looked awake and alert. No, alert was the wrong word, for they

had eyes only for one another. Perhaps restored was a better word, both

rejuvenated by the other's presence. Concealment was probably unnecessary,

they might not have spotted the watcher had he been dancing in the moonlight

when they arrived. Biting back a hiss of distaste the voyeur whispered into

his communicator. Oblivious to being under observation Lady Minako Aino

(much better known as Sailor Venus) and Lord Calcite talked softly under the

gorgeous starscape.

Despite being in her late thirties (at least chronologically having

stopped aging in her early twenties) Minako was giddy as a teenager. Which,

as any of her friends could attest, could be a fearful thing to behold. She

could barely prevent herself visibly quivering with excitement. Moonlight,

a secluded rose arbor, the sense there was something Calcite was nerving

himself to say, this had to be the night. Beside her Calcite rehearsed the

words one final time and prepared to reach for the small box in his pocket.

"Mina ..."

The sudden glare of light from within the palace as the door slid open

once more was welcomed by neither. Calcite resolved to ignore it and carry

on. But a voice announced, "Lord Calcite, you have a visitor" and the moment

was lost. Suppressing an urge to snap at whoever had interrupted them both

Calcite and Minako turned to study the intruders.

There were three, the courtier who had made the announcement and two

unremarkable looking citizens. The woman was in her late 40s-early 50s and

had probably been a real stunner in her youth. The edgy looking young man

beside her had enough resemblance that he was presumably related, quite

possibly her son. He showed no inclination to step from the corridor to the

garden and the courtier had discretely shifted to be out of the way so the

woman took her first hesitant steps into the garden alone. Her gaze fixed on

Calcite she advanced cautiously as Calcite tried to place her. Mina caught

his eye and he shrugged slightly. Yet while he couldn't put a name to the

face there was something about her ...

"Cal-veen?"

Her voice supplied the missing piece to the puzzle. Suddenly he saw her

as she had been twenty-four years ago rather than the thirteen years since he

last saw her. Time anomalies played hell with recognizing old acquaintances,

though this woman had been considerably more than that once upon a time.

"Mai?!" Suddenly self-consciously aware that Minako was standing next to

him he hastily amended, "That is Saito-san! That's what I meant. Uhh ...

(what did you say to a former lover who walked on you once she learned you

weren't human?) ... it's been a long time." Inane but he couldn't think of

anything better to say. Before he could work out what to say she replied to

his identification.

"It's Enomoto-san these days. It has been for quite some time."

Casting his mind back to a rather chaotic time Calcite nodded. "That's

right, Ti mentioned she had heard you were supposed to be getting married."

In fact Ti had heard it from Mina when they ran into one another by chance

just before the Earth-Beta incident had begun. Back in the days when Mina had

been the same age as his sister. Squelching this line of thought he blurted,

"If I was invited to the wedding sorry I couldn't attend but I was in another

dimension." It was amazing just how lame that sounded in conversation.

Mai didn't pursue the topic and with a moment's reflection Calcite

realized he was very unlikely to have received an invitation. They hadn't

parted on the best of terms. Which raised the question why was she here now?

Before he could ask Mina stopped frowning and snapped her fingers. She was

grinning as she announced, "Saito-sensei! That's where I know you from, good

old Shibakouen Junior High! Haven't thought about it in years. I'd almost

forgotten you dated Cal way back than. Small world. Well, what brings you

to court all of ... a ... sudden?"

Minako's question petered out and her smile froze as her gaze fixed on

the young man with her old teacher. With obviously false unconcern she

asked, "I assume that's your son behind you. So are you bringing him to meet

his father?"

Mai's face flushed as any awe she had at meeting a Sailor Senshi was

replaced by fury. Before she could explode Calcite broke in with, "You

know that's impossible, Mina. Youma and humans can't crossbreed, the

genetics are just too different! I'm sure this young man's father was

Enomoto-san's husband."

Glaring at her former student Mai nodded and icily added, "My late

husband."

Looking uncertain Mina agreed, "Oh yes, you've told me we don't need to

worry about kids." Calcite had the sudden feeling that was the wrong thing

to say. Mina had always said she wasn't interested in having offspring,

after all why bother if you were immortal, but he wondered if at some deeper

level she had maternal instincts she kept buried. Doubts he had tried to

ignore began to whisper that wouldn't she be better off with one of her own

kind?

It was Mai who broke the awkward silence. "Hobbes-san ... excuse me

Calcite-sama, you were asking why I was here? It wasn't my idea, I was

summoned by a Mr. Hunter. I was needed for some form of character check."

Minako frowned, "Character check?"

So did Calcite. "Then why are you here? I should be the last person

you'd talk to." Character check? A little late by now, surely?

Mai nodded in agreement. "I don't know. When we arrived we spent

almost two hours in a waiting room then were rushed to see you."

Calcite glanced to the courtier who was looking embarrassed. "There

appears to have be some sort of mix-up. According to the call I received a

few minutes ago the Enomotos were to be brought to see you immediately. I

don't know anyone on staff named Hunter but I've called the switchboard and

..." He stopped and unconsciously reached for his earpiece. "Uh ... there

doesn't seem to be anyone of that name working in the Palace. I can't explain

it ... there must have been a mistake, some order that got garbled in

transmission. As you were ennobled by Queen Serenity without Lady Hino

objecting there are obviously no security problems surrounding you. Perhaps

some outdated memo got into circulation somehow ..." He broke off and bowed

to Mai and her son. "Madame, we deeply regret the inconvenience you have

suffered and you will both be compensated for your time and any travel

expenses."

Mai did not look particularly appreciative of this offer. If anything

she looked miffed. Minako's rising ire over the unwanted and unnecessary

interruption was momentarily waylaid by curiosity. "So what were you planning

to tell them? If I recall you parted fairly amicably."

Mai didn't answer her directly, instead she turned back to face Calcite.

"Are you wondering the same thing? Afraid I might complicate your perfect

life?"

Cautiously Calcite ventured, "I don't think I did anything that should

come back to haunt me. Our relationship was in no way immoral and simply

didn't work out. I didn't abandon you, our breakup was your idea and I

honoured your wish for a clean break. Nothing happened that could ruin

your life ... well there was that Magnesite business but lots of people had

their life-force drained and they all got over it without lasting trauma. As

you obviously did by starting a family and raising such a fine looking son."

Mai didn't look much mollified, instead she just nodded curtly then spoke

in a flat voice. "You haven't changed a bit, except for dyeing your hair you

look exactly like the man who walked out on me twenty-four years ago." That

didn't quite fit Calcite's recollections but he didn't dispute that part.

"Actually this is its natural colour, it was the blond that was faked.

As for my appearance ... I lost a lot of time. Thanks to a rather complicated

set of circumstances I didn't experience 2005 to 2014, I skipped straight from

'04 to 2015." Though he had lived through two 1994s. Hopefully she wouldn't

ask for an explanation, he was in no mood to try and explain the Earth Beta

mess.

She didn't. "But you still lived though all the other years, so you

should be nearing forty?"

Cautiously he answered, "Yes?"

"You don't look it."

Suppressing a wince Calcite tried to defuse this situation.

"Enomoto-san ... Mai, my kind ages slower than humans but as a rule our

lifespan is shorter than the human average so it all balances out. It turned

out that those who carry the Renegade genes are the exceptions but I learned

that a few years after we parted. When we were a couple I honestly expected

you to outlive me. Given my somewhat hazardous lifestyle that's still a

possibility but there's no fountain of youth I've denied you."

Calcite uttered a silent prayer that Mai not ask Minako how she still

looked so young. No, wait! That was already explained as a consequence of

her being a Sailor Senshi. As he had seen from Hermes and Zeus's example,

ten years after they met both had still looked like teenagers. Of course they

existed permanently in their Senshi forms while Mina and the others changed

back and forth, spending most of their lives as their regular selves. So they

had aged a few more years before the Silver Crystal froze their appearances.

Having decided it was a little early to mention that fact Ami had persuaded

Serenity that they should just release the information about the effect

Senshidom had on the aging process and let people make their own assumptions.

That explanation (which had the added advantage of being true) would hold for

decades yet and would mean they weren't preoccupied turning away a steady

stream of immortality seekers. By the time the news broke about Serenity's

use of the Ginzuishou the world would be used to Crystal Tokyo having

unchanging Sailor Senshi and it would be a minor footnote. Calcite readied

his version of Ami's explanation in case Mai asked. She looked about to

reply but she said simply, "I see", and seemed to dismiss the subject. Or

had she?

Calcite tried but failed to gauge her mood. Had she believed him?

Normally he was an excellent judge of hidden intent (a useful survival trait

in his homeland and a valuable asset during diplomatic negotiations) but when

it came to women he was or (it now seemed) had been emotionally involved with

all that judgment went out the window. A failing, he ruefully remembered,

Azurite had frequently commented upon.

Mai showed no signs of being ready to leave. She was equally oblivious

to the mood of her son. Behind his mother's back the young man was looking

very ill at ease and probably wondering how to get his mother to leave

quietly. But before Calcite could decide how to use that Mai spoke again.

Her voice laden with false cheer she announced, "I still haven't answered

your question, have I? You were wondering what I was going to tell this

Hunter-san about your character? Nothing but the truth ... which is that

everything you told me about your personal history was a lie and that you must

have obtained your job under false pretenses."

Calcite winced, having been reminded of that last past recently by some

former colleagues he had chanced to meet at an equally inconvenient moment.

He couldn't deny the charges so he tried to make light of them. "Not quite

everything, Ti was and is my sister."

"Except her name's really Titanite not Titania?"

"Ah ... yes." Wondering how to resolve this quickly and send them on

their way Calcite was startled by Mina suddenly declaring, "Well, I'm sure you

two have lots to talk about after all these years so I'll be on my way. See

you tomorrow, Cal."

With that she marched away without a backward glance, back stiff with

repressed anger. Calcite started to call her back then stopped. There was no

hope of salvaging tonight and Mina obviously needed to blow off some steam.

So did Mai. All he could do was be gracious and let Mai vent her spleen.

Suppressing a long suffering sigh with the iron self control that had let him

survive the Dark Kingdom he turned his attention to Mai.

"You haven't introduced your son yet."

"Ryu." Mai made no other move to introduce him. Calcite nodded a

greeting to Ryu who was obviously too far out of his element to step forward

and join the conversation.

"Is he your only son?"

"My only child."

"Ah ... so what else have you been doing all these years?"

"Getting old. Yourself?"

Calcite winced mentally. It was definitely going to be one of those

conversations. But while he grit his teeth and kept speaking civilly part of

him could understand Mai's vexation. Having the man who disrupted your life

years earlier reappear apparently no older must be frustrating. Besides this

interruption wasn't wholly unanticipated. Of late it seemed every time he got

some personal time with Minako they would suddenly run into one of her old

boyfriends, some of his old coworkers or a gang of starstruck Senshi fans who

had somehow slipped through cracks in palace security. Granted coincidence

piled up in synchronous zones but all this seemed far too deliberate to him.

Somebody was orchestrating it ... either that or he was getting paranoid.

Well, more paranoid. He could think of at least two potential puppetmasters

but couldn't in good conscience accuse anyone until he knew this was more than

just his imagination.

A flash of movement caught his eye as something darted from the shadows

through the open doorway and was gone around a corner. It must have thought

it was too fast and him too distracted to notice it. A mistake someone who

knew him well would never have made. The brief glimpse had been enough to

make out plenty of details. White furred, feline and far too small to have

been Margrave. She would have known better. Not to mention being more

practiced in deceit she would have staged things a lot less obviously.

Calcite forced the name from his mind and turned all his attention to

Mai. The least he could do for her was give her that.

He would settle things with his persecutor soon enough.

Not far away Minako was fuming as she moved to intercept her quarry.

Obviously he wasn't expecting trouble as she had been able to locate him with

no problems. Folding her communicator back into pocketspace she stalked

through the corridors. According to security he wasn't alone but she didn't

care. Friend or not Ami had better not get in her way. She wanted answers

and she was going to get them. Or "Mr. Hunter" was going to be very, very

sorry.

Unaware of the angry Senshi heading his way Toma (Tom) Endo-Bradington

gave a low whistle.

"There's that much in the pool?"

Ami nodded, "Well worth a wager so if things go as I anticipate tonight

it's all mine."

"What makes you so sure ... you didn't use your computer to calculate the

odds?"

Ami gave an impish smile. "Well, I tried but there were too many

variables. It's not like there's any statistics on how long it takes youma to

propose. So it was just a best guess based on our schedules for running

around. Tonight seemed the best choice available."

Tom nodded, everyone else had already accepted the union as inevitable.

Now it was just up to the participants to get their acts together. "Speaking

of marriage Rei mentioned a wedding you attended with her and Serenity ... I

mean Usagi, back when the three of you were the only Sailor Senshi in Tokyo.

You caught the bouquet but you're the only one of them not married yet."

Ami stuttered something about not having the time yet and Tom let the

subject drop. Ami had some definite ideas about what constituted a marriage

after watching the hash her parents had made of their domestic life. Ideas

which conflicted with her current duties and wouldn't mesh too well with his

either. Fortunately she didn't feel that precluded romantic involvement and

while Tom would have preferred to make everything official he was willing to

wait. Thanks to Serenity time was one thing they both had in abundance.

Besides in a few years (or decades) she might well softened her stance.

His trained senses picking up someone approaching Tom turned from Ami to

see Minako approaching. She obviously wasn't in a good mood so odds were

Calcite hadn't popped the question. Possibly that was why she was in such a

bad mood. He opened his mouth to greet her but before he could utter a sound

she had blurred across the space between them and seized his collar with a

grip of iron. Before he knew what was happening he had been slammed the wall

and was hanging from Minako's outstretched arms. Looking less then friendly

she purred, "I'd like to know why you're messing with Cal's life, Mr. Hunter."

"Mina, put Tom down please and let's discuss this like reasonable

people."

The request sounded friendly enough but from the corner of her eye

Minako could see Ami had shifted to Sailor Mercury. Very smoothly too, she

hadn't caught the flash that accompanied transformation. Of course she had

been somewhat distracted what with one thing and another and was feeling far

from reasonable.

"Soon as he answers my question."

Tom made a gurgling noise and pawed futilely at Mina's hands and his

collar. Ami's eyes narrowed, "He's a lot more coherent when he can breathe.

Now drop him!"

The ice in her voice was unmistakable and she looked ready to go into

attack posture. She wasn't bluffing. Minako's resolved wavered slightly and

she released her grip. Tom crashed to the floor and groaned. Ami pushed by

Minako to check his injuries and was relieved to find he had just had the

breath knocked out of him. Apart from some superficial bruising he was fine.

Ami glared up at Minako and was about to demand an explanation when Tom raised

a hand to stop her and spoke.

"Mina ..." He switched gears as she was obviously in no more for

familiarity. "Aino-san, I don't know what you think I've done but I'm sure

its a misunderstanding. You said something about Calcite?"

She nodded tersely. "That's right. Seems somebody named Hunter who's

not listed on the staff roster has been questioning Cal's character." Mina

smiled but without any warmth. "You never joined up officially Mister

Starhunter. You make a big deal about not wanting ties to Crystal Tokyo that

could come back to haunt you when the world's together again for you to reform

your beloved Hunter Corps. So you're an freelance security consultant that

Rei hires as needed. Did you think I was too dim to remember that? Now

what's your problem with Cal?!" Tom started to speak but she overrode him.

"You think Serenity doesn't already know he did some questionable things in

the old days? Hell, I was his arch-enemy and if I don't have a problem

anymore then why does it matter to you? So he faked a British identity and

resume, big frigging deal! He didn't hurt anyone by doing that and he was

just trying to fit in! The world's changed, why drag up all this old crap

that doesn't mean anything anymore?"

"Can I get a word in now?"

"I'm waiting."

"Okay the answer is ... I have absolutely no idea what you're talking

about!" This time Tom overrode her protest. "I haven't been checking up on

Cal. Like you said Serenity's accepted him as genuine and that's good enough

for me. Maybe there's a few black marks on his record but he's more than

made up for them. Hell, I like him. We may not be as close as him and

Endymion but I'd consider us friends. So I've got no reasons to check him

out on my own time and Rei hasn't hired me to run a background check. Whoever

this Hunter guy is it's not me."

Ami nodded in agreement. "Tom's just been working peacekeeping for Rei

and I'm not about to let him waste his free time on a wild goose chase. We've

got too little personal time together to squander any of it."

Minako's anger gave way to bewilderment. Both looked absolutely sincere

but how could that be? But if it wasn't Tom then who was responsible?

Suddenly a name penetrated her confusion. Rei! Head of Crystal Tokyo

Security, a task she had taken too with a fanatic's zeal. Unaware of talking

aloud she murmured, "Would Rei's agents show up on a staff roster anyway?

Maybe the guards and other public folks but her undercover operatives?"

Hurricane Minako started rolling again. That had to be the answer! She

growled, "Rei, we are going to discuss this very thoroughly!" She spun around

to sprint then suddenly turned back to Tom and Ami.

"Sorry."

With that she was gone with a speed that shattered several Olympic

records leaving two confused friends behind. Tom asked, "What in the world is

going on around here?"

Ami shook her head, "I've no idea but I'd better warn Rei." With that

she pulled her communicator out of pocket space and paged Rei. A few moments

later Rei answered the hail with "What's up, Ami."

"Rei, Minako seems to think you're trying to spoil things between her and

Calcite somehow. I don't understand all the details but she's on the warpath

and heading your way!"

Rei heard doors slamming open and a commotion erupt outside her personal

office. "Thanks for the warning but she's already here." She flipped the

communicator closed and buzzed her secretary with, "Let her in", just as the

doors burst open and Minako stalked in dragging half a dozen security officers

with her.

Rei sighed. "It's all right gentlemen, my office is always open to my

Senshi colleagues even if they're too preoccupied to bother with either our

formalities or common courtesy. You can return to your posts. Mina, have a

seat." Minako was about to refuse and loom over Rei's desk but when her eyes

met Rei's she saw something that made her shiver involuntarily and drop into

the chair facing her. Looking a bit uncertain but not about to question this

boss the security guards left, closing the office door behind them.

Minako tried to rekindle her anger while Rei appraised her then shook her

head. "What's got you so worked up?"

"Calcite ..."

That was a surprise. "He dumped you?"

Minako's eyes blazed and she surged to her feet. "NO, HE DIDN'T DUMP ME!

I THINK HE WAS ABOUT TO PROPOSE BUT YOUR DAMNED AGENT RUINED EVERYTHING!"

"My agent?"

"HUNTER! AND DON'T TRY AND TELL ME THAT MEANS TOM!"

Rei didn't flinch. "Why don't you start from the beginning so I'll have

some idea what you're talking about. And do it a little quieter than you

have been, soundproofing isn't foolproof." Mina began an angry retort but

again choked it off as Rei gave her the look. Lowering her voice she began

to explain the evening's events.

As Minako finished her recitation Rei was punching the keys on her

computer terminal. Mina trailed to a halt and Rei spun the monitor so she

could see it. A list began scrolling across it.

"This is confidential information but as you're a fellow Senshi you have

full security clearance. This is my complete list of personnel and, if

applicable, their aliases. You'll note Hunter doesn't appear anywhere

among them."

The names marched by, just as Rei had said "Hunter" wasn't among them.

Earlier Minako might have accused Rei of holding out on her but, like most of

her rages the fury faded as quickly as it exploded. But if it wasn't one of

Rei's people then who was responsible? "But ...?"

Seeing her friend's utter bewilderment Rei answered, "I can easily

believe someone is trying to sabotage your relationship with Calcite. Your

mistake was assuming because they used Palace channels that it was somehow

official."

"What?"

Rei shrugged. "It wouldn't be hard. Slip a memo into the right pile

when no one's looking or send an order under someone with the right

authorities email and the wheels would start turning regardless of the true

source." To herself she added, "... and if you had the ability to make people

think your suggestions were their ideas in the first place that would certainly

help matters. Especially as it wouldn't work if they were already inclined to

disapprove of the romance in question."

Oblivious to Rei's unvoiced suspicions Minako nodded. "I think I see

what you're saying. But then who's Hunter and why's he messing around

with my love-life?" With a hint of anger she muttered, "I think I need to

discuss his interference with him up close and personal!"

Carefully Rei ventured, "I would guess Hunter is an alias which is why

the name doesn't appear on any lists. Possibly it's an attempt to implicate

Tom as the culprit." Rei didn't believe that for a second but she was very

hesitant to name her real suspect. Luckily Mina didn't question that, just

nodded again. Rei continued, "As to why he's doing this I don't know. Maybe

he doesn't trust Calcite and it's out of some sense of misguided loyalty to

you and Crystal Tokyo. Perhaps it's jealousy, if you two break up our mystery

man has a chance. Maybe it's just some troublemaker looking to have a few

laughs at your expense by sending you off on a wild goose chase assaulting

your friends." Mina blushed and did the sweatdrop thing.

"I did kind of over-react ... maybe I should go apologize properly to

Tom and Ami."

Rei nodded. "That's a start."

Minako grimaced. "Oh yeah ... uhm, I'm sorry about busting in here like

a demon on a rampage."

Rei considered making her sweat a little more but after a moment's

consideration said, "Apology accepted". Looking relieved Mina turned to go

but stopped when Rei raised her hand. "Just a minute, I wanted to ask you

something."

Mina returned to the chair as Rei pondered how to express a concern that

had occurred to her. "Mina, you said Cal was on the verge of proposing

tonight. Just how sure are you that's what he had in mind?"

"100%"

Rei nodded. "I know you're waiting for that ..." To herself she added,

"we all are" but aloud she continued, "but are you sure he knows that?"

"What are you implying?"

"Mina, both Calcite and Titanite were born in the Dark Kingdom. I know

their origins are no concern of yours, or indeed of mine, as both have pure

spirits but my point is simply that both are in many ways the ultimate

gaijin." Minako obviously didn't follow, she simply looked lost. Rei tried

again.

"By that I mean they grew up in a society that's alien to every value we

hold. That they turned out as well as they did is a miracle but it's left

its mark on both of them. Ti grew up isolated from most of it and has

embraced human culture to an incredible degree but she hasn't entirely

forgotten her heritage. You do remember the kind of thing she eats without a

qualm?" Both women shuddered remembering Ti's efforts to follow Makoto's

example and cater Inner Council meetings. Almost as bad as the time Haruka

had noticed Ti shared her taste for natto. Unfortunately Haruka hadn't left

well enough alone when Ti mentioned it reminded her of a Dark Kingdom

delicacy. After hearing Ti's description of the Shaazarian equivalent Haruka

had sworn off natto for life. Rather to Michiru's relief as she'd always

hated the smell of it on Haruka's breath but neither Rei not Minako knew that.

Unaware of this Titanite's inadvertent good deed Rei continued, "Calcite

hasn't adapted to the same degree but he still fits in remarkably well. But I

can't help wondering about the customs his society ingrained in him. Do youma

marry and if they do are their proposal customs anything like ours? Maybe

he's waiting for some sign from you before proceeding? I simply don't know

... do you?"

Mina shook her head. "That's never occurred to me ....I see your point."

She fell silent and Rei wondered if she should have kept her mouth shut. No,

surely these were valid concerns. If the two of them discussed things then

... Suddenly Minako brightened up with that look that meant Hurricane Minako

was about to erupt.

"I've got it! The perfect solution!"

Fighting the urge to exclaim, "Uh oh!" Rei asked, "Which is?"

"Simple, this is the twenty-first century and I'm a modern girl, right?"

Cautiously, "Yes?"

"So why wait for him to propose? I'll do it! I've got to get a ring,

where would be open this time of night? Wonder if Ti's busy? I need to talk

to her ASAP! But first I need to find the perfect spot, somewhere romantic

where we won't get any damned interruptions ..."

Still babbling to herself the frenzied Minako tore out of the office.

Sitting in her wake Rei wondered just what she had unleashed on the sleeping

city.

"I have become death, the shatterer of worlds." After a moment's

consideration she shook her head. "Nah, it's not that bad." Then a more

cheerful thought struck her and she checked the calendar. Sure enough she

had tomorrow in the proposal pool. Maybe that was a sign everything would

work out.

Maybe not. Something had just struck her. She sighed aloud. "Hunter?

Artemis, couldn't you have picked a less obvious alias? I suppose I should

just be glad you didn't go with Huntress." She was going to have to have a

talk with a certain feline very soon. Mina was too close to her mooncat to

suspect him but Calcite was another matter. Assuming he hadn't already

figured it out he would before too long. When that happened the fur was

going to fly. Maybe literally.

Later, unaware of the gathering storm, Titanite was yawning as she closed

up her office for the night. She could be back in her own apartment in an

eyeblink but after hours behind a desk coordinating Crystal Tokyo's public

relations efforts throughout Japan she needed a bit of walking to unknot her

muscles. As she wandered the corridors she found herself gaining a second

wind making sleep seem a bit less attractive she pondered what to do. Maybe

look up Asuma ... no, wait he'd mentioned being occupied all night with merger

meetings amongst the re-established media cartels. He seemed to think having

a Sailor Senshi interested in movie stardom would be a great tool. Not to

mention another interested in an idol singing career. Ti and Mina had talked

quite a bit with Asuma and each other about their plans. Soon as things were

a bit more stable they were going to take the entertainment world by storm.

Not to mention generating a lot of favourable publicity by making it obvious

the Sailor Senshi weren't some aloof warrior caste waiting for the next big

threat. They were going to dispel that image and make it clear magical girls

just wanna have fun.

Still that left the question of what to do tonight. There was an old

friend she could drop in on but the buddy in question tended to work nights.

Still she was overdue to touch base with her, at her friend's request she

never phoned her from the Palace so the call couldn't be traced. For the same

reason she never teleported directly there. Still it couldn't hurt to drop by

and see if she wanted company. On the other hand there was about twenty years

worth of anime and manga piled in her apartment that she hadn't made a dent in

yet. She still hadn't finished the late nineties let alone everything else

that had been produced during her time on Earth-Beta.

Her train of thought was abruptly derailed when she spotted her brother

meandering along the corridor. She hailed him with, "Hey Cal, what's new?"

Her hopes that when he turned he would reveal himself to be a goofy daze and

tell her she was gaining a sister-in-law were dashed by the sight of his

dejected features.

"I ran into an old girlfriend. You remember Mai Saito?"

Nonplused by the answer Ti nodded anyway. "Saito-sensei? I remember

her but why is she here? Has she joined the staff?"

"No, just visiting thanks to an ... unfortunate mix-up. She ran into

Mina and me at about the worst possible moment."

"Oh! Uhm ... must have been awkward."

"Yes."

"Ah ... funny running into her again after all these years."

Without a hint of humour her brother answered, "Hilarious."

Definitely in one of his moods. "Uhm ... a mix-up you said? Pretty

strange sort of mix-up."

He nodded, "Unbelievable." He was silent a moment then inquired, "Ti,

you've been taking cooking lessons from Makoto?"

Confused once more by the change in subject answered, "Ah, yes. Makoto

finds it helps her unwind and since I'm pretty near out of supplies for my

specialties I figured I should sharpen up my terrestrial cuisine repertoire

again." That reminded her of something, "Speaking of supplies when ...?"

"Pyr renewed the stasis canisters before he left so we've ten years

before we have to use 'em or lose 'em. I anticipate that in five to six years

things should have calmed down enough that we'll be able to set up a Dark

Kingdom flora and fauna farm though we still won't have time to run it

personally. Hiring farmers with biology degrees could be a problem but I've

been talking to that Maxwell character about a joint venture with the

xenobiology department he's proposing for Ami's planned Crystal Tokyo

University. Which is also a few years down the road."

Ti beamed. "Great! I can hardly wait but I'll make do until then!

Once we have a steady supply we can see about a Shaizaarian restaurant!" A

little more seriously she added, "I figure Shaizaarian sounds more appetizing

than Dark Kingdom so we'll go with the untranslated name."

Cautiously Calcite ventured, "I don't anticipate that much demand", which

refueled his sister's bewilderment.

"Why not? There's ethnic restaurants for everywhere else that do just

fine. Why can't Shaizaarian food become as big as Chinese?"

"Probably because Chow Mien doesn't crawl out of the takeout box and try

to eat your face!", Calcite thought. Aloud he said, "I suppose anything's

possible. Time will tell."

"Yeah!" Her enthusiasm faded as she recalled the original question. "So

why were you asking about my cooking lessons anyway?"

"Just wondering if your increased culinary repertoire could help me."

"How so?"

"Well there's places in Asia where they cook dogs and cats right?"

Ti frowned, why ask that? "So I've heard. Why?"

"Just wondering if you could get me some recipes."

"HUH?!"

Cal smiled faintly and waved off the protest. "Small joke, just kidding.

Well I'm heading home to get some shuteye before I do anything I'll regret

tomorrow. Goodnight."

With that he strode off leaving a very puzzled sister behind him.

Titanite stood there for a while then shook off the confusion. It

couldn't be ... could it? She had promised not to interfere and Ti trusted

her word. So that wasn't it but what did all this mean? Well she might not

be behind but Ti bet she could figure it out. She reached into pocketspace

for her communicator (a very good copy of the real Senshi model having talked

Pyrite out of a Trek Classic lookalike) and paged the Security office.

"This is Polaris. I'm taking some personal time and leaving the Palace.

If I'm needed I'll be in the city so it'll be no problem paging me."

The voice on the other end acknowledged and wished her a pleasant night.

Ti consulted her mental map of the Palace and strode off to the nearest

teleport niche. The niches for teleporters to arrive or depart hadn't been

part of the original design of the Crystal Palace but just after she had

suggested them (with Calcite's backing) Serenity had suddenly announced she

had just added plenty to the floor plans. Sure enough now each floor had at

least one yet they had grown in the walls without compromising structural

integrity.

She stepped inside, concentrated and vanished to reappear a nanosecond

later inside a shopping arcade's courtyard. The place was shut and there

was no sign of anyone. She ambled off into a shaded spot of the entry/exit

archway trying to sense if she had company.

All clear. She exited the shadows wrapped in a glamour, the maskless

Sailor Polaris guise she had used on Beta. A world where not looking like the

hated Princess Titanite was a very good idea. She had intended to abandon

this one upon their return but she had found a need for it after all. A

little secrecy was a good idea when visiting a justifiably paranoid friend and

following her natural urge to use something anime based would be far too

obvious.

She saw few people on her way to her destination. No particular reason

she should, it was late and this was a quiet middle-class area where nothing

much remarkable ever happened. Useful camouflage.

Stopping before the unexceptional small apartment building she did a

quick aura scan of the penthouse. The three floors underneath it were still

vacant, not surprising since they were being rented by the tenant above to

keep them that way. She valued her privacy, besides it paid to keep nosy

neighbours from noticing her guests. Discretion was appreciated.

Only one lifeform in the penthouse. Ti nodded to herself and started

for the building pager. Before she could buzz a voice crackled through the

speaker.

"Door's open, Ti."

She wasn't too surprised to be anticipated. Margrave had studied quite a

bit of youma technology on Beta and had mentioned she was going to rig up an

early warning system that would detect people scanning her apartment

Ti stepped through and one short elevator ride later was about to knock

on the apartment door when it opened. Margrave was wearing her familiar

Cathy Margrave glamour as she said, "Come on in."

Once Ti was inside both youma shed their glamours. Ti asked, "No company

tonight?", with a certain amount of surprise.

"Busy afternoon so I've been taking the evening off to catch up on my

reading."

"Glad you're not a workaholic."

Margrave smiled, "So are a lot of wives and girlfriends."

"Heh. So how's ... ah, business?"

"Great, a lot of satisfied customers." Margrave settled down and waved

Ti to a chair. "Word is spreading quietly and I don't lack for clientele.

Thankfully Serenity didn't turn this city into some sort of Pollyanna, no-sex

please-we're-Crystal-Tokyites city-state full of repressed celibates waiting

until marriage."

"Told you when we set this up you wouldn't have to worry."

"Yeah ..." Margrave's smile faded. "Speaking of which I suppose you're

here to break the bad news that Cal and that bit... Venus have made it

official?"

"Uhm no, that hasn't happened yet."

"Say what?" Margrave looked offended. "I don't believe this, the one

time in my life I let you talk me into doing something decent and quietly

fade out of his life and he's still mucking around? Abyss! If this keeps up

and he's still avoiding monogamy I might as well take my own shot."

Noting the shocked look on Titanite's face she chuckled though the laugh

sounded more forced than she would have liked. "Relax, Ti. I'm kidding. It

wouldn't work and all I'd do would be complicate things between them. I ...

I don't want to hurt him. You know that." Annoyingly her eyes started

watering and she whispered, "But it's so hard sometimes."

She realized Ti had walked over and clasped her hands. "Are you all

right?"

Embarrassed by the show of weakness Margrave was about to deny it. But

this was the only person in all creation she could trust with her true

feelings. She shook her head.

"No ... maybe ... sometimes I think it's fading then I see something that

reminds me they're together or that he's not coming back and it's like a knife

in my heart." Bitterly she exclaimed, "This is all Metallia's fault!"

"Eh?!"

Margrave nodded fervently. "You heard me. If she hadn't wussed out and

got killed by Sailor Moon I wouldn't be feeling like this! It's not fair!

All those years of telling him there would never been anything but carnal

feelings between him. That we'd never pairbond the way he wanted, that hoping

for a relationship like that was futile. I finally convinced him and drove

him into her arms. Why couldn't I convince me? Why wasn't I good enough for

him?"

Because you took him for granted and refused to acknowledge your feelings

were changing. Ti thought this but she couldn't bring herself to say it, not

tonight. She just let Margrave cry on her shoulder and held her.

A little while later Margrave regained her self control and pulled away,

angry at herself for letting her defenses crumble like that. Ti wasn't

offended, she considered it a sacred trust that Margrave felt at ease enough

around her to let her guard down in the first place. To a woman raised in the

Dark Kingdom that was an incredible vulnerability and to trust someone enough

to let them see her in a moment of weakness little short of a miracle.

Margrave padded to her refrigerator. "Like a drink? I've got an open

bloodwine that needs finishing."

"Thanks. But you'd better horde the unopened stuff. Cal just reminded

me it'll be years before can start growing the right 'shrooms to produce our

own brand."

"I'll remember that." Margrave returned with two glasses. "So what's

up, kitten and why's your brother dragging his heels? Getting cold feet or

realizing taking on the Overlord has to have been easier than marrying

Minako?"

"Oh no, you know Cal. Once he's committed to a course of action he goes

into death or glory mode. He's going to marry her and everyone knows it

included Minako. Matter of fact if he changed his mind she'd go on a rampage

that would make Beryl look like a kindergarten toddler."

"So why hasn't he yet?"

"Well he's tried to but he's had a run of bad luck. False emergencies

when they get some time together, people who knew them in the old days popping

up and ruining the mood ... pretty recently me and Rei had to persuade one of

Minako's old boyfriends to forget about assault charges."

Margrave frowned. "Hard to imagine Cal losing control like that without

incredible provocation."

"Actually it was Mina who broke his nose. Lucky Mako-chan had some dirt

on the guy so we were able to send him on his way. Rei had a word with

Serenity and before he left the Palace his nose was healed so he didn't have

any physical evidence even if he'd been willing to risk his dirty laundry

coming out by going to the tabloids."

Margrave chuckled with genuine amusement. "Crystal Tokyo's first

cover-up."

"I suppose so." Ti's amusement faded as she frowned. "Thing is I think

tonight Cal was trying to tell me something about his bad luck but I couldn't

put it together. Maybe you can help." Margrave nodded and Ti recited her

conversation with her brother. As soon as she had finished Margrave nodded

and said one word.

"Artemis."

"Artemis?"

"Artemis."

"What exactly do you mean .... oh!"

"I see you just got it. Her mentor and guardian, correct?" Ti nodded.

"It must have been galling watching her screw up her life by always going

after the wrong guys. But that would have been nothing compared falling for

someone who not only isn't human but used to be her arch-enemy and worked

for the woman who destroyed the Silver Millennium. So he's been doing

everything he can to sabotage the romance."

"But Cal never worked for Beryl ... well, not directly and Dark Lord

Calcite never hurt anyone!"

"Don't tell me, tell him. But you'd better do it quickly."

"Why?"

"Because Cal obviously knows who's behind his romantic woes and making

him your enemy tends to be a short term proposition. The only reason he

hasn't settled things yet is Minako is close to the cat. But if Artemis

doesn't back off soon ..."

"Cat stew?"

"Made with lots of relish."

At the next day's council meeting both Rei and Titanite kept trying to

avoid glancing at Artemis who had possessively curled up on Minako's lap.

Minako didn't notice, while she petted the mooncat absently she kept watching

Calcite. As always this attention had Calcite in a good mood and he seemed

far too amiable to be on the verge of smearing Artemis with gravy and tossing

him into the dog pound. Ti wondered if she was jumping at shadows, Cal

had definitely mellowed since falling for Mina-chan so he might be much less

inclined to act without being able to justify himself to her. Perhaps he

was waiting for Artemis to slip up and make his guilt undeniable. Rei was

pondering along the same lines though she also noticed Ami was also stealing

glances at Artemis. Not much of a surprise, the odds against Ami and Tom not

being able to puzzle out that alias were ridiculous.

Unaware of all this attention Artemis glowered at Calcite and tried to

will him to do something evil so he'd get blasted. Nothing happened which

wasn't really a surprise given his psi-power's limits. He couldn't really

control minds, just make suggestions that bypassed the suggestee's attention

and slid directly into the subconscious where they bubbled up as the victim's

... ahem, subject's own ideas. All of which would have made it a simple

matter to break up any couple except for some severe limitations. If the

suggestion didn't flow in the same way as the suggestee's thoughts then it was

ignored and rejected. So he couldn't steer new courses of actions, just

accelerate the currents that were already present. Or, losing the nautical

idioms, he couldn't make anyone do anything they weren't already halfway

inclined to do.

Not that the talent was useless, back in those pleasant days when had

been Sailor V and longed to blast Dark Lord Calcite he had managed to get her

sent to England on a new exchange program. After the unfortunate A/V room

incident it had been remarkably easy to suggest to Minako's principal that

since no blame could be attached (the fire marshal having reported it

impossible for anyone to melt a VCR just by programming it let alone cause

the mysterious massive malfunctioning of all the other equipment) sending her

overseas sounded like a very good idea. Likewise Minako's parents had been

eager to believe their daughter had somehow excelled and been selected for a

new scholarship program.

None of which helped him here. The youma knew mind shielding techniques

and he'd never had much influence over Minako. She thought she knew what she

was doing. She always had, no matter how badly her intentions miscarried she

never learned and never listened. He couldn't get through to her, power or no

power. The only one who might wouldn't help him no matter how much he

pleaded. Once again he glowered at Luna without any visible success. She

just turned up her nose at him again, obviously not caring if he thought she

was a traitor.

It was so unfair! He was sure Luna's her mindmeld technique could break through

Minako's willful blindness but she had refused to to help him. The last time

he had begged she had just told him, "There comes a point when you just have

to accept that your Senshi has outgrown your teachings". In the same wistful

tone she had continued, "For the longest time I thought Usagi would need my

guidance for the rest of her life. But I was wrong. Now I'm an advisor and

her friend but I realize I'm not her nanny."

Artemis remembered starting to stutter a protest about Minako's emotional

immaturity but Luna hadn't let him get a word in. "Artemis, things were

different this time around with the world changed, our memories in tatters and

the ancient cycle disrupted so there were no Elders to aid our Senshi. We

took it upon ourselves to raise them to meet standards we barely remembered

of a world that was long gone. Perhaps it's just as well they went their own

way most of the time. They may not have turned out the way we expected but

they've become the right Senshi for the new age, the Senshi this world needs.

It's past time we learned to work with them rather than try to control them."

The mooncat's mood darkened even further at this remembrance. Luna

could afford to be sanctimonious, her Senshi was at the top of the heap.

Even discounting Serenity's status and power before the change Sailor Moon

had possessed everything she truly desired. A good life and a good man to

share it. Not Minako, the one Senshi he was personally responsible for taking

care of remained an emotional disaster area. She was still looking for that

mythical soulmate with reckless abandon, casting pills before swans ... pearls

before swine! Artemis sighed, living with Minako all these years caused

unfortunate side-effects when using metaphors. But that didn't change the

basic problem, namely the youma formerly known as Dark Lord Calcite. Despite

his best efforts the romance had flourished and unless he found a way to

disrupt things permanently there would be a wedding in the near future.

Leading to a marriage that couldn't possibly work and would crash and burn

inside of a year. It was his duty to prevent that at all costs! Sure Minako

had recovered from plenty of heartbreak but he bet this would be the straw

that broke the caramel book ... camel's back. Besides he was the worst

possible choice, Artemis knew that without a shadow of a doubt.

Despite Artemis's earnest hopes for an insidious youma plot the meeting

concluded without incident and everyone picked up their new assignments.

Artemis was pleased to note Minako would be occupied for the rest of the day

as Calcite was going to have some free time for the next few hours.

Unfortunately that meant she dumped him on the table and rushed to Calcite's

side so they could leave the council chamber hand in hand. Artemis tried

to console himself with the thought that things should be too rushed for

Calcite to make any major announcements. Luckily both wanted the right mood

for such a special occasion. But even so he didn't like it.

Luna studied the brooding cat and left the conference room shaking her

head. When was he going to realize Minako's life was her own and neither his

approval nor disapproval should influence her choices? Artemis didn't even

notice Rei, Ami and Titanite glance at him, glance at each other then nod in

unspoken agreement and file out of the room to wait for him. An informal chat

outside the Palace proper would be better.

The doors closed behind them and the trio compared notes, Titanite

omitting all mention of Margrave. They were formulating a quick strategy

when a familiar voice asked, "What are you all standing around for?" and they

turned to see an unaccompanied Minako.

"Mina, what are you doing back here?"

"And where's Cal?"

A little puzzled by the questions Mina answered, "I was hoping you could

tell me. See I'd told him I'd meet him at this nice little Italian bistro

tomorrow for lunch but I just called for reservations and they're closed for

renovations all week. So I thought maybe I could catch him before he headed

off on his errand."

"Errand?

Minako grinned, "Said it was something personal he had to take care of

so let's hope he's picking up something from a jewelry store. Anyway he said

before he took care of that there was something he'd forgotten back here so

he had to go pick it up."

The trio looked at each other then charged back into the room. Only to

find it empty. Titanite groaned, "He ported!" and Rei nodded grimly. Ami

pulled her computer out of pocket space and began scanning with her visor

only to find evidence of stealthing magic. Which would explain why Titanite

didn't sense her brother's materialization. Looked like Calcite didn't want

anyone butting in. Confused by their mad dash Minako trailed in after them to

ask, "Ah, girls ... what's going on?"

"Oh nothing."

"Just wondering if Cal could have slipped past us."

"Thought I might have left something in here myself."

Mina studied them a moment then shook her head, "Fine, be that way.

Anyway if you see Cal tell him we need to make new plans, meantime some of

us have work to do." She was about to turn to go when she remembered

something important. "Oh yeah ... Ti, there's something I need to check with

you. Are you going to be in your office in say ... two hours?"

"Uhm yeah. I should be there all evening."

"Great I'll drop by then. I promise it won't take more than a few

minutes. Until later."

With that she left leaving the threesome to speculate. After a moment

Ti said, "I'm sure big brother won't do anything too nasty. Last thing he

wants is to alienate Mina."

The others nodded though all three wondered just where Calcite would draw

the line. Then Rei shrugged, "He brought it on himself and Calcite's not a

rash man. His temper's had a chance to cool since yesterday so as you said Ti

he shouldn't do anything too excessive. So we should stop worrying about it.

As Mina reminded us we've all got no shortage of things to do so I'll see

you later." With that Rei waved and headed for her own office. After a

brief pause Ami and Titanite followed suit though they couldn't help wondering

just where the unlikely twosome had gone.

A few minutes earlier Artemis had been startled out of his gloomy self

absorption rather dramatically. He'd been quietly brooding in the silent

room when a hand seized him by the scruff of the neck and hauled him up to

face a pair of glowing purple eyes

"Artemis, it's time we had a little man to man chat."

Artemis managed not to gulp and defiantly answered, "Do either of us

qualify?"

Momentarily thrown off his stride Calcite gave a harsh laugh. "Fine, a

youma to feline chat."

Artemis glowered at him. "Is there any alternative?"

Calcite nodded. "Yes, it involves sitting in a hot oven for three hours

under an orange glaze with an apple stuffed in your mouth."

"Hah! Harm on hair on my body and Minako will never talk to you again!"

Calcite gave one of his Dark Kingdom smiles. "If I tell her who's

responsible for all our recent interruptions she'll help with the skinning

and the stuffing."

That was probably an exaggeration but Artemis shuddered anyway. How had

he been found out? He'd been so careful not to use his real name. However

it had happened it looked like the youma had the goods on him. Reluctantly

he replied, "Well I suppose we do have a few things to talk about. It

can't hurt to have a few words."

"Very wise. So ..." The scenery around them flickered and Artemis gaped

as he saw they were standing outside a bar. "... let's drink together."

Ignoring the claws Calcite draped the cat on his shoulder and stepped inside.

The bartender nodded in recognition and Calcite greeted him with, "The usual,

Shin. What'll you have Artemis?"

Still a little befuddled by the teleport Artemis managed, "Uhm ... a

White Russian. In a bowl." Showing no signs of surprise at being addressed

by a cat Shinji mixed vodka, milk and kaluha and served it in an unused

peanut bowl then produced a bottle with a foreign label, opened it and looked

at Calcite inquiringly. He shook his head so Shinji just inverted a glass

over the bottle neck without bothering with the salt. Handing Shinji enough

yen to cover the order and a generous tip Calcite scooped up both drinks and

headed for a corner table while remarking, "I stumbled across this place while

we were still undercover. It's a quiet place and the regulars never intrude

on your privacy."

Artemis concluded the goggle eyed customer at the bar must be a newcomer

as he heard him hiss at Shinji, "Did you see that? That guy's talking to a

cat!"

Shinji didn't pause in polishing glasses as he answered, "How could I

miss it when I just served them? Nothing unusual, lots of people talk to

their cats. You should hear my sister babying hers. Besides the cat's

answering him isn't it?"

"But it's weird!"

You could almost here Shinji shrug. "About twenty years back my daycare

was attacked by an anthropomorphic vending machine. Since then I've just

figured anything's possible."

Artemis made a note to talk to the PR department about raising his

profile, some people still seemed to find him unusual. But before he dealt

with the director he had to survive her brother. Stalling for time he asked,

"So what is 'The usual' anyway?"

"Tequila. I've developed a taste for it lately." Thoughtfully Calcite

added, "Though that might be partially psychological."

"Psychological? How?"

The youma shrugged. "It's made from a spiny desert plant and the bottle

contains a fermented insect larva. Reminiscent of the sort of thing we drank

in the old country."

Artemis sniffed with patriotic disdain. "You really should learn to

like sake."

Calcite raised an eyebrow. "Artemis, you're no more Japanese than I am.

Less probably since my kind at least derives from human stock." The cat

began to sputter so Calcite added, "However one local custom I've adopted is

two guys with a problem get together to drink while trying to settle their

differences." The cat glared at him.

"That particular tradition calls for matching each other drink for drink.

We've got a bit of a body weight difference so I'll be plastered before you've

even got a buzz."

With a grin Calcite offered, "So we'll amend things a bit. I'll match

each drink of yours with a bottle of tequila. Acceptable?"

Artemis considered then nodded so Calcite filled his glass and started

working on the first bottle while Artemis cautiously lapped at his saucer.

"Now how to begin?" the youma wondered. No brilliant conversational gambits

coming to mind Calcite began, "Artemis, you don't like me much ..."

"At all!"

"I believe you. But the crux of the matter is your opinion doesn't

matter. Only Minako's does and she doesn't share it."

Artemis hissed, "She doesn't know what she's doing!" Then the cat sighed

and morosely continued, "She never does, never listens to me and never learns

from her mistakes. Luna had it easy! At least Sailor Moon shaped up a bit,

Minako hasn't changed since day one!" Depressed, he stuck his head in the

saucer and began to gulp."

"I think you're selling her short." Artemis sputtered indignantly and

pulled his muzzle from under the surface. Dripping alcohol laden milk from

his whiskers he glared upward to berate the youma for mocking him. Only to

be brought up short by the hint of compassion in Calcite's eyes.

"Saying who she was and who she is are the same person is like saying

night equals day. Unlike the overconfident teenage maniac I fought there's

a maturity under that flighty exterior. Yes she's impulsive and enthusiastic

but it's tempered by experience. You've just been so close for so long that

you still see the girl you knew for so long."

"Yeah, right! And I should just take your word for that?"

Calcite swallowed an irate reply and took a moment to remember what

needed to be said. Wistfully he said, "Believe it or not I understand how

you feel."

"You? How could you possibly understand the depth of my feelings?"

"Because I went through the same sort of denial over Titanite."

Unable to answer that sarcastically and thrown off his stride Artemis

just said, "Huh?!"

"You may or may not know that our mother died when my sister was young.

As our father had no interest in raising his offspring I took over raising

her. So I guess to Ti I'm some combination of brother and father figure."

Calcite paused to empty his glass and refill the tankard, almost through the

fist bottle already. Remembering old times he felt himself beginning to

brood. He shook it off as best he could and continued in the same serious

tone. "The thing is that sort of bond works both ways and there's no shortage

of fathers who won't accept it when their little girl becomes a woman. It's

amazing how long it took me to catch on Ti was all grown up ... despite the

others best efforts she was still the little sister I had to protect from the

world. But eventually I had to accept she could look after herself and I

had to let her make her own mistakes ... actually she already had that part

down pat. You wouldn't believe some of the stunts she pulled!"

Artemis snorted. "I've been living with Minako for over twenty years.

Nothing surprises me anymore." The mooncat realized he almost felt some

empathy with the youma and tried to resume hostilities. "But that doesn't

change the fact you're all wrong for Minako. If you had any honour you'd stop

toying with her heart and walk away."

"Artemis you're not her father and even if you were she's old enough to

know what she's doing. I love her, she loves me and my honour demands I make

a commitment to her. She doesn't have to accept my proposal though I hope

with all my heart she does. But accept me or reject me the decision is hers

and hers alone. Doesn't she deserves the chance to make that decision?"

"But ... but she'll make the wrong choice ..." For the first time

Artemis really thought about what he was saying. Did he really trust Minako's

judgment so little? But hadn't there been plenty of disasters before?

Disasters she had always bounced back from so if this romance was a failure

wouldn't she just recover and try again? So why was he so dead set against

this one? If it didn't work out they'd simply separate and divorce, if it

was a mistake it was correctable. Could it be that what he was really scared

of wasn't that their marriage would crash and burn but rather that it would

endure. Was he really so petty and jealous about someone replacing him as

the most important man in Minako's life? Okay so he wasn't a man but the

principle was the same. Was that why he worked so hard to disrupt Calcite's

attempts to propose. Not for Minako's sake but for his own?

Artemis didn't like where his thoughts were heading and sought something

to distract himself. "You implied your sister was a real handful."

"That, my friend, is a real understatement."

Artemis decided not to bother protesting being addressed as "my friend"

as it must be just a figure of speech. Instead curiosity bid him ask, "So

what sort of thing did she get up to."

"Well let's see ..."

As Calcite began spinning the tale of one of Titanite's Earth-Beta

adventures a hostess brought fresh drinks. Over at the bar Shinji reminded

himself to tell her to keep an eye on that table as he expected them to go

through a lot. He counted the remaining bottle of tequila and wondered if any

would be left after tonight. If not that would be it until trade with Mexico

was re-established. Still, he reassured himself, the Queen and her court

were making great strides in getting things back on track. Things would never

be the same as they had been but there was no reason they couldn't be better.

Feeling cheerful Shinji went to serve a new customer as the pair slowly edged

towards a slightly better understanding of one another.

Titanite contemplated her paper covered desk and wondered just how she

had been conned into accepting the Public/Media Relations post? It seemed

like everyone was screaming for the Senshi to come solve all their problems at

once and complaining when they didn't show up immediately. Add in the

nationalists who either wanted to let the outside world rot until Japan was

perfect or to bring all the other nations under Crystal Tokyo's rule, the

pleas for help from overseas combined with skepticism that the both the Senshi

and magic truly existed and she had a real mess to somehow coordinate while

convincing everyone that everything was fine. With hindsight Earth-Beta

where all she had to do was mallet youma was looking like paradise.

Trying to think positive she dived back into the paperwork and became

so deeply immersed it took several seconds for the intercom's buzz to

penetrate. Thumbing the button she was informed Minako was waiting to see

her and told her secretary to send her in. She'd almost forgotten Mina wanted

to see her about something. What exactly she didn't know but she'd bet it was

connected to her brother.

Mina surveyed the room and dropped into a chair at Titanite's invitation.

"I see they're keeping you busy."

"Oh yeah." Hopefully Ti asked, "I don't suppose you came to ask for the

job back?"

"Nah, I'm happier in External Affairs. Being so visible abroad's going

to be a godsend when I finally start my recording career. Even if it does

mean seeing quite a bit of nasty stuff." Mina shook her head, "But we're all

slogging away and things will ease up once people start getting back on their

feet so I can't complain. Though I might if I didn't have the right guy to

keep me going." Mina paused a moment then asked, "You do know me and Cal are

getting serious, right?"

Ti had to laugh. "Mina, do you think there's anyone left in Crystal

Tokyo,who doesn't know about the two of you?"

Mina actually blushed slightly. "I guess not. Funny we were both

convinced we were being so discreet all along but we were just fooling

ourselves, weren't we?"

"Afraid so." Titanite frowned slightly. "Though I was a little puzzled

by that. I mean Cal's always tried to avoid personal publicity so it made

sense for him but you've never exactly been known for ... uhm avoiding

attention."

Mina laughed. "You mean I rave like a maniac telling everyone that I've

selected the perfect man and I'll have him no matter what fate puts in the

way?"

"Well, yeah. So why ...?"

"I'm not really sure ... normally I shout to the rooftops but this time

it felt different somehow. Maybe at first because our past made me

embarrassed to admit any attraction but after that ... I don't know. It's

like I was afraid that if I said anything it would end up like all my other

relationships. Except that this time it would feel a lot worse if it fell

apart. Maybe I'm saying this is the first I've truly been in love and I

didn't want to risk jinxing it."

Unprepared for such a serious answer Ti managed, "That works both ways,

I've never seen Cal like this before. I used to think I knew how he looked

with a woman he loved but it's nothing like the two of you together. You

both glow, you can almost see the backdrop change and rose petals everywhere."

Minako looked at her oddly. "Anyone ever tell you, you watch too much

anime?"

"Only everyone I've ever met."

Minako laughed, "Well despite that I need a maid-of-honour. Interested?"

Titanite just gaped for almost a full minute then grasped Mina's hands.

"Cal proposed?! That's wonderful! Wow, should I start calling you big

sister? When's the ceremony? Me? Maid-Of-Honour? I'm honoured? Of course

I'll do it! What am I supposed to do? I'm babbling aren't I?"

Minako nodded and Titanite managed to reign in her enthusiasm enough to

say, "I didn't think he'd rush proposing like this but I guess he was afraid

if he waited ... you don't have a ring on?!"

"Right again. Looks like you're expecting him to propose so Rei got me

worked up for nothing. I'm jumping the gun a bit here but next time we're

together if he chickens out ..." She produced a small box which opened to

reveal a gold man's ring with a topaz inset. "Then I'll just have to take

the initiative."

Looked like wedding bells were definitely in the future for Crystal

Tokyo's favourite non-royal couple. Pity Makoto had tomorrow in the pool but

them's the breaks ...

As she thought this something suddenly occurred to Titanite and she

frowned slightly. "Ah Mina, not that I'm implying I'm not thrilled that

you've picked me but ... well what about Makoto? You two have been close

friends for years so she might be put out that you picked a relative

newcomer."

Mina nodded. "I thought about that and I'll be having a talk with her.

Though I could also have picked Ami, Rei or even Serenity as I'm almost as

close to them. It's just that Mako and me had the added bond of being the

only members of the Single Senshi Society. It's been a private joke between

us for years." More seriously she continued, "The real reason I picked you

is both that you make a good compromise choice and you're Cal's sister. I

don't have anyone from my own family to stand beside me but he does and

should. If that Pyrite guy was still here he could have had him as his

Best Man and I'd probably have picked Makoto but you're all the family he's

got left and since we'll be related soon enough why not you?"

"Thank you. I'm honoured." They clasped hands once again and both

looked serious. Which was abruptly broken by Titanite giggling.

"What's so funny?"

"Sorry, I was just thinking that if our friends had stayed in Crystal

Tokyo Cal might not have picked Pyrite after all. Best Man was traditionally

the guy you'd want by your side in battle, right?"

"I guess so. Why's that matter?"

"Well that was more Azurite's line. So I just had this mental image of

her stuffed into a tuxedo trying to look manly."

Minako remembered the former Sailor Arcturus and had to laugh at the

idea. She could feel her tension melting away, everything would work out.

She was sure of it.

Meanwhile back at the bar the male bonding continued.

"An you shoud reaally really ged a haircut."

Calcite frowned and touched the ponytail he considered his one vanity.

"What's wrong with my hair?"

"Long hair on topa those green fingernails, really biz ... bisho ...

girly."

Calcite glanced at his hands. "That's their natural colour."

Artemis grinned drunkenly. "Suuure id is. Mina liges you in spite'a

the way you loog but she's not as hot on you zoisite types as she useta be

..."

"I DO NOT LOOK EFFEMINATE!"

The buzz of conversation surrounding them abruptly ceased and Calcite

realized their table had just become the center of attention. A few hostile

looks convinced everyone to turn back to their own affairs and the background

noise resumed. Calcite frowned, he shouldn't have been so indiscreet in

public so why ...? He took in the litter of empty tequila bottles covering

the table and nodded to himself. Okay, it wasn't that hard to figure out.

His healing factor reduced the effect of alcohol and cleaned up its after

effects quickly, it didn't make him immune by any stretch of the imagination.

But he was in much better shape than Artemis. Before the cat ordered another

White Russian he'd better conclude this.

"So, Artemis ..."

"You wan me ta ged outta da way of you an Mina-chan." The cat hiccuped,

"Wa thehell, can'd stop you. Eider of you. So you got my permission ta

marry ma dotta. Bud if you ever hurd her I'll kill ya. God it?"

"Understood. I accept your terms."

The cat nodded decisively then sank into maudlin self pity. "My liddle

girl don need me no more. I'm so useless ..." With that he slurped the

dregs from his saucer then laid down, closed his eyes and was snoring inside

of a minute.

Calcite studied his sort-of rival and wondered what to do with him.

Last night many possibilities would have suggested themselves but his temper

had cooled and he did feel a certain amount of empathy for the cat's motives.

Which wouldn't stop him seeking revenge if Artemis tried anything else but

prevented him from creating a new variation on an old standard, "What shall

we do with a drunken mooncat?" But that left the question what to do with

him. He had duties of his own to attend to in a few hours and couldn't hang

onto him. Mina certainly wouldn't appreciate a drunken and soon-to-be

hungover cat dumped in her apartment. Besides she was busy herself and

someone should keep an eye on Artemis in case he took a turn for the worse.

A solution occurred to him and after taking a moment to settle accounts

and leave the hostess a tip Calcite scooped up the cat and stepped outside to

teleport. No sense causing any more commotion inside his favourite watering

hole. Last thing he wanted was to be banned for creating a nuisance.

Calcite materialized near the royal apartments and under the watchful

eye of Rei's hand-picked guards headed for a small anteroom. Small by human

standards it was more than sufficient for its tenant.

Luna's typing was interrupted by a knock on the door. Pausing to save

the file she wished once again for a keyboard ergonomically designed for paws

rather than fingers. Well someday they'd make such a thing, in the meantime

she made do. At least the technical people had moved the terminal from the

unneeded desk and set it on the floor so she didn't have to try to sit on a

chair piled with phonebooks. The desk was gone now and installation had gone

smoothly even if she had suffered through the inevitable mouse pad jokes.

The door opened at her command (voice activation was a godsend) and she

was surprised to see Calcite standing there. Then she realized he was

carrying an Artemis who looked very under the weather. What in the world was

going on?

"Good evening Luna. I was having a few drinks with Artemis and he seems

to have overdone it. As I have duties to attend I was wondering If you'd mind

watching him until he wakes up."

Luna sniffed, "I don't know why you think I'd be concerned about a

drunken layabout like him. Far as I'm concerned you could drop him in the

gutter to sleep it off." Then with seeming reluctance she continued, "But he

is the only other mooncat on the planet so I suppose I ought to show some

concern for his well-being. All right, just this once. Drop him on my bed

and I'll keep an eye on him."

The youma complied and straightened up to find Luna scrutinizing him.

"Hmmph, I suppose you're still in good enough shape to do whatever you're

supposed to but it was irresponsible to go on a binge this evening."

"These were exceptional circumstances. There was something the two of

us needed to discuss on neutral ground."

Luna nodded. "I suppose there was. Did you come to an understanding?"

"I believe so though he might change his mind once he wakes up."

Luna snickered, "Young man, you haven't known Artemis as long as I have.

Tomorrow he won't be capable of doing anything apart from feeling miserable.

So if you're hoping to do anything without a certain furbag interfering it's

the ideal time."

"I hope so. Well goodnight and thank you."

With that Calcite withdrew. As soon as the door had closed Luna was at

Artemis's side fussing over him. Breathing normally and no obvious signs of

distress, nothing to do but let time take care of it. She sighed, "Artemis,

why didn't you listen to me you stupid fleabag? Well you'll pay for it when

you wake up and it serves you right!" Yet despite the sentiment she padded

into the specially designed bathroom to check the medicine cabinet for feline

headache remedies. Looked like there were plenty but as always they had those

thrice damned childproof caps. She buzzed for the on-duty cat assistant to

open them for her while wishing once again that Serenity the First had given

her creations opposable thumbs. Or that manufacturers would start designing

products for both the primate and feline market.

The next day was bright and pleasantly warm and Minako was enjoying the

weather as she stood on one of the Palace's terraces waiting for Calcite. As

she had remarked to Mako-chan (who was hovering nearby) it was handy dating a

teleporter. Absolutely no worries about commuting or getting caught in

traffic. She had managed to get in touch with Calcite and tell him about the

change in lunch plans and he'd told he'd take care of all the arrangements.

She touched the ring box and wondered how far those arrangements went. There

was a barely visible flicker in a nearby niche and Calcite stepped out to

greet her.

Her own greeting abruptly trailed off as she took in his appearance. He

was carrying a picnic basket but that wasn't what registered. What startled

her was the abrupt change in hairstyle from the familiar green ponytail to

a cut mirroring Endymion's.

"What happened to your hair?"

Offhandedly he answered, "Oh I just thought I should try something

different. Be a little more spontaneous."

"Oh." Minako frowned a bit. "Well it'll take some getting used to but

I guess I can manage that. Though it's a shame as I really liked you with

long hair."

Calcite indulged in a brief fantasy involving Artemis, a barbecue and a

long metal spit but kept his cool. "As for lunch I've arranged something a

little different. There's a new park that's being dedicated by Serenity

tomorrow. Until then it's supposed to be off-limits to everyone but I've

pulled a few strings and got us the run of the place for this afternoon.

Along with clearing out all the park personnel and with a forceshield over it

that Serenity's going to remove tomorrow we'll have the place to ourselves.

So I though a private picnic lunch sounded good. Unless you're really set

on some restaurant ..."

"Don't be silly! It sounds wonderful ..." A possible fly in the

ointment occurred to Minako. "Uhm ... Ti didn't pack that basket, did she?"

Calcite shook his head. "No, a little French place across town, Chez

Maison."

"Great! Not to imply that your sister's a bad cook it's just that her

food ... is an acquired taste." Calcite insisted he hadn't taken any offense

nor would Titanite who was watching them along with Makoto when she thought

he wasn't looking her way. That reminded Minako of something so she summoned

her communicator and paged the Security Office.

"This is Sailor Venus. I'm taking some well earned personal time and

anyone who calls me about anything less than another Acolyte invasion will be

Crescent Beamed! If you think I'm bluffing, talk to Rei. Out." Folding

away the communicator and the savage expression she clung onto Calcite's

arm and sweetly asked, "Shall we go?"

"Of course." As he visualized the park Calcite couldn't help wondering

if Minako might not have fit into the Dark Kingdom easier than he'd always

assumed.

Sometime later, following an enjoyable lunch and a bottle of excellent

Chablis, arm in arm the pair were leaning against the broad trunk of an

ancient cherry tree. Minako was wondering if Calcite was in the mood to

fool around but hadn't suggested it in case it distracted him from something

else. It looked like he was about to say something.

"Mina ..." He suddenly frowned and glanced at an innocuous clump of

bushes. "Excuse me a moment." With that he stood up, concentrated and was

suddenly holding a cartoon bomb. In case the black sphere with the sputtering

fuse wasn't obvious enough it also had "BOMB" engraved on it in big white

letters. Before Minako could ask what the heck he was playing at he lobbed

it into the bushes and announced, "Detonation in thirty seconds."

Five seconds later Makoto and Titanite emerged from the foliage, the

latter trying without success to unmake the bomb.

"Uhm, hi Cal, Mina ... uhm, could you maybe unlock this before it

blows?" Calcite snapped his fingers and the bomb dissolved without a trace.

Makoto gave Minako a sheepish grin while Titanite tried to talk her way out

of trouble. "Uhm, Cal I suppose you're wondering why I'm here ..."

Calcite shook his head, "Not in the slightest. As you have told me many

times before you're an adult and your personal life is no concern of mine.

If you chose to roll around in the underbrush with Makoto that's entirely

between the two of you."

"Right ... WHAT!?!"

The outraged protest broke off as Makoto grasped Titanite's arm. Judging

from Minako's demeanor that attempts to witness the happy occasion were not

welcomed and sorry she'd let Ti talk her into this she told her, "I think we

should leave, now. Before things escalate."

She knew her brother's face well enough to glimpse the anger beneath the

controlled exterior and realized Makoto was right. "Uhm, yeah. Didn't mean

to intrude, just being nosy ... uhm ... bye." With that both were gone.

Calcite sighed, "Ti must have tracked my teleport and Makoto must have

come along for the ride." Minako surveyed the scenery suspiciously and asked,

"Think that's it for spectators?"

"Just a moment." Calcite concentrated and psychically reached out to

touch any auras in the vicinity. Apart from the golden glow of Minako's

presence he didn't sense anything besides birds and squirrels. Which

was a relief. "All clear, no higher lifeforms within the park boundaries."

"Good ... well, alone at last and at least we didn't give our voyeurs

anything x-rated to watch."

"A mixed blessing."

Their good humour coming back Minako chuckled and said, "Wonder how hard

it would be to start a rumour about those two? Thanks to Haruka and Michiru

it wouldn't be that hard a sell."

"Hmmm, maybe a bit too cruel. Easier to live down an explosion than a

rumour."

Minako pouted a little, "Well I suppose ... okay, next time they pull

something like this you blow them up. You know those bombs could be handy

for discouraging rabid fans, could I learn to do them?"

"No reason why not. Your "Love-Me Chain" attack uses psychoplasm so

you've got the gift. You just need someone to teach you how to forge other

shapes." Minako smiled

"Now where do you suppose could I find a personal tutor? Someone

willing to spend days and nights with me working on my technique."

"That shouldn't be too difficult ... but you may not need to hire one.

There's a better way to have one handy." Steeling his nerve Calcite produced

a small ebony box and opened it.

Minako gasped at the contents, mounted upon a platinum ring was a

gemstone unlike any she had ever seen. Shifting colour swirled within it in

unrepeating spectrums of light. Enraptured, Minako asked, "What is it?"

"It's called Chakari Vureskelshe. That literally translates as Skyflare

Stone but it would be more accurately rendered as Rainbow Jewel. In the

presence of mana the gemstone ... well you can see for yourself. They were

only found in my homeland and this was the only one brought out before its

destruction so this is the only one left in all of creation. Truly one of a

kind. Beautiful, unique and priceless. Like you."

Calcite dropped to one knee trying to remember what he had meant to say.

"They talk about star crossed lovers but we're really from different worlds.

Minako, you've spent your life making the world a better place while I ...

I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of and I can't honestly say I've

always been a good man. You've got a life to be proud of and I want, I need,

to be part of it. I probably have no right to ask this but I love you and I

want to marry you. Will you do me the honour?"

Time seemed to freeze for an endless moment until Minako carefully

placed the ring on her finger. Then she hauled Calcite to his feet and kissed

him passionately. When they broke for air about a minute later she purred,

"In case you didn't get the picture that means yes."

They gazed into one another's eyes. A tender moment abruptly broken by

a familiar wail behind them. The startled pair turned to find Neo-Queen

Serenity wiping her tear streaked face with a handkerchief provided by an ill

at ease looking Endymion. Arrayed to either side of the royal couple were the

Inner Senshi along with Sailor Polaris who spotted a "Gotcha" grin.

Serenity sniffed and half sobbed, "That was so romantic! Waaa!" and

started her happy bawling again. Endymion got to work calming her down while

Calcite managed, "But ... but I would have sensed intruders materializing."

Serenity dried her eyes and calmly told them, "Oh, nobody can detect me

if I don't want them too or anybody traveling with me. I thought everyone

knew that?"

Rei looked a little disquieted at that but covered it with a joke. "Well

congratulations Minako. I thought he was going to talk himself out of it but

he came through in the end." Her grin widened, "But he just proposed to

Minako Aino, so does that mean Sailor Venus is still single?"

Minako started to scowl then smiled herself as a brainstorm hit.

Releasing Calcite she stepped back and uttered, "Venus Matrimony Power, Make

Up!" One swirl of inadequately concealing light later her fuku was in place

and she stretched an arm towards Calcite. From pocketspace a small box

materialized which she flipped open to reveal the engagement ring she had

bought. Trying to look serious she asked, "Dark Lord Calcite, will you marry

me?"

He jammed the ring on his finger and said "Yes" before sweeping her into

an embrace. The spectators cheered and Ami chuckled, "Looks like all the

bases are covered."

Serenity beamed, "Well I think that's enough, let's give them some

privacy." Ignoring the chorus of "Aaawws" she drew upon the Silver Crystal

and everyone except the happy couple vanished to reappear in the throneroom.

The other Senshi congratulated Makoto on winning the pool and began

speculating on how married life would suit Minako and Calcite. Endymion was

heard to murmur, "I hope Calcite knows what he's letting himself in for. I

didn't" and was poked by Serenity. He mock-glared and told her later on he

would punish her and the group dispersed in a festive mood.

Back at the park Calcite and Minako still hadn't noticed they were alone

again.

To be continued

Next episode: Hurricane Minako strikes the city as Venus begins planning the

ultimate wedding ceremony. Can Calcite and Crystal Tokyo

survive?

If that's not enough you'll also see Margrave exposed! Plus an

unexpected reunion for Titanite and the return of Robert Davis!

All this and more in Phase 2 : "Now is the Summer of our

Discontent!"

Afterword:

This is going to be an occasional series written in bits and pieces as

time permits between completing other projects. Of which I have no shortage.

Think of this as the serious episode, now all the background's in place I'm

free to get goofier in the next three parts.

Thanks to M. Gilson (a name you may recognize from the Calcite 1/2 bogosity)

for pointing out why Cal would drink tequila. Sorry I forgot what the M

stands for and can't check having lost that email in a server crash.

Incidentally is the mooncat story going anywhere?

Also thanks to Zhang Jiaming for pointing out a continuity flaw in this story

and Luke Mason for his comment on cats and aspirin side-effects which were

both corrected in the revised version.

Back to work on more serious projects

Mark Latus

Oct. 28 1998

revised Nov. 17 '98