Savéol by Jessica Pendragon

We Meet At Last

Why is the bedroom so cold? You've turned away on your side
Is my timing that flawed -- our respect run so dry?


He was here. Oh gods, he was here.

It took everything everything she had not to cry out at the sight of him. He stood there, not a vision in a pool or dream, but a living, breathing human. In the corner of her eye, Venus saw her mother react to the emotions she was radiating, and she quickly tried to push them down before others would notice. It would do no good to have the princess of Venus and the Lord of Earth attracting so much gossip already. Her eyes couldn't leave him though, and she watched as he took her in-- regarding her with guarded surprise and quick suspicion he did well to cover up.

She had been excited to throw off the Earth's ambassador with her presence, and relieve some frustration at being assigned such a babysitting job, but she could barely speak now at knowing who it was. She dreaded this day, pushed the thought of ever seeing him to the back of her mind, buried beneath the dust of evaporated tears she never allowed herself to cry. She knew this moment would eventually come, as they were destined to find each other, but she could not help herself from hoping everything she saw that night two years ago had been a beautiful, wonderful lie.

How could her duty bring her so close to the only thing that could unravel it all? She wanted to run every time he stole a glance her way, but there was a sudden desire to be near him, to learn whatever she could about this man she was fated to love. She was afraid to get any closer to him, but at the same time excitedly wondered what his hands would feel like touching her body. She wanted to speak, to say anything to ease the strained silence around them, but she feared the words that would come out of her mouth. Never before had she felt so utterly lost around a person-especially a man.

Thankfully, he was more composed than she was; knowing nothing of the thoughts and emotions taking precedent in her mind. “Your planet is very beautiful, Sailor Venus. It may not hold all the colors of Earth, but it is spectacular in its own unique way. I’ve never seen such a sky.”

“If these negotiations go as well as our royals wish, you may see more of it in the future, Lord Kunzite,” she replied, tasting his name on her lips differently now that she knew who and what he was. His name was strong and secure, as she once expected it to be. The man of her dreams could be nothing less.

“And what is your stand on these current events, Sailor Venus?” he asked, and she felt herself wishing to hear him whisper her true name, imagining how wonderful it would sound coming from his handsome voice. She chastised herself for her foolish thoughts, but she could not help it. Inside she was bubbling with wild daydreams and endless possibilities. But she reined in her emotions only like a true Venusian could; knowing she would not get through this day with him if she continued to think so irrationally.

He was here, finally, but she would just have to deal with it.

She managed to smile, putting on a look that was neutrally pleasant, and replied simply, “I will stand behind my queen and princess. Here are your rooms, if it pleases you,” she said as they stopped before an ornately carved wooden door lined with glistening metal threads, curling and dancing around the motif like silver ivy. It depicted a forest landscape with strange deer-like creatures and two prowling wolves, one lifting its head to sing to the wind. She watched him stare at the two canines strangely, but knew with a secret pride what they meant to him. She had seen him riding with two wolves in her vision that fateful night years ago, and was not lost to the irony of unwittingly choosing these quarters for Earth’s ambassador. Love and destiny had awful senses of humor.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked, teasing without him even knowing.

“No, of course not, but I was hoping I could see more of the sights before settling in; see some of Venus’ other mysteries,” he said, turning those striking eyes on her. He looked at her searchingly, deeply, as if he knew she held a secret inside her and wished to find it. She could not describe it, but she wanted to leap into his arms at that moment, to tell him everything she knew about them and their destiny. They could save each other from their worries and doubts, be that missing part that they endlessly searched for elsewhere. She wanted to be safe in his embrace, to forget about everything else. She wanted what was hers. All she had to do was say something, and she could have her chance.

But she only nodded, and held out her arm with a charming grin. “Come this way then. I think I have the perfect place in mind.”

The journey to their destination was made in utmost silence, as if the halls around them were somehow sacred. Her heels clicked quietly on the hard, glossy stone beneath, while gold plated metal candelabras of electric blue-white light illuminated their way. They could see where some of the stone walls were chipped or eroded away, and there was a darker beige stone at the base that contrasted nicely, but obviously did not belong.

“This is a unique architecture,” he commented.

“My great-grandfather built the new palace on the old, which is the darker stone beneath. He liked to say, “The old monarchies shall indeed be the foundation for those to come.” He is responsible for the palace you see now and much of the renovations across Venus. Venusians have always liked to remember their heritage while enjoying the newer technology.”

“I had noticed your home was a beautiful mix of old and new whilst flying over,” Kunzite said. “Everything seems to coexist and have a place, even if I do not understand it.”

“Yes, Venusians pride themselves on that,” she replied and at the same time pressed a shining button on the wall before them. It looked like a soft glowing stone instead of the cold technology that it truly was. A soft clicking sound came to their ears as they watched the stone wall give way to reveal a small room made entirely of fine glass. “This way.”

“What is this?” he asked, and for a moment she could only blink at him.

“Why, it is a lift…how could you-” she stopped, forgetting how most of Earth was still a primitive culture, and caught herself none too gracefully. Her surprised tone seemed to offend him, although anyone else would barely see the agitation quickly pass through his eyes, and she moved to apologize until he nodded curtly and continued inside. She awkwardly followed, embarrassed at herself. Usually conversation came so easily to the naturally sociable Venusian, but she was having a hard time forming the right words to say; so much so she’d rather remain silent than look like a bumbling fool to him. The ride on the glass walled lift was even more awkward; there was nowhere to go and no one inside but them.

“This technology is impressive. We have only basic lifts for food and clothing where I live, operated by pulleys,” he said, reaching out and gently running his fingertips over the orange colored lit buttons. Venus imagined those caresses on her exposed skin, and shivered with delight despite herself.

“T-This works in a similar fashion,” she said, cursing herself for stuttering stupidly. She could see him looking at her from the corner of his marvelous eyes analyzing her critically for a brief moment, and she had to fight the blush rising to her cheeks for the millionth time.

“I imagine the White Moon is as advanced as Venus?” he asked, even though it seemed more of an observant statement. His strong voice echoed in the small chamber, filling her head and making her dizzy.

“Much more so,” she replied curtly. What was wrong with her? Even if they were fated to meet, why couldn’t she still talk to him, flirt with him, laugh with him like she did with so many others? Kunzite didn’t seem the type to engage actively in conversation often, either. What little she truly knew about him told her he would rather stay in the shadows and observe. Could he see passed her smile and eyes to the nervousness beneath? She could not believe he could be that intuitive, even with the little slip ups she had made. She was saved from more of his questions and glances, however, for his attention was focused outside as the mechanical elevator took them higher and higher into the tangerine sky.

As the door opened, a warm breeze came in to tousle her hair, waking her up once more to her duty and the world around her. Together they stepped onto the observatory platform, the highest point on the palace and surrounding landscape. It gave a beautiful panoramic view of the city and terrain beyond- the soft rolling green and gold hills under a vibrant sky while a city of stone, glass and metal sprawled out beneath them, shimmering in the scattered sunlight. A distant, deep bell rang out the hour somewhere while white birds careened through the sky before them, calling out strongly to each other. The sounds and warmth created a comforting atmosphere, letting them forget just how high they had climbed.

They moved to the railing and took in the sights together -- a foreigner seeing things for the first time, and a long lost daughter remembering her home. She forgot about everything else for a moment, and truly lost herself in the scenery. She had not been up here in ages. Her father used to bring her here when she was small, but she was always afraid of the heights. Only his steady and strong arms calmed her enough so she could see the beauty around her. By the time she was almost too big for his embrace, she was called upon by the White Queen, and came up here only once since then. Tears of frustration and home sickness had blocked most of her sight, however.

Now she saw everything clearly, once again. It was her home -- no matter where she was destined to be. “So beautiful…” she whispered, a small smile tugging her lips delicately.

She turned her head slightly, remembering she wasn’t alone, and found the ambassador of Earth gazing at her. In the quieting evening, the still shining light showed her his eyes glistening with curiosity and intrigue. There was a smile in them too, not like the deep analytical stare he had given her before. It was as if she caught him admiring her like a mysterious painting, trying to figure out the meaning hidden below the colors. It was a look she would never forget. For a moment they stood like that, until the heavy thudding of her heart caused her to clear her throat, and Kunzite returned to his senses like a man woken roughly from his sleep.

“Excuse me, Sailor Venus,” he said, abruptly turning his eyes away from her.

“Kunzite…” she let the name slip like a bated prayer, wanting those eyes that could change from a hard, impregnable surface to such a soft brilliance upon her again. Yet when he faced her again, his eyes were those unreadable orbs once more, as if nothing lay beyond them, and that look stole away all her courage. “…I…”

“Thank you for your tour, Sailor Venus, but I think the travel fatigue has finally caught up with me. I think I can find my own way back. Good evening.” He bowed to her respectfully before walking away, and disappeared into the lift like he had been using it all his life.

Once he was out of sight, she slumped against the railing, letting half of her body dangle precariously over its edge, her long arms swaying with the breeze before her clouded eyes. She felt exhausted but enthralled, excited but devastated. She had been imagining how the great lord from Earth would handle her presence and his time here, but now she was beginning to question just how she would survive with him here, realizing what she now knew. Her mother’s words echoed in her ears; “You must choose duty or love. It cannot be both. It will destroy you if the two are to meet. So look if you must, but only see to see. It is all that you can do.”

It was easy to agree then, to choose; she was only observing a reflection in a pond, nothing more. Now everything was changed, everything was real. Perhaps she had made an awful mistake after all.

He was truly here. Now what would she decide?

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