Savéol by Jessica Pendragon

Dinner for Six...Minus One

Yet there's still this appeal
That we've kept through our lives


She was not there.

It was the first thing Kunzite noticed when he walked into the modest dining room. At least, he assumed, it was modest for the Venusians. The walls were draped with lavish sapphire and gold tapestries while the seven or eight person long table was a deep glossy wood, clearly imported from some other world. Paintings of golden haired monarchs and heroes stared at him with bemused expressions, and Kunzite felt the weight of Venus’ whole history bearing down on him.

The far wall was fashioned entirely of glass, letting the warm sunlight pour down on those in the room. The Venusian royalty seemed to graciously glow in the radiant beams; their flaxen hair and skin making them seem like they were made of the ethereal rays themselves. Idly, he remembered how she had looked outside, the wind and sun embracing her body like faithful followers. She had shone in the daylight just like her family, but he had to admit she glowed like a brilliant star compared to them. Yet he could not think in such a manner, and humbly bowed to those before him.

Respectfully the monarchs stood to welcome him, and King Marceneau swept his arms out in a gesture of greeting. “Welcome Lord Kunzite! Come, sit sit! My lovely wife will keep you company. My eldest daughter will not be joining us this evening, I’m afraid. She is too busy with state affairs.”

Kunzite helped the queen back to her seat, receiving an approving grunt of laughter from the king, before sitting himself. Prince Marceneau sat opposite with an unreadable grin on his bronze face, while Princess Ashani’s cheeks grew pink as Kunzite looked her way.

“We have a fine dinner for you tonight,” the king continued. “Fresh greens from my wife’s garden, an Emlash soup, and a fine Vatan dish. I saw to the preparations myself, and trust me,” he patted his growing belly, “I know more about fine food than politics! And the dessert, ha-ha! You’ll just have to wait!”

The Shitennou did not recognize any of the dishes’ names, but he could faintly smell something delicious in the air. As promised, a vibrant medley of greens, vegetables and nuts topped with some sweet oil was brought out first. Kunzite found that the Emlash soup tasted much like onions and a strange shaped vegetable Zoisite had brought to them once. The flavor was an interesting taste; a mix of spice and sweetness. Yet the white haired young man found his hosts to be the most interesting ensemble of all.

He felt oddly at home with the royals as they talked and laughed about their long days. The king’s heavily animated tales even had Kunzite smiling sincerely and chuckling ever so quietly to himself. The conversation was as sweet as the curious amber wine that was warming his toes. In his mind, he felt himself transported to a cozy cabin in the woods with family instead of such a lofty palace filled with princes and princesses. He expected to feel alienated on this strange planet, a foreigner bringing change and rumored ruined, but those he had met in simply one day were giving him hope for things to come. While the main course was being served—a mix of cheese, vegetables and strange flat pasta layered with a sweet red sauce —attention turned toward the new gentleman.

“So tell us something about yourself,” King Marceneau asked. “It would be a shame if we didn’t get to know each other.”

“What is it you wish to know, Your Highness? I would be honored to tell you what I can.”

“What did you do before you became Prince Endymion’s right hand?”

“I was a member of the Shom-car. It is a religious community of scholarly warrior priests that strives for enlightenment and inner strength, to be at peace with each discipline equally. I was specifically a member of the Amangha, the highest of the Shom-car.”

“What determination and will that must have taken,” Jocelyn observed.

“What is your home like?” Ashani asked.

“When I was very young, I lived in a house in the plain lands below the mountains. I took care of my father’s flock while my mother taught me many things about the universe. She was from the city, but did her best research out on those plains. I’ve never seen a sky as large and clear as I did those days. Every night was beautiful and every sunrise magical. After that I climbed the mountains and lived with the Shom-car. Everything was blanketed with clouds in the morning, so green and dripping with life. You could see colors in the mist, flashes of greens and pinks. It was very peaceful there. Then one day Endymion came to our shrine and enlisted us in his war. Ever since then I have lived in his city full of new sight and sounds. After that, I never asked myself why my mother decided to escape, but it is an exciting world. I have my own rooms in the palace, and a small private garden full of trees and a growing pond I had to leave in Zoisite’s care. It is enough for me.”

He paused for a breath and continued. “The Earth is as diverse as its people; high mountains covered with snow to deep red canyons. Yellow plains as far as the eye can see and forests so dense you lose yourself in the greenery all around you. And I have never been one for sailing, but Nephrite has told me of the beauty in the seas and the animals within. There are creatures bigger than this room swimming about, strange things of myth and legend. Half of our world is at least industrial, but only a few countries have the technology to reach to the stars.”

“We do not have deep enough waters for large animals...at least not in these days. And the sunsets? You have them everyday?” the young princess asked another question.

Kunzite found it a strange one, for surely there were sunsets on Venus, but he answered all the same. “Yes, everyday.”

“They must be wonderful. Is it true that fate brought you together with the prince?” Ashani questioned.

Kunzite smiled wryly. “It is said we were prophesized to join him, although Endymion has never mentioned it himself.”

“Hm…fate,” King Marceneau muttered, very disapprovingly. An awkward stillness Kunzite did not understand fell over the royal family and the servants littered across the room, and Kunzite watched as the prince angrily stabbed at his meal.

“Elosis, please bring the dessert,” Jocelyn spoke up, and the dismayed servant nearby scampered off. “Marc, why don’t you take Kunzite to the training grounds? Marc is in training to be an Omesa—our highest ranking soldier.”

“I’m almost finished with the junior ranking…and I’m the youngest in my class,” the prince said quickly, defensively.

“Would that interest you Kunzite?” Jocelyn asked.

“I am interested in your whole world,” Kunzite replied, and truly meant it. He found himself very fascinated with this unique world—especially its guardian. She was on the edge of his thoughts always, just waiting for an opportunity to override his senses.

Prince Marceneau suddenly turned sharp eyes on him, as if he knew what Kunzite was thinking and did not approve. The Shitennou steadily met the prince’s gaze; his eyes clear to mimic his intentions.

“Perhaps you would like to spar?” Prince Marceneau challenged Kunzite both with his words and stare.

“I would be honored,” Kunzite diplomatically responded.

The dessert was brought out; a white cake drizzled with red and yellow syrup and pieces of fruit Kunzite didn’t recognize. In the middle was some sort of dark pudding and more syrup swirled around each ingredient. Kunzite ate only half of his; he was not accustomed to such sweetness. But the king’s mood seemed to lighten with every bite he took, and at the end of the meal he was back to his jovial self.

“Ah what a good meal!” he exclaimed, patting his round belly. The king was not exactly fat—Kunzite knew the Venusians were too image conscience to be excessively overweight, but Marceneau was a large man in height and stance, and was starting to show negligence around the midsection. Kunzite hardly thought anyone could stay thin on such heavy sweets. “We should have guests more often.”

“It was very wonderful,” Kunzite agreed. “I was hoping I could present you with gifts from Earth after dinner, if it would please Your Graces.”

“Oh, presents!” Ashani exclaimed, clapping.

“We will retire to the sitting room then. Please bring us some tea, Elosis,” Jocelyn said as Marceneau helped her from her seat.

Kunzite followed the royal family and their small entourage through a pair of golden arched doors to the next room. It was smaller than the hall, but seemed to be filled with as many trinkets. Kunzite imagined every royal adding their own touches but never removing the old. He thanked the man who brought his trunk inside and produced a key from a hidden pocket inside his jacket. Ashani stood beside him, eagerly watching his every move. In response he unlocked it very dramatically to play with her excitement, twisting the key in slow motion with a sly grin.

“Oh Kunzite, you’re awful!” she said, pouting.

“Ashani,” Jocelyn warned in that tone every child knows. The princess slunk back to her mother, still frowning cutely. Kunzite smiled at her as he opened the large trunk and took great care bringing the first item out.

The Shitennou brandished an ornamental katana bedazzled with gold and rubies along its curved sheath. Kunzite let it roll up and down his arm, twirling it deftly in his grasp in a way only endless practice could produce. Marceneau’s body guard stepped closer, but the king only chortled with mirth at Kunzite’s skill. Kunzite bowed as he presented the sword to the royal, the lithe sword held across his open hands.

“This sword was made by the master of my order fifteen years ago. He told me it would bring a great peace, and I can imagine no greater peace than our planets uniting.”

“You do me a great honor, Kunzite,” Marceneau said, taking the sword reverently.

“For you, Your Majesty,” Kunzite said to the queen. “I have gifts from the east; rare spices and herbs from our world and precious gems from Zoisite’s realm. He was bereft to part with them, but they will find a better home here.”

Jocelyn took the box of herbs, incense and spice while Ashani emptied the bag of sapphires, emeralds and diamonds into her hand. The queen smelled a vile of vanilla and sighed happily.

“Very beautiful,” she commented.

“And this is a spear from Nephrite’s collection.” Kunzite presented the prince a simple enough shaft stained a dark color after clicking two separated halves together from his trunk. Animals and beasts from Nephrite’s home ran up and down the carefully crafted piece; wolves, deer and mammoths with shining tusks. Marc turned it over in his hands, seemingly unimpressed until Kunzite held out a large leather pack. Inside was a cornucopia of different heads for the clever contraption, ranging from a deadly three pointed tip to a ball and chain. “The weapon can be changed to your specific needs. There are also some explosive heads; Nephrite likes to be flexible.”

As the young prince received his gift, he soon became lost in exploring the trinkets, which only left the small princess. She stared up at him with expectant golden eyes specked with azure.

“For you, I have something very special.”

He held his hand up to her and with a flash of his wrist produced a dazzling red Rose. Her curious gaze turned disappointed so fast he could not stop a smile coming to his lips. Kunzite was not as good at illusions as Jadeite, but he knew that was not the cause for her sullen turn.

“It’s a flower,” she said, holding it away from her.

“Ashani,” her mother chastised, “it’s a wonderful flower.”

“It’s a magical flower,” Kunzite corrected, and Ashani’s small eyebrows rose. “It is a Rose, but not any ordinary Rose. It is from Prince Endymion’s personal garden, and he has blessed it. It does not need water or sunlight; it will never wilt or fade, or die.”

Ashani looked at it with more interest now, and shamelessly plucked a petal from the delicate looking flora.

“Ashani!” But as Jocelyn shouted the petal was instantly replaced before the first could fall to the carpeted ground. “Oh…”

“Endymion told me to give it to the most beautiful woman on Venus,” Kunzite revealed. The young princess giggled, and finally nodded her ascent.

“A…Rose?” she repeated, tasting the foreign word for the first time.

“Yes.”

“Good,” she decided. “I have to show everyone!” And with that she scampered off, leaving her parents laughing in her wake.

“Are you a father, Kunzite?” Marceneau asked.

“No, Your Highness.”

“Well you’ll make a very good one someday. We thank you, the other Shitennou, and your prince for these gifts. But tell him you were the first great impression we had of his world.”

“I will; thank you.”

“I’m sure you wish to get settled and talk to your friends. Please, let me escort you back to your suite, Lord Kunzite,” Jocelyn offered, holding out her arm. Kunzite bowed to the king and prince before putting his strong hand beneath hers, and together they walked out of the room and into the warm colored halls.

“You’ve had a busy day,” Jocelyn observed. “I hope you’re enjoying your stay so far.”

“Yes; your world is beautiful and unique. I know I will learn much here.”

“And was my eldest daughter helpful on your short tour of the palace earlier?”

“Sailor Venus was the perfect tour guide. The whole royal family has been most gracious.”

“Yes I do believe my husband and Ashani are absolutely smitten with you,” Jocelyn said with a laugh. “And do not mind Marc’s stares; he is just a growing boy with plenty ideas of grandeur.”

“I took no offense. I remember being that young. He is younger than Lady Venus, correct?”

“By two years.”

“Yet he is the heir? Are heirs only males on Venus?”

He felt a change in the queen’s mood at the question and watched as her confident strides faltered just a step, but enough for the observant lord to notice. “My daughter gave up her crown to be a Sailor Senshi. She is a princess only in ceremony now.” A silence moved between them as they passed many darkened hallways and sleep subdued Venusians meandering to their rooms. In little time they reached Kunzite’s quarters and the queen stopped in front of the door, barring his way inside with her presence. She looked at him kindly, but there was a searching look in her eyes.

“What do you think of Lady Venus?” she questioned. It seemed a too personal question to ask for ones of their stations and little time together, but Kunzite knew by the look in her eyes she would hardly move until an answer was given.

“She seems a perfect ambassador of her own government; personable but professional. I’m afraid I do not know much else about her.” He tried to answer as fully as he could while withholding much more. That was always the game of politics.

“She is a product of two worlds; she is quite unique. You could say she shines brighter than us all,” Jocelyn quickly raised an eyebrow, as if Kunzite should understand her words. And he did; it was exactly what he thought about Sailor Venus during dinner. He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her delicate hand to stop him. “Never apologize for someone hearing your thoughts. I only bring this up because while my family will never purposefully read your thoughts, I cannot guarantee our general population will be as tactful. You are a celebrity here; they will want to gossip and pry, so you must be extra cautious.

It is obvious you have been trained to control your emotions, and it will serve you well on Venus. Prince Endymion was wise to send you if he wanted his kingdom’s secrets kept safe. Most Venusians would never have heard your thoughts tonight. My bloodline is strong in these arts however, but there are others with the skills just as high as my family’s who might use their intuition against this cause. Be careful, Kunzite.”

“Thank you for the warning,” he said, bowing his head in gratitude. He remembered the look Marc had given him during dinner, and understood the young prince’s actions much better now. Clearly Jocelyn was not the only one with such skills in the family.

“But now; relax for the rest of the evening and sleep well. Someone will be here tomorrow to assist you. Goodnight Kunzite.”

“Goodnight, Your Highness.” He bowed much lower this time and waited until the queen turned to walk away before he disappeared into his suite. He was glad for the quiet that awaited him. Surprisingly, he trip was going quite well, but he was tired from all the conversations and protocol that came with his line of work.

But surely, as he looked over the soft bed with warm orange coverings and the wall of tinted windows that let a faint gleam of sunlight in, he would find some solace and solitude here.

“Hello Kunzite.”

Back to Summary Page