dotmoon.net
Directory

Savéol by Jessica Pendragon

previous  The Game of Love  next

The world of Venus seemed to change overnight as the Savéol festivities began. People poured into the Western Capitol, filling the streets with laughter and music. Banners from the glorious noble houses of Venus hovered in the air like watchful, colorful birds; the air filled with the smell of spices and fresh bread. It was as if the whole planet had suddenly awoken from a cursed sleep and was breathing a collective sigh of happiness.

It wasn't the only change Kunzite had noticed. It dawned on him with sharp clarity that the ever-bright glow of the sky was darkening. He had become so accustomed to the constant sunshine he hadn't noticed. But night seemed to be hiding just around the corner now, and the sky was like a day full of low hanging storm clouds that seemed to go on forever.

The excitement and tension in the air was palpable wherever he went, and it did nothing for his already shattered calm. The universe moved on, even if he found it hard to put one foot in front of the other. Yet he pushed open his door and entered the chaotic palace proper with a smile plastered on his face and the worries of his heart pushed back as far as they would go.

He was swept up with the crowd of revelers, flowing with them like a piece of driftwood caught in the current. Eventually they spilled into an open courtyard Kunzite had never seen before; it seemed large enough to fit his castle and farm with room to spare. Brightly colored tents littered the massive space and he could hear music filtering through the mouthwatering air; it smelled of cooked meats and the sweet smell of candy and pastries. Kunzite's stomach rumbled as he saw a large animal slowly rotating over an open fire. Savéol was indeed a sacred event, for Venusians rarely ate the meat of their precious animals.

The older crowd seemed to gravitate to the food while children broke from the pack and raced towards the tents. When he walked passed he saw they were full of strange games and prizes alike, and some he recognized. He smiled as a young boy tried to throw balls through round hoops, a game he had always won easily at the local festivals. He followed the source of the upbeat music and found a large round stage in the middle of the arena. Musicians played on strange instruments and some he actually recognized; there was a violin and tambourine, probably gifts from Venus and Earth's open trade.

"I didn't really take you for one to enjoy Baiju music, Kunzite."

The Shitennou turned to find Prince Marceneau and Princess Ashani smirking at him. They wore complimentary garments of green and light rouge. Marceneau wore a red vest lined with green piping and a clean white shirt underneath, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Matching scarlet pants hung loosely over his legs and a fine corded rope of gold acted as a belt around his straight waist. Ashani wore a green dress with small red flowers falling in a heap around the hem. It barely went passed her knees and small cap sleeves daintily held it up; it would have been quite a scandal had any woman wore such a dress to court back home. Yet she still looked young and carefree, her skin glimmering with glitter and merriment.

"Prince, Princess, a pleasure to greet you on this splendid day," Kunzite said.

"Oh please, Kunzite, don't be so formal," Marc replied, waving an unconcerned hand. "It is indeed a splendid day, however; a day even nobility can relax and enjoy."

"Although it looks like it might rain."

Both the siblings looked at him like he was a strange bug that had just crawled from underneath a rock.

"Rain?" Marc repeated and then looked up to the heavens as if a holy idea had finally occurred to him. "Oh! No, that's just the New Year approaching. You'll understand in a couple of days. We very rarely ever get storms anymore, and if we do you don't want to be out in them."

"Have you played any of the games?" Ashani spoke up.

"No, I have not. I'm afraid I don't think I have any need for more trinkets."

"Will you win me something then?" She asked.

"Ashani-"

"What?" She shrugged innocently. She twisted one foot onto the pavement, her arms behind her back. "He doesn't have to if he doesn't want to…"

Kunzite smirked. She would most certainly turn into quite a heartbreaker. "I would be more than honored to, Princess."

Marc groaned as Ashani squealed with delight and began dragging them both towards the nearest booth.

"I can't believe you fell for that," Marc muttered.

"I am just keeping the diplomatic peace, Your Highness," Kunzite replied and received a quick bark of laughter from the prince.

In no time at all, Ashani's arms were loaded with jewelry, ceramic miniatures and a very talkative blue bird in a gilded gold cage that was sure to last all but a day in the princess' care. She cooed to it and fed it scraps of warm bread through the bars as Kunzite tried to win her a smiling, fancy doll with glittering rainbow wings and pale skin. He had to flip silver coins onto the decks of ornate, tiny wood boats that floated in water a few yards away. He only needed two more coins to make their marks.

"I like the city festival better," Marc was saying as he leaned against one of the tent's white pillars. "Sure the prizes are better here, but the city crowd just seems more lively and raucous. They're not exactly bound by laws of decency and decorum like we are. They drink until they're blind and plenty of brawls have broken out over the years. I think the one year they raced naked through the streets."

"It doesn't exactly sound like the safest place for the crown prince."

"Blame my sister; she's the one that first took me to the city festival. Well, I found her sneaking out and wouldn't let her go without taking me."

"You and Ashani-"

Marc almost snorted at the idea. "Of course not, I'm talking about Sailor Venus. Savéol is the one time of the year where she actually stays for an extended period of time. We both love it there; we can blend in and be whoever we want in that crowd, even if it's just being ourselves for once. You should come with us this year, Kunzite. Get away from all this stuffy court nonsense and have some real fun."

"You might be able to blend in, but I doubt I would be able to with much success."

"I think she likes you, my sister."

Marc's comment sent a twitch through Kunzite's fingers and the coin he tossed landed alarmingly far from its intended trajectory. The Shitennou was thankful that Marc had been distracted by a commotion and hadn't seen.

"She's been acting peculiar around you," Marc continued, turning his attention back to Kunzite. "She doesn't really ever get nervous around other people, especially men. I can't read her emotions, she's way better than I am at blocking them, but I bet she's interested in you. Would you-"

But Kunzite was saved from the dangerous conversation as he finally landed the last piece and Ashani yelled in delight next to him. She thrust the bird cage into her brother's hands and clutched tightly to her new doll.

"Thank you, Kunzite, she's just beautiful!"

"You're welcome, Princess Ashani."

Ashani looked past him then and saw someone or something in the crowd that made her smile. She held up her new doll and screamed something in Venusian, but Kunzite could recognize one word: Loni.
He therefore had time to prepare himself coming face to face with Sailor Venus again. He could almost feel the crowd parting as she neared, could feel her eyes boring into his back like arrows with heated tips. He turned to his left just in time as she came to stand nearby in their strange circle. She stood close to him but as far away as a light year in terms of her rigid body language.

"Have you been doting on our young sister, Marc?" Sailor Venus asked.

"I am not to blame for this rash spoiling spree this time," Marc announced.

"Isn't it beautiful? Kunzite has won me lots of wonderful things today," Ashani said, proudly flaunting her treasure trove.

"You shouldn't call me that name in public, Ashani," Sailor Venus replied tersely.

Ashani frowned. "Why not?"

"You know why." Sailor Venus sighed, the hair around her face defying gravity as a result. "But the doll is very beautiful. What are you going to do with the bird?"

"Oh I don't know, maybe Mom would like it. Why don't you take it back to the Moon with you?"

"I doubt Artemis could resist such a tasty treat," Venus responded. "Speaking of Mother; the King and Queen require our presence. Come."

Without knowing if they were following or not, she swiveled and walked back the way she came. Ashani followed, but Marc seemed to hesitate for a moment. He was looking at his elder sister's back with a curious expression and then slowly turned his gaze to Kunzite. The Shitennou was sure that he wouldn't be the only one to notice she had not addressed him, nor even looked his way.

"I may have been wrong about her liking you," Marc admitted.

She walked on without glancing behind her once. It had taken most of her courage to even get out of bed this morning, let alone face him again. She hadn't let herself cry more than a few tears throughout the night. She knew if she broke she would rust and demolish the cold metal protecting her heart. It was already dented and damaged enough.

They traveled in silence across the vast courtyard. She didn't feel like trying to strike up an innocent conversation, though she knew she should. It was her duty, after all; the gracious and splendid host to the barbaric Terran. Venus was thankful her brother, for once, seemed to have more tact than she this day.

"My mother has a tent here on Savéol. Her family, our family I suppose, is the Kirat, the highest matchmaking family on Venus. It was a momentous time in our history when the ruling monarchy married the ruling matchmakers. Some still do not approve of so much power in one place today. Most of the families have tents here, but there are only two that garner a lot of attention, one being my mother's tent."

"And the other?" Kunzite asked from behind.

They had finally reached their destination. Two large tents stood somewhat away from the others due to their importance and relative size. One was a massive blue tent with green stripes, while another bore the reds and gold of her family line. As people marched past, Venus watched as they swept out quick bows of reverence to the two monarchs sitting inside. Yet many more seemed to be gathered around the adjacent booth, as they always did.

A man dressed in an eye catching royal blue outfit stood above the crowd. He wore a green and silver cap with jingling tassels on his head. She could hear him pandering to the crowd in a light hearted and clever voice and they responded with happy laughter. To his right stood another man whose bare bronze chest glistened in the dying light. He wore a pair of white pants that ended above his knees. He was handsome, with the palest hair she had ever seen on a Venusian.

A woman stood next to him draped in a short, orange dress that fit her almost too well. Dark blonde hair framed her pretty face and a large red pendant brought attention down towards her chest- like it needed any help, Venus thought. She took all this information in within a few seconds, and did not fail to notice the color of the woman's dress seemed to match her fuku perfectly, or whose pale hair the man was meant to imitate.

"The Court of Fools, it is called," Marc answered Kunzite's question.

"Let's hurry before-"

"Ah! Finally they come- the royal children of Venus! And what here? Our noble guest from Earth no less; the first person from another world to witness the festival of Savéol. Come, come! See what all the fuss is about, Lord Kunzite."

The man on the podium beckoned them as the whole crowd turn to stare expectantly. Excuses to make their quick bubbled on her lips, but they all popped as Kunzite strode passed her with her siblings in tow.

"This is the Court of Fools and what do we court? Love of course, the most foolish and wonderful thing of them all. I am Devlin Manpyra, King of the Fools and leader of the second house of Kirabati. I leave the true matchmaking to my better, Queen Jocelyn, but," he held up his hand like a conspirator and whispered dramatically, "I think I have more fun!"

"There is only one game a fool would play; a game where you cannot win either way. Ah, tis the story of love, isn't it? To deny that connection between two people would be foolish, but to give in is almost as bad. Don't you think, Sailor Venus?"

They all looked at her and she wished she could turn into a bug and fly away. "I would not know, Lord Manpyra. I have never been in love," she found herself saying somehow.

"But many are in love with you, not just for being the hero of our world, but especially after the spectacle of yesterday! I'm sure there are many here that would love to try their luck of Danshata with you."

"Yes! I'd love a kiss from Sailor Venus!"

"Play, Sailor Venus!"

"Let her go up on stage!" A chorus of people began shouting and with each octave she could feel her face heating up.

"What do you say, Sailor Venus? Will you give the people what they want?" Devlin Manpyra said, raising his eyebrow as if challenging her.

"Come on, Sister. It will be fun!" Ashani said beside her, gently pulling on her skirt.

To a chant of her name, Sailor Venus reluctantly moved her feet and began her trek up the stage. Devlin pushed her supposed doppelganger out of the way and the crowd cheered as she took her place. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her, unsure of what to do.

"What a wonderful sport. Surely you are the most gracious and lovely Sailor Senshi in the Solar System!" Devlin gave her a charming smile before turning back to his audience. "Who would like to go first and show our new friend how Danshata works?"

The response was almost deafening. Had she been any vainer, and most days she was, Sailor Venus would have winked and smirked at her adoring fans. As it was now, she stood still and distant as the King of Fools made his choice.

"The game is rather simple, and its meaning is what really matters," Devlin started to explain as his volunteer charged up the stage. "There are five cubes with numbers painted on them. To win, you must simply have the highest number after two rolls. Best of three and the winner is proclaimed. Easy, no? But there is a trick, like there always is with love."

He moved closer to Sailor Venus, framing her with his gloved hands. "Here I have a lovely woman ready to be kissed. To win the game of Danshata, you must best the King of Fools twice, but to kiss the girl, you must lose. It is a game of pride, a game of wills; a playful but serious game all the same. Do you ever win? Do you ever lose? Who is to say? Destiny and luck will make it difficult either way. Come now sir; let's show Lord Kunzite how it's done."

She wondered, as the two men played, what Kunzite thought of this strange tradition. Everyone on Venus knew the story of Danshata, the King of Fools. He was a prince that lived during the dark times of Venus when everyone lived below ground in cities like Hatha-Rai. He was the middle child of two other brothers. Kilar, the eldest, was wise and kind. Jova, the youngest, was bold and carefree. Danshata, the middle child, was vain and angry. He felt cheated out of the throne and their father's affection. He also lusted after Kilar's wife, Riarna, who he felt belonged to him. Year after dark year, he plotted his revenge.

His plan started when their father began to sicken. When Jova was out exploring the wilderness of a cooling surface, he arranged for the young prince to be killed. It seemed an accident, but Kilar had his doubts. He loved his brother, but he knew there was darkness in his heart. He needed Danshata to confess, so he devised a plan to trick his brother using his biggest weakness- pride.

Danshata loved to play cubes, but he also loved Riarna. Kilar invited his brother to a party and challenged him to a game. But, the conditions would be different this time.

‘If you win, I will give you the crown Danshata,' Kilar had said.

‘A high stakes game, Brother. And what if I lose?' Danshata had asked with greed in his eyes.

‘If you lose, I will let you have Riarna.'

So the brothers played as the party crowd and Riarna watched closely. By the end, both had won a match and this last turn would decide the fate of Venus and Kilar's wife. Danshata could throw his hand and win Riarna for himself, but with control of the whole kingdom he could take her by force later. His pride would never let him lose to Kilar, either. Danshata thought his brother was foolish as his cubes came up with eight, while the crowned showed a paltry four.

Danshata had jumped up, declaring his victory and ascension. He made rude comments to his now lowly subjects and made to reach for Riarna. Kilar had been silent and still until then. He jumped up and grabbed his brother's straying hand.

‘The kingdom belongs to you, but she does not.'

‘I will be king now and I shall have whatever I want. Stand aside, Kilar.'

But Kilar would not move. Danshata became outraged. He cursed his brother and lashed out at him, but Kilar was always the better fighter. Soon Danshata was on the ground, his lip bleeding freely.

‘How dare you strike the crowned prince of Venus! How dare you deny me what is mine! I should've killed you first instead of Jova!'

A hush settled over the crowd and Danshata's face paled as he realized what he had said. The room parted, revealing the King of Venus seated among red cushions. His face was grim and sad.

‘For taking my youngest son away from me, I will never forgive you. And now I will lose my second child. You are banished from the underground; wander the plains and think about your pride and anger as you walk.'

Danshata was never seen again, but his story lived on in this foolish game. To win would be to deny a kiss from a beautiful woman; to lose would be to give up your pride. It seemed you could not truly win either way.

Yet the man Devlin had chosen to lose after two hands and seemed quite happy with that decision. The audience cheered for him as he strutted up to Sailor Venus with an expectant but frightened look.

"Let's hope for you, Sailor Venus is as gracious and giving as she was yesterday," Devlin said. "What do you say, Sailor Venus?"

She gave Devlin a humorless smirk before grasping the back of the man's head and jerking him towards her. She couldn't tell what pushed her to be so bold. Perhaps she was tired once more of being depressed or perhaps the fire of Savéol was still spreading through her. Perhaps she wanted things back to normal, and her outrageously kissing a stranger in public was normal enough for her.

Hoots and laughter filled her ears as she kissed the man hard. She almost chuckled when she dared run her tongue across his closed lips and felt him jump in surprise. She pulled away and gazed at the man. He seemed flushed and unsteady like he had consumed too much wine. She fanned herself dramatically, getting the crowd to laugh. She was if nothing, a good actress at least. But she could not stop from reacting at what happened next.

"Let Lord Kunzite go up next!"

"Yes let him!"

She imagined her face falling in an almost comical manner as everyone turned to stare at Kunzite, some of the brave coming up and patting him on the back encouragingly. Ashani was with the crowd, laughing and shouting, but Marc was silent. His clever eyes moved from the Shitennou to his sister as if calculating something. He seemed just inches away from understanding everything and she found herself wishing he would and praying he wouldn't.

Sailor Venus turned to her last possible ally, the King of Fools. Would he allow this? After all, permitting Kunzite to come here at all was stretching the limits of their customs. The Manpyra family was rooted in tradition just as much as her ancient line. But if she was looking for support from him, she should not have tried.

The King of Fools seemed exhilarated by all the attention and excitement in the air. He waved a hand to Kunzite. "You are being honored like no other Otherworlder has, Lord Kunzite. Will you join us? I could think of worse things than trying to win a kiss from our beautiful Lady Venus."

The crowd chanted Kunzite's name like they had shouted hers. He looked around the area and then his eyes locked on hers. She wondered what he was thinking for his eyes seemed hard and unreadable, but she knew in that moment what his decision would be.

Her heart fell from her chest as Kunzite took a step forward.

previous  Back to Summary Page  next

The dotmoon.net community was founded in 2005. It is currently a static archive.
The current design and source code were created by Dejana Talis.
All works in the archive are copyrighted to their respective creators.