Contents:
Prince Endymion
Obvious exits:
Gardens Banquet Hall Ballroom
Throne Room Main Courtyard

Lunarian time: Sunday, Month of Venus, 18 18:51:10 - Gold-14 (Night)

Serenity is settled comfortably on one of the more luxurious sofa's lining the walls, a book in her hands. There is a girl floating nearby, babbling to her, it seems. The Princess giggles lightly, noting, "Oh, no, I'm fine.. The library got a bit too stuffy for my tastes... Though, don't tell Cybelle I said that..." She winks a blue eyes at the girl before she giggles nervously and wanders off, leaving Serenity alone.

Prince Endymion wanders in to the room.. spotting Serenity immediately.. waiting until her friend leaves, and then sitting down on the couch next to her, smiling brightly, "Hello.. I've been looking for you."

Serenity blinks in surprise, at that, lowering the book to her lap. She gives a gentle smile, blue eyes brightening. "Have you?" She asks, softly.

Prince Endymion nods, "I have." He frowns then, "You see, I'm afraid I won't be able to stay, much longer. I'll have to return with the ship in a few days."

Serenity's smile drizzles into an upset frown. "You won't?" She asks, quietly, in a sigh. She glances away from him, muttering miserably, "I wish you could stay longer.. I wish /I/ could visit you... Though.. Right now the only way I could do that, would be to run away..." Siiigh.

Prince Endymion sighs as well.. reaching over to give you a gentle hug, "Well, you can't do that of course. Don't worry, I should be able to sneak up again sometime." He laughs then, and whispers, "After all, I don't do all that much Prince stuff, as of yet."

Serenity smiles again, glancing back at you. "Don't they trust you yet?" She wonders, winking. "Well, I suppose that's a good thing.. That leaves you more time for me." she winks again, before sighing. "I wish mother would consent to our marriage sooner.. She'll probably say that I'm too young yet, or that I shouldn't be wed to an... pardon me, 'uncouth' Terran.." Siiiigh.

Aresia comes in from the Main Courtyard.
Aresia has arrived.

Artemis enters the Reception Area, followed by (well, preceeded by now, Martians walk pretty fast) Aresia.

Serenity is settled on a couch beside Endymion, not yet noticing the others' entrance.

Prince Endymion nods, laughing, "My thoughts exactly." He frowns then.. at that last part, "Well, I suppose I can't blame her, I suppose.. in some way, I /am/ to blame, or at least, I have to live with the blame." He smiles then, not wanting to dwell on that.

Aresia enters-- rapidly-- qnd blinks. (what is HE doiong on the Moon?)

Artemis looks around the area, and frowns deeply, walking towards a page that is wandering about. "Is the Queen in the Throne Room?" he demands of the young lad.

Aresia . o O ( he's... I don;t know WHO thismguy is. but DAMN, he ersembles Endymion.. don;t FEEL like him, though... )

Serenity chuckles darkly, almost bitterly, at Endymion.. err.. That.. Sailor-looking guy. "That /isn't/ your fault." She assures, before blinking and finally spotting the white-haired man. "Her lady-in-waiting told me she was asleep..." She announces, frowning.

Artemis throws his hands in the air, staring at the Heavens. "It figures. Sometimes I'm not so surprised you turned out as you did, Serenity." The white-haired advisor sighs deeply, shaking his head and turning to Aresia. "Well, I guess there goes that idea. I'm sorry I brought you here for nothing, Princess Aresia."

Aresia blinks. "Who's lady in waiting? And HONESTLY, Serenity-himem you should not be alone with... with,... who IS this... this sailor?"
Artemis frowns slightly, as if noticing Icognito-Endymion for the first time. "That's a good question. Who /are/ you, sir?"

Prince Endymion follows Serenity's gaze up to the white haired man, blinking when he recognized him. .oO( Oh, /great/. ) Then, at the barrage of questions directed at him, he mentally steels himself, and answers, "I'm a sailor, sir, madame, from a boat visiting from Earth, to trade." .oO( I hope they buy that. )

Aresia produces from-- apparently --- nowhere a rather viscous looking knife. "I require an answer, sir... "

Serenity ignores those questions, and just scowls irritably at Artemis. "Turned out as I did?" That scowl darkens to a glare. "What is /that/ supposed to mean?" She blinks in surprise at Aresia and her.. weapon (it shouldn't really be /that/ surprising). "No, no.. He's fine, no danger, really." She assures, nervously.

Aresia says "And if that is the case, why are you in the Palace Royal, taling to the Princess?"

Artemis's emerald eyes turn towards Aresia, though his face doesn't turn away from Icognimion. "Um, maybe you ought to give us a name so we can verify that. After all, you don't want Aresia to cut off something important, do you?"

Aresia says "And if that is the case, why are you in the Palace Royal, taling to the Princess?"

Serenity scowls at the pair of them. "He was.. delivering something.. And.. I was lonely, so I invited him to join me in conversation." So there. She frowns at Artemis again and repeats, "What did you /mean/? ...How have I 'turned out'?"

Prince Endymion blinks again as the knife comes out, shifting himself so he's a little away from Serenity, "Um, hey, really, I'm a sailor. I was just wandering through here.. and happened to talk to her. And my name is Ferrio, you can check with my captain, on the 'Willow Wanderer', he should be there now, sir."

Aresia says "Enough chat! Who is..."

Artemis looks at Serenity. "Where to start?" He starts ticking off points on his fingers. "You're lazy, irresponsible, insubordinant, irrespectful, uncooperative..." And a number of other things which Artemis goes on to list as well. He doesn't seem about to stop, either.
Aresia . o O ( Wait.... he seems.... I don'Y KNOW... )
Aresia says "She knows that. But at least she's keeping up the disc practice I suggested... Umm... you ARE, right?"
Aresia says "I know it doesn't ake any sense now.. but I KNOW it's important..."

Serenity's eyes flash with anger.. More than just anger... Rage, even. That white-haired man is given a glare that might kill a lesser man. "And hardly fit to be a Princess... Right?" Her arms cross irritably over her chest. "Well, I'm sorry I can't be a perfect little doll for you and Luna and my mother to bend and pose as you please." Hmph.

Prince Endymion get's mad too.. after all, he doesn't get to spend with time with Serenity, and he doesn't want her to be mad when he does, narrowing his eyes at the white haired man, he speaks, "So, is this how you people treat your Princess, on your planet? I'm glad that isn't how we do it on Earth."

Artemis snorts, staring back at Serenity without even flinching from that glare. "Certainly not fit to be a Princess. A real Princess would think of her people first, and her heart second. Not threaten to go running off with some Earthling twit that doesn't even know his sword from a breadstick."

Aresia . o O ( If she wasn't meant to be the first Moon senshi... Sere-chan, I wiosh I could be he friend I want to be... )
Aresia . o O ( Oh,. CRAP. He;s a part of whaterver it is also. )

Serenity rises to her feet now, stepping close enough to Artemis to be threatening. Being significantly shorter, she cranes her neck, glaring up at him. "So, maybe I shouldn't be.. Maybe I should just.. resign, or something. Save all my people a lot of trouble by not having to deal with /me/ as a leader." Scowl. "/And/, don't talk about him that way. The only reason you disapprove of my relationship with Endymion is because of /your/ personal feelings toward him." He reaches up, poke-shoving the white-haired man in the chest. After a moment she turns to Aresia, wondering hotly, "I suppose you feel that way, too? ...and everyone else?"

Aresia says "As peculiar as it seems... let;s not fight. None of you are any goood at it anyhow."
Aresia . o O ( THAT should divert things... )
Aresia says "Acgually, I somewhat approve."

Artemis doesn't move an inch when the princess pokes him. He's quite strong in his human form. "And if you resigned, the Princess that your people adore, who would take your place, hmmm?" The white-haired man's eyes narrow slightly. "And have you forgotten the time he broke your heart, Serenity? What he did to Kesila?"

Aresia says "tai-atha, ne? aAnd if you HAVE to fall in love, you can choose otherwise......"
Aresia? What Aresia? Artemis doesn't seem to notice and Aresia here..
Aresia . o O ( But... That'S IT! )

Prince Endymion snorts, muttering under his breath, "Appearances can be decieving.."

He is standing up now too, but just watching things, at least for the moment.

Aresia . o O ( He doesn;t feel the same bcause... he's NOTbthe same! But... what does that mean? Oh, myHEAD... )
Aresia . o O ( But.,.. I don;t think I should confront this... pwersin... until I can in private,,, if I have to kill him, it would hurt Serenity so much... )

Serenity frowns more at Artemis. "Well, maybe the people adore me, but they hardly know me, do they? ..Apparently, few members of my court care much for me, and my advisors..." She scowls more. "Apparently think me a disgrace..." And suddenly she shouts, "Stop bringing up the past!" Grr. "..It hardly matters, now." Frown.

Aresia asks, idly, "Who are you?"

Artemis puts his hands on his hips and glares down at the Princess. "Oh, it hardly matters, huh? Well, /you/ weren't around at the Exodus, young lady. That's in the past, but we've never forgotten why we ran. That's why we have the senshi in the first place."

Aresia says "I suppose, if you are in thenpalace and all, you have a name?"
Aresia frowns. At any mention pf the Stand.

Prince Endymion is listening intently to the argument, but he blinks, assuming that that question was directed at him, "I told you, my name is Ferrio, ask my captain if you don't believe me."

Aresia says "You never told ME. But, I SUPPOSE, if Serenity vouches for you,.."

Serenity just blinks in surprise at Aresia. "Who.. Me? I'm not so sure, anymore..." He scowls back at Artemis, noting, "The Princess of the Silver Millenium, but apparently, /some/ people don't believe I should be..." Aresia gets a glance, a sigh, and a, "He isn't any danger, Aresia, I promise..." She scowls again at Artemis, before the expression slowly melts into a miserable pout. Her gaze drops then, as she mutters, "Why can't I ever do anything right in your eyes, Artemis?"

Artemis arches a brow slightly. "Because you never do what is your duty, perhaps? You are the Princess, like it or not, and some day you're going to wish you acted like it more often."

Prince Endymion really wants to comfort Serenity right now, but that would be /too/ obvious, so he does all he can, namely, watch.. frowning slightly at the whole thing. .oO( I /hate/ these charades I must play.. why can't I ever be myself.. my /true/ self? )

Aresia says "Umm... I nknow you are under pressure... but, well... that happens?"
Aresia says "She does so! She just... um... forgets, sometimes..."
Aresia . o O ( Thoase kami said to be nice... but DAMN, it id hsard.... )

Serenity shoves at Artemis. "Right now, all I wish is to /not/ be a Princess." She grumbles, angrily. "I'd rather be a poor ugly begger than have to listen to /you/ for one more minute..." Another shove at Artemis, before she peers at Aresia, sighing heavily before muttering, "..Thanks for your support.." Oddly enough, she is carefully to keep her gaze from meeting that... sailor's.

Artemis sighs, frowning. "And if you were a poor ugly beggar, would your Prince want anything to do with you?"

Aresia blinks. "POssible, arty-kun... excuse me... too much fire. Tmorrow...

Prince Endymion feels so helpless now, not really able to do anything without getting into trouble, so he settles for making snide comments to himself, muttering, "Looks aren't everything.."

Aresia heads through the guilded doors to the main courtyard. /[O]/
Aresia has left.

Serenity's eyes flash angrily as she unwittingly echoes, "Looks aren't everything.. At least, /some/ people don't think so." She still avoids.. What's-his-name... The 'unknown' sailor.

Artemis shakes his head, taking a step back from Serenity. "He wouldn't even know you if you weren't a Princess, Serenity. But you are, and you need to act like one. Which includes talking to your mother about him, and actually dealing with his past actions, instead of ignoring them."

Prince Endymion's eyes narrow, this is really getting to be too much for him to take..

Serenity's cold blue eyes narrow, at that. "And I wouldn't know /you/ if I weren't a Princess... Which makes me wish more than anything that I weren't." Ouch. She spins on her heels, then, her back facing the larger, white-haired man.

Artemis folds his arms over his chest. "So you'd give up this Prince of yours just to be rid of me?" A fine eyebrow arches once again. "I knew you couldn't really love him."

Prince Endymion's blue eyes spark, and he finally snaps, "What kind of logic is that, sir?! How do you know what she feels for him?"

Serenity's shoulder's shake angrily before she spins back around, reaching to slap Artemis. "You don't know a thing about love!" She shouts, angrily, spinning again, and storming off to leave.. After a moment, she reaches for the sailor's hand, whisper-hissing to him, "..I'm going with you."

Artemis turns his gaze towards Incognimion, and slowly walks towards him..moving quickly at the end to pull off the sailor's cap. "Well of course you would defend her, Prince. You, after all, do want to marry her. I wonder why, though?" The white-haired man smiles, rather coldly. "I'm not blind, Endymion. What is it you're after? The throne of the Moon Kingdom?" Then Artemis turns to Serenity, his gaze darkening even more. "And don't you ever tell me I don't know what love is. I have loved and lost worse than you will ever know, Princess."

Serenity scowls, shoving at Artemis again. "Leave him alone. And... I suppose that means that I'm not as good as you, huh? I'm just a dumb little girl who doesn't know anything, hmm?" She scowls. "And.. and why don't you go put on a dress and try being a Princess, /cat/." She snarls, coldly.

Prince Endymion doesn't really care about his disguise.. anymore. Trembling a little with anger as well, he speaks very softly, and menacingly, "Is that what you think this is about?" There are /so/ many other things he wants to say, but he's just to mad too.

Artemis turns his eyes back to Endymion, ignoring Serenity, for now. "Weren't you satisfied enough by dishonoring Kesila? You should be seeking to marry /her/, not Serenity."

"He /didn't/!" Serenity shouts, frowning again. "Leave him alone... You don't know any more about him than you do me."

Prince Endymion clenches his fists, his anger flaring up out of him like a flame, "What do you know, you.. /bastard/!"

Artemis smiles slightly, and chuckles. "No, I'm afraid I know my father quite well, whereever he may be today." The tall man shrugs slightly, as if dismissing Endymion's temper. "I suppose you're going to draw your sword and try to whack off my ears again now, aren't you?"

Serenity shoves more at Artemis. "Let that /go/! He's never done anything to hurt you, despite what you may think, and you.. you /don't/ even know him!"

Prince Endymion is certainly mad enough to try, but, luckily, he doesn't have a sword with him. So instead, he composes himself, chuckling back, "You'd like that, wouldn't you? But that would just prove your point, which is what you want, of course? Well, no such luck, I'm afraid."

Artemis reaches over, absently, and grabs Serenity's hands to stop her shoving. "I think I know him well enough to know your mother will never approve your marriage. How could she let you marry the man that spoiled Kesila?"

Serenity tries to tug her hands free, scowling. "He did not! ...And you can't keep me from him, and you can't try and tell me that I'm not fit to be Princess because I care about my people more than you'll even know..." Hmph. So there.

Artemis snorts, staring at Serenity. "Then think about your people. If this man could so dishonor a Princess of Venus, what will stop him from doing it again? What sort of King would he be to your people?"

Prince Endymion is just so mad right now, he's almost speechless. .oO( This is ridiculous! I can't do this, I can't take the blame for this, forever. ) Knowing it is a weak argument, he tries this tack anyway, "You seem to be basing your whole opinion of me on one event, do you really think that is fair? For all you know, that wasn't me, but an impostor, what if that was true?"

Artemis turns back towards Endymion, tossing his hat at him. "/You/ yourself asked /me/ to take care of Kesila for you. I'm not easily fooled, Prince. I think I can tell if someone is himself or an imposter."

Serenity attempts tugging her hands away, again. "If Endymion were to treat you as you did him, then he could base his opinion of /you/ on the fact that everytime he sees your you're unreasonable and angry, and..." Scowl. "And besides that, he never /did/ any of those things.. can't you understand that?" Scowl.

Prince Endymion laughs, I mean /really/ laughs, for a moment. Composing himself enough to speak, he answers, "Oh yeah, you are just so smart, aren't you?"

Artemis turns back towards Serenity, and is about to speak when Endymion starts laughing. That pushes the Advisor a bit too far, and the tall man lashes out with the back of his hand to strike Endymion across the face. "You don't even belong here, Earthling. Don't make things worse than they already are for yourself.

Serenity blinks in surprise at that, before jumping, trying to latch onto Artemis's arm. "No... Leave him /alone/." She begs, frowning.

Prince Endymion involuntary steps back, feeling up on his cheek with a hand for blood. Narrowing his eyes, he practically whispers, "Don't you /ever/ hit me.. again."

Artemis's eyes are dark forests, brewing with wild fury. "Then don't you /ever/ laugh about what you did to Kesila.../Prince/." The last word, an insult, is spat out from the hiss that is the rest of it.

Serenity scowls at Artemis before reaching up and slapping at him again. "Leave him alone.. He did't /do anything/." She repeats for the umpteenth time this evening. She glares again at the white haired man, asking bitterly, "Why do you live to make my life miserable?"

Prince Endymion's blue eyes are sparking with anger too, and he takes a step forward, "I was laughing at /your/ foolishness, /sir/."

Artemis doesn't even try to stop the Princess's slap, but he instead tosses her (as gently as possible) back, and looks towards her. "If you want to marry a cheating, lying bastard, I /am/ going to try to stop you, Princess." Then he looks back at Endymion and growls softly, "I am not the fool here, Endymion."

Serenity stumbles backwards, but manages to keep her balance, scowling. "You /can't/ stop me.. I've been listening to you -- doing everything you've told me to ever since I was old enough to understand your... orders. But I'm not a little girl Artemis, and I /won't/ listen to you anymore. Or Luna.. Or Mother, for that matter. I /will/ marry him, and I /will/ rule, and I /will/ be a wonderful queen, with no help from you." Frown.

Prince Endymion rushes forward, almost to Serenity when she catches her balance. His eyes narrowing into slits, he shouts, "Keep your hands /off/ of her!" He's unrationally angry, which is never a good thing, he's shaking, he's soooo mad.

Artemis clenches his fists and crouches slightly. "Come and get your beating, Prince. You may have been stronger than me on the Earth, but I'm not inflicted with any maladies here."

Serenity blinks in surprise, at that, glaring at Artemis. "Don't you /dare/.." She hisses, angrily.

Prince Endymion crouches slightly, getting ready to spring, his anger flaring white, "I'm stronger than you think, or could know."

Artemis smiles slightly. "Then try your luck, Prince. You'll get what you deserve for what you did to Kesila..and even for what you did to Serenity before that."

Prince Endymion sizes up his opponent, before charging blindly right in, he /did/ take classes in this sort of thing, after all, "And you will get what you deserve.. for being a fool!"

Serenity scowls at the both of them, now, before nonchalantly stepping between then. "I'd always imagined something more romantic, for the first time any man fought for over me..."

Artemis narrows his eyes, scowling at Serenity. "How can you defend this man, that broke your heart and spoiled Kesila?"

Prince Endymion /was/ about to spring, but he stops when Serenity steps between. His fists are still clenched though, and he keeps his guard up, watching the white haired man warily.

Serenity frowns at Artemis, mood and voice quieted, it seems. "Because... I love him. And he /isn't/ the same man.. No matter what you may think."

Artemis arches a brow slightly. "And just what makes him so different? I'm not going to believe that foolish god of his actually purified his spirit."

Prince Endymion snorts, "Oh, so now you claim to know all about our religion too? How do you know he didn't?"

Artemis snorts back. "Because no one has such a power but Queen Selenity and her Crystal, that's how."

Serenity points a finger at Artemis. "/You/ are no better than he /was/.. So just let it go... Why can't you ever support me in anything.. Why can't you ever allow me to be happy?" ..Sigh.. She turns to Endymion, then, sighing again. "I am so sorry, Endymion.. For his," A nod in Artemis' direction, "Behavior.. And everyone's, and.. I'm sorry because I don't think we'll /ever/ be together..." She sniffles, at that. "No one will allow it..."

Artemis stands up straight. "Give me one reason why you should be allowed to marry this man, and 'because I love him' isn't good enough after what he's done."

Prince Endymion quirks an eyebrow, "So now you claim to know of everything that is out there, too?" He laughs, "Even I am not foolish enough to claim to be omnipotent." After that, he listens to Serenity, his heart melting in sadness as she speaks. His fists unclench, and he just.. stares.. at the ground, knowing the truth. .oO( She's right, I wouldn't approve of it if it /was/ the old Endy, and noone can ever know. ) Finally, in an absolute piteuous voice, he speaks, softly, to Serenity, "I--I'm sorry, Serenity.."

Artemis snorts slightly. "At least your Prince has enough sense to finally see how much better you deserve, Serenity. Listen to him."

Serenity just asks Artemis quietly, wondering, "If love isn't a good enough reason for marriage, then.. what is?" She turns her attentions back to Endymion, sighing heavily. "No, /I'm/ sorry.. You /are/ innocent, and /I/ know that... no matter what anyone thinks." Sniffle.

Artemis slaps a fist against his other hand. "I /saw/ him with my own eyes, Serenity, and I was there with you when you sobbed when he broke your heart. He is innocent of nothing but good intentions."

Prince Endymion ignores Artemis for the moment, looking back up at Serenity and smiling.. /very/ faintly, "I know.. that means a lot to me, even though noone else does." He sighs, "But, if they don't, it isn't going to work, is it?"

Artemis growls softly. "Don't ignore me, Princess. You tell me just why I should believe he isn't guilty of everything everyone knows he is."

Serenity scowls at Artemis. "Heartbreak is part of love, Artemis... Even /I/ understand that much..." She sighs at Endymion, reaching for his hand. "We /will/ be together someday, I know it.." She manages a gentle smile, before frowning again at Artemis. "Because he /isn't/ the same person!" She shouts, angrily. Hmph.

Artemis's eyes narrow slightly, and he peers at Endymion. "What do you mean he isn't the same person?"

Prince Endymion blinks, and /finally/ get's what Serenity has been trying to say all night, "Serenity... don't..." But it's too late, really..

Serenity blinks, too, sighing at Endymion.. "I'm... sorry." She sighs again, before frowning at Artemis. "He really /isn't/ the same Endymion.. And I don't give a damn," Very ladylike, "Whether you believe me or not."

Artemis pauses, for a moment, then slowly studies Incognimion, frowning deeply. "So you expect me to believe that there are two Princes from Earth, both named Endymion, who look, talk, act and dress exactly alike?"

Prince Endymion just shrugs, still pretty much ignoring Artemis, and leans down close to Serenity whispering, "I'm really not sure it is wise to tell him.. word of this /can't/ get to anyone on Earth.."

Sharp ears, this cat-turned-man has. He snorts. "Oh /puh-lease/! Who am I going to tell...the palace cats?"

Serenity's arms wrap about herself in a tight hug. She sighs heavily, in Endymion's direction. "I am so sorry.. I hadn't meant to tell.. I promise.." She frowns at Artemis, snapping, "Be serious." Hmph.

Prince Endymion looks back to the white haired man now, frowning, "Surely you see the need for security on something like this, I would hope?" He sighs then, "Neither of you should know, my father will kill me if he ever finds out someone knows.."

Artemis arches a brow. "You want /me/ to be serious? The two of you are expecting me to believe there's an exact copy of Prince Endymino, except that this one didn't do any of the bad things the first one did."

Serenity scowls. "I don't care if you believe it or not. It's the truth. And.. when have you ever known me to lie, before?" She seem offended at the very idea.

Prince Endymion reaches out to hug Serenity quickly, who cares what Artemis thinks? "I know you didn't mean to tell.. it's ok." Backing off then, he quirks an eyebrow, "So you would rather believe that the old one is trying to seduce her, most likely for some devious plan?"

Artemis smirks slightly. "Seems to be right up his alley."

Prince Endymion shrugs, picking an odd moment to dump all his feeling out in the open, "I wouldn't know, I never met my brother, and yet /I'm/ the one who has to deal with all of his problems." He sighs, "I sometimes wish I had stayed back where I grew up.. but.." looking to Serenity, "..then I would never have met you.."

Serenity sighs again, at that... "I didn't mean to.." She repeats, almost tearfully. She scowls at Artemis, then, and announces you can't do anything to keep him from me.. Or me from him." At the Prince's latest comment she blinks in surprise, eyes growing wide. "Do you really mean that I am worth all the trouble he caused you?" She asks, quietly.

Artemis scowls slightly. "Okay, say I /do/ believe that you're not the same Endymion. How does lying to everyone about it make you any better than him?"

Serenity scowls, too. "He /had/ to.. He was /forced/ to." She assures, placing her hands on her hips. "You really don't understand /anything/, do you?" With that, she storms out.. Whoops, sorry, Endymion...