Day +7: 58162 Words
“They didn't think I was normal-sized when they made this dress, did they?” Makoto sucked in her breath once more as Usagi did her best to zip up the back of it. Usagi gently tugged the zipper upwards until it finally settled into place.
“Well, Mako-chan, you were normal-sized when you were fitted for it - I should have done a better job of keeping you away from the chips and dip.” Usagi giggled and smoothed out the back of Makoto's sleeveless pale green gown. “Okay, turn around for me?” Makoto did as she was told and placed a hand on her hip. “Right, Usagi-chan, your idea of keeping me away from the chips and dip would have been to inhale the entire bag and bowl of dip. That wouldn't have worked either.” Rei tried her hardest to hold back a giggle and failed as she nudged Minako, who also began laughing. Usagi whined but the whine turned to laughter Ami giggled, and they all found themselves laughing together. Kyara peered around the door and smiled, knocking on the door and nodding politely to the group. “My Lady, I've got your gloves here. You're to be presented in four hours, and your date will be waiting at the bottom of the stairs to take your hand once you are introduced. You know General Junpei, yes?”
Makoto stood there, stunned. From her earliest memories, General Junpei was one of the most dashing members of the Royal Jovian Guard. He was tall, his hair always neatly tied back to a ponytail, polite to a fault, and one of the smartest men Makoto knew. He was a genius at Kendo and he knew more military history than a good number of the books Makoto had read on the subject. Most interesting of all, he had gone to Chikyuu to study. And somehow, Minako had managed to finagle her a date with him to the Promethean Ball? Maybe Minako's winless streak at being Cupid had finally come to an end.
“I am well aware of who he is.” Makoto tried to hide the nervous shaking in her voice. “He's...he's my date?”
Minako nodded confidently. “You know I couldn't let my friend down! It'll be fun!” Makoto hugged her as they finished getting ready.
Four hours later, the Royal Rose Garden was a beehive of activity, as dignitaries from near and far arrived for a night of socializing, dancing, and all around general revelry. Akuma arrived with Jade on his arm - his black suit with matching dark green vest perfectly complemented Jade's spaghetti-strapped creation, accented with pale pink rose petals falling down the dress. Jade nodded formally to most of the people she came across, and Akuma said very little if anything at all, preferring to remain in the background.
“Lords, Ladies, one and all of our esteemed guests! It is my honor to present to you, the future 222nd Queen of the Highest Iolian House of Jove...Kino Makoto!”
Makoto stepped through the doorway, her palest pale green silk sleeveless dress seemingly glowing as she floated carefully down the stairs. She extended her gloved hand out towards General Junpei, almost sparkling in his white suit adorned with medals and green ribbons all across the front of his jacket. He kissed the fingers of her glove and looked up at her with bright brown eyes that seemed to take stock of her very soul, such was the intensity of his gaze.
“You, my Lady, are every bit better than any story I have ever heard about you. An honor that I was asked to be your escort this evening.”
Makoto blushed and curtsied politely. “The honor is more than mine, Sir.” He gently guided her to the dance floor and they begun dancing. Every so often, Makoto would look to see if Jade and Akuma were dancing, and she would see Jade speaking to a few of the representatives from Chikyuu - more than likely, people she had known when she had gone to study there. Akuma would stand there quietly, speaking only whe spoken to. Once, while Makoto could get away with letting her eyes search the crowd for him, his eyes - those piercing, dark, intense eyes that had the flecks of red in them - met hers and held hers for a moment before he returned his concentration to the conversation Jade had been having. Likewise, Makoto returned her conversation to General Junpei who was describing his role in the Great Mechanoid Battle [as it was now being called]. They danced together a few more times - and each time it felt as if she were dancing on air. Any other night like this one, it would have been perfect. The smell of the roses, the music, the company of her friends and her date...
...but it all seemed off-kilter somehow. Makoto knew why this was - it was because something inside of her just wanted to be with Akuma. It bothered her that she didn't have enough gumption to beat Jade to the punch and ask Akuma to be her date. She didn't want to hope for herself that he would feel the same way - that would be asking the Fates too much.
However, the opportunity did present itself later on in the evening, as the guests were milling about after a particularly enthusiastic round of dancing. Makoto bowed politely to General Junpei and smiled. “It seems that there are so many people in such a small space. Would you mind for a moment if I stepped away and got myself some air?” General Junpei smiled and bowed politely in return, raising her gloved hand yet again to kiss it. “Hurry back, before I find myself missing you too much?” Makoto smiled and blushed as she nodded her assent and wove her way through the crowd to a nearby hedgerow that separated her from the rest of the party. She leaned back against the tall hedge, not mindful of the branches of it poking her gently in her back. She inhaled and exhaled, trying to get her thoughts together. She didn't want to admit it to herself, much less anyone else, that seeing Jade and Akuma together drove her nuts. Of course, there was no way to know if Akuma even was aware of her existence in that particular respect, but she felt cheated of the chance to find out. She looked up at the stars and the moons that artfully circled themselves around the planet as if some sign from one of them could give her any guidance.
“A little crowded over there, perhaps?”
Makoto felt her breath catch as she slowly looked over to see Akuma standing there, his body leaning against the hedgerow, his cuffs undone, his vest undone and his shirt undone a button or two. She was a little stunned by his appearance - in all the time she had known him, this was the most laid back she had ever seen him. He looked over at Makoto and smiled, but it was a tired half-smile that she saw.
“Yeah...just a little. What are you doing over here?”
“I...I've never been one for large gatherings of people. They...make me nervous.” It was Akuma's turn to look away from her for a moment before turning his attention back to the ground. Makoto smiled and edged a little closer to him.
“In this particular case, I have to agree with you there. I like parties just as much as the next person, I just needed to be by myself for a while, I guess. Just to get my head together. I don't think I could have danced another step if I tried.” Makoto stole a look at him, her heart racing along a little faster at how...[dashing]...he appeared.
Akuma straightened himself up, dusted himself off and began to walk past Makoto. “Well, I didn't mean to interrupt you if your original intention was to be here alone. I'll go back to the party and...”
“No, don't...please?” She hadn't even realized that she had grabbed a hold of the left cuff of his jacket until she noticed that he had stopped and was looking down at her delicately manicured hand grasping gently to it. “I don't mind it if you're out here. I don't want to keep you if you want to go back but I'm glad you're here because I haven't had a chance to talk to you much since...” She stopped herself short and just looked at him, her heart unintentionally in her eyes as she held onto the cuff of his jacket. She paused another moment and then let him go. He stopped once she had let him go and turned.
“I'll find you once you get inside. Promise.” She would have let her mouth drop open at those words, but she did her best to keep her composure as she watched him turn the corner of the hedge and go back to the party. Not 15 seconds later, General Junpei ran up to her, a look of concern on his face.
“I was beginning to worry about you! Were you feeling faint, and you needed some air? I'm sorry, I should have known - I would have helped you come out here...”
“No, Junpei-san...” Makoto blushed politely. “It's okay. I was on my way back anyway. Would you mind getting a glass of punch for me?” General Junpei nodded and once they turned the corner of the hedge he made his way over to the refreshment table. He hadn't taken three steps away from Makoto when Usagi, minus the usually present Mamoru, ran up to her and leaned in close to whisper.
“Okay, Makoto - I saw Akuma go out there about two minutes before you did, and I saw him come back in two minutes before you did. What happened out there? Have you said anything?” Makoto smiled to herself and her shoulders fell a little exasperatedly. Wow, news just didn't stay put when it came to Minako...
“Yes, he was out there, no, I didn't say anything, but...he did say he'd talk to me later?” At those words, Usagi's face lit up. “Quit worrying about me, Usagi-chan, I'm fine! I...” General Junpei returned with a glass of punch. “Princess Usagi, had I known you were here I would have gotten you a glass as well! Good to see you again!” Junpei bowed and Usagi nodded.
“I'm happy to see you're taking such good care of Mako-chan!” Usagi put on her best smile.
“Nothing but the best for her tonight.” Makoto just stood there, quietly sipping her punch. She finished it and handed her glass to a passing waiter. “I'm up for one more dance if you are, Junpei-san?” He nodded and led Makoto to the dance floor. Her eyes kept searching for Akuma at every available opportunity, but he was nowhere to be found, and neither was Jade.
Where had he gone?
No more than two hours later, the party ended, the guests all filed one by one past Makoto to compliment her on another fabulous Ball, and at the end of the evening, General Junpei had walked her back to her suite of rooms.
“I had a lovely evening, Makoto. I would like it if we could do it again sometime?”
Makoto smiled and blushed. “It would be an honor, Junpei-san. Good night.” They bowed to each other politely before she turned and walked quietly back to her suite. She felt as if she was floating still - the music and the people and having fun with her friends always made her feel good inside. She opened the door and began taking off her gloves when she heard a deep voice coming from the shadows of the room.
“Princess Makoto..?”
“Well, Mako-chan, you were normal-sized when you were fitted for it - I should have done a better job of keeping you away from the chips and dip.” Usagi giggled and smoothed out the back of Makoto's sleeveless pale green gown. “Okay, turn around for me?” Makoto did as she was told and placed a hand on her hip. “Right, Usagi-chan, your idea of keeping me away from the chips and dip would have been to inhale the entire bag and bowl of dip. That wouldn't have worked either.” Rei tried her hardest to hold back a giggle and failed as she nudged Minako, who also began laughing. Usagi whined but the whine turned to laughter Ami giggled, and they all found themselves laughing together. Kyara peered around the door and smiled, knocking on the door and nodding politely to the group. “My Lady, I've got your gloves here. You're to be presented in four hours, and your date will be waiting at the bottom of the stairs to take your hand once you are introduced. You know General Junpei, yes?”
Makoto stood there, stunned. From her earliest memories, General Junpei was one of the most dashing members of the Royal Jovian Guard. He was tall, his hair always neatly tied back to a ponytail, polite to a fault, and one of the smartest men Makoto knew. He was a genius at Kendo and he knew more military history than a good number of the books Makoto had read on the subject. Most interesting of all, he had gone to Chikyuu to study. And somehow, Minako had managed to finagle her a date with him to the Promethean Ball? Maybe Minako's winless streak at being Cupid had finally come to an end.
“I am well aware of who he is.” Makoto tried to hide the nervous shaking in her voice. “He's...he's my date?”
Minako nodded confidently. “You know I couldn't let my friend down! It'll be fun!” Makoto hugged her as they finished getting ready.
Four hours later, the Royal Rose Garden was a beehive of activity, as dignitaries from near and far arrived for a night of socializing, dancing, and all around general revelry. Akuma arrived with Jade on his arm - his black suit with matching dark green vest perfectly complemented Jade's spaghetti-strapped creation, accented with pale pink rose petals falling down the dress. Jade nodded formally to most of the people she came across, and Akuma said very little if anything at all, preferring to remain in the background.
“Lords, Ladies, one and all of our esteemed guests! It is my honor to present to you, the future 222nd Queen of the Highest Iolian House of Jove...Kino Makoto!”
Makoto stepped through the doorway, her palest pale green silk sleeveless dress seemingly glowing as she floated carefully down the stairs. She extended her gloved hand out towards General Junpei, almost sparkling in his white suit adorned with medals and green ribbons all across the front of his jacket. He kissed the fingers of her glove and looked up at her with bright brown eyes that seemed to take stock of her very soul, such was the intensity of his gaze.
“You, my Lady, are every bit better than any story I have ever heard about you. An honor that I was asked to be your escort this evening.”
Makoto blushed and curtsied politely. “The honor is more than mine, Sir.” He gently guided her to the dance floor and they begun dancing. Every so often, Makoto would look to see if Jade and Akuma were dancing, and she would see Jade speaking to a few of the representatives from Chikyuu - more than likely, people she had known when she had gone to study there. Akuma would stand there quietly, speaking only whe spoken to. Once, while Makoto could get away with letting her eyes search the crowd for him, his eyes - those piercing, dark, intense eyes that had the flecks of red in them - met hers and held hers for a moment before he returned his concentration to the conversation Jade had been having. Likewise, Makoto returned her conversation to General Junpei who was describing his role in the Great Mechanoid Battle [as it was now being called]. They danced together a few more times - and each time it felt as if she were dancing on air. Any other night like this one, it would have been perfect. The smell of the roses, the music, the company of her friends and her date...
...but it all seemed off-kilter somehow. Makoto knew why this was - it was because something inside of her just wanted to be with Akuma. It bothered her that she didn't have enough gumption to beat Jade to the punch and ask Akuma to be her date. She didn't want to hope for herself that he would feel the same way - that would be asking the Fates too much.
However, the opportunity did present itself later on in the evening, as the guests were milling about after a particularly enthusiastic round of dancing. Makoto bowed politely to General Junpei and smiled. “It seems that there are so many people in such a small space. Would you mind for a moment if I stepped away and got myself some air?” General Junpei smiled and bowed politely in return, raising her gloved hand yet again to kiss it. “Hurry back, before I find myself missing you too much?” Makoto smiled and blushed as she nodded her assent and wove her way through the crowd to a nearby hedgerow that separated her from the rest of the party. She leaned back against the tall hedge, not mindful of the branches of it poking her gently in her back. She inhaled and exhaled, trying to get her thoughts together. She didn't want to admit it to herself, much less anyone else, that seeing Jade and Akuma together drove her nuts. Of course, there was no way to know if Akuma even was aware of her existence in that particular respect, but she felt cheated of the chance to find out. She looked up at the stars and the moons that artfully circled themselves around the planet as if some sign from one of them could give her any guidance.
“A little crowded over there, perhaps?”
Makoto felt her breath catch as she slowly looked over to see Akuma standing there, his body leaning against the hedgerow, his cuffs undone, his vest undone and his shirt undone a button or two. She was a little stunned by his appearance - in all the time she had known him, this was the most laid back she had ever seen him. He looked over at Makoto and smiled, but it was a tired half-smile that she saw.
“Yeah...just a little. What are you doing over here?”
“I...I've never been one for large gatherings of people. They...make me nervous.” It was Akuma's turn to look away from her for a moment before turning his attention back to the ground. Makoto smiled and edged a little closer to him.
“In this particular case, I have to agree with you there. I like parties just as much as the next person, I just needed to be by myself for a while, I guess. Just to get my head together. I don't think I could have danced another step if I tried.” Makoto stole a look at him, her heart racing along a little faster at how...[dashing]...he appeared.
Akuma straightened himself up, dusted himself off and began to walk past Makoto. “Well, I didn't mean to interrupt you if your original intention was to be here alone. I'll go back to the party and...”
“No, don't...please?” She hadn't even realized that she had grabbed a hold of the left cuff of his jacket until she noticed that he had stopped and was looking down at her delicately manicured hand grasping gently to it. “I don't mind it if you're out here. I don't want to keep you if you want to go back but I'm glad you're here because I haven't had a chance to talk to you much since...” She stopped herself short and just looked at him, her heart unintentionally in her eyes as she held onto the cuff of his jacket. She paused another moment and then let him go. He stopped once she had let him go and turned.
“I'll find you once you get inside. Promise.” She would have let her mouth drop open at those words, but she did her best to keep her composure as she watched him turn the corner of the hedge and go back to the party. Not 15 seconds later, General Junpei ran up to her, a look of concern on his face.
“I was beginning to worry about you! Were you feeling faint, and you needed some air? I'm sorry, I should have known - I would have helped you come out here...”
“No, Junpei-san...” Makoto blushed politely. “It's okay. I was on my way back anyway. Would you mind getting a glass of punch for me?” General Junpei nodded and once they turned the corner of the hedge he made his way over to the refreshment table. He hadn't taken three steps away from Makoto when Usagi, minus the usually present Mamoru, ran up to her and leaned in close to whisper.
“Okay, Makoto - I saw Akuma go out there about two minutes before you did, and I saw him come back in two minutes before you did. What happened out there? Have you said anything?” Makoto smiled to herself and her shoulders fell a little exasperatedly. Wow, news just didn't stay put when it came to Minako...
“Yes, he was out there, no, I didn't say anything, but...he did say he'd talk to me later?” At those words, Usagi's face lit up. “Quit worrying about me, Usagi-chan, I'm fine! I...” General Junpei returned with a glass of punch. “Princess Usagi, had I known you were here I would have gotten you a glass as well! Good to see you again!” Junpei bowed and Usagi nodded.
“I'm happy to see you're taking such good care of Mako-chan!” Usagi put on her best smile.
“Nothing but the best for her tonight.” Makoto just stood there, quietly sipping her punch. She finished it and handed her glass to a passing waiter. “I'm up for one more dance if you are, Junpei-san?” He nodded and led Makoto to the dance floor. Her eyes kept searching for Akuma at every available opportunity, but he was nowhere to be found, and neither was Jade.
Where had he gone?
No more than two hours later, the party ended, the guests all filed one by one past Makoto to compliment her on another fabulous Ball, and at the end of the evening, General Junpei had walked her back to her suite of rooms.
“I had a lovely evening, Makoto. I would like it if we could do it again sometime?”
Makoto smiled and blushed. “It would be an honor, Junpei-san. Good night.” They bowed to each other politely before she turned and walked quietly back to her suite. She felt as if she was floating still - the music and the people and having fun with her friends always made her feel good inside. She opened the door and began taking off her gloves when she heard a deep voice coming from the shadows of the room.
“Princess Makoto..?”