(no subject)
Title: An Inauspicious Beginning
Author: Raya
Theme: OTP / Curse
Genre: General / Fantasy
Version: PGSM - SilMil (spoiler level Juno, i.e., probably already spoiled, but no direct references)
Rating: G
Couple: Usagi x Mamoru
Word Count: ~724
Disclaimer: My one true pairing (Usagi and Mamoru) sprang complete from the mind of Takeuchi Naoko, and they still belong to her except for the piece she shared with Bandai. These little chocolate simulacrums, however are mine! *hugs the chocolate protectively to her chest*
An Inauspicious Beginning
The Sleeping Beauty comes sequentially before this, but is not necessary for the enjoyment of this story.
Prince Endymion looked down into the sleeping woman's face with wondering eyes. She was just as he had imagined her to be: young, beautiful, and magical. On her forehead, she wore a crescent moon medallion. If not for its metallic sheen, he would have thought it to be a strange birthmark of some sort. Rather than detracting from her beauty, however, it enhanced it and made her seem even more mystical and exotic.
Curious to see if she truly was alive or just a figment of his imagination, the prince reached out to brush his fingertips over her high cheekbones.
Princess Serenity jerked awake as she felt something light and warm brush her cheek. Her dark eyes flew open, and she stared up at the shadowed figure above her. For a moment, she was six years old again, waking up in her favorite meadow to see the monster from her nightmares standing over her. The name of the cousin who had been with her that day choked in her throat as she cringed back and raised her hands to her chest.
When the figure drew back, she realized that it was not a monster but a handsome young man. Immediately, her fear receded and she could think clearly again. She closed her eyes and pressed her hands to her heart, trying to calm the power that had risen in response to her emotions. 'No,' she thought to it as she instinctively began the patterned breathing exercises that helped her to maintain control. 'No more monsters.' Slowly, the white hot power that was her curse settled down once more.
When she opened her eyes, she saw that the young man was still watching her curiously. She sat up quickly, and then swayed as the sudden change in elevation made the blood drain from her head. Quickly, Prince Endymion moved to steady her. “Are you all right?” he asked uncertainly as the rose petals fell from her dark tresses.
“I... am fine,” she managed to reply as he helped her to her feet. They stood that way for a long moment, studying each other, and then she dipped her head smoothly. “Thank you.”
His lips twitched in amusement at her prim yet regal attitude. “You're welcome. You do realize that this wood is haunted by demons and faeries, don't you? It is not a place to be caught off guard.”
A shadow crossed over her tightly controlled features. “And which are you?” she asked, trying to distract herself from her unpleasant thoughts and him from questions she did not wish to answer.
He tilted his head slightly to one side. “Which am I?” he asked as if thinking about it. “Which are you?”
She turned away and looked across the peaceful clearing. 'A monster,' she thought sadly, and then pushed the words away. She would not be a monster. She would control her emotions, and peace would return once more to her home and the beautiful world that it watched over.
“You have no wings,” he teased, trying to make her look at him once more, “so you cannot be a faerie. You had flowers in your hair, not leaves, so you are not a dryad. No pointed elven ears or slanted pixie eyes... Ah, but you do glow. A will-o-wisp then?. Have you cast your spell on me and cursed me to follow you through these woods forever?” His smile showed that he had no fear of his supposed fate.
The princess flinched, unable to help herself as he compared her to one of the worst demons she had ever heard of, and then turned and raced into the trees. Prince Endymion stared after her dumbfounded for a moment, and then chased after her. “Hey!” he called. “It's too dangerous here. Come back!”
High overhead, two Rose Faeries sighed as the glittering remains of their love spell fell to the ground. Maybe next time the next couple would be easier to bewitch.
Try as he might, Prince Endymion could not catch up to to the fleeing woman. Their path twisted and turned through the thick trees and dense hedges. Then, she vanished from his sight. Minutes later, winded and panting, he leaned on one hand against a giant oak and stared out of the wood towards his castle. The beautiful woman was gone.
Author: Raya
Theme: OTP / Curse
Genre: General / Fantasy
Version: PGSM - SilMil (spoiler level Juno, i.e., probably already spoiled, but no direct references)
Rating: G
Couple: Usagi x Mamoru
Word Count: ~724
Disclaimer: My one true pairing (Usagi and Mamoru) sprang complete from the mind of Takeuchi Naoko, and they still belong to her except for the piece she shared with Bandai. These little chocolate simulacrums, however are mine! *hugs the chocolate protectively to her chest*
An Inauspicious Beginning
The Sleeping Beauty comes sequentially before this, but is not necessary for the enjoyment of this story.
Prince Endymion looked down into the sleeping woman's face with wondering eyes. She was just as he had imagined her to be: young, beautiful, and magical. On her forehead, she wore a crescent moon medallion. If not for its metallic sheen, he would have thought it to be a strange birthmark of some sort. Rather than detracting from her beauty, however, it enhanced it and made her seem even more mystical and exotic.
Curious to see if she truly was alive or just a figment of his imagination, the prince reached out to brush his fingertips over her high cheekbones.
Princess Serenity jerked awake as she felt something light and warm brush her cheek. Her dark eyes flew open, and she stared up at the shadowed figure above her. For a moment, she was six years old again, waking up in her favorite meadow to see the monster from her nightmares standing over her. The name of the cousin who had been with her that day choked in her throat as she cringed back and raised her hands to her chest.
When the figure drew back, she realized that it was not a monster but a handsome young man. Immediately, her fear receded and she could think clearly again. She closed her eyes and pressed her hands to her heart, trying to calm the power that had risen in response to her emotions. 'No,' she thought to it as she instinctively began the patterned breathing exercises that helped her to maintain control. 'No more monsters.' Slowly, the white hot power that was her curse settled down once more.
When she opened her eyes, she saw that the young man was still watching her curiously. She sat up quickly, and then swayed as the sudden change in elevation made the blood drain from her head. Quickly, Prince Endymion moved to steady her. “Are you all right?” he asked uncertainly as the rose petals fell from her dark tresses.
“I... am fine,” she managed to reply as he helped her to her feet. They stood that way for a long moment, studying each other, and then she dipped her head smoothly. “Thank you.”
His lips twitched in amusement at her prim yet regal attitude. “You're welcome. You do realize that this wood is haunted by demons and faeries, don't you? It is not a place to be caught off guard.”
A shadow crossed over her tightly controlled features. “And which are you?” she asked, trying to distract herself from her unpleasant thoughts and him from questions she did not wish to answer.
He tilted his head slightly to one side. “Which am I?” he asked as if thinking about it. “Which are you?”
She turned away and looked across the peaceful clearing. 'A monster,' she thought sadly, and then pushed the words away. She would not be a monster. She would control her emotions, and peace would return once more to her home and the beautiful world that it watched over.
“You have no wings,” he teased, trying to make her look at him once more, “so you cannot be a faerie. You had flowers in your hair, not leaves, so you are not a dryad. No pointed elven ears or slanted pixie eyes... Ah, but you do glow. A will-o-wisp then?. Have you cast your spell on me and cursed me to follow you through these woods forever?” His smile showed that he had no fear of his supposed fate.
The princess flinched, unable to help herself as he compared her to one of the worst demons she had ever heard of, and then turned and raced into the trees. Prince Endymion stared after her dumbfounded for a moment, and then chased after her. “Hey!” he called. “It's too dangerous here. Come back!”
High overhead, two Rose Faeries sighed as the glittering remains of their love spell fell to the ground. Maybe next time the next couple would be easier to bewitch.
Try as he might, Prince Endymion could not catch up to to the fleeing woman. Their path twisted and turned through the thick trees and dense hedges. Then, she vanished from his sight. Minutes later, winded and panting, he leaned on one hand against a giant oak and stared out of the wood towards his castle. The beautiful woman was gone.