(no subject)
Title: Founding - First Contact (Part IV)
Author: Raya
Theme: Silver Millennium / In Vino Veritas
Genre: Romance / SciFan / Drama
Version: Manga - Silver Millennium
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~1,170
Disclaimer: Queen Serenity, the Silver Millennium, Euphrosyne (Maenad), Thalia (Maenad), and the senshi were all created by Takeuchi Naoko. I have merely borrowed them for a short while.
Warning: Yes, I'm one of those crazy people who like to confuse readers by referring to both the Queen and Princess as Serenity. That is the way that they were introduced to me, and although there are several good reasons for referring to the Queen as Selenity and the Princess as Serenity (Japanese katakana being the same, Selene as goddess of the moon, removing of confusion), I think there is just as good a reason to assume that they were deliberately the same (katakana, Small Lady Serenity). So, my choice. Hopefully, I can keep them from being too confusing. I have included a “Serenity reference” for you to know which one the story is about.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Serenity reference: Queen Serenity.
Founding - First Contact - Part IV
For background, the previous Founding storiesThe Return of Time-Space I and II, Fears, First Contact - Part I, First Contact - Part II, and First Contact - Part III might be useful.
Time seemed to have no meaning in the strange world that Serenity found herself in. As far as she could see, there was no sun making its steady way across the sky, though how the plants and flowers could grow without it's nourishing light and warmth she did not know. No matter how long she walked she did not get hungry or thirsty. The only thing that changed was that she slowly grew more tired.
She was determined not to give up, however. She was not entirely positive, but she thought that she had figured out the key to the labyrinth that she was wandering through. The real proof would be when she reached the center, of course, but this pattern felt right.
Serenity jerked to a stop as a strange sound suddenly pierced the peaceful silence. Her silver eyes darted around looking for the source and or a place to hide as her mind tried to determine whether or not the noise sounded threatening.
“Uh-huh-hum...”
Her eyes widened at what could only be the sound of someone, a man, clearing his throat. The man coughed a few more times, and then the first sound floated through the air again. “Sweet temptress... Your full body so sweet on the lips...” the man sang, only to cut himself off. “No, no... That won't work! Two sweets in a row? Euterpe would roll her eyes and throw tomatoes at you. Rotten ones to go with the rotten lyrics.”
The voice died away, and was replaced by a sloshing sound. Serenity was pretty certain that the man was either just around the bend ahead of her or in the next corridor over. Moving cautiously forward, she got as close to the flower covered wall as she could without actually touching it and peeked around the bend.
There, sitting at another fork in the path, was a handsome, dark haired youth. He was leaning back against the point of the walls that formed the fork, an oddly shaped canteen raised to his lips, with his head tilted back as far as it would go. Serenity stared at the muscles in his tanned neck as they moved and convulsed smoothly. She was still staring as he froze, and then slowly lowered the canteen to his side and straightened up.
“Hello?” he called with his sweet tenor voice. “Who is there? Thalia? Euterpe? Come on out and join me,” he coaxed. He smiled with easy confidence and shook the canteen. “I've got enough to sha-are...”
Unthinkingly, Serenity stepped out of her hiding place and around the corner. The handsome man's smile grew wider and more welcoming. “Hail and well met, fair beauty! I've not seen you before. Have you been wandering long in this labyrinth?” Serenity shook her tousled head uncertainly. “No? Then all that damage was done to your fair gown and fairer skin before you arrived? Unforgivable!" Serenity blushed and raised her hands to brush ineffectively at her ruined skirt and tangled hair. She never took her eyes off the good looking youth, however, and slowly relaxed and stilled as he smiled reassuringly at her. "Still, you must be tired and thirsty," he continued, ignoring her movements. " Come! Come!” He gestured grandly with his arm. “Sit and rest a while with me. What is your name?”
The young queen found herself moving forward without any conscious decision on her part, and then settling to sit beside him on the strange green grass. He frowned slightly when he noted that she was just out of easy arm reach, then shook his head and smiled again. “Cautious thing, aren't you? Wise for someone beautiful. But, I will not harm you. See?” Flashing her a grin, he threw his arms out wide. “No weapons. Nothing but my lyre and my wineskin. Oh, and my clothes, too.” He winked at her flirtatiously. “But that can be changed...” He laughed as she blushed slightly and shifted a little further from him. “Or not, or not. Easy, Fair One, I was just teasing you. Here, have a drink.”
He raised the wineskin to his lips once more and took a generous swallow, then held it out to her. Gingerly, Serenity leaned closer and accepted it. “I am Bac,” the youth said with a half bow. “There. Now you should feel at ease. I've proved the wine isn't poisonous and I've given you my own name.” He smiled at her expectantly. It was his eyes, however, that caught her attention. He was watching her intently, waiting for her to raise the strange canteen to her lips.
Serenity debated for a moment, and then decided that it would be better not to offend him. It was possible that he knew the way out of the labyrinth and could be convinced to take her by the shortest route. Raising the wineskin to her lips, she allowed just a small trickle of the liquid inside to flow into her mouth. Her eyes widened at the rich, odd taste, and she accidentally took more than she had originally intended. Unseen behind the wineskin, Bac's expression became satisfied and triumphant. He quickly masked it back to his usual easy smile as she lowered the wine and allowed the skin to settle into her lap.
“Wonderful, isn't it?” he asked cheerfully. “The best vintage to be found in all of Elysian. Made it myself, I did, using the grapes grown near the temple. Go on! Take another sip... What was your name again?”
“Seren...” she started to say as she lifted the wineskin for another sip. Her voice was cut off, however, by a loud buzzing. Startled, she lowered the wineskin and looked around. Bac, too, looked around uncertainly.
“Se... Selene, hmmm? That's a pretty name,” he said as he turned back to her. His easy smile returned as he noted the flush on her pale cheeks and the slightly glazed look that was creeping into her eyes. “But you're not drinking! Do you not like Dionysus' wine?”
“Oh no!” she exclaimed as she rapidly raised the wineskin once more. “It tastes... interesting.” Before she could take a sip, though, the irritated buzz sounded again. “What was that?” she asked as she lowered the skin once more.
“I'm not sure,” Bac replied with a frown. “Don't worry, though. I will protect you. So, Selene... How did you come to wander in Gae's Labyrinth? Are you lost?” Moving slowly, he shifted closer to the young white haired woman.
“Gae's Labyrinth? Is that what this is?” Serenity found herself babbling. Frowning slightly, she tried to rein in her tongue but it seemed to have a mind of its own. “Yes, I am quite lost. I was running away from this strange creature out in the meadow and ducked in here for safety. I think I have figured out the key, though.” Her eyes widened in consternation and she raised a hand to her lips. “Soon, I should reach the center, and then I can work my way back to him.”
“Him?” Bac breathed enticingly in her ear. Serenity jumped, surprised. Before she could scramble to her feet, however, he wrapped his arms gently but firmly around her.
“He-Helios,” she said nervously. “Thank you for the drink, but I really... must be...” Her voice stumbled to a stop as the youth kissed her neck gently.
Continued in Part V
Author: Raya
Theme: Silver Millennium / In Vino Veritas
Genre: Romance / SciFan / Drama
Version: Manga - Silver Millennium
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~1,170
Disclaimer: Queen Serenity, the Silver Millennium, Euphrosyne (Maenad), Thalia (Maenad), and the senshi were all created by Takeuchi Naoko. I have merely borrowed them for a short while.
Warning: Yes, I'm one of those crazy people who like to confuse readers by referring to both the Queen and Princess as Serenity. That is the way that they were introduced to me, and although there are several good reasons for referring to the Queen as Selenity and the Princess as Serenity (Japanese katakana being the same, Selene as goddess of the moon, removing of confusion), I think there is just as good a reason to assume that they were deliberately the same (katakana, Small Lady Serenity). So, my choice. Hopefully, I can keep them from being too confusing. I have included a “Serenity reference” for you to know which one the story is about.
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Serenity reference: Queen Serenity.
Founding - First Contact - Part IV
For background, the previous Founding storiesThe Return of Time-Space I and II, Fears, First Contact - Part I, First Contact - Part II, and First Contact - Part III might be useful.
Time seemed to have no meaning in the strange world that Serenity found herself in. As far as she could see, there was no sun making its steady way across the sky, though how the plants and flowers could grow without it's nourishing light and warmth she did not know. No matter how long she walked she did not get hungry or thirsty. The only thing that changed was that she slowly grew more tired.
She was determined not to give up, however. She was not entirely positive, but she thought that she had figured out the key to the labyrinth that she was wandering through. The real proof would be when she reached the center, of course, but this pattern felt right.
Serenity jerked to a stop as a strange sound suddenly pierced the peaceful silence. Her silver eyes darted around looking for the source and or a place to hide as her mind tried to determine whether or not the noise sounded threatening.
“Uh-huh-hum...”
Her eyes widened at what could only be the sound of someone, a man, clearing his throat. The man coughed a few more times, and then the first sound floated through the air again. “Sweet temptress... Your full body so sweet on the lips...” the man sang, only to cut himself off. “No, no... That won't work! Two sweets in a row? Euterpe would roll her eyes and throw tomatoes at you. Rotten ones to go with the rotten lyrics.”
The voice died away, and was replaced by a sloshing sound. Serenity was pretty certain that the man was either just around the bend ahead of her or in the next corridor over. Moving cautiously forward, she got as close to the flower covered wall as she could without actually touching it and peeked around the bend.
There, sitting at another fork in the path, was a handsome, dark haired youth. He was leaning back against the point of the walls that formed the fork, an oddly shaped canteen raised to his lips, with his head tilted back as far as it would go. Serenity stared at the muscles in his tanned neck as they moved and convulsed smoothly. She was still staring as he froze, and then slowly lowered the canteen to his side and straightened up.
“Hello?” he called with his sweet tenor voice. “Who is there? Thalia? Euterpe? Come on out and join me,” he coaxed. He smiled with easy confidence and shook the canteen. “I've got enough to sha-are...”
Unthinkingly, Serenity stepped out of her hiding place and around the corner. The handsome man's smile grew wider and more welcoming. “Hail and well met, fair beauty! I've not seen you before. Have you been wandering long in this labyrinth?” Serenity shook her tousled head uncertainly. “No? Then all that damage was done to your fair gown and fairer skin before you arrived? Unforgivable!" Serenity blushed and raised her hands to brush ineffectively at her ruined skirt and tangled hair. She never took her eyes off the good looking youth, however, and slowly relaxed and stilled as he smiled reassuringly at her. "Still, you must be tired and thirsty," he continued, ignoring her movements. " Come! Come!” He gestured grandly with his arm. “Sit and rest a while with me. What is your name?”
The young queen found herself moving forward without any conscious decision on her part, and then settling to sit beside him on the strange green grass. He frowned slightly when he noted that she was just out of easy arm reach, then shook his head and smiled again. “Cautious thing, aren't you? Wise for someone beautiful. But, I will not harm you. See?” Flashing her a grin, he threw his arms out wide. “No weapons. Nothing but my lyre and my wineskin. Oh, and my clothes, too.” He winked at her flirtatiously. “But that can be changed...” He laughed as she blushed slightly and shifted a little further from him. “Or not, or not. Easy, Fair One, I was just teasing you. Here, have a drink.”
He raised the wineskin to his lips once more and took a generous swallow, then held it out to her. Gingerly, Serenity leaned closer and accepted it. “I am Bac,” the youth said with a half bow. “There. Now you should feel at ease. I've proved the wine isn't poisonous and I've given you my own name.” He smiled at her expectantly. It was his eyes, however, that caught her attention. He was watching her intently, waiting for her to raise the strange canteen to her lips.
Serenity debated for a moment, and then decided that it would be better not to offend him. It was possible that he knew the way out of the labyrinth and could be convinced to take her by the shortest route. Raising the wineskin to her lips, she allowed just a small trickle of the liquid inside to flow into her mouth. Her eyes widened at the rich, odd taste, and she accidentally took more than she had originally intended. Unseen behind the wineskin, Bac's expression became satisfied and triumphant. He quickly masked it back to his usual easy smile as she lowered the wine and allowed the skin to settle into her lap.
“Wonderful, isn't it?” he asked cheerfully. “The best vintage to be found in all of Elysian. Made it myself, I did, using the grapes grown near the temple. Go on! Take another sip... What was your name again?”
“Seren...” she started to say as she lifted the wineskin for another sip. Her voice was cut off, however, by a loud buzzing. Startled, she lowered the wineskin and looked around. Bac, too, looked around uncertainly.
“Se... Selene, hmmm? That's a pretty name,” he said as he turned back to her. His easy smile returned as he noted the flush on her pale cheeks and the slightly glazed look that was creeping into her eyes. “But you're not drinking! Do you not like Dionysus' wine?”
“Oh no!” she exclaimed as she rapidly raised the wineskin once more. “It tastes... interesting.” Before she could take a sip, though, the irritated buzz sounded again. “What was that?” she asked as she lowered the skin once more.
“I'm not sure,” Bac replied with a frown. “Don't worry, though. I will protect you. So, Selene... How did you come to wander in Gae's Labyrinth? Are you lost?” Moving slowly, he shifted closer to the young white haired woman.
“Gae's Labyrinth? Is that what this is?” Serenity found herself babbling. Frowning slightly, she tried to rein in her tongue but it seemed to have a mind of its own. “Yes, I am quite lost. I was running away from this strange creature out in the meadow and ducked in here for safety. I think I have figured out the key, though.” Her eyes widened in consternation and she raised a hand to her lips. “Soon, I should reach the center, and then I can work my way back to him.”
“Him?” Bac breathed enticingly in her ear. Serenity jumped, surprised. Before she could scramble to her feet, however, he wrapped his arms gently but firmly around her.
“He-Helios,” she said nervously. “Thank you for the drink, but I really... must be...” Her voice stumbled to a stop as the youth kissed her neck gently.
Continued in Part V