A time before the great tragety, A time of gathering a peace

[Freya Aino]

Freya came over after Chi departed to show an interest in what trouble William had caused his mother’s. She was after all sympathetic to his plight. She may not show it but she was and Mizuki had someone she had yet to meet and that held a moment of curiosity for her.

“Well hello ladies, I didn’t expect you to wrangle William all by yourself. That is a daunting task to be sure.”

She smiled with hint of playfulness at the last part. She didn’t mind William he wasn’t so bad to look at and neither was Mizuki’s friend. She wondered though how Mizuki made a friend and stopped that train of thought. Mizuki had her own set of charms. Her friend though was lovely.

“I see you have found stable employment for the time being. What are you doing later? Ensure you at least save me a dance. I can see a few of the guests eyeing you.”

She stood there with them giving greetings to people. It was like she was waiting on someone. She scanned the crowd several times as well.

[Tomoe Natsumi]

Natsumi was never at a loss for words, but she was now. In the future, if she seemed either brave or foolish in the face of danger, it was neither, for few things could fill her with such dread, terror and sorrow as she saw beneath that cloak. She felt herself falling into the robe's darkness...sucked in mercilessly by those cold desolate ruby eyes....all she could hear was a rush of wind, and screams...the worst screams of all....the kind that seemed to squeeze the breath and joy from her.

"Leave her be!" Came a sharp tone. As her breath returned, Natsumi recognised it as her mother's voice. And not her normal voice, but one of barely restrained rage.

Most would have buckled at that..but then this being was not most...it was the opposite of most.

"The time will come. YOU know that. The clocks ticks closer."

"And until then... you will leave her be..." The woman turned, staring into the hell-scaping eyes...daring them with her own. "I am your soldier for now. Let her know a few years of joy..."

"So you would let her live and believe a lie..." The figured said coldly. "WIthout knowing what is to come..."

"Letting someone live....even a little, with hope and dreams, when what they must protect are others hopes and dreams... is not a waste...it is essential! And I will NOT abide by you starting education early."

"You could not stop me if I wished..."

"No..but then you'd have to stop me....prematurely...and we all know how much you hate early..or late..endings..."

A slow suffocating grey smoke began to cover the figure...

"Yes.....well....I shall part for now, Mother of Hope."

"Yes.. well...don't come back to visit too soon..." She said..with a stone cold voice...

Before Natsumi could clear her clenched throat to speak, the warm tender face returned with the fading of the figure and she looked warmly into her daughter's. "Look...we're about to land! Let's get ready to meet our hosts!, shall we?"

[William Tenoh]

William was hanging around with Mizuki and her pal Eileen and planning for the inevitable backlash from Queen Uranus and Ocean Lady for his stunt. He knew that he would have to pay the piper eventually, but the younger Tenoh still scrambled to find a way to minimize the consequences of his rash act. That was until she walked up.

Freya Aino.

The hottest chick on Venus. The one every guy wanted to be with. The one some girls wanted to be with. Who could blame them? With her statuesque figure, long legs, long blonde hair, and blue eyes, Freya was the textbook definition of a goddess.

William blinked when she approached. He blinked even harder when she spoke to him like he was a friend. The blond male was pretty sure that the backlash was going to be hellacious because Freya treated him nicely. Nothing this good could come without a hefty price tag. Surprised that she had actually talked to him, the normally garrulous William was at a loss for words.

"Hey Freya. I like your outfit." William simply complimented Freya, unable to say anything complex to her. That was smooth going.

She was right there. Right there. Standing in front of him.

He should ask her out.

This was his chance. A chance he might not ever get again. He needed to take it.

William kept quiet. He could not find the words to express what he was feeling towards Freya. He had been chasing her for all this time and now that she was standing right in front of him, he froze like a statue.

What was his problem?

[Mizuki Tsukino]

Mizuki nudged Eileen when Freya came over. The best part of this was they got to watch William stumble over himself. That was just a wonderful thing and a front row seat. She wouldn’t say anything to him. It was better to let them be themselves. Eileen smiled as William who was good looking and it was amusing to watch this but not so much.

“Hey Miz you mind if I get something to drink?”

Mizuki shook her head and Eileen took off toward one of the people circulating with trays full of drinks. She turned her attention to William.

“Hey we need to greet people. Ask Freya if she would like to help us. That way you can converse with her.”

She wasn’t about to have dead weight standing around with her. Eileen was different as that was her friend. Who had returned with drinks for all them.

“Thank you Eileen that is very thoughtful of you.”

She handed a drink to William and Freya as well.

[Freya Aino]

Freya smiles at William and his compliment. He was a good looking guy. The tousled hair which added to his appeal was part of the reason she had come over here. It was this or pretend to be interested in some conversation that was boring and wouldn’t truly hold her attention.

“Thank you William that’s very nice of you. It was this dress or a skirt and top. I’m glad I chose this one.”

When Eileen departed Freya frowned a moment but then the woman returned with drinks for them.

“Mizuki I didn’t catch your friends name.”

She really didn’t want to be here and would have liked hitting the town with these three but her mother would have sent out people to get her.

[Sakuya]

Sakuya noticed the gathering of friends in the corner and proceeded to escape the boys surrounding her in a dash. Grabbing her flask quickly she tiptoed toward the punch bowl and smirked as she poured some vodka into the crimson liquid. She wanted to let loose, and frankly, the others sounded like they needed it as well. She just did everyone a favor!

In the corner of her eye, she saw Chi and Liam...they were so cute with each other. She wishes that some day she’d have that...and not just someone that wanted under her skirt. She knew she was beautiful, but she wanted people to know her for her brain. Hell, she DID have a library in her room for a reason.

Nevertheless, she sauntered toward Mizuki and placed a hand on her shoulder “Well hello...” she smirked before looking to Freya and William “how is everyone?” She asked sweetly before looking back to Chi and Liam...but mostly Liam...gods, what was it with blondes?!

[Neri Kaioh]

Neri smiled as her mother's watchful eye turned to something else. It was not like there was anywhere to truly get into trouble. She liked the twins, mainly Mizuki. There was something about the pink haired girl that drew her in. She shrugged her shoulders as she walked over to the group.

She leaned on Freya as she smiled at the others. "Looks like the gang is all here. I see that I am not the only one who was forced into a dress." She winked at Mizuki.

[William Tenoh]

William had the chance of a lifetime standing right in front of him and he was blowing it.

If he did not make a move now, he might never get another chance to be with Freya.

But what could he say to her?

He had no idea.

"You look great." William simply repeated to Freya when the latter explained that her options were either the dress she was wearing or a top and skirt. Freya looked great in anything she wore. William supposed that was one of the numerous perks of being the daughter of the Goddess of Love... not that he was complaining. Freya was easy on the eyes and so was Sakuya.

"Oh hey Sakuya! What's going on?" William asked the dark-haired Princess of Mars. She was a pretty cool chick considering her mother was once a shrine priestess on Terra. There was something about Sakuya that was appealing beyond her looks. Her free spirit had a lot to do with it; she was more free-spirited than her mother and was not afraid to be herself. However, William had a penchant for chasing girls far out of his league.

When his gaze turned to Sakuya, William's last chance to get with Freya was now gone.

He just knew it.

[Mizuki Tsukino]

Mizuki smiled politely as Eileen brought them drinks. She whispered she didn’t have to do that and she was a guest here. Eileen nodded at the comment and didn’t say much more. Freya asking her name was a nice gesture. She spoke up for herself.

“I’m Eileen And it’s a pleasure to meet Princess Aino.”

Mizuki loved her friend and the way she was polite and harsh all at the same time. Eileen was going to find herself after graduation from medical studies and her residence on Mercury invited to become part of the palace staff medical corps. That was what she was willing to do for a friend.

“She is a good friend and great medic for the rugby team. I can’t imagine how crooked my nose would be without her straightening it. Eileen is the best.”

She smiled as Eileen gave he swat for Mizuki talking about her skill. It was the truth but Eileen got embarrassed about it.

[Freya Aino]

Freya was aware of the crowd gathering and she didn’t mind it. Eileen’s direct answer and adding her title showed that she was a polite person and a good friend to Mizuki. She smiled at Eileen.

“It is a pleasure Eileen and hopefully we will get to have a dance later. My first one is promised to William. He asked when I walked over. Right William?”

He was handsome if somewhat earnest when it came to seeking attention. His penchant for earning parents ire was well known but it was a quality she enjoyed. A little troublemaking was never out of order.

“Sakuya you look lovely today. I’m glad you were able to make it. It wouldn’t be a true get together without you. I do have to ask if your brother is here? I want to say hello.”

She wasn’t inquiring for any other reason than politeness sake. She liked Sakuya and while their ideas didn’t always align she was nice. When Neri spoke up she smiled.

“Hello Neri....”

The tone of her voice turned inviting and beckoning. It was almost as if the hello was inviting the princess to come closer.

“....it’s a pleasure you get to chaperone William and keep him out of his particular brand of trouble.”

She smiled and it was further invitation to Neri.

[Du'Avatar]

Josephine was pleased that with a little application of instruction Ada could feel the machine. That pleased her more than she cared to say within the presence of her mother. Queen Ami tended to grow nervous when Du’Avatar spoke of taking an apprentice.

“Technology speaks cryptically sometimes. I’m pleased with the fact it spoke to you. It shows me the promise and potential you have within you. Let’s also not tell the queen about this either. I’d rather not explain myself to her on why I was giving you lessons an apprentice receives.”

She smiled as she guided the young Princess Ada toward the door. It was unfortunate but they were required to attend this party.

“I have an idea.”

She stopped floating for a second and let her feet touch the ground. This would allow Ada to see they were the same height. When one floated six inches off the ground at all times it gave someone the opinion that you were taller.

“I shall be your escort. It will allow us to keep pesky individuals away and share our thoughts. Do you agree with this proposal?”

She liked it and awaited Ada’s answer.

[Ada Mizuno]

Ada was thrilled that she had not failed the test in front of her idol Du'Avatar. She was also thrilled that she could actually speak to machines, albeit without the proficiency of her idol, but that could be remedied. However, that plan relied on Du'Avatar needing an apprentice, which was not a guarantee because someone like her had her pick of potential apprentices and could choose anyone she wanted. Ada would instead focus on the party, which promised to be so boring that sticking a fork in an electrical socket was more entertaining.

"I won't say a word to my mother." Ada promised. She never got why Queen Mercury was so concerned about the High Priestess of Technology. Was the Queen afraid of being upstaged?

Ada watched as Du'Avatar lowered herself to the bespectacled princess' level and showed that the young woman was Ada's exact height. Ada was mildly surprised by that. She was expecting someone taller, but maybe Ada had preconceived notions as to what a supreme technophile would look like. Princess Mercury was so excited by the proposal made to her that she had to breathe before responding.

"Yes, I agree with your idea to be my escort." Ada replied calmly. Inside she was so excited that if excitement were converted to energy she could power every building in the solar system without breaking a sweat. Du'Avatar's presence would make this whole event a lot more bearable, perhaps even a little fun.

[Neri Kaioh]

Neri bumped her hips against Freya as the teen used her voice to allure her into the small group. The royal children tend to gather around each other with these parties. She noticed that Chi and Liam wondered off on their own once again. It was not surprising that they got a free pass. She was rather jealous as the eyes of her mother could be felt drilling a hole in her back.

"Hello Freya. Nice to see you, too"

She smiled sweetly. Sugar dripped from her lips as she stopped herself from rolling her eyes. The girl was cute, just not her style. She liked to throw her a bone every once in awhile.

"Well, someone has to teach him the ways of the world." She batted her eyes and gave a wink.

[Liling Tomoe]

Liling sighed as she wiped her brow on her sleeve. While her mother and sister were coming from home, she was here working in the kitchen. She worked along side some of the most talented chefs. They gave her tips and tricks which has made her grow even more. It felt natural to just be in the kitchen. As usual, the queens had asked her to cater.

Her eyes grew wide as one of sous chefs picked up wrong spice to put in her soup. A growl left her throat as she placed a hand over theirs. "No, the allspice will be better. Best to keep it simple. Remember the taste should be subtle and pleasing on the tongue."

She stepped away as she weaved her way around the kitchen. She tasted different elements as she made comments and adjustments. She glanced at the clock with a sigh. She felt behind schedule as she things were not finished. She wanted to see how the finger food was holding up.

She made her way out into the main room as she brushed her hands on the apron. She looked around the room as she noticed that the guests were just mingling. It bought her the time she needed along with food which was hardly touched. Now it was time to light a little more fire under the sous chefs with the help of the of her mentors.

[Tomoe Natsumi]

Natsumi's face, which had been flowed over with shyness, introvertness and many other such aspects, now brightened up considerably as she saw the light of her day, her cute and adorable little sister. She was surprised that she was to be working....but Her Mama and Sister had both assured her, this wasn't forced labour, but rather a chance for Liling to learn from the best and for that reason, she had not put up a fuss.

But that didn't mean she had to stay away from her. She made a beeline for the small girl and as soon as the diminutive girl had put her trays down..she had glomped her tightly from behind.

"Liling-chaaaannnnn!" She cried out happily."How is my adorable little sis doing? Hope they're not working you too too hard?" She smiled...letting go softly. "Learning lots, dear?"