Lunar Boot Camp

[Corwin]

"Well...." The Queen frowns, thinking hard. "Luna always seems to know what she's talking about. And people who were alive at the time and listened to their mommies would know, I bet!"

[Ebiris]

Okay, so the Queen of the Moon is a complete moron... Rei thinks, retracting her earlier hopes of having found a kindred spirit.

Realising that there is no way she will ever obtain any useful information from the Lunar ditz, Rei chooses to relax by mentally undressing the Queen. While Serenity the elder is in no way Rei's type, she is, at least, easy on the eyes.

[Corwin]

"Kya!" the Queen goes, blushing.

[Ebiris]

"Your Majesty?" Rei is startled from her 'relaxation' by the Queen's outburst, and looks around to see what could have set her off.

[Corwin]

"You felt like a kindred spirit there for a moment, Rei-chan," Serenity says, batting her eyes at the Crown Princess of Mars.

[Ebiris]

Rei blinks in surprise at the familiar usage of her name by the Queen, not to mention her choice of words seemed too apt to be coincidence.

And that coy batting of the eyelashes... Rei was no stranger that that kind of look!

Well... perhaps I was wrong about her. Things are starting to pick up now! the Princess thinks happily as she smiles at the Queen. "I was thinking much the same thing, your Majesty," Rei replies smoothly, chickening out from using a more familiar term at the last minute, since if she's misjudging things, it would be horribly rude.

[Corwin]

The queen smiles widely. "Well then, if there's anything else I could help you two with, before you are taken to the quarters prepared for you?" She gives Rei a suggestive look. "Anything at all?"

[Brian]

"Um, actually, how much of this is it safe to talk about, and who can we trust to talk about it with?" Makoto asks, wondering at the looks that Rei and Serenity are shooting at one another. "Can I tell Eiko-chan about this, or is it a secret? If Luna or other people might know... can we ask them for advice?"

[Corwin]

"Sure, sure, be my guest!" Serenity replies. "Except for the spying on Kunzite thing. If that ever got out, things could get... bad."

[Brian]

Makoto nods, despite her doubts as to the effectiveness of the whole 'spying' thing. I need to find a spot to think for a while... maybe figure out a few good questions to ask. Oooh, this is like a mystery novel! I wonder if I'll meet a dashing hero to save me after I uncover a wicked... er... focus, Makoto. Focus. Better tell Eiko what's going on.

"Okay, then we'll ask Lady Luna for some advice on where to begin." Then I'll go investigate the kitchens. I bet the cooks hear lots of juicy gosip... they did on Metis!

[Corwin]

Serenity nods. "That's a good idea. Say, where is the little furball? Didn't she come back with you, Makoto?"

[Brian]

"Er... yes, actually, she did. But then, there was a crash, and she got exposed to... um, fumes, I guess, and passed out." Makoto thinks for a minute. "She came back from the infirmary, but I guess she stayed behind when Sylphiel brought us to see you."

[Corwin]

"Ah. Sylphiel. Of course." Serenity sighs, rubbing her temples. "I seem to have developed a headache," she says apologetically. "I'm afraid that if you have any further questions, you'll have to take a raincheck."

Before either of the princesses has a chance to react, they reappear next to the Information desk. The squad of marines, Eiko and Luna are still there, appearing to be done with the food Makoto prepared earlier.

"Ah, I'm glad you have returned," Luna greets them from Eiko's arms. "Did you have a nice chat, Princess Makoto, Princess Ruri?"

[Ebiris]

For a moment, Rei is stunned by the blatant come-on from the Queen, and barely registers the discussion between Makoto and Serenity as her mind works furiously.

Okay, she's definitely hitting on me, no doubt about it! the Princess thinks gleefully as all sorts of wonderfully naughty ideas flit through her mind. After all, someone who's been around as long as Queen Serenity could probably even teach Rei a few interesting new things!

Now... how do I take this? she wonders to herself. She's obviously interested, so there's no need to rush. Besides, I'd prefer to do things on my own terms rather than get swept away too quickly...

She is about to speak up, and give the Queen a little something to think about, when she hears something about a headache, and is enveloped in a bright flash of light.

"Hey, what happened?" she looks around in confusion.

[Brian]

"Hmm, yes, we must investigate immediately," Makoto agrees. "Lady Luna, is there anything you can tell us about the... um... really... evil evil Metallia stuff?"