Chapter 5

Nephrite stood stiffly in the hallway outside the delegate room. He was once again in full dress uniform, hair neatly pulled back, and though this time wasn't quite so miserable, it was still not entirely pleasant.

Nor had getting this meeting been the most pleasant experience. Twice before, he had sent messages to the Lady Venus, asking for a meeting. Each time he spoke the name of the recipient, a look--half-knowing, half-smirk--had appeared on their faces. The look on their face when they brought back the Lady's refusal had been, if it was possible, worse. He had gritted his teeth, recomposed the message, and tried again. When they'd finally brought acceptance, their faces had been so smug, he longed to hit one. Even if it would cause a diplomatic incident.

|They think I'm setting up a liaison with the Lady,| he thought, teeth grinding against each other. |Perhaps this is what Jupiter had meant by her 'reputation'.|

The thought of Jupiter was a pleasant one, and he lingered on it. It had been a long, long time since he'd slept with a woman--just slept--and that had been a night far different from this one. This night had been an exquisite balancing act between comfort and the urge to roll her over and ravish her. He had sensed some of the same tension in her, especially when his body had...'reacted.'

It was only his powers and her patience that allowed him to survive such a reaction. Power enough to put a buffer between them, patience enough to let him move closer in intervals, until they were wrapped around each other to the fullest extent.

The sleep that had followed had been a numb arm and a case of blue balls. Deep, rich darked had sluiced over his body, drenching every pore; when he had pulled away from it this morning, it seemed every bit of his illness had dissolved in it, stripped away upon waking. He awoke refreshed, ready to face the day--and alone.

That pained him for a moment, but only a moment. Surely she had duties as well, and that was all. Surely she had been as comforted as he had. Surely...

He had pushed such thoughts away as he eased himself off her bed. As he stood up, there was a distinctive clinking sound; when he'd looked around, he'd found that same copper bracelet, this time lying on the bedspread. He'd picked it up, frowning; he was sure he had 'pocketed' it yesterday, just before going to see Jupiter destroying her plates. He'd fingered the links for a moment, pondering; again, he hadn't felt anything special about it, except that it had broken oddly. He had been about to pocket it again when he realized that he could get it fixed for the Lady. Or, at least, ask someone about getting it fixed--he was supposed to meet with the Lady Venus today. She would probably know where he could make a quick repair--and then he could bring it back to Jupiter tonight.

Then he could see her again.

He had smiled, and 'pocketed' it carefully, and gone to get dressed.

The train of thought was broken by the door opening. Out stepped a servant, who turned to face him. Behind him, Nephrite could see the suggestion of a figure, waiting behind the door.

"Lord Nephrite of the North American kingdom..."

Nephrite automatically tuned out his list of titles. He'd heard them often enough before. Instead, he focused on the slip of shoe, the hint of yellow dress by the door. A good sign.

The servant took a breath. Nephrite refocused on him, and noted with irritation that this man also wore a smirk.

"The Lady Venus, Princess of that planet, goddess of love," the smirk spread a bit, "and beauty."

The woman stepped out from behind the door . Nephrite's eyes widened a fraction. The rest of the Princesses and women wore sheets of clothing compared to this woman. The dress was in her house colors, true, and it fell to her feet, but that's where the similarities ended. It was tight, slit high on both sides, with a bodice that plunged to below her breasts. It made only a small attempt at sleeves. She wore the usual veil, but the intricate pattern and shimmery fabric was far more suggestive than he'd seen.

He swallowed, suddenly understanding.

"Had your fill?" The voice behind the veil was deceptively sweet and pleasant.

He swallowed again. "Lady, I need to speak with you,"he managed.

"So you said," she replied. Her eyes flicked to the servant. "You are dismissed," she said, tone sharp.

"Yes...Lady," he replied, and again there was a hint of a smirk.

Nephrite had had all of that he could stand. "What is your name?" he spat.

The servant looked perplexed. "Sen," he said.

"Well, Sen," he gritted the name out, "did you or did you not just name her Lady? Princess? Goddess?"

Sen blinked rapidly, and his lips parted slightly. "Y-y-yes, Lord," he stammered.

"Which is a rank high above your own, am I right?"

"Y-y-yes, Lord." Blood left the boy's face, leaving behind a shaking pallor.

"Yet you address her," Nephrite continued, voice patient, "with less respect than she is due."

The boy swallowed. "Lord Nephrite, if some offense has been given..."

"Not just some," Nephrite replied. "You, and all the others, have failed to treat this Lady with respect." His voice dropped. "In front of you own Court, and its honored guests." His eyes narrowed. "Can you understand what sort of offense you have caused now? Or should I spell it out further?"

Sen had begun to tremble slightly, eyes darting between Venus--who hadn't moved nor said a word--and Nephrite. For his part, Nephrite slowly gathered a touch of shadow around him, so he wasn't just tall--he loomed.

Sen licked his lips, then bowed to him. "My most humble apologies, my Lord."

"They do not go to me," he growled.

Sen's eyes widened, and he turned ever so slightly to Venus. "Most humble apologies," he said quickly, quietly, voice faint and trembling.

The Lady look at the boy, then at Nephrite. He could make out very little of her eyes behind the veil, but they seemed very serious. Finally, she made a dismissive gesture, saying, "It is accepted. Be on your way."

The boy bobbed to her, then to Nephrite, eyes still tinged with fear. Nephrite honestly thought the boy could do better, but he had limited time with the Lady.

Besides, she didn't seem to care.

He met her eyes again as the boy ducked into the room. She watched him for a moment, and just as the door clicked shut said, "That was pointless."

His mouth dropped.

She raised a gloved hand to her mouth, as if amused, then said, "Walk with me, Lord Nephrite."

She turned, and he fell into stride beside her. They walked in silence for a ways towards the doors at the end of the annex. He started to say something, but she shushed him. He stayed silent as she heaved open the large, silver door, and ushered him out onto the walkway between domes.

The day was fresh--a soft, sweet breeze blew across the walkway, and the gentle warmth of the filtered sunlight played over them. She raised her face to the light, and let out a soft sigh.

"Would it offend you terribly if I removed my veil?" she said.

"Of course not, Lady."

She pulled off her gloves first, and laid them over the rail. Her hands, like the rest of her, had a soft peach glow, and he was surprised to see several flat, white scars crossing the backs of her hands and wrists. She unfastened something at her straps, then slowly tipped the veil back over her head.

"If you could...the tabs," she said.

He gingerly took the bottom of the veil--a silky mesh that made his palms sweat--and quickly found what she meant. He slid the tabs, which were disguised as small red jewels, over her straps. There was a tremble to his hands that he feared had nothing to do with the delicate veil.

"Aah," she said, voice low. "So much better to have the sun on your face, isn't it?"

He joined her at the rail, checking himself before he could glance at her face. "It is," he replied. "Your weather here is lovely."

"Yes," she said. "Lovely, and all too artificial." He sensed her turn towards him, but still didn't face her. "Don't you think?"

"I cannot comment, Lady," he said, voice stiff. Was she trying to deliberately provoke insult?

She laughed, a sour trill. "Well said, well said." She brushed against his shoulder, saying lightly, "You can look at me, you know."

"I don't know if I can," he found himself saying. Briefly he wondered what was wrong with him, but his sixth sense--that part connected not to his world, but the world beyond it--shrieked at him. He knew better than to disregard it.

She laughed again, lower, hoarser, as if at a private joke. "Do you fear that I will enchant you?" she asked lightly, voice teasing. "Spirit your heart and mind away?" Her voice dropped now. "Do you believe I am a goddess?"

He didn't have to think about it, not with the warmth he felt from her, though they stood a little apart. "Yes."

A moment. He heard a rustle of fabric beside him, then, lowly, "Smart man. Smart man. But Lord Nephrite..."

She reached up, two fingers sliding under his chin, and turned his face to hers with gentle pressure. "You have nothing to fear."

He couldn't resist. He looked.

Somehow he had expected to see--light, shining from the lines of her face. Instead, he found that she looked normal, human...and astonishingly attractive.

She had a heart-shaped face, pleasant in its symmetry--in fact, he suspected it was completely symmetrical--with high cheekbones and a small nose. Her eyes were large, and reminded him of high quality blue topaz; her lips were full, rose tinted, and moist. Wisps of corn silk blond hair trailed across her forehead.

The overall pictures was both sexy and innocent, as if she were a woman who didn't realize how gorgeous she truly was. Only he was sure she knew.

"Seen enough?" she said lightly.

He was torn between "yes" and "no." She moved back a little, and the effect was heightened by the sight of that dress. He swallowed, and said hoarsely, "In that dress, Lady?"

She gave him a sour look. "I would think that someone who steps in to defend a Lady's honor wouldn't disparage her planetary dress."

He was still trying to catch his breath, or he would've thought before saying, "They dress like...that...on Venus?" She nodded, mouth pursing slightly. "I should tell Jadeite and Zoisite. They'd enjoy a trip."

"You say that as if I hadn't heard it ten times a day," she replied tartly.

"My apologies, Lady," he said, feeling a little helpless. "Those two are just the most...devoted to aesthetics," he tried.

She gave him a disbelieving look, then laughed. The sound warmed him.

"But Lady, speaking of defending your honor--it was not pointless,” he said. At his words, she turned back to lean against the railing. He pressed on, “It was necessary. The looks I got this afternoon for asking to speak with you! It isn't right.” He paused, then added, “Besides, the Commander would have my hide.”

She inhaled, softly, and he waited for her response. Instead, she let out the breath in a low sigh, and said nothing. As if she were...resigned to this argument. As if she knew the pointlessness of it.

Anger flashed in Nephrite, hot and quick. “Lady,” he started, moving a hair closer. How dare someone treat her this way? How DARE they? He had a sudden urge to go back and tear that boy's head off...along with every other servant who has smirked at him today. Every single one, with their looks, reducing this Lady...

“It has gotten to you too, I see,” she said, voice quiet.

The thundering roar of blood in his head snapped off, silenced by her words. He blinked rapidly, wondering what had just happened.

“Good. I'd wondered if all men of Earth were resistant,” she said, tone cool and dry. “I would be...less...if that were so.”

His mouth went dry. “That was...magic?” he sputtered.

She nodded, still looking away from him.

“Gods,” he whispered.

“Actually...goddess,” she said, turning away from the rail so he could see her cramped smile. She caught his eye and turned back again. “You can see how I earned my reputation, can't you?” She hunched a little. “Or how my planet earned it, at least.”

“Lady,” he said, voice hoarse. “I did not know.”

“If it helps, most people ignore it,” she said, voice steady and dry. “They believe it is something I do, purposefully, to bewitch them.” She paused for a moment, and added lowly, “They are not entirely wrong.”

“Jupiter...mentioned your reputation,” he said.

She turned now to face him fully, so he could see her eyes. They were soft, glittering, and unaccountably sad in such a lovely face. Then she dropped her eyes, and said, “True.” She raised her head, neck twisting slightly so that she faced him at an angle. “For certain values of true, of course.”

He understood that.

For a moment, he battled the urge to touch her, the urge to just walk away. Comfort won out over a quick escape, and he reached out and took her hand. It was limp and smooth in his own, except for a ridge of scar under his thumb. “Lady, let me say this,” he said. “My Commander...he doesn't care about any of that. Has he told you of the dream?”

Her eyes slid away from his, and she nodded.

He squeezed her hand gently. “Listen, Lady. He, too, has not been entirely true.”

“What man is?” she muttered.

“In body only,” he continued. “But in his heart, he has been true to you. That core, his soul, has always been yours. As I'm sure you have to him.” He smiled a little, then reached out with two fingers to turn his eyes to him. He expected resistance, and found none. “Trust me,” he said lowly. “I have spent the better part of my life listening to him talk about you. About his adoration of you.”

“Truly?” Her voice sounded so small.

“Truly,” he replied. “In every way possible, including poetry.”

She blinked, then smiled a little. “He wrote poetry?” Her voice again, so small and young, like a child upon receiving a surprise gift.

“Yes,” Nephrite replied, voice kind. “But I wouldn't ever ask to hear it.”

She ducked her head, still smiling. He moved back a little, dropping her hand, oddly aware of the distance between them. She crossed her hands before her, fingers fidgeting against each other.

“Your words,” she began, “would not be comforting to many people.” She raised her head a little. “But they are oddly comforting to me. They are kind, and noble, and I thank you for them.”

He nodded. “I am happy to serve.”

She studied him for a moment. “Yes,” she said, the word drawn out a hair. “Yes, I actually think you are. Not because of me, and a hope to win my attention, but because of...him and me.” She smiled, a timid, sunny smile. “You have a noble spirit, through and through. Even your reaction to me was...so.”

He wasn't sure how to respond to that. Well, to be honest, he wasn't sure how to respond to that in a way that wouldn't get him killed. So he ducked his head in thanks, and received a polite nod back.

Then, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she said, “Did you say Jupiter had mentioned me?”

He nodded.

“Are you her mystery guest?” she asked, cocking her head, eyes still narrowed.

He thought for a moment, then said, “Lady, you know I cannot answer that question.” His mouth quirked. “ 'Twouldn't be honorable.”

“I see,” she said, sounding disappointed. “Well...should you happen to know who such a gentleman was, I would warn him to be careful with her.”

“I believe the gentleman already knows this,” he said. “However, said gentleman wanted to request a favor of you.”

“Oh?” Interest sparked in her eyes.

He reached into his 'pocket' and pulled out the bracelet. He held it up in front of her, saying, “Said gentleman would like to know where...”

He stopped as her eyes widened; she then snatched it from him. Eyes narrowed again, she turned it over and over in her hands, then looked up at him, eyes now wide and stark. “No honor, no lies,” she breathed. “Did you touch this before it broke?”

He frowned, thinking back, then nodded. “Lady, what...”

“Hold out your wrist.”

“Lady...”

“Hold out your wrist!” Her voice was laced with command even as it shook, and in face of such emotion, he complied.

She moved closer, eyes still wide, features pale. She took the bracelet by both ends, and carefully draped it over his wrist.

“Lady, it's broken,” he protested. “And it'd be too small if it weren't...”

“Shh,” she said, then let her hands leave the metal. “Shh.”

“Lady,” he started again, impatience growing in his voice, then stopped. His eyes grew wide as that sixth sense shrieked again.

The ends of the bracelet had been swinging a little when placed on his wrist. Now they stilled, as if stopped by an invisible hand.

He found he was holding his breath.

The two ends began to swing again, and with each motion, drew closer to each other. One, two, three, four...and on the fourth swing, the two ends touched and melted together.

The bracelet was whole on his wrist.

He stared at it. Venus stared at it. Then they looked at each other, eyes wide.

Venus breathed out, “Goddess.”

Exactly what he was thinking, only in the feminine.

She reached out and touched it. Turned it on his wrist, so he could see where new links had been added, where the pieces had joined together. There was a small seam in the metal now; he had a feeling it would be gone soon.

“Goddess,” Venus said again. Then, without another word, she grabbed her gloves and fled back inside.

The lunch break was nearly over, Jupiter thought with a grimace. That meant she'd have to go back to the table, archaic veil done up, and try to speak for her people's needs. It had always struck her as a little odd that her qualifications for this position were accepted because she'd left her home as a child and never went back. Funny thing, politics.

She had just taken a sip of her juice when Venus barreled into the room, veil back, eyes wide. They latched onto Jupiter, and the woman seemed to leap across the room to get to her.

“Jupiter!” she yelled.

Jupiter put down her glass before Venus tackled her. “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” she said, taking a step back so that she wasn't completely bowled over. “Venus, what's wrong? Your veil's up and...”

“You have to come with me,” Venus said, only it sounded more like “youafcomwitme.”

Jupiter sighed. “The talks are about to start again,” she said. “And your veil...”

“Screw the veil!” Venus shrieked.

Immediately the whole room turned to look at them.

Jupiter let out another sigh, then steered her friend over to a quiet corner. She turned her around, undid the clips, and said, “Good job causing a scene, Mai. You've always been so subtle.”

“It's not like you like them either,” Venus said, voice this side of whiny.

“No,” Jupiter said, turning hr around to pull the mass of fabric over her head. “But I've never screamed it in public, either.”

“Yes, well.” Venus reached up and grabbed her wrist as she fastened the first clip. “I needed to talk to you, Emi.”

“I can see that,” Jupiter said dryly.

“Nephrite has your bracelet,” she said.

Jupiter perked up. “That's great!” she said, fastening the second clip. “Jade told me it was missing, but I hadn't had a chance to look for it.”

Venus shook her head. “No, no, you don't understand.”

Jupiter's brow wrinkled. “What's not to understand? He found it, I'm happy about it.” She brightened. “And if I go to get it, I have an excuse to see him again.”

“No, no, Emi!” Venus hissed. “He doesn't just possess our bracelet. He's wearing it. It broke and he's wearing it.”

Jupiter's face clouded. “That's impossible.”

“No, Emi. I...I was there. I,” she hesitated, then went on, voice small, “I put it on him myself.”

“Mai...if you're just saying this...”

Venus's face hardened for a moment, and just as abruptly softened. Tentatively, she reached up, and lay a hand on Jupiter's cheek. “Now why,” she said, voice soft and choked with emotion, “would I ever do that to you?”

Jupiter's hand come up to touch the back of Venus's, and slide slowly down the back of her hand. “You wouldn't,” she whispered, and tears glistened at the edges of her eyes. “But Mai...what does it mean?”

“You know what it means, Emi. You know.”

Jupiter pulled back, and staggered to a chair. She collapsed in it as if her legs would no longer support her, and covered her face. Venus moved over to her, and after a moment's hesitation, placed a hand on her shoulder.

Jupiter's form convulsed for a moment, and Venus squeezed her shoulder, wishing she could lend more strength than this to her friend. After a minute, Jupiter straightened up, hands falling to her lap. Her face was clear of tears, though they filled her eyes. “What am I going to do?” she whispered to the room.

Venus squeezed her shoulder again. She, like everyone else there, had no answer for Jupiter.