Elvenwarrior Hi, everyone! Thanks for stopping by to read this! For those of you who don't know, this is the REVISED copy of Cinderella, Sailor Moon Style! Few things have changed (I'm not STUPID! I got a lot of e-mail for the original), so this is basically the same, with only minor changes to assure continuity of the story (a.k.a. I made a mistake about Darien's eye color.) It's blue, not green. For those of you who got confused, SORRY! (Sheepish grin) Basics: I don't own Sailor Moon (wishful thinking, really), and I don't know anyone one who does. I like these characters a lot. Anyhow, on with the story! Cinderella, Sailor Moon Style! -Part One(Revised) Shadows flickered around the feminine bedroom as the sun rose steadily. A tall, handsome man walked in, and over to a small alarm clock. He punched the alarm button, and a lump in the bed shot up. "Darien! I thought I told you to leave my alarm clock alone!" Serena yelled, rubbing sleep out of her eyes so she could glare at him. "Settle down, Rena. One day, you'll thank me for getting you up early. Like today-,"he replied. "When I have an 8:00 class! Oh, crap!" she exclaimed, leaping out of bed. Darien averted his dark blue eyes when he saw what she was wearing: a long T-shirt that said ATTITUDE, and nothing else. "Maybe one day I WILL thank you, Dar, but not today. You woke me up at six!" Serena said. Darien winced. He'd been hoping she wouldn't look at the clock. "More time to get ready." He said. "For a class I need a small writing pad for? Are you NUTS?" Grabbing a pillow off her bed, Serena launched it at Darien, hitting him right in the forehead. More followed. "Hey!" Darien grabbed the pillow, and noticed it was heavier than usual. "Stop! Stop, Serena!" he exclaimed. The assault stopped. "What's in here?" He dug into the pillowcase, and drew out a large journal. "A diary?" "Give that to me!" Serena exclaimed, diving for the book. Darien held it out of her grasp easily, since he towered over her. "C'mon, Darien! Let me have it!" Seeing that he wouldn't drop it, Serena bolted out of her room, and down towards Darien's. She shoved open the door, and nearly fainted at the sight of the cleanest room she's ever seen. "Good God!" she said, gaping. "What? Haven't you ever seen a clean room before?" Darien asked, coming up behind her. "Not in MY home, no." Serena replied. Both were in college. They had met in a speech class, where Serena had managed to become the top student, thanks to help from a student tutor-Darien Cannier. He came from a family in which money ran like water. The most prestigious colleges in the country had wanted him, but he'd elected to stay close to home, in California. His mother was a prestigious socialite, and his father an industrial tycoon. When Darien had decided to rent out the second room in his apartment, his parents hadn't been estactic, but they'd allowed it, as long as they were permitted to help him screen people. So, when Serena Shields had appeared at the interview (forced into it by her friends), Darien had watched (about to laugh) the tan faces of his parents pale drastically. Serena came from a family in which money was tight. It had taken three academic scholarships to get her into UCO, along with some strategic begging, as Darien had learned from sources. Then, they'd revoked her dorm privileges because her grades had dropped, and Serena was going to have to return to Seattle. Darien had liked her from the moment he's opened the door to find a short girl, with meatballs on her head, waiting for academic help. It'd only been when she'd been caught studying at his place by her friends AND his friends that Darien had suggested she move in. Naturally, his parents disliked that fact that Serena didn't have as much money as them, or that Serena was more common than what they wanted. But Darien had reminded them that it WAS his apartment, and the HE was the one living with Serena, not them. So Serena had stayed, and captured his once-studious mind from its tight parental grip. >There is no physical way anyone could be THAT organized. But, then, I've never known anyone like Darien. < Serena came from the wrong side of the tracks. She hadn't been born into money, like Darien had. Her parents had had a shotgun wedding, and Serena had often been the brunt of cruel jokes. Until she'd learned to fight back with a steely glare, and her fists. But, no matter what happened, her family had loved her. Loved her as much as a family could. After a jealous 'friend' had killed her mother, there'd only been one heart to love her. Her dear father, now dying a cancer. And they were too poor for treatment. Then, she'd gotten into college seven months ahead of her class, and nearly drowned in her first semester. As a matter of fact, the only class Serena hadn't failed was singing, where she barely pulled off a D. The college had threatened to revoke her scholarships and kick her out of her dorm if her grades didn't improve, so Serena had decided to cash in her chips. She moved out of the dorm, and into her best friend Mina's garage, where her grades dropped further. Finally, with the college threatening once again, Serena had seen the ad for the apartment, seen the name, remembered her favorite student tutor (who'd suggested that she move in so he could help her more often), and made the appointment. She hadn't expected to see a tan woman open the door, say, "Sorry, but we've found a roommate," and nearly slam the door in her face! Only the sound of Darien's voice, soothing and strong, had waylaid that slamming. '"Mother!" he's said, his blue eyes flashing in anger. "This is Serena. I told you that SHE was going to move in."' But that was three months ago. Now it was October. "This is inhuman! How do you keep it this way?" Serena asked, glancing behind her at the ordered chaos of her own room. "By the sheer force of not allowing you into it, Rena. THAT'S how." Darien replied. "You'd think, with the way YOU act, we'd be mortal enemies by now." she said. "Glad we aren't. I've still got those bruises from the last you sleepwalked into my room." He said, rubbing his ribs. "Yeah, well, you startled me." She saw the journal within easy reach, and said, "Look, just give me the book and I won't pound you." Surprising Darien, she snatched the book away. "Serena! What's taking you so long? We'll be late!" Darien yelled, impatient. Said late person hopped out of her room, trying to put on her shoes, tie her hair in its meatballs, and juggle her books, all at the same time. (And we all know Serena. Some stuff had to go flying.) "I'm coming, I'm coming! Geez, you'd think a girl could get a break around here every once in a while." She mumbled around a pencil. "Here, let me hold these." Darien removed the books from her hands. "Thanks." Serena finished her hair, shoved her feet in her shoes, and grabbed her books. "Are we late yet?" she asked. "Almost. Get moving, Meatball Head!" he said, shoving her out the apartment door. "Okay, okay. I'm moving!" she replied, taking a deep breath of the autumn air as she stumbled outside. She clapped her favorite hat, a black felt fedora, over her odangos, and turned to see Darien lock the door. "I love autumn. Especially in October." "Yeah, okay." Darien said absentmindedly. "So what are you doing for Halloween?" Serena asked, trying to balance a book on top of her fedora as she walked down the railing from their second-floor apartment. "Same thing I did last year. Sit around and watch corny old movies. You?" "I don't know. Maybe got to Amy's- You remember Amy, right?" she said. Darien nodded. "She usually has a party on Halloween." "Speaking of parties, my parents are having a Halloween blowout. Masks, costumes, the works." Darien said. "That sounds like fun. Why don't you go?" Serena asked, leaping off the railing. "Because it'll be one giant bore. All of my parents' friends in one room, talking as if they actually cared about anyone else in the world, AND all of their gold-digging daughters. Plus, my mother has a tradition of unmasking at midnight. Last time I went, my partner squealed so loud that I couldn't hear in that ear for a week. THAT'S why I won't go." Serena unlocked her bicycle, and strapped her books on as Darien unlocked his car. She glanced at him, her bright blue eyes feeling pain at the thought of having someone squeal that loud in you ear, not realizing she did it all the time. "Maybe you should talk to your parents. Maybe they'll let you leave at midnight." She said. "That won't happen. They lock all the doors at ten. Only my mother has the key." He replied. Sighing, they parted. The bell over the shop door jingled as the girls entered, drawing the bored gaze of a clerk. "May I help you?" she asked. Serena backed away, but her best friend, Amy, yanked her forward. "We're looking for a Halloween costume for her." Amy said, her voice as petite as the girl herself. "Look around. What do you think this place is? A sewing store?" the clerk said. Amy, not to be pushed by a clerk, simply smiled and pulled Serena into a far corner of the store. "Amy, this isn't such a hot idea. I mean, what if he recognizes me? He'll HATE me!" she said. "Serena, you said you overheard him on the phone with his parents, and that he agreed to go to the ball, right?" Amy asked. "Yeah, so?" "So he's gonna be swamped with all those dowager princesses, right?" "Yeah." Serena didn't like where this was going. "You come in, graceful as a REAL princess, and blow those girls to a far corner of the room. You save the day, AND get the handsome prince! What could be better?" Amy said. "Sitting at home, pigging out on chocolate ice cream, watching horror movies, and being lazy. Amy, I don't WANT to go! I'll be a ball crasher!" Serena replied. "Oh, come on, Rena! All of us know that you've had this HUGE crush on Darien since you met him! And now, you have a chance to make him see you as a WOMAN, not a SISTER!" This had been, to Serena's continual embarrassment, the subject of many lunches. Raye, a religion student, Mina, a dance student, Lita, a student chef, and Amy, a doctoral student, had analyzed Serena's love life continuously, and found that something was missing. That something just happened to be Darien. "But I LIKE it that way! That way, I know I won't lose him." Serena replied softly. "Rena, you've lived with him for THREE MONTHS now, and you're telling me that you don't want to lose him? If you give up now, then you've already lost him." Amy said. Serena looked crestfallen. "But we won't let that happen. Right?" Suddenly, three heads popped out a pile of hats, scaring Serena. "Right!" Raye, Mina, and Lita said. "And how are you going to do that?" Serena demanded, trying to calm her racing heart. "Easy. Amy's mom got us invites to this shindig, and we're ALL going." Raye said, producing five gold-embossed invitations. "Guys, I'm not so sure about this." "C'mon, Rena! It'll be fun, and it'll show that jerk Darien what an angel he has." Mina said. Even Serena looked at her doubtfully. "Well, maybe." They just rolled their eyes, and the costume hunt began. Darien glanced at the illuminated figures on his bedside clock. Serena was over two hours late. It was unusual, even for HER. But it wasn't really the lateness that bothered her. It was what might have happened to her. >Listen to yourself. Meatball Head would tell you to relax. And she'd be right. You're probably getting worked over nothing. "We're looking for costumes." Amy had said. The little old woman had smiled, and beckoned them to her. "Halloween lurks around the corner. Aren't you girls shopping a little late?" she'd asked, walking behind the counter. "You helped me find a GREAT costumes last week, Madame. Remember me? I'm Raye." Raye said, tossing her long black hair over her shoulders. "Ah, yes. You bought that lovely Arabian costume. Such a pretty red for you. How may I help your friends?" she's said. "She," Raye yanked Serena forward, "needs an absolutely stunning costume. Preferably something no one would suspect her to wear." The woman had studied Serena, taking in her long blond hair (still up in the familiar odangos), light blue eyes, and pale complexion. "A princess of the highest, bluest blood must you be. Sparkling white with purity, and a-glitter with pure magic." She said softly, as if to herself. Suddenly, her wrinkled face came alive. "Aha! I have it! Just the thing! Come back here! Come! Come!" She'd lead them back to a far corner of the store, where she'd pulled out a plain, oblong box. "In this box is what you need. Worn by Arabian princess, this has traveled thousands of years, and millions to miles to come-to you." Madame said, handing the box to Serena. She'd gaped at it, and carefully lifted the top off. To behold the creation now before her. Serena carefully folded it back into the box. >One more day. < She thought. >One more day, and then he'll know. < The next day passed quickly. Serena was up and gone by 7:00am, surprising Darien. She'd left him a note- Darien, I'm at Lita's apartments if you need to reach me. Serena -And had been almost unfindable during the day. When he HAD seen her, it had only been for moment. She's been surrounded by her friends, talking rapidly and nervously. Then, she was gone. Darien was worried, surprised, astounded, and amazed. But never did he think that what WOULD happen COULD happen. Halloween. Since it was Saturday, Darien did something rare. He slept late. His costume for his parents' ball was hanging in his old room at their house, along with his mask. When he did get up, Serena had Mina, Amy, Lita, and Raye in the living room. They stopped their avid conservation as he walked in. "Hi, Darien." Serena said. Her eyes had dark circles around them. It kinda hurt him to see she was pushing herself so hard, just to pass. "You okay, Rena?" he asked, getting a cup of coffee. "Yeah, sure. Why do you ask?" she replied. "You look like you didn't get any sleep last night." He said. "She's fine, Darien." Lita said. Her brown eyes glinted. "What are you doing tonight, on All Hallow's Eve?" "My parents' are having huge masked ball. My mother finally talked me into going." He replied. "You told me you weren't going." Serena said, with a quick glance at Amy. Putting Darien off-guard was the whole reason for this. "Yeah, well, dear old dad reminded of the 'family values.'" Darien said. He puffed up his chest to do an impersonation of his father. "'Got to keep traditions in the family, old boy.'" he said. Serena giggled. She'd met his rather overzealous parents several times, and knew Darien's impersonation was accurate. "That sounds like your father." She said, smiling. Darien felt a clutch at his hear when she did, and wondered at himself. "Guess it'll just be us girls tonight, right, Raye?" Amy glanced at the black-haired girl. "Yeah." "Okay, guys. See ya later." Darien said. He walked out, leaving the focal point of four pairs of eyes. "WHAT?" she exclaimed. Night fell, silent as the moon. But as soon as the lights of the college town blinked on, children and their adults thronged the streets, demanding candy. Serena watched Darien drive away, his face itself a mask. She watched from her window, and a tear slid down her cheek. "Don't be sad, Rena." Amy said comfortingly. "I can't help it. What if this doesn't work?" Serena replied. "It'll work. Now come and get ready. The limo will be here any minute." Lita said, gently pulling a green headdress, fashioned much like Serena's, out of a box. "LIMO?" Serena squeaked, her blue eyes wide. "Yep." Raye said. "Serena, this is your fairy tale night. You're gonna walk in there, win your prince, embarrass the HELL out of his parents at midnight, and walked away with Darien's cold heart. We're just here to make sure that happens." Serena sat down on her bed, more tears brimming in her eyes. "You guys are the best friends I've ever had." She whimpered. "Don't cry, Serena!" all four of them exclaimed. "Why not? These are HAPPY tears," she said. "Because we'll never be able to get rid of the blotches in time for the ball!" they said. Serena gulped, and smiled a cheesy smile. "Ooopps." She said. Darien walked around the ballroom, hiding his boredom as well as his elaborate mask hid his face. Dressed as a prince in a black tunic with black pants, wearing black and silver armor, a sweeping black cape, and black gloves, he barely resembled the straightforward, solemn college senior he was. He sighted three girls in Elizabethan dress walking towards him, and ducked out onto the balcony. >Why can't Mother just tell them to bug off? < He thought, leaning against the stone railing. Since this particular balcony faced the front drive, it allowed him to see all the guests still arriving. Rich people, some who any other person would only see on TV, piled out of stretch limos and gaudy cars, slipping their masks on at the last minute. The last limo pulled away, Darien heard someone come up behind him. "My lord prince." He spun, his hand flying to his mask to assure himself that it was in place. One of the girls in Elizabethan dress was standing in front of him, smiling. So sure of herself, she hadn't bothered with a mask. "Yes, milady?" he asked, raising the baritone of his voice to a young boy's soprano. "Dance with me?" she replied, offering her hand. She wasn't smiling now. >GOOD. < Darien thought. >Let her think she's trapped some other poor fool. < "Of course." He said. He glanced over his shoulder at an extremely late limo, and watched a crowd of girls in Arabian costumes pile out, their masks (he assumed) firmly in place. The costumes looked too authentic to be rentals. One in blue helped a white-cloaked figure climb out, and pulled down the hood to reveal...an almost fully covered face! The figure (a girl, Darien determined by a cursory glance) moved gracefully, small bells tinkling gently from their hidden places. Her white veil billowed slightly as she breathed, and her white feather mask covered her face all the way to her covered hair. The other girls, dressed similarly (with cloaks, but no masks) but differently, in brilliant reds, soft oranges, forest greens, and deep ocean blues, hugged the girl in white, and went inside. It was then that Darien's partner (named Belinda) pulled him inside. He didn't see the girl in white square her shoulders, raise her head, and walk in gracefully, her cloak flying behind her. As he danced, something clicked in Darien's brain. >He thought. The Arabian girls entered, their cloaks shed and their lower-face veils (*No masks! * Darien thought) in place. They paused at the top of the stairs, then descended gracefully, causing four friends of Darien's to halt in the waltz. Andrew, dressed as a farmer, with his blond hair loose, eyed the one in green. Ken, his brown eyes glittering, pegged the one in red. He was dressed as a duke. Jedite, costumed as a priest, selected the one in blue. And Zed, bedecked like a country lord, found his eyes on the one in orange. Several minutes earlier: Mina got out of the limo, adjusting her veil. She flicked her long, blond hair back under the head veil, and turned to help Serena out. "You look great, Serena." Lita said, touching her friend's white feather mask. Her blue eyes shone out at her. They'd tried to get Serena to wear colored contacts, but she had fought all of them off, insisting that it would the REAL Serena that Darien would see at midnight. "I don't know about this guys. It's not like I can SEE out of this thing or anything!" she said. She'd also protested the heavy mask as unnecessary. Then her tone turned fearful. "What if Darien-," "Don't worry, Serena!" Amy said. She hugged her. "We'll go in first. I've got your invite, so you won't have to worry about arguing with the doorman. Just stay out here a few minutes, and prepare yourself." They all turned to go in. "Oh, wait!" Raye exclaimed. She opened a small pouch, and took out a small box. "Your dad sent this for you." She handed it to Serena, who smiled beneath her thick lower-face veil. "Good luck." The religion student said, hugging her friend. "Thanks, Raye. Thanks, guys." She said. She watched them enter the huge mansion. She squared her shoulders, threw back her head, and walked, as gracefully as possible, into the ball. Once inside the door, she shakily opened the box she gripped tightly. Inside, a small silver locket, shaped like a heart, sat, nestled in a bed of velvet. Serena opened it, and saw herself look at her and Darien's pictures. A card was attached to the inside top of the box: Serena, my daughter, You lit up my life with your happiness. When I heard of your roommate, and saw his picture, I knew that your mother's locket needed more than sad memories. Now, I give you a memory of hope. Dad Serena felt tears well up. Never in her life had she felt such love from her father. Silently, she removed the locket from the box, and put it on. Then, her resolution more determined than ever, she started towards the ballroom. Amy danced silently, not talking to her partner, as much as he tried to engage her in conversation. She was watching the stairs, and the others. Despite the colors, all of their costumes were the same, thanks to a small, old Gypsy woman with a kind heart. Billowy pants, a cropped top, and a short-sleeved jacket buttoned by three matching jewels. All of them had color co-ordinated veils, with matching hair coverings. Their shoes were simple Arabian slippers. When Serena still didn't appear on the stairs, Amy turned back to partner, a solemn Jedite. "You're quite a good dancer." She said softly. The veil muffled her words slightly. "You know, I can't place you. You seem like you belong here, yet you don't." he replied. "I-I guess you could say I don't belong anywhere. I tend to be-flighty." She said. Suddenly, the music stopped. The couples on the floor halted in their circles, and looked, as if on cue, at the stairs coming down. Amy looked, and saw Serena, frozen on the third stair down, as if scared. Don't freeze now, Rena. She thought. Serena couldn't control the fear pulsing through her veins. Everyone was looking at her, like she's suddenly sprouted a tail and hoofs. It felt like everyone knew who she was. Then, she remembered what the old Gypsy woman had told her. >The material is very thick, like bandage gauze. It hides what you don't want anyone to see, and protects you. < NO ONE knew who she was! Not even Darien, who she couldn't find in the crowd. She heard a mental chatter, like all of her friends where mentally speaking at once. >Don't freeze now, Rena.< That was Amy. >Think of Darien, Serena. < Mina. >Be who you are. < Lita. >MOVE, meathead! < Raye. OF COURSE. She took one step. Then another. And another. And, suddenly, Darien was there, guiding her down the steps. She would've known it was Darien even if he had one a million different face. The deep blue eyes that gazed at her from behind the black mask told so much. Her billowy pants swooshed gently, her slippers whispered, and the tiny silver bells hidden somewhere in the folds of the ankle-length jacket tinkled softly. "May I have this dance?" he asked quietly. She nodded, sure her voice would crack. He led her out to the middle of the floor, and bowed. Quickly curtsying, Serena almost fainted when she felt her jacket catch in her legs. Darien smiled at her, and his hand took hers. After that, Serena was only aware of the feel of his hand on hers, and the music. Appropriately, the orchestra was playing "Looking Through Your Eyes", from Quest for Camelot. Serena started when she heard Darien singing softly: Look at the sky. Tell me What do you see? Just close you eyes and describe to me. The heavens are sparkling with starlight tonight. That's what I see through your eyes. She felt his eyes on her as the melody came in. So deep, so blue, so full of-could that be love? AT FIRST SIGHT? DARIEN? She found her voice, and sang softly: I see the heavens each time that you smile. I hear your heartbeat just go one for miles. And, suddenly, I know why life is worthwhile. That's what I see through your eyes. D and S: That's what I see through your eyes. Here in the night, I see the sun. Here in the dark, our two hearts are one. It's out of our hands, We can't stop what we have begun And love just took me by surprise Looking through your eyes. I see a night I wish could last forever. I see a world we're meant to see together. And it is so much more than I remember Darien: More than I remember... Serena: More than I have felt... D and S: Here in the night, I see the sun. Here in the dark, our two hearts are one. It's out of our hands, We can't stop what we have begun. And love just took me surprise Looking through your eyes... Looking through your eyes. Darien smiled at the almost petite figure in his arms, and couldn't believe that this was really happening. But the feeling he'd had when he'd seen her, poised on the third step, standing as straight as a lightening rod, he knew he had to do something. Belinda had tried to hold him back, but he'd pushed away from the clingy heiress and approached the stairway. A thin, slivery veil covered her hair, making it almost impossible for him to see the color. A wisp here and there revealed it to be blond. A thicker, white, embroidered veil her lower face, while her feather mask hid most of her face. Her shirt, not a midriff like the others, was a white silk, and covered by a thin, long, white embroidered jacket. Delicate silver bracelets with Arabic letters jingled prettily, and anklets chimed in unison with the waltz. "You feel as light as a feather." Darien said. Realizing, almost too late, that it might stun this one. "Could you please loosen your grip on my hand? It needs blood circulation." She said jokingly, breaking the tension she'd felt in Darien. "Oh! I'm sorry!" he said. He looked at hand, which was turning purple, and released it. "It's alright." Serena was having fun with this. Darien didn't even know that it was she! His parents' couldn't throw her out. She'd made their party go from another boring affair to a REAL masked ball. Suddenly, a sharp, squeally voice pierced her ears, making all of the Arabian princesses stop and cover their ears. Serena searched out the source, and found an old enemy from Seattle glaring at a costumed waiter. "You klutz! You spilled RED wine all over my gown!" Beryl. Amy's eyes widened, remembering Serena's tales of the girl. '"She could charm anyone within a three-mile radius. Everyone loved her, even my parents. But I intensely despised her. I like I was the only one to see past her act. She was shallow, self-centered, and greedy. She humiliated me at every turn. It was as if she could turn the world against me. And she would.'" A quick glance at Serena confirmed her story. She'd broken away from Darien, and clasped her hands tightly. Amy could almost hear her murmur, "Not Beryl. Oh, God, not Beryl. Please, please, not Beryl. Shit shit shit shit shit." Serena could feel her blood freeze in her veins-again! Beryl Simmons. She thought. The name ran itself in a circle of memories. Beryl tripping her on the stairs, and breaking her wrist. Beryl laughing at her hair, always in odangos. Senior prom after party, where Beryl had learned of Serena's martial arts training, and challenged her to a fight. Serena had just barely won. "Not again. NEVER again!" she whispered. Turning on her heel, Serena bolted from the room, trying frantically not to slip as tears welled in her eyes. "My lady!" Darien cried, not caring about being recognized. He ran after her, his boots giving him more traction than her slippers gave her. Serena disappeared past the French doors leading out to the balconies. Darien wasn't far behind her. Amy, Mina, Lita, and Raye gathered in a huddle when a dance began again. "I can't believe Beryl is here! She has some nerve!" Raye exclaimed angrily, almost yanking her veil off. "She must be very rich to get in here." Mina said. "Whatever SHE did, WE'VE got to keep our goal in mind! Remember, we're playing fairy godmothers/guardian angels tonight." Amy said, gently moving her veil with her breath. "Think Serena'll figure out WE gave Darien's ad to her paper?" Lita asked. "Not likely. She and Darien were MEANT to be together." Raye replied. "Right." Amy said. She started doling out assignments. "Mina, you've got the balconies. Lita, you know Serena's appetite, you've got the buffet table. Raye, you get the ballroom. I'll take the Queen of Darkness." "Milady!" Serena heard Darien come out onto the balcony. She hid behind a statue, crouched close to the ground. "My princess? Are you out here?" he asked. Serena felt the handle of a knife in her hand. She looked back over her shoulder, and saw Mina disappear into the shadows. She looked into her hand. A small, silver knife lay there. Serena had seen Mina carry it into the ball with her. She slipped it into her headpiece. "I am no princess." Serena said, loud enough for Darien to hear. She stood, and walked out into his view. He, also, stood in the shadows. "To me, you are. A princess of purity and beauty." He said. "You never call me beautiful before." She said softly. "I never met you before, my princess." Darien said. You might, soon. Serena thought. Aloud, she said, "And I you. But-but that woman in there-," "Ah, yes. Beryl. The old harpy had herself convinced that my mother and father want us to get married right when I graduate from college." He said. Serena nearly burst out laughing. Darien thought Beryl was OLD! AND a harpy! Beryl, in reality, couldn't have been more than two years old than Serena herself! "I know who she is." "So do I." "I know WHAT she is, as well." Serena said. This caught Darien's attention. "She is a shallow, self-centered, low woman." "Are you sure?" He crept up behind her. "Yes. I knew her as a child. So-ruthless." A loud chime sounded through the ballroom, and out onto the balconies. Serena started, and felt Darien's hands on her shoulders, calming her. "W-what was that?" she asked, surprised. "A clock striking ten. From now to twelve oh one, all the doors leading out of the ballroom and adjoining rooms are locked. No one will be leaving." He replied. "So-mechanical." "It was my mother's idea. She thinks it's fun to see all of her 'friends' dance the night away with one person only, and let them see who they dance with as the clock strikes midnight." Darien said. "WHAT?" "Didn't anyone tell you? After ten, you can only dance with one person. Most of the people in the ballroom will be finding a partner they can bear for two more hours." Darien turned her around, and looked past her mask, to her eyes. "My princess, will you dance with me for two hours?" "I-I-Alright." Serena said. Mentally, she was cursing herself. Fool! You should've remembered that all the doors would be locked at ten! Then you could've left! "Wonderful." "But-I must first find my friends." Serena said. Thinking quickly, she prayed that Amy would have figured out a plan B. "But what if someone else wants to dance with me?" Darien asked, puzzled. "Tell them you're taken." She said before slipping back into the ballroom. Inside, Serena found her friends all over the room. Raye was positioned on top of the stairs, scanning for her. Lita was by the buffet table, munching on a finger sandwich. Serena already knew that Mina was on the balconies. She found Amy standing in a cluster of people around Beryl, trying to follow the woman's nonsense chatter while keeping an eye for Serena. She signaled all of them with a small wave. Amy came racing over, and found herself unable to stop her velocity as she slid across the floor. Serena stepped aside, and let her whiz by before snagging her jacket and pulling her back. "Hi, Ames." She said softly. "Why are you talking so softly?" Amy asked. Serena jerked a thumb in the direction of the balcony. "Darien? Okay." Quietly, she signaled to the other three to come over, without alerting ol' Romeo on the balcony. "What's up?" Raye asked as soon as she got over to the potted plants. The other two asked the exact same thing. "Talk quietly. Darien's still on the balcony." Serena said. "Right." All three said. Serena motioned them closer. "Amy, please tell me you have a plan about how we're going to leave." She said, looking at the blue-haired girl. "Sorry, Rena. You neglected to mention this part of the ball." Amy said. "That's not my fault! I forgot about it!" Raye's ears picked up a slight sound from the other side of the doorway. Moving carefully, she reached behind the curtain hanging next to the door, and yanked out a waiter. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" Raye demanded. The waiter saw all of them glaring at him, and started babbling something about "that AWFUL Beryl" and how "she's threatened to take my job away from me." Raye rolled her eyes, and drew her fist back to punch some sense into the babbling lunatic. "Wait a sec, Raye!" Serena said. "This is the waiter that spilled wine on Beryl! Maybe we could use him!" Her four friends looked at her strangely. "I've got an idea." Three minutes later, the waiter was on his way, twenty dollars richer (Raye had protested, but Amy, Lita, and Mina had agreed with Serena that the man had to be paid for SOMETHING. Besides, Serena had pulled the money out her own small, white pouch.), and with instructions to keep a close eye on "Lady" Beryl throughout the evening. "Now, I need you guys to do something for me." Serena said. "What now?" Raye demanded. "Go rescue your beaus from nitwits. Those society girls are about to drive them insane." She pointed over to where Andrew, Jedite, Ken, and Zed were being cornered by several rather buxom girls. "And he was so sweet while we danced." Mina said. "You know, that farmer looked at lot like my old boyfriend." Lita said. "Now that you mention it, that duke was pretty cute, under that mask." Raye said speculatively. "He said I didn't belong anywhere." Amy said softly, her eyes on Jedite. "Probably meant it as a compliment. You don't belong anywhere, yet you belong everywhere!" Serena said. "Go get 'em, girls!" She shoved her friends towards the four guys.