Part II

She's only an inch or two taller than Diana is and with a deceivingly slight build. The uniform that she wears is totally black that fits closely to her body. The only marks on her uniform are bright green markings running up and down the sides of the uniform. The marks seem to be leaping right out of the fabric of the uniform.

Her eyes are also odd by the standards of the Earth and Moon Kingdoms.

Those eyes are what catches Neph's attention. He feels as if he's lost in the inky blackness of them, the blackness pierced only by her neon green pupils.

Her long black hair, streaked with fire red, is piled on top of her head in an intricate working of curls and pins.

"HLM-san, we are honored to be the first world to have one of your race to visit us, we welcome you with open arms," Serenity says.

"I am honored to have this opportunity to see this wonderful place, and thank you," HLM answers formally.

"One of my guardians, Nephrite," Endymion speaks up, gesturing to the tall, handsome, auburn haired and cobalt-blue eyed man standing at his side, "would like to be your guide and protector for the duration of your stay here," Endymion pauses, uncomfortable under HLM's gaze, "Uh...will that be acceptable?"

HLM and her two neon blue on black eyed and black haired guards hold a quick conference before the guards head back onto the ship, the door closing as soon as their black clad backs were lost in the inky depths of the ship.

HLM meets Neph's gaze and she nods once, "I believe that would be acceptable," she answers in a formal tone of voice.

"I don't know, Neffy, she seems a little to formal for you," Zoi telepaths, his eyes taking on a slightly mischievous look.

"Zoisite, hush," Neph telepaths back.

"Well, I don't know, he's never screwed an alien before," Jae telepaths, eyes gleaming wickedly.

"Jadeite!" Both Neph and Diana telepath at the same time, Zoi and Kunz laughing telepathically as everyone ushers HLM to her rooms, the banter staying between only the Earth Guardians and Diana, everyone else seemingly ignorant to the conversation.

"We will leave you to get accustomed to your new surroundings," Serenity says, resting a hand gently on one of HLM's delicate looking shoulders.

"Thank you for all your kindness and hospitality," HLM says, smiling directly into Serenity's eyes.

Serenity smiles back.

"I trust we will see you at the ball tonight?"

"I plan on being there, your majesty."

"Good, then we'll leave you to rest. Again, on behalf of the Moon and Earth Kingdoms, we welcome you."

"Thank you again," Diana and the rest turn to leave.

"Ah...Nephrite is it?" HLM asks a little shyly.

"Hai, HLM-san?" Neph asks, turning.

"Can you stay a bit longer so I can have a word with you?"

"Of course."

"Neffy's gonna get some," Zoi telepaths in a sing song mental voice.

"Zoisite, can't you just hush? Anyway, it's not like your and Kunzite's games are all innocent," Neph responds telepathically.

"Hmph."

Jae snickers telepathically.

"Hmm, you and Diana are innocent? I think not," Kunz joins in on the telepathic banter.

Jae sends him a telepathic raspberry as they all leave HLM and Neph to themselves.

"What did you wish to speak of, HLM-san?"

"I just have a few questions about your culture," she answers, stepping into her quarters and motioning for him to follow, looking around.

"I will do my best to answer," Neph says, smiling.

"Would you mind if I took my hair down? I hate having it piled on the top of my head like this," she asks, her voice less formal, "but you know, custom, custom, custom."

Neph chuckles softly, "Are you asking me as a person or as a culture?"

HLM giggles and blushes, "You as a person, seeing as we're one on one at the moment."

"I don't mind in the least, then," he watches as she smiles and takes a few strategically placed pins from her hair, letting it curl down around her shoulders.

He notices her hair is really mostly black, the only red in her hair framing her face.

"Do you mind if I tell you something?" he asks, watching her run her fingers through her hair, feeling a stirring deeper than lust within himself, his very soul.

"Not at all," she answers, sitting down gracefully, "would you like to sit?"

"Hai, domo arigato gozaimas," he answers, sitting across from her.

"What did you want to tell me?" she asks, taking in his beautiful, flowing hair, the deep blue eyes and the incredible body that is hinted at under his uniform by his powerfully graceful movements.

"M-chan, ah...may I call you that?"

At her nod, he continues, "M-chan, I find you very attractive. Pardon my directness, but do you feel the same towards me?"

She's silent for a moment, face thoughtful and surprised at the same time.

Just as Neph was beginning to think that telling her this was a mistake, she speaks up.

"Well...yes...I...do. Ah...are your people always so direct?" she asks curiously.

He chuckles, "Iie...no...most often not, I just felt I should let you know this. Don't get me wrong, that's not why I wanted to be your guardian and guide for your stay though."

She smiles warmly, her eyes seeming to literally sparkle, "Ah...I'm glad you don't make decisions on looks alone."

He laughs, "I may be considered a fool by some, but to judge on looks alone would be among the acts of a true fool, and that I don't do."

Her laughter seems to have a note of wind chimes to it, and he smiles genuinely at her.

"Now, I believe you had a few questions to ask me?"

"Oh, yes, that I do," she smiles again, "I momentarily forgot about them, but I remember now."

"Oh? Well, ask away," he says with a smile and a spreading of his hands.

"First off...I noticed that when I first arrived, you and a few of the others were having a telepathic conversation. Is it the custom for you to telepath back and forth when you have guests?"

She tilts her head with curiosity at Neph's dumbstruck expression.

Part I
Part III
Beginnings and Endings Index