It had been called many things, down through the years. It
was Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Remembrance day and a dozen other
names, more coming to it as the centuries went past. Eventually it
was simply called Memory, a day of contemplation, where those who
had lived on remembered those who had passed away.
And it was a day of parties.
Glasses or wine, whisky, synth-ale, scumble and many more
beverages were raised up in honor of all those long lost friends.
Clubs and restaurants across the city were packed as the Memory day
went on, and personal celebrations were held with families and
friends.
The great dining room of the Palace of Crystal Tokyo was
slowly filling as all the guests arrived, the ten Senshi warmly
greeting their old friends. The duelists arrived first, the siblings
Touga and Nanami Kiryuu, Miki Kaoru, Kyouichi Saionji, Arisugawa
Juri and finally Utena and Anthy Tenjou. Minagi and Sasami of Jurai,
Kinomoto Sakura, her bride Tomoyo and Kero, Priss, Urd, Linna,
Belldandy, Sylia, Mara and Skuld, Major Motoko Kusanagi there by
invitation of the Lady Venus, and a few other notables.
And among them was a blue haired girl who looked remarkably
pale as she looked in awe at the legends that surrounded her.
Catrine gulped nervously, making sure that her formal dress was
straight. 'I can't believe that my family was invited,' she
thought, 'I guess we really are descended from the queen's friend
Naru.'
"Good to see you, love," Setsuna paused to gently kiss
Arisugawa Juri on the cheek. Softly, "I was worried you were going
to spend the day at the Locket."
"I was tempted," Juri admitted as she slipped her arm around
Setsuna's waist, "But I didn't want to leave you alone."
On the far side of the hall the main doors opened up, and
four figures stepped inside. Neo- Queen Serenity was beautiful as
always, her long, almost white gold hair gleaming as her husband led
her white clad form inside. King Endymion looked handsome in his
black suit, his dark purple hair looking even darker because of it.
Walking in just behind them the Princess Usagi looked lovely
dressed in her own pure white gown, her long pink hair flowing down
her back in two tails. As always right beside her the princess-
consort stood, Hotaru, or Lady Saturn. Wearing a dark colored suit
she cut a striking figure with her dark hair and pale skin.
"Welcome, my friends," Neo-Queen Serenity's voice rang out
across the room. She smiled slightly, "In this room, for today, I am
merely Usagi Tsukino once again, in memory of those that have passed
on."
"Guess I'm stuck with Chibi-Usa again," the Princess stage
whispered to Hotaru, bringing a bit of levity to the situation.
"It's only a day," Hotaru kept her voice entirely deadpan,
but a smile teased at her lips "I'm sure you'll manage."
They rook their seats, everyone moving to a place. The
Senshi and Duelists were all broken up among their guests, though
couples were sitting together. The Queen raised up her glass in the
traditional first toast, "To absent friends."
"Absent friends," the voices rang back.
"Watch the hands," Priss muttered as Urd slid a hand up her
thigh.
"Oh, come on," Urd grinned at her lover, making her blush.
Catrine looked around the table nervously, then the teen's
eyes widened slightly as she saw a familiar face just up the table.
Erica Tenoh, her classmate, was sitting there, comfortably talking
away to the Guardian Beast Keroberos as if she did so every day.
"At least I'm not a little kid anymore," Erica commented as
she cut her dinner, putting a bit of meat into her mouth, "I seem to
remember thinking you were a stuffed toy when we first met."
Kero chuckled softly, the little Guardian Beast eating his
favorite foods: cookies and cake. "Hell of a grip too," he
remembered, "I'm glad Haruka finally pried you loose."
"Knowing her," Erica smirked, "she probably took her time
getting me off you."
"Probably," Kero agreed with a laugh. He paused, and dropped
his voice, "There's a lady watching you, couple of plates over."
Erica looked with the corner of her eye, then
paled. "Catrine," she said weakly. Softly she muttered, "I should
have checked the invitation lists..."
"Friend of yours?" Kero asked curiously.
"Classmate," Erica sighed, "she doesn't know that I'm
related to the Senshi." She smiled wryly, "Well, she used to not
know."
"Guess I can't blame you for trying to keep a low profile,"
Kero admitted. He looked over at her curiously, "What are you going
to do?"
"I don't know," Erica answered softly.
The queen rose from her chair, raising up her glass
again. "To the Tsukino family," she said softly, "I wish I had
valued you as much as you deserved back then."
Each person around the table rose, speaking a toast to one
now gone. Some were expected, like Lady Mars tribute to her
grandfather, others less so. Both Venus and Jupiter spoke of Natsuna
and Haruna, the sisters that had once held their hearts. Motoko
mentioned Yayoi, regret in her voice. Anthy mentioned Dios, not
Akio. All around the table they went, finishing up at the head of
the table once again. Once the meal was finished, they rose up to
circulate once again.
"Thank you for inviting me," Mokoto murmured to Lady Venus
softly. They were dating, gradually, but both were feeling awfully
tentative about it.
"You're welcome," Minako answered with a smile. She
hesitated, "You know who Natsuna was, of course, but I was
wondering..."
"Who Yayoi was?" Mokoto finished the question for her. She
smiled sadly, "A former partner of mine, one I wish I had treated
better."
Catrine navigated through the crowds, a girl with a
mission. "Erica," she snagged her classmate's arm, "I never expected
to see you here."
"I should have," Erica smiled wryly.
Catrine didn't catch the tone as she gushed, "Are you a
ancestor of one of the companions, or a relation to one of the
guests?"
Erica considered fibbing a moment, but decided against
it. "Neither," she finally answered, "I'm related to a Senshi."
Catrine's eyes widened, "Descended from a Senshi family..
incredible. Which one?"
Erica nodded to where Lady Neptune and Uranus were talking
with guests. "My parents are over there," she smiled.
Catrine looked at Lady Uranus, then at Erica, her eyes going
wide. "You... you're.. why didn't I see it before?" she asked
weakly. Before Erica could say anything, Catrine was gone, almost
shoving through the crowd to get away from her.
"Is something wrong?" Lady Neptune asked her daughter a few
moments later, using her most motherly tones.
Erica still looked in confusion towards where Catrine had
gone, "I don't know."
In another part of the city one of the oldest buildings
stood. Preserved through both war and peace, the converted warehouse
that housed Arisugawa's Locked had remained. Cyber Six smiled to
herself, standing guard as the leather clad woman cheerfully
welcomed people inside.
The blue haired woman made her way up to the door, her
almost metallic silver hair flowing back in two ponytails. The
military uniform that she wore was crisp, signifying her to be an
officer in the Queen's space navy. She gave Cyber Six a nod, "I was
surprised to see you out here tonight."
"Captain Ruri," Cyber Six gave her a grave nod, "I can
remember just as well out here, thanks. Some of my best memories are
out here under the stars."
"True," Ruri agreed before going on inside.
The bar itself was filled with people, both familiar faces
and a few new ones there too. The dance floor was packed, a woman
cheerfully doing kareoke to a song nearly a thousand years old. The
library had several readers in it, couches all occupied, and the bar
was lined with people.
Making her way to the bar Ruri smiled grimly, climbing up on
a stool beside a tall, beautiful brown haired woman. She waved to
the bartender, "Mahoro, can I get a beer?"
Mahoro whizzed by her, the dark haired former combat android
giving Ruri a little grin as she dropped the beer off, "Here you go!"
"Thanks," Ruri waved. She turned to the woman beside her,
gentling her tone, "Juri came by earlier, didn't she May?"
Cyberdoll May smiled slightly, giving her friend a nod. "She
gave a toast to all the Locket employees who weren't with us," she
said quietly. She took a drink of something that looked
potent, "Sometimes, I wish I could get drunk."
"I'll trade you one of my hangovers," Ruri smiled, "they
aren't fun."
May chuckled softly. She smiled a bit more
naturally, "Thanks, Ruri. You always seem to know how to cheer me
up."
"You're welcome," Ruri answered softly.
"You're a good friend," May finished.
Ruri sighed at that comment, but May didn't notice.
Cyber Six felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see who
had come up behind her. The redhead had a gentle smile on her face,
and an expression that was oddly cat-like. "Nuku Nuku?" she blinked
in surprise.
The android smiled slightly in return, "It's been a long
time." Nuku Nuku softly added, "I was wondering if you'd care to
come in for a dance? I'm tired of remembering alone."
Cyber Six opened her mouth to refuse, then hesitated. A
slight smile, "All right." The two walked inside together, talking
softly.
The Many Characters in this Episode: The Senshi are from Sailor
Moon. The Duelists are from Revolutionary Girl Utena. Minagi and
Sasami are from Tenchi Muyo. Sakura, Tomoyo and Kero are all from
Cardcaptor Sakura. Priss, Linna and Sylia are from Bubblegum Crisis
2040. Urd, Belldandy, Mara and Skuld are from Oh My Goddess. Major
Motoko Kusanagi is from Ghost in The Shell. Cyber Six is from the
series Cyber Six. Ruri is from Martian Successor Nadesico. Mahoro is
from Mahoromantic. Cyberdoll May is from Hand Maid May. And finally,
Nuku Nuku is from All Purpose Cultural Catgirl Nuku Nuku.
Stories that tie into this Episode: Arisugawa's Locket Bubblegum
Crisis: A Goddess Comes to Call. Ghost in the Shell: Once Burned
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