Sailor Moon Expanded : The Next Generation presents

Version 2.0
by Mark Latus

Part 8 : Sailor Power, Make Up!

4 Weeks Later ...

     It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ... well perhaps not
but there were quite a few people living in interesting times.
     Sylvite was still finding it unusual, if pleasant, to be able to enter 
school unopposed.  The unexpected consequence of her date with Alan had been
her challengers jumping to a very erroneous conclusion.  Convinced that Alan  
had defeated her in combat, thereby winning her love, the more martially
inclined of her suitors had rededicated themselves to redirecting that love by 
showing they were the better choice.  Namely by defeating Alan in single or 
group combat.  Their challenges had ranged from prearranged contests to 
sneak attacks.  The outcome had been the same in all cases but as Alan was 
always careful to use minimal force and inflict only temporarily disabling 
injuries they kept coming back.  Alan had been rather amused by this as the
gulf in skills meant that none of the contenders qualified as a serious
challenge.  He was also happy to learn Sylvite was grateful for the cessation 
of the early morning nuisance the fights had caused her.  Another step on the
path to winning her love.  Things were going his way slowly but surely, when 
she told him to bug off it no longer sounded as though she really meant it. 
From Alan's point of view life was good, even with idiots attempting to
ambush him on a daily basis.  Besides their numbers had begun declining.  
     There were reasons for the decreasing numbers of Alan's attackers.   
Several of the challengers had been forced to either give up the contest or
limited in their choice of battlegrounds.  While Alan had never considered
legal action against his challengers some of the more overzealous ones had 
been arrested during the aftermath by campus security.  An understandable 
consequence (though they always seemed surprised) of attacking him while he 
was on the university grounds.  Alan might be willing to ignore the matter 
but the CTU authorities had a different opinion.  They took a dim view of 
attempted assault on campus grounds against any of their students, no matter 
how futile.  Besides the disruptions were annoying.  The lucky ones got 
misdemeanour citations (temporary magics that would socially embarrass them 
should they set foot on campus before the parole period ended) and booted off 
university grounds.  The really unlucky ones (those who had caused the most 
ruckus) got to meet Sailor Mercury.  During these meetings she was invariably 
polite and always sounded as if she spoke more in sorrow than anger.  
Nevertheless they all emerged from these talks shaking in quiet terror.  
Absolutely convinced that the next time they caused trouble at her university 
she'd reduce their body temperature by 200 degrees.
     For her part Mara wouldn't have been surprised to see Luke joining the
challengers.  While there hadn't been anything as shocking as that first date
Sylvite seemed a lot more at ease around Alan.  Her requests for him to go
away had lost their old fire.  In fact Luke was developing something of an 
obsession when it came to Alan.  This had given Mara a new way to tweak her 
brother.  All she had to do was mention Alan's name and he'd start to seethe.  
However she suspected Luke wouldn't be taking on Alan anytime soon.  Not 
because of the very strong possibility of losing but more because of how 
things would appear to Sylvite.  He'd be simultaneously telling both her that 
he was in love with her and considered her a prize to be won.  While he 
couldn't articulate the former but wanted to let her know how he felt the 
second part was absolutely the last message he wanted to send.
     At least Luke had been able to content himself with getting to spend
more time with Sylvite of late.  With her friendship with Kodachi on the rocks
she'd been hanging around with him and his sisters more than usual.  
     The split between the two senshi wannabes was common knowledge, it would 
have been hard to miss the way they were acting.  Not that they were fighting 
or acting at all hostile to one another.  Instead they just quietly avoided 
noticing each other.  Of course everyone in school knew the reason why the 
longtime best friends had broken up.  It was over Alan.  Once Sylvite had 
fallen for her despised big brother naturally Kodachi had lost it.  At least 
that was the majority view, those who knew them better didn't buy it.  Mara 
considered it a blow to her reputation as the school's font of all wisdom that 
she'd been unable to learn what was really behind it.  Sylvite refused to 
talk about it to either her, Luke or Leia.  She'd have even less luck getting 
answers from Kodachi, these days they never saw her outside of class.
     Kodachi's abrupt absence from all after school activities had initially
caused some rumours.  Especially when it was learned her mother was the one 
who was behind it.  Kodachi had refused to discuss the matter and school 
authorities weren't about to stand in the way of a Sailor Senshi.  Speculation 
had grown until word came leaked from somewhere about Kodachi's adoption of
the Sailor V identity.  Suddenly it was all clear.  Of all her daughters
Kodachi was the one Sailor Venus had selected to assume her original costumed
role.  Naturally she was intensely training the girl to the exacting standards 
being the new Sailor V would require.
     Had this view been known in the Palace it would have caused a lot of 
hilarity among those had known Minako way back when.  Though not in front of 
her as Minako was a bit touchy these days.  The reason for this was known 
only to a select few but everyone who worked with her had noticed something 
was wrong.  Nobody knew what but the Protocol Office had quietly rescheduled a
few planned goodwill visits for fear of unintentionally provoking diplomatic 
incidents.
     Minako still presented her usual appearance of cheerful determination to    
the world but under closer scrutiny there was a definite brittle edge to it. 
While she acted blithely unconcerned around those who knew the whole story it 
was a different matter in private.  Of late when it was just two of them 
Minako had been crying on Calcite's shoulder over their daughter's stubbornness
(which was all his fault anyway), the lack of sympathy from her friends to
her efforts, and his damned acceptance of this whole mess.  Calcite would  
just hold her and let her get it out of her system.  He saw this as a good
sign, Minako's enthusiastic frenzy had peaked.  Having failed to achieve
immediate success she would soon adopt a more low key approach and wait for
Kodachi to see the light.  Secure in the knowledge that time would make their
daughter see the error of her ways.  Eventually if (as he rather expected) 
Kodachi's interests didn't change she would come to accept it.  A few years 
after that she wouldn't remember it ever being an issue unless reminded.    
Time healed and that was one thing they didn't lack.
     Much as she might dislike it Kodachi had settled into her new routine of
school followed by a boy watching/chasing excursion controlled by her mother.
It wasn't as if it had been totally unpleasant, she'd seen a lot more of the
world and gained several new wardrobes as her mother kept outfitting her for 
their varied trips.  Today was no exception and after school she found 
herself trying on clothes for tonight's excursion.  At least this time they
were staying in Japan so she didn't have to worry about time differences.
Nothing too fancy as it was an idol concert tonight, just upscale versions
of what the other kids would be wearing.  Having never heard anything by the
group Kodachi was wondering if they were any good.  She shrugged, she'd find
out soon enough.  Right now her main worry was assembling a good outfit.
     Noticing Kodachi's enthusiasm Minako congratulated herself on a brilliant 
change in strategy.  She'd overreacted by pushing Ko-chan towards the studly
type forgetting how she'd been as a teenager.  While she had always fallen 
for hunks she'd also been attracted to good looking androgynous guys.  That 
was the right way to do this, get Ko-chan hooked on the effeminate type and
work from there.  Tonight's group, "Bronze" fit the bill perfectly.  All
of them answered to that description, from the gossip sheets several, if not
all, were heterosexual and the majority of their fans were young and female.  
She was counting on Kodachi getting caught up in the enthusiasm of the girls 
around her.  This time it was going to work.  One possible way it could 
backfire had occurred to her so she had checked with Rei.  Who had rolled her
eyes and told her that there was no evidence of alien gender shifting senshi
anywhere on earth, let alone another three of them running singing careers.
     After a few reminiscences about the Three Lights, if their music had  
been any good with hindsight and if a thousand year long idol singing career
really qualified one as an expert Minako had arranged for tickets.  She wasn't 
going to think negative thoughts about this plan.  She even managed to ignore
Rei's jib about it being too bad if Kodachi fell for one of the other girl's
attending.  However that had reminded her there was some unfinished business
her daughter needed to take care of so she'd made a few calls.  Now as they
emerged from the store she decided it was time to tell Ko-chan what she'd
arranged.  Though on second thoughts they should get something to eat first.
     Kodachi was a little surprised when her mother picked up take-out chicken
and lead the way into a nearby park.  As it was a few hours until the show
she'd rather expected they'd snack at home while her mother spent the evening 
making her look beautiful.  Which, protest as she might, she actually found an
enjoyable contrast to her normal cute appearance.  Though it was a bit wasted
as she had no one to be beautiful for.
     Finishing her chicken wiped her hands then waved the nearest collector 
droid over.  It stuck around after she dumped her garbage, it must have been
able to tell Mom was almost finished.  Sure enough a few moments later she 
had ditched the bones and packaging then dismissed the droid.  It hummed off 
to dump its load and Minako began gathering up their purchases.  Getting
ready to follow Kodachi asked, "So where do we go from here?"
     "I am going home.  You'll join me there a bit later in plenty of time
to get changed and ready for the concert.  But first you have an appointment
right here to keep."
     "I do?"  Kodachi was more than a little mystified by this development.
Her mother nodded.
     "Sylvite's going to be here in ten minutes."
     "WHAT!"
     "Well, eleven minutes, fifteen seconds according to my watch but ..."
     "MOTHER!  What have you done this time?"
     Unruffled, Minako told her, "I called Azurite this morning and we agreed
it's past time you two sorted things out.  It's been a month and that's long 
enough.  There's no need to let this drag on any further."
     "But ..."
     "Ko-chan, just listen a moment."  Minako took a moment to calm herself
and began, "Kodachi ... while I don't like it I can't avoid the possibility
that you won't change.  If so I'll have to learn to accept that."  Kodachi  
blinked, uncertain if she'd really heard that.  "But you have to accept that 
Sylvite doesn't love you except as a friend.  That's all she can ever be to 
you and that'll have to be enough."
     Kodachi slumped back on the bench and stared at the ground.  She was
silent for a while before speaking very softly.  "I guess ... I guess I 
already knew that.  I just didn't want to face it."  She sighed and raised a
hand to her eyes, they were damp but there were no actual tears.  "It's not
fair."
     Minako gave a sad smile and hugged her daughter.  "It isn't, is it?  If 
you love someone then it's only right that they should love you.  But it 
doesn't always work like that.  Believe me, I know.  I went through plenty of 
one-sided love affairs in my time."
     They sat like that for a while then Minako released her and got to her 
feet.  Picking up the bags again she asked, "So are you going to stay here
and talk to her?"
     "I ... yeah.  I'll be here if she shows up."
     Minako nodded.  "Good."  After a moment she added, "Senshi have to able
to stand their ground when things get tough and face things most people would
run from.  You're definitely my daughter, you've got the right stuff to be a
senshi."
     "Thanks Mom ... Mom?"
     Minako paused on the verge of turning to go.  "What is it, Ko-chan."
     "Mom, I've said a few things to you lately that I didn't really mean ...
I still love you, it's just that you're kinda irritating me these days."
     Minako chuckled, "Funny, I was thinking the same thing.  I'll be going 
... and remember the show starts at nine."  Kodachi blinked.  "You didn't 
think you were getting off the hook that easily, did you?"
     "MOTHER!"  Minako smirked and walked off leaving Kodachi muttering
vague statements about how she should have known and expected this from her.
She was still doing it two minutes later when Sylvite materialized by the 
pond and spotted her.  After a brief hesitation she began to wander over. 
There wasn't a mirror handy but Kodachi would have bet she looked as ill at
ease as Sylvite.  She wasn't any more relaxed by the time her former friend   
joined her.
     For a while the two just stared at one another in an awkward silence
until Kodachi ventured, "So ... how have you been?"
     "Fine, fine ... you?"
     "Can't complain."
     "Ah."  The silence resumed as both tried to think of what to say without
causing trouble.  Until Kodachi bit her lip then threw up her hands, "Oh, this
is stupid.  We've known each other basically since we were born and we're 
standing here like two total strangers meeting for some sort of blind date ... 
oh crap!  I didn't mean this is like a date!  I meant uhm ..."  Kodachi
mentally berated herself, why did she say things without thinking them 
through?  She'd just blown it yet again.
     "It's okay, I know what you mean."  Kodachi realized Sylvite didn't look
offended, instead she had a faint smile.  "You're right, it's idiotic to act
like this and there's a lot I want to say."   She took a deep breath, 
hesitated then shook her head and began, "First of all I should apologise for
blowing up at you the way I did.  I really overreacted.   It's just ... 
there's so many guys who claim they just want to be friends when they really 
want is me.  So when you suddenly declared you were in love with me I sort 
of lost it."
     "I can ... sort of see why you were so worked up.  It's not like I ever
hinted how I felt ... heck, I only just figured it out myself.  Sort of a lot
to dump on you at once."
     "Yeah ... Yeah, it was."  A pause.  "When did ... no, that doesn't 
matter."  Sylvite hesitated as she tried to pick the right words.  "Kodi ...
we were friends for years and I miss you but ... but that's as much as far
as it goes.  I'm sorry but what you want I can't ... I mean ..."
     "I know ... I don't like it but I understand.  It still hurts ... but 
broken hearts heal, I guess.  Or so everyone says."
     "I've heard that ... I guess it's true.  Your dad and my parents were in
this love triangle and everything worked out all right in the end."
     "You're kidding?!"  For the first time since they'd met Kodachi 
brightened up.
     "I swear, Mom told me and Dad confirmed it."
     "Wow!  I've gotta ask Dad about that ... preferably when Mom's nearby.
Could get interesting!"  They both giggled with an easy familiarity which
trailed off as they looked at one other.  Softly Kodachi added, "I've missed
you too." 
     Before things could degenerate into another awkward silence Sylvite spoke
up.  "Look Kodi I know things can't really go back to the way they were, it'll 
always be a bit different but ... would you settle for being my friend?"
     Kodachi nodded almost immediately.  "I'd like that ..."  She grinned,   
"Besides if we team up again we were can tell Aunt Ti we're ready to resume 
training.  Not only was that a lot of fun, it'll give me a great excuse to get 
out of some of Mom's crackpot excursions!" 
     "Huh?"
     "Long story.  I'll give you the lowdown in exchange for that story about
Dad and your Mom."
     "Deal!"
     "Alright.  So Sailor V and Sailor Arcturus are back in town!"
     "That reminds me, Mom redesigned my costume.  No more heels so I won't
fall over so much."
     "That'll be a change." 
     "Excuse me Ms. Barber."
     "Hey, who helped me do it?  Besides accidents happen!"  
     Sylvite giggled.  "Tell Aunt Ti that."
     "I'd rather just tell her we're ready to pick up where we were left off.  So 
what do you say, partner?"
     Without hesitation Sylvite took Kodachi's hand and the two girls 
solemnly shook hands.  That lasted until the handshake ended and Kodachi   
grinned at Sylvite.  "Congratulations, you didn't flinch."
     Sylvite grinned back, "I'm a youma, we're tough."
     "I can believe it, I've seen what dad eats.  If it doesn't scream you
guys won't swallow it."  
     They both laughed and felt the last of the tension fade.  Still Sylvite 
hesitated a moment before asking, "If I'm prying just tell me it's none of my
business but the way your Mom's been acting I've been wondering what's going
on and ... well, how are your parents dealing with ... everything?"
     "Dad's no problem, he explained a few things about the Dark Kingdom that
rather surprised me.  I guess having two of the five immortals who ruled for
centuries gay forced the youma to develop a culture of tolerance.  Well that 
and the fact everyone looked different so they had to get used to variation.  
According to Dad physical and sexual differences were irrelevant, what they 
hated and punished was mental variation."  Sylvite nodded.
     "Mom said something similar.  So Uncle Cal is cool with it, that's good.  
But how about ...?"
     Kodachi sighed.  "Mom is ... she thinks I'm going through a phase and 
she's doing her best to break me out of it."  She shuddered.  "I swear if she
drags me off to one more beach or bodybuilding contest I'm gonna lose it ..."
     "Ah ... uh, couldn't Uncle Cal do something?"  Kodachi shook her head.
     "According to Dad when Mom goes into one of these manic phases she's
unstoppable.  All you can do is batten down the hatches and ride out the 
storm until it uses up all its energy."  
     "Really?"
     "Well I get the feeling Dad might be able to stop her but it would cause
a rift between them so he'd rather not.  He's promised me I'm past the worst 
of it and that if I just hold on a little longer Mom will give up trying to 
force me to like boys and settle down to wait for me to grow out of liking 
girls.  Eventually she'll come to accept the way I am."
     Sylvite frowned, "I'm a bit surprised to find her so ... close minded."
     Kodachi pondered this a moment before shaking her head.  "She isn't ...
not exactly.  See if I was anyone else's kid there wouldn't be a problem.
But I'm an Aino and she's got definite idea of what behaviour she expects from 
her daughters.  I guess after a thousand years and twenty-three daughters 
that's sorta inevitable.  It's not exactly like she's rejecting me, more like 
she's ... kinda disappointed."
     "Sorry."
     Kodachi shrugged, "Immortals tend to get set in their ways."  Then she
seemed to brighten up, "Besides like she tells everyone she's the Senshi of
Love.  She'll come around sooner or later.  I'm sure of it, more than ever."
     "I hope so for your sake."
     "That makes two of us."
     After that talk turned to older parental weirdness as Sylvite recounted
the tale of the triangle that had ensnared her mother and their fathers.
From there they switched to discussing more minor matters as each caught the
other up on the local gossip about them.  Nothing profound but it restored a 
sense of equilibrium.  Things had changed between them but they remained 
friends and there were no more secrets to cause problems between them.  
Sylvite could see traces of pain in Kodachi's eyes but it wasn't threatening 
to overwhelm her.  At length Kodachi glanced at her watch and realized if she 
didn't get home her mother would come looking for her.  Not wanting to inflict 
that on Sylvite she explained she had to leave.  She turned down Sylvite's 
offer of transport and the other girl nodded.
     "Okay, think I'll stay a while."  She gestured upward, "Do a little star
gazing and think over a few things."  Kodachi smiled.
     "You think too much.  Keep it up and you'll wind up brooding all the 
time."  Sylvite shrugged. 
     "Maybe.  But you're the exact opposite.  You charge into situations 
without any clear idea what you'll do once you get there.  Sure you can just
wing it."  Kodachi grinned and nodded.  Thoughtfully Sylvite added, "Maybe 
you're a lot more like your mother than either of you realize."  For a moment
Kodachi just stared at her then burst out laughing.  The laughter ended and
she asked, "See you tomorrow?"
     "You got it, partner."  Feeling a lot less broken hearted than she had 
expected Kodachi headed for home.  A short distance away she turned back and
saw Sylvite sprawled on a bench staring up at the sky.  She hesitated and 
thought about going back but shook off the idea.  While it looked like Sylvite
needed someone to talk to she didn't fit the bill.  It wasn't her Sylvite 
needed right now.  She knew what she had to do and resolved to look for a
phone.
     Sylvite studied the stars and murmured, "The stars know everything, all 
answers can be found among them ... who said that anyway?"  Whoever it had 
been she wasn't seeing any.  She sighed and closed her eyes, her thoughts 
whirling.  She wondered about Kodi and how things would work out for her.  She
also wondered about herself.  One thing she had learned from this was she 
wasn't interested in girls.  Of course since she didn't like boys either that 
kind of limited the possibilities.  Which lead her to thinking about Alan,  
the man everyone at school was convinced was her a boyfriend.  She sighed,
trying to remember how that thing about weaving tangled webs of deceit went.
Then chuckled, it seemed just thinking about Alan brought on attacks of
quotation.
      Sylvite lost track of time as she stared into the night sky.  She wasn't 
sure how long it was before she heard footsteps approaching.  Despite the 
darkness and being alone in the park it didn't occur to her to be worried.  
Even without her powers this was Crystal Tokyo.  Without looking she called, 
"I'm really not in the mood for any nonsense, Alan."
     "Uh ... sorry if I'm bothering you but ..."  Her eye's snapped open, the
voice was very familiar but not Alan's.
     "Luke?  what are you doing here?"
     The only boy she considered a buddy looked a little uneasy.  "Well, 
Kodachi called my place and said she thought you might need to talk to 
someone."  Sylvite blinked.
     "You came here all the way from your place?  Did you get one your older
sisters to teleport you."
     "Uh, actually I was already in town.  I was over at the library doing a
special school project with Mara."  Sylvite felt a new worry.
     "I never heard about any special projects!  When's it due?"
     "Relax, it's just me and Mara."  He sighed, "See we were got into another 
fight at school so the teacher decided to make us work together to promote
cooperation."  He hoped she wouldn't ask what caused it and got his wish.
     "Oh ... is it working?"
     "Not noticeably.  Anyway Leia was home so she figured one of us was 
best placed to talk to you.  So she paged us and I took the call.  I figured 
if you needed someone to talk to you'd be better talking to me than my ill
tempered, mercenary and uncontrollably violent brat of a sister."  Sylvite was 
about to protest the characterization when she noticed Luke was signing for 
silence and listening intently.  All she heard was the wind.  Luke looked 
relieved and answered her unasked question.
     "Sorry, but I was afraid Mara might have followed me when I sneaked away
from the library so I thought I'd try and flush her out."
     Sylvite frowned, "That sounds kind of paranoid."
     "Believe me around Mara you can't get too paranoid.  But it looks all 
clear."
     Some distance away Mara seethed silently and mentally muttered, "Don't 
blow it!  Don't blow it!", over and over again.  Trying to keep her temper
under control she started setting up her camera next to the long range mike.
     Meanwhile Sylvite straightened up a bit and gestured for Luke to join 
her on the bench.  He sat down a little awkwardly and asked, "So what exactly
is going on?  Kodachi didn't tell Leia but we've all noticed you two haven't 
been hanging around the way you used to.  Actually you've been actively 
avoiding each other far as we were can tell."
     "You're right."
     "So what happened?  Was there some argument and you need a go-between to 
straighten things out?"
     Sylvite sighed.  "It's a long story.  Do you have a while?"
     "Sure, I was nearly done that project anyway.  Besides what are friends
for?"
     "Okay you asked for it."  With that Sylvite began recounting the story
to Luke and (though neither knew it) to Mara.  It took some time and there was
a break in the middle to get some soda from a nearby vending machine.  At last
she finished and looked to Luke for his reaction.
     "Wow."  After a pause he added, "I don't know how I'd handle it if some
boy suddenly declared himself in love with me.  But it's okay now?"
     "Well it won't be quite the same as it was before but I think we've
patched things up.  Though I guess I won't feel totally at ease until I'm sure
she's really over her crush on me."
     "How'll you know that?"
     "I guess when she finds a girlfriend.  Though that won't happen any time 
soon."
     "Why ever not?"
     "Because while Kodi's kind of exasperated with her mother she knows 
Aunt Mina's having a tough enough time as it is dealing with this without 
making her blow a gasket.  So publicly for the next little while I'll bet Kodi 
keeps her interests ... what's that phrase?"  
     "In the closet?"
     "Right."  Sylvite turned introspective briefly then sighed and said,   
"This whole thing got me thinking.  I'm at the age when everyone expects me
to look for someone and it'll only get worse as I get older.  I can say
without fear of contradiction I'm now sure I've not interested in girls that 
way.  But all the boys who come after me are these stupid macho jerks who 
think they can win me through combat.  Or weasels looking to take advantage of 
me.  It's depressing.  I keep thinking despite all my old protests that it'd 
never happen I might wind up Alan's girlfriend.  Everyone thinks I already am, 
I've gotten used to him, and it'll take the pressure off.  Besides I do kind
of like him.  Of course he still feels more like a big brother or something
but I guess I can learn to live with that."
     "You're not serious!"
     "Not in the immediate future but if things stay as they are then what's
the alternative?"  She didn't notice Luke pale as she was staring at the sky 
while brooding on the unfairness of it all.  Then chiding herself for 
forgetting about Luke she asked, "What about you?  I haven't heard about you  
having a girlfriend."
     "I don't."  For some reason she felt a little relieved.  Still she asked,
"Well is there some girl you like?"
     There was a length pause.  At last Luke said simply, "Yes."
     Sylvite felt a pang and wondered who it was.  She guessed from the answer
that Luke's shyness would keep him from identifying her but maybe she could
figure it out.
     "So what's she like."
     Luke swallowed and began, "Well she's clever and cheerful, kind, looks
out for her friends, fun to be around ..."
     Sylvite cut in, "Is she pretty?"
     "Yes ... beautiful really ... at least I think so."
     Sylvite still didn't know who it was but whoever it was she disliked her
for some reason.  "So what about her bad points?"  Luke looked very hesitant
to answer.  "Come on, everyone's got some or is she some sort of paragon?"
     Very reluctantly Luke said, "Well ... she can be kind of stubborn about
things, once she's made a decision it takes a lot to make her change her 
mind."  Sylvite nodded.
     "Good, what else?"
     "Well she can make these sweeping generalisations about how everyone's
like this or that."
     "I hate people who do that.  Anything else?"
     "That's about it really."  
     Sylvite felt disappointed, she had hoped for something much worse. 
Feeling an odd disquiet she asked, "So what does she think about you?"
     "I ... I don't she's ever thought of me as boyfriend material."
     "Oh.  Uhm, but you don't know?"
     "I ... I haven't told her yet."  Sylvite felt confused.  She should tell
Luke to go talk to this girl but she felt oddly reluctant to do so.  It must 
be the thought that they'd have less time to hang around once he had a 
girlfriend.  So instead she asked, "Why not?"
     "I ... uhm ... I ... that is ... uhh ..."
     "You're not ready yet or you don't think she's ready to hear it?"
     "Both."  Luke looked glad to have a way out and Sylvite decided to let
the subject drop.
     "Well I guess Mara must be wondering where you got to by now."  Luke 
blinked and checked his watch.  
     "Oh no, the library's just closed!"
     Sylvite felt a wave of guilt, "Oh geez and I'm sorta responsible for
dragging you out here."
     "That's okay.  I copied my half of the research while I was doing it so 
Mara can't accidentally lose it all.  We'll just pull an all nighter at home to 
put everything together."
     "I still feel sort of responsible.  Want me to teleport you home?" 
     Luke shook his head.  "It'll take Mara a while to get back by transit
so there's no hurry.  Meanwhile it's a nice night and I'm feeling a little 
hungry.  Want to join me for a burger?"
     "Love to."  Luke got up and extended a hand to Sylvite.  She took and 
rose from the bench.  For a moment they stood there holding hands then both  
blushed and released their grip.  Looking a little embarrassed though (far as
they knew) no one watched them they headed down the path side by side but 
taking care to keep a little distance between them.
     In the bushes Mara shook her head and muttered, "Gutless wimp!  He had a
perfect opportunity to tell her he loved her and her blew it!"
     Mara nearly jumped out of her skin when a quiet voice behind her 
commented, "His judgement may be better than you think."  She whirled around 
trying to remember the correct defensive posture.
     "Who's there!  Oh, it's you, I might of known."
     Alan gave her a slight bow, "Indeed it is and I see you yet have much to
learn from my elder brother."
     Irritated Mara demanded, "What are you doing here?"
     "I was curious who would spy upon my beloved and your brother."
     "Hah!  You're one to talk!"
     Alan raised an eyebrow.  "I merely chanced to be in the neighbourhood."
     "Yeah, right.  Funny how you always happen to be around when Sylvite's
in the vicinity."
     "Think what you like, it does not diminish me in the slightest."
     Her anger cooling Mara asked, "So what did you mean about Luke maybe 
having good judgement?"
     "Simply that after that unfortunate affair with my sister the last thing
fair Sylvite needs is another old friend declaring his love.  The timing would
have been most unfortunate."  More thoughtfully he added, "I was unaware of 
your brother's feelings until you mentioned them but that does explain the 
mystery of the dartboard."  Mara waited for him to explain that but Alan
seemed to have said his piece.  She decided to try needling him.
     "Looks like you didn't cut the competition down as much as you hoped."
     Alan sniffed dismissively, "If your brother cannot voice his feelings 
then he is no obstacle to the course of true love.  Besides he is naught but
a friend to Sylvite and t'would seem he will never dare tell her otherwise.  
As for my sister she was never a serious contender for Sylvite's hand."
     Mara frowned, "Then why expose ...?"
     "Because secrets like that can fester and poison a friendship.  The 
longer it went on the more difficult to reconcile and it would hurt Sylvite 
greatly to lose her best friend over such a foolish passion.  Now my sister
is free from her obsession and can find a more suitable love while Sylvite
is spared needless hurt by the matter being nipped in the bud.  At this stage
it was simple to salvage their friendship so the split endured a mere handful
of weeks.  Which was as good a resolution as one could hope to achieve."
     Mara frowned.  "That almost sounds noble.  It also almost sounds like
you care about Kodachi's welfare."
     "Interpret it however you like.  For now I will bid you a good night."
With that Alan stepped backwards and vanished into the shadow.  Mara tried
but failed to spot him.  Yes, she definitely had a lot left to learn from 
Dasiuke.  In the meantime she should dismantle her equipment, head home and 
act outraged that Luke had ducked out on her when he showed up.  
     As she packed her surveillance equipment away she reflected that this had
been a most worthwhile excursion.  She had a recording of Sylvite telling
Kodachi's big secret that would be useful blackmail if Kodachi wanted to keep
it under wraps a while longer.  She grinned as she thought that she could also
just show it to her older sister Artoo and see what kind of trouble that 
caused.  Money or trouble, which would she rather raise?  She'd definitely 
have to think about it.
     But that could wait until tomorrow, there was no hurry.  Knowing everyone 
the way she did she would bet things would stay stable for the next little
while.  So there was no rush to do anything.  In her opinion that was why so 
many people screwed up.  Too much haste, not enough thought.  It was a mistake    
to use information unwisely.  Information was power, it told you where to 
find people's strings and how to pull them.  Not that she manipulated people
as much as those who knew her assumed but she preferred to be able to just in
case.  It gave one a definite advantage in life and with advantage came
attitude.  You had to guard your attitude, in Crystal Tokyo rough edges got
ground off if you didn't watch yourself.  Look at Margrave, centuries of
self indulgence and she develops a heart of gold.  If it could happen to her 
it could happen to anyone.  A scary thought.
     Mara knew she was exaggerating but that was just her style.  In her 
opinion Crystal Tokyo needed a few more cynics just to keep things balanced.
She loved the city and would hate to see anything happen to it.  With that
her thoughts turned to more mundane matters and she began the trudge to catch
a ride home.
     She wondered if Alan was right and Luke would never be able to tell 
Sylvite how he felt.  She grinned, just like her brother to fall for the only
girl in town who couldn't figure it out for herself.  Maybe she could try
playing matchmaker, that might be fun.  It was something to consider, but for 
now she'd just watch and wait.  One thing she was absolutely certain of was  
that even in an city of immortals life was never in stasis.  Things were 
always changing.  Which was what made it so interesting.
     Humming a tune from an ancient musical her mother had helped revive Mara 
continued on her way.  There was an even older Chinese curse which translated
simply as, "May you live in interesting times".  Recent events certainly
qualified but Mara had never been able to understand why that qualified as a 
curse.  After all, who would really want to live in dull times?  She'd take 
all the excitement she could get.  That was what made life worth living.

End

Afterword
    Stories can change quite a bit between the original conception and the
written version.  For example I originally came up with the concept for 
"Version 2.0" back in July of 1996.  This was shortly after Andy Combs had  
proposed combining his "Rabbit Test" and my "Refugees" into a single universe.
It didn't have an official name back then.  It wasn't until later, after
Frank Barr, Doug Helm and Sam Ashley joined that Andy would coin the title, 
Sailor Moon Expanded.  Anyway with a defined future ahead I started trying to 
come up with stories set in Crystal Tokyo and came up with two ideas.  The 
first, "The Babe Wore Blue" would eventually be written more or less as I had 
conceived it.  However as for "Version 2.0" here's the original proposal:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Version 2.0"
Main characters - Ti/Polaris, Princess Usagi/Sailor Moon, Sylvite(born at end 
of "Descendants", daughter of Azurite and Pyrite)/Sailor Arcturus.
Synopsis:
14-15 years after "Descendants" Princess Usagi is bored, there's no 
evil to fight in CT.  So with her sidekick Sailor Arcturus (mark II) 
she steals a time machine and heads back to the 20th century.  Problem 
one, Titanite is caught in the vortex.  Problem two, they've gone 
sideways in time and arrived in the DiC universe.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     In short the idea was they'd wind up running around the English dubbed 
SM universe worrying about changing history and afraid it had already happened
as everyone in the 20th century had different names.  Also since at the time
I wrote that it didn't look likely DiC would complete the R series I could   
give my own weird spin on a wrap up.
     For a number of reasons it wouldn't work and I largely abandoned it.  But  
somewhere in there was the seed of an idea, Sylvite the second Sailor 
Arcturus.  I wondered if the Senshi had kids who grew up wanting to emulate 
their mothers and things grew from there.  Originally it was going to be a
short, light piece about a pair of powerful though inept senshi wannabes
climaxing in the malleting scene in part three.  But I couldn't leave well 
enough alone and kept adding stuff.  Including Becky Malsin's triplets, Luke, 
Leia and Mara who helped flesh things out.  Speaking of Becky you'll see more
of the Version 2.0 cast in her "Things Always Come In Threes" which picks 
up on events in Crystal Tokyo a few months later.  There may also be a 
sidestory by Berk Watkins covering Sylvite and Kodachi's training after Ti
decides to have Chrysolite give her a hand.  As for me it's time to get on 
with other projects so it'll be awhile before I come back to the Crystal Tokyo 
Bratpack.  Sooner or later I'm bound to but emphasis is on the later.  Thanks 
to everyone on the SME list and Austin Loomis for feedback and filling in the 
blanks but it's time to say, "That's All Folks!"

Mark



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