2Ephemeral Melancholia
Hey Everyone! It's been a long time! I've had this fic waiting to be finished for a long time. About two years! But I finally got it finished! It was inspired by a dream I had very late at night which I just knew I had to write! Also I included a few references to some of my favourite writers and fics in the fandom (some of whom may remember me raving to them about the original dream way back when) so if you see yourself here? I hope you don't mind! Here's hoping you enjoy!
Nephrite sighed quietly yet hopefully as he sank into the sheets. Another day in the real world with oh so many real problems. Yet just for a small while Nephrite knew it could be escaped. It was time to escape to the land of dreams. To the realm of what-ifs. To Nephrite's beautiful Princess. His shining hope. The Emerald beauty who his mind conjured. Who never left his dreams.
When Nephrite regained his focus he was there. Standing still at the back of the enormous ballroom which was covered in flowers the shade of spun gold and purest jade along with chandeliers that shone with captured lightning. His outfit seemed to be that of a great military general, with many decorations for honour and valour in the field of battle and his skill with a blade. He even felt the weight of the sheath at his side. A ceremonial version of his blade for this gathering? Nephrite knew on instinct alone this wasn't his true weapon.
He looked around the room as unobtrusively as possible to see if he could spot her. He had no interest in the pointless prattle of the politicians around him, be they Jovian, Terran or Lunarian. Nor the secret glances or not so well hidden longing in the eyes of the women and girls he tried his hardest to ignore. He had one objective. Only one set of eyes he had come here to catch. There she was, dancing gracefully but with little enthusiasm with an older gentleman who seemed relieved the song was almost over. With a formal bow the old fool made his exit and disappeared from sight. Nephrite smiled as he approached her. Princess Jupiter…his Jupiter. Giving her a playful bow he leaned down and kissed her hand and looked up at her. Her eyes were hidden once again in shadow. As they were every night.
"I hope you don't object to my presence my lady? It's been too long since I was on Io. Least of all for a ball. And yet the trip was more than worth it just to see you. May I have this dance?" Nephrite asked with a shining smile. His eyes sparkled like the ocean late at night as he returned to her side and guided the young royal beauty away from the centre of the ballroom. Just this once her dance would be private or as much as possible when she was the lady of honour.
"Lord Nephrite..you return to our world." Jupiter spoke formally using all her training to school her voice to the level worthy of a 'true queen' speaking of a trusted colleague. "This dance is yours. Royal or not I would be most rude to not accept a dance from the Lord of the Americas." She then leaned in gently to his ear and spoke truly as they began a dance to a tune as old as time. "Welcome home Neph. I've missed you greatly."
"And I you my dear Rosewing. You shine this evening. Brighter than the Queen of the Lunarians herself." Nephrite…Neph…spoke with reverence and adoration as he led the dance. Their rhythm was all their own as they both lost all trace of those around them.
Jupiter let out a soft chuckle, blushing somewhat furiously. "I didn't take a member of the Terran Shittenou to be a teller of lies or an embellisher of the truth." She then followed into a spiral of a twirl, her focus solely on his eyes and his embrace. Could it be eternal? She didn't want it to end. "I'm glad I wore those rose earrings you gave me at that ice festival on Mercury. I've had to field more than a few curious questions about where they came from you know." She teased with a pure smile.
Nephrite shook his head slowly but with firmness his expression true and honest. "I tell no lies. Not to you. You are a goddess to me. An angel could come down from the heavens themselves to tempt me and she would be but a poor imitation of your light Jupiter. I love you truly and madly and I always will." He leaned in slowly and secretly captured her lips, melting into the kiss as he held her to him. Eventually he pulled away with a soft smile. "Do I reassure you my Rosewing?" He then caressed the earrings slowly. "I hope you have an excuse prepared?" He teased back smiling as the dance began to end. Even though he couldn't see her eyes, he understood her happiness.
Nephrite felt the area around them disappear and fall into light. Unending light. The last thing to disappear was Jupiter's earrings. When the dream reformed? They were together on a hill, somewhere small and private, having escaped from the MOST DULL meeting. Something to do with taxation on imports between the various areas of Terra's many kingdoms and Jupiter and Venus. Nephrite genuinely didn't care. As far as he could tell Lord Kunzite and Princess Venus were still present. Although judging from that look in her eyes when the couple left, neither would be there for long.
"You truly weren't underestimating the beauty of the royal gardens my dear Juno. Do my eyes deceive me or are those Golden Beauty roses? Terran roses?" He asked with a cheeky smile as they ate together, indulging in their moment together and in Juno's excellent cooking while they had time.
Jupiter…or Juno as she was now in this moment of privacy and time of joy with her Neph laughed gently, holding onto him, looking up at the handsome knight as they felt their love around them her eyes still hidden by the dream. "Just maybe handsome. I wonder what charmer or should I say devil made me think of Terra more lately?"
"I wonder who? He must be a lucky man indeed to have caught the attention and heart of the Princess of Jupiter herself." Nephrite smiled as he looked down at the warrior maiden. Although she may have not look it now, his Juno was famed throughout the Silver Millennium as one of the legendary Sailor Senshi, the great defenders of the Lunar Princess and the Silver Millennium as a whole. Just as he was known as a member of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Golden Kingdom, protectors of the Terran royals, most specifically Prince Endymion. However in this moment? They had no pretensions. No duties. They were simply together as lovers should be.
Nephrite looked fully relaxed for once, his professional attire and demeanour replaced with a casual outfit that looked like it had been tailored with how it fit him. Crisp white hidden by forest green and military blue. However that was as nothing compared to Juno who wore a dress of emerald green with a shine to it worthy of the stars.
"He certainly is. Now stop talking and start eating!" Juno scolded gently. "We should finish this while we have the chance don't you think?"
Nephrite laughed heartily before returning to his meal with a nod. She was right of course. She usually was about things like this. Cooking and timing was her element whenever she was allowed to do things by herself. The royal servants, maids and butlers usually had a fit whenever she tried but the head butler Asanuma often let her work on her own projects when no one was paying attention.
Once the meal was finished, she took Neph's hand and pulled him up with a smile. "Quick Neph! Let's sneak deeper into the royal gardens. There's something I'd like to show you!" She enthused as she turned into a whirlwind. Nephrite smiled as he let himself be pulled along in her wake. When she was like this he never could deny her. As they snuck in, Nephrite was stunned. The flowers were endless! Mercurial Ice Cosmos, Venusian Heart Star Lilies, Martian Supernova Dahlias and Jovian Cherrywood Blossoms. "Wow…they look…like a paradise. A parade of colour." He reached out and tenderly took one of the Cherrywood Blossoms. "The fragrance really suits you. It's no wonder you love coming here my Rosewing."
Juno had a broad smile as she kissed him gently. "I'm glad the gardens impress you so Neph my dear. But the biggest surprise is further in. Come join me…" She tempted with a playful sensual tone as she rushed on ahead. Nephrite refocused long enough to persuade his body to move and followed behind his sweet goddess. "Who are you Jupiter? Ôstara herself given form amongst the stars?"
Not hearing Nephrite Juno continued to practically dance ahead with pirouettes only to freeze and put on her serious Senshi voice. "Oh look! I've found a wild Princess…and a certain princeling. Shouldn't you be studying with Mercury Lady Serenity?" She asked, her expression serious.
Nephrite approached behind her with a glare. "And you Prince Endymion should be in the midst of battle training with Jadeite. Should you not?"
Princess Serenity looked terrified. Was she about to be sent away? Not to mention they almost certainly saw those...love marks? Hickeys aren't they called? She looked up to Jupiter. "I was allowed to sneak out because Lady Mercury had…an 'appointment' so to speak with Lord Zoisite. A scientific debate I believe." She spoke in riddles they all knew the answers to. Endymion then eyed Nephrite with a formally trained nonchalance. "Last time I saw Lord Jadeite he was engaged in a heated discussion on strategy with Lady Mars."
Having the silence stretch as long as he dared Nephrite whispered to Endymion as his face went from disapproval to devilish. "We won't tell the others if you don't. Run home my Lord while you still can." Nephrite then wrapped around Jupiter who in turn smirked to Serenity. "And try not to let Venus catch you this time Princess."
Once the Prince and Princess had successfully made their exits (thankfully without leaving any obvious traces of their presences), the lovers continued a journey further deeper into the royal gardens. They held onto each other tightly, embraced and engaged in the kiss of true love. As they eventually reached deep enough there was one tree. One impossibly tall. One which shone with light and endless bushes but only rarely with flowers. It was blessed by the Moon, by the Lunarians, but it's light and blossom was a sign of far more. It was the Star Tree…the joy of the planet Jupiter. Juno took Nephrite under the protection of its branches with a tender smile. "This is our most well kept secret. The Star Tree has been here for thousands of years. It belongs to Jupiter just as the Pool Of Truth is the province of the Venusians and the Temple of Judgement is part of Mars."
Slowly and somewhat uncertainly, Juno gestured to the branch above their heads. "Look Nephrite. Do you see the colour? The rainbow of starlight in the flower?" She asked hopefully, her usual happiness and confidence when she was with him removed and replaced by fully exposed vulnerability. "That is very special. Very rare indeed." Incredibly delicately she reached up and took one particularly bright flower down to eye level. "Legends say the Star Tree only flowers when Jovian royals meet their soulmate. The flower never dies. It even regrows on the tree itself so you can pick it if you wish. Mine or should I say ours flowered when I met you. You know I love you…but I wanted a way to show you how much." Slowly she handed him the flower with a smile as she kissed him once again but much more delicately. "Take it Nephrite. My love. My Prince. And come back to me. To your Princess."
Nephrite could hardly believe her words. Of course he loved her. He knew he did. He would stand by her for eternity and yet the words felt like they carried even more meaning than he knew. "Don't worry my Rosewing. I shall return to my beloved. How can I not? I make you a pledge here and now: I, Nephrite of the Shittenou and Lord of your heart, shall return to you for as long as our spirits both shine bright. I cannot deny my sweet Juno…and I never shall."
As soon as Nephrite said this and took ahold of the flower of the Star Tree there was a brilliant flash. As the light died down to normal levels it became clear the scene was ending. Juno was evaporating into the unending white. As colour returned to the world, Nephrite could see he was somewhere new. Somewhere very special indeed. He had reappeared in the main celebration hall of the ancient Jovians. How was he here? Even someone of his station was almost never permitted somewhere as culturally significant as this place.
Nephrite looked around in shock, noticing he was once again in some form of full ceremonial attire, full of bright colours and with a centrepiece…showing the emblem of the Golden Kingdom and the Shittenou, surrounded by Jovian lightning heraldry. "You really need to relax Nephrite. Or else my mother will think you are up to something!" Jupiter – for at this moment she was fully Princess Juno the XVth of the Jupiter line in all the finery of a goddess and future queen – laughed secretly as they saw her mother entertaining the crowds down below them.
Jupiter then smiled softly as she turned to face Nephrite fully. "You've never been here before for the Jovian Sky Crash festivities have you? Last year you were busy at a conference with the Terran royals I believe. Oh well it just means I get to have you at my side this year by 'special dispensation' I believe was how it was phrased. Being a Princess has its perks." She winked jokingly as she had her fun before taking his hand.
"Only you would be so bold my lady. Well…you and your charge…summoning Prince Endymion to her side to see a lunar eclipse from their side I believe." Nephrite smiled tenderly as he caught her eyes with a grin. "Tell me all you can. Give me the history of the Sky Crash."
Jupiter relaxed as she tapped into her lessons, her voice becoming grand and formal like a grand orator of old. "Where we stand above in this royal box has been part of the Jovian royal estates for thousands of years. Since before Jupiter was formally part of the Moon Kingdom or Silver Millennium. It originally belonged to the very first Queen Jupiter as a personal palace but these days it serves a much different purpose as a hall of great joy and celebration. Every day for an entire year we gather all the thunder and lightning that comes from the sky that isn't used for our homes and store it in these devices under us now. These devices we know as Astrape Vaults are all over this hall. The thunder can jump from container to container when it is allowed to and creates these beautiful light shows. Then after a certain amount of time bouncing from place to place, the thunder escapes and is allowed to jet back into the sky. It goes on for hours. Pretty much all night on the evening of the ceremony." Jupiter seemed to flush under the stardust, her body language becoming temporarily unsure. Like a maiden at her first ball. "I suppose you don't find them that impressive. It's probably just reverse fireworks."
Nephrite had been enthralled in the history lesson. One day Jupiter, Juno…whatever you called her..would be a good mother. She made it sound like a fairy tale. A fascinating fairy tale that inspired those around her. He smiled and reached in, taking her hand. "These Astrape Vaults? They are miracles. You are a miracle. I'm honoured to be here. To witness such an important festival at the side of my Rosewing. I couldn't be anywhere else. Not tonight." He told her honestly and reassuringly hoping the Jovian Queen and Dowager weren't quite as observant as he'd been warned. Thankfully the older women seemed distracted doing formal introductions to some nobles. Some gave the impression of being long suffering men who lost their spark long ago. Sone others were clearly young men and women with all their shine intact, determined to make some changes to the Silver Millennium for the good of all. Nephrite wished them all the luck in the universe.
Jupiter looked away, focusing on his hand and holding it close. "Thank you Nephrite. Be…be my knight. Just for tonight. I love these ceremonies but just tonight? I don't want Nephrite the warrior. I need Nephrite the man. Stand by me."
Nephrite smiled tenderly as he held her close. "As you wish Princess. Now let us return to the festival." Next thing either of them knew? They stood in their designated spots, smiling formally as the first of the Astrape Vaults exploded its lightning up into the stars and the people below cheered, pulling each other close into embraces and warm dances. Nephrite was stunned by the beauty of the show. It was loud. Loud as sin but it was truly heavenly. As the show truly started, more and more dragons of lightning snaked their way up above the eager audience.
Nephrite couldn't help it. Decorum be damned. He wrapped around Jupiter and held her close to his chest. He loved her so deeply. He smiled broadly as he leaned in gently. "It's a beautiful show Jupiter. Juno. It is heavenly. But nothing like as wondrous as you. You are an angel to me. I belong to my Rosewing. I am a knight. Her knight. I love you Juno."
As he watched one of the dragons coil itself in the sky he smiled and bent down to his knees. He took out a well hidden beautiful ring and opened the box, revealing its stunning nature to his angel. The ring was a huge diamond with a lightning bolt engraved into the placing on one side and the symbol for Jupiter on the other with a tiny Earth and heart connecting them both. "Princess Juno Of Jupiter, Fifteenth Royal of your lineage, Guardian Of The Silver Millennium and Heir to the Jovian throne? Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife and making me your King? He who stands besides you in good times and bad. Who brings you joy in your darkest moments and brings you light even when there is an eternal eclipse?" Nephrite intoned formally, the look in his eyes both serious and hopeful.
Juno looked as though she couldn't believe her ears. As though the very idea he might do this was too much to hope for. Smiling while her body shook she wrapped around Nephrite, throwing herself at him, decorum be damned. This was their moment. She needed this. "Oh Nephrite. Oh Neph. Of course I will!" She called out. As she said this? They both became aware that the show seemed to have frozen. There were no loud explosions of thunder. No dancing and cheering crowds. And everyone was staring at them. Even the Jovian Queen and Dowager were both looking at them in surprise. However it didn't take long. That shock soon turned into cheering from the crowd below and the Jovian royals both smiled. The queen smiled more broadly with a small sparkle in her eyes very like her daughter. Clearly she approved. The Dowager smiled thinly but openly, the expression in her eyes seeming to say 'Took you two lovebirds long enough!"
The Jovian Queen stood up slowly from her place in the royal box and began to approach the couple, taking Juno's hand gently in one arm and Nephrite's in the other. Slowly she guided and pushed the stunned couple out to the open balcony and the raucous audience. Both Nephrite and Princess Jupiter bowed, a little dazed as the Jovian Queen gave some speech about the bright hope for the future of Jupiter and its increasing bonds with the Terrans. Neither part of the couple could believe this reaction but it was joyous.
The next thing Nephrite knew? The world around him had turned greyscale, the artistic nature of this planet still intact and then a mere second later? It became naught but dust in an endless void. The last thing to disappear was the ring. As everything reformed? It was clear he was in a giant cathedral of old. An ancient building as old as the planet itself. There were SO MANY people. The expected royals from other worlds and Jupiter's fellow guardians and the Lunarians including Queen Serenity and her daughter. The other Shitennou were present in all their regalia, with Prince Endymion and the Terran King present as should be expected. It looked like the Prince had also brought that blonde haired commoner he had formed a close friendship with. Furuhata wasn't it?
Nephrite himself? Was wrapped in a tuxedo and cape much like the Prince and the other Shitennou that was in a wonderful shade of jade green with his epaulets clear along with the armour. However that wasn't the centre of attention. What was? Princess Jupiter in her heavenly Kelly green dress with plenty of crinoline and many other additions to the dress.
The wedding was magnificent. The ceremony and reading of the vows felt like they went past instantly but the pressure that almost certainly should have been there to make sure he didn't make any screwups? Just wasn't there. He was marrying Juno! How could it be? Nephrite was finally betrothed to his Rosewing.
He watched as Juno…no in this setting? He had to think of her as Jupiter – got a mischievous glint in her eye and called out to the crowd with the bouquet high in her hand. Once the swarm had formed she threw the beautiful flowers into the endless mass of women. Eventually it quietened down as the women separated to see if they could find out who had won the scramble for the bouquet. The eventual winner turned out to be Furuhata who had caught the thing on instinct while engrossed in a conversation with Jupiter's two sisters. Foolish boy. It didn't take long for him to be whisked away by the two of them. Maybe he would be a noble after all.
After the bouquet incident the Shitennou and Senshi all paired off for their dances. Nephrite wrapped around Jupiter in a tender embrace as he led her in a dance of love. Venus was practically battling Kunzite in their dance although to Nephrite's trained eyes it looked as though she was letting herself be led far more than she let on. Mars was definitely leading Jadeite that was not under debate although Jadeite definitely didn't seem to object. His usually glib tongue was under control tonight. The Prince was formally leading Princess Serenity, his movements slow and steady. Those two really were lost in the moment just as much as himself and Jupiter. That just left Zoisite. What was that foolish boy saying? 'Come on Blues put on your dancing shoes'? Jupiter and Nephrite seemed to be equally confused as to why he said that of all things as they danced. Although all things considered? It certainly seemed to work out well for him. Within reason.
After the first dance, the couple's song came on. Nephrite began to sing gently and smoothly, his voice that of a skilled crooner. "Fly me to the moon, let me play among the stars, let me see what spring is like on a-Jupiter and Mars. In other words, hold my hand. In other words, baby kiss me…" The song continued on and on as did Nephrite's vocals along with a backing band that felt like it appeared from thin air. Perhaps people had been listening closer than anyone expected. His feet led the two to the centre of the stage. At the centre point was a set of crystal stairs that led up to the stars in an endless spiral. Nephrite continued his crooning as they danced. The two lovers stole the show as they finished their song, Planetary symbols exploding around them like fireworks. Jupiter smiled softly, her eyes still hidden to Nephrite. "Thank you my love. You are so close to solving your puzzle. There is just one more thing…don't forget the flower…don't forget me. I beg you. Love you till the end of time." As she spoke? Her voice matured slowly. Not as though she was ageing but as though she was becoming more and more formal out of desperation. Before Nephrite could even react as he reached the last bars of the song? There was an explosion of white nothingness around him, Jupiter disappearing last as always.
"No! Not again! Jupiter please! Tell me what I need to do!" The man begged, knowing it was futile. This wasn't the first time this dream had happened…although it was the first time it had gone this far. Eventually? Jupiter finished fading…her earrings and the star flower he held disappearing last.
Nephrite broke down, falling to his knees as he held the flower to his chest, alone in this empty void. "…Fill my heart with song and let me sing forever more, you are all I long for, all I worship and adore…In other words…" He sang brokenly as the spell of the dream world broke.
Nephrite woke to the reality he knew. One he knew was grey and lifeless and likely to stay that way unless he could get past his own hang ups – and these dreams – and find something to give him colour and a reason to smile. He shook as he cried.
"You aren't real…Jupiter. She isn't real Nephrite. She's a fantasy of your imagination. No matter how beautiful, kind, intelligent, wonderful she isn't real. Oh Jupiter…GET OUT OF MY HEAD! Please…let me live my life…Why can't you be real? What sins did I commit that were so great that I must be haunted by the stars themselves?"
His tears melted and flowed into the pillow, making the scenery far too blue and blurred and hiding the beautiful jade glow of the Jovian Star Flower which was blossoming again for the first time since the death of the Silver Millennium. Next to it in a red velvet case on the mantlepiece was a pair of sapphire blue earrings which somehow managed to contain a golden glow worthy of sunlight and lightning. Princess Jupiter – or Makoto – as she is now – was travelling to Tokyo…and before long would find herself a frequent visitor of the Crown Game Centre. It was almost time to break this cycle of ephemeral melancholia.
I hope you enjoyed! I may write a tiny coda if there's enough interest. Thank you for reading. Hopefully it's worthy of a review!