Changing of the Colors
AN: Probably inspired by Lytton’s latest.
Who? JxV
When? Complete AU (SilMil..........?)
No warnings.
It was not as he expected.
The scarlet robes signified a senshi of another time and place - one he thought not possible in his lifetime. If he looked into the depths of his soul, he would see there was regret, an unrecoverable place of his heart. Sighting the red on the horizon his heart had skipped, pounding dangerously in the hard and steady planes of his chest. When she pushed back the heavy hood to reveal blonde hair instead of raven, clouded blue eyes instead of sparkling lavender, a despair and wave of loss hit him, nearly knocking him over.
She dismounted gracefully, as if she wasn’t blind and wielding a heavy weapon.
Puzzled, he looked at the scene she presented. The scepter, if he wasn’t mistaken, belonged to another and the robes still puzzled him. He did not know much of the legendary senshi, but heard it whispered that their color were sacred. What did it signify for she to be dressed so? Who had taken her vision?
“These are desperate times,” she said and he remembered her voice, higher than his beloved's huskier tones. The blonde in front of him executed controlled shouting - no emotion. On the dance floor it was flirtatious, but on the field of battle it matched Kunzite’s for lack of feeling. On the front line, the Martian senshi could never keep the passion from her voice.
“You do not need to tell me such things,” he said, reverting to sarcasm and moved to offer his arm, while a hostler came to collect the horse. Placing her hand on the pure white horse, she said, "Hold. I will return to the road shortly."
Leading her away, he asked, “What news do you have?” Why are you here? Where has she gone? Why do you sport her standard?
“There have been losses. She promised I tell you in person.”
The news, while unexpected, still stole through his system. He’d held out hope. Looked to the skies for the sign of the crow. Saw her face in the fierce blaze of sunset. Had amethysts placed in the pommel of his sword. Burned sandalwood as a reminder of her delicate odor. Everywhere he looked, she was there.
“And then what?” He didn’t recognize the voice he used. It was hoarse, broken.
“What do you imply?”
“You came here to tell me what I already knew. What is to transpire?”
“She asked that you would join our cause.”
“The cause she…sacrificed herself for?”
“Do not speak of sacrifices, Shitennou! I have lost many of my sisters, my sight… You sit here, removed from the action.”
“At your lover’s command.”
If the insult landed, she did not let it show. Instead she answered, “You could have chosen differently.”
“And if I honor her wishes?”
The Venusian dipped her head, nodding to the scepter and said, “You will wield this.”
His knowledge of the senshi weapons was not as adept as his fellow warrior, Zoisite, but he knew the artifact was formidable. Swallowing, he answered, “But that means…”
“Yes.”
“The end to everything.”
“Yes.”
“Why me?” She was silent as he continued, “Why not you? Why travel all this way to give me this news?” Why did she ask this of me?
“There is not much time.” You owe her this.
“What will you do?”
“I keep my own counsel. I will leave this with you. Meditate. Watch the fires. You will know when it will be necessary. Do not fail us. Do not fail her.” Placing the heavy weapon in his hands, she walked away silently. Close to the horse, she turned and said quietly over her shoulder, "I wear these robes because she seized a hit that was destined for me. It robbed my sight, but took her life. The colors remind me of her devotion to our cause."
Snow fell quietly around him, collecting on his shoulders as he contemplated his options.
Believe this is artwork by Rob Prior.