(Dark semi-Lemon) In My Mind's Eye.
or rather brused lime (a wee bit tart and discloured)
Foreword/Introduction.
It's sort-of Dark and is a little lemony in that darkness.
..maybe it's just a painful kiss of realism.....or it could be crap.
Whoops...ignore that last bit and everybody tell me how much you loved it :)
Written as part of the ffml 1 hour writing challenge it took 3.
- then I fixed it up.
All characters are property of their respective owners and are used
without permission. The story itself is mine, mine, mine......would
that it were not so. :)
I don't think this has anything to do with the rest of my Sailor
Moon stories.
But then again....
C&C welcome
Robyn, Duke of Amber
aka Neil Sinclair
yu104479@yorku.ca
yu120475@yorku.ca
cm784@torfree.net
In My Mind's Eye.
Possibly not the best of titles..(hint hint) I'm open to suggestions.
Maybe "Girl of his Dreams."
or something...
In The Darkness of his Night
She came to him her name was Light.
***
The dream was different as many times as it was the same.
She in her white (red?) dress, her long flowing
blond (red?) hair done up in some ornate way.
No matter what - they would be together.
He emerged like a swimmer from the deep.
He was awake.
The smell of the beeswax scented the air of his quarters.
- that and the faint musky hint of her perfume.
He remembered her looking down at him in his sleep.
She had been unaware that he had in fact been awake.
She entered his room every night when she was sure he was asleep and
looked upon him.
She had never made any advances - simply smiled.
He was a Prince. And she was his.
He knew these things with a strange certainty.
In fact he felt them as a sort of other voices which seemed to
repeat those very words in his mind when he was with her.
He felt it within his very bones.
It was strange he mused that he had not realized it earlier.
Now that was a dream of which he was glad he had woken from.
The Queen - his Queen had told him that he had suffered an almost
mortal blow and that he had been cast adrift in time - lost from her.
She had (she told him) only recently been strong enough to sense his
soul and bring it and his body back from the dreary mortal world and
fully heal it.
She had mended his tattered flesh in a warm womb of crystal and
mended too his ragged memories.
There were gaps of course: She told him it was only natural and
that eventually he would again have them.
Patience she told him, patience, and he would remember their nights
together of another time in this fair dark kingdom.
Of this he was most thankful.
His mortal life was a faint blur now as he grew stronger and
stronger in the ways of the Dark Kingdom now and that was as it
should be.
He wondered who had been able to weaken him to such a point that he
could barely handle the weakest of the
Shadow-magics?
Whoever it had been was no more, his Queen (and soon his consort)
had assured him of this telling him of the glorious battle in which
she had struck down the her sinister foe.
He shivered.
It was horrible, whatever it was that had been done to him.
It had scarred him so deeply as to have taken not just memories of
his real life but also warped them beyond belief.
His Beautiful Love had repeatedly tried to help him using all of the
vast powers at her disposal as he had lain in the healing fluids of
the restoration pod but this had been in vain.
He was told that his revival had actually occurred a few months
earlier but he had weakened considerably and finally collapsed. He
had fought his foes but so newly had he awakened that he had scarce
survived.
The Queen had told him of her concern at this time but all he
himself could remember were a few fragments - dreams and nightmares.
He could remember glimpses of the before-times in which his Generals
had been obedient and friendly but he also remembered a time when
they seemed to have turned upon him and fought against all he loved.
Thinking about this the Prince felt his jaws clenching and his teeth
grinding at the thought. He found lately that he often did this or
when foiled bared his teeth
wolfishly in frustration.
He had once had more followers he remembered...although they also
had worn the drab grays that was so favored by the surly Kunzite.
"Problems my lord?" The voice was mocking.
Speak of the very devil. It was the slippery fellow himself.
Kunzite had appeared just beyond the arched curtain of his bed and
seemed to easily sense the mood of he who lay within.
Slipping from the bed the Prince felt a twinge of frustration that
none of the servitors had roused him. Ah, perhaps his Lady had bid
them let him rest.
"Nothing you could help me with." The Prince had attempted to say
this lightly but it came out of his mouth bitterly.
This fellow had an arrogance about him which the Prince disliked.
It seemed that no matter what the fellow could prick him upon any
matter.
He stepped behind the dressing curtain and began to suitably garb
himself.
Kunzite was silent for a moment but spoke as the Prince re-appeared
fastening his half-cape with the black crystal rose his love had
given him. He then fastened avbout his waist a swordbelt cast from
fine silver links
"Thinking of your last failure to the Crystal?"
"Yes." the Prince lied. "I do not see how they could have slipped
through my hands."
"Well, no matter." Kunzite replied with a slight bitter smile. "You
shouldn't worry. Your betters have sometimes received the same
results."
He poured two goblets of thick red wine from the cut-glass
decanter on the table in front of him.
"My Betters?" The Prince asked in a dangerous tone, his hand
hesitating in mid-reach.
"Excuse me Highness, What I meant was of course others had failed as
well. And you my Lord - Well, perhaps you have not grown as strong as
you were."
a pause as if doubting the Prince ever would. "Yet - of course."
"Of course." The Prince acknowledged dryly and helped himself to the
wine.
If the Queen had not made this fellow his guardian while he was
restoring himself the Prince would have been tempted to strike him
down.
Kunzite had shown himself to have some strengths in the Shadow-arts.
Perhaps this one did hold some favor to get such an enviable position.
- And perhaps, Endymion thought, he would gather even more power to
himself before a challenge.
"Where is the Queen?" Endymion asked.
"She speaks with her ruler - the Great Metallia, and gives her the
gift of the energy we harvested from the mortals. She asked your
forgiveness for a day and asked me to apologize for her." Kunzite did
not seem pleased at giving the Prince an apology from anyone.
"Our Queen also asked." Kunzite continued."That if you felt the
desire to amuse yourself by walking among our subjects-to-be I was to
so transport you. She knows that after your long separation you have
- needs."
The last word had an unpleasant suggestion in it.
Ignoring this, Endymion felt an idea beginning to form when, but, as
if reading his thoughts Kunzite raised a cautioning hand.
"My Lady also mentioned that she would be most displeased if you -
If either of us actually, was to attempt recovery of the crystal
without first gaining her permission."
Endymion saw that particular hope fade quickly and was surprised to
feel Kunzite's hand upon his arm.
He looked up ready to draw if need be.
Instead he was surprised.
Kunzite nodded sympathetically to him.
"Do not worry. There shall be chances anew to gain the crystal and
destroy our common foe. I understand you have no reason to bear
malice towards her but understand this - She has destroyed one near
and dear to me and will suffer. I do not ask for y our aid in this
but I do ask that you stand aside when the time comes to give her
such payment."
The Prince was surprised to find such pain in his rival's eyes and
was stunned into momentary silence. Finally he turned away.
"I cannot say yes or no to your request as it depends how it serves
the will of My Lady. I will however consider it."
The Prince was surprised again as Kunzite again took his arm.
Looking this time he say pained relief in the eyes of the other.
"Thank you Milord...you see..." Kunzite here seemed to struggle for
words.
"I too have loved." Kunzite spoke and turned away quickly and was
gone in a flash of darkness.
Endymion had the strangest feeling that he had seen the man with
that look in his eyes before....something about the request to duel
the man who had broken his sister's heart.....no,
nonsense....illusions and nothing else.
It also seemed he saw Kunzite with another in a garden.
No...foolishness.
He shook his head.
He knew that the General spoke of the one whom Queen had punished
for failure.
She was indeed sometimes as cruel and stern as she was beautiful.
Restlessly he turned his thoughts elsewhere.
***
He dined alone that night in the dark fortress served by some of
the many heavily-robed servants of that place.
He slowly drank from the cut-crystal goblet the dark purple
wine which had grown from grapes that had never seen a sun.
He read from one of the great tomes of forbidden lore but it was no
good.
He was bored.
He summoned a servant and in a few moments Kunzite stood before him.
"My Lord?"
"I think I shall take the Queen's advice." Endymion said.
"Indeed?"
"Perhaps I need some...diversion."
"Very well." Kunzite said. "If my Lord would allow me to garb him
appropriately."
The Prince inclined his head and in a flash of sorcery was soon
garbed in the stuff of the mundane world.
Looking down the Prince found himself appropriately garbed in a black.
A turtleneck,jeans and soft suede shoes and a dark grey sports jacket.
He nodded his head appreciatively.
"Oh wait." There was another small swirl of darkness and three
objects appeared in Kunzite's hand. He handed them to the Prince.
The Prince took the silver-lined black silk handkerchief and stuck
it neatly in his breast pocket. He stared at the other items.
"A wallet." Kunzite explained. "If the Queen doesn't want trouble
that means you will be paying for things with money - which will fade
in a day anyway."
"And of course, your way home."
The Prince raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
Kunzite handed it to him.
The item in question was a thick silver ring with a small faceted
black crystal.
"Wear it. Place your will upon it." Kunzite said "And it will be
consumed to bring you here."
The Prince could not help but be impressed.
"You...You have an eye for detail." He said approvingly and honestly.
"And such flare for style."
Kunzite's face filled with mixed emotions then rage and then sudden
sadness and quickly transported the prince from him. Before all had
faded in the spell of transportation the Prince though he had heard
the words. "I learned from a good teacher." but it might have been a
rustle of air.
The Prince found himself in night-lit dim alleyway and when he
emerged from it was dazzled in a brilliant dazzle of neon.
He looked around in confusion for a moment for few places in this
world were fully known to him.
After looking about and reading the signs he finally came to the
conclusion he was in the city called Tokyo in the country of Japan.
He smiled wryly. It made a sort of twisted sense. Kunzite had placed
him where he could most likely cause trouble (or rather most likely
get in trouble with the Queen).
This was the place where all of the omens had placed both the
Kingdoms greatest riches and greatest threat. It was, he decided no
coincidence that he had also been found here.
Endymion wondered where he should go and what he should do.
Dalliance with mere mortals was something the Queen considered
acceptable as long as no attachments were formed or no visible marks
were left on the victims - participants.
A little energy draining of course was a differing matter.
Strangely unquiet, Endymion was looking for something, for someone
who would fill the odd yearning inside him.
He wasn't really sure what he was lacking but would look for it
tonight.
And, hopefully in his seeking would lay it's dark influence
upon his soul to rest.
He emerged from the alley and began his hunt.
Endymion walked slowly down the crowded night street where he was
unimpeded by the surge of pedestrian traffic. He had exerted his will
mildly and projected a mental shield which made people naturally
avoid bumping into him without knowing why.
At two different times two pickpockets, spotting him as
an easy mark began to move in only to feel an icy grip around their
hearts. He had no time for their sort.
They both had felt that maybe this was not the prey for the evening.
Finally the young man stepped into a lavish looking building which
bore the motto "Five Doors".
Although not sure why he felt that this might tbe the place to go.
Perhaps it was pollution from his false life which guided him.
He was greeted by a man at the door and paid the rather costly
entry fee before being escorted by an attractive woman to a small and
comfortable lounge and well-stocked bar.
A few other men sat at the bar each with an attractive young woman
as his companion. At the bar he ordered a beer (no one questioned his
age.) and was handed a menu. Which he set down without looking at.
"Hello." a smiling young woman had come up to him silently.
He greeted her and she seated herself next to him. The man tending
the bar gave her a small amber drink with a slice of lime.
"I'm Michi." The girl said cheerily."And I'm here to help make your
evening a happy one." He said nothing but looked at her speculatively.
"You aren't happy with me." She pouted.
How could I be. I don't know you." Endymion replied.
"So." She laughed covering her mouth with her hand. "It's not me you
are unhappy with but with everyone."
Endymion nodded slowly. Although he had not been sure of this it now
resolved.
She was right.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Don't be." Michi replied. "Here you are to stop being sorry for a
little while. and also to stop being a little less angry." She smiled
impishly.
"I'm here to help you."
"How?" he asked uncomprehending.
"I have been chosen by the management to help you with your
selection this evening. I'd like to think that it's because I have a
special sensitivity to what a man really wants."
Endymion looked at her blankly.
"Ah." realization dawned upon the girl."You have not been here
before?"
It was a question more than a statement.
"No." He replied. "I...I am from a different country."
Michi nodded. either the man was playing a game or he was telling a
highly improbable truth. Any way you looked at it no matter what he
said however he was right.
Michi had not graduated from working in the health clubs to becoming
a much more fashionable (and much higher paid) Hostess by arguing
with customers.
"I see," She said."Perhaps you are unfamiliar with places such as
this?"
"I don't understand."
"In these places men come and..." She looked down and giggled
girlishly. She was 27 but she could still look 17 in the right light.
"The come and what?" Endymion asked curiously....this all seemed so
strange to him. He wished he could remember more about his previous
life. It would come in handy at times like this.
"You know." She said. "A man and a woman." she let the emphasis of
the words explain for themselves.
"Oh." he said satisfied. He finished his beer and the bartender had
another poured for him almost as he set the glass down. Michi, he
noticed was drinking her beverage as if it was coloured water.
Extending his will slightly he found his observation confirmed.
"You?" he asked in interest. She was not unattractive and reminded
him of some of the Youma who acted as his Lady's maids.
"No." She replied blushing as she felt his slate-grey eyes looking
at her. They had an innocent frankness which made her feel somewhat
heated and it was not a bad thing - not at all.
"No." she managed again. "Unless we go out later....I'm...I'm here
to help you find what you want."
"What I want." he repeated.
"Look." she said picking up the leather-bound gold-gilt folder which
contained several pages of listings.
"You see, we look through here and we find what you like."
Endymion glanced at the folder with more fascinated curiosity now.
How strange. These common mortals seemed to be selling....selling sex.
On the first two pages were listed a few things which seemed
quite straightforward...others were not. When he asked Michi about
them she looked a little....could it be bashful... and then explained.
He now understood a little better about such items as
"Hand rolled sushi"
"Nuclear Bomb Attack"
and
"Toothbrush Service"
"None of these are what I am looking for." he sighed.
"He's like a great warrior-poet from the past" Michi thought as she
watched him looking out at the world dejectedly through his long dark
lashes... She wondered about the feel of his lips upon her body. No.
her foolish mind rebelled and rebuked. Business.
"Perhaps." she offered. one of the specialties of the house "A
scenario."
"A scenario."
"Yes, something that you fantasize about.....something that you
dream of...." Her voice faded as she saw how intently he looked at
her as she said this.
"How?" He asked simply.
"Well," She said turning to the back of the menu. These are the most
popular."
Endymion looked at a page full of items titled like:
"Gym Teacher"
"Back-seat nostalgia special"
"Schoolgirl on the Train."
"Samurai Drama"
"Newlywed Kitchen"
"No." He shook his head, his dark hair moving gently.
It looked as soft as swan's down.
"No. These are....."
"We also have a few others." Michi said swiftly so as not to lose
him as a prospective customer... and maybe later more.
"They are usually for preferred clients as they are a little more
expensive."
"I really don't care about cost." Endymion said indifferently.
"Well." Michico said speculatively. "I don't think you would like
some of them but we have a new one with super-heros."
"Super-heros?"
Mitchico nodded and sipped her iced water. The bartender had put to
much colouring in it and it had a faint caramelized taste. With this
one she felt like she needed a drink - a double.
"Everyone is talking about that new girl super-hero SailorMoon...
and then of course there is Sailor V and....."
"Tell me about SailorMoon!" Endymion asked, feeling strangely excited.
Ah, she had him now. Michiko thought. She never would have guessed
that he would be the type....oh well. The fact that the scenario was
new meant that the price was upwardly flexible....and she would get
20% of that not to mention if he later made an outside date with her.
"Picture this." She said, with eyes shining. "You are a caped and
masked villain who struggles with SailorMoon. You can choose to have
her vanquish you. You can vanquish her and maybe a little rope
play.....or you can convince her you are right and she will join you
freely in evil naughtiness."
Endymion did not even ask the price but pulled a suitably created
credit card from his wallet. The dark Kingdom's magics could fool the
simplistic banks of this world and he had decided that his Hostess
deserved a lasting reward for this. Of course, he reflected he could
never tell the Queen or Kunzite - but it was a small price.
The capped and masked man stood alone in the park.
*****
(Actually it was a section of a warehouse at the back of the main
building but the detail was lavish. the floor was covered with actual
soil and sod and small trees and bushes "grew" in clumps.)
After he had handed the barman his card, Michi had talked with him
for a time to make sure that he knew what he wanted and that he knew
what he was getting.
Michico had then escorted him out into another hallway where they
had stepped into a cubicle. She had helped him out of his clothing
which she placed carefully in a locker.
Then, after slipping off her dress (she wore nothing except it and a
pair of jeweled pumps.) and joined him in a shower where she had
carefully washed him.
It was a task that she had to steel herself to do. At this point all
of her sales-pitch could go out the window. As she lathered his body
she thought about the first boy she had been with - really with and
in both love and control and shivered. His
skin was so soft.
He could not believe how arousing it was - simply the concept of
confronting SailorMoon even if he knew it wasn't really her. He did
dream about her - constantly, and in ways which made him feel confused.
Michi then dried him off with a warm fluffy towel and helped him
dressed in his "Evil Villain" costume.
All the while he was dressing she was talking enthusiastically about
the girl he was about to meet.
She seemed to be hiding something from him under her constant babble
but he could not understand what. Whatever it was it was not harmful.
"She looks young." She said."But is of course over 18. It would be
illegal otherwise. We at this club care about such matters. An
indiscretion on our part of course would reflect poorly. We value
return visits of course. All of our actresses are he althy as well
and are tested once a week."
"Tested?" He asked, wondering if there was an educational merit to
all of this.
"The blood." She replied by way of explanation, as if that was all
she needed to say.
"Oh." He said nodding but not actually understanding. Was he then
supposed to ravish her as the vampire youma were known to do? He
doubted it.
****
The breeze blew gently in the park (a fan) ringing with it the faint
smell of jasmine (real!!!)
Suddenly She appeared in front of him, her form lit by moonlight (a
diffused spot.)
"Halt evildoer!" The voice was wrong but the stance was right.
"Halt I say."
Endymion advanced. He felt a little foolish but also aroused and
wanting to get into the spirit of the thing. His dark costume
constrained his desire.
"Never." He said licking lips suddenly dry. "I am....I am The Mask
and I shall take this city and enslave it all!"
"In fact my dear girl, I shall start with you!"
He wanted her now with a passion, a terrible urgency but also felt a
need to play out his part. To postpone the inevitable and increase
his pleasure.
"No." SailorMoon cried. "I won't let you!"
"Oh." Mask drew himself up. "And who are you?"
"I am." SailorMoon posed again. "The champion of this city. No harm
shall come to it while I stand against them. I am SailorMoon, and in
the name of the Moon I shall punish you!"
"You may try." Mask laughed. "But evil is stronger than a mere
little chit of a girl!"
The two combatants faced each other and closed. Soon They were on
the ground rolling and grappling.
"You see." The girl cried."I have vanquished you!"
She had straddled the masked figure and ground herself against his
desire with each of his struggling movements.
Endymion felt her against him and bucked his hips slightly with each
of her movements. Her thighs were taught as she clung to him.
He could feel her warmth though both his costume and her own - she
felt like fire.
"Admit defeat." She whispered biting her lip. Almost all pretense
was gone now leaving only want.
She was not the right girl but for now she was a good substitute.
"I think not" He said. He rolled and in a slow motion struggle (so
no-one would get hurt) He wanted her to struggle against him. He
wanted to feel her arms and legs about him as he pressed her to the
soft earth. Suddenly he was the one on top of her .
"Give in." He said.
"Never" She said and the word was giving in. It was an invitation.
He pressed her more closely into the earth and felt the hardened
nipples of her small breasts press through her uniform and his shirt.
"You cannot escape." He said and moved his hips against her.
He kissed her opened mouth and felt her moan against him.
Tasted her.
"Give in to me." He whispered and it was not to this replica, this
actress he was talking. Without meaning to he invoked the Dark power
and drew her will to his.
"Yesssss." She hissed and clutched at him.
The next few moments were a blur of heated confusion.
The taste of salt.Clothing tearing. Sweat slicked skin upon skin.
The sound of one body slapping wetly against another.
The sounds of desperation and release.
After it was over it was he who rolled away sobbing.
"Shhhhh, Shhhhh, it's alright." The girl said brushing the sweaty
tangle of hair from his eyes, the tears from his face.
"Shhh, It's fine."
"But it's not." His voice was still coming out in sobs.
"It's not okay.....you're not her. You're not her."
After a little while the shuddering subsided and she helped him
wash his face at the conveniently placed water fountain.
As far as things went (according to her) his performance was "well
beyond the call of duty"
She was just fine.
As she testified to friends later about her one "magic customer"
"It was like the first time...only the way you imagine it - not
like what it's really like."
A very be-draggled SailorMoon escorted her customer to the door and
gave him into the keeping of Michico. Michi took him to the shower,
helped him off with what was left of his costume (another charge for
the bill) and again helped him shower. She t hought he looked is
anything more dispondent than when he had come in.
Instead of lust now all she found within herself was the
overwhelming urge to mother him. She wanted to simply lie with him
and hold his head close to her breast and tell him all was right with
him, all was right with the world.
Instead she would give him a complimentary drink.
it wasn't her business to pry but in hopes of getting a return
customer - hopes of seeing him again, she did.
"The scenario?" she asked.
"Yes?" he asked in a muffled voice as she toweled his hair.
"It was good?" She asked "Enjoyable?"
"I guess, but not for me." He took the towel from her and draped it
across a knee. He sat silently for a moment his eyes closed.
"I don't think this is really something I enjoy." He said finally
looking at her with those eyes of his.
"I mean, I enjoy being with women...with a woman. But...." He
trailed off.
"You have a girlfriend?" Michi asked in genuine interest and a
little hurt.
Perhaps she could show this one what a real lover was like. Mend
this little fallen bird.
"Yes, No...well....I'm sort of involved with someone." He said. no
matter how much he felt devoted to Beryl he was distracted,
tormented, posessed in a way he could not say by that girl.
"It's sort of complicated." he said lamely.
"Well," Michi said, hiding her disappointment with professional ease.
"Things will work out. They always do."
"I guess so."
Endymion politely declined the complementary drink upon getting
dressed.
Before he left he had added a large tip to both his Hostess and the
actress" that he had been with on his carefully itemized bill.
The actress decided she could afford not to work any longer that
night and went out to a club with her friends. She had the money to
do it.
Michico took the morning train home and when she slept dreamt of a
dark- eyed Prince who told her of his love in beautiful poems before
he ravaged her in softness whispering his words of love and crying.
The Prince summoned his will and was transported into his chambers.
Night in the Dark Kingdom is a thing of mind.... He drew his silken
sheets about himself and then he dreamed.
**********************
END
I'd like to blame a couple of things for this.
Ryo Mourakami's "Almost Transparent Blue" and "Tokyo Decadence"
as well as the film "In the Realm of the Senses."
along with "The White Serpent" (story) and "Ugetsu" (movie) and
finally "Japan's Sex Trade" by Peter Constantine.
Just a small qualifying note to this piece....
and an idea.
Here's a handy little fact from Japan's Sex Trade - a handy little
book for stuff like this.
The Law On Business Affecting Public Morals which took effect in
1985 in February (actually Valentines' day of that year...no really!)
disallowed the hiring of minors by Japans Bath Association. It also
imposed safety regulations. It also covered "service" of minors as
well.
(this is why we don't have anyone at the age of consent 13 in the
story)
I think you could make the story even darker and more desperate in
it's efforts to find the light by talking out the first part and
simply writing it as an encounter by a normal youth...it that starts
to get to depressing even for me.
Ya... right :)
Neil
aka Robyn, Duke of Amber.
___________________________________________________________________________
Nene Nene Nene Nene Nene Nene Nene Nene Nene
I met a Lady in the Meads,
Full beautiful, a faery's child,
Her hair was long, her foot was light
And her eyes were wild.
J.Keats
________________________________________________________________________
Agent Of Chaos. Robyn, Duke of Amber. Unicorn Knight
****************************************************************************