All C&C is welcome, though there might be a slight
delay. I have vowed to have e-mail access only twice
a week.
(Must stop... addiction...try to... fight... ^_^)
Disclaimer:
The Rose of Versailles is owned by Ryoko Ikeda. All
licenses belong to the proper people. This is used without
permission.
Sailormoon is owned by Naoko Takeuchi. All licenses
belong to the proper people. This is used without
permission.
This disclaimer also applies to several intellectual
properties referred to in the text. Please be guided
accordingly.
This file can be freely distributed so long as it
appears in its complete form and proper credit given. No
part may be reproduced for monetary gain without permission
from the author.
*******************************************
"Is it a sin to ask for a happy ending?"
- a quote attributed to Sir Percy Blakeney
*******************************************
Le Chevalier du Claire de Lune
A Sailormoon/Rose of Versailles Vignette
Part of the "Dances Set To The Music Of Time" sequence
Written by Elsa Bibat
*******************************************
June 1789:
To say that Oscar Francois de Jarjayes was angry at
the moment would be an understatement.
"I'm going to do WHAT!?"
The fact that she was abducted at gunpoint in broad
daylight and bundled into the carriage they were currently
riding in was one of the factors contributing to her current
state of displeasure.
"You and your manservant are going to England."
The two people in front of her were the other factors.
The woman looked to be Italian, with the touch of the
South Mediterranean obvious on her skin and the lilting
accent. Her coiffured hair seemed to change color from brown
to black to a strange greenish tint as the sunlight played
around her head. Her eyes had a distinct reddish tint.
Obviously the results of inbreeding, Oscar snidely thought
to herself. The woman had presented herself as the Countess
of Monte Cristo, wherever that was, and then gave Oscar the
order that she should have her bags packed and be ready to
leave France for England in two days.
Her silent companion was a tall Englishman dressed
foppishly in the current fashion of the court. An obvious
dandy, he had that sleepy look on his face, as if the
proceedings were none of his concern. The only noticeable
thing about him was his ring, a piece that was decorated by
a strange gem that seemed to change color the same way his
companion's hair color changed in the sunlight.
"And why should I do that?!"
The dandy was the one who answered. His French had
that drawling quality that the English could only put into
her mother tongue. It was irritating as hell.
"Confidential orders from His Majesty, Louis XVI, of
course."
Oscar could only blink at that statement.
The Countess, feeling an opening, slipped in smoothly.
"Sir Percy is telling the truth. I apologize if I had been
too direct. Here, read this." The woman suddenly had a
letter in her hand, the Royal Seal obvious for all to see.
"Where did-" Oscar started to ask the question that
was in her mind when the one called Sir Percy interjected.
"Secret missives such as this must be protected in
several ways. Let us just say that the Countess has several
trick up her sleeve to ensure that they do not fall into the
wrong hands."
Oscar inspected the letter's seal. It was undoubtedly
the royal insignia affixed on the red wax. Opening it, she
was surprised that the two before her were telling the
truth.
"Why wasn't this given to me directly?"
"Secrecy, mademoiselle," said Sir Percy with that
horrible drawl of his. "His Majesty...or rather some of his
advisors feel that there is a need for your service
overseas." Seeing Oscar grimace, the Countess interjected.
"Not as a spy, of course. The King would not ask that of
you. You would be going there to assist Sir Percy."
"Assist this Englishman?! He cannot even speak French
properly!"
The Countess smiled in response and continued. "Which
is one of the reasons why the King is sending you to help
him. There is trouble on the horizon and His Majesty needs
someone he can trust by the side of Sir Percy. Though he may
not look like much, he has the trust of your King and his."
Oscar gave the two of them a regarding glance and
looked at the letter. It could have been a forgery. But she
knew for some strange reason that it was not.
"I would have to make arrangements-"
"You will be ready to leave in two days. You can bring
up to five people, the accomodations that we have acquired
for you enable that much. Everything that you need will be
provided along with the specifics of your... mission. Plus
there is a hundred louis waiting for you at your lodgings
for your disposal. It was a pleasure meeting you and we hope
to see you again."
The Countess had delivered the sentences in a direct
manner that brooked no argument. As she finished, the
carriage stopped and the door was open.
"I believe you are were you need to be."
Oscar could only get out of the carriage. The
Countess' voice had a strange power that compelled her
obedience and that final sentence gave the entire affair a
dream-like quality.
But the letter was still in her hand and it told her
to go to England.
Oscar just shook her head and went off to tell Andre
of their new posting.
*******************************************
"Did you really have to do that?"
"Do what?"
"Degrade such a beautiful language, of course!"
"It is not my problem that the French happen to use
sounds that only themselves and dogs could hear."
"But you're speaking it quite skillfully now."
"Alas, I cannot but help irritate women such as young
Jarjayes. They remind me of you when we were younger."
The Countess of Monte Cristo gave Sir Percy Blakeney a
stare that would have made a lesser man soil his trousers.
Sir Percy just smiled and looked out the window. The
Countess just sighed and she was silent as the Englishman
continued.
"She will definitely be useful for our purposes and
her bloodline will be a definite plus."
"You mean we're not saving her for your sense of
drama?"
"Well, that too. I attribute it to my recent
infatuation. She is quite... stimulating. The romantic in me
stirs."
"Yes, Marguerite is quite the enlightened young lady
for this particular century. Though the fact that you have
to act the buffoon at times most likely irritates her. You
will marry her?"
"Of course. She has managed to catch my eye and I have
gone for some time outside the married life. You, my dear
sister, should find some decent men to while away the
centuries with."
"Brother, the men of this age are pigs. Good in bed,
but not for a long life with. Besides all the good men go
for the sweet, simpering types."
"Then that means I am not a good man then." Sir Percy
asked with an arched eyebrow.
"You never were a good man in the first place."
"Touche. Anyway, I'm quite relieved that we managed to
get Oscar out of here. As it is, we'll probably be cutting
it close by a week."
"Your scryings are getting more powerful then?"
"Yes, though the Gates are still not totally
accessible. I'll be off to England in a few days to set up
our plans there. Will you be alright here?"
The Countess responded with an unladylike snort. "And
who or what would threaten me here? Cagliostro and his bunch
of incompetents? Besides, I still may head it off."
"Do not discount the alchemist out of the equation. He
and his allies have still managed to turn France into a
powder keg, even with the Soldats and our other organizations
trying to stop them."
"As if they could kill the Child of a God. Still, I
will be careful if you wish, little brother. Besides, I have
several agents watching my back like young Moreau and that
girl from Soldats. And the vampires of the Inquisition
will deal with the more supernatural threats. And those that
survive them will have to face me, of course."
"Take care all the same, sister. I do not know what
would happen if I lost you." Sir Percy gave her a look that
brooked no argument.
"And I do not know what I would do without you,
brother. So we both promise to take care of ourselves, shall
we?"
The pair looked at each other in silent agreement,
both pair of eyes seeming to burn with a strange, eldritch
light, in the intensity of their gaze. Sir Percy slowly
nodded and returned to regard the passing scenery outside
with a sigh.
"What a terrible mess we have managed to make of
Europe, sister."
"Not like the East, isn't it? A gaggle of secret
societies, with a third of them working against us, another
third working for us and the last third trying to get as
much money for themselves. If this were China, we would have
united the entire damn continent by now."
"A united Europe, under one leader, will most likely
be a dream for another century or so. At least, the American
colonies are doing well to unite themselves and the last I
heard the Empire was still standing in China."
"It had damn better. Five hundred years of work should
have made the damn place solid as a rock."
The two were silent once again as they considered
their particular problem.
"If they do succeed, we do have a backup plan don't
we?"
"Le Soldats is working on that now. A judicious piece
of assassination here and there will put our people in
control. We might even be able to put someone in charge that
could do what we have planned."
"Oh, do we have someone in mind?"
"Yes. Are you are acquainted with one of our agents in
Corsica by the name of Carlo Buonoparte? You have met his
young son here in Paris, I believe.
"Napoleon? Why, yes."
A Cheshire smile graced the Countess' face as she
regarded her companion, a twinkle in her eyes as she started
to explain.
"Good. You see, I have a plan..."
*******************************************
Author's Afterword
I always had conflicting emotions about the ending of Rose
of Versailles. I mean ... it was tragic and all. But, I want
more escapism than realism at times, but still it was a
rather natural ending and, at least, Oscar got laid before
she got blown away.
As it is, in the "Dance" sequence, Oscar survives and her
genetics get to be passed on to the next generation. Two of
the Senshi and Tux-boy are descended from her and quite a few
other heroes and heroines of the nineteenth and twentieth
century. BTW, for the curious, Oscar Jarjayes was supposed to
have died on July 13, 1789. Thus, the mention of cutting it
close.
There are several references to other individuals and series
in the "Dance" sequence. They range from the in-your-face
reference for Noir, Dumas and Orczy to some of the more
obscure ones. Good luck in finding them all! ^_^
C&C and historical corrections (I think I have Napoleon
right but I could be wrong) are welcome.
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