"I know what you mean, Rei," Usagi said as she stood up from the ground. "I mean, it's the same air as back home, the same water... the same algae..." She plucked some slimy algae out of her long pigtails. "Yuck!"
"But... it feels different. You know... a different atmosphere. As if magic itself would hang in the air."
"I know," Rei nodded. "A magical world... I wonder if this is where the strange creatures came from."
The feeling of being watched made them both turn around.
Swimming behind them, in the shallow water, a human-sized creature with webbed hands and feet was smirking at them, its impish eyes looking at them from above a long beak that was situated in the middle of its face. On its forehead, a red gem was placed. It had the proportions of a human, but its features and movements made it seem more like an animal.
Usagi gasped and jumped back. "D-don't come any closer," she said. "W-we're not afraid of you."
"Why should you?" the creature smirked and crossed its arms. "I just saved your butts, after all!"
Rei and Usagi stared at the creature with wide eyes. "You... you're speaking our language?" Rei asked.
The creature shook its head. "No, you're speaking mine! But I guess that's not a big difference, is it?"
"Uh..." That was all Usagi could say. And after everything that happened, it was a very fitting exclamation.
Soft laughter came from behind them and made the turn around yet again.
"You don't have to take everything he says too serious," a gentle voice said. "He likes to tease strangers, you know?"
It was a nice-looking woman with pink hair, dressed in an elaborate robe with strange markings.
"Who... who are you?" After everything that happened, Rei decided to be on guard.
"Me? Oh, everyone calls me Joy... Lady Joy of the Island! It's a pleasure to meet you!" And she gave them a short bow.
'So we're on an island as well,' Rei mentally sighed. 'That's just great...'
"But why are you speaking our language, you and this... thing in the water?" Usagi asked.
"I'm not a thing!" the blue creature snapped.
"Please, be more careful what you say," Lady Joy smiled. "Golducks get offended pretty quickly. As for your question, well, it's simple: Everyone who comes into this world automatically understands our language... and we can understand you! It's very convenient, don't you agree?"
"And just... where are we?" Rei asked.
Joy shook her head. "I see, we have much to discuss. I will tell you everything you need to know... but later."
"Well, if I'm not needed anymore, I just might go," the Golduck nagged. "After all, it doesn't look like they are actually grateful that I saved them."
"Oh... sorry about that!" Usagi blushed. "But, you know... you're not very... um..."
The Golduck looked at her closely. "Yes?"
"Um, not very handsome."
"Thanks a lot!" the Golduck said sarcastically. "If you say that to everyone who saves your life, I might have to think again if I decide to save one of you humans." And with a swift motion, he dove under the water and was gone.
Rei bopped her friend on the head. "Smooth move, meatball head!"
Joy chuckled. "Well, I can see that you are both very confused... why don't you come with me? You're totally soaked, I see. In my tower, you can get dry clothes as well as a nice, warm meal."
Rei wanted to point out that they could just drop their Senshi magic to get back their casual clothes that should still be dry, but when Usagi heard the woman talk about food, she perked up and said: "Sure, we'd love to come!"
"It's always nice to have guests," Joy smiled. "You have to tell me everything about what happened to you. And later - if you like - I can show you the city."
As her hand gestured over the waters of the lake, the very same thing happened as two days ago: The waters cleared, and Rei and Usagi could look down at the bottom of the lake, where a big city was situated, and all kinds of underwater creatures were walking and swimming along the streets.
And then the image vanished, and the lake turned back to normal.
Lady Joy lead them through a lush forest, even more brimming with life than the forest around auntie's summer residence. The animals seemed to be very trusting, and a small squirrel even sniffed Usagi's fingers.
"Um, I don't want to be rude, but we haven't got much time," Rei spoke up. "We were just following someone, when we got through that waterfall..."
"Ah, so you came through the Hidden Gate?" Joy replied. "Don't worry, you have all the time you need. Here on my island, time has no meaning. You could stay here for months, and when you return to where you came from, it would still be the same time as before you set a foot on the island."
Time has no meaning... Rei was wondering whatever Sailor Pluto would say when they told her about this phenomenon.
If they would find a way to return...
"Well, here we are!" Joy said as they finally stepped out onto a big clearing.
In the middle of the clearing, a tall stone tower with artificially crafted stained glass windows and impressive spires was rising over the trees.
"This is my domicile," Joy told the two girls. "Please, come in and accept my hospitality!"
She went over to the impressive gate and slightly touched it with the palm of her hand. With a creaking sound, the portal opened, and the two Senshi followed their hostess into a big hall, whose walls and ceiling were completely made of marble. A long table was standing in the middle of the room, with porcelain dishes standing at every seat. A grand chandelier was hanging from the ceiling, and in the background, a long, spiral stairway was leading upstairs.
While Usagi and Rei were gaping at the gorgeous sight, Lady Joy clapped her hands twice.
A small, wooden door that looked like it was made for servants, opened at the other side of the hall, and two small shapes came out. "You called, my lady?"
"Meowth, Luna... please take our guests to their chambers and make sure they get dry clothes."
Upon hearing that, Usagi gasped and looked at the black-furred half of the feline duo that had just entered the room.
"Lu... Lu... Luna!"
The moon cat was at least as surprised as her friend. "U-Usagi?"
And then the two friends ran towards each other, the black cat leaping into the arms of her human friend, while Usagi hugged her and sobbed.
"LUNAAAA! I... I missed you so much!"
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(Posted Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:45)
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