Setsuna took a small spoonful of the soup the waiter had just placed in front of her. The other Senshi were listening in anticipation and almost forgot about their own soups and starters.
"Well then... Our story takes place in the ancient, prospering Babylon, which was famous for its glorious palaces and its so-called 'ziggurats'. Those were temples, built on high terraces, used to observe the stars.
Well, but the city was especially famous for its beautiful gardens. As those seas of flowers and exotic plants were growing on big terraces, similar to the ziggurats, they were known as 'Hanging Gardens'. And every five years, a citizen of town was appointed to be the head gardener of the city, a position that was greatly admired by the rest of the population.
The young woman that was the head gardener during the events of my story, was a very gentle girl who cared deeply for her flowers and other plants, a girl that was said to be the perfect candidate for the job, and who was expected to take over the job for several years to come..."
----
Mak-Oto hummed to herself while she watered her pretties.
"My roses are the glory of the gardens, like every year," she smiled. She carefully took out her garden shears and cut down a few edges that were looking out of place.
She sighed, while taking a look all around herself. The view over the city from the top of her gardens was breathtaking, as well as all of the beautiful plants that surrounded her.
She couldn't think of a better job to do.
She closed her eyes. "Oh, to smell the nice fragrance of nature, and to be surrounded with such magnificence..."
Yes, she always felt like a poet when doing her favorite work.
When she was finished with watering the flowers, she searched for potential vermins that were threatening her darlings.
Luckily, she didn't find a single one.
"Don't worry, my pretties," she smiled. "You'll be safe as long as I am around. As long as Mak-Oto continues to water, weed, manure and get rid of vermins, no one will ever dare to harm you in any way... what?"
She heard a strange noise, so she turned around...
...and witnessed a scene that made her freeze in shock.
But only for a few seconds. Afterwards, she stormed at the three men that were wielding large polearms and small axes, which they used to chop down the trees, bushes and flowerbeds of her beautiful garden.
"STOP!" Mak-Oto shouted. "What are you doing? You dare destroying the gardens of Babylon? Who... OOF!" She groaned as one of the armed men pushed her back forcefully, so that she stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.
"Go away, little girl," the warrior said in a gruff voice. "Let us do our work!" And the he joined his comrades again with chopping, slicing, bashing and downright destroying every single plant in view.
Mak-Oto was in shock, so all she could do was to sit on the ground and mumble: "No... no, what are you doing? The roses of the king... my beautiful darlings... No... NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
----
Mak-Oto wasn't able to keep track of time, but many chops, slices and bashes later, it was over.
And the young gardener was looking at a scene of destruction.
All around her were the remains of her plants... wooden splinters, ripped leaves and crumbled petals.
For a person like Mak-Oto, it was a scene right out of a nightmare!
"I can't believe it..." she sobbed. "I failed... I failed to do my duty." She scooped up a few of the last intact rose petals and sighed deeply. "Who ever could possibly have the idea of turning my beautiful garden into such a wasteland of destruction?"
Suddenly, she got afraid. "The queen... if she learns about this, I'm done for! She'll tar and feather me... No, she'll hang me... or she'll divide me into four... or she'll..."
"Now why would I do something horrible as that?" an amused voice spoke up behind her. "After all, I was the one who ordered my soldiers to tear down the plants."
Mak-Oto turned around in shock. "Q-queen Hakurabi!" she gasped and fell down to her knees.
"Please, stand up," the tomboyish queen smirked. Hesitantly, Mak-Oto obeyed.
Then it dawned to her: "My... my queen! What do you mean... you ordered your soldiers?" She gasped. "You want to tell me that YOU were the one responsible for this... this..."
Hakurabi nodded. "Yes, I am. But do not fret, my good Mak-Oto, this is not the end, but rather the beginning of something new!"
The young gardener was confused. "Why did you decide to destroy Babylon's blooming paradise?" she asked in a hurt voice. She felt betrayed.
The queen made a dramatic gesture. "On this ground, I will plant the future and destiny of Babylon, my girl. Wisdom and knowledge will bloom and help Babylon to enter a new time of flourishing and glory..."
Mak-Oto scratched her back in confusion. "Umm... I can't quiet follow you, Your Highness..."
Hakurabi smirked. "No, of course not! Maybe I'll let someone else explain for me... come forth, my loyal court researcher, Mic-Hiru!"
Mak-Oto and the queen turned to see a very familiar face approaching them... that of the royal head scientist (and reputed lover of the queen) Mic-Hiru.
In her hands, Mak-Oto could see a small, half open box, which was filled with what the young gardener instantly recognized as flower seeds.
The turquoise-haired woman smiled. "Hello, Mak-oto!"
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(Posted Sat, 10 Mar 2007 18:11)
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