All the words that have been once used to describe Nemesis fell apart once Seiya witnessed the planet themself. Confronted by all the horrors of how war had destroyed an already impoverished and disaster-stricken planet had left the Starlight distraught. It reminded them too much of Kinmoku when Galaxia’s invasion had succeeded, when there was nothing left to lose and when the Starlights and the Princess were forced to runaway.

Seiya felt deeply for Prince Demando, no matter how much of an asshole he came off as, and how little they got along. It had truly felt like an honor to be able to expedite the process of support to that planet and in all honesty, Seiya had been tempted to remain in the planet to help in a hands on way.

However, duty had called. And as of now, Seiya’s duty lied solely on obeying what the council had chosen. An interplanetary diplomatic convention of sorts, in which the future of Crystal Tokyo and Nemesis would be decided.

Seiya had never once looked at the situation from the point of view of maybe, just maybe, this whole thing could’ve been avoided if Crystal Tokyo had been more tolerant. Tolerant of darkness? Seiya shook their head, as they walk towards the supposed secret meeting that was being held by a mysterious figure who had been addressing the faults in Crystal Tokyo related to Nemesis.

Tolerance of darkness - but if Neo Queen Serenity had been over tolerant, maybe Crystal Tokyo wouldn’t even exist in the first place. They knew Usagi. They knew Serenity. They knew her heart and all the ways she would’ve never done anything to purposedly create pain and sorrow to anyone.

But Seiya wasn’t innocent. Seiya knew that anything related to Crystal Tokyo, Nemesis, Kinmoku and any planets were an intersection of much more than one person’s good heart. Politics never ceased to leave Seiya feeling ill and limit their trust in humans and aliens alike.

The Starlight felt it was their duty to listen to people’s complaints. If even the commoners in Crystal Tokyo felt restless regarding what was happening, they needed to know what that was about, in order to decide what their position within that would be like. They didn’t let anyone know, not even Yaten and Taiki.

They gathered that night at a tavern where they lived. An almost forgotten part of Crystal Tokyo, where possibly no one there had ever been close to an actual crystal in their entire life. They had been thrown to that area after the purification , where the streets were dirty and people would die from diseases. The royalty expected them to be greateful for this second chance of life, and people were quiet because they were scared. Everyone knew how powerful the queen was, the kingdom spoke greateness of her compassion and love for everyone, they feared her.

Until these gathering had started a couple of months ago. Everything started at the old tarvern where a woman was finally brave enough to express her discontent towards the monarchy. It all started with a couple of words exchange over some drinks but those words were powerful enough to have people gathered there every week. Every meeting more people would show up, most of them wearing capes and hoods to hide their identity. The meetings had to be secret, they didn’t know what the outcome of these speeches would be. But everyone gathered there was tired after working for hours but still going to bed hungry and hopeless.

And at the center of these meeting was always a woman, with red hair and pale skin. She was very mysterious and everyone whispered that she was an evil witch, but her speeches were strong and powerful.

“ They think they can own US! They erased our memories, they erased our history! How can we let them decide over our lives like that? How can we let them own us and our past? Who are we if we don’t know our history and our past? Why do we allow them to have such power over us? They sleep under their crystal roofs while we have to be greateful for the breadcrumbs they let us eat? They-“ Suddenly the red haired woman stopped and her face turned into a disgusted horror expression.

Did any of that bear any truth? If so, how? Seiya needed to speak to Taiki urgently, but for now, they needed to investigate. Until, of course, the red witch called out the Senshi blood she smelled. The Starlight held their breathe, looking around, as everyone looked at each other investigating which one of them could be the mysterious soldier.

For a moment, the impulsive soldier of fight almost spoke up. They wanted to say it was them, but no. It couldn’t be. They needed to risk secrecy. If discovered, they’d fight.

"Thanks."

The lighter was about as familiar as one of the queen's talking cats, but Rubeus refused to look daunted, examining like a deadly piece of weaponry. On any normal day he might have simply lit the cigarette with his own powers, but he had been warned by seemingly everyone with an ounce of authority to not show anything resembling a show of force.

Rubeus' eyelids fluttered closed as he inhaled the first cigarette he'd had in years, happily sighing out a pale cloud of smoke.

"I don't know. Maybe that's how we got in this mess in the first place," he groused.

"Hiding in this crystal cage for all these years must be melting their brains."

“That’s what I tell Odan...Her Majesty all the time. All this talking can only get so much done. It’s amazing we all speak the same language to begin with, but we are all so different, how the hell can we just agree by talking and talking and taaalking.” Seiya moved their head accordingly.

Seiya pondered over his affirmation regarding the hiding. “Hm, I don’t think they’ve spent that long in here. From what I’ve known, they’ve been working really hard elsewhere. Do you see those two?” He pointed towards Haruka and Michiru.

“They’re rarely here. Meioh-san is also constantly away, they say she lives by some secret time door thingy. Do you think she time travels? Oh, what if she travels dimensions? Spooky. Anyway, then we have Mercury, she’s always out there researching some cool stuff. Hmm...” Seiya looked around until their eyes focused on Neo Queen Serenity.

There was something serene about her demeanor towards Prince Demando, as if she really believed peace could and should be possible. Seiya smiled fondly, hoping against hope she was right.

“I guess that’s why I’m not in charge of those things. Taiki is much better at dealing with the talking than I am.” They murmured puffing on the cigarette.

Rubeus had been certain no one had saw him sneaking out, which meant the Kinmokian ambassador was out here of his own volition, not to drag him back into another endless meeting. The appearance of a cigarette was just a confirmation, and he relaxed. Rubeus hadn’t bothered to learn any of the Kinmokian’s names, but this one seemed to be the most down-to-earth. “Yeah,” he agreed, glad to finally admit that he wasn’t thrilled about the entire process to at least someone else. Even it was essentially to a stranger. “I know it’s for a good cause, but those four goons always following around the king just like hearing themselves talk.”

He eyed the cigarette dangling from Seiya’s fingertips, trying to hide his jealousy. Tobacco was an expensive luxury on Nemesis.

Seiya ran their fingers through their wild mane and took another drag, when the Nemesian asked something. “What’s that? Oh, oh, yeah of course dude.”

Seiya immediately handed one of those to the red haired man next to them, offering a lighter as well. 

“Look, I'm all about democracy and shit, we all need to talk, but I’m not cut out for bullshit. It just bores me to death. I don’t have anything to add.” They shrugged.

Nothing could be clearer to Kunzite. Even the gravity was different on this planet, making his normally measured, careful steps clumsy. Even the air smelt different, clean and almost cloying. He had been sent as an envoy to Kinmoku as a representative of Crystal Tokyo, of Earth, but without his brothers and King, Kunzite had never felt less authoritative. He even seemed to warrant a nanny, the sharp-eyed Sailor Starfighter who had come to collect Kunzite from the sumptuous quarters he’d been assigned to during his stay.

“So it would seem,” he replied, remembering his king’s warning to be on his best behavior.

Seiya had to confess they enjoyed those moments spent at the Palace much more. Even as a famous warrior and musician, the Starlight was expected to live a much more modest existence to match everyone else’s means. Not that Seiya minded that, but they definitely could use some time to indulge on a good old...indulgence.

That did not mean Seiya was looking forward at all to babysit some ugly and irritating Shittenou. Last time Crystal Tokyo people came to visit and go over the last few details of the reconstruction of the planet, Yaten had bragged for two and a half weeks about spending quality time with Venus. They had had so much fun, and Seiya had only seen his friend a couple of times and they barely had any time to get drunk together and party.

feel free to change words and pronouns as needed.

Be Prepared

“Maybe they’ve a glimmer of potential, if allied to my vision and brain.”

“My words are a matter of pride.”

“It’s clear from your vacant expressions the lights are not all on upstairs.”

“So prepare for a chance of a lifetime.”

“Be prepared for sensational news.”

“A shining new era is tiptoeing nearer.”

“I know it sounds sordid but you’ll be rewarded when at last I am given my dues.”

“Of course, quid pro quo, you’re expected to take certain duties on board.”

“The point that I must emphasize is you won’t get a sniff without me!”

“Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared.”

Poor Unfortunate Souls

“My dear, sweet child, that’s what I do. It’s what I live for.”

“I admit that in the past I’ve been a nasty.”

“They weren’t kidding when they called me, well, a witch.”

“But you’ll find that nowadays I’ve mended all my ways. Repented, seen the light, and made a switch.”

“It’s a talent that I always have possessed.”

“They come flocking to my cauldron crying, “Spells, (name), please!” and I help them. Yes I do.”

“But on the whole I’ve been a saint to those poor unfortunate souls.”

“Go ahead. Make your choice!”

“I’m a very busy woman and I haven’t got all day.”

Friends on the Other Side

“Don’t you disrespect me little man. Don’t you derogate or deride!”

“You’re in my world now, not your world.”

“And I got friends on the other side.”

“I can read your future, I can change it around some too.”

“You do have have a soul, don’t you, (name)?”

“I got voodoo, I got hoodoo, I got things I didn’t even try.”

“The cards, the cards, just take three. Take a little trip into your future with me.”

“But in your future the you I see is exactly the man you always wanted to be.”

“I hope you’re satisfied, but if you ain’t, don’t blame me.”

“You can blame my friends on the other side.”

“You got what you wanted. What you want is what you get.”

Mother Knows Best

“Look at you, as fragile as a flower.”

“That’s right, to keep you safe and sound, dear.”

“I guess I always knew this day was coming.”

“Trust me, pet. Mother knows best.”

“Listen to your mother.”

“It’s a scary world out there.”

“One way or another, something will go wrong, I swear.”

“Stop, no more, you’ll just upset me.”

“Mother’s right here. Mother will protect you.”

“On your own, you won’t survive.”

“You’re drinking?” Seiya — wearing a disguise, of course, had be browsing those fancy crystals for several long minutes hoping to finding something that could bring luck to the upcoming tour.

Honestly, it was a bit weird to drink while being a store clerk, but the starlight had seen worse situations in the past.

“Do you share?”

Seiya let out a soft laughter.

“I couldn’t let them think I’m playing favorites.” Even though I am - they didn’t say that, but they thought.

Seiya watched them attentively as they leaned against the railing. “I could never do that,” they admitted making a face at the thought of working a boring job that wasn’t entertainment. “I mean, I couldn’t even imagine myself following another career. Maybe in sports but even so..”

It was Seiya’s turn to lean, a smirk on their lips. “Oh, you like it?” They ran their fingers through their ponytail. “I always wondered what it would be like if I cut it, but I don’t think I’m ready yet. Maybe one day.”

Their eyes darted towards where the sun was setting. A sense of peace they hadn’t experienced in a while came over them. It was as if their life was eventually coming together.

“I feel honored having you guys join me for this tour. Really. The rehearsal made me feel so much more confident.” They admitted honestly. “I never thought I could make it alone - an album, a tour. And I was right after all —- even though I’m not with the members, I’m not alone. I’m with really increadible people beside me.” They said turning to look at Rio again.

        “Mmm, don’t. The long hair suits you.” So what if he had a preference for long hair, anyway? Even if he did not, the statement stood.

        Seiya started talking, the weight of the whole situation coming down onto their shoulders. The album, the tour, everything that would follow. Rio’s smirk softened into a smile. Such inspiration and passion. It was a state he had only ever reached after a closed show and more beer than he could remember. Was this what it was like to be a real celebrity? An artist?

        “And I am proud to be helping make that happen. It’s the dream of everyone who does what we do: to make music, to entertain, to make new friends the whole while.” He scooted closer to Seiya, looking down at the singer.