Storyline Name: Beast
Creator(s): Artemis and Sailor Saturn
Forum:  Free Forum
Advanced or Relaxed Advanced
Plot Summary:Following the storyline: Decorator and the Beast, after the death of the King, Mamoru struggles to find what he really wants in life, he let the power his Father (the King) had over him control his decisions, rather than sticking to what he really wanted. Now feeling remorseful, Mamoru tries to make an effort to help Usagi be successful in fulfilling the kings wishes of having the late queen's room turned into a personal library. He is shocked to find however, that she has fled the palace without a word to anyone. This isn’t the only stress, with the note Mamoru was on with his father before his death, makes him look suspicious of killing his father in order to take the throne, which while Mamoru may want to become King, he wants to right his wrongs with Usagi and to find who he really is and what he values most. Can Mamoru get to Usagi in time and convince her he is not the cold hearted monster everyone wants her to believe he is? Can he clear his name of the one who murdered his father, or are the accusations of him killing his father true? Will Usagi be able to rescue Mamoru from himself or will the two go their separate ways without having the chance to rekindle their relationship?
Details on any necessary information:This is strictly a two person roleplay. It is a sequel to the story Decorator and the Beast, the story is becoming advanced because the more Saturn and I played this story out, the longer our posts got, with the sequel, we will be exploring Usagi and Mamoru’s relationship and the turmoil that unfolds from the Kings death.
Restrictions:No other characters accepted, no otaku, any other needed characters will be NPC’d by Saturn and myself.
Source: N/A
OOC Thread: OOC Thread
Member to Character List:

 Artemis- Prince Mamoru
Sailor Saturn- Altered Usagi

Mamoru had left the palace in a rush, fear of the unknown and fear that he would be blamed for his father's death. After he wrote his note, he changed his clothes into a more casual type of clothing so he would be less recognizable. He rode his horse into the village and began his search for Usagi. Days passed and still no luck, he had been staying in a barn, not his first choice, but he had to find Usagi and take her back to the palace, he had to make things right, he had to be the man his mother raised him to be and a person he could be proud of, now that his father was gone, there was no one governing his moves, he had control of his life for the first time ever.

The next morning he woke up early and was able to find a local eatery. He walked in and sat down, he needed to shower and shave as he has begun to grow some gruff on his face, all that aside he ordered a sausage and eggs breakfast and something to drink while he took in the people who were also eating. He was hoping for a glance at Usagi, hoping somehow she would show up.

Mamoru's outfit:

Usagi had been home for a few weeks now. Her parents didn't question her return, but she felt guilty for not really explaining the scenario either. She simply told them she was home sick, and they insisted she didn't apologize due to it. They were her parents, and they welcomed her home with open arms. 

Her brother however, made fun of her and teased her saying she wasn't good enough to work at the castle and was fired. This actually made Usagi laugh since she knew she was indeed good, but not good enough to carry out her duties. So in fact, what her brother was saying was true, except she was the one who quit.

---

The next morning Usagi looked out her window and saw some of the leaves had turned a shade of dark red. It was officially the first sign of Fall. Soon the nights would grow cooler, and the days would begin to lose sunlight. She watched as her brother walked down their sidewalk and into the busy town to do his weekly errands.

Mamoru looked around, and he didn't see Usagi. He heard others behind him talking, concealing their faces and he became suspicious that they were talking about him. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before due to countless nightmares and night sweats, not to mention the haunting of now the late king.

Mamoru turned around and shouted at the crowd in the small cafe like rom, "what are you looking at?" As he turned he bumped into a younger boy who was staring at him, he eyed the boy, his eyes glassed over and a bit blood-shot due to his sleep deprivation, "I suggest you move unless you want me to walk over you."

When the boy still didn't move, he bent down and glared at the boy, "look I dont know what you want, but..." he stopped mid-sentence when he heard the boy say, "I know who you are."

Mamoru shoved the boy sending him crashing to the ground, "You don't know anything, now get out of my way," Mamoru shouted as he stormed out and found his horse, getting on it and riding off to continue his search for Usagi.

Usagi was in the yard helping her mother hang laundry when her brother came home in tears. He explained that he saw the Prince in the local cafe and he had shoved him and the two exchanged words. Usagi was shocked, but a little flutter ran through her body. She didn't know what to feel. Why was he there, in her town? She was mad he hurt her brother, but at the same time she needed to know. 

She apologized to her mother and ran into the small house to get her purse before setting off on the walk into town. She heard mumbles around her, rumors stating that the no good prince was in the village, probably trying to find a way to ruin their town.

She walked passed the cafe the Prince was in.

Frustrated, Mamoru hopped on his horse and rode off. Just as he was leaving the cafe, he saw her, Usagi. He had been looking for her for weeks without any luck. Seeing her made him realize he had to go after her, to apologize for being a jerk and caring more about his fathers opinion than what he really wants in life. He would never make that mistake again.

He wasn't sure why he was so driven to go after her, to let her know he was wrong, maybe a part of him wanted her in his life and for her to never leave again. When he was with Usagi, it was like coming up for fresh air, he could be his true self and he would stop at nothing until he made things right with Usagi.

He pulled on the reigns as he stopped his horse. He jumped off and ran after her, he called out "Usagi" as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Usagi heard a commotion behind her, but before she could turn, she felt a hand on her shoulder. The world slowed behind her as she reached her hand up and placed it on the hand that laid on her shoulder.

"Mamoru?" She said silently so that only the two of them could hear as she turned. Her eyes locked with his, her heart pounded. She didn't know what else to say. She had so many questions, but she was afraid to ask. A gust of cool wind tussled her hair slightly. Fall was in the air.

A crowd gathered around, people whispered. Usagi, however, ignored them.

Mamoru was shocked that Usagi was standing before him now. He had been searching for her for weeks and now here she was. He took a moment to just look at her, taking her in slowly as his hand traced down her arm from her shoulder. He wanted more than anything to take her hand in his, but he knew people were gathering around them, no doubt gossiping about him and her. He looked her in the eyes and leaned in to whisper in her ear,

"I know you are probably wondering why I am here, I will tell you everything, we just need to get somewhere where we can talk and not have all these onlookers, I know they are talking about us, and while I can handle their crude comments, you do not deserve it, now do you know of a place we can go to have this talk?" He asked, his voice having a raspiness to it.

He wanted to be able to explain everything to her, but he also wanted to be able to sit down and find a way to get some rest, he was beyond exhausted at the moment, but all that mattered in this moment was that Usagi was with him and he didn't want to lose her again.

Usagi felt his hand trace down her bare shoulder. The touch of his fingers sent shivers down her spine. She wanted to be alone with him, to hear everything, to hear why he was here. She listened closely as he whispered in her ears, although it was a little but difficult because of the growing crowd. She did hear one word. Alone.

She took his hand as it reached her hand, squeezed, then turned quickly. She walked down the road, people following her. Loudly she spoke. "Oh Luke! It's so nice to see you again! Don't you remember, your uncle's house is this way!" This stopped the onlookers. It was possible to have a relative, a cousin, that looked like the Prince, right? Regardless the idea worked. As soon as they lost the crowd, she bolted as fast as she could through a forest. When they reached the edge of a drop off, she stopped, leaning over and panted. Usagi never let go of his hand.

Mamoru didn't know what Usagi was up to, but he was glad she seemed willing to hear him out. He felt her grab his hand and ran with her. When he heard her call him Luke and asked if he remembered his uncles house, he couldn't help but let out a laugh, grinning from ear to ear as he spoke, helping to make her story believable, "oh right, I do remember, its just been so long since I have been to see uncle, I must have been a child."

He was happy her plan worked, the crowd vanished. He stopped and bent over, and regained his breath. He realized Usagi was still holding his hand. He looked at her back, not knowing what she was thinking, the emotions she was feeling was driving him crazy. He walked over to Usagi, still holding her hand. He walked in front of her so she could see his face, he probably looked like a wreck, but he didn't care, he was with Usagi and he would answer all of her questions, he would tell her everything.

Usagi stood slowly as her lungs refilled with air. She didn't know what was going to happen next, but she didn't care. He had a reason for being here, and she needed to know. 

Her blonde hair was in two pigtails that day, except the tops were buns. She wore a paced pink dress, with black slip on shoes that were now caked in mud from running through the forest. 

Then she realized, his hand. She pulled away, and fixed her hair with the hand that had become warm from his. He was now standing so close to her, his eyes on hers.

"Why are you here?"

Mamoru knew this question was coming and he knew that he wanted to be honest with her, to put everything out in the open. He had spent too much time hiding behind his father's power and now he was going to start making his own decisions, starting with Usagi.

"I am here because I came searching for you, when I discovered you were gone, something stirred inside me and as crazy as it sounds, I realize how wrong I was, how I should have just followed through with what I told you I was going to do, but I was afraid of my father and afraid of life on the outside, but when I found out you left, I didn't fear my father anymore."

He paused before continuing. "I went to talk to my father, to try and convince him to let you do what we had planned, but it turned into a heated argument, and...." he paused thinking carefully about whether or not he should tell her the next part of information. He had gone to sit on a tree that had collapsed and patted for Usagi to sit next to him, if nothing else to come closer to him.

"What I am about to tell you is another reason why I left, but I have to know I can trust you, because right now theres only one other person I know of who has my back, and I just need to tell someone what happened, I think its the first step in getting my life back." He said wondering if he could trust Usagi and if she would even believe his story.

Usagi felt her heart flutter as he told her that he was there to find her. He had come, left the comfort of his castle, to find a peasant like her. A strange sensation filled her body, she he  never felt what she was feeling for him now. 

Bit then that pause worried her. What was he not telling her? She watched him sit, and invite her over with s gesture. She sat beside him, little distance between them. 

"You can trust me." She said. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear the next part, but she couldn't turn him away. And a part of her, almost all of her wanted to be next to him no matter what. She didn't want to run away [size=32]again.[/size]

Mamoru looked in Usagi's eyes. He believed that she would stay with him, that he could trust her. He drooped his head down and ran a hand through his raven hair, resting his hand on the nape of his neck as he began to speak keeping his head down. "When the argument began to get heated, I thought my father was going to...well I don't know what would have happened, all I know is I was pretty much dead to him for challenging him, but something happened, he just dropped, like one minute he was standing, yelling and charging at me and the next moment he was on the ground....dead," he said, finally looking up to meet Usagi's eyes.

He was so tired, he hadn't had a proper nights sleep in weeks, he needed to find a way to shave and take a bath somewhere that wasn't a river or some other body of water, but right now what mattered most was that Usagi was not afraid of him, he hoped she would see that he did not kill his father, at least he hoped he didn't kill his father.

"Only one person knows this other than you, the only other person I know I can trust, but I am not so sure I can return to the palace, I hear talk that people think I killed my father, but I didn't, but I am not sorry he's dead either," he said as he slammed his fist into the tree. 

He looked at Usagi again, wondering what she was thinking, but then he wanted to extend an offer to make things right with her, he would do anything to make her believe he was not the monster his father was, "any other questions you have, I will answer,"  He said as he fell a bit forward, catching himself before he face planted the dirt beneath his feet.

Usagi felt the blood drain from her face. Her cheeks were no longer rosey, but white. She looked as if she had just seen a ghost. She told him she would trust him, but she didn't realize it involved death. She remained silent. She slowly shifted her wait away from Mamoru. She needed to think, she didn't know what to do. She was potentially hiding a murder, but he told her it wasn't his fault. The king was old right? 

"Perhaps, he had a medical condition and had a massive heart attack?" she said silently, not making eye contact. Her hands shook as she folded them on her lap. Another cool breeze came through the forest.

As Usagi spoke, Mamoru listened, she had averted her gaze from him She had an idea though, maybe he died from a heart attack, he wasn't sure what exactly that was, but it could explain  his sudden collapse and death. 

He hated not knowing what she was thinking, her body language was turned away from him. He could tell his words had frightened her, which is what he feared. He got up and distanced himself further from her. 

"Perhaps you are right, maybe it was a heart attack, I am not certain, I don't know that I ever will be, but I know I did not do this to my father, sure we didn't get along, but I would never kill him, not when it means I take the throne, I don't know how to be a king, and now I don't know that I can go back." He said as he turned to walk back toward the town, feeling worse than when he left.  He didn't know why, but disappointing Usagi hurt more than fleeing the castle.

Usagi didn't know where else to go from here. He had to go back to the Kingdom, he needed to face his people. Then a thought his Usagi. She stood up quickly and looked at Mamoru in the eyes. Her face tilted down slightly then fell to her knees. She wasn't in the presence of a prince, for he was not the true King.

"I'm sorry, I....you're highness." She said now not making eye contact. She had been ignorant. Why didn't she realize the reality the moment he told her his father, the late king had passed? "I'll help you, but not because of you're status, but as a friend." Usagi sunk a little lower to the ground, her legs ached from the position she was in.

Seems short, but 128 words:

Mamoru looked at Usagi. He listened as she spoke. She was going to help him. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to bring her into his problems. He was afraid of how people would treat her. He was afraid they would treat her poorly and that was the last thing he wanted.
He was a bit taken aback when she addressed him as his highness. Yes he was of royalty, but he didn’t like the formality, not with Usagi. She was one of the few people he was okay with addressing him by his first name.

He got down on his knee and put his finger under her chin. He tilted her face so her eyes met his. “I will accept your offer, but you do not have to be so formal. I should warn you that those in the palace may not be happy to see me, not after what happened with my father, but I cannot run any longer.”


He was already thinking about what he would do once he took his place on the throne unless those in the palace ran him out of it first.

"So what now?" She asked, as she slowly stood back up. She brushed some pieces of dried leaves from her long dress that stuck to the fabric. "We can't stay here. People are already talking, and the story about you being my cousin may not hold. I mean, won't people be looking for you?"

Usagi wouldn't sit back down, rather she leaned against a dead tree stump. She was looking past Mamoru, very distantly. "Right now the kingdom is kingless. You must go back."

Another strong gust kicked up around them, her long hair that hung in the buns blew against her cheek. A loose piece of her brushed across her forehead.

Mamoru listened with intent as Usagi spoke. She was quite an intelligent young woman. She appeared to have no fears for him returning back to the palace, but he on the other hand was afraid. He figured he had to face his fears, the longer he ran, the guiltier he would look.
Mamoru turned to face Usagi. He kept his distance, but spoke clearly “you are right. I cannot hide forever and the people need someone to guide them. The journey back is going to be rough….maybe it will not be as bad as I am imagining.” He gazed off for a moment, thinking of how to word his question.


He took a couple steps closer towards Usagi as he spoke “if it’s not too much to ask, would you please accompany me back to the palace. I will admit I am afraid of what lies ahead, but if I have someone to support me, then I think that returning will be much easier.” He waited, allowing her time to consider his offer.

Usagi didn't reply to the Prince in front of her right away. Prince, that again she had to remind herself was no longer true. He was not the King. She looked up at the sky for a moment, the sun would set in a few hours. They could make some distance before the night set in back to the castle, however where would they stay?

"It is about a two day journey if we go through the mountains. If we take the main roads, one wrong turn can easily cause confusion and make a few day journey into a week. Regardless of the path we choose, the main roads or a side path through the mountains, we will need a place to stay. And I do need to go home and pack clothing." And that was how she answered him. Not a yet or no, but a statement of concern for them both. So like Usagi. 

Her family knew she returned of her own free will from the castle, but would they allow her to return?

Mamoru listened as she spoke. She made it seem as though she were coming with him. He wanted to allow her space. He didn’t want her to feel like he was forcing her to come. If she didn’t it would be okay. He would miss her, but he would survive.  Mamoru knew he had to return and sort things out, no matter what the cost was to him, he had to take the responsibility and take the throne.

He spoke, still keeping his distance from her, “So does that mean you are coming. If not I understand, but if you do choose to stay home, do you think you could point me in the right direction? If the paths are as tricky as you say, I will need some assistance as I am not familiar with these woods.”

Mamoru wasn’t sure what to expect. He wasn’t even sure if he would return alive or if he would be able to go back to the castle at all. All he knew was he had to try.


“If you don’t mind, I could escort you at least to your house. I will find some place to stay, but will be leaving in the morning. I have been hiding for too long and I need to get back to my people. I will understand if you do not want to return with me, but would be very pleased if you did return with me to the castle.” What he didn’t tell her was how much he needed her to give him confidence that he could do what she said he could. She believed in him, even after he was so cruel to her. It was enough for him to begin to believe in himself.

"I did say we would need a place to stay." Usagi said, grinning at him as she repeated part of the statement she had just spoken. "I can't say no to a friend." That word, had she just called him a friend? Just what were they? She didn't comment on the phrase any longer, and reached out and took his hand. "Come with me, we need to go to my house...erm, I will, and you just stay hidden where I tell you until I return."

She lead him through the forest going north, and her small home with her large yard soon came into view. Her brother was outside chopping logs with their father, and her mother was most likely inside preparing dinner. "This is my home, just wait here in the tree line for my return." 


Usagi walked away, increasing her speed the closer she got to her house. Her mind thinking quick on what exactly she would tell to her parents.

Mamoru couldn’t hide his happiness when Usagi said she was coming with him. He smiled from ear to ear. “Great. I appreciate you helping me out like this,” he said as he followed her.

Mamoru listened as Usagi spoke. She wanted him to stay hidden. He nodded his head as he spoke, “I can do that. Will your family be okay with you leaving again so suddenly?” He asked out of concern hoping that Usagi’s parents would let her leave.


After pointing out her house, Usagi asked Mamoru to wait for her in the trees.“I promise, I will not leave this spot until you return.”  He said as he watched her walk towards the small cottage.

Mamoru waited for Usagi just like she had asked. He paced back and forth, the act of stepping back and forth had a strange way of calming his nerves. It also helped to pass the time. Moments passed and finally Usagi had appeared. When she asked him if he was ready, Mamoru turned to face her as he spoke.

“I am ready, we must move at a quicker pace, I hope no one has stolen my horse. With my steed we can cover ground more quickly and begin our journey. Though we will need a place to sleep for the night,” he said as he began to walk back in the direction of his horse.

“We don’t have to get far, just far enough that people won’t start spreading false stories.” He said before adding, “so your family was okay with you coming with me?”

Usagi's suitcase had a shoulder strap attatched to it. She slung the luggage over her shoulder as she following Mamoru back to his horse. The thought of riding with him again sent butterflies through her stomach.

"They didn't really reply, but my mom trusts my decisions." She said as she watched her footing. "My brother thubjs you're a jerk" she said with a slight giggle.

She pulled her luggage closer to her as another chilly wind came through. The sun would set soon in a few short hours, and she could tell a cool night was upon them. 

"We can stay at a farm in  over night" she suggested. "They see so many travelers, I doubt anyone would recognize you...let alone even know what you look like." She said. She knew that last sentence probably hurt him. "Sorry...."

Mamoru listened as Usagi spoke. He couldn’t help but chuckle when she told him her brother thought he was a jerk. “Trust me, I’ve been called worse,” he said as they continued to walk towards his horse. Moments later Mamoru arrived to the location where he had left his horse.


He listened as Usagi suggested a farm they could stay at and how he probably would not be recognized. “Right now, it’s probably for the best that no one recognizes me.” He said as he hopped on his horse. He extended his hand to help Usagi on. In the next moment he was off, his horse carrying them both to their destination for the night.

Spoiler:

Usagi felt hurt when Mamoru told her that he had been called worse. She believed it, however the fools that called him worse names clearly didn't know Mamoru. No one did, and this made her a sad inside. 

"You're kind, and nothing of the names people call you." She said softly as he helped her onto the horse. Her bad laid against her back while the strap crossed her breast. She wrapped her arms around him, and a feeling of warmth came over her. No matter how cold the upcoming fall would come, she knew she would be warm as long as she was with him.

She directed him to a path in the forest, and told him to follow it until there was a fork in the road. At this fork they would need to go right and the entire journey would take about two hours to reach the location they would stay for the night.

Mamoru listened closely to the directions Usagi gave him. When they arrived to the fork in the road, Mamoru took the road to the right. They would arrive at their destination soon. Mamoru couldn’t but smile when he heard Usagi call him kind. He wanted to be the kind person Usagi claimed him to be, but it would take time. He was learning to become the person he wanted to be.

He called out over his shoulder, “I admire your kind words, but I must admit, I have had my moments where I have had my mean moments, but I am trying to be a better person,” he said as he focused on the road ahead of them.

He would never admit it, at least not yet, but he loved the feel of Usagi’s arms wrapped around him. It made him feel warm inside. He was beginning to realize that he was in love with her, but felt he could never share his feelings. He would not share his feelings. Usagi didn’t deserve him. 

Mamoru knew he would only end up hurting her and knew she deserved better than that. Usagi deserved someone who wouldn’t hinder her reputation, and that was not Mamoru…..at least that’s what Mamoru told himself as they continued down the path to their resting place for the night.