Storyline Name: Silver Branches
Creator(s): RP Speedy Dating!
Forum: Casual
Advanced or Relaxed: Relaxed
Plot Summary: Dealing with the conflicting emotions of falling in love with a Prince from Earth, Princess Serenity has sought refuge from her daily responsibilities in the Silver Garden. Climbing trees isn't something she's very good at, but after a few attempts she effectively hides herself from her searching senshi, given a few moments of peace alone in her thoughts. Luna, going through her own personal romantic troubles, recognizes the signs of a person in love and knows exactly where to find her princess.
Details on any necessary information: You are free to take this idea in any direction you'd like! Have fun!
Restrictions: Characters listed below only!
OOC Thread: Link!
Member to Character List:
||Luna played by Princess Luna
||Princess Serenity played by Lyssarie

Serenity could hear Sailor Mars calling for her, but she ran in the opposite direction. They knew all of her hiding places - where would she go to be alone? She found herself in the royal gardens, surrounded by white rosebushes and elegant silver cypress trees. She continued to run, but the heels of her shoes dug into the ground beneath her. Frustrated, Serenity tore them off of her feet and tossed them into the closest rosebush. Eventually, she reached a far corner of the garden, where she found herself trapped by the tall marble gates surrounding the palace. Desperate, she searched around her, when she laid eyes on a nearby cypress.

Did she dare try to climb? She was not the most...coordinated of princesses, but it didn't look too difficult. She could hear Venus's voice growing closer - the tree was her only option. Determination furrowed Serenity's eyebrows as she began her ascent, hiking up her skirts and placing a bare foot on the lowest branch. She grunted quietly as she tried to pull herself up, her fingernails digging into the bark. "I must get around to improving my strength," she huffed as she reached the next branch. She was about to lift her foot to the next branch when she found herself caught. Her dress had become snagged, and there was no way she would be able to get it off without ripping it. With a quiet groan, she yanked her skirt, the ripping sound causing her heart to break. It was such a beautiful gown - one of her favorites - and now it was ruined.

Nonetheless, Serenity continued her climb, getting dirt all over her white gown and underneath her nails. Her hair had gotten caught several times, and was now in a bedraggled mess of tangles and twigs. But she made it about halfway up the tree, her muscles aching and lungs heaving. With a large exhale, she leaned back against the trunk and hugged her knees to her chest.

Below, she could hear the sound of Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter passing by, completely unaware of her whereabouts. Victorious, Serenity smiled to herself. Now she could finally have some time to think about the weights on her shoulders.

I made you an RP header too! Let me know if you would rather have it as human Luna and I can change it!:

Luna was lost in thought walking around the Royal gardens. She was feeling particularly troubled today. She sighed, "What am I supposed to do?" Luna was not one to wander around the palace grounds alone, however she needed to clear her head. She enjoyed being busy, she was a loyal servant to her Queen and was proud of the work she did. It was very rare for her to need to take a step away.

Recently, Luna would catch herself day dreaming during meetings. She was no longer fully focused on her duties and it was all his fault. Luna blushed for a moment, the image of Artemis flashing in her mind. Again she sighed. There was much more important things to be doing, but if only she could have some space, get her thoughts together, focus on her duties. She knew it wouldn't be that simple. It never is. 

Not paying any attention to where she was going, Luna tripped over something. Shoes? She thought, what could these possibly be doing in the garden? Curious, Luna looked around scanning the area for whoever these shoes belonged to. Luna looked up to see the Princess, clothes a mess, clinging to a tree. 

Carefully, Luna jumped up into the Cypress tree and looked at Princess Serenity. Confused only for a moment. When she looked into her eyes she saw a familiar look. "You're highness." Luna said softly, "What are you doing in this tree? Perhaps you'd like to talk about something? It seems we may both be out here for the same reason."

Serenity was so startled by Luna's sudden appearance, she almost fell out of the tree. She clung to the branch beneath her, stifling a small cry of surprise. "Luna!' she gasped, exhaling in relief. "I am just...trying out a new hobby. It seems I do not appear to have an affinity for this kind of activity," she said with a nervous laugh. She couldn't tell Luna about her troubles, could she? The royal advisor would likely run straight to tell the queen about her daughter's forbidden love, and Serenity would never be able to see him again.

She loved Luna, but she just wasn't sure if Luna could be trusted with such a dire secret. "Why are you out here, Luna?"

Luna couldn't help but chuckle at the Princess. Clearly she hadn't thought through climbing the tree. "I don't mean to laugh, your highness, it's just that this is the last place I'd expected to find you." She pondered what to say to the princess. Just because she recognized the look in Serenity's eyes doesn't mean she was correct. "Your highness. I was wandering the gardens and just happened to trip on your shoe." She said matter of factly. 

"If I'm being honest, I was trying to clear my head. I haven't been feeling like myself lately. Your highness, if I may, I'd venture to guess that you have been feeling similarly?" Luna hoped that maybe, she could share her secret with someone. Maybe they could learn to trust each other.

Serenity bit her lip, knowing Luna could see right through her. It seemed like Luna was trying to establish some sort of connection with her, and it was a rather nice feeling. She and Luna had always worked closely, but their relationship had been primarily professional. Was Luna really capable of setting her duties aside and being Serenity's friend?

This was ridiculous. Here she was, running from her four best friends, and sitting in a tree with her mother's closest advisor. It made no sense, but for some reason, Serenity felt comfortable there with Luna.

For the first time, Serenity met Luna's eyes, and it hit her just how young Luna really appeared. She was wise beyond her years, that was for sure.

"Yes, I suppose so," Serenity replied, twisting one of her pigtails around her fingers. "I would be more than happy to listen to your troubles, Luna, if you would be inclined to share."

Luna watched as Princess Serenity thought about her proposal. She knew they weren't close, Luna was her mother's advisor. That made her more of an outsider to the princess's life. Maybe that was why she felt comfortable, which seemed mad, since it really should have been the opposite. 

Luna laid down on the tree branch, her tail swinging a bit anxiously. "You see, your highness, in terms of making choices, I've always lead with my head. Knowledge is what has helped me succeed throughout my life. I don't really know how to be any other way. But lately, I find myself lost in day dreams. And I can't focus on my work. Instead, my mind wanders to thoughts of this man who has always been by my side."

Luna blushes. She won't speak his name out loud, not yet. "Your highness, I ran into you while trying to figure out what to do. Who do I become when I start leading with my heart, even for a moment. What would you do?"

Serenity had to admit - she was surprised by Luna's confession. Luna, the serious, professional advisor under the most supreme ruler in the galaxy, was hung up over a man? He had to be someone special if he was going to cause Luna to lose her focus!

But even more than the confession itself, Serenity was surprised to find that she could actually relate to how Luna felt. The daydreaming, the inability to concentrate - all of it were symptoms Serenity had been experiencing ever since she met him.

"Well, Luna," she started to say, trying to piece the words together in her mind, "If this man has gone so far as to distract such a woman as you, I would say he is quite the special one." Serenity gave Luna a playful wink before continuing: "I do believe that leading with your heart instead of your mind is full of risk. But I also believe that once you start, your life will be forever changed..."

Serenity sighed softly, her eyes wandering past Luna to the moon's crystal blue skies. Not even the sky could compare to his eyes, she thought.

Descending back from the clouds, Serenity smiled and positioned herself so that she was sitting cross-legged on the branch. Quite unladylike, but there really was no better way to get comfortable on that forsaken tree. "If it were me, I would choose to let my heart hold the reigns for a moment. If I chose to follow my mind, I believe that I would regret such a choice in the end."

Luna watched as Princess Serenity pondered her confession. Her response was even more surprising. Although Luna suspected that the princess was wondering her own heart, it seemed that the princess knew what she wanted to do. Luna smiled at the wink and quite wise response from the young Princess. 

"He is special." She said quietly to Princess Serenity. "You know you are very wise beyond your years. I believe I am more afraid of the consequences of falling for a man I consider to be such a close friend and comrade. I'm not even sure if he sees me in the same light." 

She sighed. Lost in thought. Scared to act and also scared not to. Eventually realizing how silent they both were, Luna decided to ask. "Your highness, would it be out of line to ask if you yourself are trying to follow your heart, but afraid?" She hoped that wasn't crossing the line. The Princess seemed so troubled. I mean she was up in a tree with someone she was not very close with.

Serenity blushed at Luna's compliment of her wisdom as she plucked a leaf off of the tree and began to tear at it with her fingernails. "I am not so wise, really," she said, "Only a hopeless romantic."

She pondered on Luna's next concern, weighing the two options in her mind. She thought of her own friendships, and all of the valuable lessons she had learned throughout her years with them. "If he really is your close friend, your friendship should not be affected if he does not return your feelings. You will never know what could have been if you never try."

The Moon Princess's heart throbbed for Luna, but also for the man that she missed so dearly. She wanted to be in his arms again, to feel his lips atop her head, to hear his laughter and see his gentle smile. She sighed, the sudden urge to pour her heart out almost too much to resist. "Yes, I suppose so," she answered to Luna's question. "I met a man, dearest Luna."

Luna blushed. Princess Serenity was really wise beyond her years. She saw the solution of Luna's problem within a few minutes. It was rather obvious that something could grow from a friendship to love. It was a scary thought to be able to tell Artemis that she was in love. How would she even go about it? She shook the thought away and turned her focus back to the princess.

She looked like she was so much in love. Who was the man that stole the heart of a princess? Did Luna dare to ask? When the words "dearest Luna" came out of the princess's mouth she was surprised, but happy to be seen as a friend. "When did you meet this man?"  She asked.

Serenity chewed on her bottom lip, wondering how much she should tell Luna without giving too much away. She couldn't bear it if her mother found out about Endymion and banned her from ever seeing him again.

"About a week ago, actually," Serenity said, realizing how silly she probably sounded. Who fell madly in love with a man after only a week? But Endymion was special, unlike any other man she had ever met before. She felt so drawn to him, to his warm embrace and gentle smile, that she couldn't resist the feelings she held. "But he is so wonderful, Luna. Kind and sincere, with a love for creation and a respect for all. He is determined and strong, and no one has ever made me feel safer. There is something about this man, Luna, that takes my breath away and makes me love him as if I've known him all my life."

Luna smiled, she understood pretty well what Princess Serenity was saying. It was how love felt like. It was how she herself was feeling. She had know Artemis longer than Princess Serenity knew this man, but the feeling of safety with the man she was with. Luna did know Artemis her whole life, but that doesn't mean that that feeling Serenity had was fake. It was very real and Luna was starting to see that there was an issue. The princess was afraid to tell Luna who this man was, so there must be more. Luna struggled with her curiosity. 

"Your highness, I must say that is love you are feeling." Luna smiled. "He is a very lucky man whoever he is. Is there a reason you're hiding your feelings from the others? I don't want to pry. I apologize for overstepping." Luna was suddenly embarrassed and turned away.

In an attempt to distract herself from her anxiety over the topic, Serenity began to remove the pins from her hair buns and refasten them. "No apologies necessary," Serenity said, trying to buy some time. How would she explain to Luna that her love was forbidden without telling her just how forbidden it was?

"I suppose I am afraid that they will not understand. The life of a princess is not supposed to have room for frolicking around with a man. They will say that I should be focusing instead on my future duties as queen, and as protector of this kingdom. It may be selfish, but...I do not want to be told what to do anymore. I want to be encouraged in my love, and although they mean well, I do not think my senshi will offer what I desire. Are you not afraid of the same with your fellow advisors, and even with my mother?"

Luna watched Princess Serenity undo and redo her hair. Luna wondered what was going through the princess's head. As Princess Serenity explained her feelings, her fears about the situation. "I would like to say that I think you can be in love and follow your duties at the same time. I understand that you don't want to be told what to do anymore, but following your duties is also important." Luna said, "Your senshi may not be able to encourage your love and the queen may not understand. However, I understand. I am also afraid of those things. I wish the world for you, your highness. I do not know what to tell you to do, I want you to follow your heart."

Luna paused for a minute thinking. Her tail twitching behind her while she thought. "Princess, it is possible that the man you are falling for could be in all parts of your life?" Luna asked. She was digging deeply into the princess's life, but she wasn't afraid. She was concerned and also worried about talking to anyone else on this matter. After all she was the queens adviser.

Hot tears pricked Serenity's eyes, and she forced herself to look away from Luna. All she ever wanted to do was follow how heart, but her head told her that would be selfish. She would one day be responsible for the fate of the entire galaxy - she couldn't start off on the wrong foot by pursuing a forbidden lover.

But then an idea dawned on her: as queen, she could make whatever rules she wanted! Maybe she could even convince her mother to make peace with Earth! Her eyes were suddenly full of excitement, and she turned to Luna with a grin. "Luna, you are a genius! Tell me, do you think my mother could...tweak the rules just a bit?"

Luna smiled at the change in Princess Serenity's emotions happiness spreading through her face. "I'm no genius." Luna said waving off the notion. "What rules would she need to tweak? Your highness, can I ask who it is you're in love with?" Luna's heart raced, wondering if she had gone too far with her question. If there was a way for the queen to change up her rules she may need to know who. "I'm sorry if I'm pressing too much."

Serenity contemplated Luna's request, the gears in her head turning. She wasn't the brightest of princesses, but she was no fool, and she knew that information as dire as that of her lover's identity couldn't just be given out recklessly. She didn't think Luna would betray her, but she had to really be confident in Luna's trustworthiness and loyalty.

"Perhaps..." she said, still thinking. "But only if you tell me the the name of the man who holds your heart."

Luna knew that her request would come at a cost. What that may be she was unsure of, but she believed that she and Princess Serenity might be able to help each other. She didn't like keeping things from the queen, however, if she could find out who this man was, she might be able to steer the princess in the right direction. Luna's first priority was to the queen and the crown, but didn't the crown include the princess? She believed so. Princess Serenity was going to be the future ruler one day and it was important to foster trust and help guide her when Luna was able.

Hearing the princess's question, Luna blushed intensely. "Your highness, I believe that is a fair trade. I think when I know who your mysterious man is, I can possibly help you. So I will trust you with my secret and I hope you will keep it until I am prepared to tell him myself. Understood?" Luna's heart raced, waiting to hear confirmation of this secret pact she was somehow forming with the princess.

The smile that spread across the princess's face was contagious. She grew so excited to learn of Luna's mysterious love interest that she almost squealed and gave away their location, but she managed to compose herself just in time.

Still smiling, Serenity extended her pinky finger and gave Luna a small nod. "On my honor as Princess of the Silver Millennium, your secret is safe with me."

Luna looked at the princess and smiled. They were about to create a pact, esentially, that would bind them together in secrecy. With Princess Serenity's pinky extended, Luna reached out and linked the smallest toe on her tiny paw to the princess's outstretched pinky. "With this, Princess Serenity, I promise to keep your secret until you are ready to tell it yourself. I promise to give you any guidance I can and I swear, on my position as the queen's adviser, that I will not tell a soul." Luna said these words with pride swelling in her. She made a true friend here, and an unexpected one at that. 

"Your highness." Luna began , "I have to admit that you will be the first person to hear me confess this a loud. The one who has captured my heart is..." Luna blushed for another moment preparing to tell this secret. "Artemis."

Serenity was more than satisfied with Luna's promise, and all of her wariness and uncertainty seemed to melt away. She gave Luna a gracious smile before retracting her pinky and folding her hands in front of her, waiting for Luna to spill the tea.

As soon as Luna said his name, Serenity gave a loud, happy squeal - she couldn't help it! She and her senshi had always thought Luna and Artemis would make a great couple, and it turns out they were right! She was so full of joy and excitement that she almost reached out to hug the feline, but she composed herself before making such a grand gesture. After all, they were only just now becoming friends. She didn't want to scare Luna away.

"Oh Luna that is wonderful! You two will make such a lovely couple. You should see the way he looks at you, Luna. That cat is certainly head over paws for you. You should tell him how you feel - I am afraid he is too much of a coward to confess his own feelings, at least that is what Sailor Venus says. But I think that if you tell him first, he will follow suit."

OOC:

Luna heard Princess Serenity squeal. That must have meant that she was happy for her. When she said how happy she was and that they would be good together, Luna blushed. "Wait a moment, Sailor Venus really said that? That he cares for me, but may be too afraid to confess his feelings." It took a minute, but Luna finally started to see it. Maybe Artemis had felt this way all along. How could she miss this? Shaking those thoughts out of her head, she turned to the princess. 

"Your highness, I will tell him how I feel very soon. It would make me happy to finally tell him. Will you tell your friends who it is you care for?" Luna asked. She hoped that Princess Serenity would share with her as well, but she also knew that trust was earned and they were just starting a friendship.

OOC::

"Of course! She's the Goddess of Love, so she must be right about these types of matters. I see a bright, magnificent romance in your future, Luna." Serenity was so happy to hear that Luna was going to take that next step in her relationship with Artemis - she had been rooting for them for quite a long time.

The princess bit her lip, unsure of how to respond. "I am not sure..." she said, distracting herself with her skirts. "But I suppose I do owe you the identity of my beloved. He is a prince, but not from the Moon."

Luna laughed at Princess Serenity's comment about the goddess of love. "You are very right at that. The goddess of love would know these things." Luna said. She looked at how anxious the princess seemed in answering her question. Luna worried that maybe she'd upset her. When the princess finally spoke to Luna, she was taken aback. 

She gasped out loud. "I am sorry for the outburst. I am just very surprised. Not that you've fallen for a prince, but that he is not from the moon. It is true that one day, you should marry a prince, it is the way of the royals. Maybe, you're love will support us, maybe even help bring peace here. Whomever this man is, I can tell you truly love him. Tell your friends, they may be able to give you counsel. They are from other planets as well, are they not?"

Luna stopped for a moment and looked at Princess Serenity. "Princess, I believe, in my heart, that things will work out. I have every hope for you. Talk to your friends, follow your heart. Who knows, maybe they'll have some insights you never imagined." Luna smiled at the Princess, hoping that these things would calm her and help her. Luna was so happy to have begun this lovely friendship. Hopefully forming a strong bond of trust and friendship.