Author's Note: If you wish to comment on my story, either positively or negatively, please contact me at treetop@voicenet.com. Sailor Moon and all related characters are the property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation and DIC. Sailor Sirius is the property of Sharon Williams. Any references to Vulcan are the province of Gene Roddenberry and Paramount Studios. So, please, don't sue me because I haven't any money. I do this strictly for entertainment purposes, not copyright infringement.
The Adventures of Talia and Tanya:
The Logic of Romance
by Jeffrey C. Branch
Chapter Three
Rating: PG
The rest of the school day was uneventful for Talia and Tanya, and they found that a welcome respite after their brief adventure with the bank robbers. The incident reminded them of the danger they faced as Sailor Scouts, and the precarious balance they struck between their lives as ordinary high school students and their responsibilities as Earth's defenders.
At eight p.m. that night, Talia, a black backpack slung over one shoulder stood at the front door of the Cambridge home and rang the bell. The door opened and Tanya's father, Reverend Peter Cambridge nodded to the Vulcan girl, his face every bit as impassive as hers.
"Hello, Talia. Welcome. Come in," he said in a flat tone. There was a wary look in the older man's eyes as he looked at Talia. Despite how irrational the notion was, the minister couldn't help but feel uneasy in the presence of the stone faced, dark haired girl with the bizarrely pointed ears. What on Earth does Ti see in her, he wondered.
"Thank you, Reverend Cambridge. As always, it is a pleasure to visit your home," said Talia with a nod. She noticed the suspicious look Cambridge wore every time he saw her and tried not to let it bother her. Talia knew she risked enduring such responses when she decided not to hide her ears because she considered it illogical to conceal her heritage as a Vulcan. Yet, because she had emotions, the long stares and odd looks sometimes hurt Talia's feelings, driving home the point that she wasn't human.
At that moment, Tanya, wearing powder blue cotton pajamas with kittens on them and pink bunny slippers bounded down the stairs, a huge grin on her face. The pretty black girl wasted no time throwing her arms around Talia and hugging her tight. "Hi, Tal! I'm so glad you could make it! We're gonna have lots of fun tonight!"
"I am sure that we will." Tanya's cheerful demeanor quickly melted away the sombemess Talia felt. Being with Tanya never failed to brighten even her darkest moods.
Tanya, breaking the embrace, took Talia's hand in hers and literally dragged the taller girl up the stairs. "C'mon! C'mon! As Pink would say: 'Let's get this party started'!"
"Don't stay up too late, honey," said Cambridge, breaking out in a grin.
"Oh, we most certainly intend to, daddy!" Tanya called back.
Marco, the handsome golden retriever who served as Tanya's advisor wore a disapproving look on his face (quite an accomplishment in itself for a dog) as the girls entered Tanya's bedroom while music from the latest CD by Destiny's Child played on a boombox on the dresser. "I'm surprised at you, Talia. Wasting time with this childish nonsense when you and Tanya could be studying up on our enemies from the Negaverse."
Talia shrugged slightly. "Perhaps, Marco. But we also need recreation from our duties as Sailor Scouts in order to maintain a healthy emotional and psychological balance."
"In other words, we can't be on call 24/7," said Tanya. "Jeez! You sound just as bad as Luna! Now, hit the bricks, mutt! This is a private party!"
Marco was shocked. "You mean....leave?"
"That's right! Depart, vacate, withdraw, amscray, exit stage right! In other words....make like Michael Jackson and beat it!"
Grumbling under his breath, Marco stalked dejectedly out of the room. Tanya giggled. "I love it when I get in the last word with him!"
"So I see," Talia replied. "It would appear that your father is still somewhat....uncornfortable whenever he is around me."
"Well, dad is a man of the cloth, and you do look kinda....demonic. In a sweet way of course." Tanya then placed a hand on Talia's arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry about it, Tal. I'm sure he'll warm up to you in time. But, for Pete's sake, don't cut yourself around him! Dad would freak if he ever saw your green blood!"
Talia gave her friend a wry look. "I will keep that in mind."
"In the meantime, go in the bathroom and change! We've got the whole night ahead of us!"
Five minutes later, Talia retumed, wearing bright red, Chinese style silk pajamas with a cherry blossom pattern and black velvet Mary Jane slippers. Tanya was greatly impressed as she fingered the fabric on Talia's sleeve. "Ooooh! They're lovely! Do you always wear silk at night?"
Talia nodded. "Yes. The feel of the fabric against my skin is very soothing."
"Heh! I don't doubt it. I'll bet you wear silk underwear too, dont'cha?"
The Vulcan girl's face flushed red as her pajamas from embarrassment. Tanya's eyes widened from shock as the realization set in. "Good grief! Tal! I was joking! Don't tell me I'm right!"
"You were. Silk lingerie is a....secret vanity of mine. It is all I wear."
Tanya shook her head and laughed out loud. "Outrageous! The more I leam about you, the more I love you! Tal, you're amazing!"
"I am glad that I meet your expectations." A faint smile curled Talia's lips as she said those words.
For the next four hours, the girls lounged on Tanya's bed and talked, about each other, school, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and the intracacies of dating, lessons Talia took seriously. For Talia, it was a very pleasant experience as she further bonded with Tanya whom she had grown to love for her cheerfulness and her warm, giving heart. For Tanya, she couldn't imagine having anyone else in the world for a best friend than Talia. The Vulcan girl was like the sister she never had, and Tanya treasured every moment she spent with her. Finally, Tanya broached the subject of Talia's love life.
"So, you've never had a boyfriend? Never even dated? But, why?"
"Male-female relationships were of no interest to me when I was coming of age. Because of the struggles I had with my emotions, I overcompensated by shutting them off entirely," Talia explained. "I built walls which I used to separate myself from the rest of the world. This gave others the impression that I was unapproachable, an impression I nurtured through my icy demeanor and curt behavior. Some even suspected me of being a homosexual."
Tanya shook her head sadly. "You must've been awfully lonely."
"Not at all. That concept was also alien to me at the time. I was content to concentrate on my studies. Everything else was needless to me."
"Including friends? Did you ever have any friends?"
"I had acquaintances. I did not wish for anyone to get close to me. From an early age, I knew I was not normal, I sensed that I was an outsider, a creature that was far apart from the human race. I did not know just how far until I came here and regained my memories."
"What about your past life on Vulcan?" Tanya asked.
"That was different. There, I was engaged to be married."
Tanya's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. "Engaged?"
Talia nodded. "Yes. I was betrothed at the age of seven to the son of a prominent Vulcan statesman, a colleague of my mother. His name was Tavok. The two of us joined minds, our thoughts intertwined and became one. Our joining was to become official when we both reached twenty-one. But that never happened. My mother inadvertently saw to that."
"I don't follow."
"My mother and I had....differing points of view regarding my future. I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father and become an archaeologist as he had been. However, my mother, while respectful of my father's profession wanted me to enter the Vulcan Diplomatic Corps instead," Talia explained. Her eyes misted over as she recalled her past. "My father died doing the work he loved, and my mother was deeply hurt by his death. While she would never admit it to me, I believe my mother feared I would suffer the same sad fate that befell my father, thus her refusal to let me pursue my dream. That led to many heated debates with her."
"By debate, read 'argument'." Tanya then smirked. "Sounds like the two of you were plenty stubborn. A rather odd trait for a Vulcan, eh?"
Talia arched an eyebrow. That had never occurred to her before. "Yes, you could say that. In the end, I struck an arrangement with mother where I agreed to spend two years studying with her in the Diplomatic Corps. If at the end of that time, I did not like the work, she would allow me to study archaeology. As circumstance would have it, my tenure was to be spent in the Terran system after mother accepted the post of Vulcan ambassador to the Moon Kingdom."
Tanya gulped, her mood suddenly somber. "And the rest, as they say, was history. You never saw Tavok again, did you?"
"No."
"You don't have to answer this, but I'd like to know. Did you love him?"
"No. The concept of love was even more alien to me in my first life than it is today. It was an arrangement, nothing more, nothing less."
"That's why your feelings for Seiya were all so new to you. You've never experienced this sort of thing before."
Talia nodded, her cheeks coloring slightly. "You are correct. Seiya stirred feelings in me I never knew existed. And....I liked them. I like him, Tanya. Please, tell me what to do."
The pretty black girl smiled and placed a hand on Talia's. "Just be yourself, Tal. Let your emotions lead the way. Don't block or hide your feelings from Seiya. You said you like him, then tell him, as soon as you can. I know he likes you. I could see it. A girl's first romance is always special. Just enjoy the moment and make it last."
"Might I ask how you felt when you developed feelings for Yaten?"
Tanya sighed wistfully. "I fell in love with him at first sight. Plain and simple. When we met, sparks flew, he flipped my world upside down. Yaten swept me off my feet, and they haven't touched the ground since. I knew right then and there that he was that very special man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."
"Most interesting. What is it like when he kisses you?"
"Heaven. Sheer heaven. I hear bells ring. Fireworks go off. Happy music plays non-stop in my head. I know that sounds goofy as sin to you, but it's hard to describe how wonderful it feels to be kissed by the boy you love. Hopefully, you'll get to experience that with Seiya real soon."
Talia was silent for several moments as she digested all she had been told. "Fascinating. How will I know if I experience the same sort of bonding that you had?"
"That's not an easy question to answer, Tal. It all depends on the person. However, if what you feel for Seiya is similar to what I felt for Yaten when I first met him, then you're well on your way to something really beautiful."
"Hmm. A rather nebulous concept."
Tanya shrugged. "Maybe. But affairs of the heart are never logical. Believe me, you'll leam that lesson soon enough."
"I look forward to that. Another question. What sort of attire should I wear on this function?"
Tanya rolled her eyes and sighed. "Function. Oh, brother! You make it sound like you're gonna overhaul the engine on your dad's car. You're going on a date! D-A-T-E! Say it!"
"Date," said Talia, her face as stony as ever.
"That'll do. We'll work on facial expressions later. As for what to wear, how about that cute Mandarin dress you bought when we first met? That'd be perfect for a dinner date. I can come to your place tomorrow and help you with your makeup and jewelry. I'll make sure you look your very best for Seiya."
"You are too kind, Tanya."
Tanya smiled. "Hey! No prob! Anything for my bosom buddy. Now, let's get some sleep."
The Vulcan girl nodded, then stood up and headed for the door. "Uh, where are you going?" Tanya asked.
"Downstairs. To sleep on the couch," Talia replied. "As a guest, I would not impose upon you by having you share your bed."
Tanya let out an exasperated breath, trying to keep from getting annoyed. "Talia Kirk! You march your butt right back here and get in this bed! NOW! I won't have you spending the night on our lumpy sofa!"
The Vulcan girl shrugged and did as she was told, taking off her slippers and sliding under the covers next to Tanya. "Are you satisfied?"
"Very," answered a smiling Tanya. She then turned off the lamp on her nightstand and giggled. "Good night, John-Boy."
"Who?"
"Never mind."
When Inspector Junko Sakurada arrived at police headquarters at 8 a.m. Saturday morning, the detective found a file sitting on her chair. Just as she picked up the file and opened it, her immediate superior, Lieutenant Hideki Fukoda walked up to her.
"Good morning, Junko," said Fukoda, a cup of coffee in each hand. He handed one to the woman. "Captain Mura wants us to handle this one ASAP. It isn't pretty."
Junko's eyes widened as she looked at the pictures. "No kidding. Who were they?"
"Don't know. No I.D. was found on them, but from the clothes, I'm guessing they were gangbangers. The neighborhood they were found in crawls with them," Fukoda replied.
"What's the story, sir?"
"Late Thursday night, people heard a high pitched screaming that some said had broken windows for a block around. When neighbors investigated where the scream came from, they found that bunch," said Fukoda after a sip of his coffee. "Here's one for Sherlock Holmes. According to the autopsy report, their skeletons had been shattered and their organs reduced to mush. The M.E. used the term 'liquified'. Yet, there were no marks on the bodies to indicate what sort of weapon had been used."
"Good Lord. What could've done that to them?"
"Your guess is as good as mine. The M.E. wrote in his report that it would've taken a freefall from two miles up to produce injuries like that. If those clowns were flying the other night, it was on booze or drugs."
"Witnesses?" asked Junko, sipping her coffee.
"Zip. All the neighbors heard was the screaming, a woman, by everyone's account, but no one saw her."
"So, what do we have to go on?"
"Not much. I worked Juvenile in that area for three years, and turf wars were as common as sunsets," Fukoda replied. "That may have been just another skirmish, but unless those goons were run through a gravel crusher, the only other explanation, much as I hate to admit it, is a B.E.M."
Junko cocked an eyebrow from puzzlement. "B.E.M.? What's that?"
"Bug Eyed Monster. A catchphrase that's been making the rounds in the department to describe any sort of unusual case or incident that may involve the paranormal. In other words....little green men."
Junko snorted. "Rubbish. I don't believe in that nonsense. This is real life, not an episode of 'The X-Files'. There has to be a logical, down to earth explanation for what happened to those men."
"Maybe, but my instincts are telling me otherwise. That's why Mura wants me in on this. I've had experience in this sort of crazy stuff," said Fukoda. "A year ago, I investigated a riot at the Zoo and wound up in the middle of a fracas with the Sailor Scouts. After that, all my preconceived notions about normalcy in this city went straight down the toilet."
Junko's mouth twisted into a snarl. "Them!" she growled, recalling her meeting with Sailors Vulcan and Sirius yesterday. "They should all be in jail!"
"I wouldn't go that far."
Hearing the casual tone of Fukoda's voice, Junko grew angry. "What? How can you condone the actions of those stinking vigilantes?"
"Easy. Because those 'stinking vigilantes' saved my life and stopped cold a nightmare that made Frankenstein look like a fairy tale," Fukoda replied. "Since then, I've read nearly four dozen reports about incidents that were beyond our ability to combat, incidents the Scouts prevented from becoming catastrophes while saving untold lives. Like it or not, Junko, those girls are a necessary evil."
Junko, still scowling, wasn't convinced. "Maybe if the Scouts were behind bars where they belong, there wouldn't be any of those 'incidents'."
Fukoda shrugged. He heard about Junko's encounter with the Scouts yesterday and that it didn't go well. He also knew about her burning hatred of vigilantes, and the painful story behind it, so he decided not to waste time arguing with the woman whose mind was set as concrete on the subject. "Perhaps. That's not for us to decide. In the meantime, we've got a murder investigation on our hands. Let's get going."
"Where to?"
"The alley where those goons were found. We're going to search for clues to that crime."
"Clues to a human perp instead of E.T.?"
Fukoda frowned, his mind drifting back to the horrors he witnessed on the island laboratory of deranged scientists, Kenji and Keiko Mitsumo. Horrors that, to this day, occasionally plagued his dreams. "God, I sure hope so."
"I hope you like pancakes, Tal," said Tanya as she and the Vulcan girl sat down to breakfast in the Cambridge kitchen.
Talia nodded. She took a deep breath and enjoyed the smell of freshly cooked pancakes on her plate. "I do indeed, Tanya. Where is your father? He was gone when I woke up this morning."
"At his church. He always takes care of the paperwork on Saturday so he can concentrate on sermons come Sunday," said Tanya, sitting down with her plate. She opened a bottle of maple syrup and slathered it on her pancakes. She then passed the bottle to Talia. "Have you ever been to church?"
"No. While I fully respect those who choose to worship the religion of their choice, I have no need for it myself," answered Talia, pouring a considerably smaller portion of syrup.
"So, wat do you believe in?"
"I believe in the laws of logic and order. In cause and consequence. And, I believe in people, especially those I trust and love. Like you."
Tanya smiled fondly at her friend. "Same here, partner. I'll always believe in you. In the meantime, we've got shopping to do once the stores open."
The Vulcan girl arched an eyebrow from curiosity. "Shopping? For what?"
"For what? Are you kidding? You're gonna need makeup! Jewelry! Perfume! A facial! A manicure! A handbag to match your shoes! We've got loads of work to do before tonight!" said an excited Tanya. "In fact, lemme see if I can squeeze you in this aftemoon at the beauty shop I go to! Miaka's a genius and can work wonders with your hair!"
"I appreciate the offer. I am curious, though. Are all these preparations necessary for a date?"
"Oh, absolutely! To a girl, nothing's more fun than spending the day getting ready for a night out on the town with her guy!"
"But, Seiya is not 'my guy'."
Tanya smirked, then giggled. "Not yet, Tal. Not yet."
"You surprise me, Sey," said Yaten, watching Seiya trying to choose between a black and royal blue suit. "I've never known you to be so fast with a decision before."
"I'll second that," said Taiki, looking up from his Apple laptop where he was writing lyrics to a new song. "Usually the only time you're this quick on the gun is when you're whacking youmas as Sailor Star Fighter. You're crazy for Talia, aren't you?"
Seiya nodded. "Yup. She's all I think about. I can't wait to be with her tonight. What do you think, guys? Black, or blue?"
"Go with black. You'll look sharp," said Taiki.
Yaten snorted. "Baloney! You'll look like an undertaker's apprentice! Go with the blue."
Seiya mulled it over, then nodded. "Blue it is. As for Tal, I feel like I've got something very special within my grasp, and if I don't act fast, I'll lose it. That's why I asked her out. Yaten, was it that way with you when you met Tanya?"
"Uh-huh. The first time we met----BAM! I knew right then and there that she was the girl for me," Yaten replied. "I fell in love with her faster than you can say 'Cupid'. Sounds like you're going down the same road with Talia. I think that's cool! We could even double date sometime!"
Seiya chuckled. "I wouldn't mind that at all."
The white haired young man then turned to Taiki and grinned at him. "Hey, Taiki! Why don't you make it a clean sweep and hook up with Amy? I know you like brainy girls, and she's unattached!"
Seiya and Yaten laughed out loud while Taiki blushed. "You nuts are warped!" he growled. "But, Sey, given how insane our lives are, do you really think you can keep your secret identity from Tal?"
Seiya shrugged as he pulled a white shirt and a blue tie from his closet. "Well, I'm sure gonna try. Tal doesn't need to know I'm a Sailor Scout. I don't want her getting mixed up in the dangers we face. I only hope Tanya doesn't spill the beans to her about us."
"Don't worry, pal. Ti knows the score when it comes to civilians getting mixed up in our world," said Yaten. "She'll keep quiet. In the meantime, I'd go with a black shirt instead of a white one along with a blue tie. Better contrast."
"Since when did you become a fashion expert?" Taiki asked.
Yaten smirked. "Hey! When you're as dangerously handsome as I am, you have to know your style!"
Seiya and Taiki nodded to each other, then jumped their teammate.
The girl with dirty blond hair lay in her room all day long listening to CD's of the Three Lights, over and over and over again. Despite her large music collection, the Lights were all she listened to since the show she attended.
The sound of the music poured into her brain, and the energy it produced flooded her body. Yet, it didn't feel nearly the same as when she heard them live two nights ago. The girl found that to be extremely disappointing. She remembered how powerful she felt, how the Lights' music roared unchecked through her like a hurricane. While she never experimented with drugs, the girl imagined the high she got from the music was similar to what addicts and recreational users experienced.
Even better was how she used the power she got from the music to kill those thugs who threatened to hurt her after the show. As time passed, the girl overcame her initial horror and came to enjoy the power she wielded. Afterwards, she recalled dusty memories of how she used her power to battle her enemies in the long dead past. The more the girl had her dreams, the more she came to realize that she had lived before, and that something deep inside her was yearning to live again, needing only a trigger to re-emerge to the world.
But, the girl didn't care about that, only about hearing the Lights in person. To regain that godlike feeling she enjoyed. Turning off her CD player, the girl hopped off her bed and padded over to her desk where today's paper lay. Ignoring the front page story about the multiple homicide in her neighborhood late Thursday night, the girl turned to the entertainment section where she found what she sought. The Lights would be in concert again at Budokan Hall Sunday night. Seeing that, the girl smiled.
"Great. The Lights will back back. Seiya will be back," she whispered happily. "This time, I'll make their music mine....forever!"
That night, Talia found herself experiencing an emotion she always thought herself incapable of feeling. She was afraid.
Tanya, seeing her friend's hands shaking clasped them in hers to calm the Vulcan girl. "Nervous, Tal?"
"No. I am....frightened. I fear that I will not look my best, or that I will make some sort social faux pas with Seiya. In brief, I worry that I will, to use a term popular with teens....screw up."
Incredible! Tal's insecure about herself, thought a startled Tanya. "Tal, listen to me. There's nothing to be worried about. C'mere." The pretty black girl steered Talia over to the full length mirror that was fixed to the back of her bedroom door. Garbed in a form fitting, royal purple Mandarin dress with gold piping, shimmering silk hosiery, her face expertly made up, her hair elegantly styled, her long nails painted rose pink to match her lips and dripping gold jewelry, the Vulcan girl looked regal and dazzling. The final touch was a finely applied dose of Chanel No. 5, making Talia smell sweetly.
"For starters, you look gorgeous. You'll turn heads from here to Osaka," said Tanya. "Second, there's no need to be nervous. I know this is all new to you, but just relax and everything will turn out fine."
"Were you this.....unsettled on your first date?"
Tanya chuckled. "Girl, I was petrified. I felt like I was going to the electric chair instead of dinner. But when I melted into Yaten's arms, all my fears vanished. When you're with someone you like, worries disappear and you'll feel right at home. Trust me, when you see Seiya, you'll lose your fears too."
"I will trust in your judgement on these matters."
"Cool." Tanya then hugged Talia tight. "Oh, Tal! I'm so happy for you I could just cry! I hope everything works out!"
"As do I, Tanya."
After breaking the embrace, Tanya wiped her eyes then checked her watch. "Yikes! I'd better split! Sey will be here any minute!"
Talia nodded. "Thank you. For everything."
"My pleasure! Good luck!"
Once Tanya left, Talia studied her reflection in the mirror. Since vanity was illogical, the Vulcan girl never stopped to consider just how beautiful she really was. Now that she was minutes away from going on her first ever date, Talia wondered if her appearance would meet Seiya's expectations. Just thinking about him made her heart pound in her chest like a triphammer.
"It makes no sense for me to feel this way," she muttered. Try as she might, Talia couldn't keep from smiling. "But I do. And....I like it."
"Talia! Your date is here!" called Mr. Hattori from downstairs.
"I will be down shortly," Talia replied. Her nervousness returned at the thought of Seiya having arrived. It took a considerable amount of effort for the Vulcan girl to stop her hands from shaking as she picked up a gold colored purse from her bed and, taking a deep breath, Talia left her room.
Descending the stairs with all the grace of a charm school student, Talia nodded to Seiya, looking superbly handsome in his navy blue suit while holding something behind his back. Seiya's eyes widened from awe when he saw Talia in her shimmering silk dress.
"Wow!" he whispered.
Talia gave Seiya a little smile as she walked up to him. "Good evening, Seiya. I take it my appearance meets with your approval?"
"It sure does. A hundred times over. Tal, you take my breath away," a smiling Seiya replied. He then produced a bouquet of white roses that he had been hiding. "Uh, this is for you."
"For me?" a puzzled Talia asked.
"Yup. What kind of guy would I be if I didn't bring my gorgeous date flowers? I forgot to ask what you like, so i took a chance on roses. I hope you like them."
Talia looked at the bouquet and nodded. The scent of the roses was appealing to her. "I do. They are lovely. Thank you."
Seiya smiled broadly. "You're welcome. Shall we go?"
"Yes, by all means. I believe we are in for a most entertaining evening."
TO BE CONTINUED