Part 5: Rain-Drenched Violets

Note: See the full "html"-ed version of this story, with pictures that inspired the writer,
here: http://www.hugglebunny.com/fanfiction/

Zoicite wandered outside, bored.  The others were busy getting settled in, and he
wanted to test out the waterproofing he'd done on his hand-held computer.  Well, that
wasn't really true about his friends.  Nephrite was busy getting settled in   having
gotten stuck unpacking Jadeite's luggage after losing a game of poker before the trip
as Jadeite teased Kunzite about the blonde guard of Serenity, and Endymion just
daydreamed about Serenity with a really goofy look.
      Zoicite ran some tests and sighed, not really interested in the results.  Fat,
warm rain drops splashed onto his head and computer.  After noting that the
waterproofing worked, he stuck the instrument into his pocket and looked around,
finding himself in the garden.
     "Who are you?"
      Zoicite whirled and found himself staring at a young woman with solemn blue
eyes and pale, almost translucent skin.  Her hair was dark and wet from the rain pelting
them, slicked back with a small wreath of wilted flowers perched on it.  Her dress
clung to her, effectively showing each soft curve and graceful line.  She continued to
look at him, inquiring.
      He came to himself with a jolt and bowed hastily.
     "My name is Zoicite, lady."
      She nodded and came forward.  "I am Ami, of Mercury."  She curtseyed
vaguely   dipping her body a little, slowly, and nodding, but made no other movement.
     "What are you doing out here in the rain, lady?" he asked, realizing that he did
not have a cloak with which to shield her from the downpour.
     "I like the rain," she murmured, looking at the castle absently.
     "Aren't you afraid of catching a cold, lady?"
     "The rain is warm," she said, as if it was obvious that no one could catch a cold
from *warm* rain.  Her eyes flickered to him and narrowed.  "Why   are you?"
      He was a little taken aback at the oddity of her question   was he afraid of
catching cold?   but recovered himself quickly and, with a quirky half-smile, took her
arm and slipped it through his own.  "No, lady."  He gestured grandly with his free arm
and her eyebrows arched in amusement.  "In fact, would the lady care to take a turn in
this lovely garden?"
      She laughed, a sweet, low, silvery note.  "Yes, m'lord, I would enjoy that."
      He smiled at her and they began a lazy stroll.  "Might I ask about the flowers?"
he finally inquired.
      Her bright eyes dimmed a bit, clouding in worry, and she touched the violets on
her hair.  "They are from Mars," she told him, concern etched in her features.  "The
planet itself   and so, the flowers   have a sort of intuitionic power.  They can foretell
the future.  Mars Violets do so by blooming or wilting.  When things are calm, they are
buds, when events are pleasant, they bloom, when wholly *un*pleasant, they wilt, and
when dreadfully terrible, they die."  She took the wreath from her damp hair and looked
over the violets.  "They are wilting this month."  She looked to the castle and he
watched her thoughtful profile.  "We will wait until Princess Mars discovers the
meaning of the drooping violets before any assumptions are drawn," she turned back to
him and nodded, finishing her oration.
      Zoicite smiled and lifted her chin with one hand, meeting her calm, pleasant
eyes.  "I like smart women," he murmured, and the glow faded from her face, leaving
her serious and impassive.
     "Shall we go in, sir?" she asked in normal tones, turning from him and waiting
for him to join her.  Since she was facing away from him, he did not see the heat that
entered her cheeks, or the quickened rise and fall of her chest.
      Zoicite was a little hurt, but proffered an arm that she took to walk back to the
castle.