animi mares

animimares @ 2008-05-11T14:49:00

2008-05-11T12:52:37Z

Michiru/Setsuna RPG. Go obscure pairings! Also, this pairing so should be called "shades of green". I mean, LOOK AT THEIR HAIR, THEY MATCH IN COLOUR!

Well, maybe Michiru will have to get used to being with someone with long hair. With Haruka, she never had to worry about long, girly hair in every plausible and inplausible place. But no matter... She'll just buy Setsuna a pretty hair band that she'll never use, just for show.

I'm just saying...

sm_monthly theme: Dream, pairing: Michiru/Vampiru, Owari no Koshuuki

2008-05-06T07:15:48Z

Okay, minna. I've written the crack pairing over all crack pairings. Except, it's not as much crack as... well, unusual. A true rare pair, I think you can call it, seeing that is has never been written before as far as I know. For sm_monthly's May challenge (rare pair) I signed up for the pairing Michiru/Vampiru (Sera Myu based, though - as always, my Michiru is so very anime inspired). I just thought Yuhka and Hikari would be dead sexy together - and I needed to re-explore my Michiru, so... Well, and look what I came up with. A fic. Whoa.

Title: Owari no Koshuuki (The End of a Time of Lonely Contemplation)
Fandom: Sailor Moon (Sera Myu/Anime)
Characters/Pairings: Michiru/Vampiru, hints of Michiru/Haruka
Word Count: Close to 1.500
Rating: PG
Summary: Vampiru has been alone for so long that she almost doesn't see the opportunity of escaping Transylvania's loneliness when it comes and slaps her in the face... After the ending of the Death Vulcan musical, Vampiru returns to Transylvania. Some time after someone she recognises returns as well...
Author's Notes: I love Hikari as Vampiru. She's a spoiled character, an emo character, a strong character, an evil character and a contradictionary character. And everybody knows that Yuhka was the one who made me fall in love with Michiru... beautiful, feminine, fierce and knowing. This fic is dedicated to them.
_____

Owari no Koshuuki

Of course oto-san wasn’t given a funeral. There was nothing to bury, after all. Nothing but his memory, because his physical form had been sealed away in the Underworld… “Until the day of judgment,” as he’d said to her in farewell.

Yet another thing Vampiru doesn’t understand and probably never will.

When it came to her father there had been many such things. Untold secrets and illogical lies. And she had hated him for it, but along the way she’d also come to realise it was his way of expressing his love. The only way he knew of.

So where normal parents gave their children nicknames and bought them candy to make them feel cherished, Vampiru thinks with a bitter smile, he… he had helped preventing Ragnarok. For her sake.

Then again… normal had never been a concept that fitted them. Maybe, for their kind, it was appropriate.

She lets her eyes come to a rest on the coffin where haha’s dress has been splayed out once more in the ceremonial display that he arranged, so many years ago. No funeral equalled no grave, but this… his death bed and the white veil of the dress that always reminded her father of his love and Vampiru of her hate… it has become her private altar.

Sometimes when she looks at it… she gets the feeling that the life she has been living since returning to Transylvania takes place within an evil dream – an ensnaring memory – that she has no means of breaking loose from. A labyrinth of eternal night that has made the hope of a day full of light become wistful thinking…

“It has been a while,” a gentle yet sharp voice notes behind her, Vampiru swirling around to face the person who has managed to walk in on her, lost as she was in thought. The woman is not tall, but her posture speaks of pride and her eyes of warmth. Vampiru recognises her in an instant.

“Neptune,” she hisses, embarrassed at having been caught off guard and letting her embarrassment show in a verbal attack. Like father, so daughter, ka? She, too, knows no other way but the way of beasts.

Neptune (or rather, her civilian form) only smiles.

Vampiru remembers then that it was this woman’s lover that she claimed for blood relative when she was still being manipulated by Lillith of Darkness and her gang. Raising her chin arrogantly, she spreads out her arms, asking in a harsh voice:

“Have you come for revenge?”

Shaking her head wordlessly, Neptune steps forward, looking the coffin over with a curious interest edged into every of her features. Observing her in confusion, Vampiru ignores the fact that she shouldn’t allow anyone else close to her private sanctuary.

The forests of Transylvania are a place of loneliness, not companionship, when all comes down to it.

Neptune lets her fingers run slowly down the side of the casket, her fingertips causing the material of the gown spread out over it to rustle gently. Instinctively, Vampiru grabs her wrist, yanking her hand back. Long, green hair falls into the other woman’s face, almost covering her intelligent eyes as she raises her gaze to look at Vampiru. She doesn’t seem afraid.

Vampiru doesn’t think she has ever met someone that didn’t show some kind of fear around her.

“If not revenge, then… doshite?” She lets go of Neptune’s hand and hides her unease by returning her attention to the dress. Haha’s dress. That she never got to wear.

“I never thanked you,” Neptune answers, though it isn’t much of an answer. If anything it just raises new questions. Hundreds of them. Narrowing her eyes, Vampiru tries figuring out what kind of trickery it is that the Sea Senshi is playing at. Cocking her head, the smaller woman carries on in a deceivingly light voice: “For returning Haruka to me.”

“Nani?”

The pretence of being interested in her deceased mother’s dress and her stupid father’s coffin fades away with that last sentence and Vampiru turns her head sharply to stare at the woman as she stands in front of her, clad in her simple, but elegant dress. She looks fully human (almost fragile) like that – nothing like the soldier Vampiru saw fight alongside her partner to save the planet from Death Vulcan. Nothing like Vampiru who may have human blood running through her veins, but has long ago been overtaken by the cold legacy of her vampire linage.

Returning to Transylvania was like returning to the many painful years alone, cut off from the world because she, Bloody Dracul Vampiru, is a double-edged sword. Sayonara to the freedom she experienced in Japan, sayonara to the clothes of her choice and sayonara to the life of a human being. Tadaima, unbreakable shadows of Transylvania.

It isn’t fair.

She thought she had come to terms with this destiny, but those words… those words reminds her that not everybody is a prisoner of loneliness. An empty shell. Cold. Dark.

“Michiru, doko ni, ka? Did you find her?” A darker, more masculine voice echoes off the walls in the hallway, Vampiru remembering the taste of strong, rushing blood just by the sound of it. Uranus.

Neptune… no, Michiru, was it, ka…. sighs, bowing shortly in Vampiru’s direction before heading for the door leading to the corridor outside. In her otherwise polite and aloof smile, Vampiru senses the clear trace of understanding, though she has no idea how this particular woman will be able to understand the fearsomeness of night, of solitude, when she’s so clearly devoted to someone else – her heart so obviously one of two.

“Matte,” Vampiru calls, her cloak billowing around her as she moves forward.

Stopping in the doorway and pushing some tresses of curly hair behind her ear, Michiru’s eyes glint as she looks at Vampiru over her shoulder, but her lips form no reply. Instead she says, almost teasingly: “I was told once that unpleasant dreams are something you can run from… but whether it works, I haven’t found out yet.”

“Michiru?” The other voice again. Uranus. Was it Haruka, Michiru called her?

A lock of her reddish brown hair tickles her cheek as Vampiru comes to a sudden halt, goose bumps rising on her arms when a gentle breeze finds its way through the gothic, leaded windows high above their heads. A greeting from the outside world. Michiru’s expression softens into the mere ghost of a smile. For some reason, Vampiru doesn’t want the other woman to leave. Not now. Not now when she has finally realised that there is another life than this… where her heart isn’t tied to a coffin and an old dress.

Walking out into the corridor, being almost swallowed up by the shadows residing there, Michiru pauses for a second with her hand on the door handle. The fast, almost panicked drum of footsteps comes to a halt further down the hallway.

“I’ll leave the door open, shall I?” Neptune’s voice is quiet – a mere whisper, really – but warm and soft with layers of meaning that Vampiru suddenly has an overwhelming urge to explore. It’s not a question and as their gazes lock, Vampiru’s and Michiru’s, Vampiru knows that even though she might not look like it, this strange woman with the powers of the ocean has more than a faint inkling about what solitude really means.

“What’d you say?” The voice of the other Senshi has moved closer and Michiru quickly rushes out to greet her, leading her away from the entrance to the south lobby where Vampiru is… hiding isn’t the right word, but close enough…

“Nani mo nai, Haruka. Let’s go back, there is no one here…”

Waiting in a tense, unsure silence until their steps die out, Vampiru doesn’t know what to think and feel anymore. Hearing the double doors downstairs fall shut, assuring her that she is indeed alone again, she brings a shaking hand to her face, pushing her hair back, out of the way.

She is alone. Again. In an empty house.

Only then does she move, spinning in a slow circle to face her father’s coffin, the dusty light making it look older than time itself. Or a fragment of a dream in black and white…

No one here… ka?

Vampiru wants to see the sun again, if only because darkness lulls you to sleep.

For the first time in what feels like ages, she smiles a crooked smile and leaves her sanctuary of mistrusting dreams behind, closing the door after herself without further thought. These walls can be lonely all by themselves… they don’t need her as companion in their sorrow, do they? She won’t prevent them from continuing their uneasy sleep, but neither will she adhere to this illusionary existence any longer.

Crossing the hallway hurriedly, she is just in time to follow the two silhouettes from the nearest window as they stroll carelessly through the gardens, heading for the motorcycle parked some hundred metres away from the castle.

When you sleep, you dream. And when you dream, you forget to live.

No one here… No one here…

If she wants to, Vampiru can leave as well and start running… She doesn’t have to be a slave of her past, because someone has left the door open…

Someone… no one here, but someone…

A smirk not unlike the one on Michiru’s lips as she left, both hot and cold at the same time, form her mouth into a curve of wordless understanding.

There is a woman whom she never got to tell “do itashimashite”.

Now she has been given the chance.

Sotto ai ni kitto yureru, jigen no shita made…
A gentle love, certain to flow to the dimensions below…

~ S.

animimares @ 2008-05-06T08:47:00

2008-05-06T06:48:37Z

If there was one person (besides Yuhka and Nao) that I would risk my perfect relationship to my beloved girlfriend to kiss (full, on the mouth, with tongue - preferably), it would be Ono Hikari. Seriously, she's hot. Nao is so lucky she got her neck sucked by that gorgeous woman. Love. Love. Love.

animimares @ 2008-04-28T17:04:00

2008-04-28T15:08:27Z

I adore Last Friends. Seriously, I do. I don't care if they have decided that Ruka is transexual and not a lesbian, it doesn't matter, Juri still rocks my socks, no matter if the shoujo-ai is turned into... well, whatever it's called when transsexuality is involved. Seriously, she's so GREAT. Ruka is probably my new favourite character, ever! Well, no, Michiru!Neptune is, but... gah, Ruka is so so so so... human. I like that. And Last Friends is too angsty for me, but I don't care because GUH it's so good...

Can't wait for episode 4.

Also, Sousuke. Die. Please? Thanks and bye.

Original story, "Ave Maria", for my onee-sama

2008-04-24T08:38:58Z

Onee-sama, you already received this. I have only added minor changes to it, since you thought it was good as it was, but anyway, I post it here for your future enjoyment and other people's as well.

Title: Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
Author: animimares aka shoujo-ai no shijin
Pairing: Takayo/Mary
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 1.350
Summary: They say Takayo needs Maria-sama's grace, but maybe it's not her grace that she needs at all... maybe it's something else entirely. Maybe it's understanding.

_____

Ave Maria

”Ave Maria,” Takayo murmurs, her forehead resting a bit uncomfortably against the sweaty knuckles of her folded hands, and the sharp edge of the kneeler she’s positioned herself on scraping her knees. As the rest of the prayer once again escapes her mind like sand between her fingers, she closes her eyes a little harder, the tiny glimpses of black spreading fast like blots of ink on the inside of her eyelids.

It doesn’t help. She can’t shake Mary off her mind.

If it had only been the right Mary she was thinking about, but it isn’t… it’s the wrong Mary, the sinful Mary, the lesbian Mary. The very tempting Mary with her European complexion and her pale eyes, the same colour as the sky on the first day of spring. The very sweet Mary with her stumbling, uncertain Japanese and her confidently lingering gazes that caress Takayo’s body – even through her clothes.

Sighing heavily, Takayo raises her face, opening her eyes to gaze at the beautiful marble statue of the Holy Virgin standing in front of her in its small niche, an impressive cluster of little prayer candles left at the foot of it. They look like stars, left behind on earth by some unknown deity whose name has been erased by the waves of time eternities ago.

Maria-sama’s features are luminescent, lit from below by the many burning flames and alight from within by the eternal peace bestowed upon her from above, captured in the cold stone. On her arm, baby Jesus is sitting, his tiny hands held lovingly out towards whoever might have stopped at the sight of him. At the sight of his blessed mother. His hands seem to be reaching out towards her, Takayo, begging for her to confess her sins.

“Ave Maria, full of grace,” she tries again, bowing her head, this time grabbing the crucifix of the rosary hanging around her neck to gather her thoughts, “the Lord is with thee…” Her fingers are the sheep and the crucifix the shepherd; unyieldingly searching for the one sheep in the herd that has been lead astray.

Her heart.

Takayo doesn’t remember what she’s supposed to say. Her prayer is futile when she can’t call the meditative chant forth and make her lips form the words. Why should God listen, when instead of the words passed down to her through time by the apostles themselves, she allows images entrance to her mind of two female bodies moving against each other. She doesn’t remember the words of “Hail Mary”, but she remembers the feeling of Mary’s skin under her fingertips (silky soft) and Mary’s fingers within her (harshly moving).

The sudden heat in her cheeks is the clear indication of a blush and Takayo quickly bows her head again, not so much as to pray but as to hide her embarrassing memories from the one person from whom she can keep absolutely nothing secret. Maria-sama. Theotokos. The Holy Mother.

“Ave Maria, full of grace, the Lord is with thee…” This time the words stand out; brightly white on black and in a strangely blurred font in her mind. Every time, though, she opens her mouth to read them aloud, they fade away as if ripples of water have erased them from existence. Takayo concentrates harder, trying to catch onto the next sentence before the transparent tide washes it away, only managing “blessed art thou among women”, then finding herself at yet another loss.

Among women…

Without meaning to, she recalls the little innocent touches between Mary and her that led to the final, passionate act of love. The soft brush of Mary’s shoulder against her own as they stood close together, discussing the latest lecture. The goose bumps rising on her skin at the feeling of Mary’s warm breath against her neck when the blonde girl leaned in to whisper something in her ear during class. The pressure of lips against her own, moist from the rain drumming against her umbrella, on the day Mary decided that she didn’t want to play hide and seek anymore, but needed the taste of Takayo on her tongue to really know her.

Raising one hand to press trembling fingers against her lips, Takayo remembers that kiss. The rushed gentleness of it. The surge of relief, happiness and fear that ran through her body as she felt Mary’s arms sneaking around her waist, urging her closer… closer still…

She tightens her grip on her crucifix, staring down at the minute Christ, suffering for the sins she commits each and every time she lets herself be dragged down Mary’s dormitory hallway, not even hesitating in the moment the transfer student unlocks the door to her room and welcomes Takayo inside with an intense glimpse of lust reflected in her fascinatingly blue eyes.

Nevertheless… Making love to Mary – being made love to by Mary – doesn’t really feel like a sin. It feels like heaven on earth. A paradise of bliss meant for Takayo and her creator only.

Why can’t that, in itself, be enough of a prayer?

Finally growing tired of the way the kneeler gnaws into her shins painfully; of the way she can’t live up to the righteous example of the saint whose grace people tell her she needs so desperately, Takayo gets to her feet, the motion leaving her face to face with Maria-sama. The Virgin Mother’s features still form an image of perfect harmony and gentle light, the tiny orange flames that bloom around her feet giving her a silhouette of sunset – a fitting golden halo.

But…

“Gomen nasai,” Takayo whispers, deciding for herself in the blink of an eye. Taking a deep breath, she slides the crucifix over her head, making sure it doesn’t get caught in her long hair and slowly… ever so slowly… she steps forward.

Maybe it’s not Maria-sama’s grace that she really needs. Maybe it’s her understanding. After all, Maria-sama was only a human being herself; a simple girl chosen by God to fulfil a very difficult task which involved the judgment of society and the overshadowing threat of being left on her own. Maybe… Maybe Maria-sama will understand the choice Takayo is left with if Takayo simply explains it to her, because when all comes down to it, their situations are so very similar.

“I need to do what is right,” her voice wavers as she says the words (words that have nothing to do with “Ave Maria”) and slips the rosary over baby Jesus’ head, “please understand, Maria-sama.” Takayo backs away and bows deeply, noticing how the crucifix catches the light and reflects it through the dark veil of her hair. I need to follow my heart.

Once Maria-sama unquestioningly followed the demand of her heart, even though it came at the highest cost. Now Takayo needs to follow her example and do what Mary had wanted for her.

“Don’t be afraid, Takayo,” she’d said, watching the other girl dropping to her knees next to the bed in which she’d just sacrificed her virginity, not to a husband, but to a beautiful woman with light hair and eyes of the sky who had managed to write her name on Takayo’s heart. Inerasably.

And Takayo won’t be afraid. Not anymore.

Maria-sama gave in to God’s purpose with her without a fight.

“Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death,” she finishes at last; the prayer she began voicing such a long, long time ago. There is nothing to add. Takayo can only hope that her devotion will be enough.

And so, she gives in to God’s purpose with her, leaving the crucifix and the suffering Christ behind in the hands of baby Jesus and His mother, hoping that the Lord in remembrance of His own humanity will recognise hers, manifested in her beating heart that doesn’t need a suffering Saviour, but understanding.

“Amen,” she bids farewell, closing the heavy door to the cathedral.

There, in front of the church (not inside it), raising her eyes to the sky, Takayo finds her cell phone and dials Mary’s number.

Words aren’t important. Only love is.

~ S.

animimares @ 2008-04-21T10:21:00

2008-04-21T08:23:10Z

My computer completely freaked out last time I logged on LJ and now it seems to be infected with either vehement spyware or some sort of virus. Bugger, really. I hate when crap like that happens to me.

*sighs*

See you at some point when this has been sorted out.

sm_monthly ficlet, day sixteen, "Prisoner of Love"

2008-04-18T22:34:11Z

Title: Prisoner of Love
Author: animimares aka shoujo-ai no shijin
Fandom: Sailor Moon
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Haruka, the Messiah. Haruka/The Messiah, Haruka/Sailor Moon aka Haruka/Usagi, vague mentions of Haruka/Michiru.
Theme: Day Sixteen, Image
Genre: Angst
Version: Anime. Takes place right before the events of episode 110.
Rating: PG for kiss
Author's Notes: This just popped into my head and demanded to be written. So I did. I like it a lot, though I normally never like hot-off-the-press stuff.

_____

Prisoner of Love

When she opens her eyes, she knows she's dreaming.

Everything around her has been deprived of its colour, the only nuance left untouched besides the greys and white of her fuku, the woman in front of her. Yet, even her colour seems to be less colour than light, her hair shining like silver moonlight, though it also (underneath its whiteness) bears a touch of darkness - the black of night.

A goddess. No, not only a goddess.

The Messiah.

"You possess such a beautiful strength, Uranus," the Messiah says and her tone is admiring, her voice sweet and youthful.

Haruka knows that the being in front of her has never been forced to experience the reality of war; the cruelty of humans. Knowing that she will have to drag such innocence into the dirt of Neptune's and her own mission makes her heart ache. Taking a deep breath, curling her hand into a tight fist, Haruka pushes the thought away. Her strength isn't beautiful. It's necessary. She can't afford softness.

Not now. Not if this means...

"We will find the Talismans, ka?" Haruka asks, the Messiah busy scrutinizing a sakura blossom-filled twig with the artistic interest that would have fitted Michiru, but only makes these unclear features take on an air of childish fascination.

"The Talismans?" The Messiah repeats the words as if tasting them for the first time. Then she turns her colourless, colourfilled eyes upwards, meeting Haruka's gaze with a small smile.

She is gentle. Unable to keep the answering smirk at bay, Haruka cocks her head. This person might be the Messiah, but she's also only an innocent girl. That kind of charm has always been able to edge its way through all the Wind Senshi's defences; even her strongest armour.

"You already have the Talismans," the Messiah adds, her light body spinning in a circle, her hair flying around her form in long tendrils of sunrise.

Haruka's eyes narrow. Stepping forward through the world of black and white, she grabs the wrist of the one thing still in colour, though it has no colour, only energy. Looking at her in surprise, the Messiah comes to a halt. There's definitely darkness in her pupils, but it is another kind of darkness than Haruka has ever seen before. It has nothing to do with shadows. Nothing to do with Chaos.

"What's that supposed to mean," she requires, her voice deep and demanding. Is this the answer? Do Michiru and herself already have the Talismans in their possession...? Demo... there has been no sacrifice yet.

There's got to be a sacrifice, Haruka knows. It's the way of the world, no matter how much Sailor Moon hates it. Because even though this dream is in black and white, reality is not.

The Messiah doesn't reply. She raises her hand to once again contemplate the sakura blossoms, a soft smile edging its way onto her lips. She seems to be lost in a world of her own.

Haruka won't allow it. She hates it when Michiru does that, retreating into a world where Haruka doesn't have access. But if the Messiah does it, it will mean failure.

They can't afford failure any more than they can afford softness.

So she shakes the girl hard, only regretting for a short second the way her long hair is whipped into her face. Her framed features adopt the very distinct expression of fear. Haruka despises herself for it, but she has to know.

"What do you mean?" she asks again, a little more softly this time, because her actions spoke of all the harshness that she can muster.

It's not fair. It's not fair that they can't get the Grail and save the lives of millions without having to watch at least three people die.

It's not fair.

Blinking angrily, Haruka turns her face away, letting go slowly of the Messiah's wrist. She will find the Talismans on her own. She will save this world on her own. She isn't afraid of dirtying her hands to do it, but she won't... she won't sacrifice girls like Odango Atama, girls like Sailor Moon, girls like the Messiah in that fight. Because it's her fight.

Hers and hers alone.

"Gomen," she apologises, turning on her heel. She has crossed a line she wasn't meant to... in what way, she's not yet sure of. She just knows that now there's only one way to go and that's forward.

"Matte," the Messiah begs gently, Haruka continuing anyway. Then she feels a soft, warm hand on her arm and the distinct aura of power engulfing her. Looking over her shoulder, she stares into eyes that are no longer colourless, but the clear blue of the sky. The hair tickling her cheek is blonde; the golden shine of the sun.

It's... Staring wide-eyed, she gets out the first half of the name, before she's cut off.

"Odang..." Her voice drops a notch.

"You only need to ask your heart," the Messiah whispers before reaching up and cupping Haruka's face in her shining hands, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "Trust in your heart, Uranus."

And she's gone. Like the being of light she is, she disappears in the blink of an eye, leaving Haruka alone to slowly gain colour and conscious life.

When she wakes up, Haruka knows the dream is over and this is where reality will take its beginning.

~ S.

Uranus Neptune Sera Myu ramble... sorry!

2008-04-18T20:41:17Z

I love Nao and Yuhka. Everybody who knows me are perfectly aware of JUST how much I love Nao and Yuhka. If they should doubt it, they should just take a quick look at me default icon. Nao and Yuhka are love, the perfect live Haruka and Michiru.

However... I hate howevers, but here is one from me... I love Takayo from Shin Kaguya Shima Densetsu and its Kaiteiban. Yuhka IS Michiru to me, but had Takayo been given just a little longer to develop (and preferably Yuhka's wig), she would have been my new Neptune. I tell you, that girl has made me fall in love with her. Her voice is sweet, yes, but with the same edge of sharpness as Yuhka's did - which was what made Yuhka so incredibly Michiru-like. Takayo is innocent, beautiful, feminine and so very very sly and strong. Her voice in the fankan version she and Akiko did of Harsh! Saint Cry!! is perfection. Actually, I like her and Akiko's version of Harsh! almost as much as I liked Nao and Yuhka's... unfortunately, though Akiko was a talented Uranus, her voice always came off as just a notch too deep for me and that's the only reason I don't like it quite as much as the original NaoYuhka version.

It's so funny with me, really. Nao and Yuhka are the best Uranus and Neptune to me. However, Sanae is my second favourite Uranus, but my second favourite Neptune isn't Hiroko as some would have thought then. No, it's Takayo (though after having watched the original version of Eien Densetsu, my respect for Hiroko has grown quite a bit and she's now VERY close to being tied second with Takayo). On third place as Uranus comes Akiko (which sounds worse than it is, because that means she's just one step ahead of Asako, but really, I liked Akiko - I just liked Sanae more) and on third place as Neptune comes Tomoko (who I thought grew into a very believable and mature Neptune with an INCREDIBLE voice).

But... Takayo... oh, Takayo. I feel inspired to use her name in an original lesbian fic, just because I find her so awesome. I want her voice. It's... it's... I DON'T EVEN HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT. It's so haunting.

And if any of you wondered... yes, I'm tired right now, which is why I'm rambling like a mad person. Sorry. Ignore this post. Or don't... just don't get offended by it, this is PURELY my opinion.

~ S.

Sera Myu Trance

2008-04-16T19:49:22Z

I think the subject line speaks for itself, but anyways... this was a small video I found on youtube. I just thought it was really put together, even though the music will drive you crazy or make you want to dance along with the many Senshi who've sat foot in Sera Myu from start to finish. Thanks, indeed, ladies.

animimares @ 2008-04-16T11:17:00

2008-04-16T09:22:14Z

Kanbe Miyuki is love. Strong, Usagi-like, genki love. Happy love. And... now... sad love.

I was just told that my favourite Sailor Moon actress of them all is suffering from eating disorders and is currently hospitalized (from a rapid fangirl of Sera Myu who lives in Japan and has been to every god damn show since 1995 - God, I envy her, she's met all my favourites!). I know she'll probably never know and even if she did, she'd maybe not care much, but...

Miyuki-chan, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope you recover quickly and upon returning to show business come out as a stronger person who won't ever buckle over from the extreme pressure the work of being an idol puts on you.

I miss you, Miyuki-chan. You made me love Usagi so much. You made me love you even more. Please, get better soon, ne?

Suki.

A ramble on Utada Hikaru and Last Friends (JDrama)

2008-04-14T16:21:38Z

I never really cared much for Utada Hikaru's voice or music. But then I heard the opening song for the new j-drama series "Last Friends" (currently airing in Japan - and really, one should think it was a typical AU Haruka/Michiru fanfiction. The main character is called Michiru and an old friend of hers is Ruka who's - very fittingly - a masculine, charming female racer... does it ring any bells? Ruka and Michiru - what do you give me? shoujo-ai subtext, indeed... and really, it's not even subtext. In the first episode Ruka kisses a sleeping Michiru... I want to watch this series so much!)

Anyway... the op is called "Prisoner of Love" - it's hauntingly beautiful and I want it so badly!

OP for Last Friends: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmbzWsiNq1g (Seriously, it's so pretty, it's addictive!)

Prisoner of Love full version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhU_ZQGrX7E

As I looked through a lot of Utada Hikaru clips, I found the song called Colors. I fell in love with it instantly. Not only is the entire idea of the lyrics genius, no the video is just so beautiful. And yuri-ish. :P Watch it and you'll know what I mean.

Colors music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbAX1TSeRrQ

Colors

Miraa ga utsushidasu maboroshi o
ki ni shi nagara itsu no ma ni ka sokudo ageteru no sa
doko e itte mo ii to ii wareru to
hanpa na ganmou ni wa hyoushiki mo zenbu haiiro da
honoo no yurameki koyoi mo yume o egaku
anata no fudesaki kawaite imasen ka
aoi sora ga mieru nara aoi kasa hirogete
ii janai ka kyanbasu wa kimi no mono
shiroi hata wa akirameta toki ni dake kazasu no
ima wa makka ni sasou tougyuushi no you ni
karaa mo iro aseru keikoutou no moto
shirokuro no chesuboodo no ue de kimi ni deatta
bokura wa hitotsuki oboete imasu ka
orenji iro no yuuhi o tonari de miteru dake de yokatta no ni na
kuchi wa wazawai no moto
kuroi fuku wa shisha ni inoru toki ni dake kiru no
wazato makke ni nokoshita ruuju no ato
mou jibun ni wa yume no nai e shika egakenai to iu nara
nuritsubushite yo kyanbasu o nando demo
shiroi hata wa akirameta toki ni dake kazasu no
ima no watashi wa anata no shiranai iro.

Colors

The mirror that reveals illusions
raises my pace unnoticed.
When it said to me: "Go anywhere you'd like to."
my broken wishes are marked entirely in grey.
The swaying flames paint my dreams again tonight.
Isn't the tip of your brush dried up yet?
If you see the blue sky, open your blue umbrella.
Isn't that good? The canvas is all yours.
I've already given up, so I'll wave the white flag
now, like the red of the inviting bullfighter.
Colors fade under a flourescent lamp,
on the black and white of the chessboard, we met.
While we were lost, we clung to one another.
Don't you recall that month?
Just watching the orange sunset next to you -
although it was nice, your mouth led us to mishap.
Black clothes are only worn when praying for the deceased.
After the rouge was left, it deliberately turns red.
If I say that I can't even paint my dreams anymore,
how many times will I have to paint over this canvas?
I've already given up, so I'll wave the white flag.
I am your unknown color now.

It's OMG so beautiful! I want this song. Please, flist, if any of you have either of these songs, please, please, please, sent them to me? *bashes eyelashes like a mad woman*

~ S.

PS. Haruka/Michiru forever, in whatever form and story! :P

points to icon

2008-04-14T14:40:53Z

I changed my default icon. Again.

Nao and Yuhka are so pretty here. You can just see the chemistry in the way their gazes are locked. I needed to honour them by choosing this icon. Thanks for making it for me, seikochan. The colours are so pretty and the tiny writing and everything... pretty!

Nao and Yuhka forever!

Fanfic Author Meme stolen from seikochan

2008-04-12T21:16:26Z

How about a brief introduction for yourself?
I'm Simone. Currently 20 years old. Obsessive fan of everything yuri and pretty girls. Spents way too long on writing fanfics that she never finishes and gazing into space thinking about her girlfriend, but hey... it's inspiring. Is way too happy while online and way too sad when not. Otaku, I guess. Karateka-wannabe. Future Uranus cosplayer and evangelical lutheran vicar. I would love to be a musical actress, if it weren't for the tiny itsy bitsy detail that I can't sing. However, I do think I can write and I want to write; preferably a novel that can change someone's life or at least their view of themselves... or maybe just give them a few good hours of entertainment.

Fabulous! And what got you into fanfiction to begin with?
A Sirius (Harry Potter) centred site and a luckily-forgotten Remus/Sirius one-shot. I loved teh gayness.

I see, so what kind of fanfiction do you like to write?
I prefer writing one-shots, because I always mess up chatered work. I need to write girly stuff and things involving yuri... it's the only things that truly interest me, so why write about anything else? Oh, that made me seem narrow-minded. Argh, crap.

Do you find writing easy? Hard? What are the most difficult aspects of writing you struggle with?
I'm a perfectionist. And since English isn't my first language, it always takes a lot of me to write fanfiction. However, even though the process is tiring, the results always make me feel proud and satisfied, so I do it time and again. I like the attention it gets me and I like the feeling of it... writing is my life, I wouldn't be able to live without it and fanfiction is a great part of that. I do wish, though, that I could write something that didn't take all my energy, just for once.

Write a few sentences or so of your favorite pairing or character.

Michiru doesn't go to sleep after sex like normal people do. Neither does she speak. Any talking she might do is limited to before or during the act. Afterwards she always just watches. Patiently, she waits for Haruka to doze off and when she does...

With a fascination that would be foreign to an outsider (but not to Haruka; Haruka would recognise it, if she were awake to see), Michiru lets her eyes wander over her lover's body. It's not because she doesn't know it well. She has seen everything there is to see of Haruka, touched every part of her, tasted every inch. Michiru knows the feel of Haruka beneath her fingertips, the taste of Haruka on her tongue. She knows the sound of Haruka's voice, deep and velvety with a slight quality of hoarseness.

Yet, she watches with the fascination of the artist she is. Michiru admires how the shadows dance across the curve of a feminine hip, how a sprinkle of light blooms like flowers down a strong thigh, casting a curious darkness between Haruka's legs - as if the aqua-haired girl doesn't already know what she would see there. With a gentle expression carved into every of her features, she notices how Haruka's face becomes relaxed in sleep - girlish and childlike, unlike any mask she wears at day.

And that expression, the wrinkle between light, proud eyebrows disappearing (finally), is what makes her feel peaceful. Sex stirs awake ancient emotions in Michiru; emotions she can't control and only understands sparsely. If she tried to sleep, she would maybe be able to doze off just like Haruka does - yes, but be plagued by dreams of solitude and loneliness. Feelings that she thought she'd never experience again.

Now, as she has seen the content look on the taller woman's face, Michiru can lay down and close her eyes with a smile, giving in to the dull buzz of fatigue in her body - once again assured that when she wakes up, Haruka will be beside her. Because her lover is a flirt, but for one more day she will keep her promise.

Not to run.

Well. I have no idea where this came from. Haruka/Michiru, Sailor Moon.

Are there any fanfiction clichés or trends you're sick of or just can't stand?
In Sailor Moon's Haruka/Michiru department I hate it when people make Michiru a "weaker" character than Haruka... a romantically tragic character that cries easily and more often than Haruka. Michiru is a strong-willed woman; she's been a Senshi for longer than (probably) any of the rest. If anyone can stand on her own two feet and keep her head high, it's Michiru. Just because Haruka is boyish, just because Haruka's tall and flirty and outspoken (and just because Takagi Nao is drop-dead gorgeous), doesn't mean Michiru is a sub in that relationship. She's feminine in another way that Haruka. She's strong in another way than Haruka. But she, of all people, can give Haruka the support and strength she needs to be who she is. Otherwise they wouldn't be together. It really is beyond me why people seem to overlook that Haruka would never ever choose a weak person for her partner. A weak person would bore her. Also, Haruka cheating on Michiru is getting old. There's a fine line between being flirty and taking the ladies to her bed. She kissed Usagi, so what? I would have as well, if Usagi had showed me any kind of interest. Because Usagi's adorable and you can't help but want to kiss her. Everybody wants Usagi. It's a fact, get over it.

Also. No, Haruka doesn't want to be a man. She probably hasn't been raised as one either. She's a feminist, god damn it, she's playing with gender roles. I do that all the time. She knows she's a woman and would never claim otherwise, unless to get little cute girls to blush. Geez.

Michiru isn't necessarily bisexual just because she doesn't flirt at every given occasion like Haruka does. Some lesbians are content in the relationship they find themselves in. Just because she doesn't dress in the boy's school uniform, doesn't mean she wants men in her bed.

*sighs* Now I got that off my chest.

Are you guilty of any fanfiction clichés you hate? Or any other ones?
I try avoid writing what I don't like to see in other people's fics, but I've probably written a lot about Haruka's masculinity, probably also in ways I'd today disapprove of... or no, actually I don't think I have. However, I am guilty of loving to see Michiru in relationships to other women. She's so sexy. OCs are a habit of mine as well, whether they are just a name mentioned or a well-fleshed out character.

What was the first fandom you wrote for, and do you still like/participate in it?
Harry Potter. And no, I don't. I loved my time with HP and I loved the things I got from it, the experience in writing and the friends it gave me. But after the last book hit the streets... I don't have other words to add. JK Rowling did so well in finishing off (minus the crappy epilogue).

Name your OTPs or most frequently written pairings/characters and explain what it is about them that you love to write.

Haruka/Michiru (Sailor Moon): One) They're canon. I love canon yuri pairings, they give me so much to work with. I love "between-the-lines" stories, tell the things that weren't said directly. And Haruka and Michiru give me lots of opportunities to do exactly that. Two) They probably have the best lesbian chemistry I've ever seen in an anime. They're equal and work together like a real couple would, with the ups and downs (mostly ups) of a real relationship. That really moved me when I first discovered Sailor Moon. They make me think of my own relationships in another light and I feel I can see myself in them. That's important.

Chikane/Himeko (Kannazuki no Miko): This was the first yuri anime I watched and I've loved it ever since. Even though the roles seem very given at the beginning, there's this point in the story where they turn. No longer is Chikane the one in control, the poised one, the one with the power... no, Himeko - with all her gentle ways and pure emotions - take over and give Chikane what she needs... not the other way around. Their story is always romantic and tragic and I love that. Especially with the happy ending. Yeah, these two were just cute.

Tsukasa/Subaru (.hack//SIGN): I loved this anime and I loved the relationship that developed between these two characters. It's quiet without many words, but so very deep. They understand each other and can live with each other's imperfection and the series just begs you to write about how they deal with meeting in real life, outside cyber space. I also liked the difference between the "het" relationship of Tsukasa and Subaru and the yuri relationship between their offline selves, Mariko and Ann. It's an interesting twist that I love to work with. Also because they're so sweet and tranquil.

What would you call your writing “style”?
Wordy. Lots of brackets and added descriptions. Poetry-like. Wordy. Very wordy. Too wordy.

Do you read other people’s fanfic? If so, what do you find yourself reading the most?
I don't read as much fanfiction as I write. Probably because it takes a lot to satisfy me and I often feel that the slightest characterisation or description that doesn't work for me can ruin an entire fanfic for me. It's probably just my big ego, but... It can throw me off, also writing my own pieces. However, when I read fanfic I love drabbles and one-shots that are poetic and hold a red thread that I can follow. I love people working with themes and show a lot of emotion.

Name one thing you’d LOVE to write, but have been too afraid or shy to do.
Eh. Asami Yuhka/Takagi Nao. My principles are against real people fics, so I don't write it. Also out of the respect of the work both of these women poured into their performances and characters, but I'd love to do it at some point. Never will though. Another thing I'd love to write would be Neptune/Loof Merrow or Michiru/Vampiru (Sailor Moon musicals)... Ono Hikari gives me vibes like that. :P

Do you have trouble taking criticism? Or worse yet, do you have the dreaded bloated ego?
I don't have a problem with criticism as such, but it's not often I know how to react to it. i appreciate people telling me where they think I can approve, but often a piece is so set in my mind, that changing it at that point would be like killing the fic itself. However, often I do take up people's comments in my next work. I shall be the first to admit, though, that I probably have a bit of an ego when it comes to my writing... or maybe it's just the fact that I'm a comment whore.

When you write, is there anything that helps? Music? Quiet room
I always listen to music when writing. It's like a life-line because there's always a feeling in music... and that feeling I can try and capture in my writing. Often, when writing for Sailor Moon I go watch some favourite episode or see some Sera Myu before starting to write... to capture the feel and essence of it.

What inspires you?
My girlfriend. My own life. A piece of music. A scene in TV or a sudden thought on the street. Anything, really....

That's it for now, I guess.

~ S.

[Totally irrelevant topic line] Yay, Himeko is thrilled... or something.

2008-04-09T19:19:46Z

When I think about, I have written fanfiction for far too long. Ever since I met K., I've continuously been writing fanfiction on a more or less serious level. I love writing fanfiction. I find it easier than writing original fiction, because with fanfiction there're guidelines. Characteristics to follow, universes to stay faithful to - to whatever degree fits your imagination - an already created whole to break up in pieces and work with little by little. I like that. There's also the tiny little detail that I can get to write in English when writing fanfiction. I don't yet feel familiar enough with the English language to actually write something more extensive than petty one-shots and ficlet-thingies.

However, I feel it's time now. I want to write original. I want to explore my own imagination and own creativity. That's probably why I joined the writer's club that I've recently begun attending. And yet I find it hard letting fanfiction go - it's my safety line. I know I'm not in too deep when it comes to fanfiction. I know my own style. But with original fiction it's all so foreign to me as of yet. I don't mind the fact that all my original writing is so blatantly inspired by anime/manga style, that it's so visual in nature... that's probably how my style will always be, because it is where I find inspiration. But I want to be able to let go of the universes I love so much and know so well and instead be an explorer in my own inner universe, find all the stories that I know are inside of me and want to be written.

They'll probably all be lesbian centred. I think the world needs more and more lesbian litterature and I wouldn't mind being one of the people contributing to that development. I have several stories in mind, but need a reason to start writing. I need someone who wants to read what I come up with, simply because they find it relevant or interesting or whatever. I'm probably a comment whore like that, but I need to know that what I write has relevance to some kind of audience, even if it only consists of one petty person.

So, that's why I turn to you - whomever may be reading this (preferably someone with an interest in shoujo-ai). If I were to write your dream lesbian story, what would it contain? What issues should I work with, what kind of situations should I include for it to catch your interest and hold it? What genres should it be? Fantasy, contemporary, sci-fi or..? What's an absolute no-go for you - characteristics you just can't bear to see one more time, mechas, happy ending or something else entirely?

I do hope you'll share your thoughts with me; I find these things particularly interesting.

~ S.

Short meme stolen from gaspingly

2008-04-09T12:13:11Z

1. My username is ___ because ___.

animimares because I'm a Latin freak. animi mares actually means something along the lines of "spirit/soul of warrior (Mars)", but has come to mean "spirit of man/masculinity". I chose this because at the time I was obsessed with the idea many natire peoples had of homosexuality; that it was the soul of the opposite sex in the body of the person's actual sex. Today I find that thought kind of stupid; I mean, why can only men love women and the other way around, but... yeah, the word itself is so original that I've stuck with it ever since.

2. My name is ____ because ___.

Simone. My parents couldn't decide what to name me. They'd agreed on the name in case I'd turned out to be a boy. Then I'd be Rasmus. My father seriously considered calling me Rasmine which is the feminine version of Rasmus in Denmark; however, it's also a word used about really bitchy harpies, so I have never forgiven him for even thinking about naming me that. My mother wanted to give me a double name like Anne Sofie or Amalie Caroline, but my father was against that. Then, at the time, my mother was reading books by Simone de Beauvoir and she asked my dad if she could name me after her instead, and so they finally agreed on Simone.

3. My journal is titled ___ because ___.

animi mares. Because I'm uninventive like that.

4. My friend's page is called ___ because ___.

Sailor Moon has gay friends. Do you? Because it was a joke I thought up when I'd just discovered the awesomeness that's Haruka/Michiru. I generally just thought it would be a funny statement to wear on a t-shirt... except that in Denmark very few people even know there's such a thing as Sailor Moon, even less a lesbian couple containing one attractive Haruka and one unequalled Michiru. So I decided to use it in my LJ instead, where the knowledge of Sailor Moon is a bit more nuanced.

5. My default userpic is ___ because ___.

Anthy and Utena from Revolutionary Girl Utena the movie. I loved that movie. The art was probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and this kiss from the last scene... it still gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. And my girlfriend looks just like Anthy, minus purple hair, so I thought I'd make this my default pic instead of some Haruka/Michiru one in honour of everything that is her, because I love her so.

6. My LJ name is ___ because ___.

shoujo-ai no shijin. Because I love the song "Kaze no Shijin" from Sera Myu. The words are so pretty to pronounce. And then shoujo-ai is something that overall defines me and my writing, so I thought "poet of girl-love" would be fitting for me.

That's that. :D Heh.

animimares @ 2008-04-09T13:23:00

2008-04-09T11:51:25Z

I've often tried imagining what scenario the people who stubbornly claim my kind of love to be a lifestyle choice could have in mind to support the idea they so vehemently try to hold on to - when they're not imposing it on me. Simply for the fun of it.

Apparently one day my creator stopped by my room on his daily routine inspection of his creation and scared the hell out of me with his sudden appearance. After all, it's not so very often a deity pays you an unannounced visit just like that. Well, after having calmed me down and brewed me a nice cup of tea, he sat me down in the couch and said to me:

"Es, you're a nice girl with lots of spunk, so I've decided I want to give you a special offer."

Wow, I thought, my eyes widening. God's prepared something special for me - just for me? That's something, allright.

"You see," he continued, pausing to let me take a sip of my tea, "you have two options here in life. One is to continue living on as you've done until now; simply being a regular girl with the perspective of a lovely family consisting of husband and a couple of nice kids, friendly neighbours, a dog of your choice and a good job with collegues that respect you for your talents."

That sure did sound nice, I thought, although the concept seemed so well-known that it also bore an aura of boredom to it. Taking another drink of my tea (it was a very nice tea), I waited for the almighty big guy to tell me what the other option was.

Taking a deep breath, as if preparing for an important speech, the Lord continued: "The second option is for you to become a lesbian. That will entail a life where people judge you for whom you love. You will be persecuted and experience discrimination in many aspects of everyday life; you will most probably not be accepted and often normal human rights will be denied you. You will never belong to the majority and those you care for will maybe turn their backs on you." He stopped for a moment, letting me digest the intense flow of words. Finally, he added: "Oh, and I'll also condemn you."

Sitting very still for a moment, I weighed my two options. "Gee, Sir," I said, "that's a hard choice, really." Biting my lip and taking yet another sip of tea (who could know if the creator of all wouldn't simply take it with him when he left - it was really good tea), I looked up at him. He looked very serious. I smiled. "I think I'll go with option two, Sir," I finally decided, "it would certainly be an interesting change of air."

At this, God stood up and smiled broadly, clapping his hands once. "Splendid, Es, I'll make sure to make life as difficult for you as I can."

"I really do appreciate it, Sir," I replied and already felt the change within me. "Thanks for giving me such a great choice."

...

Nah, I know this isn't quite fair, but as I said... I needed the entertainment, because life can really suck from time to time, when you're me. Luckily, I'm an optimist and I've learned to see the positive sides of life. It seems that now when I've finally come clear with the route my life has taken, I can live with how people view me. I've seen the glimpses of the shortcuts and detours I'll experience in the future, but it doesn't scare me anymore. It's an adventure and I like adventures.

And truth be told, even if my sexuality was a choice, I'd still have chosen it, if only God had promised me a daily fix of Kay's smile and the way her eyes shine when she laughs.

Haruka/Michiru fic for sm_monthly's theme: Keeping Secrets

2008-04-07T12:16:39Z

Title: The Things Left Unsaid
Author: shoujo-ai no shijin
Fandom: Sailor Moon
Pairing: Haruka/Michiru
Theme: Keeping Secrets
Genre: Romance
Version: Anime
Rating: PG
Author Notes: I needed to write this. Lots of little plot points mentioned that I'll probably never get around to write. Sorry for giving Michiru so much sexual experience, but Haruka - besides her flirting - just never struck me as one who'd actually take a girl with her home unless she deeply cared for her and as shown in episode 106 and in her monologue from the S season, she did seem to keep to herself more so than Michiru or at least in a different way.

_____

The Things Left Unsaid

They both have secrets; secrets they don’t even share with one another.

Since Haruka first transformed and joined Michiru in her mission, they have made many promises. Mostly about their duty as Senshi; about forgetting the meaning of lovers when they are in their fuku, only remembering what the concept of partners demand of them… but also about the value of life and the necessity of death when it comes to their Princess and the future Kingdom.

However, one vow that they made to each other had nothing to do with Uranus and Neptune.

“Don’t ask me where I came from,” Haruka had requested one evening after an embarrassing meeting with a tall, blonde man who had insisted on calling her Haru-chan and kissed her cheek with the arrogant carelessness she would have allowed from no one but her older brother (and from the look on her face, she was very close to not allowing him the liberty either). Michiru had promised she wouldn’t, because she knew how important privacy was to her girlfriend – but only if Haruka in return would decline from ever inquiring about her past as well.

So, they had promised. The questions would lie dormant until they one day chose to bring them up themselves.

And therefore Haruka doesn’t know that Michiru hasn’t spoken to her mother for the past two years; ever since the day she’d sent a blushing, but beautiful Tahara Tomoko out the door, slapping the at that time 13-year-old Michiru for her “impertinence” and “lack of pride” in allowing herself to be “infatuated” with another girl. Neither does Haruka know that the only reason Michiru had moved to Tokyo was to be able to continue her relationship with Elza Gray in peace, without her mother’s condemning eyes watching over her.

Michiru, on the other hand, doesn’t know that Haruka lost her first national running competition because she’d stopped to help her sworn enemy when the girl had fallen and broken her ankle or that she had never since allowed anyone to intervene when she’d first started running (except for Michiru, that one time…) Another fact unknown to her is how Haruka cut her hair short in defiance when her father had forbidden her to join the motor sports club at school, deeming the activity too masculine for a proper girl of the Tenoh family.

Indeed, they share many things, do the Senshi of the Sky and the Senshi of the Sea. Laughter and joy. Tears and grief. Yet something always remains unsaid between them.

That’s the one promise they made, not as Uranus and Neptune, but as Haruka and Michiru – to be able to always look each other in the eye and recognise one another for what they are right now and not for what they once were. Michiru doesn’t ask why Haruka never speaks of her father and consequently Haruka never words her interest in the closeness between Elza and Michiru.

And since none of them ask, neither of them tells.

~ S.

sm_monthly, theme: cosplay, Haruka/Michiru fic

2008-04-05T01:26:13Z

Title: Chou Bi (Super Beauties)
Author: shoujo-ai no shijin/animimares
Fandom: Sailor Moon/Real Life Sera Myu
Characters/Pairings: Outer Senshi, Haruka/Michiru, Takagi Nao and Asami Yuuka.
Genre: General/Humour/Romance
Version: Manganime/Musical/Real Life
Rating: Utterly PG
Word Count: ~ 3.000
Author’s Notes: I intend no harm with this fic. I do not want to demean any of the other actresses that have played Uranus and Neptune throughout the run of Sera Myu, I just found it plausible that if she could indeed go, Haruka would prefer seeing an original story line rather than seeing her own fight acted out. It so happens that most of the original storylines features Nao as Uranus and Yuuka as Neptune; it also just so happens that they are my absolute favourites. The lines in italics are from the musical “Last Dracul Jokyoku” (spoken lines are from the scene where Uranus confronts the vampire-bitten Neptune, the last line is from the song “Chou Bi – Uranus to Neptune”) which is one of my all-time favourite Sera Myu musicals. It was fun making just a little fun of it and yet still loving it to bit. I do not intend any discredit to Takeuchi-sama for this. It’s simply my humorous attempt at imagining what it would be like of Sailor Moon was more than a manga. I have written this because I love the original, not because I want to disgrace it.

_____

Chou Bi

”This got to be a joke.”

Haruka stares at the four tickets that Michiru has neatly spread out on the tabletop in front of her; the elegant black strokes of the hiragana inviting her to the premier of “Shin/Henshin – Super Senshi e no Michi – Last Dracul Jokyoku” at the Sunshine Theatre the next day.

Straightening up with both eyebrows raised sceptically, she looks from first Michiru to Hotaru-chan, meeting Setsuna’s gaze last. Both of the latter have adopted similar expressions of disbelief, though Hotaru-chan seems to be on the verge of clapping her hands animatedly and Setsuna about ready to excuse herself with a headache.

“No, Usagi and the others have asked us to join them at the show tomorrow,” Michiru confirms what the offending tickets have already so plainly hinted at. Feeling her glare soften at the gentle amusement visible in the violinist’s eyes, Haruka crosses her arms over her chest with a sigh. Of course Michiru is all for going. It really shouldn’t surprise her.

“Michiru,” she tries anyway, even though she already has a nagging suspicion about what the outcome of this argument will be (because Michiru always gets it her way in the end). Noticing how Setsuna nods softly in the direction of the youngest member of their little family, however, Haruka’s words die on her lips. Hotaru, at least, looks excited.

Still…

Normally it wouldn’t be such a troublesome thing for Haruka to go watch a theatre performance with the others, but this is different. This is Sera Myu, just another branch of the “Sailor Fever” that has raged in Japan ever since the Princess allowed that Takeuchi woman to publish their story under the cover of a harmless shoujo manga.

And even so… Haruka could deal with the manga. It’s just drawings and despite its heart-breaking accuracy at times (even on the matter of the future; Takeuchi-sama and Setsuna grew rather close over time), drawings can’t hurt her pride. She could even handle the way Hotaru obsessively bought each and every volume and still has a bad habit of letting them lie about the house for the Sky Senshi to stumble across, leading to her having skimmed more than just a few pages of the thing. After all, she looks quite good as a sharply outlined, black-and-white school girl (and so does Michiru).

The anime she never watched, but Usagi and her friends have told her that the two women voicing Michiru and herself were really good and even got close to the real thing at certain points – often in little more detail than Haruka would like, mostly in terms of Minako-chan and Mako-chan agreeing on the unequalled sexiness of Ogata Megumi’s voice. For weeks the Princess and her friends (and Hotaru, whenever she could find an occasion to join in) spoke of nothing else than the weekly episode of Bishoujo Senshi Sera Muun. Judging from Hotaru-chan’s sudden interest in TV when the series was aired the first time around, it really wasn’t half-bad.

But this… this Haruka can’t do to herself. She values her privacy too much to watch some actress playing Sailor Uranus jumping around, dancing and singing (instead of fighting, sweating, bleeding and crying) for the entirety of two hours. Her vanity probably plays a big role in this aspect as well.

No, she can’t.

“Michiru,” Haruka repeats, the slight pause she makes before opening her mouth to decline all the opportunity the Senshi of the Sea needs to cut in and break her resolve.

“Haruka,” Michiru says in a soft voice, brushing a lock of blonde hair away form Haruka’s face and looking as understanding as ever (how Haruka hates when she does that on purpose), “this time it’s an original storyline. It has nothing to do with us or our mission…”

“Besides the obvious,” Setsuna interrupts, her purple eyes betraying her reluctance beneath the otherwise resigned air around her. Haruka can’t keep a slight leer at bay. Setsuna doesn’t want to go any more than Haruka does; that alone could make her reconsider her answer.

“Onegai, Haruka-papa…” Hotaru-chan grabs hold of her arm, meeting Haruka’s gaze with those big, dark eyes of hers. How’s Haruka to say no to such a request?

Sighing, she rolls her eyes. “Fine,” she complies, sending Michiru a dirty look over her shoulder as Hotaru clings to her out of sheer happiness. The innocent smile on those carefully painted lips doesn’t fool Haruka. She has known the other woman for too long to not see the quirk at the corner of her mouth, turning her smile into more of a smirk. It’s quite clear that Michiru would have settled with nothing less.

Haruka knows she is going to regret that she’s so easily manipulated when it comes to the women she considers family. As a matter of fact, she regrets it already…

~~~

As Haruka looks around the audience rows, she realises they really needn’t have bothered with disguising themselves. No matter which way she looks, horrid yellow Odango-wigs (or something worse, like the sickly orange one a little Uranus-girl was wearing in the entrance hall) burn her eyes or the colour of a Senshi skirt reflects the light. If anything, people would just have thought they were really good cosplayers.

Apparently coming to the same conclusion, Ami takes off her hat some seats away and next to her, Michiru frees her hair from the tight bun she’s styled it in for the evening (the bright teal colour of it looks darker and closer to black when she doesn’t wear it loose). Noticing the attention, Michiru sends her a small smile and since Haruka isn’t one to bear a grudge, she ignores the fact that she should still be irritated with her girlfriend and returns the gesture. Leaning in, she murmurs in the shorter woman’s ear, her voice carrying the faint trace of teasing:

“So, who’s doing me?”

Michiru’s chuckles at the wording and as she retrieves the colourful brochure from her purse, she gives Haruka one of her Looks out the corner of her eye. Snorting at the unsaid implication, Haruka waits for the other woman to answer, but when the pregnant silence starts stretching out between them, she frowns and slowly turns her attention back to her partner. Michiru’s fingers have come to a halt on the photographs of the actresses, seemingly caressing the orange-blonde wig of the one playing Sailor Uranus.

Focusing on the small letters underneath the picture, Haruka reads aloud: “Takagi Nao.” Raising an eyebrow thoughtfully, she searches through the rest of the pictures, quickly finding the actress she’s looking for. “And Asami Yuuka.” Contemplating the small avatar of the very green-haired Neptune, she can’t help her smirk. Meeting Michiru’s eyes, she notes in a low voice: “She’s rather pretty.”

“Ara, Haruka-san,” Michiru purses her lips, though in her gaze the traces of laughter are evident, “are you trying to make me jealous?”

“And if I were?” Haruka responds, Michiru’s only reply a small giggle that quickly dies out when Hotaru-chan shushes at them. Looking up, Haruka realises that the curtains are about to rise and the performance about to begin.

She settles back in her seat, already expecting the worst.

~~~

After the first couple of confusing scenes, Haruka starts catching onto the feel of it. She still finds it utterly weird seeing “herself” on stage (though, she must admit, Nao-san does quite a job at portraying her), especially when watching the three Outer Senshi first appear on stage with a “Springtime of life. Running.” Finding herself smiling despite of the utter craziness of it all, she meets Michiru’s eyes and snorts at the raised eyebrow her girlfriend presents her with, admitting defeat. Yeah, okay, it wasn’t all that bad; though it had to be anyone’s guess what vampires had to do with Professor Tomoe…

As the plot thickens, Haruka actually starts liking Nao-san. The colour of her wig is too bombastic to be anywhere close to Haruka’s real hair colour and her voice is a slight notch off (not too light, not too dark, just - ), but there’s something about her... Michiru might be the true narcissist between the two of them, but Haruka has always disliked looking unattractive and if anything, Nao-san easily draws attention due to her looks alone; she’s unique. As she turns to face Yuuka-san who’s now trying to push “Neptune” out of her acting, instead embracing the cruelty of the vampires they’ve experienced on stage, Haruka can’t take her eyes off her.

“Yuuka-san might be pretty,” Michiru whispers in her ear as Nao-san steps forward, reaching out her hand with a soft, painful expression edged into every of her features, “but I do think you’ve just found your reflection, Haruka.”

Haruka doesn’t answer. Her eyes are fixed on Nao-san as the woman’s voice wavers despite what seems to be her hardest effort to keep it level and somewhat soft. Her words come out in little clusters of sounds; too many pauses breaking them up, though their meaning seems to linger in the quietness in between. It scares her to admit it, but Haruka recognises this particular fight for control over her body from herself. This desperate battle of keeping stormy emotions at bay.

“You are the pretty Soldier of Smiles with the ocean in her eyes… but…I am a Soldier of Battle.”

Holding her breath, Haruka waits for the next sentence to follow that last harsh exclamation. She’s never been the vocal type. She’s never been good at voicing her feelings, but luckily Michiru seems to understand so many things without being told. Normally Haruka would have hated seeing an outsider so blatantly supposing they could reflect something this private between Michiru and herself; between Uranus and Neptune. However, for some unexplainable reason, it doesn’t particularly trouble her to see Nao-san verbally reaching out, pretending to be someone she’s not. Pretending to be Sailor Uranus. Pretending to be Haruka.

“That’s why I couldn’t say… arigato… ”

The last word is more of a sob. Haruka has only one recollection of breaking down like this. And that was the one time she saw her world fall to pieces, unable to do anything about it. Clenching her hand into a tight fist, she wonders what she would do if she ever had to face Michiru in this way…

She exhales. Slowly. And blinks. Furiously. Michiru’s argument might have been that this had nothing to do with their mission – that doesn’t change the fact that Haruka right now feels as if she’s watching her heart being thrown in her face. She doesn’t exactly like it, but neither does she feel like getting up and leave. Normally she wouldn’t allow anyone to be so presumptuous as to assume they knew anything about her (or Michiru). Yet… this isn’t “normally”. This is something else. Something entirely different.

The warmth of fail fingers gripping her hand surprises her, though she doesn’t show it. Feeling Michiru’s gentle squeeze, Haruka turns her head and let’s herself be bathed in the small smile, her lover presents her with.

“Do you still think it’s a joke?” Michiru’s question is in a low voice, but her tone is gentle with only the faintest hint of teasing; more evident in her eyes than in her words. Haruka manages a chuckle in spite of the feelings piled up inside. Michiru is (always has been) an expect at pushing the right buttons in just the right way; so that it doesn’t hurt Haruka, but neither does it lull her into a false sense of security. And Haruka likes the challenge; ever since they first met (in collision) she’s liked this strange sensation of fighting between them.

“Of course,” she says, her voice dark and amused. There’s no trace of her inner conflict. On stage the plot moves towards its climate and as an upbeat battle song starts, Michiru raises an eyebrow at Haruka in the dark, clearly not convinced by her lover’s abilities as an actress.

“I know you better than that,” Michiru comments and looks back towards the actresses, the battle song now accompanied by a series of complicated-looking dance steps. With a small smirk, Haruka feels Michiru’s hand grasp her own tighter. They’re both bad at lying; Haruka because she’s honest by nature, Michiru because she hates indulging people. Feeling her smirk morph into a soft smile, Haruka acknowledges that words aren’t needed between them (not even a word such as “arigato”; not even a word such as “aishiteru”).

Truth comes without saying, doesn’t it?

~~~

“Watashi wa Saturn, hametsu no Saturn, inochi no Saturn…” Hotaru-chan hums as she leaves the theatre, closely followed by Odango Atama, clinging to Mamoru-san’s arm with a mystified look on her face.

“Demo, Mamo-chan,” she says, her voice insistent, “are bad people really weak against milk?”

Watching Mamoru-san open his mouth helplessly, Haruka almost feels sorry for him. Fortunately for him, Rei-chan decides to take action, smacking Usagi-chan on her head.

“Baka, Usagi,” she barks, leaning in with her lips pursed irritably, “it’s just a play.”

“I knew that!” Usagi retorts. As their argument soon develops into an immature contest of tongue-poking, Haruka ignores it, instead sparing Michiru a glance out the corner of her eye. The aqua-haired girl looks very smug. In fact, way too smug for Haruka’s liking – something that doesn’t get better as she realises the same expression is reflected in Setsuna’s features.

“Nani?” she asks, defensively, looking from one woman to the other. Setsuna’s smile is almost undetectable. As always her feelings are well disguised, but Haruka hasn’t been living with her for more than two years for nothing. She knows the signs. Setsuna feels like laughing; probably just as much as Michiru does.

“You seemed to be enjoying the show quite a bit,” she notes indifferently, though the way she and Michiru exchange looks is anything but. Haruka rolls her eyes, feeling a slight blush creep into her cheeks.

“It wasn’t horrid,” she observes; not directly agreeing, but neither is she saying that she hated it. She’s not a good liar. Neither of them would buy it. “And Asami Yuuka was pretty.” The last comment is a casual provocation, very purposefully thrown in Michiru’s direction. Because she may have won round one, has Kaioh Michiru (this time around), but Haruka is all for a rematch.

“Takagi Nao-san was so kakuii, wasn’t she?” Minako-chan chirps behind them, pressing her hands to her chest melodramatically and spinning around in an inelegant pirouette. “I think I could die happy if she looked at me the same way she looked at Yuuka-san. I mean, she’s almost as attractive as Haruka-san…” Looking up just in time to catch sight of Haruka’s raised eyebrow, Minako’s words die out; an embarrassed smile forming on her lips and a nervous grin following it, almost drowning out Mako-chan’s reply:

“She reminded me of my old sempai…”

Linking her arm under Haruka’s, Michiru suppresses a giggle, drawing the blonde’s attention back to her. She hasn’t bothered with styling her hair back into the tight knot on the top of her head again. In this crowd, no one will question the alternative colouring of her hair anyway.

“They didn’t assume too much, did they?” The Sea Senshi’s question is honest. She saw Haruka’s reaction to Nao-san’s speech and no matter how well Haruka might have covered it up, she is perfectly aware what an impact it had. Haruka shrugs lightly, catching sight of a poster on the wall on her right, Takagi Nao and Asami Yuuka staring out at her, both clad in Senshi fuku a great deal too fluffy and pompous to be of any use in war. Nevertheless, they make a good pair.

“It doesn’t really matter, does it?” Haruka asks in return, letting her gaze linger for a second longer on Nao-san’s piercing eyes with the hint of vulnerability. “As you said: It has nothing to do with us or our mission…” Next to her, the violinist comes to a halt, forcing Haruka to follow her example. Michiru glances over her shoulder, seemingly searching for the others in the crowd. During their little conversation, the other Senshi have fallen behind, engaged in animated talking (at least, some of them – Setsuna as always the quiet spectator). As they wait for them to catch up, they study the poster together in a comfortable silence.

“Maybe,” Michiru begins softly, Haruka cocking her head as she waits for the continuation, “I should be the one saying arigato.”

Haruka’s eyes widen slightly. Turning around, she is about to open her mouth and say something, but Michiru raises her face to meet her gaze, shaking her head with a half-smile. “I already know, Haruka,” she murmurs, only meant for the Senshi of the Wind to hear as the others finally join them, Hotaru-chan skipping past them, a new melody on her lips.

Staring into Michiru’s eyes, Haruka acknowledges that even though she wants to say it (but can’t), it’s not necessary. The two of them aren’t cosplaying actresses on a stage, aren’t animated colours on a screen or thin lines of grey in a manga volume. When it comes to the real Haruka and Michiru, most of what mattes is hidden between the lines, never said out loud. Haruka likes it that way, though sometimes she wishes her life didn’t fit quite so well into the world of magical fantasy…

Identifying the melody Hotaru is singing, Haruka rolls her eyes, letting the matter drop as they follow the crowd lead by Mamoru-san and Usagi through the streets of Tokyo. Soon Setsuna falls into step next to them and, little by little, Hotaru slows down her speed as well. She doesn’t stop singing and as Michiru joins in with her light voice (eyes laughing at her partner), Haruka pushes all thoughts of pride aside.

If being a super heroine gives you the right to have a catchy theme song like that, maybe it isn’t so bad after all…

Tsukete kita no ka?
Is the end of our journey near

~ S.

Metamorphosis (Unchanged), Haruka drabble for sm_monthly

2008-04-03T08:01:05Z

Title: Metamorphosis (Unchanged)
Author: shoujo-ai no shijin
Fandom: Sailor Moon
Character(s): Haruka, Haruka/Michiru
Word Count ~300
Rating: G
Summary: It doesn't take plastic surgery for Haruka to change...
Author's Notes: Written for sm_monthly's theme two: Plastic Surgery. This is probably the most Haruka-centric thing I've ever written, but I really like the result. I've been wondering about Haruka's cross-dressing since I first was introduced to the character. Enjoy and please comment!
_____

Metamorphosis (Unchanged)

It doesn’t take any kind of plastic surgery to make Haruka appear to be a man; and very much so, at that. All it takes is the right clothing, the right movements and a slight edge of hoarse darkness to her voice that she has mastered for years by now. She already has the cool arrogance, the flirtatious smirk and what Michiru has dubbed her “prey look”. None of these things are foreign to her, neither are they the result of careful study or simple elements of acting, but Haruka has long ago realised that to most people the difference is so subtle that it disappears in between all the other nuances of grey. She has stopped trying to explain it. The people who matter already know; like Michiru. And herself.

Neither does it take any kind of plastic surgery to make her look fully feminine again. Sometimes unbuttoning the two top buttons of her shirt is enough. Of course, no one questions her sex when she’s in her Senshi fuku, but Haruka prefers to look like a woman without a skirt. A simple change of jeans can do the trick and strangers who mistook her for a boy the day prior, will turn their heads an extra time to stare; making sure their eyes didn’t betray them. Luckily, Haruka has never minded the attention. She likes defying the limits that she experiences in the world around her. They challenge her – like the horizon – to outrun them and discover what lies beyond.

Haruka is well aware that this little game of hers is like always walking a tightrope, balancing on the thin line dividing the domain of male and female, and yet she never questions herself. She knows her true nature – who she was (the Princess of Uranus), who she is (Tenoh Haruka, the soldier and the girl) and who she will eventually become (Sailor Uranus of Crystal Tokyo) – and doesn’t try to deny it, but unlike the simplicity of sex, gender is a many-sided concept.

And, when all comes down to it, being who she is (all that she is), it’s in her blood to be somewhat of an explorer.

~ S.

Repost of BLEACH/Sailor Moon crossover, Michiru/Yoruichi drabble

2008-03-31T21:17:43Z

Title: Animal Attraction
Author: shoujo-ai no shijin
Fandom: Sailor Moon/BLEACH
Pairing(s): Michiru/Yoruichi, Michiru/Haruka
Summary: Michiru knows the cat is watching her. She also knows it's not really a cat...
Author's Notes: I know you've seen this drabble before, my dear, but I've been writing on it for a couple of days now and finally I'm pleased with it and wanted to know if you are as well. Only then can I post it on ff.net. To the rest of you who might be interested... comments are love!
_____

Michiru knows the cat is watching her as she shrugs out of her school uniform.

She also knows that it's not really a cat.

Leaning out the window, the duvet only just covering her breasts, she smirks at it, her hair falling around her shoulders in a decisively innocent way.

"Haruka would be very unhappy if she knew a Shinigami is watching me while I undress, Yoruichi."

In the blink of an eye, the cat has changed into a lean, purple-haired woman, standing (very naked) on the terrace of the Meioh-Kaioh-Tenoh residence. Her eyes glint proudly as she cocks her head.

"The Senshi of the Wind doesn't really intimidate me, Michiru," she reminds the blue-eyed woman who in return raises an eyebrow at her. However, as Yoruichi stretches languidly, Michiru lets her gaze run down the proudly exposed expanses of dark skin; the perfect curves and fit body.

No one can say this woman isn't beautiful and still be truthful. Michiru would never even try such a lie herself. Yoruichi pleases her sense of aesthetics and she’s not one to deny it.

"Don't underestimate my partner," Michiru warns gently despite her fascination of the Shinigami. Her smile doesn't falter and her eyes even betray a glint of laughter, but underneath the politeness of her words, the edge of sharpness lurks.

Yoruichi simply sniffs.

Ever since the Senshi started working together with the Shinigami to defeat the Hollows and send them back to the dimension in which they belong, Haruka has managed to face Yoruichi three times, every time finding herself on the losing end. Because Michiru knows the amount of power her lover possesses, she can't help but be impressed… and somewhat intrigued. Nevertheless, no one shall ridicule Haruka to her face; not even this feline beauty from another world.

"I'm the Goddess of Flash, Yoruichi," Yoruichi tells her as if she could read her thoughts, her exclamation making the glimpse of humour in Michiru’s eyes turn into an audible laugh. Raising one hand to press a bent finger to her lips, elegantly covering her giggle, Michiru can’t prevent the duvet from slipping down a bit, revealing yet another inch of pale, flawless skin. At the sight, Yoruichi’s expression goes very predatory indeed.

Maybe she can be considered a real cat after all, Michiru thinks.

As their gazes lock, Michiru’s conclusion showing in her smile, Yoruichi raises her chin in defiance, adding:

"The day she can catch up with me, I will maybe reconsider my opinion of her." Her voice is confident and a bit haughty and Michiru has to wonder if this attitude of hers is a way of hiding some untold, dirty secret. Detecting the air of arrogance around the Shinigami, though, Michiru finds it unlikely. Even if Yoruichi has something others would consider “a dirty secret”, she is too self-assured to ever categorize it as such herself.

Behind them the sound of footsteps disturbs the quiet of the house and Michiru is about to close the window, sending the dark woman a small nod, when suddenly Yoruichi’s lips quirk. Flashstepping up to her, Yoruichi’s movements are so quick that Michiru can’t follow them with her gaze and it’s not until the fleeting moment in which she feels soft lips brush against her own like a whisper of silk that she realises a kiss has just been stolen from her.

When the door to the bedroom opens, though, revealing a surprised looking Haruka, every trace of purple hair and naked legs have already disappeared again, leaving Michiru behind with only the feeling of the other woman’s satisfied smirk against the corner of her mouth.

"Who're you talking to?" Haruka asks, looking around with narrowed eyes; suspicious. Michiru closes the window slowly, keeping a smile at bay and fixing her eyes on the reflection of strong shoulders, covered by a well-known sailor collar. It's something new, seeing Haruka in a skirt – even if only the skirt of her school uniform – when she's not in her Senshi form.

"Ara, no one," she answers, amused, catching a glimpse of a black cat tail disappearing in the bushes. Then she finally turns around. "The neighbour's cat…"

Shaking her head with a snort, Haruka puts her school bag down, letting her eyes run up and down Michiru's only half-covered body, her expression growing hungry.

"If I were going to ask you why I'm finding you naked in our bedroom when you're supposed to be at school," she says, her voice low and flirtatious, "what would be your answer?"

Michiru chuckles, letting the duvet fall to the ground completely. "Does it matter?" she asks in return; mysteriously with the hint of flirting. Questions are always more easily manageable than hastily drawn conclusions.

Nonetheless…

In the back of her mind, Yoruichi's words of goodbye echo, mixed with the rushing sound of her flashsteps.

"Sadly for her, she can't do this..."

Hana no Ken, Haruka/Michiru drabble, OMG FANFIC!!

2008-03-29T11:12:12Z

I haven't written fanfic in ages. I haven't felt inspired and haven't had the energy it takes of me. But this piece has been in my head for days now and I just needed to get it out in words. I quite like the result. It feels wonderful writing from Haruka's point of view again, even though it's once again quite Michiru-centred (I just adore Michiru).

So, here we go.

Title: Hana no Ken (Sword of Flowers)
Author: shoujo-ai no shijin
Fandom: Sailor Moon
Pairing: Haruka/Michiru
Rating: Tame-ish, probably PG
Summary: Haruka reflects on people's view of Michiru and the truth beyond this perception.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, not even the title which is from the completely mesmerizing "Orlean no Sei Senshi ~ Uranus to Neptune no Uragiri" from Sera Myu, sung by my second favourite Uranus, Sanae-san and Hiroko!Neptune, the actress who played best along-side her. The characters are property of Takeuchi-sama.
Author's Notes: I needed to write this. It's the first time I've written Haruka/Michiru in quite a while now - probably as a preparation for sm_monthly's coming monthly theme which is the Outer Senshi.
_____

Hana no Ken

Michiru has wild eyes, but it’s rare for anyone to notice and Haruka can’t help finding this fact kind of entertaining.

People seem to focus too much on the aqua-haired woman’s sweet smile and gentle voice; on her delicate hands with their carefully painted nails and on her elegant dresses, always missing the raging ocean hidden in the depths of Michiru’s pupils.

It’s not only her eyes, though, that betray the truth.

Haruka wishes that people would stop and listen to Michiru from time to time instead of getting all caught up in the overwhelming femininity of her beauty (however, the tall Senshi of the Sky shall be the first to admit that this is quite a challenge at times), because Michiru’s words are always a two-way mirror. On the surface they may sound polite, but beneath this calm exterior a current of sarcasm is tangible. Much like it’s the case with Michiru herself.

The Senshi of the Deep Waters likes it this way, Haruka knows. She likes the person people often mistake her for and has no moral reservations about so blatantly deceiving them. After all, it gives her a powerful secret weapon that she can wield whenever she finds it necessary. More than once, Haruka has seen how effective the sharpness of Michiru’s wit can be. The shock alone when people find themselves on the receiving end of the ocean unleashed makes for a good laugh and an even better advantage.

Nevertheless, Haruka has learned over the years that the reason Michiru so enjoys her little act of innocence has nothing to do with the reactions she can get out of others (when all comes down to it, Michiru has never cared about what people think of her), but the feeling of freedom that she experiences when letting her mask slip.

Like in those evenings when Michiru manages to successfully persuade Haruka to drive her to the beach and then, as they walk side by side along the waterline, she suddenly stops dead in her tracks, waiting for Haruka to come to a halt as well. In that moment, as their gazes meet across the short distance between them, Haruka notices the way Michiru’s eyes reflect that freedom (that lack of restrictions). It also shows in her smile when she takes one step forward, tapping Haruka’s shoulder lightly. An invisible, insubstantial border has been crossed.

“Tag,” she murmurs and even her voice is set free. Haruka raises an eyebrow good-humouredly and watches Michiru’s smile turn into a playful smirk as she spins around, her long hair dancing around her face like waves, and breaks into a run.

“Yareyare,” Haruka sighs, giving the other woman a hundred metres start before she herself moves.

They both know that Michiru would never be able to outrun her and it is that knowledge that makes for the entire game of it; of Michiru following their footsteps in the sand back towards the parking ground and Haruka sprinting after her, her bangs whipped into her eyes by the wind that, too, quickly picks up speed around them.

It takes her no more than a minute to catch up with Michiru. Grabbing her wrist, feeling the roar of the wind in the rushed pulse underneath her fingertips, she says: “Got you.” Her voice is husky and breathless, but her words don’t waver. It’s the truth. She’s caught the Michiru that no one knows about. The Michiru mostly obscured by manners and masks.

“You did,” Michiru agrees, not fighting the blonde woman’s hold on her or her conclusion. Slowly she twists in Haruka’s grip until they come face to face, now only inches apart. They are both gasping, more from laughter than from their race. As they look at each other, words dying out (unneeded), Haruka sees how Michiru’s eyes are alive from the wildness which there’s no one around but her to witness.

It’s a shame, really, since her lover is most beautiful like this; a glimpse of her very core exposed.

Michiru has wild eyes and even though it’s rare for anyone to notice, Haruka notices; recognising the true nature of her partner (Umikaze no Senshi). It doesn’t matter that people around them never see beyond her smiling lips and soft voice, because Haruka never mistakes the other girl for someone she’s not and apparently this is enough. For Michiru.

~ S.

Sharing the love...

2008-03-28T13:09:32Z

I simply wanted to share with my flist the beauty that is Laura Mo. She's a Danish singer/song-writer whose debut album "Alkymi" (Alchemy) was released September last year. I bought her CD one of the first days after having moved to Århus to study. Her voice is very honest and speaks right to your heart and her lyrics... friends, this is heart-moving, awe-inspiring lyrics like none I've ever come across in Danish before.

The reason I dared embed a video of a life performance of one of my favourite songs from the album is that I know some of you already like Japanese music and even though you may not understand the exact meaning, you all know how it can move you despite the barrier of language. I do believe Laura Mo is one of those artists that can do that to people.

So, here you all are. The song "Valiant" from Laura Mo's album "Alchemy". Please enjoy!

And for those of you who're interested, I've translated the lyrics as best I could.

It's a cold November night, just like many nights before
And I have to stay inside - listen, who's knocking on my door?
Cannot be allowed to play, it's too late to find the hiding place of the treasure
But who's going to hold my hand when the light has burned out?

Nobody is going to get too close to me like they've done so many times before,
Because I'm not worthy of any warmth when I lift up my veil,
It's a cold and dangerous night because happiness is playing hide-and-seek,
So will you hold my hand when the light has burned out?

Did anyone see the princess on a doorstep tonight?
Did anyone see how she spirited the entire world away?
Did someone read stories before the lights suddenly disappeared?
About white horses and Valiant. (Valiant is a Danish cartoon knight)

I believe that dragons can spew fire, I believe in ghosts
I believe in ogers underneath the staircase in our house,
I believe in the things no one knows about, in happy tricks and games,
It doesn't matter what you tell me, because the night is falling.

Did anyone see the princess on a doorstep tonight?
Did anyone see how she spirited the entire world away?
Did someone read stories before the lights suddenly disappeared?
About white horses and Valiant.

In a kingdom a very long, long time ago.
In a kingdom - so happily, so happily, so happily.

Did anyone see the princess on a doorstep tonight?
Did anyone see how she spirited the entire world away?
Did someone read stories before the lights suddenly disappeared?
About white horses and Valiant.

Just for your information. I don't own these lyrics. Laura Mo wrote this and I give her all the credit, I just translated it for those of you who might be interested. I love this song. I love this artist.

~ S.

Random question...

2008-03-24T16:28:18Z

To those of you who are both familiar with Maria-sama ga Miteru and Sailor Moon.

What would happen if

1) Sachiko found herself in the presence of one Tenoh Haruka? Let me hear your guesses, guys, who would be killed first, Haruka or Sachiko? (I'm thinking Haruka. Do not mess with Sachiko-sama when you're that easily mistaken for a guy. And we all know Haruka - she can't help her flirting...)

2) Someone forced Haruka and Sei to spend more than an hour in the same room? Who would end up being most pwned, Sei or Haruka? (I actually think this would be a tie... Haruka is not easy to provoke - as proven with the case of Seiya, episode 184 - but Sei will probably find it very amusing to keep pressing Haruka's buttons, so they will end up snarking at each other. But, when I think about it, once again it'll probably be Haruka on the losing end. Sei would just laugh at her irritation, I mean... she's used to dealing with Sachiko.)

3) Someone arranged a little innocent meeting between Michiru, Haruka and Rei at some dirty gay bar called Yurizoku (The Lily Tribe)? Who would end up with whom? (I'm saying Michiru would drag both the ladies with her home, but then again, I like when Michiru is in lead. However, I do think Haruka would be just a tad intimidated at the striking similarities between herself and Rei. Michiru would find it intriguing. Rei would just be plain confused, as per usual. :P Aw, I love Rei.)

4) If Yumi by chance transferred to Azabu Juuban High and found herself face to face with Tsukino Usagi? (Aw, these two should definitely meet and make fools of themselves in each other's company. And someone... throw Himeko from Kannazuki no Miko into the mix as well, it would be the perfect example of the Chaos of Kawaii.)

Speaking of Kannazuki no Miko.

Who will get their little dream girl of choice first? Sachiko-sama or Chikane-chan? I mean, both their chibi-loves can be completely oblivious. I'm rooting for Chikane-chan... she's a bit more open about her feelings than Sachiko... but then again, I do believe Yumi is a little less clueless than Himeko. Tie, perhaps?

That was all the Marimite comparisons for today.

animimares @ 2008-03-24T16:46:00

2008-03-24T15:47:28Z

Are you a Maria-sama ga Miteru fan? Have you seen the awesomeness of soeur_system? If not, go check it out... it rocks!

~ S.

New friends are always something to love!

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2008-03-17T13:12:15Z

My grandmother (my dad's mother, not the one who's sick with cancer) has just revealed to me that for my 20-years-birthday (which is on Thursday), she'll sponsor a Sailor Uranus cosplay outfit for me, professionally made by a seamstress and everything.

I'm so excited! I've been wanting to have such an outfit for AGES, but seeing that I know absolutely nothing about sewing, I've been unwilling to make it myself. But now she's ordered one from our local dressmaker.

I can't really describe how happy I am right now! :D Yay!

~ S.

PS. Now I'm going to go listen to Ogata Megumi singing "Kaze ni Naru"... or Takagi Nao singing Harsh! Saint Cry with beautiful Yuhka-sama.

PPS. Now all I need is the shoes (which I have), the tiara (which I don't have), the Sword (which I can't wait to make) and my Michiru (whom I need, desperately). I think I can manage the first three, but the forth?

PPPS. I want this Michiru! Her HAIR is so pretty... and so is her voice... and OMG... so pretty. I even speak a little German... *considers her chances, ignoring that she already HAS a Haruka*

animi mares

animimares @ 2008-05-11T14:49:00

sm_monthly theme: Dream, pairing: Michiru/Vampiru, Owari no Koshuuki

animimares @ 2008-05-06T08:47:00

animimares @ 2008-04-28T17:04:00

Original story, "Ave Maria", for my onee-sama

animimares @ 2008-04-21T10:21:00

sm_monthly ficlet, day sixteen, "Prisoner of Love"

Uranus Neptune Sera Myu ramble... sorry!

Sera Myu Trance

animimares @ 2008-04-16T11:17:00

A ramble on Utada Hikaru and Last Friends (JDrama)

*points to icon*

Fanfic Author Meme stolen from seikochan

[Totally irrelevant topic line] Yay, Himeko is thrilled... or something.

Short meme stolen from gaspingly

animimares @ 2008-04-09T13:23:00

Haruka/Michiru fic for sm_monthly's theme: Keeping Secrets

sm_monthly, theme: cosplay, Haruka/Michiru fic

Metamorphosis (Unchanged), Haruka drabble for sm_monthly

Repost of BLEACH/Sailor Moon crossover, Michiru/Yoruichi drabble

Hana no Ken, Haruka/Michiru drabble, OMG FANFIC!!

Sharing the love...

Random question...

animimares @ 2008-03-24T16:46:00

*points to icon*

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