"Can you believe this stuff, Roger?"

The Guardian looked up from where he was rustling through a deep stack of files. "Well, I am a Guradian after all," he said smugly. "But, you're right. I didn't know how far back all these things went. Damn, I guess the old man's right afterall."

"What old man?"

"Dionysus."

"Huh?"

Roger looked at his charge quizically. "I thought you knew. Dionysus is from this time period... well, originally anyway."

Susanne stared at Roger. "How... old...?"

Roger frowned in concentration. "I think... yeah, 1,322 years in the winter."

"You're joking, right?"

"No."

"But, Celly..."

"I think she'd total around... oh that's right, she's three years younger than him."

"But she looks my age!"

"Reincarnation does that to you," Roger said nonchalantly as he turned back to digging through the files. "Damn," he muttered after a few minutes. "I can't find anything on Celly."

"Me either." Susanne looked around the room and all the upturned files. "I wonder where all the info on her is being kept. I really want to know."

"Know what, stranger?"

Susanne and Roger whipped around, shocked at being caught. Then were doubly surprised when, instead of the dusty office that should have greated them, they were now standing on a balcony. The cool night air was chilly and the wind blew. The balcony had a spectacular view of manicured gardens and... Earth.

Instead of the moon, the Earth hung in the sky, magnificent in its blue and green glory. Susanne and Roger stared at the sight and didn't notice the slim figure that appeared behind them.

"What do you seek, oh strangers to this place?"

Susanne looked at the figure and immediately tensed. "Celly!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of anger and wariness.

"You mistake me, young mistress. I am the Lady Celeste." Celeste moved with smooth grace out to the balcony and leaned against the retaining wall, staring at the Earth with a wistful expression.

"Roger, what the hell is going on?" Susanne carefully noted "Celeste's" appearance. She had the grace and bearing of nobility. She wore a simple gown with a green top and long brown skirt. The combination was one Susanne stayed away from personally, but on Celeste it looked natural. I've only seen Celly in that fuku, Susanne thought to herself. And the kimono from earlier.

"I think we're getting the damned background on Celly," Roger replied.

"Please," Lady Celeste said in soft tones. "refrain from speaking so coarsely, sir. Her Majesty frowns upon such rude language." Celeste turned and smiled at the two. Roger and Susanne were completely baffled by her actions. They were used to a Celly that fought, not one that was... proper... almost submissive...

Celeste clasped her gloved hands together in a posture of delight. "Oh, I see now. You are new to Court, aren't you? You must be starngers from a far off place, as I cannot tell from your clothing which House you belong to." Celeste's long skirt swished as she glided over to Susanne and held her hands in a manner of friendship. "Please, ask me anything you wish! I am happy to help all newcomers, as I am new to the Court as well."

Susanne took the plunge. "You're new to Court? Will you tell us your story? It would make us feel better."

A look crossed Celeste's face before she smiled brightly. "Well, yes. I can tell you how I came to Court." She turned and pointed to the Earth hanging from the sky. "Would you believe that I'm from that planet?"

"Umm, okay," Roger said hesitantly.

Celeste looked at the pair. "A far off place you must be from indeed, if you do not know of the seperation between the Silver Millennium and the Golden Kingdom." The ebony-haired girl shrugged and continued in her story. "Well, I am really Princess Celeste of the Golden Kingdom. My family rules the Earth. Mama and Papa died when I was very little, and my older brother, Endymion, took care of me." Celeste paused and wiped a tear from her eye.

"Endymion is the Prince of Earth. He rules now that Mama and Papa are gone... then... things happened..." Celeste broke off and stared at the blue planet in silence.

"What things happened?" Susanne prompted.

Celeste started and quickly replied, "Oh! It's not very important! Not important at all! I just happened to attract the attention of Her Majesty, Queen Serenity. She was able to smuggle me here, to the Moon. I now serve as the Princess Serenity's Lady-in-Waiting. Actually, it's very fun. I never had a sister before. Do you have a sister?" Celeste asked Susanne.

"Uh, yes. I have a younger sister."

"Oh! How nice!" Celeste's smile faded and her eyes became serious. "You love your sister, don't you?"

"Well, she's a brat some of the time, but yes, of course I love her."

"Good. Siblings should always love each other, no matter what happens. No matter if they fight... no matter if they argue... nothing should come between them... they should always love each other..." Celeste's voice trailed off again as she returned her gaze to the Earth.

Susanne and Roger shared a look.

"This is starting to get wierd," Susanne whispered to him.

"Starting?" Roger asked archly. "Why don't you ask her some more questions?"

Susanne nodded. "Ah, Lady Celeste?" The ebony-haired girl's head snapped up and she immediately faced them. "Do you know anyone named Dionysus?"

Celeste laughed. "The Warrior Dionysus? Surely I know him. He is my Guardian!" Celeste sobered again. "He saved my life. I was about to be killed by assassins when he appeared and rescued me. He is the one who brought me before Queen Serenity. She named him my Guardian... to train me and teach me. To prepare me for my position."

"What exactly is your position?" Susanne prompted.

"I am Princess Serenity's bodyguard. Dionysus has trained me in the ways of the warrior... the spy... the assassin. I am Sailor Earth. This is why I was brought to the Moon Kingdom. The Golden Kingdom cannot have Senshi, for fear that a war would break out. The Silver Millennium keeps the peace. I am glad to serve."

"You want to go back to Earth, don't you?"

"NO! Yes... I love my bloodsister, Sere. I am sworn to protect her. I love my life here on the Moon. I am given freedom which I never had before."

"What freedom?"

"The Golden Kingdom is a patriarchal society. Women are not held as highly as men. But, Endymion was the first who taught me to hold a sword."

Susanne began to broach the next subject carefully. "You said Dionysus saved you from assassins?"

"Yes."

"They were trying to kill you?"

"Yes."

"Do you know why?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because he ordered them to."

"Who ordered them?"

"Endy--" Celeste suddenly clasped her hands over her mouth and tears formed in her eyes. "You're a wicked girl..." Celeste whispered. "I almost gave you all my secrets. Please don't ask me that question again. Please."

Susanne nodded. She was beginning to get the hang of this information gathering thing. One thing was certain; Celeste was infinitely different from the Celly she knew. She was gentle and kind, but that disturbing blankness that Susanne had seen in Celly was there. It has something to do with her brother, she thought. Bastard. Trying to kill his own sister. Celeste doesn't look like she could hurt anyone. How the hell'd she turn into the looney? "I won't ask you that question again. I promise."

Celeste smiled in gratitude. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"Umm... it's sorta personal."

"I will answer if I can."

"What's your relationship with Dionysus?"

"What?!?" Celeste asked, shocked. Her cheeks reddened and she turned away. "You are a wicked girl! Asking me such a question! It's so improper! No man has courted me, yet. Nor do I seek it. I am quite happy serving Queen Serenity, and my bloodsister. Dionysus is my Guardian, nothing more."

Celeste tried to wave the question off, but both Roger and Susanne could see the flush on her cheeks and the way her voice trembled when she said Dionysus' name.

Susanne went on, tracing her path of information. "Are you really Sailor Earth?"

Celeste had recovered from her flustered state and nodded. "Unofficially. That is why I sent to work in the shadows, to move in silence, to protect Princess Serenity from outside violence."

A sudden thought hit Susanne. Gotta make sure she's telling the truth. "What color is your fuku?"

"Why, the colors for Earth, green and brown."

"Huh?" Roger interrupted. "I thought your fuku was black and silver."

"Black... and silver...?" Celeste said blankly, her eyes clouding over. "I'm sorry, you do not have clearence to access this information. Please state your passcode to override the security measures or be taken to the next level. You have five minutes to respond."

"What the hell...?" Roger said.

"Idiot!" Susanne yelled. "I was so close! What's this next level stuff?!?"

Suddenly Celeste started. "Please, you don't know what you've gotten into, have you?" Celeste gestured and a door appeared. "Go! Leave! Don't come back until you know what this place is." Celeste stared into Susanne's eyes briefly. "I think I like you. I think we could have been friends. Please leave. I don't want to see anyone getting hurt!"

Susanne and Roger nodded and bolted for the exit. Celeste's scared voice carried from behind them as the opened the door and stepped out.

"... silver and black... the royal colors... his armor... no... please... no... don't take me away!!!"

TBC...