Chapter 6: Resolutions

“I guess you were right about there being more battles,” Jonathan said, applying yet another ice pack.

Celeste nodded before wincing as he pressed the ice pack against the back of her head. She had wanted to spare Jonathan the knowledge of her latest battle but he had been in the apartment at their arrival. He had attended to her injuries with almost clinical detachment while Mara and Selene hovered in the background.

“What do you remember about this new enemy?” Selene asked. “It could be important.”

“He’s like Boreas. His attacks involve the wind and he’s very strong. He could be even stronger than she was. The battle was too brief to tell.”

Jonathan’s expression darkened. “He did all this to you in a brief battle?”

“He caught us by surprise and it was a blind alley,” Mara interjected. “And it’s not like he walked away uninjured, either.”

Celeste sighed. “But he did fare far better than I did. I know that you are worried about me, and I appreciate it. Worrying is not going to help me, though. Jonathan, I’m going to keep battling until this is finished, and, Mara, I have to keep protecting you. You both are going to have to deal with it.”

“Just deal with it?” Jonathan spat.

“You know why I’m doing this and you once promised you would try to understand. What else would you have me do? You want me to sit back and let innocent people suffer so I can be a normal person?”

He gave a defeated sigh. “I hate seeing you like this, seeing you in pain.”

“I thought we’d be use to this by now,” she stated, hoping for some humor.

His expression didn’t lighten. “No, I can’t get use to this, Celeste. Never.”

“I’m trying,” she whispered, taking his hand. “That’s the best I can do.”

He gently squeezed her hand and attempted to smile. “I guess that will have to do.”

“Selene, don’t you know why I’m so important to them? What is it they want from me?” Mara asked, breaking the moment.

“I can’t say.”

“Either you don’t know or you won’t tell. Which is it?”

The cat appeared sorrowful as she looked away. “I’m sorry.”

“Selene, tell me!” Mara demanded. “What is it? What is so damn important?”

“Mara!”

The girl ignored her guardian as she continued to glare at the feline. “What is it, Selene?”

“I can’t say!” she bellowed. “Take that as you will, Mara, but I can’t say anything else.”

Without a glance back, the cat ran out of the room. Mara blinked slowly before turning to Celeste and Jonathan. Her usually pale skin had blanched even whiter.

“I didn’t mean to yell at her that way,” she murmured weakly.

“Mara, come here,” Celeste said gently as she made room on the couch. Stiffly, the girl obeyed and allowed herself to be hugged. “I know you didn’t mean to yell, and Selene knows it, too. You both just need some time to calm down. Everything will be fine.”

Celeste stroked the girl’s dark hair, glad when the girl gradually relaxed against her. “I know you’re frustrated and scared, Mara. But I’m going to protect you, Mara. I don’t mind getting hurt if it means you’re safe.”

“I do.”

“I know, I know you do,” Celeste said, continuing on in a gentle voice. “But, by tomorrow, most of this will be healed. I’m tougher than I appear."

She glanced at Jonathan and took his hand. He would always worry about her. But for now, they were all safe. It was enough.

* * * * *

A few hours later, Celeste and Jonathan were still on the couch as Mara had gone to bed. The television was on, and a cheesy, B-grade horror movie was playing. However, neither was playing any attention to it.

“I love you.”

With an amused smile, Jonathan glanced down at her, where she had her head pillowed on his chest. “What brought this on?”

She looked up at him, her expression serious. “I don’t tell you that enough. I do love you, Jonathan.”

“Celeste,” he sighed, “I know. You know I love you, too, don’t you?”

She nodded as she wrapped her arms tighter around. “Yes, I know.”

“Good.” He kissed the top of her head as his eyes drifted once more back to the television.

Being there with Jonathan, alone and relaxing on the couch, Celeste found it easy to push her worries and anxieties to the back of her mind. Like this, she could almost believe that she was an ordinary college student enjoying a quiet evening with her boyfriend. Yet, she still ached from her battle and those circumstances would not let her lead a normal life.

“Jonathan, are you doing anything after classes on Monday?”

Again, Jonathan glanced down at her. “No. Why?”

“Do you think you’ll be up to some sparring?”

“I’m always ready for you.”

“Well, it won’t be just me,” she stated. “I’m planning for Sofia and Emily to be there as well.”

“Why?”

“It’s time to start training.”


Chapter 6: Resolutions “I guess you were right about there being more battles,” Jonathan said, applying yet another ice pack. Celeste nodded before wincing as he pressed the ice pack against the back of her head. She had wanted to spare Jonathan the knowledge of her latest battle but he had been in the apartment at their arrival. He had attended to her injuries with almost clinical detachment while Mara and Selene hovered in the background. “What do you remember about this new enemy?” Selene asked. “It could be important.” “He’s like Boreas. His attacks involve the wind and he’s very strong. He could be even stronger than she was. The battle was too brief to tell.” Jonathan’s expression darkened. “He did all this to you in a brief battle?” “He caught us by surprise and it was a blind alley,” Mara interjected. “And it’s not like he walked away uninjured, either.” Celeste sighed. “But he did fare far better than I did. I know that you are worried about me, and I appreciate it. Worrying is not going to help me, though. Jonathan, I’m going to keep battling until this is finished, and, Mara, I have to keep protecting you. You both are going to have to deal with it.” “Just deal with it?” Jonathan spat. “You know why I’m doing this and you once promised you would try to understand. What else would you have me do? You want me to sit back and let innocent people suffer so I can be a normal person?” He gave a defeated sigh. “I hate seeing you like this, seeing you in pain.” “I thought we’d be use to this by now,” she stated, hoping for some humor. His expression didn’t lighten. “No, I can’t get use to this, Celeste. Never.” “I’m trying,” she whispered, taking his hand. “That’s the best I can do.” He gently squeezed her hand and attempted to smile. “I guess that will have to do.” “Selene, don’t you know why I’m so important to them? What is it they want from me?” Mara asked, breaking the moment. “I can’t say.” “Either you don’t know or you won’t tell. Which is it?” The cat appeared sorrowful as she looked away. “I’m sorry.” “Selene, tell me!” Mara demanded. “What is it? What is so damn important?” “Mara!” The girl ignored her guardian as she continued to glare at the feline. “What is it, Selene?” “I can’t say!” she bellowed. “Take that as you will, Mara, but I can’t say anything else.” Without a glance back, the cat ran out of the room. Mara blinked slowly before turning to Celeste and Jonathan. Her usually pale skin had blanched even whiter. “I didn’t mean to yell at her that way,” she murmured weakly. “Mara, come here,” Celeste said gently as she made room on the couch. Stiffly, the girl obeyed and allowed herself to be hugged. “I know you didn’t mean to yell, and Selene knows it, too. You both just need some time to calm down. Everything will be fine.” Celeste stroked the girl’s dark hair, glad when the girl gradually relaxed against her. “I know you’re frustrated and scared, Mara. But I’m going to protect you, Mara. I don’t mind getting hurt if it means you’re safe.” “I do.” “I know, I know you do,” Celeste said, continuing on in a gentle voice. “But, by tomorrow, most of this will be healed. I’m tougher than I appear." She glanced at Jonathan and took his hand. He would always worry about her. But for now, they were all safe. It was enough. * * * * * A few hours later, Celeste and Jonathan were still on the couch as Mara had gone to bed. The television was on, and a cheesy, B-grade horror movie was playing. However, neither was playing any attention to it. “I love you.” With an amused smile, Jonathan glanced down at her, where she had her head pillowed on his chest. “What brought this on?” She looked up at him, her expression serious. “I don’t tell you that enough. I do love you, Jonathan.” “Celeste,” he sighed, “I know. You know I love you, too, don’t you?” She nodded as she wrapped her arms tighter around. “Yes, I know.” “Good.” He kissed the top of her head as his eyes drifted once more back to the television. Being there with Jonathan, alone and relaxing on the couch, Celeste found it easy to push her worries and anxieties to the back of her mind. Like this, she could almost believe that she was an ordinary college student enjoying a quiet evening with her boyfriend. Yet, she still ached from her battle and those circumstances would not let her lead a normal life. “Jonathan, are you doing anything after classes on Monday?” Again, Jonathan glanced down at her. “No. Why?” “Do you think you’ll be up to some sparring?” “I’m always ready for you.” “Well, it won’t be just me,” she stated. “I’m planning for Sofia and Emily to be there as well.” “Why?” “It’s time to start training.”


Chapter 7: Training Day Sailor Sol: Battle Against the Winds