Receiving line (open)

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Finally! Usagi thought to herself giddily as she tried not to skip, making her way down to the ballroom. Finally, things were about to begin, and she could relax-- at least somewhat. There was the stuffy receiving line to stand it, the VIPs to greet and schmooze with, but after that she could roam the ballroom at will and have fun!

"Wow..." Usagi uttered upon stepping into the enormous room, her eyes raking over the beautiful decorations and lights. It had been transformed since that morning, and simply oozed glamor and class. She had a lot of people to thank for this! It was worth it just to see how lovely everything was, even if there were only a few arrivals just yet. Still, the orchestra was beginning to play, apparently having tuned up before she had arrived, and her top ministers and cabinet members were mingling and laughing, waiting for the line to form.

"Hey everyone!" Usagi greeted them, wondering if the senshi were going to come down now or later. It was still quite early, but she had to be down to greet everyone as they moved through. "Time to form up!" she teased. It wasn't often that she was with all of them at once-- not to mention everyone that would be coming to the ball later that evening! Usagi proudly took her place in the line that began to even out, smoothing her kimono once again. She didn't wear one very often, and the luxuriously embroidered silk did make her feel like a Queen-- or perhaps, an empress, she mentally laughed at herself.

Several aides lingered behind her back, ready to offer assistance when she forgot the name of an upcoming VIP or dignitary, and her security was not far behind. If she didn't know them personally, Usagi never could have guessed that they were Secret Service. There was an equal number of males and females, so they could pair off and keep close to her should she decide to dance-- something that Usagi found hysterical for some reason. They were all impeccably dressed, and there were no signs of the coiled earpieces. She was sure they had communications, but whatever it was, she couldn't see it.

[Khalid ibn Maleec]

Khalid was not the kind to be concerned with some of the more frivolous aspects of celebrity. The entire idea of being "fashionably late" struck him as ridiculous and, more importantly, inconsiderate. While he was not the first one through the line - he had not arrived more than ten minutes early, and when the line had been opened he did not jockey for position as some of other early arrivals did.

He wore a formal tuxedo with the mandatory white tie and vest. His white hair matched the formal dress perfectly, causing him to cut quite the figure. On his cuffs were golden links with his family crest, and his shoes were shined enough to pass any military inspection.

He had been on the other side of receiving lines more than once, and he knew how tedious they tended to be for those stuck in them. He considered skipping out of it, but decided that going through the line would give him an opportunity to at least meet the other ministers.

He found himself making small talk with a vapid young woman, someone who styled herself a princess, and given the new world order, Khalid was not sure if that had ever been true or if it mattered. Thankfully, she did not know - or care, he reflected - who he was and was content to simply talk about herself and how excited she was to be invited to the biggest New Year's Eve party in the world and how hopefully she'd meet some handsome prince - he ignored the wistful look she gave him at that, and wasn't it exciting that in just a few minutes they'd be meeting the queen of the whole world. Khalid was pretty sure that he was going to end up with a pounding headache if he had to continue to listen to her.

Fortunately, he was able to tune her out to some degree once they approached closer to the line, as he became more alert, his eyes scanning almost automatically to make sure that the security was sufficient, assessing any potential areas of weakness. While he was satisfied that the security was well in hand, he still found himself remaining alert.

When he reached the queen, he found himself smiling, if only slightly. "Salem laki, ya malikatu." He bent over her hand, pressing his lips briefly to the back of her hand. "You look lovely, this evening."

[Neo Queen Serenity]

"Hey, Lucan," Usagi smiled as her Head of Security appeared and took his place next to her. Now was not the time for small talk, however, as a few early arrivals were coming through, and a queue was starting to form. The first few coming through were vivacious to a fault, either giving superficial, overly dramatic curtsies or bows, or shaking her arm off. Usagi grimaced each time her hand was caught in a bone-crushing grip, and as thankful for security who knew how to get the more enthusiastic to let go of her.

Usagi listened as each person was introduced to her, smiling at those she knew and always saying something polite. It was just a short way into the line and already the faces were starting to blur. She put her hand behind her back and massaged it with the other one after the gentleman moved on, deciding just to bow to the chatty girl that was coming down the line. She introduced herself as a former princess, and Usagi realized that once upon a time she might have been like that-- so flustered and excited to meet royalty. Thank God at the time she had never realized how annoying it could be. Still, she gave the girl a gracious smile and greeting, complimented her on her dress, and then saw her on her way, putting her hand out for the next one in line.

Suddenly she snapped to attention as the voice that entered her ears was quite familiar. Usagi swallowed, realizing that the man who was currently bending over her hand with such urbane savvy was Khalid ibn Maleec. Kunzite. For a split-second, she wondered what to do-- what to think of him now. But, he wasn't Kunzite, he was still Khalid; he wasn't evil. And just as charming as the first time...

Usagi found herself blushing as he kissed her hand and complimented her. She knew she should be more worldly, but for some reason the words meant more from Khalid, perhaps because it felt like she knew him, because she got the sense that he wasn't the type to just say things, he meant them. Of course, there was the fact that she never believed that someday Kunzite's unawakened half would be kissing her hand and complimenting her. Usagi shoved the images of battle from her mind, finding herself still charmed and still trusting this man despite everything.

"Thank you, Maleec-san," she said shyly, looking up at him through her lashes, still rather disarmed by his suave manners. "You cut a striking silhouette yourself." He had a great tailor, Usagi could say that. She was beginning to see now that the difference between a normal white tie get-up and a spectacular one was all in the cut. Usagi found herself struck by the urge to see Tuxedo Kamen-- no one could wear white tie better than Mamoru. Not now, she scolded herself.

"I'm so glad you decided to come tonight!" she said happily, believing her own words. "Here, I want you to meet someone. This is Lucan, my head of security." Khalid had already met Luna, so he might as well get familiar with Lucan, if the pair of them were going to be overprotective of her now that the issue of the Shitennou had come to light, and she would continue to be dealing with Khalid.

[Khalid ibn Maleec]

"It's my pleasure to be here, majesty." For just a moment that ghost of a smile increased slightly. "I hope you plan on enjoying yourself rather than just greeting officials all evening."

Khalid steadily met the man's eyes, not flinching as his gray eyes met the other man's blue ones. "Mr. Felix." Since it was clear that the man was not Japanese, he did not use the Japanese name protocol, but something with which he thought the man would be more comfortable.

He lowered his voice so that the comment would not be overheard by those before or behind him in line as he shook his hand firmly but not challengingly so. "I must compliment you on the security." While those "under cover" were well so, Khalid assumed they were there even if he could not identify them. His voice was sincere, with the vaguest hint of respect. Khalid was glad that the queen was so well protected.

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi beamed, relaxing as Lucan and Khalid met. Everything seemed to be coming along. She told herself to forget about Shitennou business for awhile and just enjoy the interaction for what it was. She was going to have fun playing hostess, and she would enjoy Khalid's company for the moment, and not try to fit him into Kunzite's mold, at least not yet. "One of these days I'm going to have to get you to call me Usagi," she declared, regaining her confidence a bit as his slight smile increased a bit. So Mr. Serious had a sense of humor! Even if he was rather formal, she thought she could get him to come around-- maybe. In time.

"And yes, I plan on enjoying myself," she grinned. "As soon as this line is through, I'm going to find a nice corner of a 'non-VIP' room and talk about something other than business. But, hey, greeting officials isn't all that bad, after all I ran into you!" She dropped her voice so the people behind Khalid wouldn't hear, "And you're giving me a welcome break from getting my hand shaken off. Thanks." Usagi winced, glancing at the line behind him. She almost wanted to keep going with him, and leave the greeting to someone else!

[Khalid ibn Maleec]

"We'll see about that, Majesty." He nodded to her. There would be a possibility that she could convince him to use her personal name, but not until they had more than just a working relationship. However, he was perversely finding enjoyment in speaking to her formally.

"And you're quite welcome, both of you." He nodded his head slightly in acknowledgment. "I've been in your place more than once, and I'll admit that I prefer this side - knowing that I'll be free from it shortly."

"Unfortunately, I should probably continue on before there's a riot behind me." He nodded to Usagi again, "I look forward to seeing you in that 'nice corner of a "non-VIP" room'."

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi just grinned at Khalid. His tacking 'majesty' in the end of that made it obvious that he not only had a sense of humor, but that he could be competitive, too. "I suppose we will." She stopped herself from snickering at his remark about preferring the other side. "You're welcome to come through again!" Usagi joked. "No one would notice if you went twice..."

Unfortunately, he was right about a riot starting up behind him. Usagi was sure that people were anxious to get through, and she was anxious to get them through. The sooner this was over, the better. "I look forward to seeing you later this evening," she smiled pleasantly, and turned to greet the next person in line, who, of course, caught her hand in a numbing grip and pumped her arm up and down, speaking in a language she didn't understand. One of her aides stepped in, translating. Usagi nodded politely, her mind already wandering again, this time to Mamoru.

[Aino Minako]

Minako smoothed out a crease in her furisode and took a deep breath. She had walked out on a stage a hundred times to cheering crowds of adoring fans. Being the center of attention felt natural to her inner idol. But this was the first time she'd be stepping out to greet people who were not fans, but important government officials in their own right. The thought made her slightly nervous. She wasn't here to impress these people with her beautiful voice or stunning looks. No, these people were only interested in policy, advancement of themselves and their counties, and what they could gain from conversing with Crystal Toyko. The role was one Minako had zero experience, and she felt her stomach butterfly for the first time in years.

But she could wait no longer. She fully intended to join Usagi at the receiving line for some portion of the party, both for the experience as well as to support her Queen. Gathering herself, she pushed through the curtains that blocked off the private entrance to the grand ballroom and sailed quickly through the crowd to Usagi's side. A smile plastered on her face, she looked up to see who was holding Usagi's attention, and gasped when she realized that Khalid ibn Maleec, Kunzite, the man who was both supporting her movie career and yet had killed her a past life all rolled up into one nice package. "Hello Khalid," she spat out, forcing a smile, "Welcome to the New Years Eve Party. I'm really glad you were able to attend."

[Khalid ibn Maleec]

Khalid started to reply that he might just do that, though standing in line was not his idea of enjoyable. However, before he could reply Minako had caught his attention, having come into the receiving line just as he was about to move on from Usagi and someone was apparently trying to dislocate the queen's shoulder.

"Aino-san." He noticed the way that she seemed to spit out his name, and an eyebrow raised at the tone and the forced smile. Taking her hand, he bowed smoothly over it and pressed his lips to it the way he had with Usagi. "I'm glad to see you again. You look particularly resplendent this evening."

As he straightened up, offering her a slight smile, "I hope you will save a dance for me this evening."

[Aino Minako]

Two emotions hit Minako at once as Khalid spoke. The first was a deep suspicion that this man was wooing her with expressed interests of the Dark Kingdom and Kunzite in mind. The second was a overwhelming rush of attraction to the man who held the part of Kunzite's soul she'd loved so fiercely in the Silver Millennium. She paused, tongue-tied for a few seconds while her brain decided how to respond, but in the end the answer was the same. Whether she said yes in order to gather more information on the potential shittenou in front of her or she said yes because quite frankly her heart was pounding in a way she wasn't sure she'd ever experienced in this life, the answer was still yes.

Her smile eased and her shoulders relaxed. "You look the part of the dashing gentleman yourself. I'd be honored to share a dance with you this evening, after I change into my formal gown. I shall expect you to find me later?" she asked, with the slightly raise of an eyebrow. Although Minako had no qualms about hunting him down if need be, she preferred if he came to her. Chivalrous etiquette was far more natural in their social circles.

[Khalid ibn Maleec]

"Thank you, my lady. A compliment from you is indeed to be treasured." He nodded at the compliment, his own expression relaxing slightly as her smile became more natural. "Of course. I'll be looking for you, but I imagine that shall be no more difficult than finding the brilliance of the sun among the distant sparkle of the stars."

He once again bowed over her hand, pressing his lips slightly to the back of it. "I look forward to it, Minako."

[Furuhata Motoki]

Dressed in a black formal tuxedo complete with a white bowtie and cumberbun, Motoki looked the image of the dashing and devonoir young man he strove to achieve day in and day out at work. Judge were human, and tended to favor more attactive lawyers, even if they didn't conciously mean to. Motoki didn't dress quite as formal for court as he was for the party, but the formal wear fit him naturally and he felt just as comfortable in the tuxedo as he did wearing business suits.

Next to him in the receiving line was Mamoru. Motoki gave his friend a quick pat on the shoulder for support. "This will be the hardest part, then we're in and we'll have some fun." Just, Motoki thought to himself, not as much fun as they'd had at the bar the other night. Motoki hoped that the ladies would be more hesistant to approach Mamoru with the Queen only paces away. No one would openly risk her wrath, he hoped, even if she had been the one to end things with Mamoru.

He stepped up to Usagi as the line moved forward and grinned, "Fancy seeing you here, your Majesty," he greeted while offering her a formal bow of his head. He couldn't help but remember the ackward, clumsy girl who ordered milkshakes and played video games at the crown arcade ten years ago. How things had changed. "It's been far too long, Usagi-sama."

[Aino Minako]

"As do I, Khalid" Minako whispered back, a second round of butterflies hitting her stomach. She realized she felt no negative vibes coming off Khalid. No aura of malicious intent. He appeared, at least to her eyes, nothing more than an attractive suitor doing his best to win her hand. She felt relieved, but still wary. Perhaps he was able to hide his true self deep under this facade. Or perhaps, as Usagi had suggested days before, he had he no idea who he truly was. But would his feelings change if he ever found out?

She closed her eyes briefly, her mind assaulted with memories of a similar moment in the Silver Millenium, when Kunzite had greeted her one of Queen Selenity's balls. He'd kissed her hand then as well. He'd asked her to dance. And she had, of course, agreed. She wished all her memories of the past could be so pleasant. "I will wait for you ever so impatiently."

[Khalid ibn Maleec]

"Until then." He inclined his head to her, a ghost of a smile playing about his lips before he turned to the next person in the receiving line. Just because he had already greeted the Queen and his own personal goddess, did not mean that he was going to abandon etiquette and ignore the other officials.

After he had greeted all of them, taking an extra moment with the Minister of Energy, he slipped quietly into a ball room and closed his eyes. The feeling of deja vu was overwhelming. He could deal with that, if it had not been for the surge of guilt that welled up inside him. "How do you get inside my head like that, Ms. Aino?"

[Chiba Mamoru]

When he had woken up that morning, Mamoru had been resolved to find a way out of coming to this party. He really didn’t think he could handle being that close to Usagi and not being able to touch her, to dance with her, to kiss her, to do anything more then watch her from a distance. He was now convinced that Motoki was wrong, after that episode in the bar the other night Usagi would never want to see him again, much less remember the man that she had thought he was.

When he turned on the television later that morning and saw the crowd of eager suitors lined up outside her very gates, Mamoru was even more certain that he couldn’t go to the ball. There wasn’t any thinking necessary, he knew that he couldn’t handle watching Usagi dance with another man. He wouldn’t be able to stand there and just watch her talking and flirting with some other guy. He wouldn’t be able to bare it if he had to watch her kiss some other man at the stroke of midnight. Already he was having the insane desire to go out and buy a gun in order to chase off the men competing against one another in order to be the one able to court Usagi, Motoki would understand wouldn’t he? Of course he would, Motoki was a good friend like that he wouldn’t mind spending the night alone on New Year’s Eve even though he had been promised a fun evening to help him forget the fact that Reika wouldn’t be home. Motoki was a great friend, on the other hand he was being a very bad friend for even thinking of such a thing. Mamoru groaned and realized that like it or not, he was going to the party for his friend’s sake if nothing else ... besides he had never been much of a coward.

Which was why he was now standing here at Motoki’s side dressed in his best formal tuxedo, complete with the mandatory white tie, cummerbund, and vest waiting to greet Usagi herself. He was certain that Zacharie himself couldn’t find fault with his clothes tonight. This was a look he had perfected long ago and he was quite comfortable with it, after all wasn’t he Tuxedo Kamen?

He nodded briefly in response to Motoki’s words, but really he hadn't heard a word because his mind was solely on Usagi. It had been a few days since he had last seen her, but it felt like forever. She was so very beautiful and it took his breath away to see her. What power she had over him. Over his heart.

When the line moved forward he had to force himself to resist the sudden urge to forget everyone in the room and just take her into his arms and kiss her with the hunger that was raging through him upon seeing her again. He loved her so very much and yet he couldn’t have her. He had hurt her, perhaps beyond repair. She wasn’t his anymore, maybe never again ...

The smoldering desire and longing in his expression faded away the moment the thought entered his head. They were replaced with doubt and sadness for the merest moment before they too were carefully controlled behind the mask he had also perfected long ago to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. He wasn’t however able to keep a trace of sadness from his tone as he murmured, “Good Evening Usak ..."

He briefly closed his eyes as he mentally reminded himself that he couldn't call her that anymore before opening them once more and continuing, "Usagi ...”