The Strike of Midnight (EVERYONE!)

[Mizuno Ami]

The music in the various ball rooms ended about fifteen minutes before midnight, and an announcement was made which could be heard throughout the ball. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Midnight is approaching, and we would like to invite you all out onto the South Lawn to enjoy the Fireworks and the dropping of the official Crystal Palace Ball. The countdown will be lead Neo Queen Serenity herself!"

"So grab a flute of champagne and your significant other and please make your way out in an orderly fashion."

Security knew what they were doing, and the crowd was guided out in a way that was chaos but very much controlled.

***

Ami frowned a bit as she looked for the others, not having seen where they had gotten off to. While she was not overly interested in being involved in the public ceremony, she did want to welcome the in the New Year with her sisters as she had so many times before.

Not immediately finding them, she made her way outside. With the mass of people, she was not entirely sure she'd be able to find them, but perhaps security could direct her in the right direction.

She accepted a glass of champagne as she made it through the door, and found herself scanning the lawn, not just for the other Senshi but also for Zach.

[Luna]

Keeping an gentle grip on Artemis’s hand so as not to lose him, Luna made her way outside. She kept an eye out for any of the senshi as she did so, wishing to also welcome in the New Year with them if possible. If she wasn’t able to find them she would be content to just be with Artemis, but she did want to be able to spend the evening with them.

Luna accepted a glass of champagne as she slipped through the door and glanced around the lawn hoping to spot at least one of the senshi. She was in luck, spotting Ami fairly quickly despite the mass of people.

She glanced at her companion and murmured, “There’s Ami ...” before heading over to where Ami was standing, expecting Artemis to follow as well. Luna grinned brightly at Ami when she reached her side and said, “Ami, I trust that you’ve had a wonderful evening so far.”

[Artemis]

Artemis entered the garden with Luna before it was midnight. His face was so animated that he got questioning looks from others who entered behind them. He did not care to notice their glances. Then he noticed Luna talking with Ami-chan and it confused Artemis that Ami would be here alone. He gave Luna a little distance to talk to Ami-chan but then the crowd started to get more jam packed. He shared Luna’s concern for Ami-chan but thought it would be best to move to a spot where there is a little more room.
“Ami-chan it is so good to see you again but might I suggest we head to a less croweded spot.” Artemis pointed over to a tree with intricate branches and it was located near the rose garden. For a moment Artemis felt like there was something familiar about the spot but couldn’t place it.