Verdantia: Prologue

Disclaimers: The character Makoto Kino belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. Margie and Ran are mine, as is this particular plot. If the idea of same-sex relationships offend you then please find something more better suited to your tastes. Thank you. 

Prologue

Somewhere in downtown Manhattan, a little bar called The Cat's Paw sat nestled between a Greek restaurant and an electronics shop. Inside, smoke hung in the air, still and thick. Makoto Kino sat at the bar staring down into her drink. In a moment of self pity she thought to herself, I can't do this anymore.

"How long are you going to sit there feeling sorry for yourself?" Margie asked. In her early forties, wisdom and youth contrasted and entwined in her dark eyes. In another time and place Margie would have been a gypsy. At the moment she was a bar owner, welcoming the lost and the weary. Dispensing advice and the occasional home cooking, she was like a second mother to Makoto. Almost.

"Makoto!"

Her head snapped up at Margie's tone. "How long are you going to stay like that? That girl wasn't worth your time and she knew it. Although I do wish she would have picked a better way to let you know."

Makoto sighed. "It doesn't matter. I'm done with women." She downed the drink and passed her glass to Margie. Margie looked at Makoto. She hadn't changed much since the first time she walked into the bar seven years ago.

Margie looked up the moment two laughing women walked into the bar. Her attention was drawn to the taller of the two. Her long brown hair shone as she threw her head back and laughed at something the shorter blonde said. She had on a man's tweed blazer, button down shirt and slacks over an obviously strong but slender body. Her walk implied an unconscious grace. Her complexion carried a trace of bronze and she had eyes the color of a forest, myriad shades of green in their depths. If only she was a few years older Margie thought to herself and sighed. She dried the glass she was holding and placed it with the others as the two made their way to the bar stools.

 "Welcome! What can I get for you guys?" She asked with a smile. The taller woman smiled, her expression easy and open. Her eyes twinkled as she looked towards her date. The blonde winked back at her and ordered an appletini for herself. The brunette asked for scotch-, her palm resting flat on the bar; the blonde placed her hand on top of it and whispered something into the brunette's ears.

Margie noticed this as she prepared their drinks. They had left after a second round but she hadn't forgotten about the young woman. Two months had gone by before she saw the brunette again. This time she came in by herself and sat at the bar lost in thought.

"Penny for your thoughts. Or at least your order?" Margie asked.

"Huh? Oh!" The woman smiled suddenly, boyishly, and Margie's knees went weak. "I'll have a-"

"Scotch, right?" Margie interjected.

The woman was obviously surprised. "How'd you know?"

"That's what you had the last time. I'm Margie, welcome to my humble establishment."

"Makoto Kino." She held out her hand and Margie whistled, impressed at the firm grip of the young woman. Not many young people gave a proper handshake like that.

It wasn't long before they became fast friends. Makoto stopped by often although she wasn't much of a drinker. The next time she came by with a woman, it was with her friend and roommate, Ran. Ran was also boyish, blonde and stood a good few inches taller than Makoto. Whenever the two appeared, droves of women followed adoringly. Margie noted in an amused manner how good they were for business.

Margie couldn't believe years had passed so quickly. Makoto had finished her drink already while Margie stood there remembering.

"Another," Makoto mumbled loud enough to hear over the din of the patrons.

"No, that's it. I'm cutting you off. I called Ran to help escort you home," Margie said firmly.

"Don't need hel-" Makoto stood and took two wobbly footsteps just as Ran came up behind her and grabbed her by the arm, steadying her.

"Yeah, you do," Ran said. Her tone brooked no argument, "Let's go."

"Wait. I have to go-" Makoto muttered.

"Okay, but you better come back right here. We're leaving soon," Ran said, sitting down on the recently vacated bar stool. She knew better than to try following Makoto to the restroom from previous experience. It was foolhardy to go against a drunk and stubborn Makoto. Ran had scuffled with an intoxicated Makoto once and vowed she'd never go down that road again with her best friend.

"Honestly Margie, what am I going to do with her?" she asked, her eyes following as the tall woman merged and disappeared into the crowd of other patrons in the bar.

-x-x-x-

Makoto was woozy and her entire body felt numb. She made it to the restroom just as a woman in a lilac skirt-suit and long green hair exited the facilities. Slim, elegant and attractive; Makoto would have paused to take a second glance but she felt too sick to flirt with anyone much less look. She drunkenly wondered out loud why she bothered drinking because it went straight through her every time; it was a nuisance visiting the bathroom so often.

She started to wash her hands. It took her a moment to realize she felt strange all over. Not just sick strange, but another feeling; one of displacement, of feeling neither here nor there. She could hear bells,- which seemed to get louder with each ring. She looked at her hands and gasped; her fingers were disappearing. Nausea hit her but before she could throw up, her eyes closed and everything stopped.

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