Unfinished Sympathy

_
“She has been like this for over two weeks. She won’t even eat,” Amy whispered, “Her parents are going to commit her if she keeps this way.”
“She’s grieving. How can they not understand that?” asked Lita with frustration.
“Have you looked at her?” asked Mina, “She’s lost at least ten pounds. She doesn’t say anything.”
“What can we do?” Amy asked sadly.
Luna shook her head sadly. “Nothing – there is nothing.”
“There is something,” said a voice from the corner. “It is the only solution. But it would be a great sacrifice for all of us, one I am willing to take.”
Mina looked around the room, “We would all make a sacrifice for the Princess.”
The Outers nodded from the corner.
“The only way that we could save her is to take her to find love in someone else.”
“But who? Endymion’s soul was within Darien.”
Setsuna hesitated, “Yes. But it isn’t anymore. His soul has found a new body, in a different time, in a different dimension.”
Raye fell into her seat. “You are asking us to travel to a different dimension to save her?”
Setsuna nodded solemnly.
“I will,” said Mina, “Serena is my cousin – my Princess, my best friend.”
Lita nodded, “She’s the glue that hold us all together. I go wherever she goes.”
Raye nodded, “She is everything.”
Amy nodded silently.
Haruka stood from her lean, “We will go. She is our Messiah. We will follow her to the ends of the Universe.”
Luna and Artemis agreed from their seats.
“I will make arrangements to go. We leave tonight at midnight from Starlight Tower.”
_
Mina sat on Serena’s bed watching her friend silently. She had packed her own things hours ago and had come under the guise of a sleepover to support her friend. In Serena’s knapsack she put the things that she knew Serena couldn’t live without – the hair combs from her mother, the few letters she had from a future that wouldn’t come to pass, and everything that she knew would remind her of Darien. Serena was in a coma like state. She could not scream, could not cry, could not breathe. It was like half of her soul was dead.
Because it was.
“Serena?”
She didn’t respond.
“Serena, we’re going to sneak out now, okay?”
Serena just followed Mina blindly.
They met at Starlight Tower. The others were already there. With a few minutes of coaxing, they got Serena to transform into Sailor Moon.
“Venus Eternal Power!”
“Mercury Eternal Power!”
“Jupiter Eternal Power!”
“Mars Eternal Power!”
“Saturn Eternal Power!”
“Neptune Eternal Power!”
“Uranus Eternal Power!”
“Pluto Eternal Power!”
“Moon Eternal Power.”
And then they were gone.
_
They landed in a place that was almost as beautiful as the Moon Kingdom. They had crash-landed in a field when an arrow whizzed by Uranus. Taking it as a threat she growled.
“World shaking!” she shrieked angrily
“Uranus!”
The tall man who had shot the arrow jumped away in the knick of time.
Pluto stepped forward.
“Who are you?” a tall, graying man asked.
“I am Sailor Pluto – Protector of Space and Time and keeper of the Gates of Time.”
The man let out a deep breath. “You have come.”
Mars’s eyes narrowed. “Were you expecting us to?”
“Are you not the Divine Nine?”
Uranus turned to Neptune who turned to Pluto.
“We are, Wizard.”
Gandalf looked to Elrond who looked back at him before addressing the group, “A prophecy was made – many moons ago. Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien knew you would come. One thousand years ago, she foretold that in the time of dark, nine would come, and be the light to the dark. Against the Nine we once knew, Nine more would walk upon Middle-Earth and bring the divinity of the Universe,” said the Wizard, who they now knew was Gandalf the Grey.
“You are the Divine Nine,” stated a tall dark haired elf named Elrond, “Come to protect at the perfect time. Tomorrow, the Council will decide the fate of the last piece of the evil known as Sauron. For now, there are rooms prepared. We feast as the sun sets.”
Sailor Moon had sat silently as the soldiers conversed with Elrond and Gandalf.
“Does an illness of the mind consume the smallest one?” asked Gandalf with unease, “She has yet to move from her position.”
“The illness of grief,” stated Jupiter, “The one she was set to marry has-” She stopped, but the others understood.
_
The magic of Imladris kept the baths warm as Mina carefully combed Serena’s hair.
“You’ve lost all the blonde that was there, Sere.” She twisted her hair up in its usual style and put on the dress that she knew so well. “Come, Princess, it is time for the feast.”
They arrived in a long hall with many paintings and a beautiful view of the cascading waters of the river.
There were many seated at the table.
“I am Aragorn,” said a straggly haired man to Mina.
Mina looked to Setsuna before replying, “My name is Mina. This is Serenity and Setsuna.”
As the words left her lips, another appeared.
“I am Legolas, of the Mirkwood Realm. Who might you be?”
Serenity looked up slowly.
It happened in an instant. It was as though the sun, the moon and the stars had suddenly stopped, leaving only the two of them. It was as though every fiber of her being had suddenly become a steel thread that was attached to this Elf.
He was Hers.
Serenity took a deep breath. Life flooded her cheeks. The pinkness came back to her cheeks and lips.
“Call me Serenity,” she whispered, the first and only words that had crossed her lips since the death of her Prince.
The guardians were shocked.
“We’ve found him,” Setsuna stated.
“Who?” asked Gandalf.
“That was fast,” Mina mused.
“The Prince,” she breathed.
_
“What will father say?” asked Legolas in distress to his long time friend, Aragorn.
“Do you think he would be angry? I see no reason for him to be upset.”
“I see every reason! My father won’t allow me to marry a commoner.”
“Marry?” asked Aragorn with interest. His friend never showed emotion.
The usually even-tempered elf rubbed his temples in frustration, “Yes, marry. This may sound utterly ridiculous to you, but I know she is the one for me. I saw it in her eyes. In my heart I know that we are bound together. I cannot-” he sighed, “Living without her would be impossible.”
Aragorn sat silently next to him, “Have you spoken to her? Perhaps you should have this conversation with her, instead of me.”
Legolas looked guiltily away, “No. As soon as I felt it I ran away from her.”
Aragorn gave Legolas a look of horror, “What are you waiting for? Go after her!”
“What?”
“You ran away, Legolas. Women are strange creatures. Go back to her, now.”
Legolas stood and bid Aragorn goodbye before rushing back to the main palace of Rivendell. He found her with the blonde he had met earlier and many other girls sitting on a bench. He hid behind the wall and listened carefully.
“- can you say that, Mina?” his silver haired beauty cried quietly.
“Sere, I am the descendent of Venus. I know.”
“But he’s run away. Surely he doesn’t find me to his liking. I’m too short. I cry too much. I look like a flat chested boy because I haven’t got breasts. I look like a child. What have I done to myself?” Serenity bemoaned, gasping between the tears.
“It was grief. You were unresponsive for more than two weeks. It was nothing you did to yourself. You are beautiful, Serenity. You are the light of the galaxy. Don’t you remember your coming out ball?” she whispered.
The raven haired girl laughed quietly, “Don’t you remember how many men fought for your hand? All six of my brothers tried and failed,” she chortled.
“Over a thousand Princes from across the galaxy put their name in for your hand!” exclaimed Mina, “I can’t actually remember being more jealous in my life,” she joked.
The others laughed.
“I don’t care what they think!” she whimpered, “I care what he thinks!”
The girls all looked at each other before the tall tan woman spoke, “I would like to know what he thinks. Legolas, I know you are behind that wall.”
Legolas paused before showing himself, “My Ladies,” he greeted.
“I think it is time for us to see ourselves out,” said a short black-haired girl.
The tall woman next to her growled, but another woman held her back as she glared hatefully at Legolas.
Soon it was just Legolas and Serena. Legolas sat down beside her but neither could find the courage to say anything.
“I did not find anything to my dissatisfaction,” Legolas finally admitted.
Serena looked up hopefully. It was the first time he had really looked at her. Her skin was as white as milk, her hair like strands of fine mithril. Her eyes looked like pools of molten silver. He could see the veins of her neck and chest but instead of the blue he knew humans to have, there was a faint silver tone.
“Really?” she asked, “I thought-”
“I was scared,” Legolas admitted quietly, “We are at the edge of war. Evil is near. And, my father would never let me take your hand. You are a mortal, and are not high-born,” he whispered, “My father has forbaid it. He puts great stock into titles and blood.”
Serena looked at him confused.
“My father is King of Northern Mirkwood. I am his son and heir – the next king,” Legolas clarified in disgust.
Serena slowly smiled before taking his hand in hers. His skin was smooth, and warm. “I have something I must tell you, Legolas. My name is Serenity, daughter of Queen Serenity, daughter of Selene, Goddess of the Moon. I am Princess Serenity Selene of House Lunaria twelfth of my name, heir to the Silver Moon Kingdom, and heir to the Silver Millennium; Queen of the Cosmos, defender of the Light; wielder of the Silver Crystal. I think it is my Mother that would forbid me from you,” Serena paused and added sadly, “If she were alive.”
Legolas’s jaw dropped.
“And I am not human,” she said wistfully, “I am Lunarian humanoid. There is quite a difference. I am immortal.”
“Well,” Legolas said dryly, “I would venture to guess that my father would approve.”
_
“Today, we decide the fate of the ring,” said Legolas as he made himself comfortable in his seat.
“Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate–this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo.”
The hobbit, Frodo, slowly rose to put the ring in the center of a stone pedestal. He rushed back to his seat as whispers carried from around the council.
A red-haired man looked at the ring with fascination before speaking, “It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy. Let us use it against him!”
“You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.”
“And what would a ranger know of this matter?” asked Boromir snidely.
Serenity watched as Legolas shot up from his seat angrily and sighed.
“This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.”
“Aragorn?” asked Boromir disbelievingly, “This… is Isildur’s heir?”
Legolas narrowed his eyes, “And heir to the throne of Gondor.”
Aragorn gestured at Legolas, “Havo dad, Legolas.”
Serenity pulled gently on Legolas’s tunic until he sat.
“Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king.”
Ignoring the tension, Gandalf spoke, “Aragorn is right. We cannot use it.”
Elrond nodded in agreement, “You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed.”
A dwarf with reddish hair growled, “What are we waiting for?” He hacked at the ring with his axe, which shattered instantly.
“The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came.”
Boromir looked sick before whispering, “One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!”
Serenity felt Legolas stand up beside her once again, “Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!”
Serenity watched as the council squabbled among themselves. She looked at her Guardians who rolled their eyes. They may not all be human, but all men were the same – always fighting over things at the worst times.
From across the council, Frodo yelled, “I will take it! I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though... I do not know the way.
“I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear.”
“If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword.”
Legolas looked at Serenity who nodded, “And you have my bow.”
“And my axe!”
“You carry the fates of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done.”
Serenity stood from her seat. “Frodo, you have the justice of the Moon.”
Mina stood, “And the love of Venus.”
“And the fires of Mars.”
“And the storms of Jupiter.”
“And the waters of Mercury.”
“And the seas of Neptune.”
“And the winds of Uranus.”
“And the destruction of Saturn.”
“And the gates of Pluto.”
“Heh!” yelled someone before he ran beside Frodo, “Mr. Frodo is not going anywhere without me!”
“No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.”
Two other voices shouted, “Wait! We are coming too!”
“You’d have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!”
“Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest… thing.”
“Well, that rules you out, Pip.”
Elrond smiled as he looked at the group before him, “Eighteen companions… So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!”
“Great! Where are we going?” Pippin asked.
Serenity sighed before laughing deeply.
She noticed Boromir look at her hatefully but ignored it.
_
“This journey may claim our lives,” said Legolas as he and Serena sat beside the river.
“It could,” Serena said, “But I won’t let it, if I can help it.”
Legolas inhaled deeply, “Marry me.”
Serena choked, “Now?”
“If one of us dies on this mission, at least we know that we married,” Legolas reasoned.
“Wouldn’t you want your father to know?”
Legolas sighed, “It is too far. We leave too soon for him to come here, or for us to go there and come back.”
Serena hesitated, “There is a way. We could be there almost instantly.”
Legolas looked confused, “What?”
“Come with me.”
She led him to the other scouts who were busy packing for the long journey.
“Look at this! Jeans are so much more comfortable,” Mina groaned.
“I’m looking forward to not being frowned upon for wearing pants,” Haruka said with a smirk.
“Guys?” Serena said as she entered the room, “Legolas and I have decided to get married.”
They all went silent before Mina cheered. “Excellent! I knew it! When? Where? What are you wearing?”
“However,” Serena continued, “We would like to do it in Legolas’s home.”
Mina smiled, “Come ladies, it is time for a teleport.”
“But, don’t we need to pack and-” began Ami.
“It’s only a couple of days!” exclaimed Lita as they all hurried out to the big open field that they had landed in.
“Stand in the center,” Setsuna directed to Legolas, who had Luna and Artemis in his arms.
They all joined hands. They began to glow and the rocks and grass nearby rose in the air as the shouted one by one,
“Venus Eternal Power!”
“Mercury Eternal Power!”
“Jupiter Eternal Power!”
“Mars Eternal Power!”
“Saturn Eternal Power!”
“Neptune Eternal Power!”
“Uranus Eternal Power!”
“Pluto Eternal Power!”
“Moon Eternal Power!”
Around them was a bubble of clear film.
“Give me the coordinates, Mercury,” commanded Venus.
“What is this?” asked Legolas.
“It’s a transportation method that is near to instantaneous,” said Mercury, “We’re about four kilometers from a proper landing space. This area is very densely forested.”
“How big is the opening?” questioned Uranus.
“About thirty meters.” Mercury replied.
“We’re never going to make that,” exclaimed Mars.
“We won’t be able to crash land,” said Saturn.
“But we can do a drop landing,” said Sailor Moon.
“That isn’t something that we should be attempting with you here, Princess,” said Neptune, “A drop landing could injure you or one of the passengers.”
“How far are we now?”
“Two kilometers.”
“You must decide, Princess,” said Pluto.
“One kilometer.”
“Drop landing,” said Sailor Moon, “Legolas, hold Luna and Artemis tightly and be prepared to make a fifty foot drop to the ground.”
The clearing came into view and Venus narrowed her eyes.
“Give us an estimate, Mercury.”
“Four seconds, Three, Two, One, Drop!”
The soldiers broke hands with each other, which abruptly stopped their transport. They fell to the ground with intense speed and landed with various flips, tumbles and handsprings to the ground.
“I never want to do a landing like that again,” moaned Venus. “This place needs to discover the car, or better yet, the plane.”
In an instant they were surrounded by elves with arrows pointed at them. Legolas turned and looked at the nearest one who faltered.
“They mean us no harm,” Legolas said, “This is my fiancée and her company. We must get to my father.”
The elven guard dropped their bows and allowed Legolas to lead the ladies past.
They looked around curiously, now detransformed and in their civilian clothes.
“This place is beautiful,” said Michelle, “It looks so like the woods of Earth during the Moon Kingdom.”
They all agreed before coming over a bridge and to a huge gate, which they walked through with ease. They followed the paths up to a throne where a tall, blonde man with grey eyes sat regally with a crown upon his head.
This was Legolas’s father.
“Father,” said Legolas evenly.
“Legolas,” replied, eyes narrowed, “is there a specific reason that you chose to bring nine outsiders into our palace without blind folds?”
Haruka scoffed before rolling her eyes when Michelle scolded her.
Legolas ignored his father, “This is my fiancée. And her lady’s maids and guard.”
At this, King Thranduil gave Legolas a pointed look with his brows to his forehead.
“Is that so, Legolas? And when did you decide that you were going to marry, without my permission of bride? A mortal one at that?”
“Father, I-”
“Step forward, so called intended of my son,” the King ordered.
Serenity stepped forward and removed her cloak. She stood in her full regal attire, hair upon her head, white dress upon her body, crown in her hair.
“I am Serenity, daughter of Serenity.”
“Father, I really must protest-”
“And tell me, Serenity, daughter of Serenity, why you think you, a lowly, human commoner, have a claim to my son?”
From behind, Haruka growled lowly before she along with Mina and Lita stepped forward also.
“You, Woodland King, do not speak to Her Grace in such a tone,” Haruka said angrily, “Watch carefully how you speak to her, Sir. For I have killed people for less.”
Serenity sighed before turning to her company and addressing them in High Lunarian. “Please don’t put me on bad terms with my soon to be father-in-law before he’s gotten to know me. I plan to marry Legolas, and live with him forever.”
Haruka glared before stepping back.
Serenity turned back, “If you’re concerned, My Lord, about me being mortal, you should know that I am in fact, not. I am as eternal, as the Moon and the stars. I am the Cosmos of Light.” She sensed he was about to interrupt and continued, “And if the issue is my blood, well then know that there is no reason for you to be alarmed, as I myself carry a title higher than your dear son. I am Lunarian Humanoid. If I’m not mistaken,” she said thoughtfully, “Then that means that your race is a decedent of mine, is it not?”
_
“We’re not going to last the night,” stated Legolas, “We cannot win this fight.”
“Legolas,” scolded Serenity.
“He’s right,” said Haruka, “Three hundred against ten thousand? We will be slaughtered.”
Mina turned to King Theoden. “I have a serious question for you,” she said, grabbing the attention of all nearby, including Aragorn and Gimli. “Are you stupid?” she asked.
Theoden gave her a look of shock before opening his mouth.
Ami cut him off, “What Mina means to say is that you have nine great warriors here that can protect your keep and your people, and yet you choose not to send out riders? Then you say Gondor wouldn’t help you, when you have never asked them for support before. What are you doing? You have hundreds of miles of grass and dirt in front of you. Get oil and smear it all over. Set it aflame when the Urk-hais come. That’s at least many of their forces dead with barely any work.”
Theoden looked like a fish out of water. He rose a finger before pausing.
“Hama,” he ordered, “Smear the land with oil.”
The Elves had arrived. Now they waited. The army was marching in the distance. On the front lines, the Sailor Scouts stood in uniform. When they had transformed, the men in the vicinity had been scandalized by their very short skirts and tight leotards.
Next to Legolas and Gimli, Sailor Moon stood, staff in hand beside the rest of the Sailor scouts.
“It’s been a while since I had the pleasure of using the Silver Stone Sword,” said Venus happily to a handsome elf behind her, “One single touch from it will kill, as it is embedded with a fast acting poison that only the Head of the Guard can use. That’s me,” she said chattering.
Gimli sighed next to her, “Is she always like this when she thinks she’s about to die?”
Legolas laughed under his breath.
“Whatever luck you live by, laddie, let’s hope it lasts the night.”
“Your friends are with you, Aragorn,” spoke Legolas calmly.
“Let’s hope they last the night,” added Gimli.
Pluto smirked, leaning on her staff.
The Orcs stood in front of the keep, growling and snapping their teeth.
Sailor Uranus leaned against the wall. “Isn’t this the time when there’s a motivational speech?”
“Not now,” Neptune scolded.
Aragorn looked to Legolas who looked to Sailor Moon who looked to Mars.
“Now,” she said, nodding.
“My pleasure,” Mars smirked, “Mars!” she screamed, “Flame Sniper!” A flaming bow and arrow came to her hands. She released the arrow at the ground.
The orcs watched and laughed, since they thought she missed.
“Jokes on you,” she called, “Sayonara, Suckers!” The arrows fire caught the oil on fire, and within seconds more than two thousand Urk-hai were on fire, burning where they stood, with no way out. The Rohirrim and Elves cheered.
“Up high!” Jupiter and Mercury high fived.
The remaining orcs charged forward. Sailor Moon raised her tier. “Ready Ladies?” she shouted.
“World Shaking!”
“Shine Aqua Illusion!”
“Thunder Dragon Crash!”
“Dead Scream!”
“Crescent Beam Smash!”
“Silence Glave Surprise!”
“Fire Ignite!”
“Neptune Deep Submerge!”
“Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!”
At the same time, all of their combined attacks flew at the Urk-hai, killing a large group instantly.
“Very useful in a sticky situation, these girls are,” Gimli said.
“Arrows!”
“Give them a volley.”
“Ladders!”
“Great!” exclaimed Gimli, getting his axe ready.
“Aim to take out groups,” said Sailor Moon in Lunarian, “Everyone pick a high point, and attack from there.”
“With pleasure,” Venus cracked her knuckles before hopping with grace onto the wall of the helm. “What do you think would happen if I did… this?” With her foot she pushed the ladder that was rising to the ground before flipping back behind the wall. As Urk-hai came across the wall she sliced them, stabbed them and hit them.
From her position, Jupiter spotted a group of Urks marching up towards the gates.
“Brace the gates!”
Jupiter smirked, “I got this,” she sent a blast of strong electricity towards the Urks, who were connected by their metal shields. Dozens were burnt to a crisp and fell onto the Urks below.
Saturn, in an interesting turn of events was more focused on using her staff as a weapon of physical means. She had chopped off dozens of heads, and fractured many skulls. Pluto had done the same, making it her mission to use her giant key staff to hit people.
Suddenly, the ground flew from underneath them, causing hundreds to go flying.
“They’re thru the wall now,” whispered Uranus, “Fine by me. Uranus world shaking!” she shrieked putting as much strength as she could into the attack, which sent the Urks in front to their graves.
“Fall back to the keep!”
Sailor Moon had been doing her best, using her moon tiara as a weapon and her super sonic hair pieces to drive away the orcs.
From the corner of her eye, she watched as an Urk came up behind Haldir. She moved quickly and swung her scepter into his head before grabbing Haldir and rushing to the keep.
“Is there anywhere for the woman and children to go?” shouted Aragorn desperately at their silence he continued, “Is there no other way?”
“The caves. But they won’t get far – the Urk-hai are too many.”
Moon turned to Mercury, “You have fought bravely. I would have you stay, save that I know in my heart that your place belongs leading the woman and children through the mountain.”
Mercury’s jaw dropped, “My place belongs protecting you, Sailor Moon.”
Sailor Moon shook her head, “Protect them, for they are the future. Take these,” she continued, handing her a bow with a full quiver of arrows, and a scabbard. “You know your space suit will keep you warm or cool, no matter the weather. Do not let them die, Mercury. I am counting on you. When the time comes for you to bring them back, trust no one but myself to give you the message. Now go! Hasten!”
Mercury started sprinting to the caves.
Moon turned to Aragorn.
“Ride out with me,” Aragorn said to Theoden.
Moon smiled as she pulled the Holy Bell from her space pocket and rung it. Everyone watched mesmerized as a golden crack formed, in which a horse – no a Pegasus came forth.
“Helios, my friend,” she said as she petted his snout. He nuzzled her and nipped at her fingers before bowing, to allow her to sit upon his bareback.
“A saddle, My Lady?” asked a guard nervously.
“Helios does not like saddles. Theoden King,” she addressed him, “Ride out with us.”
“FOR DEATH!” She yelled as she galloped out.
“For death!”
_
“Entertain us,” cheered Gimli, “I know you two have something up your sleeve!” he pointed to Amara and Michelle.
Michelle smiled. “Do you have a piano?” she asked Eowyn who led her to one.
Amara tapped a few keys. “It’s in tune. Do you have-”
“Of course.”
Serenity smiled brightly before tugging on Legolas and Gandalf. “Hush! They’re going to play! This is worth listening to.” The room quieted as the heard Michelle pluck a few strings tuning.
Amara looked up and nodded over to Mina who skipped over and leaned to let Amara whisper in her ear.
“Sure! Rei, get over here!” She then leaned and whispered to her. “This is for all of those who fight, every day, to protect those who they love.”