The Great Log Posting: Arc IV

[Halbarad]

[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> After resting the whole of Friday, Saturday breaks. After a breakfast of canned goods, the girls are making their plans for the day over the table.
[10:46] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, are we going to try again what we had planned yesterday?" Rei asks.
[10:46] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Sounds like the best idea to me. Hopefully we won't get attacked halfway there this time."
[10:47] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, we'll keep a sharper eye out today. Getting blindsided like that isn't a good thing," Rei frowns.
[10:49] * Sailor_Mercury frowns. "Wouldn't Mamoru-san's apartment be a relatively safe place to teleport to?" She offers.
[10:49] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't know," Rei shrugs. "There's no telling what could be there right now."
[10:50] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "And teleporting as a big group weakens all of us. I can't take all of us by myself."
[10:51] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, if we'd teleported out before getting attacked by Petz yesterday we wouldn't have stood a chance," Rei nods unhappily.
[10:52] * Sailor_Mercury nods in acceptance. "That's true. I'm just concerned about a repeat of yesterday's progress."
[10:53] <Sailor_Moon> "We'll just have to keep a closer eye out as we keep moving this time." Usagi nods.
[10:53] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, but if we had teleported out yesterday we wouldn't have been able to teleport back here after the battle - even if we had survived it," Rei points out to Ami,
[10:56] * Sailor_Mercury nods, looking thoughtfully at the table. "Hopefully we can esape their notice this time, then."
[10:57] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Anyway, if that's all, let's get moving. No sense in wasting any more time."
[10:57] <Sailor_Mars> "Right," Rei stands up, ready to go.
[10:58] * Sailor_Moon joins Rei by the door to the Shrine.
[10:58] * Sailor_Jupiter nods and follows Usagi and Rei.
[10:59] * Sailor_Mercury stands up to follow, then hesitates. "What about Chibi Usa-chan?"
[10:59] * Sailor_Uranus trails the rest.
[11:00] <Sailor_Moon> "True, one of us should stay here to watch her and the other senshi." Usagi frowns a bit.
[11:00] <Sailor_Dragon> "Which of us?" Herb asks, guessing that Usa-chan won't leave her to mind the baby.
[11:01] <Sailor_Mercury> "I'll stay." Ami offers. "I have some things I'd like to look into..."
[11:01] * Sailor_Moon nods. "All right then... I'll give you a call if anything comes up. Ready, guys? Let's go!"
[11:02] * Sailor_Mars smiles at Ami, "Just contact us if anything happens here and we'll be right back," she says, turning to Sailor Moon and nodding as she heads out the door.
[11:02] * Sailor_Mercury smiles. "I will."
[11:03] <Sailor_Uranus> "We'll bring you back a souvenir," Haruka tells Ami before following Rei out the door.
[11:04] * Sailor_Mercury giggles and goes to check up on Chibi Usa, waving to the rest.
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going from the Shrine and into the cursed city again goes without incident. Stepping past the barrier, you see that the lightning attacks are still going, and having the same effect as before.
[11:07] * Sailor_Mars takes to the rooftops once more en route to their destination, this time trying to pay more careful notice of her surroundings for any unpleasant surprises.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Sailor Mars, make a Soul check, +3.
[11:08] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[11:08] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 11."
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you transverse the dark streets, you see a few people about. Each person is twisted somehow, altered into something not entirely normal. They go about, some causing minor havoc while most just go along.
[11:11] <Sailor_Mars> So long as they don't directly interfere with her, Rei doesn't pay too much heed to the tainted people, hoping they'll return to normal when the dark energy problem is resolved, like Yuuichiro did.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Passing along the rooftops to Mamoru's apartment is a simple matter, and you meet no resistance. On arriving, you find the building in similar shape to the rest of Tokyo...
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few people linger about the edges of it, but there is no interference waiting for you here.
[11:17] * Sailor_Moon leads the way inside the building. "I THINK I remember which apartment was his..." So saying, she begins the long climb up the stairs of the tall apartment building, not willing to trust the elevator.
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> The stairwell is dark and dank, but there is nothing of note there as you climb to Mamoru's floor.
[11:21] * Sailor_Moon heads down the dark hallway to the apartment number she recalls Mamoru mentioning. "I think this is it," she says to the others.
[11:22] <Sailor_Mars> "So, shall we knock?" Rei asks.
[11:22] <Sailor_Moon> "We can try, but would YOU answer the door right now?" Usagi says with a sarcastic grin.
[11:23] <Sailor_Mars> "It's that or kick the door down," Rei shrugs, before blinking. "Oh, I guess I can unlock it, actually..."
[11:24] <Sailor_Moon> "Let's at least knock first, that way he won't think we're trying to jump him or something. If he's in there, anyway." Usagi steps over to the door, rapping on it several times.
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sounding like the heavy, boot clad steps of the executioner, Usagi's raps on the door echo about, no answer coming to them.
[11:26] * Sailor_Moon looks over at Rei. "Over to you, I guess."
[11:27] <Sailor_Mars> "Guess so," Rei sighs, putting her hand against the door as she concentrates on telekinetically moving the lock out of position, while thinking that it would have been kind of cool to just kick the door down.
[11:27] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-2
[11:27] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-2 and gets 3."
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a bit of mental work, the lock clicks and lets go, Rei's task successful.
[11:28] * Sailor_Mars opens the door and steps inside. "Hello?" she calls out while entering.
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> The apartment is dark, though a stomach-rumbling smell comes from inside. Food is in here, and not all that unfresh. Stepping inside, you find a typical apartment, if a dark one. Some foodstuffs and a hotplate are about the front of the area, a half eaten bowl of canned meat giving the place a nice smell.
[11:30] <Sailor_Mars> "Someone was here recently," Rei observes at the smell.
[11:31] * Sailor_Moon nods, looking over the food - and trying to resist the temptation to investigate the wonderful smells a bit further. "He's around then... at least we know for sure now."
[11:32] <Sailor_Mars> "If not here, then where?" Rei wonders aloud, trying to sense the Earth Prince's aura anywhere in her range.
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +3. Have a fun.
[11:32] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[11:32] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> He's not in the area, though long range sensing is unsure here due to all the general interference.
[11:34] * Sailor_Moon sees Rei concentrating for a moment. "Any luck?"
[11:34] <Sailor_Mars> "No, can't sense him nearby," Rei says apologetically.
[11:35] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Doubt I could do any better... it's just too hard to sense through all this negative energy." Despite her words, Usagi closes her eyes and gives it a try anyway, figuring that it can't hurt either way.
[11:37] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3
[11:37] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 and gets 15."
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sensing...you think you sense not Mamoru, but something coming this way from outside, something very dark and not happy.
[11:38] * Sailor_Moon blows out a breath. "No Mamoru, but I think it might be a good idea for us to get out of here. Think we should leave a note?"
[11:39] <Sailor_Mars> "Did you sense something else?" Rei asks worriedly, already starting for the door.
[11:39] <Sailor_Moon> "Something headed this way... not happy, and it didn't seem like it was that close, but all the same I think we'd better get moving." Usagi replies.
[11:40] * Sailor_Jupiter nods at that. "Back to the temple, or are we going to keep looking for Mamoru?"
[11:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Then let's not waste any time," Rei nods, "This is no place to have a fight." So saying she leaves the apartment. "We can look for Mamoru after we purify the Crystal Point."
[11:42] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Crystal Point next, although I want to leave Mamoru a note. He should be able to get through the barrier if he's not tainted." Taking a moment, she scribbles a quick note telling Mamoru to come to the Hikawa Shrine on a piece of scrap paper and leaves it next to the half-eaten bowl of food, before joining Rei in the hallway outside.
[11:43] * Sailor_Mars hurries down the stairs to exit the apartment building, keeping a sharp eye out for whatever Usagi sensed.
[11:44] * Sailor_Moon checks to see how much closer the dark presence has gotten as she steps out of the apartment building behind Rei, glancing around nervously as she does so.
[11:44] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3
[11:44] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 and gets 8."
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sensing out, this time Usagi doesn't feel too much beyond the general darkness of the area. The feeling from before isn't registering.
[11:45] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Maybe it wasn't headed for us after all... I can't sense anything now except what's around us all the time out here."
[11:46] <Sailor_Mars> "It could be masking itself," Rei warns. "Everyone stay alert. We should head to the ice cream shop anyway. If it comes, it comes."
[11:48] * Sailor_Moon nods as the others rejoin them outside the building. "Let's get moving then... the further we get away from it, the better."
[11:48] * Sailor_Jupiter nods and keeps an alert look out for anything off as she moves besides the others.
[11:48] <Sailor_Uranus> "Right," Haruka replies to both Rei and Usagi's points as she follows.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again taking to the roofs of Tokyo, you quickly hop and step your way to the Bob-Floy ice cream shop. As you approach, the feeling that you got before the Shrine returns, the vortex of negative energy swirling with darkness.
[11:53] * Sailor_Moon grimaces as the group nears the ice cream shop. "Definitely a Crystal Point..." she mutters.
[11:54] * Sailor_Mars nods, tensing as she prepares for battle.
[11:55] * Sailor_Moon approaches the store warily, on the lookout for any sort of trouble.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is no ice cream being sold today, though the shop is open. Two shadowed serving girls wait up front, dressed in a typical serving outfit with an apron.
[11:58] * Sailor_Mars examines the girls, trying to discern if they are tainted people or droids.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +3.
[11:59] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[11:59] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 15."
[12:00] * Sailor_Moon tries to determine where the center of the torrent of negative energy is, aside from simply 'the store'.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mars - You sense that the two things there are probably droids... or are they human? You aren't sure, and at this point there may not be much of a difference. As you do, you feel something watching, something extremely dark and powerful from away.
[12:03] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi, I think that thing you sensed earlier is back," Rei says worriedly, deciding to err on the side of caution and use ofuda on the 'girls' if they present a problem.
[12:04] <Sailor_Moon> "Better get started then." Usagi frowns, pulling the grail out of its place of storage. "Everyone ready? I expect they'll be here in nothing flat once I get started with this."
[12:05] <Sailor_Mars> "Right," Rei nods, taking up a defensive position near the blonde.
[12:05] <Sailor_Uranus> "Ready as we'll ever be, I guess," Haruka replies with a shrug.
[12:05] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Ready as always, Usagi."
[12:06] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Here goes, then." Holding the magical artifact over her head, Usagi lets out a shout. "Holy Grail Purification!"
[12:06] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:06] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Floating up from the mystical cup, a single white droplet goes forth and at the Bob-Floy ice cream shop! There is a rippling meeting of dark and light, the two battling in the space of a moment before there is a deafening surge of dark energy!
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Roaring from above, a third force of energy rains from the sky, assaulting Usagi's magic from both sides!
[12:10] <Sailor_Mars> "What the?!" Rei looks up in shock.
[12:10] * Sailor_Moon grits her teeth, battling to maintain the flow against the doubled assault.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can just see something high above, big, bulky and dark, with sharp outlines of a sort. Huge amounts of terrible energy come from it, assailing the droplet of purity!
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Usagi, Soul check, +4.
[12:11] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+4
[12:11] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+4 and gets 11."
[12:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Everyone, we need to join our power to protect Sailor Moon!" Mars yells above the roar of energy, producing the Ash Rods in her hands.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pouring in her energy(Another 25 EP), Usagi manages to maintain her magic against the attack, but it's clearly an uphill battle! Sweat begins to pour down Usagi's face and the Grail hums deeply, power flowing from it.
[12:15] * Sailor_Dragon joins with Mars to help strike down the mysterious shape.
[12:15] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Right!" Makoto calls out in a hurry after Mars' statement as she begins to gather magical energy to attack in conjunction with Rei.
[12:15] * Sailor_Uranus gathers her energy into her fist following Rei and Makoto's lead.
[12:16] <Sailor_Mars> Raising aloft her Talisman, Rei releases a massive plume of fire into the sky at the dark object, calling "Sailor Planet Attack!"
[12:16] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:16] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:17] * Sailor_Uranus releases her gathered energy and yells out, "Sailor Planet Attack!"
[12:17] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[12:17] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:18] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Sailor Planet Attack!" Makoto shouts as she also releases the energy she'd been gathering
[12:18] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[12:18] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:18] * Sailor_Dragon raises her hand to the heavens, the Dragon Flame Ring shining bright on her finger, and echoes Mars' call of "Sailor Planet Attack!" as streams of ki wrap themselves round the other attacks, strengthening them immeasurably.
[12:18] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[12:18] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Gathering the energy into one massive torrent, it fires upwards, cutting away the darkness... at least at first. As it rises, the components seem to seperate, falling apart into streams that peter out and die from the breakapart, barely anything when they reach the object above.
[12:21] * Sailor_Mars sags at the failure of their desperate attack, struggling to draw forth the last dregs of her energy.
[12:21] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6 for rejuve
[12:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 for rejuve and gets 5."
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:22] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[12:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 8."
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still battling, the bit of Usagi's energy is starting to buckle and blink under the dual assault!
[12:22] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[12:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 5."
[12:22] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[12:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:23] <Sailor_Moon> 'Come on, hold!' Usagi thinks desperately, directing as much of it as she can towards purifying the corrupted ice cream store before her.
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Another Soul check +4
[12:24] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+4
[12:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+4 and gets 10."
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite the flickering, Usagi somehow maintains the last bit of light, despite her body's protests! (Another 20 EP.)
[12:26] * Sailor_Mars staggers over to Usagi underneath the barrage of Dark Energy, lending what power she can to her love.
[12:28] * Sailor_Uranus adds what strength she can muster to Usagi.
[12:29] * Sailor_Jupiter also moves to Usagi after their failed attempt to help by themselves, trusting Usagi to be able to use some of her energy more effectively.
[12:30] * Sailor_Dragon joins in, trusting in the Queen's abilities
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Energy flows into Usagi and through the Grail, the white light redoubling it's efforts!
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[12:41] * Sailor_Moon smiles faintly, feeling her friends' energy flow through her as she maintains the battle.
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Usagi, make another Soul check.
[12:41] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Swelling with the new energy, the magic begins to push back the energy from above and shrink back the darkness around Bob-Floy! As you do so, you notice from the darkness are the two serving girls, coming out...
[12:43] * Sailor_Moon sees the girls but can do nothing but alert her friends. "Guys! The girls from the shop!" she calls out, straining to maintain the purifying flow of energy.
[12:43] * Sailor_Jupiter watches the girls carefully, ready to defend the busy Usagi if they should try anything.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> As they come closer, they change and shift, turning into ice cream-colored monsters - strawberry, white, chocolate brown and black chocolate chip skinned under their uniforms!
[12:45] <Sailor_Mars> Tired from giving up so much energy so rapidly, Rei nonetheless moves to engage the monsters and protect Sailor Moon!
[12:45] * Sailor_Uranus summons her Space Sword and prepares to defend against the attack.
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative. Usagi, roll as well.
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:45] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[12:46] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[12:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 15."
[12:46] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[12:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 14."
[12:46] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[12:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 18."
[12:46] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[12:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 16."
[12:51] * Sailor_Uranus slashes at the ice cream attacker on the left with her Space Sword!
[12:51] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[12:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rushing forward and into the fray, Sailor Uranus's sword slices into the left monster, cutting open it's side!
[12:57] * Sailor_Jupiter follows Haruka's monster choice and attacks it with a shout of "Supreme Thunder Dragon!"
[12:57] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[12:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:58] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> After being injured once, the wounded creature is ready to evade, sprinting off to the left and away from the Thunder Dragon!
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - You're up, Sailor Moon. Make another Soul check, while I check for the UFO.
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:00] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still pushing, the energy of the shop is almost down despite the interference from above!
[13:04] * Sailor_Dragon flies close to the second monster, and with a cry of "Flying Sword of the Dragon!" unleashes a volley of knife-like ki at the ice-cream menace...
[13:05] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[13:05] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slicing into the second monster, the Flying Sword of the Dragon cuts into the droid deeply! It staggers and stumbles, yet somehow stays up despite critical damage!
[13:10] <Sailor_Mars> Breathing deeply from exertion, Rei nonetheless finds the will to summon forth a wide arc of flame from her hands to hit both ice cream droids!
[13:10] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+1
[13:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+1 and gets 8."
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first droid simply sprints past the fire at Mars, while the second one is caught, a final blow to it as it dies and fades away!
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> The still-alive droid surges forth, still at Sailor Mars! "Floy Ice Cream Storm," it cries, a flurry of ice cream balls coming at Sailor Mars!
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - +2.
[13:13] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[13:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 7."
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Backflipping with grace and ease, Sailor Mars avoids the icy projectiles!
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the energy of Usagi bears down, the entire Bob-Floy ice cream shop seems to shudder as the white washes over it! There is a pure flash of light as the Crystal Point recieves the hotly-contested white magic!
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sunshine washes away the last of the darkness as it illuminates a giant spaceship above, a huge and spiky black crystalline thing!
[13:19] * Sailor_Mars looks up at the UFO in shock, distracted from the purified shop and remaining droid.
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ship hovers a moment, a familiar voice from above. "Grr... well played, Sailors!" Rubeus's voice comes down. "But you won't get the rest of the Crystal Points!"
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> With that, it zooms upwards, shrinking away quickly.
[13:20] * Sailor_Moon pants with exhaustion, looking up at the retreating spaceship with an expression of surprise. "Did... did we really do it?"
[13:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi's head spins as it vanishes, her body rocking terribly...
[13:22] * Sailor_Moon tries to control her shaking, drawing from her inner reserves to try to regain some of her lost energy.
[13:22] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[13:23] * Sailor_Mars refrains from any taunts, just feeling grateful that their foe gave up for now.
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> The last droid remains, almost insignifigant in the shining sunlight, now.
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[13:24] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 19."
[13:24] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 16."
[13:24] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 13."
[13:24] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[13:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[13:26] * Sailor_Uranus slashes at the remaining fiend with her Space Sword.
[13:26] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[13:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[13:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> It evades with a duck to the side, its colorful body pale in the light.
[13:28] * Sailor_Jupiter maintains her previous action as she continues to attempt to hit the droid with the Supreme Thunder Dragon.
[13:28] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[13:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Thunder Dragon hits the monster, sending it back and melting a large part of it away as it lands!
[13:36] * Sailor_Dragon shifts her attention to the remaining droid and unleashes a second "Flying Sword of the Dragon!"
[13:36] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[13:36] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slicing through the frozen Droid with ease, the attack turns it into a fading pile of dust and ice cream!
[13:42] * Sailor_Moon relaxes as the second droid falls. "Is that all? Anything else here?"
[13:42] <Sailor_Mars> Breathing heavily and slicked with sweat, Rei nonetheless manages a smile as the droid falls, turning her attention at the bright sky above. "We did it," she says proudly.
[13:42] * Sailor_Moon smiles tiredly. "Thank god for that... that was WAY harder than I expected."
[13:43] <Sailor_Mars> "That UFO... we'll have to do something about it," Rei sighs, "Next time..."
[13:44] <Sailor_Uranus> "We should have gotten it this time around," Haruka says with a sigh.
[13:44] * Sailor_Moon nods, taking up the Grail once again. "Next time, yeah. But for now, let's make sure they can't retake this point." Walking over towards the purified ice cream store, she focuses on the Grail's energy to form a shield like the one over Hikawa Shrine, if MUCH smaller in scope.
[13:44] * Sailor_Mars nods at Haruka, their failure to really affect the thing weighing heavily on her.
[13:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Usagi, Soul check, +1.
[13:45] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+1
[13:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+1 and gets 11."
[13:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, the energy flows from Usagi, the light of the Grail sealing off this portion of Tokyo from the corrupted whole!
[13:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Usagi is down another 20 EP, and...
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Grail vanishes back to Usagi's pocket as a groan escapes Usagi's lips, the guise of Sailor Moon vanishing as she falls to her knees, utterly drained from her massive output of energy for the second time in three days.
[13:52] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi!" Rei fights her own tiredness enough to rush to the blonde's side.
[13:53] <Sailor_Uranus> "Are you two okay?" Haruka asks worriedly coming to both Usagi and Rei's side.
[13:53] <Usagi-chan> "'m okay, Rei-chan," Usagi mumbles.
[13:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Come on, lean on me," Rei hoists one of Usagi's arms over her own shoulders. "Let's get back to the Shrine. I think we all could do with some rest."
[13:54] * Sailor_Jupiter nods with that statement, as she moves to help Usagi from the other side.
[13:54] * Usagi-chan struggles to her feet, letting Rei take some of her weight as she stands again. "A nap would be really good right now, yes." Usagi agrees fervently.
[13:55] <Sailor_Dragon> "Next time, I'll get that bleeder in the saucer, though." Herb promises.
[13:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you help Usagi get up... "Sailor MOON!" A familiar male voice calls from above, Tuxedo Kamen perched on a streetlamp above. With a nimble leap he traverses the distance, landing near Usagi. "You're alive!"
[13:55] <Sailor_Dragon> "Anyone fancy an ice cream?" Herb asks, then stops dead as Tuxedo Mask appears
[13:55] * Usagi-chan blinks in surprise, too stunned and exhausted to really do much more.
[13:56] * Sailor_Mars does much the same, seeing Tuxedo Kamen rather a change after getting used to the whole Endymion thing he had going.
[13:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rushing over to the exhausted Usagi, he sweeps her up in a vigorous hug. "Thank goodness," he says quickly, embracing the girl. "I thought you and the others were..." he says, hints of emotion in his voice.
[13:58] * Usagi-chan sighs, not at all in any shape to deal with this right now. "I'm... not who you think, Mamoru. It's a long story."
[13:58] <Sailor_Mars> "Hey, slow down!" Rei protests as Usagi is grabbed from her own arms. "She's not the Usagi you know."
[13:59] <Sailor_Uranus> "Who the heck is... this?" Haruka asks Herb and Makoto quietly with a puzzled frown.
[13:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What," he asks quietly, backing up just a bit from the embrace to look at Usagi. "Are you alright, Usako?"
[14:00] <Sailor_Mars> "She's not Usako," Rei shakes her head, "The Usagi you know is back at the Shrine. We're not from this world."
[14:00] * Usagi-chan slumps with exhaustion. "I'm not your... Usako, Mamoru. Like I said, it's a long story, and we need to go get some rest before anything else."
[14:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What," he repeats again, his mask's eye slots going clear enough to see his deeply blue eyes. "You're kidding...Usagi?" he asks, then glancing around, frowning at Sailors Uranus and Dragon. "And who are they?"
[14:02] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not kidding," Usagi says seriously. "But this isn't the time or the place to talk about it. You can come to the shrine with us, we'll be safe enough there."
[14:02] <Sailor_Mars> "Sailor Uranus and Dragon respectively," Rei explains wearily. "Like I said, we're from another world. The Sailor Senshi you know are injured and back at the Shrine."
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> He pauses, confusion written over his face before he glances up to the now sunny sky. "Alright, Usagi," he agrees, having no real other choice.
[14:06] * Usagi-chan glances back at the shielded store. "At least that's one more down... I just hope there aren't too many more to go."
[14:07] * Sailor_Mars moves up to support Usagi's tired body once more. "We'll have a lot to discuss at the Shrine, that's for sure," she says to Tuxedo Kamen.
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> He takes another look at you, but maintains a helpful shoulder for the tired rabbit. "Yes, Rei," he agrees, keeping his eyes on Usagi.
[14:09] * Sailor_Mars represses a sigh. With luck he'd understand after seeing his own Usagi at the Shrine.
[14:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:59] <Sailor_Mercury> While awaiting the return of her friends, and while keeping Chibi Usa in view, Ami reviews the information on the dark energy outside the barrier, contrasting it with her own aura, looking for ways that the light of her own energy could be hidden from detection within the dark energy.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Studying the readings while Chibi Usa stares quietly at the other senshi, the fundamentals of the problem are shown. As the city is laced with dark energy, your strongly positive and bright auras stand out like a lamp in the night.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> It would take some method of covering it more, making it look identical to the energy around the city, you think.
[12:03] * Sailor_Mercury thinks for a moment, pondering the problem while she calls up a rough schematic of the disguise pens on her screen, checking whether the basic principle could be applied to one's aura, as well as physical appearance.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> You get the result that the disguise magic applies to the minds of all who see you - it's an external effect to a degree, not an internal one. It would take a serious modification to work it into something that could hide your auras in this - the raw level of clashing would be hard to block out.
[12:13] <Sailor_Mercury> "Hmmm..." Ami says absently. "Not an ideal solution, but a serviceable last resort..." With that, she tries another tack, and asks the computer to pinpoint exactly how the dark energy is perceived, and work out a way to create an area of 'static' to drown out perception of either types of energy, hoping to work backwards from there, if she's successful.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dark energy is percieved as an opposite force to normal or 'positive' energy." To create a static area would take some work, as you computer chuffs along, working on it.
[12:22] <Sailor_Mercury> While waiting for the Mercury computer to finish working on that, Ami decides to give her knowledge of biology a try, and tries a scan to determine if the dark energy is percieved on a particular frequency or wavelength within the human brain that she can counter.
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Scanning...
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Scanning... working...
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the computer works on this problem, Chibi Usa turns to you from looking at the silent Minako. "Whatcha doing, Ami-chan?"
[12:47] * Sailor_Mercury looks up and smiles at the child. "Looking to see if I can find a way to hide us from the bad guys when we have to leave the barrier." she explains simply.
[12:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods, coming up to you and leaving Minako behind. "Could you take a break for a little bit, Ami-chan," Chibi Usa asks. "Ami-chan taught me how to play marbles... would you play with me?"
[13:00] * Sailor_Mercury blinks in surprise, but nods readily. "All right. The computer will be working for a while, anyway." she replies. "Though, I haven't played in a while. You'll have to go easy on me." she smiles.
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling back, "Okay, Ami-chan," she says, taking your hand to lead you outside.
[13:10] * Sailor_Mercury folds up the Mercury computer, but leaves it running, with instructions to notify her when it finishes the searches, and takes the child's hand, walking outside with her.
[13:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going outside, you see a set of clear glass marbles in the courtyard, Chibi Usa running over to them.
[13:21] * Sailor_Mercury walks over to where Chibi Usa is headed, and kneels down beside the group of little glass spheres, smiling a little as a few memories of playing with them as a child surface.
[09:05] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa smiles. "You... or Ami-chan," the girl frowns over it, but is used enough to the duality not to argue, "said this was fun because you could study the geometric lines of it or something."
[09:07] * Ami-chan smiles and nods. "That makes sense. My father taught me this game, but I couldn't get the hang of it until mother turned it into a geometry problem." Ami explains, grinning. "After that, it was easy."
[09:08] <Anastasia> "I don't know about that," Chibi Usa admits, "But I just like playing with the marbles." At that, she flicks a single marble at the others, the little glassy objects bouncing about.
[09:12] * Sailor_Mercury nods, blushing. "Perhaps I intellectualize the game too much, instead of just having fun with it." She admits. "I do that a lot." With that, she picks up one of the small glass spheres and takes aim, letting the marble fly, and sending it riccocheting off of three others.
[09:14] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa giggles at that. "Mina-chan kinda said that, too," she comments. "How Ami-chan was always thinking ahead of the street... what does that mean, Ami-chan," she pauses as she stumbles over Minako's unique way with words.
[09:20] <Sailor_Mercury> "If it's Mina-chan's expression, I haven't a clue." Ami replies dryly. "I can only guess she meant that I... or the other Ami was thinking ahead of the curve, or more deeply than anyone else might."
[09:22] <Anastasia> "Oh," Chibi Usa nods. "Both you and Mina-chan say a lot of things I don't get," the girl confesses as she shoots again. "Usually the other one explains what the other meant."
[09:26] * Sailor_Mercury blushes and nods. "I get that complaint a lot..." she admits as she takes a turn. "Usagi-chan asks me to repeat myself a lot, too."
[09:27] <Anastasia> Smiling a bit as she passes the shooter marble to Ami, "Usagi-chan... the first Usagi-chan, not the one like Mommy," she starts to frown, "said she didn't understand Ami sometimes, too."
[09:30] * Sailor_Mercury takes the shooter marble, and lines up another shot, and glances up at Chibi Usa, smiling slightly wistfully. "Sometimes I feel like no one does." She confesses to the child, then notes the frown. "Is something wrong?"
[09:31] <Anastasia> "Usagi-chan, that Usagi-chan," she says, meaning the one lying in the Shrine, nearly dead. "She... I don't think she wanted to understand Ami, though."
[09:32] <Sailor_Mercury> "Why do you think that?" Ami asks, taking her shot, then giving Chibi Usa back the marble.
[09:33] <Anastasia> "She just didn't. She never seemed to really care about what Ami-chan was saying," the girl tries to elaborate exactly what she means. "Usagi-chan... the one here, at least tries to understand you... or me..."
[09:37] * Sailor_Mercury pauses, and looks at the girl thoughtfully. "Are you sure about that?" she asks gently. "Obviously, you'd know what she's like more than I, but Usagi-chan IS still young yet." she observes. "Perhaps it only seems that way?"
[09:39] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa stops, looking up at you. "That Usagi... she's just mean and nasty. She's not like your Usagi, Ami-chan. She always steals my food, I don't think she treats her friends well... and I think she made Mamoru hate her."
[09:42] * Sailor_Mercury bites her lip, thinking. "That... doesn't sound like her." Ami admits. "Even before things began happening to us, Usagi-chan might have been a bit immature, but she was very kind... at least, the one I know was. Can you give me an example?"
[09:43] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa nods, looking at you still, even with slightly hurt eyes. "She'd always yell at me when I tried to get the last rice cake, or she'd leave me alone and go with her friends instead, and she tried to spank me," the girl goes on, sounding rather unhappy.
[09:46] * Sailor_Mercury blinks, and nods slowly. "Can I ask you something, Chibi Usa-chan?" Ami begins. "Have you seen how the Usagi I know talks to her younger brother?"
[09:48] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa nods. "They fight sometimes," she agrees.
[09:49] <Sailor_Mercury> "Is that how Usagi-chan yells at you?" Ami asks gently.
[09:50] <Anastasia> The girl frowns quite a bit at that, not replying at first. "...Kind of," she admits. "But... but... I don't know, Ami-chan. There's something different. Especially when I'm around Mamo-chan..."
[09:54] * Sailor_Mercury thinks, trying to mentally scale back her Usagi into the girl she first met, and as she does, a little suspicion begins to slip in. "Hmm... how does Mamoru-san behave toward you?" Ami asked thoughtfully, a tiny corner of her mind dreading following this through to its conclusion.
[09:55] <Anastasia> "He likes me and treats me nice... like taking me for ice cream or spending time in his apartment," she replies to you. "He's really nice to me, Ami-chan." Chibi Usa's smile brightens at this, obviously a nice point.
[09:58] * Sailor_Mercury nods and smiles at Chibi Usa. "And you enjoy spending time with him, too." she supplies, patting the child's hand. "Usagi-chan... you know how she feels about Mamoru-san, right?"
[09:59] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa nods once. "She wants him to take her back... Mamo-chan said he broke up with her," she nods. "Usagi-chan really didn't like that... she was always kind of mean to me after talking about it."
[10:01] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "Why do you think she didn't like it?" Ami asks, feeling her way through the situation from Chibi Usa's perspective.
[10:02] <Anastasia> "Um..." Chibi Usa starts, thinking. "Because she was jealous of me? That's what Mako-chan said to me one time."
[10:03] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "Think about it like this. You like Mamoru-san a great deal, ne?"
[10:06] <Anastasia> Nodding to Ami, "Yeah. He's really cool."
[10:08] <Sailor_Mercury> "How might you feel if another little girl came along, and Mamoru-san started spending time with her, too?" Ami suggested. "How would you feel about her?"
[10:10] <Anastasia> "I'd..." Chibi Usa stops, looking at you again. "I'd want Mamo-chan to spend time with me."
[10:11] * Sailor_Mercury smiles. "Of course." She agrees. "He's special to you. But if he's special to the other little girl, too?"
[10:12] <Anastasia> The girl frowns deeply yet again, processing that. "I'd want Mamo-chan all to myself," she ventures.
[10:15] * Sailor_Mercury stifles laughter, and simply smiles. "Which might be how Usagi-chan feels, ne?" she suggests. "Mamoru-san only is one person. Perhaps she feels left out by the attention you receive?"
[10:18] <Anastasia> "Yes, but...Mamo-chan said he doesn't want to see her any more, ever," Chibi Usa confesses.
[10:20] * Sailor_Mercury winces. "She must be very sad."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's not happy," Chibi Usa agrees with Ami.
[10:38] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "It's not right, but she may simply be taking her frustrations out on you." Ami offers. "She may not even realize she's doing it."
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Maybe," Chibi Usa frowns again. "But... Usagi here and Mamo-chan aren't together, either, and Usagi isn't like that."
[10:44] * Sailor_Mercury stiffens, unsure how to reply to that. "Our Usagi-chan has a good reason for that, though." Ami says carefully, wincing inwardly.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess," Chibi Usa sighs. "But... It's... this Usagi is like Mommy, but the other one acts like she hates me." The girl sniffles. "I just don't understand it."
[10:49] * Sailor_Mercury sighs, patting Chibi Usa in what she hopes is a comforting manner. "How to explain..." she wonders aloud. "Have you ever wondered what things would be like, if you did something differently than how it already has turned out?" Ami asks, wondering if Chibi Usa will grasp the concept she's trying to guide her to.
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, like if I hadn't gotten caught trying to sneak out of my room, or if..." Chibi Usa stops, then just nods. "Yeah.""
[10:51] <Sailor_Mercury> "Alright." Ami replies, smiling. "Do you think a Chibi Usa who did something differently would be very much like you?"
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa thinks this over for a bit, before repyling hesitantly. "She might be?"
[10:53] * Sailor_Mercury nods, smiling encouragingly. "Right. And different things would happen to both you and her, because of it, right?"
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "I think so, Ami-chan." The pink haired girl doesn't sound too sure of herself, though.
[10:58] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "For example, say you did something that you got grounded for." Ami begins, struggling to keep it simple. "Another Chibi Usa, somwhere else, didn't. So, while you stayed at home, the other Chibi Usa goes out to play, and meets a little boy... and because she met him that day, she grows up, and eventually marries him, while you don't even know who he was..." Ami smiles sheepishly at Chibi Usa. "Am I being too complicated?
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The little pink rabbit fumbles around with that mentally, before finally nodding. "I... think I do, Ami-chan." Her voice hints at otherwise, though.
[11:03] * Sailor_Mercury smiles at the little girl, patting her hand. "I'll try and simplify it." she offers. "See the way the marbles are lined up, here?" She points to the shooter marble, and two possible targets.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Ami-chan?" Chibi Usa looks down at the nearly forgotten marbles.
[11:06] <Sailor_Mercury> "If I shoot at this one..." Ami gestures, "That sets me up well for the next shot, right? But if I shoot at the other..." She pauses and points to the one in the least desirable position, "It's not as good for the next one, right?"
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa nods. "I see that, Ami-chan."
[11:07] <Sailor_Mercury> "So, depending on which I choose to shoot at, the choice I make right now could mean I either win or lose the game, right?"
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah." Chibi Usa stares down, starting to smile. "Do you mean that if I did something different, something different would result?"
[11:09] * Sailor_Mercury beams and pats Chibi Usa. "That's it exactly."
[11:10] <Sailor_Mercury> "It's the same way with people." Ami goes on. "Different choices mean different results. In this case, two different Usagi-chans."
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So... one's mean and the other is nice," she sums it up a bit.
[11:13] * Sailor_Mercury snickers softly. "Somewhat oversimplifying, but basically." She agrees.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So... there could a Sailor Mercury who slept all day in school and failed a lot," Chibi Usa runs with the idea, her eyes glowing softly as her mind works.
[11:15] * Sailor_Mercury twitches. "I would hope not, but yes, it's possible." Ami agrees slowly.
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's funny," she says. "There could be all sorts of funny things then, couldn't there? Could there even be things like Mako-chan being a boy or Mamo-chan still being with Usagi-chan?"
[11:17] * Sailor_Mercury begins to blush at the thought of a male Makoto, and nods. "Absolutely."
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl thinks, sitting down and looking at the marbles again. "Maybe somewhere where I was a lady and me and Mommy were happy together?"
[11:21] * Sailor_Mercury blinks, and smiles. "Maybe." she agrees. "Maybe even for you, Chibi Usa-chan." She observes, smiling softly.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you play down that comment, the sound of an approaching group gets Chibi Usa's attention, a gaggle of tired girls and one Tuxedo Kamen come up the Shrine stairs, Usagi being helped by Tuxedo Kamen and Rei.
[11:25] * Sailor_Mercury blinks, and stands quickly, taking Chibi Usa's hand, and hurrying over to the group. "Are you all all right?"
[11:26] * Usagi-chan staggers up the last few stairs of the shrine, grumbling all the way. "I swear you keep putting in more steps when I'm not looking, Rei..."
[11:26] <Sailor_Mars> "Really, really tired, Ami-chan," Rei smiles at the blue haired girl, "But we did it." She briefly turns to Usagi, "Hush, you, you're pretty much being carried anyway," she remonstrates fondly.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa dashes ahead, seeing Tuxedo Kamen.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Chibi Usa-chan," Mamoru speaks up, looking at the little girl. "I'm glad you're safe - I was looking for you."
[11:27] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, yeah," Usagi smiles a bit at that, taking a bit more of her own weight as she sees Chibi Usa heading straight for one of her supports.
[11:28] * Sailor_Mercury smiles back and relaxes, raising her eyebrows at the new addition warily.
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I missed you," she says quietly, coming up to him and hugging him. "Tuxedo Kamen... are you really Mamo-chan?"
[11:29] * Sailor_Mars blinks before recalling that Chibi Usa said she had only just discovered the senshi's identities before the incident on the bridge.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling down and putting one gloved hand on the little girl, "Yes, Chibi Usa-chan," he confirms gently. "It's good to see you again."
[11:33] * Usagi-chan watches the two with a smile, taking her arm off the two shoulders holding her up. "I think I can stand on my own now," she tells Rei.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still being hugged, Mamoru gently lets Usagi go to Rei, kneeling down next to Chibi Usa. "I... was lonely, Mamo-chan," the girl says. "So much happened..."
[11:33] * Sailor_Mars nods, stepping away from Usagi so she can bear her own weight - and kind of relieved since she's pretty tired herself.
[11:35] <Sailor_Uranus> "You need help there, Rei, or can you make it on your own?" Haruka asks, while trailing behind her.
[11:35] * Sailor_Mercury eyes Rei and Usagi, and sighs inwardly. "We should all get inside..." she urges gently. "You two look like you're about to pass out."
[11:35] * Usagi-chan sighs. "You're not far off there, Ami-chan..." She gives the blue-haired senshi a smile.
[11:36] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm fine," Rei waves dismissively to Haruka, before covering a yawn with her hand. "Yeah," she nods to Ami. "Let's just get Mamoru-san inside so he can see his own Usagi and then we can take a nap or something." She yawns again.
[11:38] * Sailor_Mercury nods, and heads toward the building, glancing over her shoulder at the others, and smiling slightly at Chibi Usa as she goes.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen follows along, Chibi Usa in tow as you enter. On entering Rei's bedroom, he observes the five girls with wide, disbelieving eyes even as he goes to Usagi. "What happened?" he asks as he kneels down to her, feeling her forehead.
[11:49] * Usagi-chan sighs. "They were sucked into some kind of void... we only managed to get them out of it yesterday, and they're very weak right now. They're not dead, but... I have no idea how or when they're going to wake up," she admits.
[11:49] <Sailor_Mars> "We hope they just need time to recover," Rei supplies.
[11:50] * Sailor_Mercury moves off to the side while Usagi and Rei explain, and takes out her computer, checking the progress on the tasks she gave it earlier.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usako," he murmurs, running a hand down her cheek. "How did... how did you end up here, then?"
[11:53] <Sailor_Mars> "That rift weakened the barrier between our dimension and this one," Rei explains. "Any powerful release of energy could send someone through - which is what happened to Chibi Usa. Now all the negative energy in this Tokyo is threatening our world, so we had to come do something about it."
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen nods to that. "And... you don't know if she'll recover or when?"
[11:56] * Sailor_Mars looks downcast. "No. We just don't know enough about what's happened to them. And nothing we've tried seems to help, either..."
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods simply, putting her down gently. "All of them... we have a lot to talk about, then," he says, standing again. Chibi Usa is still close to him, though looking strangely disturbed by Mamoru's actions.
[11:59] * Usagi-chan takes a seat on Rei's bed, mostly looking for somewhere to take the weight off her still-shaky legs. "I'd say so... but it's going to have to wait. I'm about to pass out - the Grail takes a lot out of me."
[12:00] * Sailor_Mercury looks up at that. "Your room is ready, Usagi. I... guessed that would be the case."
[12:00] <Sailor_Mars> "We can sleep in one of the spare rooms," Rei suggests. "It'd be bad if Yuuichiro came in here and saw two Usagi Tsukinos..."
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The Grail? What about the Crystal," Tuxedo Kamen can't help but ask at that.
[12:01] * Usagi-chan nods. "That's fine." With an effort she gets back to her feet. "I'll tell you about it once I get up, Mamoru - it's a long story and I'm not up to telling the whole thing right now."
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thoughtfully, he takes that on face value for now, going back to Usagi - his Usagi.
[12:02] * Usagi-chan nods. "Lead the way, Rei-chan."
[12:03] * Sailor_Mars smiles a bit at the concern he's showing for his Usagi, taking her own blonde's hand and leading her to one of the Shrine's guest rooms.
[12:04] * Usagi-chan sighs as the pair head through the shrine. "It's going to be weird trying to explain everything to him, Rei-chan. He'll want more details than Chibi Usa did."
[12:06] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah," Rei nods. "I'm kind of curious about what makes this world different myself, but we can deal with it later. I'm too tired to really focus on it," she complains, entering the unoccupied room,
[12:07] <Usagi-chan> "I'll second that," Usagi says tiredly. "Right now I just want a nice, long nap... hopefully with someone to hold on to." She gives Rei a smile.
[12:09] * Sailor_Mars smiles after closing the door, sparing a brief second to detransform and sighing afterwards. "Hopefully we won't be disturbed anyway. Sleeping as Sailor Mars just feels wrong somehow," she comments as she takes off her outer layers of clothing.
[12:10] * Usagi-chan nods. undressing in similar fashion herself. "I know what you mean... it's just nice to be able to relax as myself." That done, she stretches out on the room's lone bed with a groan. "I feel like I could sleep for a week," she adds with a yawn.
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "No such luck," Rei complains, getting into bed herself. "But we're definitely due a vacation after this is over," she adds, cuddling up to the blonde.
[12:12] <Usagi-chan> "Mmm..." Usagi says drowsily, her eyes already starting to drift closed. "A week in Okinawa... maybe a month. I could go for that."
[12:12] * Rei-chan makes a mumbled noise of agreement, swiftly drifting off into sleep herself.
-------
[12:04] * Sailor_Mercury sits down nearby, and refocuses her attention on her computer, turning her thoughts back to her project.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your computer has finished working. Results? 'Hiding the aura would require a fair amont of magical energy molded into a static field. Such a variable source of power could come from a reasonably powerful source of magic, or an accomplished mage.'
[12:13] * Sailor_Mercury smiles to herself. "That's the easy part." she murmurs. "Now, how can we go about making one?" She asks herself softly, checking the computer for relevant details in the database. While she's at it, she checks the exact requirements, to make sure the strain wouldn't be too much.
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Making one looks to be reasonably difficult, but not impossible. From a rough look, the requirements are basically a good source of power and the right focus. Usagi could do it with the Grail, you'd imagine.
[12:18] * Sailor_Mercury checks whether the field itself is self-sustainable, or requires constant power and attention.
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's semi-sustaining - it'll require a trickle of energy from a source to keep going, but it's not a power hog.
[12:23] <Sailor_Mercury> "Hmmm." Ami mumbles. "Looks good..." She smiles to herself and nods, feeling much better about their chances now. To appease her curiousity, she doublechecks the possiblity of of technologically duplicating the effect, just in case, before she closes her computer.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a short spurt of processing, "Not viable under current conditions."
[12:25] * Sailor_Mercury nods to herself and closes up her computer, mentally reminding herself to bring it up later, while moving off to occupy her time while her friends nap.

[Halbarad]

[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> For Sailors Dragon, Jupiter, Uranus and Mercury, the day passes by quietly enough. Rei and Usagi sleep it away, both exhausted. In fact, naps seem to the order of things for all concerned, finally a chance to rest up.
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thus, the day passes by. Sailor Jupiter notes that more canned goods will be needed soon, as there is only enough for another day and half or so.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Later in the afternoon, with a cup of cool tea, Haruka sits outside. There is a nice breeze today, pleasant and warm. It's the sort of afternoon on a normal day you'd just watch go by... then again, normal days don't have all of Tokyo contaiminated, or the ghostly image of Cyprine appearing in front of them, flicking but there.
[12:47] * Sailor_Uranus blinks for a second, unsure if she's really seeing what she's seeing. "Cyprine...?" Haruka asks puzzled at first. "Is something up?"
[12:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...Haruka..." Cyprine says, her voice somewhat distant. "Yes... we've managed to penetrate the divide again... how are things progressing here?"
[12:50] <Sailor_Uranus> "As good as can be expected," Haruka begins with a smile at the ghostly image. "We've recovered the senshi here and managed to purify two Crystal Points, though this world's senshi are incapacitated at the moment."
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Excellent..." The image flickers again, like a TV image that's not quite coming in right. "Professor Tomoe says that the energy around the world is starting to fluctuate downward... and..."
[12:52] * Sailor_Uranus waits for the next word to drop. "And...?" she prompts.
[12:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...And... Professor Tomoe has been working on defenses should it spill over..." The image blinks, vanishing a moment before reappearing. Cyprine looks pale and wan now, shaking. "Can't... have to go now. The energy is trying to rise again..."
[12:54] <Sailor_Uranus> "Thanks for delivering the message, Cyprine. I'll pass it on to Usagi when she awakens," Haruka assures the flickering image.
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> You're not sure if your message was heard, the girl fading away right after she spoke.
[12:56] * Sailor_Uranus stands after the image vanishes and decides to head on in to see if Usagi might be awake to pass the message to.
[12:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going inside and with a bit of poking around, you find Usagi and Rei. Curled up together and snoring softly, the two girls still slumber.
[13:00] * Sailor_Uranus decides to slip back out as quietly as possible, leaving the pair to their rest, figuring the news could wait for them to wake on their own. Haruka heads towards the kitchen to see about helping herself to a second cup of tea.
[13:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a long rest, Rei and then a little while later Usagi wake up, and the group eats a quiet dinner. By this time, you've gathered in the temple living room and it's about 8 PM. Chibi Usa sits next to Tuxedo Kamen (who at least shed his hat), the rest of the girls gathering as well.
[13:04] * Sailor_Moon enters the living room, looking considerably better than earlier in the afternoon - if still a bit tired. "Hey guys."
[13:04] * Sailor_Mars echoes Usagi's greeting, mostly interested in getting some food inside herself.
[13:05] <Sailor_Dragon> "Good evening, your majesty." says Herb.
[13:05] <Sailor_Uranus> "Oh good. You're finally up," Haruka remarks on seeing Usagi. "I had a visit from a cute messenger today."
[13:06] * Sailor_Mars blinks at Haruka.
[13:06] * Sailor_Moon blinks as she takes a seat on the couch. "A messenger?"
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Usagi," Tuxedo Kamen chips in, Chibi Usa doing the same shortly.
[13:06] * Sailor_Moon smiles over at Chibi Usa, waiting for more from Haruka.
[13:07] * Sailor_Uranus nods at that. "Cyprine."
[13:07] <Sailor_Moon> "Oh, so she came again? What did she have to say?" Usagi asks.
[13:07] * Sailor_Mars looks momentarily worried before settling again as she realises they mean their own Cyprine, not this world's analogue.
[13:08] * Sailor_Uranus thinks for a bit to get the exact wording down. "Professor Tomoe says that the energy around the world is starting to fluctuate downward and he's also been working on defenses should it spill over." she says, quoting Cyprine's words.
[13:09] * Sailor_Moon sighs with relief. "That's good to hear... I was hoping some of what we've done was having an effect there."
[13:09] * Sailor_Mars smiles. "Yeah, I wonder how many Crystal Points are left...? We must be making some dent in them."
[13:10] * Sailor_Moon looks over at Mamoru at that. "Do you know where the others are?"
[13:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You mean the places where the dark energy was gathering," Tuxedo Kamen interjects. "Like where we met today?"
[13:13] <Sailor_Mars> "That's it," Rei nods. "And pretty much anything you can tell us about what's happened here since this world's senshi were sucked into that rift could be helpful."
[13:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," he agrees, looking at all of you with his mask eyes transparent, showing his intense blue eyes. "But first, I would like to hear about you. Where did you come from? Why? What difference is there between you and this set of girls?"
[13:16] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "We don't know all the differences ourselves... all we know is that Chibi Usa showed up in our world, knowing who we were, and looking for our help."
[13:17] * Sailor_Mars nods. "Without knowing much about this world, we can't really pinpoint all the differences."
[13:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning to you with slighly narrow and interested eyes that shine with an inner light, "Why don't we start at the beginning, then? There have to be some simliarities if you're here and as Sailor Senshi."
[13:18] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "How far back do we have to go?"
[13:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Let's start at the beginning," he agrees, taking control of the conversation as his inner curiousity takes hold. "Does the Silver Millenium mean anything to you?"
[13:19] <Sailor_Moon> "Definitely. That's where we're all from, originally." Usagi nods.
[13:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods back. "As Princess Serenity, the Princesses of the planets and as Endymion, Prince of the Earth?"
[13:22] * Sailor_Moon nods. "How much of it do you remember yourself?" Usagi asks, curious if he's as linked to his memories of Endymion as her own Mamoru was.
[13:22] <Sailor_Mars> "Earth wasn't part of the Silver Millenium in our dimension," Rei pipes up interestedly. "So does that mean the Dark Kingdom didn't happen here?"
[13:23] <Sailor_Dragon> "I'm the senshi of Draco," Herb offers. "Not one of the planets, nor a princess of the Silver Millennium."
[13:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shakes his head to Rei. "I don't entirely remember the finer points of the politics of that era," he admits. "The Dark Kingdom did come... Beryl destroyed the kingdom, only Queen Serenity's valiant use of the Silver Crystal to seal away the darkness and send us into the future saved us."
[13:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods to Herb. "That's interesting... more Sailors past our solar system?"
[13:24] <Sailor_Mars> "Ah," Rei deflates a bit, "That's exactly what happened with us."
[13:24] * Sailor_Moon thinks for a minute, then addresses the tuxedoed man in Lunarian. <Does this mean anything to you?>
[13:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen looks at Usagi blankly. "What did you just say?" he asks, not following.
[13:25] * Sailor_Moon smiles slightly. "I see you don't remember as much as Mamoru did in our world. That's the ancient Lunar language."
[13:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's it," he asks, surprised. "I don't remember anything but speaking Japanese back then," he admits to you, sounding interested.
[13:28] * Sailor_Mars nods, "That's what it was like with my memories - my brain just interpreted it as Japanese since that's what I understand now. I've mostly relearnt Lunarian from Usagi and Ami."
[13:28] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Ami-chan and I really started learning it again at the beginning of this year, and we're both pretty fluent with it now."
[13:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling a bit at that image, he brushes it aside. "Regardless... how did you become Sailor Moon again? Were you the first one to wake up?"
[13:30] * Sailor_Mars deflates, thinking of Minako at that... but she remains silent.
[13:32] <Sailor_Moon> "Not counting Sailor V, yes. Luna found me and I defeated a youma at the Osa-P shop that night." Usagi has a faraway look in her eyes. "Seems like years ago now."
[13:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's what Usagi said her first battle was," Mamoru reminisces a bit. "You found Sailor Mercury at a cram school, and then Sailor Mars a little while later at her Shrine?"
[13:33] <Sailor_Mars> "Jadeite was kidnapping people on buses?" Rei inquires.
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," he nods, remembering back to when he was but unaware of his powers. "I drove you, Usagi and the rest of the buses out of that pocket dimension."
[13:34] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Same thing happened in our world. Jadeite at the airport right afterwards?" she asks.
[13:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A little, yes. Usagi mentioned a cruise ship incident as well before that," he thinks, glancing at Ami and Rei. "And then a big battle at the airport after Jadeite called Sailor Moon out."
[13:35] <Sailor_Mars> "Wow, this world really is a lot like ours," Rei comments. "I wonder when the differences start..."
[13:36] <Sailor_Moon> "Let's jump ahead a little then, since it sounds the same so far. Did Naru and Nephrite get together just before he died in this world?" Usagi asks, with a hint of pain in her eyes.
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen shakes his head. "Not until the end of Jadeite, I'm guessing, at least?" He stops then, replying to Usagi instead. "Yes...I wasn't there for the last battle, but Nephrite died protecting Naru."
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles at Usagi, catching her pain. "Usagi still regrets that a bit, even now. She felt like she let Naru down."
[13:38] * Sailor_Moon nods, frowning a bit. "Jupiter showed up just after that, and then we had all the fun with the rainbow crystals and Zoicite. Did you end up at... at Starlight Tower?" Usagi asks hesitantly, the memory still a painful one for her.
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sobering up quickly at the mention of that, he nods. "We ended up there, me and you. I found out you were Sailor Moon... then I was injured and kidnapped." He turns away. "Fron this point, I mostly only have what Usagi told me, I don't remember it very well."
[13:40] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath and nods - then looks up in surprise. "You DON'T remember it?"
[13:40] * Sailor_Mars nods sympathetically. "The Mamoru in our world remembers it all... it, changed him..."
[13:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not very well - only bits, and a scene at the very end." He stops there, looking at Rei. "He does... is that why he isn't here," he asks outright, sounding a touch shaken.
[13:41] * Sailor_Moon nods slowly. "It... has a lot to do with it, yeah." Usagi lowers her gaze, unable to look at the man in the tuxedo at the moment.
[13:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks at you with weak eyes, but he moves on for now. "I see... from what I understand, the Crystal came when I was hurt, and Usagi woke up as the Princess."
[13:42] <Sailor_Mars> "He..." Rei is unsure how to really say this, "He took some time to recover... and when he did, he wasn't really Mamoru anymore. He turned completely into the Endymion he had been in the past."
[13:43] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head at Rei's words. "We can get to that later, though. But yes, that was when I first turned into the princess and got the ginzuishou."
[13:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What?" Mamoru whips around to Rei at that comment. "He was Endymion?" Raising a hand right after, "Usagi is right..." A deep breath. "We'll go over that later."
[13:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A few days from that, Usagi was depressed over what happened, so Minako took her to a beauty shop, which was a Dark Kingdom attempt to find Sailor Moon."
[13:45] * Sailor_Moon blinks. "Doesn't sound familiar at all to me. I was down in the dumps for a few days, so Mom took me to a hot spring in the mountains and Rei came along. There was a fight, and Mom was almost killed." Usagi really looks down at that admission.
[13:45] * Sailor_Mars winces.
[13:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That didn't come until later here," he says. "At least the hot springs, Usagi didn't mention her mother being hurt...and I'm sorry, Usagi-chan. So it's there that it diverges?"
[13:46] * Sailor_Moon nods slowly. "Sounds like it. I stayed at the hospital with Mom for almost two weeks while she recovered... I don't really like remembering much of that though." Usagi looks uncomfortable even mentioning it.
[13:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hodding sympathetically, he smiles gently at you - a smile you remember very well. "From what I recall, those two weeks were filled with Kunzite trying to capture and find Sailor Moon, and myself as Dark Prince Mamoru sticking my nose in where it didn't belong."
[13:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Our Mamoru and Kunzite attacked the Shrine right before Usagi came back, and we managed to purify you of Beryl's control then," Rei supplies.
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles at that. "They said they saved me when the Dark Kingdom went after the Seven Great Youma again, but Beryl took me right back with a portal."
[13:50] <Sailor_Mars> "Ah," Rei nods, "Beryl tried that but I stopped her in the nick of time. But she was able to figure out our identities by spying on the Shrine after that..."
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That must have been terrible," he says. "But... things were nearly over at that point in my world. After another battle, the girls found D-Point in Antarctica and invaded the Dark Kingdom," he explains.
[13:52] <Sailor_Mars> "Antarctica?" Rei looks very interested, "The Dark Kingdom was on the Moon in our world."
[13:52] * Sailor_Moon nods. "We ended up walking into a trap there, and ALMOST getting killed, but Mother managed to save all of us. But while we were gone, Metallia opened a portal to Earth and set up in Juuban."
[13:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Another turn to Sailor Moon, this one shocked again. "On the Moon? How was that? Queen Serenity sealed them?"
[13:53] <Sailor_Mars> "They were sealed, in the dead ruins of what they coveted," Rei frowns, not at all enjoying the memories of the final battles against the Dark Kingdom.
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Strange," he murmurs. "The Moon was left as a ruin, not as the seal where they were. I can't imagine Queen Serenity would disgrace her kingdom by that," he says slowly, chewing it over.
[13:54] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "There are some details I won't go into, but we ended up defeating Beryl and Metallia on top of Tokyo Tower - at which point the silver crystal vanished, and I haven't seen it since."
[13:55] * Sailor_Mars gives Usagi a grateful look for her tact. 'Thanks.'
[13:55] * Sailor_Moon smiles slightly, her eyes flickering over to Rei for a moment. 'Not something they need to know.'
[13:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's gone..." he just shakes his head at that. "But... the battle with the Dark Kingdom went differently in this world. Did...any of you die in it?" he asks delicately.
[13:56] <Sailor_Dragon> "Die?" Herb says. "My dear Mamoru, that's the last thing I would ever do."
[13:56] * Sailor_Moon looks very surprised at that. "No, not even really close. We're all here, aren't we?" She glances around at her friends.
[13:56] <Sailor_Mars> "None of us died, no," Rei answers tightly.
[13:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In the final battle," he looks down. "Rei, Minako, Ami, Makoto, myself, and then Sailor Moon at the very end as Metallia died... we all died." He looks away. "The last thing I remember as Dark Prince Mamoru was hurting Usagi, but then she broke the control just before I perished."
[13:58] <Sailor_Mars> "Did the silver crystal bring them back?" Rei asks.
[13:58] * Sailor_Moon winces at the thought of having to fight Mamoru herself. "No... Endymion was under Metallia's control again during the last battle, but I purified him before Metallia attacked. He never really got a chance to do much - Beryl died too fast."
[13:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods at that, a small smile at that last bit of news. "The Silver Crystal revived us but wiped our memories, placing us back as if we never woke up."
[14:00] <Sailor_Mars> "But obviously you got your memories back..." Rei prods.
[14:00] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Nothing like that happened to us... we all remembered all of it."
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi's dying wish was to live as a normal girl and not fight anymore," he goes on, quietly. "She got it, until there was another threat."
[14:00] * Sailor_Moon looks curious. "How long was that?"
[14:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Two months. Two aliens, Alan and Ann, came to this planet and began collecting energy for their tree." he says. "At first, only Usagi recovered, but soon enough all of the girls did."
[14:02] * Sailor_Moon snorts. "I wish we'd had two months to rest." She shakes her head. "It wasn't even two days after Metallia died before we were fighting again."
[14:02] <Sailor_Mars> "Alan and Ann are in our world, but we had plenty of trouble before they arrived," Rei nods, sighing at the memory of December.
[14:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They came that soon," he asks, surprised. "Or did something else happen?"
[14:03] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Alan and Ann didn't show up until about March for us. No, this was something else. I went back to the Moon to talk to Mother one last time before she died, and while I was there a bunch of criminals from the Silver Millenium escaped their prison."
[14:03] <Sailor_Mars> "Jadeite as well - Beryl used the prison herself," Rei supplies as an afterthought.
[14:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> That gets a stunned silence from him, needing at least twenty good seconds to focus this thoughts. "Queen Serenity was still alive?" he asks, starting at the top.
[14:05] <Sailor_Moon> "Barely. She'd been hiding on the Moon since the fall of the Silver Millenium itself. When she saved us on the Moon originally, she tried to talk all of us out of fighting, but we wouldn't listen." Usagi sighs.
[14:05] * Sailor_Mars blushes and remains silent, not having been around for any of that.
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why would she do that, Usagi? Why would she tell you not to fight Metallia?" Now quite thrown, he prods the rabbit.
[14:06] <Sailor_Moon> "She was convinced there was no way we could defeat her," Usagi says simply. "She offered to hide the rest of us there on the Moon with her, but we weren't willing to let Metallia have her way on Earth so we refused and went back to fight."
[14:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But... Usagi mentioned that when they saw Queen Serenity in that other world, she encouraged them..." he looks down a moment. "When I saw her a moment before we were all sent back after the final battle with Metallia, she said we'd done well."
[14:09] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head sadly. "I don't know what was different, but she was completely shocked when I went back to the Moon and told her Metallia had been defeated."
[14:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shakes his head, having trouble processing it. "I can't imagine that. She even looked so happy at hearing Usagi's wish... what happened to her in your world?"
[14:12] <Sailor_Moon> "I wish I knew... she died soon after I went back to see her, so we never got much of a chance to talk." Usagi sighs a bit. "She said she was proud of me and told me to take care of the Kingdom - to put it to rest."
[14:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But the Moon Kingdom was just a memory then, like all the other kingdoms," he protests, then sighs. "What was there to put to rest?"
[14:14] <Sailor_Mars> "A bunch of angry criminals," Rei snorts.
[14:14] * Sailor_Moon smirks at that. "Which we did, even if it wasn't very easy."
[14:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That," he agrees, remembering Usagi's words. "What were they?"
[14:15] <Sailor_Moon> "A group of criminals from the Silver Millenium that for whatever reason, couldn't be or weren't executed for their crimes. And Jadeite as well, apparently Beryl put him in there with the others."
[14:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> He just sighs again. "I don't recall anything like that, and Usagi never said a word about it. We had a long conversation, all of us, trying to remember everything we could about the past."
[14:17] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, we all remember a fair bit, but... our Endymion remembers everything," Rei comes back to that point, since it fits into the current part of the timeline they're going over.
[14:17] * Sailor_Moon closes her eyes for a few moments. "It's something I'd rather forget, at least for most of it. Having friends nearly die and having people you once called your friends die in front of you isn't exactly fun."
[14:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, waiting for Usagi to go on and explain things.
[14:19] * Sailor_Moon goes on after a few moments. "I'm not going to go into a lot of the details, but we probably fought as hard trying to take care of all those criminals as we did for the entire reign of the Dark Kingdom. We were all completely stressed out by the time it was over."
[14:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods again, thinking. "And without the Crystal, no less. But you won in the end, I see."
[14:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah," Rei sighs, "We hardly came out unscathed, but we all survived at least."
[14:25] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I got a big chunk of my memories of the Silver Millenium back towards the end." She glances over at Chibi Usa for a moment, remembering Setsuna's words. "It was shortly after that that I decided to disobey Mother's last wishes, and Ami-chan and I started to restore the palace on the Moon."
[14:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, though looks quiet then. "But... then... what of Sailor Venus? I haven't seen her?"
[14:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Then turning to Usagi, "You're rebuilding the Moon Kingdom?" he asks with some interest. "How?"
[14:26] * Sailor_Mars winces. "She... passed away, recently," she whispers, staring down at her hands.
[14:27] * Sailor_Moon goes quiet at that, looking down a bit. "She died in a car accident just a little over a week ago," she explains.
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see... I'm sorry, Rei, Usagi." He shakes his head. "Not even as a Sailor, but in a freak accident."
[14:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah..." Rei whispers, her eyes misting. "After everything else that happened..."
[14:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "At least she's at peace now, I hope," he nods, going on.
[14:28] * Sailor_Moon caresses Rei's back gently, feeling her girlfriend's pain. "That's what we hope as well."
[14:29] <Sailor_Mars> "Yes..." Rei says simply, having trouble finding her voice.
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> He lets it sit a moment, then forges on. "And... then Alan and Ann came, Usagi?"
[14:32] * Sailor_Moon nods. "A few months ago, yeah. Showed up as transfer students at Juuban Middle, and they were using cardians to attack us."
[14:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "From what I gathered, that's about how they went about it here, too. I wasn't awakened until the very end of that," he admits.
[14:34] <Sailor_Moon> "Well, Endymion was around for most of that, but we didn't see much of him at all. It was shortly after they showed up..." She looks up at Mamoru, not sure whether she should go on.
[14:34] * Sailor_Mars looks up at Usagi, anticipating where she's going.
[14:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks back at you, interested. "What did Endymion do," he asks outright. "Was he with you...and for that matter," he muses, interested. "Is he still with you?"
[14:35] * Sailor_Mars flushes. 'That's the big question, alright... are we going to tell him?' she mentally asks her love.
[14:35] * Sailor_Moon lowers her gaze. "No, he's not. I broke up with him shortly after Alan and Ann showed up." 'I have to, Rei-chan. How long do you think I could hide it?'
[14:36] <Sailor_Mars> 'I know. I'm just worried it could hurt his relationship with the other Usagi...' Rei thinks worriedly.
[14:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> He flinches a bit, then to your surprise, laughs darkly. "Funny how that worked out," he can't help but admit, shaking his head. "Does that mean Alan succeeded in sweeping you off your feet?"
[14:37] * Sailor_Mars glances at Makoto. "Alan was interested in Usagi?" she asks in surprise.
[14:38] <Sailor_Moon> "Alan? Me?" Usagi looks shocked. "He wasn't interested in me at all." She gestures to Makoto. "You'd need to talk to Mako-chan about that."
[14:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. still smiling a bit oddly. "Head over heels with her, as Ann was with myself," he shakes his head. "He wasn't in your world, I'm gues-" Mamoru turns to Makoto. "Makoto instead?"
[14:40] * Sailor_Moon nods, grinning a little. "Yup... and still is, to tell the truth. They've been going out for a few months now."
[14:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> He raises an eyebrow at that, still looking on at Makoto. "Really? Alan and Ann didn't get back together... in fact, they're still on Earth?"
[14:41] * Sailor_Jupiter nods. "Yeah, they're still attending school and everything."
[14:41] <Sailor_Moon> "They ended up planting their tree up on the Moon," Usagi nods.
[14:41] <Sailor_Jupiter> "And I'm still going out with Alan," Makoto replies with a happy smile, thinking of Alan.
[14:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shaking his head in amusement, he smiles. "I'm glad things worked out for them, at least. And Ann?"
[14:43] * Sailor_Dragon looks shifty. "I'm dating Ann..." she says.
[14:43] * Sailor_Jupiter stops from responding as Herb responds himself.
[14:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru nods again, pleased at that news. "Good. Has anything else happened," he asks. "You mentioned a Cyprine before, is she another Sailor?"
[14:45] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Not another senshi, but a friend we managed to free from being brainwashed around the same time Ann and Alan were around."
[14:45] <Sailor_Mars> "We've made contact with a few other magically gifted people," Rei speaks up, "They certainly helped us by making the device that let us come to this dimension."
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods again, thinking. "Were they connected to Ann and Alan at all?"
[14:47] <Sailor_Mars> "They fought Alan and Ann a few times when they were draining energy, but that was the extent of contact they had before we got involved with both groups," Rei explains.
[14:47] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Actually, it's thanks to that that most of us are attending Mugen now."
[14:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Blink* "Mugen... that really nice school for the gifted," he asks, staring a hole into Usagi's head.
[14:49] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm the only one here who actually did the entrance exam," Rei adds. "But Usagi's doing well in her classes," she gives the blonde a proud smile.
[09:09] * Sailor_Moon blushes a bit at the praise. "It's been a lot of hard work though... I really have to study a lot to even keep up with my classes, much less pass."
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Congratulations," he smiles back, assured oddly at the thought that his Usagi might be able to reach such heights.
[09:14] * Sailor_Moon smiles, still blushing a bit. "Thanks."
[09:15] <Sailor_Mars> "Anyway, after Alan and Ann, and all the stuff at Mugen, things were pretty much peaceful for us for a few months. Then Chibi Usa and those Black Moon sisters came, and here we are," Rei shrugs, "You'd probably be able to tell us more about the Black Moon than we know, though."
[09:15] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Chibi Usa first showed up in our world about three weeks ago tomorrow - landed on my head while we were all out talking at the park." Usagi grins ruefully at the memory.
[09:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a glance at the quiet girl, "We don't know much more about them except that they're after Chibi Usa and have done this to Tokyo."
[09:17] * Sailor_Mars blinks. "That's actually less than we know..." she observes.
[09:18] * Sailor_Moon hesitates a moment, glancing at Chibi Usa. "How much do you know about Chibi Usa?"
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking at his future daughter again with slightly guarded eyes now, "I know she's not from here," he comments, not sure how much of his hand he wants to tip here right now.
[09:22] * Sailor_Moon smiles just slightly. "It's probably better to say she's not from now," she corrects, wondering if Mamoru will pick up on what she means.
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods once, tightly, to that. "Yes," he agrees, reaching out with one hand to take one of Chibi Usa's small hands in his.
[09:26] <Sailor_Moon> "Has she told you about why she's here? That her mother needs help in the future?" Usagi asks.
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Gripping the girl's hand firmly, he nods to Usagi. "Yeah, it's come up. She came for Sailor Moon's help, it seems..." At this, he closes his eyes. "And..."
[09:27] <Sailor_Moon> "And?" Usagi waits for him to continue.
[09:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shakes his head. "Nevermind, it's not important right now," he finally says, moving on with a hint of guilt.
[09:29] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Anyway, I've promised to help her however I can," at that Usagi gives the pink-haired girl a smile, "but first we need to take care of things here so neither of our worlds is in danger anymore."
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So we need to reverse what they've done to Tokyo," Mamoru agrees to that strongly, his voice stirring and firm now. "We have to save these Crystal Points... I was trying myself, but I was getting overwhelmed each time I tried anything."
[09:34] * Sailor_Moon nods glumly. "I can imagine... it's hard enough using the Grail and with everyone else defending me while I purify the points."
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thinking of the purity cup he saw rectify the darkness from Bob Floy, Tuxedo Kamen pokes that a little. "That Grail - is it some sort of replacement for the Silver Crystal?"
[09:36] <Sailor_Mars> "It is seeming to work out that way, isn't it?" Rei notes dryly.
[09:36] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Not exactly, but yeah, I am kind of using it that way. It's not the same kind of thing the crystal was, but it's almost as powerful."
[09:37] <Sailor_Mars> "And drains you just as badly," Rei sighs.
[09:37] * Sailor_Moon makes a face. "Not quite, I at least stay awake after I use the Grail."
[09:38] <Sailor_Mars> "Only long enough to crawl into bed," Rei pokes good-naturedly.
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How did you obtain it?" he asks, interested now. "Is it something that could exist here, and help or cause us problems?"
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I remember all the fuss about the Silver Crystal before it was found," he explains. "If this is nearly as powerful..."
[09:39] * Sailor_Mars frowns. "It probably does exist here - and right now there's probably another group interested in getting it themselves if things aren't too different..."
[09:40] * Sailor_Moon nods. "If things are the same as in our world, though, it'll be impossible for anyone to get their hands on it for now, though."
[09:41] <Sailor_Mars> "It's still a problem..." Rei frowns before shaking her head, "But the Black Moon is our priority right now."
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding thoughtfully again, he turns to Sailor Moon. "If this other group isn't a factor, then we can deal with it afterwards - but I do want to discuss it later."
[09:42] <Sailor_Mars> 'We'd better be REALLY careful if we have to purify any points near Mugen - if anyone from there sees you with the Grail, it'll be a big problem,' Rei mentally warns the blonde.
[09:43] * Sailor_Moon nods. "We can do that once things are a bit more settled here, I guess." Usagi sighs at Rei's mental comment. 'They've got to be purified though, Rei-chan - Deathbusters or no Deathbusters.' Looking back at Mamoru, she asks the main question on her mind. "Do you know how many more Crystal Points there are?"
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not exactly," he admits. "There's a odd shop I found that seemed to be a focus point, as well as a supermarket."
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't know if that's all of them - I hadn't found that ice cream shop until yesterday," he confesses. "I can tell what it is when I'm right on top of it, but not until then."
[09:45] <Sailor_Mars> "That's two more," Rei nods, "And if the clothes store and cosmetics shop are crystal points as well..." she trails off thoughtfully.
[09:46] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "At least four more... this is going to take a while."
[09:47] <Sailor_Mars> "Regardless, I think we should wait until the day after tomorrow before going after any more," Rei says firmly. "We're in danger of running ourselves into the ground at this rate, and that won't help at all."
[09:47] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I'll second that... I STILL want to go back to bed, at least after I get something to eat," she adds.
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Remembering how Usagi killed herself with her Crystal in the end all too well, Tuxedo Kamen nods agreement. "If those light fields of yours hold, we can afford to take it at our pace."
[09:49] <Sailor_Moon> "The one here seems to be holding so far, so I'm not too worried at the moment." Usagi replies. "Probably be a good idea to check on the one at the ice cream store later though, just to be safe."
[09:50] <Sailor_Mars> "I can project myself over so we don't need to risk anyone going outside the barrier," Rei offers.
[09:51] <Sailor_Moon> "I was just thinking of teleporting over there and back really quick, but that'll work too," Usagi nods. "But we can wait for tomorrow for that, either way."
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> He raises an eyebrow at the terms thrown around. "You can teleport around?" he asks, "And projection?"
[09:52] * Sailor_Moon grins. "Just a little something I remembered how to do... it'd be a lot harder to get back and forth from the Moon without it, that's for sure."
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smilng despite himself, "Usako would kill for that - she'd be able to sleep in and zip to school at the last minute," he chuckles warmly, thinking of it.
[09:53] * Sailor_Mars nods. "I can't teleport myself, but I can project my astral self out of my body to anywhere I like." She frowns minutely, "I'd rather not do it outside into all that negative energy, but if the barrier is still holding near the ice cream shop it should be fine."
[09:54] * Sailor_Moon giggles. "I've been tempted to do that at Mugen once or twice... the only tricky part about doing it on Earth is making sure you don't just appear right in front of anyone."
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods to Rei, thinking about that. "Alan and Ann could do the same thing - it's like you appear as a ghost." Mamoru remembers back, to something he saw on the edge of conciousness.
[09:57] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah," Rei smiles a bit, "Cyprine and Ptilol can do it too. I was getting left behind so I learned it myself."
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," he agrees, still smiling a strangely stirring smile at Usagi.
[09:58] * Sailor_Moon grins at her girlfriend, not really noticing Mamoru. "Scared me half to death the first time I saw her in the library like that."
[10:00] * Sailor_Mars giggles. "It is convenient at times."
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glancing at the two, "Ptilol? Is she another of those magical girls you mentioned?"
[10:02] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, she's Cyprine's twin sister," Rei nods, before frowning, "In this world you probably don't want to meet them yet. They're part of the group that wants the Grail."
[10:03] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Probably best for now if we just steer clear of Mugen as much as we can."
[10:03] <Sailor_Mars> "It's not a complication we need on top of everything else, no," Rei agrees.
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> He thinks on that a minute. "These girls... are they all related to this group," he says, then picks up the Mugen comment. "So... Mugen and these girls are related?"
[10:05] <Sailor_Moon> "They called themselves - well, probably still call themselves here - the Deathbusters, and they're trying to summon some sort of demon that will destroy the world." Usagi says with a frown.
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How does the Grail relate to that? Is it something they need to summon that demon," he asks, jumping along the issue mentally with what he has.
[10:07] <Sailor_Mars> "Pharoah 90," Rei shudders. "They need the Grail to summon it, though, and we dealt with them long before the Grail appeared."
[10:08] <Sailor_Moon> "Hopefully things are bad enough in Tokyo right now that they're keeping their heads down though - we don't need them coming to look for the Grail while I'm trying to purify a Crystal Point." Usagi sighs.
[10:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Noting Rei's shudder, he goes on again. "But at least some of them are helping you now," he asks. "Are they all villains or something else?"
[10:09] <Sailor_Mars> "They're all being controlled by a daimon named Germatou that is possessing Professor Tomoe," Rei nods. "We managed to break his control over the people at Mugen, but it took as a bit longer before we tracked down the daimon itself."
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Filing all this away for future reference, he nods. "We'll be able to help them once this is over, then and everything is back to normal," he sounds sure of it, almost.
[10:12] * Sailor_Mars smiles encouragingly. "I don't doubt you'll have to deal with them, but right now we have to focus on the Black Moon."
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, pushing it into his mental storage. "Yeah."
[10:16] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath and nods, smiling. "Anything else we might need to know before I go attack the kitchen?"
[10:17] * Sailor_Dragon glances over to the kitchen door, and realises that the Queen is just about to polish off what little remains.
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru shakes his head. "I think we all have a lot to think about," he says, rising. "Chibi Usa-chan, let's go," he says, the girl quietly standing with him. She looks rather distracted now, but obeys Mamoru without thought.
[10:18] * Sailor_Moon nods, rising herself and heading into the kitchen.
[10:18] <Sailor_Dragon> "Where is it safe to go for food, Mamoru-san?" Herb asks. "I fear a shopping trip is in order."
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I ate what was in my apartment and the local store - fresh foods were generally ruined, but canned goods don't seem too badly affected."
[10:22] <Sailor_Mars> "There's a shop just two minutes down the road from the Shrine," Rei points vaguely, getting up and going into the kitchen herself.
[10:23] * Sailor_Dragon nods and goes to get rations.
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> With that, Mamoru leads Chibi Usa out of the room, the girl following without comment.
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> After another long session of sleeping with Usagi, another day starts. Sunday is clear enough, even with the now slightly sporadic lighting bolts crashing down on the barrier.
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei finds herself sweeping a bit, trying to relax into a semblance of normal life today. Usagi is off getting her breakfast, so it's just herself right now.
[10:36] * Sailor_Mars feels a bit odd sweeping as Sailor Mars, but it's still a familiar chore. And the Shrine badly needs it.
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> It does indeed, a good deal of stuff still about despite Yuuichiro's attempts to clean up. As you settle into the familiar motions, "Hey," Mamoru calls out, sitting and watching you from the wooden walkway near the house. His mask and hat aren't around right now as he sits, leaning back against the wall.
[10:40] <Sailor_Mars> "Good morning, Mamoru-san," Rei greets him as she approaches, feeling far more at ease around Tuxedo Kamen/Mamoru than she ever did around Endymion as he became.
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles at you nicely, a charming thing that you haven't seen since... wow, it's been a long time. "Good morning, Rei. Tell me... did we sort of date in your world as well, before the Silver Crystal was found?"
[10:43] * Sailor_Mars chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of her head with her free hand. "Yeah, 'sort of' is right, isn't it? Um... why do you ask?"
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just wondering," he says, still smiling. "So you knew that other Mamoru fairly well? Or, well, sort of well?"
[10:47] <Sailor_Mars> "I suppose I'd be curious in your position," Rei nods, sitting down on the walkway next to him. "After being captured by Metallia the second time and being purified in that final battle, our Mamoru could remember everything. All the time he spent... serving Beryl, and his entire life as Endymion back in the Silver Millenium."
[10:47] <Sailor_Mars> The miko frowns more deeply. "He said some things that really frightened Usagi, and then vanished to Hawaii while we were battling those escaped criminals we mentioned last night."
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> He frowns at that, even more so at the mention of Beryl. "All three lives," he muses with a grimace. "What did he say to Usagi..." he asks grimly, "And why did he run off to Hawaii?"
[10:58] <Sailor_Mars> "He said he couldn't decide whether to kill her or kiss her - or words to that effect," Rei grimaces. "He went away so he could try and come to terms with what had happened... but when he came back after the fighting was over, he wasn't Mamoru any more."
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> A full shudder passes over Mamoru, rather ruining the effect he had going for him, cool and calm and laying back. "I see. So he came back as Endymion?"
[11:00] * Sailor_Mars nods sadly. "When we first started getting our memories back, I remember I was terrified the old Sailor Mars would supplant me. It would seem silly for me to think that now, but that's exactly what happened to Mamoru-san."
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks away, thinking about that as he gazes at the lighting white/black sky clash above. "And Usagi... left him after all of that?" he asks simply. "She actually did it?"
[11:03] * Sailor_Mars gives Mamoru a sympathetic look. "Endymion wanted his Princess back. Usagi, for all that she has accepted her past as Serenity, wanted someone to love her as Usagi Tsukino."
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> He turns to you, with a faint smile. "I'm glad she did," he says. "Endymion from your world sounds insane and I'm glad she was able to move on. I'm proud of her." Despite that, though, he sounds shaken and sad at it.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going on, he turns back away. "She'd deserve someone better than that, someone who wanted Usagi Tsukino," he agrees with you.
[11:09] * Sailor_Mars sighs, "I don't know about insane, but I certainly feel sorry for Mamoru..." She matches the Tuxedoed man's smile, "Still, you don't seem to have his problems. I'm sure you and this world's Usagi can have a wonderful future together if you think that way." 'Chibi Usa seems to indicate so, anyway.'
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles again slightly at that, but stays turned away. "We will..." Softly, he says, "We will now, I swear it, Usagi. I don't care what I see..." After that, he turns to Rei again, more composed. "How did he take it, Rei?"
[11:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Not great, but not as bad as some of us worried - he was displaying obsessive tendencies, but he seemed to accept Usagi's decision no matter how much he disliked it." Rei draws up her knees, her smile turning a bit quirky, "He even found someone else before too long."
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really," he asks, interested again as he calms down. "Who? It wasn't another of the girls, was it?"
[11:14] * Sailor_Mars waggles a reproving finger, "I really shouldn't say. I don't think you've met her yet, and I don't want to colour your opinion when you do meet her."
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> He takes that, smiling back warmly. "Rei, I love Usagi and only Usagi. I wonm't affect me because I'm off the market," he tries back. "Besides, are you sure she'd be interested in me in this world?"
[11:15] * Sailor_Mars coughs. "I got the impression she'd been admiring you from afar for some time. I'm keeping silent more for her benefit than yours."
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shakes his head, but tries one more time. "If she is interested, I'd like to let her down gently, at least. It's only kind if I can, so that she could move on."
[11:19] <Sailor_Mars> "Boy, you really are curious, aren't you?" Rei giggles. "While letting her down gently is commendable, I doubt she'd give the slightest inkling of her feelings while you're with Usagi. I'd rather respect her privacy in the matter." The raven-haired senshi nods to accentuate her point.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles at you and leans back, taking your word for now. "Alright, but I'm going to be looking at everyone until I figure it out," he warns, laughing a bit as he relaxes. "And... how has Usagi done after this? Is she happy... and has she found anyone else?"
[11:21] * Sailor_Mars blushes, having thought she'd dodged that particular bullet. "I think she's happy, yes..." she says, tracing circles on the wooden flooring with her index finger.
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, pressing on. "Good... is someone making her happy, Rei?" he asks a bit interestedly, smiling as he meets your eyes.
[11:23] * Sailor_Mars averts her gaze quickly. "Someone is trying," she says quietly, trying to will the pinkness from her cheeks.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> He chuckles a bit, thinking. "Rei, why the blushing?" he asks playfully, drawing in on that.
[11:26] <Sailor_Mars> Taking a deep breath, Rei looks up again. "Figured it out, have you?" she asks, a touch nervously.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> He raises an eyebrow to you. "Are you trying to say something, Rei," he asks, not breaking his smile a bit. "I did notice how you two kept glancing at each other to the exclusion of the others, and how you started blushing when I asked about who Usagi was with."
[11:30] <Sailor_Mars> "Is it so surprising?" Rei can't help but ask. "Yes, Usagi and I are together, like that." She exhales deeply, a bit relieved at finally just getting it out in the open.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shrugs, thinking and smiling. "Honestly... I don't know. You two are best friends in this world. I don't think either of you have shown any interest in other girls, though." He smirks just a bit at you. "Or have you been hiding something from us for a long time, Rei?" he can't help but poke a bit.
[11:38] * Sailor_Mars frowns. "I don't know about this world's Rei, but I never considered being... like this until last November." She bites her lip, resolving not to drag Minako into this. "And I didn't start thinking of Usagi that way until later. I don't think Usagi realised anything herself until we both confessed..." 'Well, those kisses did get her curious, I suppose...'
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Rei... I don't need to tell you to make sure Usagi is happy, do I," he asks in a somewhat more serious vein.
[11:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Of course not," Rei replies quickly. "She's... everything, to me..." she admits, a bit shyly.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smiles. "I understand, Rei. I understand that perfectly," leaning back to the wall again, he goes on. "As long as your Usagi is happy, I'm relieved. And once my Usagi is back up, she'll be happy again, too."
[11:44] * Sailor_Mars nods, smiling a bit herself. "Yeah, I guess you understand better than anyone else could. I just hope knowing how things went in my world doesn't make things awkward here. You and Usagi should be happy together, and so should Rei and Yuuichiro. I don't want there to be any awkwardness or suspicion just because things could have gone differently like they did for me."
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There shouldn't be," he agrees. "If nothing else, your coming here will let us ensure that things will go better. On that," his humor slips away, more serious now. "I hate to pry into something like this, Rei, but... your Minako died in a car crash? Is it possible the same thing could repeat to our Minako? Is she in any danger?"
[11:48] * Sailor_Mars looks rather downcast as Minako comes up. "I have no clue," she admits, "It's not the kind of thing you can predict - it can happen to anyone at any time, really." She looks at Mamoru with a pained expression, "Is Minako an idol singer in this world?"
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks surprised at that question, shaking his head. "No, she isn't. The closest we have to a singer is Rei, who sings at her school festival. Is she in your world?"
[11:50] <Sailor_Mars> "Heh," Rei chuckles, her mood lightening, "Yeah, I sing too. But in our world Minako became a professional." She sighs, "It happened when she was being driven back from a concert."
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sighs. "She got to live a dream, and it killed her," he notes gloomily. "She made it to being an idol singer after all, eh? What was her name?"
[11:56] <Sailor_Mars> "Full Moon," Rei says sadly, hugging her knees to her chest. "She was really good, too."
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Catching Rei's tone, he gently lays a gloved hand on her shoulder. "She probably was - her music would have been full of energy and excitement," he smiles to you.
[11:58] <Sailor_Mars> "Actually, a lot of her songs were really sad," Rei admits, starting to tear up just a little. "They didn't sound it at first, but if you really listened..."
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...Minako always seems so happy and lively here, though. Was yours different?" he asks, patting your shoulder. "I can't imagine Minako being sad for that long, she's just too cheery."
[12:03] <Sailor_Mars> "Minako was sometimes happy, but it was a fragile thing, easily broken," Rei says quietly, staring off as she remenisces. "Most of the time it was just an act to hide her pain. I hope this world's Minako is genuinely happy, though. It would be nice to see her that way..."
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, again rubbing your shoulder. "She is," he smiles, thinking of the times he's been around her. "She's really happy, I think."
[12:05] * Sailor_Mars smiles, her mood lightening. "I hope they recover soon. We're all curious about our counterparts, and seeing Minako like you describe her, I think it would be good for all of us."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. At that, Mamoru rises up. "I should go see how Chibi Usa is doing now," he comments.
[12:08] * Sailor_Mars nods, but remains where she is, somewhat lost in her reminiscing.

[Halbarad]

[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> After finally waking and stumbling through a bath and breakfast, Usagi ends up at the table with Ami picking at her second breakfast. Chibi Usa is also there, still keeping to herself.
[12:29] * Sailor_Mercury looks up and smiles faintly at Usagi as she enters. "Sleep well?"
[12:30] * Sailor_Moon stretches and smiles. "Oh yeah... I feel a LOT better this morning. But I'm still looking forward to taking the day off."
[12:30] * Sailor_Mercury giggles as she picks at her food, tapping idly on her computer, humming. "Not exactly an ideal place for a vacation, but I take your meaning."
[12:32] * Sailor_Moon smiles over at Chibi Usa. "How are you doing this morning, Chibi Usa-chan?"
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking up from her bowl, Chibi Usa manages a tiny smile. "I'm okay, Usagi-chan, just waking up." She yawns right after this, as if to prove her point.
[12:37] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Good to hear it." She yawns a bit herself, blinking a bit as she drives away the last of the sleep fogging her mind.
[12:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> A short pause, then Chibi Usa speaks. "Usagi-chan, you called Mamo-chan Endymion a lot," she says without warning.
[12:53] * Sailor_Mercury sits up a little straighter, and turns to look at the child in surprise.
[12:54] * Sailor_Moon pauses for a moment, then nods. "That used to be his name, a long time ago."
[12:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Like... like how yours was Serenity," she asks, digging at it with strangely hopeful eyes.
[12:58] * Sailor_Moon nods, smiling a bit. "Exactly the same, yes."
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> She sqiurms a bit, but still looks at you. "Is... is he going to be like Daddy, too?"
[13:03] * Sailor_Moon pauses for a moment before answering. "I'm pretty sure he will, yes."
[13:03] * Sailor_Mercury looks puzzled at where Chibi Usa is going with this.
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So..." She smiles. "Will you and Mamo-chan take me to the park when this is all over," she asks, smiling at you. "Just us three, with a picnic?"
[13:08] * Sailor_Mercury blinks, and glances at Usagi. 'Uhm...'
[13:09] * Sailor_Moon glances over at Ami as well, frowning a bit. "Chibi Usa-chan... I'm not your mommy," Usagi explains patiently. "The Usagi that's from this world is who your real mom is."
[13:10] * Sailor_Mercury winces at the bluntness of the statement, but nods slowly in agreement.
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> She flinches as if struck at that, shaking her head. "She's not my Mommy," she says firmly. Getting up out of her chair, she goes up to you with watery, hopeful eyes. "Usagi-chan... Mommy," she says, latching onto you. "That other Usagi can't be Mommy... I won't believe it."
[13:15] <Sailor_Moon> "Chibi Usa..." Usagi places a hand on top of the child's head. "I wish I could be, Chibi Usa-chan. But I can't, and I'm not. It's not that I don't like you, it's just that it isn't true."
[13:15] * Sailor_Mercury winces again, wishing she knew how to help, here.
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No," Chibi Usa says firmly, from her position at your waist. "That other Usagi won't be my Mommy. I don't care. She isn't."
[13:19] * Sailor_Mercury glances at Usagi. 'Is it time to tell her the truth about you and Rei?' she wonders to her friend.
[13:21] * Sailor_Moon gives Ami a lost expression. 'Do you think it would make a difference? She already knows I'm not seeing Mamoru anymore in my world, and if she stopped to think she'd know I can't be from another world AND be her mother.' Stroking the girl's pink hair gently, she judges that the girl is in no mood to listen to her anyway, and simply offers comfort as best she can.
[13:23] * Sailor_Mercury shrugs helplessly and smiles sympathetically. 'It's about the only thing you haven't tried.' she replies. 'Though, I must admit, on some level, I can relate to Chibi Usa. I suspect meeting my mother or father as a teenager at her age would prove somewhat traumatic as well.'
[13:24] * Sailor_Moon nods glumly. 'From what we picked up last night, it sounds like the Usagi here is still a lot like I was about a year ago - you remember what I was like.'
[13:26] <Sailor_Mercury> 'Yes, that fits with what she told me yesterday.' Ami replies, gently resting her hand on Chibi Usa's shoulder. 'Though, apparently, her Usagi and Mamoru had been having problems, which made things even harder on her.'
[13:27] * Sailor_Moon blows out a long breath. 'And that's BEFORE she knew they were her parents... Poor girl, it's got to be even worse now.'
[13:29] <Sailor_Mercury> 'Especially since, from what she told me, Usagi had been somewhat jealous of her.' Ami adds, nodding. 'Apparently the 'yelling' wasn't much of an exaggeration...'
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa stays on Usagi for a bit now, hugging her 'mother'.
[13:31] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head a bit. 'And apparently I'm enough like this Usagi will be when she's an adult that she thinks I'm her mother. Geez, I wish there was an easy way out of this...' Usagi gripes mentally.
[13:34] <Sailor_Mercury> 'Mother says nothing is easy when children are involved.' Ami replies, flashing Usagi a wry grin. 'Especially since a young girl's image of her mother is something very sensitive...'
[13:36] <Sailor_Moon> 'I just don't even know what I should DO. Should I let her keep thinking I'm her mother for now and just try to deal with it when things are better? I mean, it seems pretty obvious that she really could use the comfort, but... I just don't know what the right thing to do is.'
[13:37] <Sailor_Mercury> 'I think you did the right thing.' Ami offers. 'Keep on caring for her, but be firm when the issue comes up. She'll come around.'
[13:39] * Sailor_Moon nods, still not exactly happy with the situation but somewhat reassured by her friend's thoughts. 'Thanks, Ami-chan.' She gives the blue-haired girl a wan smile.
[13:42] * Sailor_Mercury nods easily, patting Chibi Usa. 'You're welcome.' she replies, watching the child with a vague sense of envy for Usagi.
[16:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> -------
[16:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> After resting up Sunday, the girls get together after breakfast Monday, along with Tuxedo Kamen. It's time to decide on another target, and hopefully another victory.
[16:17] * Sailor_Moon looks thoughtful as she considers their options. "Okay, so far we've got the cosmetics store, the fashion boutique, the supermarket, and that other store that Mamoru found. Question is, where do we go first?"
[16:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I know that supermarket isn't too far, and it wasn't as heavily guarded as the others when I was there last," Mamoru starts in, thinking.
[16:18] <Sailor_Mars> "That sounds like as good a place as any," Rei nods to Mamoru, "It's better to go for the place nearest to the areas we've already purified so we don't have to travel through the area of negative energy for as long."
[16:19] * Sailor_Moon nods. "And it'll give us a better supply of food - we can't keep raiding the convenience stores around here forever."
[16:20] <Sailor_Dragon> 'Not with two Usagis to feed, that's for sure,' Herb thinks.
[16:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, and something besides ramen and canned meat would be nice," Mamoru thirds it.
[16:21] * Sailor_Moon nods. "If that's settled then, who's going to watch Chibi Usa this time?"
[16:22] * Sailor_Dragon looks at Haruka.
[16:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I will," Ami speaks up, again. "I still need to finish my readings from a few days ago, Usagi."
[16:27] * Sailor_Moon nods, looking around at the rest of the senshi. "All right then, let's get moving. Mamoru, you'll have to lead the way - none of us know where this place is."
[16:28] <Sailor_Mars> "See you in a little while Ami, Chibi Usa," Rei smiles confidently and waves to the pair as she gets up.
[16:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure, it's not far," Mamoru says to Usagi. "We'll get there easily enough."
[16:30] * Sailor_Moon smiles. "Good, hopefully it won't take too long this time." So saying, she follows the tuxedoed man out of the shrine.
[16:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once again leaving the safe confines of the Hikawa Shrine, the girls travel outward into the darkness. In stepping into it, you note it's a bit warmer and less bleak - more like a cloudy afternoon than oppressive twilight.
[16:33] * Sailor_Mars smiles, "We're definitely starting to have an effect. Just need to keep at it."
[16:33] * Sailor_Moon nods. "One point at a time, until the whole place is back to normal." Usagi says with determination.
[16:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen nods as well, leading you down the dim streets. You pass several people as you go - most look merely lost and maybe bored, not actively homicidal or crazed.
[16:35] * Sailor_Moon smiles, very much cheered by the fact that conditions seem to be improving - at least in this part of the city.
[16:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going on even further, the bit of light soon fades, replaced by a churning, dreadful feeling as you turn a corner, a supermarket indeed there amid a shopping block. Just looking at it gives you a chill, the sign of a Point.
[16:37] * Sailor_Moon nods grimly, her smile slipping away quickly. "Definitely a Crystal Point..." she mutters.
[16:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's fairly nondescript, with sliding glass doors leading inside, and a few parking spaces around it near the curb. Slightly aged signs advertise foods and such.
[16:39] * Sailor_Mars looks up at the sky and tries to sense the UFO from the day before yesterday. Or anything else big and evil.
[16:39] * Sailor_Moon looks at the supermarket, trying to determine whether they could make it inside the building safely or whether the dark energy is too strong to get that close.
[16:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," Mamoru murmurs, his compacted cane now out and ready. "It makes my me shiver."
[16:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars - Soul check +2
[16:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Moon - Soul check +2
[16:40] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[16:40] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+2 and gets 12."
[16:40] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[16:40] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[16:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars - You don't sense anything like that about, or any other huge evil source beyond the point.
[16:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Moon - Hard to say. You do think you could get in, though. Probably.
[16:41] <Sailor_Mars> "I can't sense that UFO from yesterday, or anything else... but there's no telling when they could arrive. Stay on your guard, everyone," Mars cautions.
[16:42] * Sailor_Moon frowns, taking another moment to review the store - uncertainty isn't much good here, the risks are too great.
[16:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Moon - Soul check +2 again.
[16:43] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[16:43] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+2 and gets 13."
[16:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Yes, you think it's safe to go inside. It's more focused in the back of the store.
[16:44] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I'm going to try to do this from inside the store if I can... it'll at least give me cover if that UFO tries to attack again," Usagi tells the others.
[16:45] <Sailor_Mars> "Unless it blows the roof off," Rei mutters. "Well, we'll deal with what happens. Let's go, then."
[16:45] * Sailor_Moon nods, beginning to approach the front of the store slowly and carefully.
[16:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding to it, Mamoru follows along, if on guard.
[16:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Heading to the glass doors, you see a shadowy, dark interior. The doors open as you get close, no signs of resistance about.
[16:48] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath before stepping inside the tainted building.
[16:48] * Sailor_Mars follows, sticking close to their leader.
[16:49] * Sailor_Dragon follows up the rear, checking her six regularly.
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the girls step inside along with Tuxedo Kamen, the feeling of slick droplet fingers running over you is felt, like thousands of darkness points coating over your body! (OOC info and instructions coming up. Very minor reactions are allowed now, but nothing more than very minor ones - no real movement.)
[16:51] * Sailor_Moon shudders, her skin crawling at the feeling of darkness permeating the building.
[16:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei and Usagi - Your senses almost explode with the feeling of negative energy, overwhelming, like you just stepped into a new stata of dark. All - Soul check, +3.
[16:52] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6+3
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6+3 and gets 9."
[16:52] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6+3
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6+3 and gets 9."
[16:52] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 8."
[16:52] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3
[16:52] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 and gets 13."
[16:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mars finds herself gritting her teeth as the darkness runs over her, yet stands strong! So does Sailor Dragon with her inner reserves of power! Sailor Jupiter and Moon, however, are none so lucky. The darkness seems to crawl over and inside them violently, trying to invade! As this happens, you hear something coming from the back of the supermarket!
[16:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC- A second check for Moon and Jupiter, at +4 this time.
[16:55] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+4
[16:55] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+4 and gets 10."
[16:56] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6+4 burning 40 EP
[16:56] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6+4 burning 40 EP and gets 11."
[16:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> With twin flares of pure white and green light, Sailors Moon and Jupiter manage to instinctively repel the darkness before serious damage is done! (-15 EP and -5 HP to both of you.) This lights up the store a moment, revealing a shambling mass of cans coming at you! It's vaguely blob like and rolling, with reddish eyes in the face area!
[16:58] * Sailor_Moon tenses at the sight of the odd monster, watching it warily. "You guys can handle that, I hope?"
[16:59] * Sailor_Mars moves to engage the creature, "You just worry about the Point. We'll cover you," she replies to the blonde.
[16:59] * Sailor_Jupiter nods at Mars' comment, even if she's feeling fairly drained.
[16:59] * Sailor_Moon nods, pulling the Holy Grail from subspace as she prepares herself to purify the building.
[17:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> As this happens, you feel a surge of energy all around. "Oh no, not this time, Sailor Moon," Rubeus calls out from somewhere unseen, his voice echoing.
[17:01] <Sailor_Moon> "Like you can stop me!" Usagi shouts back, tightening her grip on the Grail.
[17:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rubeus," Tuxedo Kamen hisses, whipping about, looking for the dark man.
[17:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's too late for that cup of yours, Sailor Moon," he goes on as the energy gathers. "You've fallen right into my trap!"
[17:02] <Sailor_Moon> "That's what you think!" Usagi retorts, steeling herself for the massive effort of the purification.
[17:03] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense if Rubeus is nearby.
[17:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars - Soul check, +3
[17:04] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[17:04] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 11."
[17:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's what I know, Sailor Idiots," he laughs, the energy reaching a peak! "Prepare to meet your end!"
[17:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> He's not nearby, you think he's projecting his voice and power from afar somehow.
[17:05] * Sailor_Mars stays near Sailor Moon, ready to protect her from whatever Rubeus has planned.
[17:06] <Sailor_Moon> "Funny, you KNEW we were going to die when we got here, too! You're out of your depth, Rubeus!" Usagi holds the Grail high, righteous indignation lending her strength! "Holy Grail Purification!" she shouts.
[17:06] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[17:06] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[17:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> The moment the Grail begins to glow, a massive welling of darkness surrounds it and Usagi, stunningly concentrated and powerful. The Grail blinks a moment under such an assault, paling. "Your little toy can't stop the true power of the Black Moon," he mocks, increasing the pressure as the Grail struggles to activate. Meanwhile, that can monster is starting to get close... (Initiative time, girls. Usagi, you'll likely be tied up.)
[17:08] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[17:08] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14."
[17:08] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[17:08] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 17."
[17:08] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[17:08] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[17:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[17:08] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[17:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[17:09] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[17:09] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[17:09] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 15."
[17:11] <Sailor_Jupiter> Testing the monster's defenses out first, Jupiter calls out "Supreme Thunder!" as she directs the crackling electrical energy at the droid, not even bothering with witty statements.
[17:12] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[17:12] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[17:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:13] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> The electricity arcs into the can cluster, shocking it as sparks flow through it, yet fails to stop its advance!
[17:18] <Sailor_Uranus> "We go out looking for something other than canned goods then this... Figures," Haruka mutters, raising her fist into the air then releasing her attack! "World Shaking!"
[17:18] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[17:18] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[17:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:19] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[17:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a clatter of metal cans slamming all about, the World Shaking rocks the droid thing, yet it remains a viable threat despite a few dents.
[17:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:21] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[17:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slithering out from the aisles into the entrance clearing that you girls inhabit, the monster shifts a bit! From off to the side, a few dozen shopping carts are lifted into the air, glowing with black energy as they are tossed all about in a hail of shopping cart pain! Yet none manage to hit the Sailors, although it does cause a defensive scattering of the troops.
[17:24] * Sailor_Dragon flies over the creature, striking out lithely at the beast as she passes above it. "Dragon Claw can-opener strike!"
[17:24] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[17:24] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:24] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blow rattles the monster and dents another grouplet of cans, yet it's still going! Dented and damaged, these canned goods are still murderous!
[17:27] <Sailor_Mars> Wanting to finish the monster off so they can focus on more pressing matters, Mars brings up her crossed arms and cries out "Mars Snake Fire!" unleashing a devastating fiery attack on their foe!
[17:27] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[17:27] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[17:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:27] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[17:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Burning metal is gouged away and charred peaches and meat is splashed about in the wake of the Snake Fire, yet the mass is still together, if banged up but good!
[17:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can now see inside of it a bit, dank red light connecting the cans inside like a skeleton of some sort.
[17:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smirking from his location elseware, Rubeus focuses his power at the faraway battle! "It's time to die, Sailor Moon," he howls in laughter as the dark energy is increased!
[17:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Dual Soul checks, +3.
[17:30] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3
[17:30] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 and gets 12."
[17:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+3
[17:30] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+3 and gets 9."
[17:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two energies clash again, Usagi's kneels buckingling under the pressure! Barely standing and holding the Grail, she nonetheless manages to somehow hold off the assault!
[17:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Reactions and initiative as needed.
[17:35] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[17:35] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[17:35] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[17:35] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 14."
[17:35] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[17:35] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 16."
[17:35] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[17:35] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 17."
[17:36] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[17:36] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 16."
[17:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[17:36] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[17:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leaping skyward, Tuxedo Kamen attacks from afar with his extending cane, straight down on the thing's head area!
[17:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:38] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[17:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:39] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[17:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Falling apart slightly, it avoids the impact of the cane, Tuxedo Kamen landing safely.
[17:41] <Sailor_Uranus> "Nice," Haruka comments at Tuxedo Kamen's aerial leap and strike. "I suppose I'll keep it simple with a... World Shaking!"
[17:41] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[17:42] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[17:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:42] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[17:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slamming into the metallic thing, cans go flying EVERYWHERE as the energy underneath it is vaporized and exploded by the World Shaking! (OOC - Everyone make a DCV check, +2)
[17:44] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[17:44] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+2 and gets 6."
[17:44] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[17:44] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 12."
[17:44] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[17:44] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[17:44] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6+2
[17:44] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[17:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[17:44] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[17:44] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6+1 eating a penalty point
[17:44] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6+1 eating a penalty point and gets 4."
[17:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Amid a rain of metal and plenty of foodstuffs, Sailor Mars is clanged upside the head by a can of green peas, and Sailor Uranus is hit right in the gut by a tin of some canned meat substance! (Damage is 18 each.)
[17:48] * Sailor_Mars yelps in pain, staggering with the hit.
[17:49] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[17:49] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 6."
[17:49] * Sailor_Moon grits her teeth, studying the roiling mass of energy around her for any weakness or point of origin.
[17:50] * Sailor_Uranus drops to the ground, the wind knocked out of her, as she wheezes on the ground slightly.
[17:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +3, rabbit.
[17:50] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3 burning 30 EP
[17:50] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 burning 30 EP and gets 12."
[17:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> You don't see any sort of weak point, really. There is something of a conduit to where the controlling force behind the energy is coming from, though.
[17:54] * Sailor_Moon changes her plan of attack as she spots the flow of energy leading into the energy around her. Rather than trying to use the Grail to force its energy out of the mass of energy entirely, she instead focuses its power into an attack through the conduit - hoping that it will lead straight back to Rubeus.
[17:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Make a... hm. Let's just call it a Soul check again, +3 for relative success.
[17:59] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3 burning 30 EP again
[17:59] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 burning 30 EP again and gets 12."
[18:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[18:00] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[18:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thowing all of her force into the attack, the energy catches the conduit, racing down it... and there is a burst, a feedback all about as the two energies meet midway!
[18:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Flashes of light and dark alternate in a cataclysmic battle somewhere here and not here, finally causing a huge energy backlash! The girls are sent flying by it, the windows of the store shattered...(Cont)
[18:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> (OOC - Everyone takes 30 points of damage due to being thrown several dozen feet back, landing amid shattered glass, and general other ouchies.)
[18:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> As your eyes clear and your bodies protest in pain, you see a trickle of sunlight come down from above...
[18:03] * Sailor_Mars groans, sitting up in pain and looking about to see the state of her friends.
[18:04] * Sailor_Moon moans as she stirs, the tinkling of broken glass evident as she forces her way into a sitting position.
[18:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your friends are scattered about, in similar states to you, only the slow sunny light from above shining on them. The sense of darkness with the point is gone, as well as most of the supermarket.
[18:05] * Sailor_Dragon is lying under a heap of cornflake boxes, cursing as she struggles to get up
[18:05] * Sailor_Moon winces in pain as she looks around. "Maybe that WASN'T such a good idea..."
[18:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ugh..." Tuxedo Kamen murmurs, picking up his torn and battered mask from beside where he lays.
[18:06] <Sailor_Mars> "Ow," Rei stands up, her muscles protesting the movement. Pausing to dust herself off, she looks over at Usagi. "Warn us next time, Dumpling Head," she mutters.
[18:06] * Sailor_Uranus blows her bangs out from her eyes as she eyes the mound of canned goods she is leaning against. "Eww... SPAM...." Haruka intones distatesfully.
[18:06] * Sailor_Moon shakily climbs to her feet, feeling weak - as usual. "Sorry... I really didn't expect anything like that to happen or I would have."
[18:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting up and glaring at his rotten milk-drenched clothes, Tuxedo Kamen smiles anyway as he looks up. "It looks like it worked, though," he says as he stares at the sky.
[18:07] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, at least it seems to have worked," Rei observes, staggering over to Usagi. "Think we can get a taxi back to the Shrine instead of walking?" she asks hopefully.
[18:08] * Sailor_Moon grumbles. "I so wish we could... I'm exhausted. As usual."
[18:09] <Sailor_Dragon> "I have cornflakes in my cleavage." Herb complains. "I need a bath."
[18:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll second that," Mamoru notes, sniffing at his rapidly-getting-stinky outfit. "I think the dairy department landed on me."
[18:10] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath to compose herself a bit, brushing a few small shards of glass from her gloved arm. "At least we're all still alive."
[18:10] <Sailor_Mars> "So you can get rid of the conrflakes and the cleavage?" Rei smirks at Herb, chuckling and swiftly wincing as she finds that to be rather sore on her.
[18:12] * Sailor_Dragon mumbles something un-senshilike.
[18:13] * Sailor_Moon begins to stumble away from the wreckage of the grocery store. "Let's just get back and get cleaned up... hopefully that'll keep Rubeus out of our hair for a while, at least."
[18:14] <Sailor_Mars> "I hope so," Rei nods, staggering after the blonde and holding a hand to the side of her head where she feels a nice egg-sized lump forming.
[18:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What about a shield around it, like you did before," Tuxedo Kamen mentions, shedding his cape.
[18:15] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh yeah," Rei blinks, shaking her head and trying to clear the cobwebs. "Think you're up to it, Usagi?"
[18:15] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Good point... hold on a minute." Usagi stops for a moment, gathering her strength before holding out the Grail once again as she forms a protective dome over what remains of the grocery store.
[18:15] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[18:15] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 5."
[18:16] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+1 for shield
[18:16] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+1 for shield and gets 9."
[18:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Both go without incident, the barrier springing into life. Even around the edges, though, you note less darkness, the cursed feeling from the city almost gone.
[18:17] * Sailor_Mars blinks as she senses that, shaking her head and actively stretching out her senses to the limit to confirm the feeling.
[18:18] * Sailor_Moon notes the fact, but feels too drained after her ordeal to really pay much attention to it.
[18:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars - You notice that not only is the negative energy around here gone, the energy around the city is badly disorganized and weakened at the moment. It's weak right now.
[18:21] <Sailor_Mars> "Guys," Rei speaks up, "I don't know exactly what just happened, but it feels like all the negative energy around the city has stopped growing. It's really weak and... disorganised, like the corrupted points aren't amplifying each other any longer."
[18:21] * Sailor_Moon nods tiredly. "I hope so... I don't know how many more times I can do this if it's going to be like that was."
[18:22] <Sailor_Uranus> "Good," Haruka replies to Rei's news.
[18:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is it something we can exploit?" Mamoru asks Rei.
[18:23] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't know if it'll stay that way, though - it's like something has given it a sharp shock, but it could recover. I don't think we'll have a better chance than this to try and take the other points." As she speaks, Rei forces down her physical pains so that she can continue on if needed.
[18:23] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6 for rejuve
[18:23] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 for rejuve and gets 8."
[18:24] * Sailor_Moon groans. "More? Right now?"
[18:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If we have a chance, we need to take it," Mamoru nods to Rei in agreement. "The sooner we stop this and restore Tokyo, the better."
[18:25] * Sailor_Moon sighs, forcing down her weariness as she nods. "I guess you're right... I'll give it my best shot."
[18:25] <Sailor_Mars> "If we wait it just gives them time to recover," Rei points out, "Of course it also prevents us resting, too... how about I project myself near one of the other points to see what things are like there before we commit to another attack?" she offers.
[18:26] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2#2d6 for rejuv
[18:26] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2#2d6 for rejuv and gets 4, 7."
[18:28] * Sailor_Moon nods to Rei. "Give it a try... try the cosmetics store, I think it's fairly close to here."
[18:29] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2#2d6 (1st for EP, 2nd for HP)
[18:29] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2#2d6 (1st for EP, 2nd for HP) and gets 6, 6."
[18:29] * Sailor_Mars nods, sitting down and breathing deeply as she gets herself into the proper frame of mind to project her consciousness out of her body. Not wanting to get too close to a nexus of dark energy, she aims for fairly high in the air above the shop.
[18:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attempt goes without a hitch, Rei's astral body appearing above it. There is some dark energy here, yet it's scattered and spread about, the Point's clogging almost minimal right now. It's clear enough to your senses, at least.
[18:33] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense any droids or other defences about.
[18:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, little Miss Miko.
[18:33] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[18:33] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[18:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> There seems to be one droid here right now, but that's it. Any defenses look to be shot or out of whack as well.
[18:35] <Sailor_Mars> Returning to her physical body, Rei stands up. "There's a single droid there, and the surrounding dark energy is very weak - I could probably ward it myself."
[18:36] * Sailor_Moon stands up a bit straighter, nodding. "I'll do it just to be safe, but hopefully it won't take quite so much effort."
[18:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Right, let's get to it, then," Rei nods, pleased to see an end in sight for the nightmare of Shadow Tokyo.
[18:36] * Sailor_Moon nods, pulling herself together as she heads out through the sunny streets behind her girlfriend.
[18:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going through the now bright streets, you run across a few people - most of them look sleepy and confused, but normal now. You even think you spot Shingo among them, looking around dazedly.
[18:39] * Sailor_Moon smiles a bit as she sees her little brother - or this world's version of him at least - still safe. She doesn't stop to exchange pleasantries though, her focus on clearing as many of the remaining Crystal Points as she can.
[18:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Passing to the cosmetics shop is simple enough. As you arrive, you see a rather crazed droid draining people around the shop, a few bodies here and there. It's a giant lipstick-based monster, arms and legs coming out of a tube of red lipstick.
[18:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Energy, I need more of the energy," it cries frantically as it drains another human.
[18:50] * Sailor_Moon looks over at her friends. "You guys get the monster, I think I can get the point with no problems right now."
[18:51] <Sailor_Mars> "People need energy to live productive lives free of the Black Moon's taint!" Mars declares, falling back into familiar patterns, "Prepare to be punished!"
[18:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The droid drops the schoolteacher she was holding, tossing the red haired woman aside. "Sailor Senshi," it hisses. "You'll give me the energy I need!"
[18:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Any more speeches, then the big Initiative.
[18:54] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[18:54] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[18:54] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[18:54] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 15."
[18:54] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[18:55] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[18:55] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 17."
[18:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[18:55] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[18:55] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 15."
[18:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:56] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[18:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[18:56] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[18:58] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath, holding the Grail overhead as she begins the purification - hopefully with little to no interference this time. "Holy Grail Purification!"
[18:58] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[18:58] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[18:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+6
[18:58] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+6 and gets 9."
[18:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> With only token resistance, the Grail's power flows freely, brushing away the disorganized remnants of the point! You can feel the energy change and lift...
[19:05] <Sailor_Jupiter> With a short look over at Haruka, Makoto motions her to follow her in a combined attack as she gathers the electrical energy around her, the energy crackling loudly as she starts calling out "Dragon..."
[19:05] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[19:05] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[19:06] * Sailor_Uranus catches Makoto's look and gathers a swirling mass of golden energy into her hands as she finishes the attack "...Fissure!"
[19:07] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[19:07] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[19:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[19:07] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[19:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Roaring as the energy forms between the two girls, the Dragon Fissure crashes into the droid! With a echoing rumble it's torn apart into dust, destroyed in the mighty attack!
[19:10] <Sailor_Mars> "If droids are going berserk like that it's a big problem," Rei notes, rather impressed at how handily Jupiter and Uranus just trashed it. "We can't just leave them to run amok."
[19:10] * Sailor_Jupiter nods. "Yeah, I thought we should get it done with quick so we can move on. No telling what could happen if we leave them alone for long."
[19:11] * Sailor_Moon straightens up, wiping a thin layer of sweat from her forehead in the summer heat. "Do you think I should bother to shield the rest of the points? If we get them all right now, then we can play defense if Rubeus tries to take any of the rest back."
[19:11] <Sailor_Jupiter> Turning to Haruka, she adds, "Thanks for following my train of thought by the way, Haruka."
[19:11] <Sailor_Uranus> "No prob," Haruka returns. "You made it pretty easy with such a smooth lead."
[19:12] <Sailor_Mars> "There's no need for shielding now," Rei shakes her head. "There's no influx of dark energy from the rest of the city to re-corrupt it. Best to save your energy for hitting the rest."
[19:12] * Sailor_Moon nods. "That's what I was thinking. What's the next closest point?" she asks.
[19:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Clothes shop or the other shop Tuxedo Kamen mentioned?" Rei glances at the masked man.
[19:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think it's that clothing shop," he says quietly, having been watching the performance the other girls have put on. "The shop is a fair bit away from here."
[19:14] <Sailor_Moon> "All right then, let's get moving. The faster we get this done, the less chance they'll have to get themselves reorganized." Usagi says.
[19:14] * Sailor_Mars nods, following the blonde.
[19:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> You take to the roofs again, hopping around in the now early afternoon sunshine. It's so nice, as even the city looks to be waking up, now.
[19:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +1, Rei.
[19:15] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+1
[19:15] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+1 and gets 3."
[19:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you hop, Rei feels something powerful coming. It's not close yet, but it's most assuredly coming your way, full of dark energy.
[19:17] <Sailor_Mars> "Uh oh," Rei halts, "Something's coming in towards us, and it's powerful. I think it's that UFO."
[19:18] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 7."
[19:18] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6 to copy Sparky
[19:18] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 to copy Sparky and gets 8."
[19:18] * Sailor_Moon stops, looking at Rei. "That'll be Rubeus then... which way is it?"
[19:19] <Sailor_Mars> "That way," Rei points north.
[19:20] * Sailor_Moon looks in the direction Rei mentioned, trying to see if she can detect it herself.
[19:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - You do see something dreadful and dark coming, overflowing with the darkness that has plagued Tokyo.
[19:21] * Sailor_Moon nods, keeping her gaze locked on the dark object. "Your call, guys - we make a stand here or try to dodge it?"
[19:22] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm not sure if we can make it to the barrier before it reaches us, but I also don't know if we can handle a fight like this in our current state," Rei says worriedly.
[19:23] * Sailor_Moon thinks for a moment, watching the UFO's slow approach. "I'm not sure... if we take that down, we might not have to worry about anything else. If Rubeus is on that thing and we destroy it..."
[19:24] <Sailor_Mars> "So we fight?" Rei asks, tensing her body.
[19:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...gi...Usagi...Usagi?"
[19:24] * Sailor_Moon stops for a moment. "What... who is it? Cyprine?" Usagi looks around quickly.
[19:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you chat, the voice of Cyprine comes in, a solid looking image of her appearing. "Finally," she says, looking at the Senshi. "The energy flow to our world has halted completely," she says, "despite the backlash."
[19:25] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I think we hit Rubeus pretty hard a few minutes ago, but it looks like he's on his way here right now." Usagi points in the direction of the UFO.
[19:26] <Sailor_Mars> "Backlash?" Rei asks, still keeping an eye on the sky.
[19:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking up at where it is, she nods to herself. "That's it. There was a further backlash between worlds due to all the energy reacting to each other," Cyprine goes on, nodding to Rei. "The Professor isn't sure entirely of what happened, but it further damaged the boundaries between the worlds."
[19:27] <Sailor_Moon> "Is it going to be any problem if we take care of things here?" Usagi asks worriedly.
[19:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We're not sure yet, but the barriers between the two worlds are on the verge of starting to collaspe."
[19:29] <Sailor_Mars> "What'll happen if they do collapse?" Rei asks nervously.
[19:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nothing good," Cyprine comments. "Professor Tomoe can only guess, but two worlds colliding isn't likely to be something anyone will care to see."
[19:30] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "What do we need to do to keep the barriers from weakening any further, then?"
[19:31] <Sailor_Mars> "Is there anything we can do to prevent it, bearing in mind that we're about to fight a UFO teeming with dark energy?" Rei asks, her nervousness climbing several notches.
[19:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Stabilise things - Professor Tomoe thinks that with the Grail and time, it's possible to repair things - but just don't make it any worse."
[19:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you talk, you note the thing is getting closer.
[19:32] * Sailor_Moon closes her eyes tightly. "What are we supposed to do? If we try to put an end to this now, we could totally screw up both worlds - but if we wait, we're back to working just as hard as we were before!"
[19:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's up to you, Sailor Moon," Cyprine says quietly. "No matter what you do here, don't upset things any more."
[19:36] * Sailor_Moon grimaces, agonizing over the choice. She opens her eyes for a moment to look over at Haruka. "How far away are we from the next point?"
[19:37] <Sailor_Uranus> "Not too far," Haruka answers, frowning at the thought of going THERE again.
[19:37] * Sailor_Moon sighs, finally coming to a decision. "I guess... there's too much risk if we fight the UFO. Let's get the fashion store, then hopefully we can just teleport back to the Shrine."
[19:38] <Sailor_Mars> "Let's hurry, then," Rei says, redoubling her pace across the rooftops.
[19:38] * Sailor_Moon nods, matching Rei's pace easily. "Thanks for the warning, Cyprine!" she calls over her shoulder as they depart.
[19:39] * Sailor_Uranus follows the pair with a worried frown.
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hopping along the roofs, the Sailors race and run, the ship slowly picking up speed and still coming for you as you arrive at the fashion shop. There are two droids about, both wearing thin glasses and stylish clothes, not to mention having overly tanned skin and bizarre hair. The few drained fools around them testify to what they've been up to.
[10:22] * Usagi-chan keeps an eye on the UFO as the group moves, making sure it's still following them.
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> It is, as you approach the point.
[10:23] <Sailor_Mars> Dispensing with the formalities of a speech, Rei quickly moves to engage the droids, producing her Ash Rods as she prepares her most powerful attack to swiftly eliminate them.
[10:24] * Usagi-chan wastes no time in producing the Grail as she prepares to purify the point itself.
[10:24] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[10:24] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:24] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:24] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:24] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[10:24] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[10:24] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[10:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 16."
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> roll 1d6+12
[10:25] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 1d6+12 and gets 15."
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[10:28] * Sailor_Uranus skips right to business, powering her attack. "World Shaking!"
[10:28] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[10:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:29] <Sailor_Uranus> The blast skitters along the ground, then leaps at the stylish droid on the left!
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slamming right into the frantic droid, it's sent up into the air, launched skyward by the mighty attack!
[10:31] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath, acting quickly as she moves to purify the weakened nexus of dark energy! "Holy Grail Purification!"
[10:32] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:32] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+5
[10:32] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+5 and gets 9."
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Crystal Point's energy buckles under the strain, your purity power rapidly weakening it, but yet it stands by the thinnest of margins, on the verge of collapse but not there quite yet.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing its twin knocked skyward by Uranus's mighty World Shaking, it goes after said Sailor! "Mannique!" it calls as it thrusts it's arms forwards, a stream of mannequin parts flying at Sailor Uranus!
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Yet it misaims, hitting a street lamp that turns into a tall and skinny mannequin instead!
[10:36] <Sailor_Mars> Twirling the Ash Rods as flames dance around her, Mars cries out "Mars Star Inferno!" as she releases the resulting cascade of flames at both droids!
[10:36] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:36] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The one who missed Uranus dances out of the way gracefully, yet the other is consumed in flame, falling down in burning cinders as it dies and fades away!
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Grinning a bit, Makoto draws her Talisman out, going at the surviving monster!
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Swinging her lighting crackling weapon, it slams into its face, the droid staggering back as its face is rather ruined!
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Following up, Sailor Dragon aims a blow at its stomach, racing in with Sailor Jupiter!
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> A well trained kick sends it back even more, causing it to fall to its knees.
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Coming up, Tuxedo Kamen aims a rose at its shattered face, the projectile zooming through the air!
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going straight through, the rose finishes the beast, causing it to fade away into the nothingness that is the end for all the droids that face the Sailor Senshi!
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you focus on the task at hand, Usagi can't help but notice that the ship is coming, and fast...
[10:45] * Usagi-chan holds the purifying magic with a scowl, rushing to clean the point of its dark taint as rapidly as she can.
[10:45] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:45] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a second push, the darkness around the store collaspes, vanquished!
[10:46] <Sailor_Mars> "Now, everyone!" Rei cries as the point is purified, "Quickly come together so we can teleport back to the Shrine!"
[10:47] * Usagi-chan ignores Rei, holding the Grail close as she places a shield over the point like the others.
[10:47] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:47] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:47] * Sailor_Uranus quickly walks over into position and takes Rei's hand.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Draining even more energy from Usagi, the shield springs into life!
[10:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi, let's GO!" Rei grabs the blonde's hand, noting that the UFO is rapidly bearing down on them and they're in no shape to fight it.
[10:50] * Usagi-chan jerks her hand away. "I've got to go back and shield the other point! I'll meet you at the Shrine!" Quickly chanting, she glows briefly before disappearing, teleporting directly to the unshielded cosmetics store.
[10:50] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi you... IDIOT!!" Rei practically screams as the blonde suicidally departs.
[10:53] <Sailor_Uranus> "Rei, we have to go," Haruka prompts firmly. "We can't take on that UFO."
[10:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Ngh..." Rei looks torn, glancing off towards the direction of the cosmetics shop then at the direction of the approaching UFO. "You're right," she says through clenched teeth. "Sailor Teleport!"
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Spending more of your waning energy, Usagi manages to teleport back to the cosmetics store. It's quiet here right now, only a few confused people about.
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you appear, your head spins and your stomach turns. Your entire body is beginning to ache like it's broken and tired.
[10:57] * Usagi-chan quickly changes to the form of the Lunar queen, knowing that she'll need her last reserves of energy to shield the point and get out quickly. Standing inside the store, she quickly uses the Grail to shield the store itself, making sure she herself is inside the barrier as it forms.
[10:57] <Serenity> roll 2d6
[10:57] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Somewhat haltingly, a shield of white comes forth and expands around the store. It feels as if you have to wring every bit of energy from your body to achieve this, real pain starting to bloom deep inside of you as it finishes. The Grail goes cool in your hands after that, your task complete.
[10:59] * Serenity strains, her head spinning as she performs the incantation to teleport herself back to the safety of the Shrine.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +2 due to extreme circumstances and a severe lack of energy.
[11:00] <Serenity> roll 2d6+2
[11:00] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity rolls 2d6+2 and gets 11."
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> With the very last vestige of your energy, Serenity vanishes...

[Halbarad]

[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Appearing back at the Shrine, the tired and battered girls appear, giving Ami-chan and Chibi Usa-chan a rather big shock as they materialize.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two sit in the courtyard just a bit away from you as the temple provides a welcome relief to your eyes.
[11:03] * Sailor_Mercury stares for a split second before rushing toward the group. "What happened? Is anyone injured?" She asks, amazed at the condition of the group.
[11:03] * Sailor_Mars stumbles, letting go of the other girls as she looks out in the direction of the cosmetics store. "Usagi, you stupid idiot!" she mutters angrily, her eyes glistening.
[11:04] * Sailor_Uranus breathes deeply while slightly hunched over. "She'll make it back, Rei," Haruka tries to reassure her companion.
[11:05] * Sailor_Mercury examines everyone quietly, stiffening at Rei's words, but keeping quiet.
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa comes up as well, coming up to a smelly but mostly okay Tuxedo Kamen. "Where's Usagi-chan, Mamo-chan?" she asks quickly, looking around.
[11:06] <Sailor_Mars> "She better!" Rei bites out, falling to one knee from her tiredness and pain as her earlier injuries start to remind her of their presence.
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She'll be back, Chibi Usa," he smiles in exhaustion, sitting down next to her.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - All the girls have various injuries of mid to low note, and are very weak. They've spent a lot of energy...
[11:07] <Sailor_Uranus> "She will," Haruka offers as a reply, giving Rei a shoulder to lean on while leading her towards the shrine.
[11:08] * Sailor_Mars doesn't move from her position, still staring out as if she could somehow see Usagi out in Tokyo beyond the trees lining the Shrine.
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," Chibi Usa smiles hopefully, then wrinkles her nose. "You need a bath, Mamo-chan."
[11:09] * Sailor_Mercury sighs in relief that no one's seriously injured, and quashes a swell of fear for their absent leader. "Where did she go?" She asks Haruka quietly.
[11:10] * Sailor_Uranus gives Rei a worried look before turning her attention to Ami, wiping her brow. "She went to shield the point we left unprotected," she answers Ami.
[11:13] * Sailor_Mercury nods and watches in the direction Rei is looking for a moment, fighting the urge to go looking for Usagi.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Staring that way... with a tiny, weak flash of light, Usagi Tsukino appears at the top of the Shrine steps, falling to the ground the moment she appears.
[11:14] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi!" Rei cries out, forcing herself to her feet and running over to the collapsed blonde.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi-chan," Chibi Usa blurts out, following Rei, Tuxedo Kamen on her heels a moment later.
[11:15] * Sailor_Mercury blinks and bolts for Usagi right behind Rei, pulling out her computer as she runs, stopping to scan Usagi's physical condition.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - Usagi is unconscious, breathing very shallowly and deathly pale. Her aura is weak and shows signs of lacking energy.
[11:15] * Sailor_Uranus lets out a sigh of relief at Usagi's appearance.
[11:15] <Sailor_Mars> "You idiot!" Rei half sobs, cradling her unconscious love. "You can't do everything by yourself! You can't leave me alone! We promised!"
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - Your results are much the same as Rei's, though you note that she's running out of energy. She's overdrawn herself something bad.
[11:17] * Sailor_Mercury gasps. "Rei... she's nearly depleted," she tells the distraught brunette urgently. "We need to help her."
[11:19] <Sailor_Mars> "How?" Rei asks hoarsely.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi," Chibi Usa asks hesitantly, seeing her state. "Usagi-chan?"
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa starts to frown, worried. "Is Usagi-chan alright?"
[11:21] * Sailor_Mercury frowns, and checks the computer again hastily, asking for a prognosis on donating energy to Usagi. "I'm working on it." she replies tersely. "But I may need help..."
[11:24] <Sailor_Mars> "She just needs a long vacation... and a reminder about keeping her promises," Rei says quietly to Chibi Usa, going off all that she can sense wrong with Usagi, and shooting a questioning look at Ami in case the other girl's computer has detected anything more serious.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The subject suffers from extremely weak energy and overexertion. Donationg energy may be done." Instructions follow - it's possible.
[11:27] * Sailor_Mercury nods to herself, and doublechecks Usagi's condition, making sure that there's not a danger to Usagi's person to allow natural recovery. "Agreed." Ami says shortly, not looking up.
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - Your computer doesn't detect anything short of excessively low energy and exhaustion, you think.
[11:29] * Sailor_Mars gently picks Usagi up and starts slowly and carefully walking back to the Shrine. "Need to get the stupid Dumpling Head in bed, I guess," she sighs, trying to dissipate all the tension she's just built up, and not really succeeding.
[11:30] * Sailor_Mercury nods and sighs, slipping her computer away. "Keep an eye on her, Rei. She should be fine, but if anything happens, I have instructions here on how to help."
[11:31] <Sailor_Mars> "Thanks, Ami-chan," the miko replies as she heads inside.
[11:31] * Sailor_Mercury nods and stands, heading off to be alone for awhile.
[11:33] * Sailor_Mars gets Usagi lying in bed and takes a seat herself, trying to rest without risking falling asleep so she can be there when the blonde wakes up. To yell at her, of course.
[10:10] <Anastasia> ---
[10:14] <Anastasia> Getting the exhausted Moon Princess to a bed is a matter of carrying and laying, soon done. Chibi Usa follows you as you take her to a futon, worried all the while as you tuck her in.
[10:16] <Anastasia> Once she is resting, "Is Usagi-chan going to be all right, Rei-chan?" the girl asks, worriedly.
[10:17] <Rei-chan> Once Usagi is in bed, Rei lets her transformation lapse - she's feeling really tired herself, and it's a lot easier to relax out of Sailor form. Sitting herself down beside the bed, she turns to Chibi Usa. "She will be," she nods, feeling confident at least on that, "It's not the first time she's wound up like this."
[10:19] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa turns back to her 'mother', speaking quietly. "She'll wake up, won't she? You promise... that she'll wake up soon?"
[10:21] * Rei-chan rests a hand on the sallow skin of Usagi's forehead. "She will, Chibi Usa. Even if she's an idiot, she's strong," she gives the child a wan smile, mentally rehearsing some of the things she'll be saying later on to remind Usagi of just how stupid she was to get herself in this state.
[10:25] <Anastasia> "Okay..but..." the girl stops a moment, frown in place. "Why did she have to do this, Rei-chan? I don't want to see her like this."
[10:28] * Rei-chan sighs deeply. "I know... neither do I. We're supposed to protect her, but how can we do that if she keeps trying to do everything herself?" She turns back to the fragile and sickly-looking blonde, "Idiot," she says with no real heat.
[10:33] <Anastasia> "Mommy always wants to help everyone, like a Lady," Chibi Usa still stares at Usagi's deathly pale face. Then with a small smile, the girl quotes from memory. "A Lady is graceful, strong, beautiful... and helps and protects..." she comments, thinking back to the woman who said that.
[10:36] <Rei-chan> "Heh," Rei chuckles slightly. "That fits Usagi all right." She brushes a finger through her blonde bangs, "I can't even tease the stupid Dumpling Head about being a klutz these days."
[10:56] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa nods. "That Usagi-chan is a klutz," Chibi Usa agrees. "But Mommy isn't," she actually smiles a bit, looking on at Usagi.
[10:58] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, well, my Usagi used to be a real klutz, too," Rei sighs fondly. "I just hope it doesn't take a thousand years for this world's Usagi to overcome that herself," she smirks slightly at the thought.
[11:02] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa stares at your Usagi still, smiling. "But this Usagi... she's not. She's better than that Usagi... she's what Mommy is. That other Usagi... she isn't." she starts smiling, and ends the same way as she reflects on the two.
[11:04] * Rei-chan frowns a little bit. "Chibi Usa..." she bites her lip for a moment, considering her words, "I don't know this world's Usagi, but you shouldn't think so badly of her. You love your mommy, right?"
[11:05] <Anastasia> "Yeah," she replies, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "I love... Usagi-chan," she says, taking the unconcious rabbit's hand and squeezing it.
[11:06] <Rei-chan> Rei's frown deepens. "I know Usagi would be happy to hear that, but what about the other Usagi?" she gestures vaguely in the direction of the room with their counterparts. "She's the one that's going to grow up and become your mommy."
[11:08] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa doesn't reply, instead looking at your lover and holding her hand. No words come from her, yet you can feel her emotions and aura in flux and conflict.
[11:09] <Rei-chan> "Chibi Usa-chan?" the miko prods, gently.
[11:13] <Anastasia> "I think... that this other Usagi isn't my Mommy... there must have been a mistake at first," she says quietly. "Somehow... this Usagi is really Mommy..."
[11:15] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei states firmly, not willing to coddle the girl at all on this matter. "My Usagi is not going to marry Endymion and become Queen of the Crystal Tokyo," she continues, her voice carrying a great deal of conviction. "The Usagi and Mamoru of THIS world are the ones who'll become your parents."
[11:17] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa cringes a bit at your tone. "No... Mamo-chan will come back to Usagi, and they'll be happy together and we'll be happy together..."
[11:19] <Rei-chan> "Mamoru and Usagi already love each other in this world," Rei points out sharply, "My Usagi and Endymion have both moved on."
[11:21] <Anastasia> The girl winces at the strong tone you take, shaking her head and speaking with a shaken, if firm, conviction. "No... Mommy and Daddy will be together... we'll be together..."
[11:23] * Rei-chan softens. A bit. "Your mother and father ARE together. The other Usagi and Mamoru both love each other a lot."
[11:27] <Anastasia> "No!" Chibi Usa says sharply. "That Usagi isn't my mother!" Her calm vanishes at that, the girl looking at you with confused, tired, decided eyes. "This is my mother! She'll marry Daddy and we'll be together. I don't care what you say." Her words are coated with the sorrow and confusion of her past month and beyond, the little girl clinging to a rock in her personal hellstorm.
[11:33] <Rei-chan> "No she won't, Chibi Usa," Rei says tiredly. "You're from the future of THIS world. You might not like the other Usagi," she sighs, "If she's anything like my Usagi used to be I can almost understand that. But she's the one who's going to grow up and become Neo Queen Serenity."
[11:35] <Anastasia> Shaking her head, Chibi Usa lies down next to Usagi. "No. I won't believe it," she whispers. "Don't lie to me, Rei-chan."
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "I'm not lying!" Rei protests. "But don't you see how bad this is? If you're wrong then you're completely alienating your real mother?" Rei forces herself to her feet, "What has the other Usagi done to make you hate her so much? Why can't you believe she'll mature and grow up to be the same wonderful lady your Mother is?"
[11:40] <Anastasia> The girl curls up into herself and into Usagi as you speak, cowed a bit. "... ...She hates me, Rei-chan," she finally says. "I just know it. She's always hated me. Mommy wouldn't hate me..."
[11:43] <Rei-chan> That brings Rei up short. "What... hates?" she repeats in a stunned whisper, unable to imagine Usagi genuinely hating anyone. And while she might not really know this world's version, the fact that she purified Beruche and Cooan certainly speaks volumes of her capacity for kindness and forgiveness.
[11:47] <Anastasia> "Yeah..." the girl allows herself a sniffle, "That Usagi hates me."
[11:49] <Rei-chan> "How?" Rei asks softly, and with faint disbelief, as she sits on the edge of the bed. "I mean... Usagi here still fights for love and justice as Sailor Moon, right? And she's friends with the other Rei and all the rest... she can't be that different, can she? And in all the time I've known her she's never really hated anyone..."
[11:50] <Anastasia> "She just does," Chibi Usa volunteers. "She's not like our Usagi, Rei-chan..."
[11:52] * Rei-chan notes the telling lack of elaboration. "Are you sure you're not just misunderstanding? Or..." she looks momentarily unsure, not really expecting an honest answer to this next question, but asks anyway, "Did you do something to get her angry at you?"
[11:55] <Anastasia> There is a bit of a pause while she burrows into Usagi's side. "...she thinks I stole Mamo-chan from her," she finally admits. "But..."
[11:55] <Rei-chan> "But?" Rei prods her to continue.
[11:56] <Anastasia> "She made Mamo-chan leave her," she explains. "She's... she's..."
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "What?" Rei holds up a hand to forstall that, "I talked to Mamoru-san yesterday - he's definitely still in love with Usagi. And from what he said she still loved him. What do you mean she made him leave her?"
[12:01] <Anastasia> "He dumped her," she confirms. "He broke up with her and said that he never wanted to see her again, Rei-chan."
[12:02] <Rei-chan> "What?" Rei blinks incredulously. "But... I talked to him yesterday..." With things most definitely not matching up, the miko feels a little lost.
[12:03] <Anastasia> Chibi Usa just nods minutely from her position.
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "That... that makes no sense at all," Rei finally admits in defeat. "Why would he break up with her and say that, and then say all the things he said to me yesterday about never leaving her? I can't believe he was lying about it..." she shakes her head in confusion.
[12:10] <Anastasia> "...It's because of Usagi," she finally says, sounding a bit drowzy herself, warm against her 'mother's' side. "It's because of that Usagi..." her voice trails and quiets, as she begins to let her body drift off.
[12:12] * Rei-chan sighs, letting Chibi Usa fall asleep without interruption and feeling too drained to seek out Mamoru to ask his story. Settling back into her chair beside the bed, she allows herself to relax, puzzling over the dilemma Chibi Usa presents while keeping a watchful eye over the 'mother and daughter' pair.
[12:13] <Anastasia> ---
[09:12] <Anastasia> It's been quiet this afternoon after you returned from your excursion outward. After bathing a little while ago and a nap, Ami finds herself back at her computer...
[09:15] * Ami-chan frowns at her computer, absently poring over data collected over the past few days, absently sipping from a Coke as she does, looking for key parts she might have missed on first examination...
[09:16] <Anastasia> As you study away... "Hi, Ami," Mamoru says, his mask and top hat gone as he sits next to you at the table.
[09:18] <Ami-chan> "Hello." Ami replies with a cautious smile, looking up from her computer. "How are you this morning, Mamoru-san?"
[09:19] <Anastasia> "I'm feeling better," he says, his hair still a bit damp from his bath. "We had a rough time out there, but we made it. How are you doing - anything going on with your computer?"
[09:21] * Ami-chan frowns. "Not as such." she admits. "I've collected reams of data, but not a great deal has proved useful."
[09:21] <Anastasia> Mamoru nods at that, going on. "Has you computer found anything out to help the girls?" he says, thinking of the native Usagi and her guardians, all still cold and nearly lifeless.
[09:23] * Ami-chan sighs, that particular failure rankling her more than most. "I'm afraid not... at least, nothing new." she sighs. "We had some hints at responses when using the Grail to tranfuse their life force directly, but the readings indicate more power is needed."
[09:27] <Anastasia> He sighs a moment, but moves on for now. "Does Usagi have her Crystal around? Have you found it from her?" he asks. "Perhaps that would be enough?"
[09:31] <Ami-chan> "It had occured to me." She admits. "But according to the others, they were retrieved from the void without any..." Ami begins to blush, and he voice drops in slight embarrassment. "...without anything, even their clothes. I wouldn't know where Usagi keeps it..."
[09:33] <Anastasia> He raises an eyebrow at that. "I see. Usagi kept - no, keeps it in her transformation brooch." Mamoru corrects himself quickly, shaking his head. "If she lost that..."
[09:37] * Ami-chan thinks for a moment. "True. But... if she lost it where she was found, if would likely be in the possession of our enemies, correct?" she reasons. "But since they haven't exploited it to make attempts on Usagi's shields on the Crystal Points, we can assume they either aren't aware that they possess it... or your Usagi left it somewhere else, for safekeeping, right?"
[09:37] <Ami-chan> she reasons, looking up at the man across from her, inviting him to find flaws in her reasoning.
[09:41] <Anastasia> He muses a moment. "She would have had it with her if she was trapped as Sailor Moon," he comments. "I know the girls have something where they can store Sailor things at times... our Ami said something about subspace."
[09:46] <Ami-chan> Ami-chan blinks. "We have something similar." she admits. "I've never tried to access one of the others' pockets before, but... perhaps it's worth a look." She smiles slightly, suddenly more enthusiastic.
[09:47] <Anastasia> He nods again, thoughtful. "Yeah," he agrees, pulling a bright red rose from seemingly nowhere. "I can do it with roses, but I don't know how I'd go about getting someone else's stuff."
[09:49] * Ami-chan nods. "Perhaps my computer can help us there." she offers thoughtfully. "And even if we find it closed to us, we have someone with us who would be ideal to reach into Usagi Tsukino's pocket." she observes wryly.
[09:52] <Anastasia> "Yeah," Mamoru agrees, thinking of that other Usagi. "It's worth trying."
[09:53] * Ami-chan smiles and nods, standing up. "Sounds good." She replies.
[09:57] <Anastasia> Mamoru in tow, you head to Rei's room, where she and the other senshi sleep deeply to the world.
[10:00] * Ami-chan winces again at seeing her friends like this, even though she knows intellectually that they aren't who she percieves them as. Opening her computer, she crouches down beside the duplicate odango'ed blonde and tries a scan, not of Usagi herself, but of the area immediately surrounding her body, flipping through all the possible dimensional frequencies, but closing in on where she knows that her own pocket exists, trying to find Usagi's pocket.
[10:05] <Anastasia> Your computer begins to scan, Mamoru watching on and hoping...
[10:08] <Anastasia> Scan completed. There are small subspace pockets around each girl.
[10:08] <Anastasia> To penetrate? A magical spell designed to do it could be used, yes, or enough power used on the fly.
[10:11] <Ami-chan> "It -can- be done!" Ami reports, almost gleefully. After a moment's thought, she decides that her Usagi has had enough dumped on her shoulders recently, and she'd like to handle this herself, if at all possible. The decision made, she looks into the second method first, hoping it's closer to her own capabilities than casting magic.
[10:15] <Anastasia> "A sufficient amount of power directed at the pocket could cause it to spill its contents into this world from subspace," is the gist of it. Enough power... it might be enough for you if you can focus your magic into one blast suitable.
[10:16] * Ami-chan nods, and frowns to herself, and asks her computer whether this method would damage the contents of the pocket.
[10:16] <Anastasia> "Possible, but unlikely, short of glass or fragile materials falling to a hard surface."
[10:21] * Ami-chan looks up at Mamoru. "It has a possible method of opening her pocket. I'm uncertain whether I can accomplish it myself, but I'm going to try." She pauses a bit. "But... since this is your Usagi... I'd like permission to proceed, first." she says, blushing.
[10:32] <Anastasia> "Go ahead," he smiles a bit. "If it will help her, I'll say yes in a heartbeat."
[10:38] * Ami-chan smiles back and nods. "All right." she replies. "Just stand back for the moment, and watch us for signs anything has gone amiss." she instructed gently, then doublechecked the location the computer showed for Usagi's subspace pocket. Putting her hand right in front of where the pocket should have been, Ami closes her eyes and reaches down inside herself, looking for the source of her control over elements, and begins to concentrate.
[10:45] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, Ami.
[10:46] <Ami-chan> roll 2d6
[10:46] * Musk-bot --> "Ami-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[10:48] <Anastasia> Power flowing forward, Ami's senshi magic takes form, ripping into the subspace pocket! Like a clattering storm, objects spill out on top of Usagi! A brooch, a familiar sceptre, some manga, a candy bar, a few loose yen...
[10:49] <Anastasia> Blinking, "She kept other stuff in there," Mamoru says in surprise. "I thought it was for senshi items only."
[10:50] * Ami-chan is eleated, and beams at the success of the experiment, though the amount of items that spill out of the pocket give her pause. "Technically... it's supposed to be." Ami admits, laughing nervously. She reaches for the brooch that she recognizes, and opens it, hoping that she'll find what they're looking for...
[10:51] <Anastasia> Taking it, it opens! Inside, set deeply inside, is the Silver Crystal, but... it's dark and barely with any light, a pale memory of the Crystal you saw your Usagi use.
[10:53] <Ami-chan> Ami's heart sinks at the pitiful appearance of the gem, but she doesn't give up. Retrieving her computer, she scans the item, looking for its status, and possible methods of restoring it.
[10:54] <Anastasia> "What...?" Mamoru murmurs, staring at the dark gem. Meanwhile, it scans the Crystal...
[10:55] * Ami-chan sighs. "The time in the void must have been hard on it, as well." she guesses.
[10:59] <Anastasia> Mamoru stares at it quietly, shaking his head. "If that void could do that to the Silver Crystal..." Work finished. The Silver Crystal has expended nearly all of its might recently for an unknown task.
[11:02] * Ami-chan blinks. "I was in error." she tells the Prince of Earth, glancing at the screen. "It's not the void that did this... it was used for something so difficult that nearly all of its energy was depleted." she breathes. With a few quick keystrokes, she asks the computer to estimate its chances of recovery, and, if possible, how long that might take.
[11:08] <Anastasia> "Recovery chances are good in time - one to two years is expected."
[11:10] <Ami-chan> Ami sighed. "While good, that doesn't exactly help the present." she sighs, and begins investigating ways to assist the Silver Crystal's recovery, and set her computer on the task as well.
[11:15] <Anastasia> "Recovery assistance unknown. Massive energy intake may help, but impossible to predict outcome."
[11:15] <Anastasia> Meanwhile, Mamoru looks on as you work, glancing at the rest of the items spilled out. He reaches, taking the Moon Sceptre himself, inspecting it.
[11:19] * Ami-chan sighs. "We have a partial answer, then." she murmurs. "Though it seems remarkably risky." she looks up at Mamoru questioningly as she sees what he's holding.
[11:20] <Anastasia> "Just remembering something," he replies, shaking his head. "What is it, Ami?"
[11:24] <Ami-chan> "Nothing good, I'm afraid." she replies, explaining what she knows. "I can't be entirely sure, but I suspect it was the Silver Crystal that allowed them to survive the void for so long." Sighing as she's hit another brick wall, she looks up at the tall man again. "Do you have any thoughts? I didn't avail myself of the opportunity to study ours when we had it, so I know less than I should..."
[11:27] <Anastasia> "Nothing useful," he sighs. "I don't know all that much about the Crystal. As far as I know, it's the source of Princess Serenity's power."
[11:31] * Ami-chan is disappointed, but smiles anyway. "Thanks anyway." she responds readily, patting his arm gently. "I'll keep trying, but I suspect we're going to have to make use of Usagi-chan's grail if we want to infuse the gem directly. Hopefully I can uncover a less difficult method."
[11:32] <Anastasia> Mamoru nods, smiling back at you. "We'll hope..." At that, he glances down at Usagi again, picking up one of the mangas this time. It's smeared with chocolate and such, a bit nasty. "She should take better care of her things..." he murmurs.
[11:34] * Ami-chan smiles faintly at that. "Despite her responsibilities, she IS only fif-fourteen." she corrects, remembering the story. "Would you mind if I held onto this, to study it?" she asks, gesturing with the brooch.
[11:35] <Anastasia> Glancing at the cover, Mamoru sees that the title is, "Blood Princess," showing a cheery girl and a handsome man on the cover. Looks like typical shoujo. Setting it down, he nods to Ami. "That's fine."
[11:38] * Ami-chan nods to herself and quietly slips from the room, leaving Mamoru to tend to his girl, turning the brooch holding the silver crystal over in her hands as she thinks over what can be done as she glances up at where the other Usagi is sleeping. "She has enough to deal with." Ami mumbles aloud, almost talking to the jewelry in her hands. "-Please- let me solve this one without adding to her burden..."
[12:13] <Ana-brb> ---
[12:13] <Ana-brb> A day or two has passed since the return from the latest foray. Usagi is still slumbering, resting deeply but showing signs of healing.
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> After getting roped into bringing Usagi soup for Rei, you find yourself without much of anything to do, the rainy weather keeping you inside. The TV stations are catching a few non-Tokyo based stations, but that's it.
[12:16] * Haruka turns off the television and lets out a sigh. 'Boredom eating away at brain....' Haruka moans mentally, while drumming her finger on her chin. Haruka looks around for something, *anything* to do.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nothing presents itself at first, but shortly Mamoru enters, nodding to you as he sits down on the other side of the room. "Hey... Haruka, isn't it?"
[12:19] * Haruka nods her head in the affirmative, giving Mamoru a curious look.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling a bit, "Why don't you come over here?" he says, looking charming and not the least bit aggresive. "I've wanted to talk to you for a while now."
[12:23] * Haruka looks a bit unsure initially, but figures she has nothing else better to do so joins him. "Sure, I guess," she replies with a shrug, taking a seat.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We haven't met a Sailor Uranus yet," he begins, indicating his group of girls. "So... how'd you end up being a Sailor Senshi, anyway?"
[12:29] * Haruka thinks about that for a moment. "By chance, I suppose," Haruka replies vaguely. "I was following my instinct and just happened to drift towards the other Sailors during the last crisis."
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The Mugen incidents?" he pries, curious. "Usagi mentioned that they found some allies there." While curious, he maintains a certain level of easy, handsome charm to him.
[12:37] <Haruka> "Yup, the Mugen incidents," Haruka replies, echoing Mamoru's words with a nod.
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, changing tacks slightly. "How did Usagi find you, then? Or did one of the other girls or Luna do it?"
[12:43] <Haruka> "Usagi and the others didn't find me, really," Haruka responds with a smirk. "I just kind of stumbled onto things by happenstance."
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods again, still with a reasonable smile. "Just you? Were you alone before that or with those other Mugen students?" Mamoru isn't really even trying to hide the fact that he's prying as idle chatter, going for the details.
[12:53] * Haruka frowns slightly, wondering slightly at why he's asking these questions, but ignores it for the time being. "I was working alone before meeting the others at Mugen," she says, recalling some of the misunderstandings and mishaps. "The first encounter with the others didn't go so smooth initially, but everything has worked out okay so far. So no harm, no foul."
[13:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi's good at making friends from enemies," he comments, catching your eyes in his.
[13:08] * Haruka chuckles slightly at that. "That is one of her innate abilities," Haruka remarks with a smile. "She's the type that you know will be there for you when you need her most. Ditto for your Usagi as well, I'm guessing."
[13:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> He matches your chuckle warmly. "She is. She's a wonderful, bright, happy girl." Sobering a bit at that and remembering something else he wanted to discuss, "I heard you fought the Ayakashi sisters in your world."
[13:15] * Haruka mood sours a bit at THAT golden nugget of recollection floating to her mental surface. "Usagi and Rei did most of the real fighting against them," she tells Mamoru cushioning her chin on her palm. "I was a... participating spectator for the most part."
[13:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How did those battles go, then, if you saw them?" he pries further, desiring to know exactly how those poor sisters met their final fate.
[13:23] * Haruka hums to herself in thought. "It happened unbelivably quick," she replies, trying to recollect the details. "Chibi Usa appeared one day and the next, we have these people threatening Chibi Usa and our world as well..." Haruka shakes her head slightly. "I'm not quite sure how to put it all into words."
[13:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru encourages Haruka as best he can. "I'm mostly interested in their... last battles," he elaborates.
[13:34] <Haruka> "Not much to say," Haruka tells Mamoru. "They'd set up shop trying to overtake a Crystal Point and in subsequent battles they were dispatched." Haruka leans back in her chair with her arms crossed, studying the man across from her. "I know it sounds cold and clinical, but I saw them as being very, very dangerous. You'd have to ask Sailor Dragon, Herb, for details, but they nearly killed her."
[13:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> He takes that in, thinking. "Alright, Haruka," he says, letting the matter go for now. "I just wish things hadn't gone the way they have... those poor girls, now my Senshi..." he admits, a bit of regret there.
[13:44] * Haruka softens her stance a bit, giving Mamoru a sympathetic look. "I don't think anyone goes out wishing and hoping to take another person's life, but death is something that happens during battle." Haruka raises her gaze towards the ceiling, remaining quiet for a spell, before fixing a gaze on Mamoru. "Have hope. Things should eventually turn around." She whispered that sentiment to herself in her mind as well.
[13:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," he agrees, rising. "Thanks, Haruka... you at least answered a few questions I had." He finishes with a small smile, going to leave.
[14:03] <Haruka> "I'm glad I could answer at least some of your questions," Haruka offers to Mamoru. "I'm not much of a thinker, I'm a doer, so picking my brain isn't going to net you much," she tells him with a snicker.
[09:36] <Ana-work> ---
[09:39] <Ana-work> It's been a few days since Usagi has been out cold. Between cooking up all the meals with short supplies, though, the days have gone by quickly enough. Wednesday morning, after breakfast...
[09:43] <Ana-work> The resident normal guy, Yuuichiro, is lingering after breakfast. "You cook really well," he even comments after the others have shuffled out.
[09:44] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Thank you," Makoto replies with a smile.
[09:45] <Ana-work> "Maybe you'll even make someone a good wife once you're done fighting evil," he laughs a bit nervously, rubbing the back of his shaggy head.
[09:47] <Sailor_Jupiter> Though her thoughts momentarily fly to Alan, causing a faint blush to cover her face, she replies with a simple, "Oh?" as she works on picking up the dishes.
[09:48] <Ana-work> He nods, rambling a bit. "You can cook and clean really good, and you look to be a nice lady... you'd be a good mother," he says. 'And set up for it to bear, too.' Yuuichiro blushes a bit, grinning.
[09:50] * Sailor_Jupiter raises an eye this time. "Yuuichiro-san, you're not hitting on me, are you?"
[09:51] <Ana-work> "Gah," he blushes deeper, waving his hands in front of him defensively. "Naw, I was just... trying to make conversation," he blurts.
[09:54] * Sailor_Jupiter smirks. "Well, thanks for the compliments then."
[09:55] <Ana-work> He nods, trying to balance himself mentally. "Well... you girls must get hit on a lot as the Sailor Senshi, so you must be used to it?"
[09:56] * Sailor_Jupiter shakes her head. "Not really. We don't usually stick around scenes to meet fans, really."
[09:57] <Ana-work> Yuuichiro shrugs at that, but stands. "You do have a boyfriend at least?" he inquires. "I mean, you girls are all really cute and I can't imagine you'd have problems with getting a nice guy."
[09:58] * Sailor_Jupiter smirks again. "Actually I do have a boyfriend. Can't say the same for the rest though," she comments, not going into details on Usagi and Rei.
[10:00] <Ana-work> He looks suprised at that. "You're kidding? I think at least Sailor Mars would... she's so..." he trails off, daydreaming a bit.
[10:01] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Oh-ho... and here I'd thought you'd had a crush on the local miko," Makoto says with amusement.
[10:03] <Ana-work> Yuuichiro blinks hard, but doesn't freak. "Yeah... Rei's kinda my girlfriend," he admits. "Sailor Mars is just about as cute as her, though," he comments.
[10:08] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Well, so long as you don't get it into your head to somehow trying to date both at the same time," Makoto jokes.
[10:09] <Ana-work> Yuuichiro laughs at that, snickering a good while. "Dating a Sailor," he muses, smiling. "Say. Does your boyfriend know that you are Sailor Jupiter?" he asks on another tack.
[10:11] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Well, it is how we first met," Makoto says simply, wondering how the guy will interpret the statement.
[10:12] <Ana-work> "You aren't dating a youma, are you?" he says before thinking, blushing up again as he realizes what he just said.
[10:14] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Uh, no," Makoto replies while giving him a stare. "Where'd -that- guess come from?"
[10:14] <Ana-work> "Um... er... nowhere," he recovers quickly. "It's just that if you met through your work, and if you saw a really cute looking monster, maybe you... er... dated it instead of zapping it?"
[10:18] * Sailor_Jupiter laughs and shakes her head. "I don't think I've ever seen a cute monster."
[10:18] <Sailor_Jupiter> The corner of her mouth raises in a smile-esque motion as she adds, "Maybe a cute elf, but no monsters."
[10:19] <Anastasia> He stops at that, thinking. "Like that... hey, hold on, okay?" he asks, dashing off and out for a moment.
[10:20] <Sailor_Jupiter> 'Now what's that loony up to?' she asks herself, but complies and waits.
[10:21] <Anastasia> A few minutes later, he comes back with a scrapbook. "Here," he says, opening it to the fifth page. Inside are pasted accounts of various stories on the Sailors. This one has a picture of Alan, along with some text wondering who this creature is. "You aren't dating that... lettuce elf thing, are you?"
[10:23] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Lettuce?" Makoto says with a small twitch, though a bit more curious about Alan being in a story.
[10:25] <Anastasia> The color photo shows Alan's green skin very well. "He is just that shade of fresh lettuce," he says meekly, catching your twitch. The story is about an incident at a child care facility, and Alan is just laying the smackdown on someone out of the picture.
[10:29] * Sailor_Jupiter sighs as she looks over the article. "Well, at least they were stopped, before they did something they'd regret."
[10:32] <Anastasia> "Yeah... who'd want to go up against the Senshi," he muses, then shrugs. "Anyway, so he's your boyfriend?"
[10:34] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Not quite," Makoto states, recalling that Tuxedo Kamen had said -this- Alan had left for space.
[10:36] <Anastasia> "Not quite?" Yuuichiro turns the page, to a picture of Ann and Alan, floating above some battle. "You aren't interested in the other one, are you?" he inquires. "Or both of them... she is kinda cute, too..."
[10:36] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Uh, no. My tastes don't run that way."
[10:38] <Anastasia> '"Oh, okay," he says, closing it. "Anyway... I should get going... Rei will be pissed if the Temple is dirty when she wakes up. Thanks, Sailor Jupiter," he smiles, walking off.
[10:40] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Right. Nice talking to you too Yuuichiro-san," Makoto says before shaking her head. 'He's even weirder than I remember.'
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thursday. It's been a few days now since the incident, breakfast just finished as Rei returns to Usagi's side. She finds a stirring rabbit, moaning and groaning as she opens her beautiful blue eyes...
[10:14] * Usagi-chan yawns cavernously, blinking in the early morning sunlight.
[10:14] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi!" Rei cries out, instantly diving on the bed to glomp her love, relief momentarily overshadowing the desire to give her a sound berating.
[10:15] <Usagi-chan> "Rei-chan!" Usagi smiles, still feeling a bit weak as she returns her girlfriend's hug. "Not so tight!"
[10:16] <Sailor_Mars> "I was so worried," Rei says, nuzzling up to her girlfriend for a moment before she remembers what she meant to do in this situation and pulls away, her expression shifting to something far more serious and angry. "You idiot!"
[10:17] * Usagi-chan blinks in surprise at Rei's sudden shift in moods. "Huh?"
[10:18] <Sailor_Mars> "What the hell were you thinking?!" the miko demands irately, "You could have died!"
[10:19] * Usagi-chan 's mouth works for a moment, the memories of her last few moments awake slowly filtering back. "But I..."
[10:21] <Sailor_Mars> "But nothing!" Rei cuts her off, building up a good head of steam, "How could you even think of going off on your own like that?! You've been unconscious for four days! Do you have any idea how much I've worried?!"
[10:22] <Usagi-chan> "Four days?!" Usagi looks shocked. "But I just... I mean, I know I was pushing it, but I had to do SOMETHING!" She settles back onto the bed, trying to convince herself that she really HAS been asleep for the past four days.
[10:25] <Sailor_Mars> "You can't do everything by yourself!" Rei yells hotly, "You're not invincible!" she adds, shaking Usagi by her shoulders.
[10:26] * Usagi-chan dangles limply from Rei's hands, not really having the strength to resist much yet. "Rei-chan... I'm sorry," she finishes in a whisper, knowing that she probably was pretty stupid to do what she did.
[10:27] * Sailor_Mars looks about to cry as she relaxes her grip. "We promised we'd stick together through everything, Usagi," she says in a small, hurt voice.
[10:28] <Usagi-chan> "I know, Rei-chan," Usagi looks miserable. "I didn't mean to leave you like that, but all I could think about was making sure everything was taken care of."
[10:30] <Sailor_Mars> "You can't do everything by yourself. You're only one person, Usagi," Rei says quietly. "And you can't do anything if you get yourself killed."
[10:32] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I had to do something though, Rei-chan. We couldn't all go back and make it in time, but I could - that's why I went alone," she explains, knowing that it was still a pretty boneheaded move in either case.
[10:33] <Sailor_Mars> "It's not important enough to lose you," Rei says, once more wrapping her arms around Usagi in a crushing hug.
[10:34] * Usagi-chan returns the hug as best she can manage. "I'm sorry, Rei-chan... I didn't mean to worry you like that."
[10:35] <Sailor_Mars> "Just don't break your promise again," Rei asks pleadingly.
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you talk... a rumbling crash sounds above, then another and another. Bursts of dark energy ping your senses, the walls shaking!
[10:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh, crap!" Rei lets go of Usagi, "Stay right here!" she orders, running out the room to investigate.
[10:36] <Usagi-chan> "What the...?" Usagi sits up quickly, putting a hand to her head to keep it from spinning. "But... Rei, wait!"
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> A flood of Sailors rush outside, seeing the dreaded starcraft from the last battle just above, raining huge bursts of dark energy down on Usagi's barrier! It's shuddering and blinking already under a massive torrent of attacks!
[10:45] <Sailor_Mars> "The barrier's going to fall any minute!" Rei cries in alarm, "Everyone get ready!"
[10:46] * Usagi-chan struggles weakly out of bed, keeping a hand against the wall to support herself as she slowly makes her way through the shrine.
[10:46] * Sailor_Uranus boggles at the sight, but catches herself and responds with a nod at Rei's words.
[10:47] * Sailor_Jupiter likewise nods, as she stands besides Rei, ready to fight back.
[10:47] * Sailor_Mercury bobs her head in a quick nod, waiting for the fall...
[10:48] * Sailor_Mars carefully gauges the barrier's strength. "We'll try and hit it just as the barrier falls - hopefully it won't be expecting a quick counterattack, and it'll still be focusing on offence rather than defence."
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You don't think it's going to last much longer if the assault keeps up like this. In fact, it flickers again, the energy being torn apart in a truly vicious attack!
[10:50] * Sailor_Mars tenses. "Any minute now..." she mutters, building her magical energy and focusing through the Ash Rods.
[10:51] * Sailor_Jupiter also tenses, beginning to gather the magical electrical energies around herself.
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> A groan of energy that sounds throughout the Shrine is heard as the barrier begins to vanish in spots, bursts of energy close to breaking through entirely!
[10:52] <Sailor_Mars> "Now, everyone!" Rei cries, knowing it'll take a few seconds for their attacks to fly up to that height.
[10:52] * Usagi-chan finally makes it to the main doorway of the Shrine, looking on in horror as the barrier she worked so hard to keep up begins to collapse.
[10:53] * Sailor_Mars spins the rods around herself as flames dance over her entire body, a cascade which jets up in a roaring torrent with her cry of "Flare..."
[10:54] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:54] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:55] <Sailor_Jupiter> "...Dragon!" Makoto shouts as she combines her gathered electrical energies with Rei's magic, letting the electrical dragon leaving her hands merge with the fire.
[10:55] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[10:55] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:02] * Sailor_Mercury raises her hands in preparation, streams of water coalescing into her hands as she reaches for her attack, and releases! "Glacial..."
[11:02] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[11:02] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:03] * Sailor_Dragon raises her hand on high, the Dragon Flame Ring shining with ki as she releases her own part of the attack. "...Dragon..."
[11:03] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:03] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[11:05] * Sailor_Uranus gathers then releases a stream of golden energy it into the triumvirate completing the attack. "...Quake!"
[11:05] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[11:05] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two attacks fly up and out as the barrier crumbles, slamming forward amid a storm of black energy! The world goes perfectly white for a moment as they meet...
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the light fades away, there is no barrier, nor is there any energy crashing down. The spaceship floats a moment, smoking... and then starts to fall, coming down towards the street near the Shrine!
[11:09] * Usagi-chan stares openmouthed at the falling spaceship, rooted to the spot even if her legs were capable of carrying her away from the support of the doorway.
[11:11] * Sailor_Mars tries to recover her energy, taking deep breaths as she turns to Mercury. "Ami, can your computer read anything on that UFO?" she asks as it starts to plummet from the sky.
[11:11] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6 for rejuve
[11:11] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 for rejuve and gets 6."
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> It falls rapidly, arching down at the street at the very feet of the temple. Oh fuck.
[11:12] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[11:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 6."
[11:13] * Sailor_Mercury pulls out her computer, breathing heavily as she scans the crashing monstrosity.
[11:13] <Usagi-chan> "Oh god...." Usagi gapes as the UFO draws closer and closer... "Don't hit here..."
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's jetting out dark energy as it falls, severe structural damage to it evident. It's going to make a helluva mess when it lands...
[11:15] <Sailor_Mercury> "It's badly damaged, and leaking dark energy..." Ami calls to Rei. "And... this landing will not be clean..."
[11:17] <Sailor_Mars> Breathing deeply as her legs threaten to give out beneath her, Rei produces her transformation wand. 'Please work' she prays, "We have to protect the Shrine!" she yells above the noise of the falling UFO, focusing all her power towards creating some sort of barrier to blunt any explosive shockwave from the landing.
[11:19] * Usagi-chan pulls out the Grail, shifting into the form of Serenity as she sends its power to the miko - she feels too weak to direct it herself, but she can at least help her love.
[11:19] * Sailor_Dragon follows suit, not really knowing what else to do, and trying to reinforce the fiery senshi's barrier with her own ki
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Okay, all three of you make Soul checks +1.
[11:20] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+1
[11:20] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+1 and gets 3."
[11:20] <Serenity> roll 2d6+1
[11:20] * Hatbot --> "Serenity rolls 2d6+1 and gets 6."
[11:20] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6+1
[11:20] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6+1 and gets 10."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Red and white energy flow forth from two objects, forming a frontal shield at the Torii, a beautiful barrier as the spaceship crashes down! The din is overwhelming as it plows into the very access road to the Shrine, shards of black crystal flying everywhere! Yet the barrier holds true as the ship lands. It's mainly intact in it's core, though much of the outer crystal is wrecked, as well as the city block it landed on. (Rei 35 EP used)
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> The temple Torii and beyond are undamaged, though a pile of broken crystal and trees are against the barrier that is now fading.
[11:27] * Sailor_Mars grits her teeth, her knuckles turning white around the wand as she finally relaxes, her arms falling limply to her sides. "I can't believe that worked..." she breathes.
[11:27] * Sailor_Mercury moves closer to the ship cautiously, scanning for life signs.
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is one inside, surrounded by dark energy. It's starting to stir, the energy doing something.
[11:29] * Serenity lowers the Grail, all of a sudden wondering if it was such a good idea to use it QUITE so soon after waking up. She sinks to her knees in the doorway of the temple, looking out at the wreckage beyond the torii.
[11:30] <Sailor_Mercury> "Someone's still alive in there, and using the dark energy!" Ami calls back to her friends in warning.
[11:31] * Sailor_Mars takes a deep breath, "He can't be in a better state than us," she says, trying to stir up some confidence. 'Usagi... I appreciate what you did, but you need to rest. Let us take care of this one. Please,' she sends to her girlfriend.
[11:31] * Sailor_Dragon takes to the air, trying to get a better view of the ship
[11:32] * Serenity nods, remaining where she is at the temple's doorway. 'I won't go anywhere, I promise. Good luck, Rei-chan.'
[11:32] * Sailor_Mars slowly advances towards the front of the Shrine, dismissing her pen back to subspace.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> As if to prove Mercury's words, a dented up and banged up Rubeus appears on the Torii, his clothing ripped and a nasty cut on his forehead staining his face. Berserk anger is all over his face. "How did you do it?! This is my city now!" he shouts, clearly at the end of his wits. "You've ruined everything!"
[11:33] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[11:33] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 7."
[11:34] <Sailor_Jupiter> "We've ruined things? If anyone ruined something, it was you! We're just here to fix your mess!" Makoto shouts back defiantly.
[11:34] <Sailor_Mars> "Love and justice will always triumph over evil!" Rei adds to Makoto's defiant words.
[11:34] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6 for rejuvenation
[11:34] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 for rejuvenation and gets 8."
[11:35] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6 for rejuv
[11:35] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 for rejuv and gets 7."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> From above, a rose flies forward stem-first, smacking Rubeus on the head! He yelps as his balance is ruined, falling to the pile of crystal and junk below! "You have done great evil to this fair city! You will not be allowed to go any further!" Tuxedo Kamen calls from the roof, Chibi Usa beside him.
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Landing hard against a smooth edge of crystal, the wind is knocked out of him as he lies there, helpless and gasping for air.
[11:38] * Sailor_Uranus claps appreciatively at Tuxedo Kamen's feat. "Impressive entry AND dealing out humiliation. I don't think I could top that."
[11:39] * Sailor_Dragon drops down behind Rubeus and grabs him by the collar. "Will you yield?" she asks as the Dragon Tooth appears in her other hand.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking him so, he glares at you with only honest hatred. Instead, he begins to glow black, the energy he's taken from the city manifesting! "I... will... kill you all!"
[11:46] * Sailor_Mars has a regretful look as she prepares for battle, yet more blood to be spilled in the name of protecting others. Still, she can't really bring herself to pity Rubeus, not after all he's done.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:47] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:47] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[11:47] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[11:47] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[11:48] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[11:48] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 16."
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ruling - As it stands, Sailor Dragon is so close that until action is taken, you can't target Rubeus without putting her at risk.
[11:48] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+11
[11:48] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+11 and gets 16."
[11:48] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[11:48] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 20."
[11:50] * Serenity clenches her hands in her lap, wishing she could do more to help her friends - but knowing that in her current state, she's only likely to get in the way. 'You can do it, everyone...' she thinks to those that can hear her.
[11:51] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[11:51] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 18."
[11:56] * Sailor_Uranus grits her teeth and reluctantly forces down her initial impulse to let loose an attack as the chance of hitting Herb is too high.
[11:57] <Sailor_Jupiter> Much like Uranus, Jupiter also holds back, hoping Herb does -something- before Rubeus.
[11:57] * Sailor_Dragon releases Rubeus, sad that the man wouldn't take the opportunity to surrender honourably. She rises into the air, well clear of him, and as she gestures, calls out "Flying Sword of the Dragon!"
[11:57] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:57] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:04] <Sailor_Jupiter> Seeing Dragon pull away from Rubeus, Makoto takes the opportunity to launch her own attack, calling out her favorite senshi attack. "Supreme Thunder Dragon!"
[12:04] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[12:04] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:05] * Sailor_Uranus follows Makoto's example and unleashes her attack at Rubeus as well. "World Shaking!"
[12:05] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[12:05] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:05] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:05] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:05] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sliced deeply in his shoulder by the blade of ki, he manages to get up and avoid the Thunder Dragon... and go right into the World Shaking! The dark warrior is sent flying back, down into the pile of crystal and ruin!
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Staggering up despite injuries aplenty, he glares. "This is the end!" Dark energy surrounds him, a ball of energy appearing above the Shrine at the same times, beams of negative force crashing down from it! (OOC - DCV check, all, including Usagi and Tux. +2.)
[12:11] <Serenity> roll 2d6+2
[12:11] * Hatbot --> "Serenity rolls 2d6+2 and gets 7."
[12:11] <Serenity> do-over!
[12:11] <Serenity> roll 2d6+2
[12:11] * Hatbot --> "Serenity rolls 2d6+2 and gets 10."
[12:12] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6+1 eating a penalty point
[12:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6+1 eating a penalty point and gets 3."
[12:12] * Sailor_Mars dashes over to Serenity, heedless of the risk to herself and covers her Princess and her love with her own body to take the brunt of the attack!
[12:12] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[12:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 9."
[12:12] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[12:12] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 11."
[12:13] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6+2 eating a penatly point
[12:13] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6+2 eating a penatly point and gets 9."
[12:13] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+3
[12:13] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+3 and gets 14."
[12:13] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6+1
[12:13] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6+1 and gets 8."
[12:13] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6+1 eating a penalty point
[12:13] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6+1 eating a penalty point and gets 9."
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:21] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Rei dives to shield her love, the bolt meant to end Serenity's life slams into her back again, pain blossoming! Meanwhile, the other girls dodge about as the Shrine's property value is reduced yet again! Uranus is smacked with a beam that clips across her right side as well, the others safe!
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> (Rei and Uranus take 50 damage each.)
[12:23] * Sailor_Mars cries out in pain from the hit, falling on top of Serenity as she staggers from the force impacted on herself.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen leaps up and back a bit, shielding and protecting Chibi Usa from the attack. AS he flies, he tucks the girl completely behind his cape, protecting her utterly.
[12:25] <Serenity> "REI!" Usagi does her best to catch her wounded girlfriend, but in her weakened state she only manages to cushion Rei's fall a bit as both girls collapse to the ground.
[12:25] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[12:25] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[12:26] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[12:26] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 16."
[12:26] * Sailor_Uranus hisses slightly as she gingerly probes the damaged area with her hand.
[12:26] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 1d6+14
[12:26] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 1d6+14 and gets 19."
[12:26] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+11
[12:26] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+11 and gets 13."
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:27] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:27] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:27] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[12:27] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 14."
[12:29] * Sailor_Uranus springs back to her feet. "Payback!" she calls out, releasing a golden ball of energy at Rubeus. "World Shaking!"
[12:29] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6
[12:29] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hitting a bit of protruding crystal, the attack is mostly absorbed in the wrong target, the rest of the force deflected away from the villain!
[12:32] * Sailor_Uranus growls low in her throat at the miss. "Some payback..." she mutters disgustedly at herself.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Gathering energy into his palm, he fires a black burst at Sailor Uranus, a smaller ball breaking off to hit Sailor Mars meanwhile! (+2 to Haruka's dodge, +1 to Rei's.)
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:34] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:35] <Sailor_Uranus> roll 2d6+2
[12:35] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Uranus rolls 2d6+2 and gets 10."
[12:35] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+1
[12:35] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+1 and gets 7."
[12:35] <Sailor_Dragon> "You dog!" Herb cries, "Attacking the Queen when she's so helpless! You should die for that alone!" As she rages, some fragment of her earlier life comes into focus, and almost without knowing what she's doing, she calls out "Eternal Flame of the Dragon!" Superheated ki masses around her body before pulsing down upon the wretched form of Rubeus!
[12:35] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[12:35] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:35] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ball of energy crushes into Haruka, sending her flying far into the woods outside the temple! Rei merely bats away the ball with her own spirit, protecting her love! But meanwhile, superhot flames cook Rubeus, his cry pained as he shimmers and with a burst of negative energy, explodes into nothingness! (50 more damage, Uranus. I'd recommend bed rest.)
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the flames around the fallen warrior fade, there is a strange feeling of release all about. The remaining darkness over the city just vanishes as he does, your senses again feeling the true city of Tokyo.
[12:40] * Serenity pays less attention to the city than she does to the girl atop her, holding onto the wounded senshi with a grip born of desperation. "Rei, are you all right?"
[12:40] * Sailor_Mars nods, gritting her teeth as the tension flows out of her. "I've had worse," she says, attempting a cocky smile.
[12:40] * Sailor_Dragon hangs in the air for a moment, fuming with anger
[12:41] * Sailor_Mercury moves quickly over to where she saw Haruka fall, checking on the older girl. "Haruka... are you okay?"
[12:41] * Serenity cries as she clings to Rei. "I'm so sorry... I shouldn't have been here."
[12:42] <Sailor_Uranus> "I'm fine..." Haruka replies weakly, trying to force a grin on her face while wincing as she tries to stand.
[12:42] <Sailor_Mars> "S'alright, I'm okay," Rei says, blinking the spots from her vision. "Couldn't let you get hurt before I finish yelling at you," she adds in a weak attempt at humour.
[12:42] <Sailor_Mercury> Wordlessly, Ami takes Haruka's hand and helps her up.
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> From above, Tuxedo Kamen leaps down, holding Chibi Usa. "It's over," he smiles, glancing at the wreckage of the ship and of Rubeus's plans.
[12:43] * Serenity just buries her face in the fiery senshi's shoulder, simply glad that her love is all right - and not too seriously hurt to joke around.
[12:44] * Sailor_Uranus takes Ami's offered assistance and stands on wobbling legs before steadying herself. "That was embarassing..." she says softly, keeping her head low and her gaze towards the ground.
[12:45] * Sailor_Mars shifts so she's no longer on top of Serenity, just holding her as she looks out over the devastation of the UFO crash, and the now untainted city beyond.
[12:45] * Sailor_Dragon drops down beside the wrecked UFO. "How the hell are going to clean this up?"
[12:46] * Sailor_Mercury smiles softly. "You shouldn't be embarrassed over things you can't control, Haruka. Your courage is nothing to be ashamed of," she replies, slipping one arm over her shoulder as she assists the blonde to the group.
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The UFO and the street made a through mess of each other - it will take weeks to clean this one up, likely.
[12:47] * Serenity looks out over the wreckage as well, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "Is it finally over?" she asks in an awed whisper.
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is he gone, Mamo-chan?" Chibi Usa asks her friend, hoping. "Is the bad man really gone?"
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen nods to the girl. "He's gone, Chibi Usa. No one will be after you now."
[12:49] <Sailor_Mars> "God... does this mean we can get a vacation, now?" Rei asks hopefully.
[12:50

[Halbarad]

[12:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> After spending some time resting and patching up your injuries, the girls regather in the living room. The TV and radio are now working properly, with normal programming coming in. The world seems to be picking back up where it left off, albeit with plenty of news bulletins about a meteorite landing in downtown Tokyo! The news and police are on the other side of the wreck - as good as being in China, as far as it matters to you. No one is getting out on foot or by vehicle right now.
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The temple is somewhat damaged - not critically, but it'll need some work. At least, if this is a natural disaster now, perhaps the government will shell out?
[13:02] <Sailor_Mars> "I hope no one comes to investigate up here," Rei notes, her attention on the news.
[13:02] * Serenity nods in agreement, leaning against the patched-up miko from her seat on the couch. "Doesn't look like they can get in right now, though."
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a fairly big story as the news winds on, including a bit of this and that. There are also reports of tons of property damage, which is being written off to the meteor.
[13:07] * Serenity snuggles a little closer to Rei. "I'm just glad it's all back to normal."
[13:09] <Sailor_Mars> "It'll take a while to repair," Rei notes, smiling fondly at Serenity even as she realises she's been totally distracted from her plans to spend all day lecturing the foolish girl. "But at least that's nothing we need to worry about. We really need a break after all that."
[13:10] <Serenity> "I know, but at least there's nothing to keep them from being able to repair things now." Usagi smiles, pictures of the shattered crystalline UFO prominently displayed on the screen at the moment. "And we CAN take a break for a while after that. Both our worlds should be out of danger now."
[13:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> More information trickles in. "...reports of missing persons are also high, as high as 500 people. Officials warn that this is to be expected in the aftermath, and just to report and stay home. They say that many will return home shortly."
[13:17] * Sailor_Mars glances over in the direction of Rei's bedroom. "Their families are probably wondering where they are," she notes.
[13:17] * Serenity sighs, looking over towards the room containing the comatose senshi. "Maybe they'll start to improve now... I just wish I had a better idea of how to help them."
[13:18] <Sailor_Mars> "Just give them time," Rei sighs. "You were out for four days, but they've been through far worse."
[13:19] <Serenity> "I know... I just don't like feeling helpless." Serenity looks down at her lap.
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the afternoon wears on as and you rest, your idle discussion is interrupted by the apperance of Cyprine, a projected, solid, steady image. She looks around quickly, homing in on Usagi. "Usagi," she nods. "Is it over now? The Professor notes that the energy has vanished entirely."
[13:22] * Serenity nods. "It sure looks that way," she replies. "There's a lot of cleaning up to be done still, but the dark energy is gone completely."
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "The threat is over," she comments. "I think everyone at home is ready for you to head on back - will it be soon?"
[13:32] <Serenity> "I think we'll at least wait until the senshi that belong here get back on their feet - that way we know this world will be protected again once we leave." Serenity answers. "Hopefully they'll be up and around again soon."
[13:33] <Sailor_Mars> "We did promise to help Chibi Usa's mother," Rei points out. "We need some time to rest before doing anything about Crystal Tokyo, but... well, I think it'll be a much longer time before this world's senshi are in any shape to do anything about it."
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl nods. "Alright. We'll check back later, then... it's still a bit difficult to maintain this due to the strain on the worlds."
[13:35] * Serenity nods. "We'll be home as soon as we can."
[13:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> At that, the girl vanishes as the TV goes on and on and on about the meteorite...
[13:37] * Sailor_Mars breathes out and leans back, ignoring the TV as it just repeats herself as she relaxes as best she can.
[13:37] <Serenity> "I wonder how much longer we'll be here," Usagi says a bit glumly. "I would like to go home... I miss my family."
[13:38] <Sailor_Dragon> "I don't want to think what Lime and Mint have gotten up to without me around," Herb says, "and I miss Ann. I even miss Nian."
[13:39] <Sailor_Mars> "We could leave right now," Rei notes, "But then we'd be abandoning this world's senshi and Chibi Usa's home."
[13:39] * Sailor_Mercury enters the room, a thoughtful frown on her face, and quietly makes her way over to the blonde, coughing quietly.
[13:39] <Serenity> "I know, and I know I promised to help her so I won't do that. But I still feel kind of homesick." Serenity glances up as Ami enters, giving her a curious look.
[13:41] * Sailor_Mercury smiles. "Do you have a minute?" She asks softly. "I want to show you something... I've been analysing it for awhile, but any input you could give me would help..." She begins hesitantly.
[13:43] * Serenity nods, turning towards Ami without getting up. "Sure, what is it?"
[13:44] * Sailor_Mercury frowns, and withdraws the other Usagi's transformation brooch from subspace. "It's this." she says simply, her expression betreying a slight hopefulness mixed with frustration.
[13:45] * Serenity takes the brooch from Ami, tracing over the unfamiliar pattern on its cover with her fingertip. "Is this... where did you get this?" she asks.
[13:46] * Sailor_Mercury smiles wryly. "I borrowed it from the other Usagi." she replies. "Mamoru-san gave me permission to hold onto it. I was hoping it would help revive our counterparts..."
[13:48] * Serenity opens the cover of the brooch reverently, already able to tell what's inside it. "The crystal..." she says in a whisper, tracing her thumb over the large crystal set into the brooch's center as she looks at it.
[13:49] * Sailor_Mercury nods and frowns as the darkened crystal is revealed. "But I believe you can see the problem..."
[13:51] * Serenity nods, a slightly sad expression on her face as she looks at the dim light of the crystal. "Any idea what's causing it?"
[13:51] <Sailor_Mars> "It looks like it used up all its power," Rei notes, looking over.
[13:52] <Sailor_Mercury> "My scans indicate that it's expended a great deal of energy for a task of some sort, and just needs to recover." She replies, nodding to Rei. "It still has some power, but only a fraction. Unfortunately, the recovery is estimated at one to two years..."
[13:53] * Serenity grimaces at that, guessing that her counterpart used the magical gem to keep her senshi alive as long as they were. "Is there anything we can do to help it along?"
[13:56] * Sailor_Mercury frowns. "I suspect so." she murmurs. "But I'm uncertain... judging by the results with the other senshi, it may be best to let it recover naturally." she ventures. "Is there anything you remember that might shed more light on this?"
[13:58] * Serenity closes her eyes, reaching out to touch the energy of the crystal - not to use it, but to find out what sort of shape it's in.
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - Feeling the diminished crystal, you can tell it's nearly out of gas. You'd guess it's at around 10 percent or so of its normal juice.
[14:01] * Serenity shakes her head sadly. "I wish I could... all I can tell you is that it's nowhere near as strong as it was when I had it. I have no idea how to get it back to full power again, though."
[14:06] * Sailor_Mercury nods and sighs. "That being the case, that leaves two options, should we decide to try it..." she muses.
[14:07] * Serenity lets the brooch rest on her lap. "Those are?"
[14:10] <Sailor_Mercury> "The first is to try what we had with our doubles." Ami makes a face. "Though, I'm not optimistic about the success of infusing the gem in that manner. I wouldn't recommend it." she explains, giving Usagi a concerned look.
[14:11] * Serenity nods. "I can understand that... even with as much power as the Grail has, it'd probably run itself dry before it managed to restore the Ginzuishou. What's the other idea?"
[14:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Not much point in recharging the crystal if it only makes the Grail useless," Rei agrees. "Especially if the Crystal will recover naturally."
[14:13] * Sailor_Mercury crosses her arms under her breasts thoughtfully. "My computer indicates that we could use the Crystal as an amplifier for the Grail's energy." Ami offers. "I don't know if it would be enough, but the increase might have an effect."
[14:15] * Serenity stares at the darkened crystal in her lap. "How exactly would we do that though?"
[14:16] * Sailor_Mercury smiles wryly. "I'm not certain yet, though if you'd like to try this, I think I can develop a method with the simulator on my computer... though I can't guarantee success." she cautions.
[14:18] * Serenity nods after a moment. "It's worth a try, I guess... we don't have two years to wait for it to get back to normal." She glances over towards Rei's bedroom.
[14:19] <Sailor_Mars> "Just don't push yourself," Rei warns, "You won't help them if you wind up in the exact same state they're in."
[14:19] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "I'll do my best." She assures the blonde somberly. "We'll keep trying."
[14:20] * Serenity nods. "Maybe tomorrow... I'm still kind of worn out today." Reluctantly, she hands the brooch back to Ami, closing the lid as she does so.
[14:21] * Sailor_Mercury blushes and shakes her head. "It'll take me quite a while to get something workable." She assures Usagi, taking the jewerly gently. "I'll let you know when I find something."
[14:23] <Serenity> "Thanks, Ami-chan." Usagi smiles. "I don't know what we'd do without you."
[14:25] * Sailor_Mercury blinks, embarrassed. "It's nothing." She murmurs. 'I've got to help somehow...' She hesitates a moment, then excuses herself. "I'll get started now, then..."
[14:26] * Serenity nods as Ami heads out of the room, then leans back against the couch with a sigh. Leaning her head against Rei's shoulder, she closes her eyes. "It's so weak, Rei-chan."
[14:27] <Sailor_Mars> "At least it still exists, here," Rei replies.
[14:28] <Serenity> "I guess so." She lets her hand rest on Rei's stomach, feeling safe and warm next to her love. "There's just so much still to do..." she says tiredly.
[14:28] <Sailor_Mars> "We can worry about that another day," Rei holds Usagi comfortingly. "For now let's just rest."
[14:29] * Serenity nods, slowly drifting off to sleep again. "Rest sounds good to me." she mumbles.
[14:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[14:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The day goes by from there without incident. Chibi Usa looks happier than she has in awhile with Rubeus gone and dead, the city reviving... save for 5 girls who gave everything to protect it.
[14:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next morning...
[14:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> After lunch, "Usagi-chan," Chibi Usa comes up to the table, holding her Luna-P. It's bright and it's eyes are little television monitors, a fuzzy image in it. "Usagi-chan, Luna-P wants you."
[14:38] * Serenity blinks. "She does?" Usagi accepts the ball from Chibi Usa, looking at the fuzzy image of Sailor Pluto in its eyes. "Setsuna?"
[14:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Princess Serenity..." The voice of Setsuna is fuzzy and crackled and static filled, but you can hear it. "Have Chibi Usa bring you to me, please. The Time Key..."
[14:43] * Serenity nods. "All right, we'll be there as soon as we can." She looks over at Chibi Usa. "Do you know what she's talking about? The Time Key?"
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl nods once under your gaze. "It's something I have... it can take me home," she comments, now smiling. You can read her thoughts plastered across her smiling face now, too.
[14:47] * Serenity looks back at the ball. "Do we all need to come, or is it just me you need to talk to?" she asks the image.
[14:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "As many of you as you wish may come, Princess," she replies formally, the reception breaking. "Hurry, Princess..."
[14:51] * Serenity nods, getting up from the table quickly. "Guys, Setsuna's calling for us!" she calls out. "Who's ready to go?"
[14:51] <Sailor_Dragon> "I am," Herb says from the doorway.
[14:52] * Sailor_Mars enters the room, carrying a tray with an empty bowl of soup from when she just went to feed their counterparts. "Setsuna? Where is she?" she asks, looking around.
[14:52] <Serenity> "At the Time Gate still, but apparently Chibi Usa can get us there. She said as many of us as want to come can come, but I don't know what she wants." Serenity looks a bit puzzled.
[14:53] <Sailor_Mars> "I hope she doesn't expect us to go to Crystal Tokyo right now," Rei says, frowning as she sets the tray down.
[14:55] <Serenity> "Same here, but the signal broke up before I could find out what she wanted." She hands the ball back to Chibi Usa with a smile. "If Chibi Usa can get us there whenever, though, I'll just come back here afterwards - I'm nowhere near ready to go, either."
[14:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa smiles back, buoyed at this news. "We'll go see Puu-chan today, won't we?"
[14:57] <Serenity> "We'll pay her a visit today, yeah." Usagi smiles, looking over at the other two. "Are you guys both coming? I don't know if we'll need a lot of people if we're coming back here afterwards."
[14:59] <Sailor_Mars> "I'll come with you," Rei states as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
[15:03] * Serenity nods. "I guess that'll be enough if we're just visiting." She nods to Herb. "You can tell the others we'll be back soon, I guess. Are you ready to go, Chibi Usa?" She turns her attention to the pink-haired girl.
[15:08] <Sailor_Dragon> "Eh, OK," says Herb. "I'd like to see where Pluto spends her time, but I don't need to. Have a good trip."
[15:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa nods. "We should go outside for this," she considers, taking something out of her clothes... a large golden key, decorated with hearts and other marks of the Moon Kingdom.
[15:09] * Serenity nods, walking next to Rei as she follows the girl out of the shrine.
[15:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once outside, you can see below the wreckage as well as crews starting to get to work on solving the problem. Paying no mind to those mundane things below, the girl holds her key, Chibi Usa closing her eyes and praying...
[15:12] * Serenity goes over to stand next to the young girl, wondering exactly what's going to happen.
[15:13] * Sailor_Mars also watches curiously, the mystery of how to reach Pluto finally about to be answered.
[15:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> The sky begins to darken at this, a swirling mass of clouds forming, grey and heavy. At the center of this, directly above you, is an eye to the forming cloud vortex. You feel the wind pick up... and as it does, you are lifted off the ground, zooming to the eye!
[15:15] <Serenity> "Whoa!" Serenity jerks as she rises off the ground. "Is it supposed to do this?"
[15:16] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't know," Rei replies, keeping calm as she glances over to see if Chibi Usa is at all perturbed by what's happening.
[15:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa merely smiles as you are thrown upward, the world and clouds fading away as you pass through the eye. A feeling of floating replaces it as you seem to drift for a bit, the temperature dropping.
[15:16] * Serenity wraps her arms around herself, surprised at the sudden chill.
[15:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mists soon flood your view as you go forward, forward towards a huge gate, taller and wider than your eyes can take in. Made of white stone for the walls, the actual gate is made of an unknown metal, colored green and white with touches of black. Ornate patterns cover it, with a lone woman standing there in vigil, her staff ready and posture alert.
[15:19] <Sailor_Mars> "The Gates of Time..." Rei says in an awed whisper as she looks them over before her attention turns to their guardian.
[15:20] * Serenity wears an expression of awe as the trio drift nearer to the Gate. "Setsuna?" she asks.
[15:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Puu-chan," Chibi Usa cries, soon finding a footing of sorts as she dashes over to the older woman, Setsuna kneeling ever so slightly to hug her. "It's good to see you again, Small Lady."
[15:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Princess Serenity," she says, nodding to you once Chibi Usa is so hugged. With a small smile, "Welcome to this world's Time Gate."
[15:21] * Sailor_Mars hangs back just behind Usagi, since it was her that Pluto asked to speak with.
[15:21] * Serenity mimics Chibi Usa's movements to find her own place to stand. She watches the reunion with a smile. "It's good to meet you, Setsuna - even if I have met you a few times in my world already."
[15:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding respectfully, Setsuna pats Chibi Usa's head. "This will make things simpler, then," she comments. "We have much to discuss - and this Gate is a miserable place to do it in," she smiles.
[15:24] * Serenity nods, smiling wryly. "It does seem pretty chilly here, yeah. Do you have someplace better in mind?"
[15:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Setsuna nods back once. "The Gate will be fine for a little while..." she says as she reaches out and touches the immense Gate, the world shifting again - this time much quicker, to a starlit sky, a green-turfed and grassed garden. You look to be in some sort of palace, with windows looking from above down and plenty of vibrant plants here. "Welcome to one of the last memories of the Silver Millenium," she smiles fondly. [15:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Restored with the help of Neo Queen Serenity and placed in the Time Stream... even with an enchantment to mimic old Pluto." She closes her eyes at that, with another sigh. Gesturing to a stone table and chairs, "Sit."
[15:30] * Serenity nods, heading over to the indicated table and taking a seat as she watches the tall Senshi of Time.
[15:31] * Sailor_Mars does so, looking around in no small wonder.
[15:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Can I go play with Ganymede," Chibi Usa pipes up instead, but Pluto shakes her head. "No, Small Lady. We have many things to discuss." Taking Chibi Usa with her, she sits at the table as well.
[15:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," she smiles. "Neo Queen Serenity wished to give me some small gift to aid my lonely vigil." Setsuna looks around fondly, holding Chibi Usa's hand. "I owe Usagi's future self much."
[15:33] * Serenity smiles. "It's beautiful here... I just hope I can do so well with my own palace back home."
[15:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm sure you will, Princess," Setsuna agrees. "But, regardless... you saved Tokyo and perhaps even this world's Princesses. For all of them, I thank you."
[15:36] <Sailor_Mars> "I hope they recover soon enough to thank us in person," Rei says, a little bit worried that so long has passed with no sign of any improvement.
[15:37] * Serenity shakes her head. "There's nothing to thank me for... I just did what had to be done." She nods a bit sadly to Rei's comment.
[15:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope so as well, and perhaps you will be able to ensure that. Princess Serenity... Chibi Usa..." she begins anew, on a new tack. "You have done much to alter the time stream - were it not for this change, Sailor Moon would have escaped the trap laid by Petz, purifying all four sisters and eventually destroying the Death Phantom. In time, they would have gone on to defeat Mistress 9," A pointed look at Rei there,
[15:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Neherenia, and Galaxia, and found Crystal Tokyo."
[15:40] <Sailor_Mars> "But if Chibi Usa never came back, then doesn't that mean Sailor Moon wouldn't have had to fight Petz to begin with?" Rei asks, confused as always by temporal mechanics.
[15:41] * Serenity doesn't ask questions, merely accepting the fact that most of this is going to go RIGHT over her head.
[15:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Setsuna simply shakes her head once, understanding Rei's headache far, far, far too well. "Rei... don't worry about it," she says as kindly as possible given her demeanor. "It's not important in the end, and it won't serve you at all to know the answer." Taking a breath, she goes on. "But since Sailor Moon failed to escape from between worlds... and Chibi Usa slipped through the resulting crack between your world and ours... things have changed."
[15:44] * Sailor_Mars nods, quite happy to defer to Setsuna's wisdom there.
[15:45] * Serenity nods, frowning slightly. "I guess that's not too much of a surprise... but how much have they changed?"
[15:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Chibi Usa," she looks at the girl, who is looking up at Puu with hope in her eyes. Pausing at Usagi's question, she looks back up. "They have changed... dramatically. The city of Crystal Tokyo will never be formed now - even if you succeed in saving and reviving our Princesses, events have been too altered to take the needed course for it." She says this with a deep sigh, some regret staining her emotions. Chibi Usa looks up at Puu, understanding just enough.
[15:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Puu-chan," she says in a suddenly sick voice, "I'll still be able to go home to Mommy, right?"
[15:47] * Sailor_Mars looks at Chibi Usa for a moment before it suddenly dawns on her and she pales, putting a hand over her mouth.
[15:47] * Serenity gives the green-haired senshi a worried look. "What does that mean for Chibi Usa?" she says, a lump in her throat.
[15:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Chibi Usa..." Pluto sighs, bringing her hand to her forehead and the other to the girl's hand. "I'm so sorry, Chibi Usa-chan. But... Crystal Tokyo has faded from the timestream, as has Mommy. You only survive now because of what you did to lead to this - the Silver Crystal sustains you, much as the City of Shadow Tokyo sustained Rubeus."
[15:51] * Serenity closes her eyes, a deep pang of regret for the poor child lancing through her.
[15:51] * Sailor_Mars emits a small gasp, looking at Chibi Usa with watery eyes.
[15:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa twitches, a few bluebirds flying out from a tree nearby. Silent tears begins to flow down her face as she stands there, torn. "Puu-chan... you can make it better, can't you?"
[15:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pluto shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Small Lady. I can't, not now. Neither can Princess Serenity, or even the Silver Crystal you absorbed into your body."
[15:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pluto moves forward, hugging the now sobbing girl, a tear going down her cheek as well. "I'm sorry, Chibi Usa," she murmurs to her as the little girl breaks down completely.
[15:53] * Serenity blows out a long breath, Pluto having confirmed her suspicions. "So that IS what happened to it..." she says quietly. She opens her eyes, giving Chibi Usa a look of compassion. "I'm sorry, Chibi Usa... it looks like I won't be able to keep my promise."
[15:54] * Sailor_Mars hangs her head, whispering an almost silent prayer for the people of a future that will never exist.
[15:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa just sobs into Puu's chest, ignoring Usagi. "Yes. She wanted to be a Lady like her mother, so she went to borrow her Crystal. It was absorbed into her just before the Dark Moon attacked, and all this began."
[15:56] <Serenity> "I had a feeling... between her energy and what she said happened, I kind of thought that's what might have happened." She shakes her head. "I had no way of knowing for sure, though."
[15:56] * Sailor_Mars looks up again. "So, what..." she swallows the lump in her throat, "What happens now?"
[16:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A new future will form in time - this, Chibi Usa and the Crystal are the only things left from Crystal Tokyo now. It will be one that, while built in the ashes of another, will hopefully be a bright future for everyone."
[16:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pluto hugs the heartbroken Chibi Usa, blowing out a breath. "There may even be another Chibi Usa in it - but it won't be this Chibi Usa."
[16:09] * Serenity nods sadly. "What will happen to this Chibi Usa?" she asks.
[16:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't know," Setsuna confesses. "I can see her in a few of the possible timelines of this world, staying with the girls here or alone after they... didn't make it. But, only a few threads have that. She may go back with you... or stay here."
[16:12] * Sailor_Mars gives Usagi a significant glance. 'You... you did say you wished she was your daughter. And I know she looks up to you as a mother - she doesn't like your counterpart at all, though.'
[16:14] * Serenity looks over at the pink-haired girl... she DOES love the child, but she'd never really considered it seriously. "Chibi Usa?" she asks quietly.
[16:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl is still crying, even if her tears are slowly starting to wind down. Pluto shakes her head at that. "It can wait," she murmurs, comforting Chibi Usa. "We have all the time in the world here - you'll have been gone only a minute when you return to the Hikawa Shrine... so let her cry."
[16:16] * Sailor_Mars nods, letting the poor girl grieve in peace.
[16:16] * Serenity nods understandingly. 'God, I thought I felt helpless before...' she shakes her head, looking over at Rei.
[16:17] <Sailor_Mars> 'At least... at least her mother and everyone else, they never felt any pain. And our counterparts here can still have happy futures...' Rei thinks as she takes Usagi's hand. But it's cold comfort in the face of Chibi Usa's tears.
[16:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a slow finality, Chibi Usa's tears finally do run their course, the girl curling up on Puu's chest. Under the soft stroking and rocking of Sailor Pluto, Chibi Usa falls asleep, a sleep of emotional exhaustion.
[16:18] * Serenity nods sadly, beginning to cry herself for the lost child's sad fate. 'And there's absolutely nothing I can do to help her, except just be there for her.' She sighs, sniffling a bit.
[16:20] <Sailor_Mars> 'I know,' Rei thinks, just as sad, 'But just having someone there can help a lot.'
[16:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing as Chibi Usa is asleep. "Actually," Pluto sighs, picking up. "There is one more thing left from Crystal Tokyo, and it's in your world."
[16:21] * Serenity looks up at Sailor Pluto, drying her own tears. "What is it?"
[16:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wiseman, the potential Death Phantom and the ruler of the Dark Crystal is gone. Yet, he was able to see what was happening at the last moment. In desperation, he broke away a shard of the Dark Crystal and cast it to your world as you entered this one."
[16:23] * Sailor_Mars blinks. "... What?" she asks hoarsely, not at all liking the thought of a big evil on the loose back home as they clean up this mess.
[16:23] * Serenity frowns. "What exactly is that going to mean? Is it going to be a danger to our world?"
[16:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally breaking away from Chibi Usa and setting the girl down, she turns to you, composed now. "He embued it with a fragment of his essence, in the hopes of reviving in your world and regrouping. If it makes it that far... yes. It could mean terrible things for a Dark Crystal to be born in your world."
[16:24] <Sailor_Mars> "How long would it take to revive?" Rei asks, looking rather unhappy.
[16:25] <Serenity> "Do you have any idea where it is and what it'll take to stop that?" Usagi asks, serious now.
[16:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't know... at least a goodly while for it to gather in enough energy. It wouldn't be a threat tomorrow, or the year after, or even the next decade. But left unchecked, one day it would blossom and bring about another Shadow Tokyo, or worse." Setsuna bows her head. "I apologize for this world to again spill over into yours. Perhaps if I had been willing to..." she allows herself to muse, before shaking out of it. "No matter."
[16:27] <Sailor_Mars> "We'll find it and destroy it, then," Rei sighs. Just one more little thing...
[16:27] * Serenity shakes her head. "If it's already happened, then we'll take care of it when we find it. At least we know we need to look for it now."
[16:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking another calming breath and deciding that a drink would be most needed, "Eterni!" Setsuna calls, an old, gnarled man with a slight hunch in his back comes from behind a tree, bowing to Setsuna. "Bring us some refreshments of the proper type," she says, the old man nodding and going forth to do that.
[16:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes. It shouldn't be overly bothersome if you know now, at least." Setsuna agrees.
[16:31] <Serenity> "Are there any other details you can give us about it? Like how big it is, or what it looks like?" Usagi prompts.
[16:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If it's split from the actual Dark Crystal, it will be a black shard of Crystal - much like the wreckage from the vessel Rubeus used. It will be able to hide its appearance and aura, however, I suspect." Pondering a moment, "Beyond that, I can't be certain. Wiseman was a crafty monster, and difficult to predict. My view of his last actions were hazy as Crystal Tokyo vanished."
[16:33] <Sailor_Mars> "If it can mask its aura, we'll never find it," Rei notes sourly, recalling the trouble they had with Germatou. "Not until it's strong enough to act."
[16:33] * Serenity nods, frowning. "All we can do if that's the case is hope we can catch it before it really starts to cause any trouble."
[16:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding with a bit of further annoyance at that, the old man comes back with a silver, emerald-studded tray, a pitcher of cold water and a clear bottle full of an amber liquid. "Thank you, Eterni," Pluto says softly. "You can go now." Taking one of the small, crystalline cups from the tray, she takes the bottle without hesitation, pouring herself a large drink and gunning it down as she stares at Chibi Usa.
[16:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> With an uncharacteristically weak whimper, she closes her eyes as she tries to maintain control.
[16:38] * Sailor_Mars gives Setsuna a sympathetic look, remembering what she said of owing much to Neo Queen Serenity. "I'm sorry," she says quietly, "This must nearly be as hard for you as for Chibi Usa."
[16:39] <Serenity> "Are you all right?" she asks quietly.
[16:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Worse," she croaks out. "I let Queen Serenity die and Metallia run amok... and now I've let Neo Queen Serenity die in the mists of time..." she clenches her eyes shut, looking away. "If I could have just ignored my duty for one day..."
[16:43] * Serenity reaches across the table, taking Setsuna's hand. "I'm sorry. I don't... I don't exactly understand your duty, but I know it's got to be really hard to deal with stuff like that. I just wish there was something I could do to help."
[16:43] * Sailor_Mars winces, not really understanding Pluto's duty, but knowing how much importance their own Setsuna stresses on it. "That goes for me too," she adds with Serenity. "It must be a terrible burden to bear alone."
[16:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Holding onto Serenity's hand tightly, two small, twin tears escape her eyes. "It's... just make your future bright as this world's will be. That will make your Pluto happy, I'm sure of it." She gets that out before glancing at Chibi Usa again, then back to the bottle. She stands abruptly, taking the bottle with one shaking hand. "It's romantic to take a picnic under the trees here," she says absently, walking away without preamble.
[16:47] * Serenity closes her eyes tightly, unable to imagine what the dedicated senshi must be experiencing... for a second time, no less. "I will, Setsuna," she says quietly. "I'll do my absolute best."
[16:49] <Sailor_Mars> "It's funny, isn't it," Rei remarks to Serenity as Pluto leaves. "We won. We saved our world, and this one. We recovered the senshi from what we thought was certain death. But... it doesn't feel like much of a victory, now."
[16:50] * Serenity nods sadly, looking down at the girl sleeping fitfully on the stone bench across the table. "We... what else could we have done, though, Rei-chan? We did absolutely everything we thought was right, but... it still wasn't enough."
[16:51] <Sailor_Mars> "Nothing could have been," Rei sighs, "Crystal Tokyo was lost before we even came here."
[16:53] * Serenity sighs, still staring at Chibi Usa. "I just hate being like this... with nothing else I can do except pick up the pieces." A tear escapes the corner of her eye again.
[16:54] <Sailor_Mars> "I know," Rei squeezes Usagi's hand tightly. "But that's still more than Setsuna can do. I don't think anyone can really appreciate what it must be like for her..."
[16:56] * Serenity simply cries where she sits, falling against Rei's side at the feelings of helplessness that threaten to overwhelm her.
[16:57] * Sailor_Mars holds Serenity, trying to provide stable reassurance without giving into her own despair at what has happened to Chibi Usa's home.
[16:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a bit of downtime and some melancholy, you note the old man comes back, taking platter and accessories with it. "Serenity, is it?" he pipes up, his voice old but lively. "Could you try to cheer up Mistress Setsuna before you leave? She'll be in the dumps for an infinity if she gets depressed."
[17:01] * Serenity gives the old gentleman a wan smile. "I can try. Where is she right now?"
[17:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's in her room, but I wouldn't bother her yet," he nods. "She hates for anyone to see her crying. She'll come back to you when she'd ready... give me a call if you get hungry or thirsty again."
[17:03] <Serenity> "All right, thank you." She gives the man a more honest smile, standing up to take a look around since there doesn't seem to be much else to do.
[17:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> All around are various tasteful and nice trees, plants and flowers. The color green dominates, with splashes of white and black here and there. Other colors are about, but these three are in the vast majority.
[17:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> An hour later, the little, now-motherless girl stirs, calling out. "Puu-chan," she asks into the garden. "Usagi-chan? Rei-chan?"
[17:10] <Sailor_Mars> "Hello, Chibi Usa-chan," Rei says, her tone extremely gentle. "Setsuna just stepped out for a little bit."
[17:10] <Serenity> "How are you doing, Chibi Usa-chan?" Usagi asks, going over to sit down next to the little girl.
[17:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa sniffles a bit, rubbing her eyes as you approach. "Mommy," she murmurs sadly, looking up at you. "Mommy... Usagi-chan... Please..." she grabs onto your side. "You won't vanish away too, will you?"
[17:13] * Serenity kneels down, wrapping Chibi Usa in a hug. "I'm not going anywhwere, Chibi Usa. I promise."
[17:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay... you promise, you won't go away..." The little carrier of the Silver Crystal holds Usagi tightly as can be, drained and heartbroken. "We'll... you won't leave me behind, will you... Mommy?"
[17:17] * Sailor_Mars just watches silently, a pang in her heart for the orphaned little girl as she knows only Usagi can really comfort her right now.
[17:18] <Serenity> "I promise I won't leave you behind, Chibi Usa. You can stay with me for as long as you want." She kisses the girl on the top of her head, her heart breaking as she imagines what this must be like for her.
[17:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mommy," she murmurs again. "We'll go home and me and you will be a happy family again...?"
[17:23] * Serenity pauses for a moment, then nods, even managing to smile a little. "We will. We'll go back home together and never leave each other again."
[17:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking up at you with still sad eyes, there is nevertheless a faint sparkle of hope in them. "I love you, Mommy," she says quietly, hoping.
[17:30] <Serenity> "I love you too, Chibi Usa-chan." Usagi smiles, tears sparkling in the corners of her own eyes as she stares at... her daughter.
[17:31] * Sailor_Mars feels a conflicting mix of emotions as she watches the scene, but resolves to do everything in her power to support both Usagi and Chibi Usa.
[17:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa seems content just to hold onto you for a while... a bit of time passes, broken when a far more composed and controlled Setsuna enters the garden from where she exited. "How are you feeling now, Chibi Usa-chan?" she asks nicely enough, but without much emotion at all in her voice.
[17:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still subdued, though hopeful, Chibi Usa holds onto Serenity. "I'm okay, Puu-chan," she manages. "I'm with Mommy now... she promised she won't leave me again." In her voice, there is a certain note of obsession there, of pain and of hope.
[17:36] * Sailor_Mars looks a bit worried. While it's good that Usagi is there for Chibi Usa, it seems unhealthy for the girl to just have Usagi replace her real mother so easily.
[17:37] * Serenity sighs a little, a bit worried at the edge in Chibi Usa's tone. She picks the girl up, giving Setsuna a small smile.
[17:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding, she goes on. "I see... before you go, there are some other matters to discuss, now that the issue of Chibi Usa is settled."
[17:39] * Serenity nods, shifting Chibi Usa's weight a bit. "What else do we need to know?"
[17:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "First, this world's Princesses," she says briskly, moving along with haste now. "Between the effects of the void and the Crystal drawing on them to keep themselves alive, they've gone into a near-death coma, unable to recover on their own."
[17:42] <Sailor_Mars> "Do you know any way to help them beyond just pumping massive amounts of energy into them?" Rei asks, wondering how the hell they can 'cheer Setsuna up' after what's just happened.
[17:42] * Serenity nods, a sad expression on her face. "Is there any advice you can give us for helping them? Nothing we've managed to try has worked."
[17:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "Unfortunataly, that is the solution, Rei. The energy deficit they accrued is massive and needs to be restored before they can revive. I see that you tried with the Holy Grail... but with the Grail and two Crystals," she glances at Chibi Usa, "You should have a good chance at waking them."
[17:45] <Sailor_Mars> "Won't that risk Chibi Usa if she needs the Crystal inside her to exist?" Rei asks.
[17:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No - The Silver Crystal is bound to her life force now, so the spark needed to begin this shouldn't be too difficult. She's only starting the fire, the drained Crystal and the Grail will do most of the work."
[17:50] * Serenity nods. "Will we use the Crystal to focus the power the way Ami-chan suggested?"
[17:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pluto nods. "Correct. The spark to get the other Crystal going will come from Chibi Usa, and the main power to be boosted will come from the Grail."
[17:56] <Sailor_Mars> "That sounds reasonable," Rei says thoughtfully.
[17:56] <Serenity> "All right, we can probably take care of that once we get back." Usagi nods. "Is there anything else?"
[17:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...Yes," she decides in an instant. "I'd like to make a request. Should you succeed in saving the girls, would you not spoil anything else about Mugen, the Space Criminals, or anything else that could affect events here?"
[17:58] <Sailor_Mars> "We've already told Mamoru a little, but if that's what you want we won't say anything more," Rei defers to Pluto's experience in these matters.
[17:59] * Serenity nods. "I won't say anything else to them. Hopefully it won't even come up again."
[17:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "As is... the Deathbusters will occur differently now, as well. Those events will be changed regardless because of Mamoru, but I'd like to keep it from completely being fixed." She smiles then. "For what it's worth, though, you did a far better job with them than the girls here would have done if things hadn't changed."
[18:00] * Serenity smiles at the praise. "Thank you."
[18:01] * Sailor_Mars gives a small smile of regret, "Our counterparts seemed to do better with the Ayakashi Sisters until Petz got them in that rift. We won't let that get to our heads."
[18:02] * Serenity nods, her smile wilting a bit at that.
[18:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing no harm in mentioning this now, she nods. "They would have gone on to live as normal humans and be happy. Though... in this world, the Deathbusters all died, except for Hotaru and her father. Souichi Tomoe survived the wreckage of Mugen, but never remembered a thing of the past five yaers."
[18:03] * Serenity shakes her head at that. "I hope things go better for them now, even if I know you can't tell us anything about that."
[18:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles. "I could, actually... your actions here, if you hold your word, would have minimal impact if any, and my duty doesn't apply to you in certain ways. You're not from this world, after all." She stops. "But it would be best to remain silent. With the events that have happened, the future is even more malleable now than it usually is."
[18:05] <Sailor_Mars> "Knowing the future is a burden I'd rather not bear, really," Rei says, "Let's just trust in them to do their best and make a bright future for themselves," she gives the senshi of time an encouraging smile.
[18:06] * Serenity nods in agreement. "I'm sure they'll take care of things just fine."
[18:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Indeed." With that, she nods. "I think it's time for you to go back now." Kneeling down to see Chibi Usa, she smiles. "Small Lady, I'll always remember you. Be happy with your new family, and forget Crystal Tokyo. Your mother, in the end, gave you the gift of life twice - don't waste it."
[18:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding once, the little girl looks up to her Puu. "You'll come and visit, Puu-chan?"
[18:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling sadly, Pluto strokes Chibi Usa's hair. "I'll see you again, Chibi-Usa. I promise."
[18:13] * Serenity smiles at Setsuna. "It'll work out, Setsuna. You mentioned Metallia before - I'd say that had to have been almost as rough, but that one even turned out all right in the end. I'm sure something like that will happen here, too."
[18:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," she smiles back, taking her word before going back to Usagi.
[18:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a final smile, Pluto produces her Garnet Rod. "Make a fine future for your world..." With that, the temple appears again, much smoother than the trip to.
[18:19] * Serenity gives Setsuna a smile. "We're working on it. We'll do the best we can." She looks over at Rei, giving her love a smile.
-------
[10:35] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Arriving back with Chibi Usa still clinging to Serenity, you find Haruka and Ami chatting about, waiting for you.
[10:41] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Gathering together, the subject of what you just did comes to the front...
[10:42] * Serenity holds Chibi Usa as best she can in her somewhat tired state, looking rather sad as she approaches the two senshi.
[10:44] * Ami-chan blinks at Usagi, turning away from Haruka as she notes the entrance, noting her downcast appearance. "Usagi-chan? What happened?"
[10:45] * Haruka turns her attention to regard Usagi and company as well.
[10:45] <Sailor_Mars> "We..." Rei sighs, "We won't be going to help Chibi Usa's mother, after all."
[10:46] * Serenity nods slowly. "All we have left to do is awaken the senshi that belong here," she says quietly. "Then we'll be going home."
[10:47] * Ami-chan winces, suspicions blooming in her mind. "The timeline?" She asks hesitantly, glancing at Chibi Usa.
[10:47] * Haruka cocks her head to the side curiously, waiting for the response.
[10:47] * Serenity nods sadly. "Crystal Tokyo... doesn't exist anymore," she says after a moment.
[10:48] <Ami-chan> "Oh no..." Ami murmurs softly, watching the child in Usagi's arms, then falling silent.
[10:49] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa hugs onto Usagi, eyes sad but reassured by her new 'mother'.
[10:51] <Serenity> "Chibi Usa has the Ginzuishou from there, and that's what's keeping her with us," Serenity explains. "I'm... she'll be staying with me from now on, I think."
[10:52] * Ami-chan nods seriously. "Will you need any help?"
[10:53] * Serenity smiles. "I'm sure Mom and Daddy won't mind having her stay with us, so I bet we'll be okay. But thanks for the offer."
[10:53] * Haruka is still a bit stunned at the news, but decides to shift gears in topic for Chibi Usa's sake. "So, you mentioned something about waking up this world's Senshi?"
[10:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Chibi Usa has the Silver Crystal from the 30th century inside her," Rei glances at the little girl. "With it, the Grail, and the other Ginzuishou, we can generate enough power to awaken our counterparts."
[10:57] * Haruka nods at the response from Rei before turning her attention to Usagi. "Are you going to be okay though?" she asks worriedly. "You were a little more than burnt out just a short while ago... You're up for this task so soon?"
[10:58] * Serenity nods. "I can manage... it should mostly just be getting things started - from the way Setsuna described it, it sounds like the Grail and the Crystal will do all the work."
[10:58] * Ami-chan blinks. "Setsuna had a method for doing it?"
[11:01] * Serenity nods. "She said we can use the Crystal that Chibi Usa has to get the process kickstarted, then the Grail will provide most of the power that's needed - focused through this world's crystal."
[11:01] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Puu-chan knows everything," Chibi Usa comments quietly, still downcast.
[11:02] <Ami-chan> Ami's lips quirk in a slight smile at Chibi Usa's comment. "It seems so." she agrees with somber amusement.
[11:13] <Sailor_Mars> "We'll take care of the other girls in a day or so," Rei says with a small sigh. "We don't have any need to rush, now."
[11:14] * Serenity nods slowly. "I can probably manage it tomorrow - I'm not feeling too bad now."
[11:15] * Haruka nods at the pair's answer. "So it should be smooth sailing once we get back home, right?" she asks Usagi and Rei as she lies back in her seat.
[11:16] <Sailor_Mars> "Not quite," Rei grimaces. "Seems the one behind the attack on Crystal Tokyo in the 30th century sent a part of the... Black Crystal, to our dimension before that timeline vanished."
[11:17] * Serenity sighs. "It'll end up causing problems for us eventually - if we don't find it and destroy it before it manages to get stronger."
[11:20] <Sailor_Mars> "Pluto said it would take years and years for it to gain any real power, but it could ressurect the mastermind who attacked Chibi Usa's home in our world. And it can disguise its appearance and aura until then."
[11:21] * Haruka smiles wanly. "Figures..." Haruka grumbles before shrugging her shoulders. "I half expected something like this. The role of super-powered heroine is never complete, after all. I just wish evil wasn't as persistent as a cockroach sometimes..."
[11:22] * Ami-chan frowns. "How can we find something like that..." she wonders, beginning to think on the problem...
[11:23] <Sailor_Mars> "I was thinking it might resonate with a fragment of Rubeus' UFO," Rei suggests. "Pluto said they were similar."
[11:24] <Serenity> "That's not a bad idea," Usagi replies. "There's certainly enough of THAT around to take a few pieces of it home."
[11:24] * Ami-chan nods. "It's worth an attempt. We'd do well to get a portion of the remains." Ami agrees.
[11:24] * Haruka blinks in surprise. "Woah. Good thinking there, Rei," Haruka comments, going so far as to give Rei a short clap.
[11:25] * Sailor_Mars blushes. "Don't expect any miracles. But we don't have much else to go on."
[11:31] <Serenity> "Other than that, Setsuna didn't have a lot to say, really," Usagi finishes, deciding it's better not to get into the woman's grief.
[11:34] * Haruka simply nods her head in agreement.
[11:51] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the day passes, the other girls being informed to the fate of Crystal Tokyo. Mamoru gets it directly from a sobbing Chibi Usa when he happens on her and tries to cheer her, shaking himself.
[11:52] * Serenity spends most of the day resting, pondering the implications of her offer... she's actually going to be acting as Chibi Usa's mother. Even if she doesn't have to worry about supporting the girl herself, the responsibility is one she hadn't really considered seriously.
[11:53] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru spends his time with Chibi Usa, getting information out of the girl and comforting her as best he can. All things considered, he does fairly well at it simply because he's Mamoru.
[11:57] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> And thus, the day flows by...
-------
[12:22] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> After a restful sleep and morning meal, it's go time.
[12:26] * Sailor_Mars looks between their comatose counterparts and the duo of Usagi and Chibi Usa, hoping this will go well.
[12:28] * Serenity seats herself crosslegged on the floor, the native Usagi's brooch lying open on the floor in the center of the room and the Grail in her lap. Working swiftly, she lays out a web of energy conduits between herself, Chibi Usa, and the comatose senshi - all leading back to the darkened crystal.
[12:49] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Let's start with a simple Soul check -2 for that, rabbit.
[12:50] <Serenity> roll 2d6-2
[12:50] * Shai`Hulud --> "Serenity rolls 2d6-2 and gets 3."
[12:50] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa lingers near Usagi as the web is created and forged, the spiritual essences burning...
[12:51] * Serenity takes a deep breath, turning to the young girl. "All right, Chibi Usa-chan, here's what I need you to do. I want you to close your eyes and imagine the Silver Crystal glowing inside you. Can you try that?"
[13:08] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," she nods strongly as possible, glancing at Mamoru and Serenity once each. Closing her eyes...
[13:08] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:08] * Shai`Hulud --> "Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:08] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> For a moment, the girl glimmers ever so slightly, but nothing happens.
[13:10] * Serenity smiles over at the little girl. "You can do it, Chibi Usa-chan. Just keep at it."
[13:10] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Opening her eyes a moment, she nods. "I'l try again..."
[13:10] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:11] * Shai`Hulud --> "Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:11] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> The girl tries, she really does, but the power just isn't flowing from her right now.
[13:12] * Serenity moves over to sit down next to her. "Let's try it together, Chibi Usa." Closing her own eyes, she pictures the power of the Crystal hidden within the girl's body, trying to help Chibi Usa draw that power out of herself.
[13:13] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling a bit as you come over, she tries yet again. "Okay....Mommy..."
[13:13] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:13] * Shai`Hulud --> "Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:14] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Serenity can feel the power deep inside of her, yet it's stuck solid despite her efforts.
[13:14] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> The girl opens her eyes again, frowning. "It's not working."
[13:16] * Serenity sighs. "I know... it's okay, it's not very easy to do. I've got one other thing to try, but I don't know if it'll work." Seating herself behind Chibi Usa, she wraps her arms around the child, letting the Grail rest in her lap. "I'm going to try to draw it out myself... just stay relaxed and try to help me if you can." With that, she closes her eyes again and attempts to summon the power of the Crystal herself, if she can.
[13:16] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Trusting Usagi, she nods, letting the elder rabbit attempt the task.
[13:16] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Usagi, Soul check, +3.
[13:16] <Serenity> roll 2d6+3
[13:16] * Shai`Hulud --> "Serenity rolls 2d6+3 and gets 8."
[13:19] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> You feel the power flowing from the girl, Chibi Usa's crescent moon appearing and a miniature Moon Princess taking form!
[13:20] * Serenity smiles. "There we go... just hold it like that for a minute, Chibi Usa." Closing her eyes, she lets the girl maintain the flow of energy, opening herself to the power of the Holy Grail as she calls forth its energy.
[13:21] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Mommy..." she murmurs amid her trance...
[13:21] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> The power of the Grail comes flowing into you freely, the might of purity going into the energy web with Chibi Usa's power!
[13:22] * Sailor_Mars watches anxiously, stealing occasional glances at her counterpart and wishing there was something she could do beyond hoping for the best.
[13:22] <Serenity> "All right, Chibi Usa, here we go..." Usagi turns up the flow of energy to its maximum, directing both streams through the drained crystal and on to the senshi in the room.
[13:23] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Usagi, Soul check at +3 again.
[13:23] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:23] * Shai`Hulud --> "Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:23] <Serenity> roll 2d6+3
[13:23] * Shai`Hulud --> "Serenity rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[13:24] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Gushing into the burned out Crystal, the artifact glows brightly again as it acts as focus and amplifier, beams of light spilling out and into the fallen senshi!
[13:24] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Each arches up as if in the throes of passion, a gasp escaping each set of lips as energy is fed into them!
[13:25] * Serenity clenches her teeth, unable to see the senshi with her eyes closed but definitely able to hear them. 'Come on, guys...'
[13:28] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> Color begins to return to their cheeks as they breathe in... yet, you can feel more energy is needed...
[13:28] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Another Soul check as before.
[13:28] <Serenity> roll 2d6+3
[13:28] * Shai`Hulud --> "Serenity rolls 2d6+3 and gets 11."
[13:29] * Serenity maintains the flow of energy from the Grail, despite the weariness creeping over her.
[13:29] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> More power comes through you from the Grail to the girls! With a final burst, a line seems to be passed, the girls breathing well on their own now... the other Crystal is starting to dim again as your body protests the exertion, Chibi Usa transforming back as well.
[13:29] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> (OOC -70 EP for that stunt, rabbit.)
[13:30] * Serenity nearly falls on top of Chibi Usa, catching herself just in time.
[13:30] <Sailor_Mars> "It worked!" Rei gasps in relief, going over to help Usagi remain upright so she can see the happy results of her effort.
[13:31] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> As the energy stops, Mamoru goes over to his Usagi, mask and hat gone right now. "Usako," he asks, shaking her shoulders. The girl in question mmms and slowly opens her eyes. "M...Mamo-chan...?"
[13:31] * Serenity smiles, opening her eyes to watch the awakening senshi. "It worked..." she says breathlessly.
[13:31] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, Usagi," he says, hugging her tightly while the other, dazed Usagi just returns it.
[13:32] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Ohhh... My truck just got run over by a head..." Stirring, Minako Aino opens her long closed blue eyes, surveying the scene around.
[13:32] * Sailor_Mars hugs her own Usagi, her happiness at seeing the other senshi well doing much to dispel her sadness over Crystal Tokyo's fate.
[13:33] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah... I feel beat," Other Makoto chips in, waking herself. "Why are there... wha?" she manages as she sees the extra senshi.
[13:33] * Serenity can't help but giggle a little at Minako, leaning against Rei tiredly.
[13:33] * Sailor_Dragon smiles and hugs Jupiter enthusiastically. "They're awake! We can go home to Alan and Ann!"
[13:34] <Sailor_Mars> "It's a long story, Mako-chan," Rei smiles at this world's Makoto. "We'll explain after you've all had a chance to get your bearings."
[13:34] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey..." Other Rei says, sitting up on her elbows as she sees Rei. "Gah!"
[13:35] * Sailor_Mars snickers slightly at her counterpart's reaction.
[13:35] <Haruka> "I'm beginning to think that's going to be an oft repeated reaction," Haruka comments to Rei with a smirk.
[13:35] * Serenity blinks tiredly, watching the reunion between Usagi and Mamoru - and feeling a slight pang that things went so poorly between the two in her own world. She looks over and gives her Rei a smile - things still worked out pretty well for her in the end.

[Halbarad]

[13:36] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[13:37] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> A few minutes and a few very basic promises of explanations later, the girls are all sitting up now. Other Ami watches Ami intently, then to Serenity. "Are you Chibi-Usa's mother?" she asks right out, the girl still near you.
[13:38] * Serenity glances over at Chibi Usa, hesitating for a moment. "Yes and no... it's a long story."
[13:38] * Sailor_Mars nods solemnly to that.
[13:39] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Chibi Usa is really from the future, and you're all us after brain-sucking aliens invaded and fed us worms?" Minako ventures forth loopily, still rather dazed on the whole.
[13:39] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Mina-chan," Other Makoto and Rei both sigh tiredly. "Don't be silly."
[13:40] <Sailor_Mars> "You were doing well until you mentioned brain-sucking aliens..." Rei sighs, shaking her head.
[13:40] * Serenity grins at that, nodding to Rei.
[13:40] <Eternal_Sailor_Anastasia> "Then what are you doing here, and who are you?" Usagi asks this, rather happy at Mamoru's change in behaviour, and the fact that she's currently curled up next to him, head on his shoulder.
[13:41] * Serenity smiles. "We're from another world - we're senshi there, just like you all are. Chibi Usa came to our world looking for help, and we came here to clean things up. That's the short version, anyway."
[13:41] <Ana-away> "It is a long story, Usako," Mamoru smiles back, hugging her with a single arm. "Oh, and that's Haruka, and that's Herb," he notes to the native girls, pointing at each Sailor.
[13:42] <Sailor_Mars> "We're you... kind of. It's like we're from another dimension where things went differently," Rei nods with Serenity's explanation, stealing a slightly regretful glance at Minako.
[13:42] <Ana-away> "Your world? Like the multiverse theory," Other Ami muses. "Yes, that's somewhat possible."
[13:43] <Serenity> "I'd say it's a little more than possible," Usagi retorts. "Seeing as how we're actually here and everything."
[13:43] <Ana-away> "Wow, that's like an anime story," Minako marvels, catching Rei's glance and returning it curiously.
[13:43] <Ana-away> Smiling just a bit at Serenity, "Point, I suppose," she admits, laughing lightly.
[13:43] * Sailor_Mars quickly averts her gaze from Minako and stares at the floor.
[13:44] * Serenity glances over at Rei, taking the raven-haired senshi's hand quietly.
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So," Makoto picks up, looking at her double, "If things were different... did you and sempai get together?"
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her voice is interested, and a bit curious.
[14:12] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Sempai? Oh, right, I'd almost forgotten about him," Makoto replies while scratching her head. "Nope, we're not together."
[14:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Forgotten..." Other Makoto blinks. "That means... you have someone else, don't you?" Her eyes go starry at that.
[14:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's Motoki, isn't it? Or Misha? Or that cute guy in class 5-A?" OTher Makoto speculates, as the other girls watch on and just sigh. "Mako-chan..." is the general murmur.
[14:14] * Haruka tries to stifle a snicker at that.
[14:14] * Sailor_Jupiter raises an eyebrow. "Actually, it's Alan," she replies simply before looking at Haruka. "And you, stop that."
[14:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blink. Blink. Blink. All of the Other girls stare at your Makoto, slack jawed. "Alan had Ann... and Usagi..." Rei manages.
[14:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're dating Alan?!" Minako also chimes in. "Whoa... are you going to have green babies if you get married, Mako-chan?"
[14:16] * Serenity covers a smile, trying not to laugh at the other girls' reactions. Too much.
[14:16] <Haruka> "So quick to snap..." Haruka replies with a wounded look. "I think I like the other Makoto better," she says jokingly, making a face at her dimension's Makoto.
[14:16] <Sailor_Dragon> "That would be cool," says Herb. "Pointed ears are so cute..."
[14:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't know," Other Ami muses, taking out her computer. "I wonder how Alan and Makoto's DNA would combine..."
[14:16] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head indulgently at all the speculation on poor Makoto's love life and genetics.
[14:17] * Sailor_Jupiter twitches at Minako's comment and the path the conversation's taking. "Not you too, Ami-chan..."
[14:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Ami smiles as her computer works away. "You did ask me if the Moonlight Knight was Alan, didn't you... er, my Makoto did. You said he leapt just like your old sempai."
[14:18] * Sailor_Jupiter blinks and asks curiously, "Moonlight Knight?"
[14:18] * Serenity actually DOES laugh at that. "So Alan was after m... Usagi here, right?"
[14:18] * Sailor_Mars can't help but let a small chuckle escape at that, recalling all the times she had to listen to Makoto rambling about how great her old sempai was.
[14:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Makoto nods. "All over her, and Ann liked Mamoru. I thought I'd gotten through to him with food, but he was just too hooked on Usagi." That earns the resident blonde a glare. "First Mamoru and then Alan? You hog all the guys, Usagi-chan."
[14:20] * Sailor_Mars snickers, covering her mouth as she reddens slightly.
[14:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Usagi nods. "Moonlight Knight was Mamoru, kinda. He helped us for awhile."
[14:20] * Serenity just shakes her head, giggling a little. "He didn't give me a second look back in our world... it was always Mako-chan."
[14:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I do NOT!" Usagi then snaps back. "They just love such a pretty and mature flower as myself," she hugs Mamoru at that, grinning. "Isn't that right, Mamo-chan?"
[14:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru just smiles at Usagi, hugging her but ducking the question.
[14:25] * Serenity grins, having heard a few stories from Chibi Usa about Usagi's 'maturity'.
[15:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So Alan's still on Earth," Other Makoto asks. "Are you two that... close?"
[15:25] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Aheh... you could say that," Makoto replies with a faint blush.
[15:25] * Serenity grins. "Any closer and we'd need a crowbar to get them apart."
[15:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," Usagi zooms in to Sailor Jupiter with prying eyes. "You two have been kissing?" Her voice is prying now, digging for the dirt.
[15:27] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Uhm, yes," Makoto replies, pulling a bit back at the closeness Usagi is presenting while prying for information.
[15:27] * Ami-chan smothers a laugh with one hand, watching the interplay with mixed feelings...
[15:27] * Serenity bites her lip, deciding to let Makoto choose how much to tell. Even if she wants to blurt out the truth right then and there.
[15:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Makoto starts to blush a bit, suddenly finding the floor FASCINATING. "Oh... has your Mako-chan become a woman?" Minako asks, grinning.
[15:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Usagi blinks at that, blushing herself at that accusation.
[15:28] * Sailor_Mars can't help but burst out into gales of laughter at that phrasing, leaning on Serenity for support.
[15:29] * Sailor_Jupiter groans into her hand as Rei starts laughing at Minako's comment.
[15:29] * Serenity giggles a bit herself as Rei falls against her shoulder.
[15:29] * Ami-chan watches the other Makoto react with amused sympathy, but stays quiet.
[15:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Makoto just blushes and keeps her head down, while Other Ami looks up. "I think it would be a green baby," she pronounces, nodding to your Makoto. "Will you two be expecting soon?"
[15:30] * Serenity breaks out in full laughter herself at Ami's serious announcement.
[15:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Rei just stares at your Makoto as well, sorting that all out.
[15:30] * Ami-chan blinks at Ami, and nods in agreement, having come to that conclusion herself.
[15:30] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Hey! Hey! We are -not- that far along!" Makoto protests with a blush.
[15:31] * Sailor_Mars laughs harder at Ami's statement, just feeling all the tension roll off her as she gives into her mirth.
[15:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Minako grins. "Wow, I guess Makoto could get a boyfriend before me," she muses, grumping a bit.
[15:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey!" Other Makoto protests on instinct there.
[15:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I can too get a boyfriend! I just don't have one right now!"
[15:31] <Sailor_Mars> Taking a few moments to compose herself, Rei wipes a few tears of laughter from her eyes. "Oh, boy... hee hee. I really needed that."
[15:32] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Did it have to be at my expense though?" Makoto grouches.
[15:32] * Serenity finally subsides into giggles, covering her mouth with one hand as she watches the bickering.
[15:32] <Sailor_Mars> "Sorry, Mako-chan," Rei apologises, not sounding very sincere.
[15:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Say, speaking of people, where's the other Minako," Minako asks. "I'd like to ask her if I have a boyfriend yet."
[15:33] * Serenity quiets down very quickly at that question, her expression going somber.
[15:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa whimpers a bit at that, but looks fondly over to Other Minako.
[15:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What's up," Other Rei asks, catching the change in mood with the girls. "Is something wrong with Minako?"
[15:34] <Sailor_Mars> Rei's mirth vanishes instantly, paling slightly as she wonders just what to say to answer Minako's question.
[15:34] * Ami-chan winces, and suddenly finds the floor utterly fascinating...
[15:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is there?" Other Minako asks, now sounding a touch worried.
[15:35] <Sailor_Mars> "She..." Rei looks at the vibrant blonde, her eyes starting to mist over a bit. "She isn't with us... any more..." she says softly, her voice nearly cracking with emotion.
[15:36] * Serenity squeezes Rei's hand tightly, feeling a lump in her own throat. "She... she died in a car accident just before we came here." Usagi says quietly.
[15:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh..." Usagi murmurs, her eyes striken and starting to cry. "That's terrible... I'm so sorry..."
[15:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> At that, she hugs her Mamo-chan, sniffling.
[15:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Minako bows her head, her face not visible. "She's dead? What about Artemis?"
[15:38] <Ami-chan> "He stays with me right now," Ami pipes up quietly.
[15:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mina-chan," Other Rei sighs, while Ami closes her eyes.
[15:40] * Serenity takes a deep breath, doing her best to keep from crying.
[15:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking up with tears coming down her face, "Did she die happy, at least? Did she have a boyfriend?"
[15:44] <Sailor_Mars> 'Please, Usagi, just don't say anything,' Rei begs as she speaks up, "She was happy," the miko lies. "She was becoming famous for singing songs that made everyone happy. She brightened the lives of millions."
[15:45] <Serenity> 'I wasn't going to,' Usagi thinks back, simply gripping the miko's hand. 'They don't need to know the rest.'
[15:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She was? I'm glad..." Minako says, wiping her eyes as best she can.
[15:47] * Sailor_Mars tries to smile for Minako. "Her songs were truly beautiful."
[15:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding, Minako just smiles. Seeing the car crash this is turning into, Mamoru speaks up. "We have a lot to say about what's happened here and now, first."
[15:49] * Serenity nods. "That's for sure... you guys have been out for close to three weeks now."
[15:49] * Sailor_Mars winces, looking at Rei, "And you won't like what you see if you look outside..." she says, a tad guiltily even though it's hardly her fault.
[15:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Three weeks," Ami and the other girls echo, Usagi nodding. "I... remember falling and it being really cold," she says. "It was really dark and... I tried to ue the Crystal, but I don't remember past that.
[15:51] * Serenity nods. "You were lost in some kind of void, but we managed to get you out about a week ago."
[15:51] <Sailor_Mars> "It was that void that weakened the barrier between our two dimensions," Rei adds.
[15:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Say what?" Usagi manages, everyone but Ami looking rather lost. Instead, she's plugging away on her computer, nodding. "So, it caused you to be able to come here in some fashion?"
[15:56] <Serenity> "It allowed Chibi Usa to come to our world first, actually," Usagi explains. "She told us what had happened here."
[15:56] <Sailor_Mars> "After Chibi Usa arrived we worked on a way to come here before the negative energy from the Black Moon's takeover of this Tokyo built up and flooded into our dimension."
[15:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the other girls are floundering with that, Ami nods. "I suppose the amounts of energy she emits when upset could have done that," she agrees. "Rubeus followed you into your world?"
[15:58] * Serenity shakes her head. "Rubeus stayed here with Petz and Calaveras, and sent Beruche and Cooan after Chibi Usa into our world."
[15:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> That causes all the girls to stop a moment. "Wait, Beruche and Cooan aren't evil anymore," Makoto says. "We went out to the movies with them the day before!"
[15:59] * Sailor_Mars winces, looking down. "Petz did something after she put you in that void to make them rejoin the Black Moon," she says, guilt gnawing at her.
[16:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh no..." Usagi winces. "They're alright, though, aren't they?"
[16:01] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head slowly, not able to meet the other Usagi's eyes.
[16:01] * Serenity closes her eyes. "They're gone. I'm sorry."
[16:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi gasps, hurt. "What do you mean... they aren't dead, too, like that Minako?" She asks it hopefully, even as her face starts to break. Other Ami in particular looks away, heartbreak written on her face.
[16:05] * Ami-chan sighs, the tension slowly giving her a headache, as she finds it increasingly difficult to look the other senshi in the eye.
[16:05] * Serenity speaks after a moment, her mouth dry. "We... we didn't know they were good until after we arrived here, and by then it was too late to help Calaveras or Petz. Beruche and Cooan were both gone before we ever had any idea."
[16:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Each the girls begins to cry, grief evident. Chibi Usa looks away and hides behind Usagi, not saying a word. "Oh God..." Other Rei gets out. "Cooan..."
[16:07] * Serenity lowers her eyes, her shoulders slumping with the weight of the news she's had to bear.
[16:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Amid tears, "Don't blame them... with all the dark energy about, it's not surprising that they were taken back." Mamoru says, sticking up for you a bit.
[16:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a bit more crying, "It sounds like you live in a sad world," Minako comments. "Everyone's dying."
[16:13] * Serenity smiles a bit. "It's not so bad, really. We have lost some people, but we've saved even more than that."
[16:14] * Sailor_Mars sighs, feeling that things have really taken a turn for the worse. "We had no idea what they were really like. All we knew was that they were evil and we had to protect everyone from them," she says in a feeble attempt at justifying herself, not addressing Minako's point.
[16:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru nods. "They're gone... but I'm sure they're at rest. Just like Queen Serenity and all of our friends are," he smiles. Not letting any of the girls argue with him, he goes on. "And... Chibi Usa is safe now, so she'll be going home soon."
[16:16] * Serenity smiles weakly at that, still struggling with that weight somewhat. "I'll keep her safe."
[16:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> At that, Usagi perks up again. "You said you were kind of Chibi Usa's mother?"
[16:17] * Serenity nods slightly. "I... wasn't before, but I am now." She gives the young girl a smile.
[16:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What happened to Chibi Usa's mother?" Other Rei asks, while Chibi Usa smiles back at you.
[16:18] <Sailor_Mars> "The timeline she existed in... it's gone thanks to what the Black Moon did..." Rei says, sadness once more pressing down on her.
[16:19] * Serenity nods sadly. "Her mother doesn't exist anymore."
[16:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The other girls go quiet at it, while Ami still manages to work that over. "If her timeline collapsed, she should be gone... unless something is preventing that?"
[16:20] <Serenity> "She has the Silver Crystal from where - when she comes from," Usagi replies, finding it troublesome to talk about time travel.
[16:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami nods. "That would do it," she agrees. "It would also explain the readings my computer got from her."
[16:21] * Serenity smiles. "I know, I was kind of surprised when I first saw her myself."
[16:21] * Ami-chan nods quietly in agreement, and silently excuses herself from the room for now.
[16:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Watching her double leave, Ami goes on. "She's going back with you and the threat is over? ...at least we can start studying for our exams now."
[16:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "When are you leaving?" Mamoru asks at that point, having been curious about that.
[16:23] <Sailor_Mars> "The Black Moon won't threaten this world ever again," Rei confirms.
[16:24] * Serenity covers a smile. "At least we don't have to worry about exams back home," she says, glancing over at Rei. "We'll probably head home tomorrow - I need to rest up before we leave."
[16:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What do you mean you don't have to?" Makoto asks, interested now. "Do they not have them there?"
[16:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru can't help but smile at that and takes one bombshell for himself. "It's because they all go to Mugen, the Infinity School. It's a ladder academy."
[16:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "GAH!" Minako coughs at that violently, while the other girls stare again. "Mugen... not T*A?" Other Rei inquires.
[16:26] * Serenity can't help but grin proudly at her achievement - even if she didn't exactly get it the usual way.
[16:27] * Sailor_Mars coughs. "I got kicked out of T*A and had to transfer..."
[16:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> All eyes zoom in on Sailor Mars, while other Mars gags even more. "Kicked OUT?! Kami, how did that happen?!"
[16:28] * Serenity stares down at her lap, really hoping this subject WOULDN'T come up.
[16:28] <Sailor_Mars> "It's..." Rei blushes, "I'd rather not get into it. It wasn't one of my finer moments." She coughs, "Anyway, I'm doing much better at Mugen."
[16:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Come on, you can tell us," Minako pries, smelling dirt. "What did Rei-chan do that was so dirty to get kicked out of a Catholic school?" Ignoring Other Rei's twitches, she goes on. "It wasn't lewdness, was it?" she says with a glance at your Makoto, a catty smile there.
[16:29] <Sailor_Dragon> "Makoto and I aren't at Mugen," Herb notes, "I'm at Toudai, and she chose to stay at Juuban."
[16:29] * Sailor_Jupiter nods. "Although you do teach there, Herb," Makoto points out.
[16:30] * Sailor_Mars blushes beet red as Minako hits the nail right on the head. She elects to remain damningly silent, however.
[16:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Aw, Rei-chan," she pleads, smelling a scoop. "You can tell Mina-chan, can't you?"
[16:30] * Serenity glances over at Rei. 'Should I just tell them you set the headmaster's desk on fire? THAT part was an accident, at least.'
[16:31] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head. "I'll just say I let my temper get the better of me when I shouldn't have and leave it at that," she says, still blushing.
[16:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You socked it to one of those stuck up nuns, didn't you," Minako smiles. "Good! I'd give 'em a piece of my mind, those penguin bitches!"
[16:33] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, you sure did," Rei mutters, a bit angrily. "Our Minako transferred to T*A and we both got kicked out two days later."
[16:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako blinks and blushes as the girls turn to her, wishing she'd kept the lewdness comment under wraps now. "Oh. Well... good for me?" she tries, fumbling.
[16:36] * Serenity keeps her mouth closed, knowing that that was really only the beginning.
[16:37] * Sailor_Dragon does her hardest to keep stony-faced as well.
[16:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing the reactions, "At least you weren't alone for that, Rei-chan?" she tries.
[16:38] <Sailor_Mars> "I suppose it was good, since you did manage to pass the Mugen entrance exam afterwards," Rei concedes, not wanting to get into an argument with a perfectly innocent Minako. "But yeah, you were the one who started calling the nun a penguin and I made the mistake of backing you up when they threatened to expel you..." she shakes her head.
[16:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The gossip really isn't to Minako's liking, the girl letting it drop. Ami, however, can't let that pass by. "Your Minako managed to pass the Mugen exams? That's very impressive... Minako, you'd be doing that if you applied yourself better," Ami lectures.
[16:40] <Sailor_Mars> "She got a better score than me," Rei remarks, that still a bit of a sore spot with her.
[16:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Did you make it in as well, Rei?" Ami raises an eyebrow, rather impressed.
[16:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Just scraped a pass," Rei confirms.
[16:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Rei nods, sending a triumphant look to Other Usagi.
[16:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm. Perhaps there is even hope for your grades, Usagi," Other Ami smiles at the blonde, then moves on. Taking a moment, she starts to get up, standing. "I think I'd like some fresh air... I feel like I've been laying down for weeks now."
[16:46] <Sailor_Dragon> "Usagi's Miss H is there too now, teaching English," Herb says.
[16:47] <Serenity> "Probably because you have been," Usagi retorts. "But it's good to see you guys up and around again."
[16:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami smiles as she exits, while Usagi blinks. "Miss H is at Mugen?"
[16:49] * Serenity nods. "She applied and got in just after I transferred - she teaches my English class now." The blonde makes a face at that. "And I'm her favorite student."
[16:50] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Well, you did land her her job, didn't you?" Makoto says with a grin. "What with being the professor's favorite assistant and all."
[16:51] <Serenity> "I did put in a good word for her, yeah, but I doubt that's the ONLY reason she got in." Usagi scowls.
[16:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The Professor? Who's that," Makoto pipes up, curious.
[16:52] <Serenity> "Professor Tomoe - he's the headmaster at Mugen," Usagi explains.
[16:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girls just gawk again, unable to really process that.
[16:55] <Sailor_Mars> "Don't think too hard about it," Rei says, noting their reactions.
[16:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako nods, already nursing a headache. "So... wait!" she says abrubtly. "If we've been gone three weeks... Mom is gonna kill me!"
[16:58] * Serenity shakes her head. "A lot of people have gone missing from what the news is saying, so you guys showing back up shouldn't cause too much of an uproar."
[16:59] <Sailor_Mars> "Most people in Tokyo can't remember what happened when it was flooded with negative energy," Rei reassures her. "Of course, it has been close to normal over the past few days." She turns to her counterpart, "Yuuichiro's been really worried about you."
[17:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Has he," she asks with a small smile, before quickly replacing it with a more fiery, disdainful expression. "Good for him!"
[17:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Aw, Rei-chan," Usagi grins. "You should go kiss him again," she teases, taking an easy shot.
[17:02] * Serenity smiles a bit at the quick change in the other Rei's demeanor, laughing at Usagi's comment.
[17:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Shut up, Dumpling Head," she snorts back, turning her back to Usagi.
[17:04] <Sailor_Mars> "He did say you two had kissed a few times already," Rei adds, smirking. "No reason to be shy, now."
[17:04] * Serenity giggles as she watches the two. 'Just like old times, huh Rei-chan?' she thinks.
[17:05] <Sailor_Mars> 'Odd to see it from the outside, though.'
[17:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "GAH!" Rei freaks, hair toinging out. "Did not! It was just one peck, really!"
[17:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi ain't buying that, however. "You two should get married, like me and Mamoru will," Usagi grins, latching onto Mamoru again. For his part, he doesn't seem to mind it at all, now.
[17:05] * Serenity almost doubles over laughing at Rei. "Come on, it had to have been more than that!"
[17:06] * Sailor_Mars tuts. "I can't believe Yuuichiro would lie like that."
[17:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why don't YOU go kiss him if you like him so much, Dumpling Head! ...Or why don't you if you want to stick up for him, you," she glares at Rei. "Or is your Yuuichiro already doing that?"
[17:07] <Sailor_Mars> "No, actually," Rei says innocently. "He has someone else in my world."
[17:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And what about you, Rei-chan," the Other Usagi asks of this Rei. "Are you doing any better than Pyro here?"
[17:09] * Serenity goes tight-lipped at that, trying her hardest not to blush - with not quite perfect success.
[17:10] <Sailor_Mars> "I have no complaints," Rei says, doing her best not to look at her own Usagi at all. Of course looking at a perfect double of Usagi as she answers still makes her blush a bit.
[17:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Who's the lucky guy?" Usagi asks, even more curious now.
[17:12] <Sailor_Mars> "My lips are sealed," Rei shakes her head, a smile tugging at said lips.
[17:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru smiles a bit at this himself, but keeps his lips sealed.
[17:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Don't be mean, Rei-chan," she pleads a bit. "It isn't some ugly guy that you'd hate to be seen with, is it?"
[17:14] * Sailor_Mars blinks. "Surely you don't think so little of my taste, do you?"
[17:14] * Serenity bites down on an indignant squawk, still trying to stay out of the conversation.
[17:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's not like Rei-chan could keep someone cute, like Mamo-chan," she fires back, while the other miko gives her a death glare. "Usa...gi..."
[17:16] * Sailor_Mars frowns, that finding that remark to be rather cutting given that Rei dated Mamoru in this world as well. "It's someone way better than Mamoru!" she fires back.
[17:18] <Sailor_Dragon> "Someone with a much cuter ass as well," Herb agrees, teasing the miko.
[17:19] * Serenity turns slowly, giving Herb a glare that promises pain in the future.
[17:20] * Sailor_Jupiter snorts as she tries to control herself from going into a giggling fit.
[17:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No one is better than my Mamo-chan," Usagi retorts, "And no one has a cuter butt!"
[17:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru blushes a bit at that, but steps in. "Usagi, why don't you let it go? She doesn't want to mention who her girlfriend is, so why don't you respect that?" he says, trying to cool down his love.
[17:25] * Sailor_Mars blushes as Mamoru blows the fact that she's with a girl and not a guy.
[17:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "GirlFRIEND?!" Other Rei freaks entirely, coughing violently as she looks up at Rei. "You like girls?!"
[17:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh my God..." Usagi murmurs, blinking. "I didn't think you were like that, Rei-chan! I mean..."
[17:28] * Serenity quickly looks down at her lap, trying to keep her glowing face from being quite so visible.
[17:28] <Sailor_Jupiter> Makoto's lips twitch as Mamoru spilled, and she puts the finishing touches as she says to Usagi, "So, out of curiosity, do you think you have a better ass than Mamoru?" before falling to the ground cracking up.
[17:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto stumbles as well, staring at both Reis. "Uh... not that there's anything wrong with that," she murmurs.
[17:29] * Sailor_Mars puts her head in her hands as it all goes to hell around her. "Why me?"
[17:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Rei whips her head as she looks at both Usagis, face dead pale. "Me... and... that..." she stammers out, mind blown.
[17:30] * Serenity stays silent, glowing like a Christmas bulb.
[17:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No way! No way I'd leave Mamoru for another girl, especially Rei!" Usagi retorts, denying it strongly.
[17:31] * Sailor_Mars coughs, looking up and nodding with as much decorum as she can muster. "We're very happy together," she says, crimson.
[17:31] * Serenity nods at that, glancing up at Rei.
[17:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wow.." Minako murmurs. "You two... I knew that fighting was just a cover," she says with a quirky grin, looking at the two girls.
[17:32] * Sailor_Dragon hugs Jupiter-chan and helps her to her feet, smiling herself.
[17:32] <Sailor_Jupiter> 'Must. Not. Say. It's. Their. Foreplay...!' Makoto thinks as she continues laughing, leaning on Herb's shoulder, after Minako's line.
[17:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sending Minako a glare that you could swear would start a fire, Other Rei speaks sweetly. "Minako, dear, if you ever imply that again, I'll burn you alive next battle," she promises, still blushing.
[17:33] * Sailor_Mars coughs. "Of course, things are a lot different in our world. I wouldn't imply anything about you two," she nods at the other Rei and Usagi.
[17:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Laughing at that, Minako shakes her head. "I never thought Rei and Usagi would be picking lilies together..."
[17:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's right," Other Usagi adds in. "I'm only interested in Mamoru, and not any other girl!"
[17:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru nods to that. "I wouldn't give Usako up to Rei, anyway."
[17:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Muttering 'better Rei than me,', Makoto just watches the carnage quietly.
[17:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You can have that Dumpling Head, Mamoru," Rei agrees, wanting to erase the last few minutes from her mind.
[17:40] <Sailor_Mars> "So... um..." Rei wonders if things are salvagable, "Going to go kiss Yuuichiro now, Rei?" No, probably not.
[17:40] * Serenity simply stares at her lap, fidgeting with her hands nervously.
[17:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei just shakes her head, standing. "I think I want to take a bath," she says, going and leaving in a daze.
[17:43] * Sailor_Mars sighs. "Poor girl..."
[17:43] <Serenity> "It wasn't... it wasn't really something either of us expected," Usagi finally manages. "It just kind of happened."
[17:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just kind of went from friends to lovers," Minako asks, curious despite the mess.
[17:46] * Serenity sighs. "We... I was really lonely after I broke up with Endymion, and I didn't really notice how close Rei and I were really getting to each other." She looks up at Rei, giving her a small smile. "Things just kind of fell into place once I really stopped to think about it."
[17:48] * Sailor_Mars nods. "Usagi helped me through some really rough times, and we just came to lean on each other more and more... I tried to ignore my feelings, but after she said she felt like I did..." she shrugs helplessly.
[17:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi starts to say something, but Mamoru cuts her off. "I can understand that, I guess." With that, he rises, helping Usagi up. "We should really get Usagi home... I can manage past that wreck, I think."
[17:52] * Serenity nods, still rather red in the face.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We'll see you tomorrow before you leave," Mamoru promises, Usagi nodding after him as she steadies herself. "We both owe you a lot... if there is anything we can do before you go..."
[09:11] * Serenity smiles a bit. "It's all right, we just did what we had to do. Don't worry about it."
[09:12] * Sailor_Mars nods, feeling rather unhappy with how poorly things just went after Mamoru inadvertently spilled the beans.
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Managing a weak smile at the both of you, Usagi nods. "I'll see you tomorrow..." she says as she leaves with Mamoru, leaving just Makoto and Minako now.
[09:14] * Sailor_Mars sighs as they leave. "That sure could have went better."
[09:15] * Serenity frowns as well. "Tell me about it. I didn't think they'd take it very well." She shoots a withering glance at her Makoto.
[09:16] <Sailor_Mars> "I was trying not to say anything about it for a reason..." Rei says, also shooting rather unhappy looks at both Makoto and Herb.
[09:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Makoto smiles a bit. "I don't really mind that much..." she ventures at Mars. "It's kind of sweet that you at least found each other instead of being alone."
[09:18] <Sailor_Mars> "Thanks," Rei manages a small smile of her own. "Things have been a lot better for both of us since we got together."
[09:18] * Serenity nods. "I definitely have no complaints."
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako nods to Makoto. "Better than growing into an old hag," she nods sagely. "How'd everyone take it?"
[09:19] <Sailor_Mars> "A lot better than Rei and Usagi just did," Rei snorts. "Although Mrs Tsukino took some time to come around..."
[09:20] * Serenity nods. "Mostly just surprised, but yeah - Mom wasn't too happy about it," she says with a sigh.
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Can't blame them, either," Makoto snickers a bit. "Both will be taking a paranoid look at their own fighting and wondering..." Smiling in spite of herself, Makoto nods.
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Did you work it out with her?" Minako asks.
[09:22] <Sailor_Mars> "We didn't start to think of each other this way until a while after we pretty much stopped fighting entirely," Rei notes. "I hope they don't feel too uncomfortable around each other because of this."
[09:22] * Serenity nods. "Mostly, yeah. She's still not too happy about all of it, but she's getting better."
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling at Chibi Usa, Minako goes on. "At least she'll get a granddaughter, now, without teen pregnancy."
[09:26] * Serenity giggles a little at that. "It IS kind of nice not to have to worry about that, yeah."
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Peeking up tiredly, Chibi Usa goes over to Minako. "Mina-chan..." she says, hugging the other girl. "I missed you... and you still have to take me shopping!"
[09:29] * Serenity can't help but laugh at that. "I do have to say it's... it's good to see you, Mina-chan." Serenity gives the other blonde a smile.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Chibi Usa-chan," Minako says, smiling nicely at her, then up at you. "Yeah... must be like having a ghost walk over your gravestone or something."
[09:31] * Serenity's lips quirk into a smile. "Something like that, anyway."
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Tell you what, Chibi Usa-chan," Minako goes on. "I'll give you something in exchange for shopping, okay?"
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl nods once, waiting.
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Since you won't have a Minako to play with once you go," she does look a bit down at that, "I'll give you something to remember me by." Pulling something out from the nebulous space that holds items for you, a familiar compact comes out. "Use this when you grow up to keep an eye on your make up, Chibi Usa-chan," she grins. "Since you'll have lots of dates and boyfriends."
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's pretty," Chibi Usa smiles as she takes it. "Thanks, Mina-chan!"
[09:35] * Serenity smiles just a bit at that, knowing what the compact really is.
[09:36] * Sailor_Mars smiles wistfully at Minako, glad that at least somewhere in all the universes her former love can be genuinely happy like this.
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just be careful with it, or you'll end up a gorilla or a cat or something," she winks, then looks up at Serenity. "Did your Minako have this?"
[09:37] * Sailor_Mars snickers. "She turned herself into a cat once." It wasn't funny at the time, but looking back...
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako blinks. "Hope Artemis didn't give her fleas," she murmurs, then looks up. "Say, where is he, anyway?"
[09:38] * Serenity shakes her head. "I don't know, we haven't seen either of them since we arrived - although we haven't had a lot of time to go looking."
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," Minako nods. "He and Luna probably used it for some personal time," she snickers. "I'll drag them out of whatever alley they're shacked up in."
[09:39] * Serenity giggles. "Just throw a shoe at them or something."
[09:40] <Sailor_Mars> "Wonder what our Luna and Artemis have been up to while we've been gone...?" Rei muses aloud.
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto chuckles, standing herself. "Y'know, I should go make some dinner," she muses, eyes focusing.
[09:41] * Serenity gets a faraway look at the mention of dinner. "I could go for that..."
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting up, she pauses a moment. "Hey, one thing. Why are you dressed up like the Moon Princess, anyway, and not Sailor Moon?"
[09:43] <Serenity> "Mainly because I was using the Grail. It helps me focus a lot better to be in this form," Serenity replies. "I'm so used to being like this that sometimes I forget to change back though."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto shrugs and goes at that, happy with that answer and not really curious enough to be kept from her kitchen. Minako, however, "Grail? What's that, anyway? It sounds like kinda formal."
[09:45] <Sailor_Mars> "It's a really powerful artifact of the Moon Kingdom - kind of like the Silver Crystal," Rei explains.
[09:45] * Serenity smiles a bit, taking out the powerful artifact. "It's something we've found in our world - I sort of use it to replace the Crystal now."
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako nods once. "It looks cool... say, could we get one, too? If Usagi's crystal is busted up now..."
[09:47] <Serenity> "You might," Usagi replies. "But I can't really tell you too much about how we got it, since it'd probably be a lot different for you."
[09:48] * Sailor_Mars nods. "Best if you discover it on your own. And I'm sure you will before too long."
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," she shrugs, letting it go. She stops a moment, thinking. "What about Haruka and Herb? Will we find them, too?"
[09:49] <Serenity> "Herb... I don't know. But I expect you'll run into Haruka before too much longer." Usagi smiles at that.
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> She raises an eyebrow, letting her sometime-used brain work. "Just like the Grail?"
[09:51] * Serenity nods, knowing that the two are intimately connected.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Filing it away, she grins. "Oh, and Chibi Usa-chan. When you do get a bit older, ask Usagi about that compact's specialness, okay?"
[09:55] * Serenity grins. "I'll fill her in. Thanks, Mina-chan."
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No big... I haven't used the thing in ages."
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles down at Chibi Usa again, then rises. "Mmmm... dinner should be good, if Mako-chan made it."
[09:58] * Sailor_Mars has a slightly quirky smile at Minako's dismissal of the compact, recalling how her own Minako was so dependant on it.
[09:59] * Serenity smiles. "That's been one nice thing about being here - getting to eat Mako-chan's cooking every day!"
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Isn't it?" she says as she exits, planning on a nice dinner...
[10:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going for a soda, Ami ends up lingering in the kitchen until Other Makoto enters, already humming as she gets into her groove. "Heya," she smiles at Ami. "Uh...which Ami are you," she asks a moment later, realising that she isn't sure.
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling as best she can to you with her embarrassment, she goes to the cupboard, finding out what she has to work with.
[10:08] * Ami-chan smiles at Makoto. "Uhm... I'm a visitor to this universe." She offers, realizing she has no idea which Makoto she's dealing with, either. "You?"
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Born and raised here," she nods back, coming out with a few cans. Setting them on the counter, she smiles warmly at you. "You don't look much different from our Ami."
[10:12] * Ami-chan giggles a little at that. "Well, my life probably hasn't been as dramatically different from hers as the others have." she guesses, standing of to the side and taking the opportunity to watch Makoto at work.
[10:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting a hand can opener out, she gets to work. "Been hitting the books, eh? Just like Ami-chan..." she smiles. "How's Mugen? Gotta be more fun for you than old Juuban Middle."
[10:18] * Ami-chan smiles warmly, feeling strangely comfortable, despite the difference in her friend. "I do enjoy it." she admits. "But, in some ways, Juuban was more fun. I don't really see Usagi and Rei much at school, and you... or, the other you are... uhm, is? still at Juuban." Ami says, beginning to deflate a little, puzzling over the approprate tenses.
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh, just as well. I'd die if I had to study enough for Mugen," she grins.
[10:24] * Ami-chan smiles. "Mm, I don't know. If Usagi-chan can make it, I'm sure you could." she offers, smiling. "If only for the botany courses, you still might enjoy it." she suggests.
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess," she conceds, enjoying herself. "Could you hand me that pot from under there, Ami-chan?" she points as she opens more stuff. "You do remind me so much of Ami-chan..." she sighs a bit.
[10:29] * Ami-chan nods, and bends over reaching under the counter to grab the indicated pot, hesitating as she hears the sigh. She hands it tentatively to Makoto. "Is... is there something wrong with my counterpart?" She asks gently as she hands it over.
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blushing quickly and shaking her head, she goes on. "No, no. We just had a bit of a fight a few days ago. Nothing big, really."
[10:34] * Ami-chan blinks, hard, unable to picture why she would be fighting with Makoto. "Really?" She asks, surprised, then shakes her head quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the way it sounded." she amends, embarrassed. "Do you mind if I ask what it was about?" she ventures, timidly.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto smiles at you nicely, laughing a bit at that. "It's no problem, Ami-chan. We just had a stupid argument over something... and well..." she blushes. "Ami actually got a little angry, and..."
[10:45] * Ami-chan shakes her head, puzzled. "I'm not usually like that." She offers, gently. "What upset her?"
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blushing even more, Makoto focuses on pouring a can of food into a bowl and stirring it. "Well... ah... we went to a public bath a few days ago since the water at my apartment has been messed up," she begins. "And... well... I said something in passing about her chest, and well..."
[10:51] * Ami-chan winces. "I understand." Ami replied, smiling sympathetically. "It probably isn't you she's upset with, exactly." she offers in consolation. "I'm all too aware that compared to the rest of you, I'm somewhat plain." she sighs, half to herself.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto shakes her head. "You're beautiful, Ami-chan," she smiles mistily at you. "I just said that you weren't as developed as the rest of us yet, and Ami started blushing and we got to fighting. You are really pretty... and you aren't risking back problems down the road doing so," Makoto smiles at you as best she can under the circumstances.
[11:01] * Ami-chan feels the blood rushing to her face as Makoto speaks, suddenly light-headed and shy. "I..." she pauses to swallow, then tentatively continues, long-hidden emotion coming to life in her voice. "I... thank you, Mako-chan. But you're beautiful too, in a way I could never manage. But I admire..." She trails off, stumbling for words.
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blushing badly herself, the more talented one grins and blushes back. "Aw, Ami-chan. Maybe you'll grow out one of these days... not that you need to with that smile and those eyes of yours."
[11:10] <Ami-chan> "I..." Ami breaks off and swallows again, smiling tremulously, her face hot. "Maybe." She agrees shyly, wondering why she seems to be unable to string together a coherent sentence, and almost dizzy from the blood rushing to her cheeks. "I... I don't know that anyone else thinks so, but... thank you." she stammers, unable to look away from the taller girl.
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto grins and blushes still. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed, Ami-chan," she murmurs. "I'm amazed you haven't gotten a guy yet."
[11:17] * Ami-chan tries to smile, wincing a little, and desperately willing her blush to fade. "I don't seem to have much luck in that department." she sighs wistfully, her mind going over memories, some recent, and some not, of just how little luck she has...
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto sighs. "Such a shame," she admits. "All the guys are missing a helluva chance... maybe you need to take action yourself and make a move on someone you like," she asks as she turns back to her food, stirring the bowl.
[11:22] <Ami-chan> Ami shakes her head, sadly. "I can't..." she murmurs. "I, uhm... it would cause too many problems."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto sighs. "If you don't take a chance on someone, you'll never get into a relationship," she muses, putting down her mixer and coming over, putting a warm hand on your shoulder. "Really, Ami, sometimes you just have to plunge in and go for it." She grins at you, eyes encouraging.
[11:25] <Ami-chan> "I wish I could." Ami admits, swallowing hard as she looks up into Makoto's eyes. "But I'd make problems for them, or worse, damage our friendship. I couldn't live with that..."
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Returning your look with a sure one, Makoto goes on. "Ah, hell with that," she nods. "Sometimes you just have to go up to someone and give them a good, tongue-filled kiss to overcome your shyness," she blushes dark red at that. "Not that you should do that often or anything, but it could be just what you need to get over it, Ami-chan."
[11:33] <Ami-chan> Ami's eyes widen, and her heart starts thumping loudly in her ears. "..." Suddenly hit by a burst of impulse, she leans forward a little, and closing her eyes, stands on her toes, kissing Makoto with a soft peck on the lips. With a soft, shuddering sigh, she leans back... and the enormity of what she's done crashes down on her like a ton of bricks. "Oh my god... I'm sorry!" She blurts, her face flaming as she turns, and bolts from the room.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...Ami," Makoto murmurs, raising two fingers to her lips as the girl runs, a bit too surprised to do much of anything but stare for several seconds...
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Dashing outside, face aflame, Ami enters into the warm afternoon sunshine...
[11:44] <Ami-chan> 'I should have known better!' Ami berates herself as she flees the building, and quickly moves over to the prayer altar, pausing momentarily in front of the prayer bell, fighting a sudden urge to pray to take back the last few seconds. Taking refuge on the far side of the small structure, away from prying eyes, she sits down slowly, hugging her knees and wondering what came over her.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few minutes of this pass, until you hear someone coming. "Ami," Makoto calls softly, looking around. "Ami-chan?"
[11:47] <Ami-chan> Ami's hand flies up to her mouth, her heart jumping into her throat in surprise. She hesitates, not answering immediately, quickly trying to frame an apology in her mind...
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> You hear her coming close, calling your name again. "Ami-chan..." she says, sounding worried. "Are you here, Ami-chan?"
[11:51] * Ami-chan sighs, almost shaking with nerves. "Yes..." She sighs, resignedly. "I-I'm here."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Coming over, Makoto's face is fiery red as she sees you, rather shaken. "Hey, Ami," she laughs nervously. "Guess you took my advice, eh?"
[11:55] * Ami-chan nods slowly, looking up at Makoto. "Y-Yes..." she agrees slowly, trying to smile, but finding herself scared to death of what's to come next. "I-I'm sorry... it wasn't fair to you. But you were... and Mako-chan..." She stumbles, her quickly improvised apology falling to pieces.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods, blushing. "Um... er... have you felt this way about your Makoto for awhile? I mean... er... maybe it's why my Ami got so mad? It's not your fault... heh." Makoto rambles on.
[12:04] * Ami-chan nods, slumping a little. "I have." she agrees, quietly. "But... I could never work up the nerve to do anything more than hint, and then I lost my chance." she smiles sadly at the mirror image of the girl she's talking about. "And you're so much like her..." She sighs, heavily. "When you said that, everything I thought I'd dealt with came rushing back."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto goes silent, thinking. "I'm sorry for that," she says to Ami, blushing. "I... damn." Makoto sighs. "Made a good mess of things, didn't I?"
[12:08] * Ami-chan blinks, and looks up at Makoto in surprise. "No... of course not!" She says, earnestly. "This was my responsibility... I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable, but don't imagine that being a good friend made a mess of things, ever..."
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods, smiling and rubbing the back of her cute head. "Yeah... we are friends, aren't we?" She reaches out, taking your hand on impulse. "C'mon, Ami," she tugs on your arm.
[12:10] * Ami-chan blinks, red blossoming on her cheeks again as she meekly accepts the hand and stands, a little confused.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking you out into the sunlight, Makoto smiles. "I don't know if my Ami is really interested or if I'll ever return those feelings... but..." her voice drops a level. "You deserve at least one good kiss from the girl you love, don't you?"
[12:15] <Ami-chan> Ami's eyes widen, and once again finds herself unable to do much more than stare, and her heartbeat again becomes an audible thumping in her ears. "M-Mako-chan..." she murmurs, trying keep her voice from shaking. "I'd like to... but... you really don't have to if it's not..." she stumbles, trying to consider Makoto's feelings as she represses her own.
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's alright," she whispers. "I'd feel bad if I just left you hanging..." With that, she leans in...
[12:18] * Ami-chan is sure there are several good reasons she should continue to try and talk Makoto out of this, but she finds she can no longer remember what they are. Succumbing to one of her oldest desires, Ami shivers, and leans toward Makoto, closing her eyes...
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kissing Makoto is all you imagined it would be in a way, your entire body seeming to catch on fire as your mouths meet...
[12:22] <Ami-chan> Ami's head swims, and entirely on instinct, her arms move over the taller girl's shoulders and lace themselves behind Makoto's neck, and she just loses herself in the moment, letting Makoto decide when to finish it...
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> All too soon Makoto pulls away, a funny smile on her face. "You're a passionate kisser, Ami-chan," she murmurs, crimson red.
[12:26] * Ami-chan blushes, returning the smile... in fact, feeling as though she may never be able to stop. "Thank you..." she says softly, with a matching blush. "You were, too."
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," she blushes. "Um... why don't we go make dinner now," she manages, rather flushed over the entire thing.
[12:29] * Ami-chan nods, slowly, and steps back and into a less intimate distance a little wistfully, but still close. "Okay. Mako-chan... thank you, for that." She adds softly, her blush darkening a bit, letting the matter drop.
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding, she leads you back into the kitchen, quiet for now...
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> A short while after Minako leaves, she comes right back. "Hmph. Is Mako-chan in here?" she asks Usagi, a bit perturbed. "She actually left food on the counter, so something must've come up."
[11:43] * Serenity shakes her head. "I haven't seen either one of them. I hope nothing's wrong."
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako shrugs. "Dunno. Maybe she thinks that UFO looks like her old sempai," she jokes lightly, giggling. "Oh well, I guess dinner will be late."
[11:45] * Serenity sighs. "I guess I can live for a while longer," she replies.
[11:46] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm glad she found Alan in our world," Rei smiles fondly, "Hearing her ramble on about her sempai all the time was getting kind of disturbing..."
[11:47] * Serenity nods in agreement. "Now she just rambles on about Alan," she says with a giggle. "But I can understand that."
[11:48] <Sailor_Mars> "At least we know Alan," Rei nods, "Just about everyone reminded her of her sempai in some way, so we had no idea what he was actually like."
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako grins. "I guess she found the way through his heart to his stomach."
[11:48] * Serenity grins. "Something like that, yeah."
[11:49] <Sailor_Mars> "That and she just didn't take no for an answer," Rei smiles. "Not that I can see him ever complaining."
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How did Ann take it?" Minako asks curiously, thinking. "She was always shooting fire whenever Alan tried to sweet talk Usagi-chan."
[11:50] <Serenity> "She's okay with it - she's... dating someone else herself," Usagi replies, not wanting to get into the sticky subject of Herb's gender.
[11:51] <Sailor_Mars> "She was really pissy at first," Rei confirms, "But she's mellowed out quite a bit."
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako nods. "It's nice they both found someone...though, do they still have to take energy?"
[11:51] <Sailor_Mars> "All they need is love," Rei smirks, still finding that little nugget rather amusing.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh, the Doom Tree said something like that," Minako shrugs. "Sounds kinda cool..."
[11:53] * Serenity nods. "The Tree's been planted up on the Moon - it's still pretty small, but it's growing."
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh... can it grow up there with no air and water and stuff?" Minako asks. "I didn't think there was anything left."
[11:59] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, it could exist in deep space, so I don't think that's a problem," Rei points out, "But there's air around the Moon Palace in our dimension. And the soil is fertile there, too."
[11:59] * Serenity nods. "We've already got a small garden going there, and it's doing really well."
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako smiles and shrugs. "Sounds nice. Maybe we should go up there after things settle down and see if it's the same here," she muses. "If there is anything left, it might be cool to bring home a few soverniers."
[12:01] * Serenity smiles slightly. "That might not be a bad idea... I'd just be REALLY careful."
[12:01] <Sailor_Mars> "There was plenty of stuff still up there for us, but that could be one of the differences in our dimensions - Mamoru-san said the Dark Kingdom was in the Arctic here, but in our world they were sealed on the Moon."
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh," she says. "That's funny. Oh well," she shrugs it aside. "No use crying over half-empty glasses."
[12:04] * Serenity giggles at that, remembering Minako's penchant for not quite getting expressions right. "Close enough."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you chat, Other Rei comes back in, looking a bit flushed and well cleaned. "Have you seen Mako-chan," she asks. "It looks like she left dinner half made."
[12:07] * Serenity shakes her head. "Minako was looking for her too, but we haven't seen her."
[12:08] <Sailor_Mars> "Wonder where she went..." Rei mutters, trying to sense the senshi of thunder nearby. Either of them.
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your Makoto is in a side room, napping. The other Makoto is near your Ami, outside.
[12:10] <Sailor_Mars> "She's outside with Ami-chan," Rei supplies after a moment.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding and not questioning, Rei leaves. "Thanks, Rei." she manages, shaking off the surreal imagery there.
[12:10] <Sailor_Mars> "No problem," Rei replies easily.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wonder what they're up to," Minako muses idly. "Must be something big to get Mako-chan out of the kitchen."
[12:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Ami's probably showing her the crashed UFO or something," Rei guesses, not all that concerned.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Grinning after that, Minako gets up. "I know..." she says. "Whatever it is, I can't miss any good gossip."
[12:13] * Serenity shakes her head, remaining where she is. "I'll probably just stay here - I doubt they need the whole group of us going out there to see what they're doing."
[12:15] <Sailor_Mars> "I doubt it's anything interesting anyway," Rei nods.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few minutes later, the duo return. Rei is visibly twitching, Minako helping her in and to sit down...
[12:24] <Sailor_Mars> "What's up?" Rei eyes the pair curiously.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Guh... ugh... lesbians... all of you..." Rei manages, somewhere between shock, denial, outrage and outright confusion. Minako pats her on the back as Rei sits, smiling.
[12:25] * Serenity blinks. "What?"
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking at Rei, Minako asks a question curiously. "Was that our Ami and Makoto out there, or yours?"
[12:26] * Sailor_Mars does much the same. "Wait... you mean..." she recalls who she sensed Makoto out there with...
[12:26] * Serenity closes her eyes, trying to sense the two outside and see if she can tell which two they are.
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - It's your Ami and other Makoto.
[12:26] <Sailor_Mars> "Your Makoto... and our Ami..." Rei goes pale. "Please tell me they didn't...?"
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They were inspecting each others' tonsils, yep," Minako nods.
[12:27] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh... my... God..." Rei matches her counterpart's demeanour a bit.
[12:28] * Serenity opens her eyes, her mouth working silently. "Our Ami and your Makoto..." She shakes her head, not quite believing it herself.
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is being a lesbian more common in your world?" Minako asks, curiously, while Other Rei still fails at coherency.
[12:29] <Serenity> "Uh... not really," Usagi says absently, still amazed at what apparently just happened.
[12:29] * Sailor_Mars coughs and sputters, looking away from Minako. "Uh... maybe...?" she tries to regain some control, "But it's your Makoto! She must have seduced our Ami!"
[12:30] <Serenity> 'Um... they BOTH seem pretty pleased about it, Rei-chan...' Usagi thinks to her girlfriend with a hint of a blush.
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh..." Minako chews that over. "I dunno... she seems to have enough boyfriends to say otherwise," she shrugs. "Is your Ami into that sort of thing?"
[12:31] <Sailor_Mars> "I had no idea," Rei shakes her head in denial.
[12:33] <Serenity> "First I've heard of it..." Usagi thinks, still a bit dazed.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmm. Hope they aren't going to try and date across dimensions," Minako nods to herself. "I mean, being out of town is hard enough on a relationship, but out of the world?"
[12:34] <Sailor_Mars> "Well... your Makoto has an available Ami right here..." Rei frowns, "Our Ami isn't so lucky..."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's true... so maybe it WAS your Ami that made the move?" Minako giggles. "I could just see Ami-chan building up her courage for that, too."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Rei merely babbles a bit, until finally, "Makoto... Ami..." she giggles. "At least I won't have any competition for the boys at this rate... heh heh..."
[12:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Haha!" Rei can't help but laugh at her counterpart's statement.
[12:36] * Serenity bursts out laughing, breaking the tension in the room.
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako giggles. "We'll both get really good boyfriends at this rate," she nods in agreement, laughing along. "Oooooh... someone really dreamy..."
[12:39] * Serenity giggles, wiping a tear from her eye. "Good luck with that."

[Halbarad]

[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> That evening, at dinner. Your Ami and Other Makoto sit next to each other as the meal is served, Rei sitting a good ways away from them.
[12:43] * Rei-chan silently eats her dinner, continually sending knowing looks at both Ami and Makoto.
[12:43] * Usagi-chan steals several surreptitious looks throughout the meal at the two, her curiosity running wild.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto blushes off and on through out the meal, catching a few of the glances and trying to make conversation. "Um... so... everyone feeling better now?" she tries, awkwardly.
[12:45] * Ami-chan blinks as she catches Rei and Usagi's glances, trying to return them innocently, but not entirely succeeding.
[12:46] <Usagi-chan> "A little tired from waking you guys up, but otherwise okay." Usagi meets Ami's eyes for a second. 'Ami-chan, did you and Mako-chan really...?'
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Rei just eats her food, keeping her head down. "Yeah, I'm feeling better," she volunteers. "You are too, Mako-chan?"
[12:47] * Ami-chan freezes, then slowly meets Usagi's gaze. 'Did we what?' She asks, looking vaguely like a deer staring at an oncoming car.
[12:48] * Usagi-chan gives the blue-haired genius a knowing look. 'Kiss,' she finally replies after a moment, blushing slightly.
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good," Makoto manages, stirring her food with her chopsticks. "Say, how about you, Rei?" she turns to Other Rei.
[12:50] <Rei-chan> "Oh, I'm just great, Mako-chan," Rei smiles serenely. "This is a wonderful meal, by the way. You're just as good a cook as our Makoto."
[12:51] <Ami-chan> 'Usagi-chan... what...? How...?' Ami thinks back, suddenly alarmed, ducking her head and picking at her food guiltily as another blush threatens to rise.
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thanks," she manages, somehow unnerved by that.
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Mako-chan," Minako calls out with a mischevious smile on her face. "Did you make any of your pies for dessert? I think we could all use something sweet, don't you think?"
[12:52] <Usagi-chan> 'Minako and Rei - this world's Rei - saw you outside,' Usagi thinks back, blushing a bit herself.
[12:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blushing, Makoto shakes her head. "Um, sorry, Mina-chan," she says, inspecting her food and not Minako's face.
[12:53] <Ami-chan> 'Oh... no...' Ami glances at Rei, then at Minako. 'Usagi-chan... please occupy them for a moment... Mako-chan deserves a warning...' she all but begs.
[12:55] * Usagi-chan glances over at this world's Makoto, nodding almost imperceptibly after a moment. Turning to the native Rei, she asks something she was mildly curious about - and something that should hold the miko's attention for a few minutes. "Rei, I was wondering - does the shrine here get attacked as often as it does in our world?"
[12:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh," she looks up, curious. "Not really... um, Gramps was turned into a youma once, and there was a fight here with Cooan, but that's been it," she shrugs. "Is it different there?"
[12:57] <Usagi-chan> "Seems like it happens almost every other week for us," Usagi replies, glancing over at her girlfriend. "Rei-chan's gotten really good at doing repairs," she adds with a grin.
[12:57] * Ami-chan seizes the moment, and leans over to Makoto. "Mako-chan... Usagi just told me... your Rei and Minako saw us." she whispers softly into the brunette's ear, feeling sick. "I'm so sorry... I'll tell them I did it..."
[12:57] * Rei-chan grimaces, thinking of the many, MANY times her home as suffered the brunt of a monster attack. On the plus side, it's never been as wrecked as this Shrine currently is. "Yeah. Although I've never had an UFO crash on it at least."
[12:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto blushes perfectly red, gasping. "Guh... um... okay, Ami-chan," she manages, looking down at her food.
[12:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Might not be a bad idea to start having Yuuichiro pick up carpentry, then," Other Rei muses, considering the problem, since other aspects of your world seem to be spreading in her eyes.
[13:00] <Usagi-chan> "If the entrance is still blocked off in the morning I'll try fixing it before we go - I doubt anyone will be able to see it anyway." Usagi says with a smile. "It'll at least save you that much trouble - there's enough to worry about in Tokyo right now."
[13:00] * Ami-chan nods, sitting back straight, and lifting up her eyes again, looking resigned and waiting for the inevitable, determined to sheild Makoto from the results of this, at least.
[13:00] <Rei-chan> "You shouldn't strain yourself, Usagi," Rei remonstrates her girlfriend. "You still need a chance to rest after all we've done here."
[13:01] * Usagi-chan waves Rei off easily. "I've been doing repairs for a long time now, Rei-chan. I doubt it'll be any worse than anything I've done back home."
[13:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I would appreciate it... at least you can be generous, unlike that Dumpling Head," she smiles at you a bit, taking the offer.
[13:03] <Rei-chan> "Just don't push yourself too much," Rei asks, "There's a lot of damage and I know repairing large objects takes it out of you."
[13:03] <Usagi-chan> "Then you can help me out if you're that worried," Usagi retorts, sticking her tongue out at her miko. "It's easier with more people anyway."
[13:04] <Rei-chan> "Okay, I will," Rei nods, going back to her meal and considering the matter settled.
[13:05] * Usagi-chan smiles triumphantly, turning back to her own dinner. A couple of bites in, she glances up at Ami. 'I hope that was enough,' she thinks.
[13:06] * Ami-chan smiles wanly. 'It was more than enough. Thank you.' she replies, nodding and keeping a wary eye on the other Rei and Minako.
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto doesn't even bother eating her food now, waiting...
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako, cheerily enough, tries to keep the conversation going. "Going home tomorrow, eh?"
[13:08] * Usagi-chan nods. "I think so... hopefully it should be a lot easier now that all the negative energy is gone."
[13:08] <Rei-chan> "And then we can take a long vacation," Rei agrees, stretching a bit as she looks forward to a well-earned break.
[13:09] <Usagi-chan> "Amen to that... I'm voting for Okinawa," Usagi says with a grin.
[13:09] <Rei-chan> "Sounds good to me," Rei nods cheerily.
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Things go on a bit, until Minako speaks up again. "So, Makoto. Have fun today?" she asks slyly.
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto blushes crimson at that. "Um... I guess so..."
[13:12] * Ami-chan directs a sharp look at Minako, but can't stop her own cheeks from guiltily flushing.
[13:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good," she says brightly. "Will you be having more fun like that, Mako-chan?"
[13:13] * Rei-chan coughs as a bit of food goes down the wrong way.
[13:13] * Ami-chan winces. "Mako-chan was trying to cheer me up." she says firmly.
[13:13] * Usagi-chan makes an intense study of her plate, already polished clean.
[13:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto coughs herself, letting Ami speak as she stares at her lap.
[13:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really," Minako asks. "Makoto looked like she was having fun, too."
[13:15] * Ami-chan blushes darker, but refuses to rise to the bait. "It was for my sake, that's all." she replies.
[13:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why don't you mind your own business, Minako?" Makoto looks up, giving the blonde a truly unhappy look. "So what if I kissed Ami? None of your business!"
[13:17] <Sailor_Dragon> "Besides, don't knock it if you haven't tried it, Minako-chan." Herb says, sounding a little annoyed.
[13:17] * Usagi-chan sighs unhappily, not really wanting to see a fight get started - the other girls have barely been awake half a day.
[13:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright, alright," Minako backs off, seeing how annoyed Makoto is. "Just let me know if you're gonig to make a move on our Ami, okay?"
[13:18] * Ami-chan blushes right to the roots of her hair, giving Makoto a shocked glance before looking back at Minako. "Mina-chan..." she grinds out, getting annoyed herself.
[13:19] * Usagi-chan frowns. "I think that's enough, Mina-chan," she says quietly but firmly.
[13:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Fine," she hmmps, going back to her food. "Sorry, Mako-chan."
[13:19] <Rei-chan> "Can't everyone just calm down?" Rei asks wearily. "What Ami and Makoto do is their own concern, no one else's." She turns to the pair in question, "Well... maybe your counterparts might be concerned..."
[13:21] * Ami-chan moans softly, burying her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry, Mako-chan..." she says quietly, embarrassed beyond belief.
[13:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's okay," Makoto murmurs, standing. After a moment's hesitation, she places a hand on Ami's shoulder. "Why don't you come with me, Ami-chan," she says, with a defiant look at Minako.
[13:23] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I don't even think they have to know. I'm not planning on telling our Mako-chan - she doesn't need to worry about it." She gives a significant look to Minako at that.
[13:23] * Ami-chan nods and stands as well, giving Makoto another apologetic look, ready to follow her out.
[13:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the two head out, Minako sighs. "Ooops, guess I pushed too hard," she murmurs. "Damn."
[13:25] <Rei-chan> "What were you actually hoping would happen?" Rei gives Minako a curious and slightly weary look.
[13:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> She slumps a bit. "I dunno... those two declaring eternal love?" she ventures.
[13:28] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I think that's a bit much to expect from ONE kiss."
[13:29] <Rei-chan> "They'd need at least three," Rei adds, giving Usagi a small smirk as she tries to lighten the mood.
[13:29] * Usagi-chan giggles a little at that.
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako blushes and chuckles, trying to salvage things. "Yeah, I guess..."
[13:31] <Rei-chan> "Still..." Rei gives a tiny sigh, "This could be a problem when we go home. This situation is hardly conductive to forming any sort of lasting relationship."
[13:33] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I don't see what we can do without talking to this world's Ami - and I'd rather not bother her with it if she's not interested in Makoto herself."
[13:34] <Rei-chan> "We know our Makoto definitely doesn't swing that way," Rei nods. "And even if she was curious, she's very happy with Alan."
[13:35] * Usagi-chan nods. "Which is why I'm not planning on her finding out. It'll just be something extra that she doesn't need to worry about - I know Ami won't say anything."
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako nods, feeling rather glum now. "Sorry about this, again..."
[13:38] <Usagi-chan> "It's okay, Mina-chan," Usagi says with a small smile. "Might be a good idea to stop and think for a second before you say stuff though."
[13:38] <Rei-chan> "Ami and Makoto are the ones you should say that to, Minako," Rei tells her. "But Usagi's advice is good anyway."
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods mutely, picking at her food.
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Other Rei stands at this point. "I think I'll go take another bath," she says absently, wandering off.
[13:40] * Usagi-chan sighs as the other Rei departs, wondering what must be going through HER head after all this. "I think I might go watch some TV or something myself," she adds, getting up from her place at the table.
[13:41] * Rei-chan sighs. "Considering how badly my other self and Usagi are taking things, I'm pretty sure our Makoto and your Ami really don't need to deal with this," Rei sighs to her remaining dinner companion.
[13:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[13:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Led outside again, Makoto sits without words on the edge of the wood deck, sighing. "Sorry about this, Ami-chan. My stupid idea got us both humiliated."
[13:30] * Ami-chan sighs, and shakes her head. "No... it's not your fault. And... it wasn't a stupid idea." she confesses. "It was wonderful. I'm just sorry you're going through this after doing that for me."
[13:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto smiles back. "Yeah... it was nice," she agrees, blushing. "And if Ami and I ever do get together here, at least it won't be a huge shock now."
[13:35] * Ami-chan smiles and nods, suppressing the slightest bit of wistfulness at that. "Mmhmm," she agrees. "Though, if or when that happens, I'll be in the strange situation of envying myself." she adds lightly, trying to make the other girl feel better.
[13:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling, "Well... I'm sure you'll find a nice girl soon enough. Are any of the other Sailors unattached?"
[13:38] <Ami-chan> "Some." Ami admits. "Though sorting out my feelings there is difficult." she sighs.
[13:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Motioning for you to sit besides her, Makoto goes on. "Really? Do you like any of them? Herb or Haruka, perhaps?"
[13:40] * Ami-chan sits down gingerly beside Makoto, marveling at how comfortable she feels. "I'm very fond of both of them." she allows. "But... well, Herb has Ann. And Haruka - well, I suppose it's possible." She smiles wryly. "You're a tough act to follow."
[13:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking your hand, she tugs you towards your shoulder. "Why don't you tell me about it?" she says softly, encouraging Ami. "Haruka looks like a nice girl, after all."
[13:46] * Ami-chan blushes a little, accepting the invitation, and pauses to think. "Well... Haruka is nice." she agrees, smiling. "She behaves a lot like sempai... er, someone I know," she clarifies vaguely, "I feel comfortable with her. It may happen, but... I haven't yet felt the same was as I did - do - with you."
[13:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding idly, Makoto stares ahead. "Why don't you ask her on a date now... the cat's out of the bag, I guess. Is she that way, too?"
[13:50] * Ami-chan smiles wryly. "Yes." she agrees, amused. "In fact, she might even be amused by the question. I could, I suppose..." She trails off, thoughtfully. "I wonder if your Ami thinks about these things... if not, I envy her. I've never been this confused about anything in my life."
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't know, but... I kinda think she does. I don't see why she'd have blown up like she did then..." Makoto muses. "And good luck with her, Ami. Better than moping over me, right?"
[13:52] * Ami-chan smiles briefly. "I'm not so sure." she replies, gently teasing. "I'll remember today for a LONG time, that's for sure... but, yes I'll move on."
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling, Makoto nods. "So will I..."
[13:56] * Ami-chan nods, smiling again. "I hope you have good luck with your Ami, too." She offers, relaxing slightly. "Whatever you decide your feelings are."
[13:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think I will..." Makoto murmurs, enjoying the warmish early evening air. "I think I will..."
[08:04] <Anastasia> ---
[08:07] <Anastasia> After dinner that evening and the disaster zone, Haruka goes into the living room only to have a very frazzled and stressed-out (albeit clean) miko come in, striking up a conversation directly, almost aggressively.
[08:09] <Anastasia> "Haruka, right," Rei begins, sounding a touch rambly and disturbed. "You came with the other Sailor Senshi?"
[08:10] * Haruka nods her head hesitantly. "Yeah..." she begins, chuckling a bit awkwardly at how tense the miko looks. "Is something wrong, Rei?"
[08:12] <Anastasia> "Yeah," she nods twice quickly. "Are all of you lesbians? First Usagi and... me, kinda, then Makoto, then Ami..." the poor girl twitches strongly.
[08:13] * Haruka blinks at that, confused now. "Our Makoto and Ami?" she asks with her head cocked to one side.
[08:16] <Anastasia> "YOUR Ami," she emphasizes, "And our Makoto... kissing today..." Sitting, Rei sighs. "It isn't some virus you carried over, is it? Or a -" Rei is cut off by a semi cheery call of "Rei-chan!" by Minako, who enters and sees the frantic miko.
[08:19] <Anastasia> "Mina-chan," Rei asks twitchily, on guard. "What do you want, Mina-chan?"
[08:19] * Haruka turns her frazzled head to regard the new entrant while the revelation by this world's Rei swims lazy circles in her brain....
[08:20] <Anastasia> Minako smiles brightly, coming over and taking Rei's hand gently. "I just thought you looked tired, so I figured I'd make sure you got a good night's sleep. Early to bed and late to rise, right Rei-chan?"
[08:22] * Haruka chuckles at how that came out, glad for the slight distraction so her mind can collect itself.
[08:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Guh... I cantakemyselftobedMinako," Rei blurts, not liking that idea one bit. "BY MY-SELF." With that, the completely in need of mental release Rei almost runs out of the room, leaving Minako with a slight frown. "Some people just can't handle life. Poor Rei-chan."
[08:25] * Haruka studies her remaining companion slightly before venturing forth with a question. "So... Minako, right?" she begins tentatively at first. "What in the world happened today? Rei was just getting into something about our Ami and your Makoto before you came in."
[08:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako nods. "Oh, that. They kissed." Minako says it casually enough. "Kinda weird, I guess."
[08:33] <Haruka> "Ami and Makoto, huh?" she trails off with a thoughtful look. Haruka crosses her arm while digesting this mental image. "Nope. Didn't see it coming at all," she mutters to herself.
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Neither did I," Minako shrugs. "Maybe it was love at first sight? ...Or first sight of this world, or something."
[08:39] <Haruka> "Maybe," she returns with a grin. "Though I think it's probably more complicated and messy than that. Though if it was that simple it might be nice," she finishes with a shrug.
[08:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods, musing. "I would think I'd have seen it coming, being the Sailor of Love and all-around good friend to both." Minako muses, leaning forward a bit on the table as she sits. "I should start paying more attention..."
[08:43] * Haruka mirrors Minako's motion. "To be fair though, it wasn't like it was your Ami and your Makoto that kissed so you can't be blamed for not seeing it coming."
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she nods, smiling at you. "Still," A tap of one long finger against her cheek, idly. "It's kind of cool, I guess. Rei was right... less competition for a cute boyfriend!"
[08:51] * Haruka snickers slightly at that. "And more competition for a cute girlfriend?" Haruka offers in retort.
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yep, guess so," Minako nods agreement. "Can't say that bothers me, though. No wonder Alan and Makoto got together... me and him still went to different schools, right, and the other girls there weren't right for him."
[08:58] * Haruka hums to herself with that comment. "So you think you should've gotten together with Alan?"
[08:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hum... he is cute, and he could help out if anyone tries to to start a fight... but... I don't know if I match with green skin all that well," she comments, frowning.
[09:03] * Haruka snorts at that. "Yeah, I suppose it wold take some getting used to, though he wasn't green the few times I ran across him..." she trails off, searching her memory.
[09:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh yeah," Minako says. "They can look like humans - it would be hard going to school looking like they do. Some magic, I guess, like Usagi's pen or m-Chibi Usa's compact."
[09:09] * Haruka nods idly at that, while mentally scolding herself for catching herself studying the girl across from her. "Huh, so Chibi Usa and Usagi can disguise themselves too?" she says almost as an afterthought.
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi can," Minako nods. "At least my Usagi can. I think yours probably should, too. It's called the Moon Pen... and I gave Chibi Usa my compact, which can do the same thing."
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako frowns a bit at that. "Luna never lets Usagi have fun with her Pen, though. I had this great idea to transform into idol singers, but Luna yelled at us for it."
[09:15] <Haruka> "Is that right?" Haruka replies just a smidge uneasily at the thought. 'Smart kitty...' her mind whispers, before she continues aloud. "I can only imagine the hijinks one could get into with a device like that..."
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako grins, thinking. "Usagi used it this one time to change into a ninja girl to spy on Rei," Minako grins, remembering the story all too well. "And she used it to become a kindergarten teacher one time, too."
[09:21] * Haruka strains slightly to picture her Usagi doing something similar to their Usagi. "Hmm. I'm having a hard time picturing our Usagi doing anything similar, but maybe that's because I haven't been around as long as the others," she muses, shrugging as the final mental stab still doesn't yield her an image.
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako giggles at that brightly. "Our Usagi would do that at a drop of a hat - she's a fun girl. Yours is kinda grown up, isn't she? She reminds me more of Queen Serenity than Usagi."
[09:27] <Haruka> "She is that," Haruka returns with a smile. "She's had a lot of stuff to deal with that's changed her, for the better, I think. But it's not like she's no-fun and all business though," she adds with a sagely nod.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good, she'd be a fuddy-duddy if she was," Minako smiles. "At least you aren't so bad, Haruka."
[09:33] <Haruka> "I'm bad," Haruka says with a grin. "Just not bad in the fuddy-duddy sense. I like to at least think that I'm good for bringing laughter and cheer to the others." She pauses and frowns a bit. "At my own expense, at times, I've noted..."
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh... well, comedy hurts," she says sagely, actually hitting one more or less on the mark. "Though, I can't wait to see if we meet a Haruka here if she's like you."
[09:41] <Haruka> "Oh?" Haruka replies with a playful grin. "Have I made such a positive impact so far?"
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako giggles. "You're cute, so if Ami and Makoto don't work out, I guess they'd have someone to go after," she admits. "Besides, we'll need someone to replace Usagi since she'll be clinging to Mamoru all the time again."
[09:48] <Haruka> "Well, if this world's Haruka isn't up to at least to my level, just remember that I'm the original and she's the sequel," Haruka tells her with a wink.
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako giggles at that, rather cutely. "Okay, Haruka. Oh..." she glances down at her watch, frowning. "I should get home now... Mom will kill me no matter what, so I shouldn't let it get any worse."
[09:53] <Haruka> "You know, this trip across worlds was well worth it to be able to talk to you like this," Haruka admits, after catching herself staring for the umpteenth time. "I never did get to meet you in my world so it's nice to finally match a face to what little I've heard from the others," she adds with a smile. "You're going to be able make it home okay, right?"
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> She frowns a bit at that, blinking. "I, or me, or whatever, died before you came?" she looks a bit put off by that. "Aw... why don't you take me home, then?" she says suddenly, grinning.
[10:00] <Haruka> "No, your counterpart didn't die until fairly recently," Haruka answers, grimacing as it's a murky topic she'd rather stay away from. "She was on tour when I joined the group, unfortunately." Haruka smiles and stands. "And it would be a pleasure to escort you home."
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods at that, chewing it over. "Oh well... You can leap, right?" she asks, remembering that pile of rubble in front of the temple.
[10:02] <Haruka> "Yeah, I can leap," Haruka replies.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right, then," she says, leading out of the temple.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> A short while later...
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> After getting past the wreck and the workers around it, you head down the evening streets of Tokyo. They aren't too much different than yours, though Minako stops cold when you pass a small litte restaurant. "Oh, let's go here first," she says suddenly. "They have the best chocolate parfaits."
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a small little restaurant, decorated tastefully enough in typical Japanese style. 'Osuda's' is the name.
[10:13] <Haruka> "Sure," Haruka replies, though she does slightly wonder about whatever happened to 'getting home on time'. Haruka opens the door to let Minako in.
[10:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a nice enough place, you guess. There is a bit of piped-in music from above and tables about, a waitress with red hair and freckles quickly seating you. Before she can go, Minako orders for the both of you. "Two chocolate parfaits and a plate of oatmeal cookies," she says, before you even get a chance at the menu.
[10:23] * Haruka blinks at the move to order for them both, but shrugs it off. "Been here often, I'm guessing?" she asks studying her companion curiously.
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "It's my favorite - I want to take my next boyfriend on a date here," she smiles, dreaming a bit.
[10:28] <Haruka> "Oh, so am I practice then?" Haruka asks, smiling at the dreamy look Minako has on her face at the moment.
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Minako laughs a bit. "Oh, I've taken Rei and Ami here before, too. It's good for friends as well."
[10:33] <Haruka> "Your Rei is probably thinking about those very outings and asking herself if there was a deeper meaning to it." Haruka can't help, but laugh at the thought. "Poor Rei," she finishes with a shake of her head, though the occasional chuckle ruins the image of sympathy.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako blushes a bit herself as she laughs lightly, shaking her head. "Poor Rei-chan. She's not taking this too well, is she?"
[10:37] <Haruka> "I suppose she could have taken it better..." Haruka begins, "But then it wouldn't be half as amusing either," she finishes with yet another shameless chuckle at Rei's expense.
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nope... poor Rei-chan," she repeats. "She's normally stronger than that, too." Minako observes, as your food arrives. Taking hers, Minako gets a few bites in before going on.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmmm, this is good," she says as she licks her spoon, downing the chocolate. "Try some, Haruka, this place is great."
[10:54] * Haruka spoons some into her mouth as well and blinks as it's as Minako said. "Hmm, this is pretty good," she replies, taking a second spoonful. "Usually I don't go for sweets and stuff, but I think I could get used to this. Thanks for bringing me here, Minako. Now I'll have to hunt around and see if this place exists back home."
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It is," Minako chuckles. "You can take your next date here, too."
[11:09] <Haruka> "Oh, but it'll be so hard to top the experience of going with you though," Haruka replies, giving the girl a playful wink.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako blushes a bit at that, going back to licking her spoon. "Thanks... you don't have a brother, do you?"
[11:15] * Haruka chuckles. "Only child I'm afraid," she answers before hesitating slightly and adding, "At least to my knowledge."
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hmmm," Minako nods, shrugging. "Maybe Yuuichiro if Rei doesn't work out with him. He's cute in a rocker sort of way..."
[11:20] <Haruka> "I don't think I've met him in our world," Haruka notes, trying to sift through her memory. "I've only ever seen Rei and her grandfather on the occasions I stop by the shrine."
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He's a guy who ended up at Rei's temple and has a big thing for her. Shaggy hair, needs a shave in a cute sort of way. Nice guy... if he wasn't hung up on Rei completely..." Minako shrugs.
[11:27] * Haruka cushions her chin on the palm of her hand, while studying Minako's appearance. "It shouldn't be hard for you to find someone," she notes, while twirling her spoon through the slightly melted ice cream. "I'd date you if you went that way," she finishes, taking another spoonful of her dessert.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Giggling even more, Minako tries not to blush deeper. "Would you?"
[11:35] <Haruka> "Sure," Haruka replies simply without any real hesitation. "Though this stubborn problem about being from different worlds and all does put a crimp on things."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yep," she agrees, finishing off her food with a final long lick. "Mmmm. Well, we should be going... I'm even later now," she laughs a bit. "Mom and Artemis are gonna kill me!"
[11:46] * Haruka wipes her hand on a napkin before standing. "Okay. I hope you don't get into any trouble though," she replies giving Minako a pensive look. "Did you want me to vouch for you? Say that you were helping me out or something? I kind of feel guilty since you probably would've made it home directly if not for me."
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Aw, don't worry about it," she brushes it off. "If I've been gone for three weeks, I'm dead anyway."
[11:56] * Haruka shivers slightly at her wording. "I'm sure you'll be fine. According to the news report, most of the people in the city have gone missing for that period so they shouldn't be too upset," Haruka responds with a reassuring smile.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, I hope. Being grounded sucks." Is Minako's reply as you walk out into the cooling evening air.
[12:07] <Haruka> "I'm sure Artemis will be glad to keep you company should that unlikely event come to pass," Haruka offers while walking besides her. "You're not cold are you?" she asks after noting the slight shift in temperature.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm alright," Minako says as she head home amid puddles of light from the streetlamps. "It's not much father, too."
[12:15] * Haruka nods in response. "A blessing and a pity then. I was hoping it would've taken us longer to get there," Haruka admits with a guilty grin.
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako smiles back as you enter a housing area, nice places indeed. Coming up to her own house, Minako smiles. "Well... see you tomorrow, Haruka," she grins, glancing home.
[12:19] * Haruka takes and kisses the back of Minako's hand. "It was a pleasure," she offers with a smile. "I'm glad we were able to meet."
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blushing a touch in spite of herself, Minako nods. "Same here..." 'If I can just get a guy to act like this...' "See you!" With that, Minako is off to her house and her confrontation...
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tired after the first Senshi waking, Makoto ends up taking a nap, sleeping straight through dinner. Waking up hungry, you naturally head to the kitchen and find some very well made leftovers and a very awkward Other Makoto in there, idly cooking. Idly becauser her attention is clearly elsewhere...
[12:41] <Makoto> "Yo," Makoto states in greeting to her alternate self with a quick wave as she steps in.
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Jumping a bit, Makoto nearly fumbles the pan she's cooking with before half turning. "Oh... hi," she smiles a bit wanly. "I wanted to talk to you, anyway. Good timing." She doesn't sound like she thinks it's good timing, though.
[12:47] <Makoto> "Oh? Sure, go ahead. You need any help with that by the way?" Makoto asks noticing the distracted look on her counterpart's face.
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking it off the stove to the counter, she shakes her head. "It's done," Makoto replies, a nice bit of fried rice ready. Smells good. Leaving it for whoever wants it, she leans against the counter. "Hey... Makoto. Do you or did you ever have any interest in other girls?"
[12:51] * Makoto blinks at the question and scratches her head. She thinks in silence for a moment before answering, "No, not that I can think of. I can admire a girl, but I don't think I've ever really wanted to date one."
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods once, shifting a bit nervously. "Oh. Guess you're the straight one of the group?" 'Just my luck, no less....'
[12:56] <Makoto> "Huh? Well, there's Ami too. Well, she doesn't have a boyfriend, but I'm pretty sure she'd tell me if she wasn't, right?"
[12:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto blushes perfectly red. "Um... actually, this is about Ami," she admits. "She never told you?"
[12:58] * Makoto blinks. "Tell me what?"
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dammit," she mutters with a bit of heat. "I guess the others will tell you soon enough, anyway. We kind of kissed today." She fiddles just a bit, her feet kicking around the floor.
[13:00] * Makoto blinks a few times, "Uh, can you repeat that please? I thought you said you and Ami-chan kissed..."
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blushing, Makoto looks at her feet. "We kissed," she nods, scarlet.
[13:02] <Makoto> "Oh," Makoto replies simply as she digests this. "Uhm, why?"
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kicking the floor idly, "Well... we got to talking, and she said she had a crush on someone... so I told her that she needed to go ahead and take some initiative if she wanted to get anywhere." Makoto looks rather uncomfortable telling you this, going slowly. "So... she kissed me and ran off."
[13:04] * Makoto gawks. "Wait -she- kissed you? She has a crush on me? I was figuring you'd have kissed her!"
[13:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That came later," she admits, blushing even more. "I followed her outside... she said she was sorry... well... and I ended up kissing her so that she wouldn't have to go without at least one kiss from the girl she liked, eh?"
[13:05] * Makoto stays quiet, hoping her counterpart would continue her tale on her own.
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto manages to smile a bit at that, trying to salvage it. "But... well, My Minako and Rei saw us, and it ended up being the topic of discussion over dinner."
[13:06] * Makoto rubs her forehead. "Oy vey, not those two. I know I'm bad, but those two? Sheesh..."
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods. "So... I think I outed Ami in front of all of her friends... I feel bad about it, too."
[13:09] <Makoto> "Uhm... well, if it helps, I don't think it changes anything if she likes girls inste..." Makoto pauses at that. "Oh right, I'm the girl she likes. Well damn."
[13:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods right back. "And I think my Ami likes me, too." she adds as an after thought. "So... well... I think she's given up on you, at least."
[13:13] * Makoto nods quietly, and sits there for a while, thinking if anything will change between Ami-chan and her. Deciding to think of it again later, she instead asks, "So what do you plan on doing with your Ami?"
[13:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dunno," Makoto replies, taking a bit of the cooling rice and munching on it idly. "I mean... I didn't get grossed out when I kissed Ami... it was kind of sweet, if anything."
[13:17] * Makoto grins. "You know, I did almost did kiss Ami one time. If you ever decide to go for it, see if you can get a Poison Ivy costume."
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Poison Ivy," Makoto blinks, not familiar with it. "Who's Poison Ivy?"
[13:19] <Makoto> "A character from an American comic book. Ami-chan's a big fan if her reaction was any indication."
[13:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh." Makoto puts that away for later. "I just... I don't want my Ami to go through what your Ami must've gone through, you know?"
[13:20] * Makoto sobers up a bit. "I suppose I should have caught on without having to be told, but even if I wasn't dating Alan, I'm not really sure if I could have seen her like that," Makoto states a bit sadly.
[13:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmm... I don't know if I will be able to, either," Makoto agrees. "But I almost feel obligated to try now."
[13:29] <Makoto> "Hey, hey, no need to go in with that attitude," Makoto immediately admonishes. "You just said you didn't want to hurt your Ami, and she would if she thought you were doing it as nothing more than an obligation."
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods at that, thinking. "Yeah, good point. It's just... I don't want Ami-chan to be sad. She's a really good friend and she means a lot to me," Makoto admits, finding admitting as such easy with what's already on the table.
[13:32] * Makoto nods at that. "I understand."
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods back, yet again. "Ah hell. I guess... at least I have an option if I don't find another boyfriend soon," she smiles. "You snagged Alan, though?"
[13:39] * Makoto blushes. "Snagged is right. Rei told me to be aggressive and it kinda worked a bit too well with Alan."
[13:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling, "Snagged? I thought you'd gotten him through his stomach? It's our strong suit," Makoto teases.
[13:41] <Makoto> "Actually, I didn't cook for him for a couple of days after we met," Makoto said cheerfully.
[13:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto smiles. "So... you two are happy together?" she asks, interested on that last point.
[13:46] * Makoto nods. "Yeah, very happy."
[13:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto slowly smiles at that, bouyed a bit at the news. "Glad to know it's working out for you."
[13:57] * Makoto snaps her fingers as she recalls something. "By the way, have you ever met a guy named Kazan at school?"
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She frowns a moment, thinking. "Kazan? Doesn't sound familiar," she says after a moment. "Why?"
[14:01] <Makoto> "He's a very nice boy who made school, and Suzuki, more tolerable. If it wasn't for Alan..." Makoto sighs a bit.
[14:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto blinks. "Suzuki? Bad teacher?"
[14:05] <Makoto> "Bad delinquency counselor," Makoto deadpans. "Saving the world on a secret identity isn't good for school life. The old hag kept accusing me of being in a gang and doing drugs."
[14:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Makoto smiles. "I have counselor Ichigo," she admits. "I guess I'm lucky."
[14:08] <Makoto> "You have no idea."
[14:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah... strange talking to you. I wonder if I would have gotten Alan if I tried a little more..."
[14:12] * Makoto shrugs. "We'll never really know, right? I mean, I heard he was fixated on Usagi here."
[14:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto nods. "Fell for her from day one, from what she said. Never had much of a chance once Usagi remembered Mamoru and with Ann about, though."
[14:16] <Makoto> "Well, I can imagine those two didn't work out here if she and Alan are gone. They didn't work out in my home either," Makoto says.
[14:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "Ann and Alan left to start over on a new world here, so I guess they're happy now. As for Usagi... she has Mamoru, so..."
[14:23] * Makoto nods simply, not really having something to say at the moment.
[14:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The room settles into a semi-comfortable silence, the smell of food making your stomach rumble..
[14:27] <Makoto> "So anyway..." Makoto says. "I did come here for some food, and you seem to have been cooking some before we both got distracted. You want any help?"
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I was just finishing," she demurs. "And using it to think, anyway."
[14:28] * Makoto nods. "I guess."
[14:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hungry?" she offers, glancing at the now cool fried rice. "I'm not really."
[14:28] <Makoto> "Thanks," Makoto says as she takes the offered food.
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> Having found the endless succession of news reports about the sad state of Tokyo rather dull, Usagi clicks off the TV, heading for the most natural thing to do at Rei's house - raid the miko's manga collection. Finding a likely volume, she stretches out on Rei's bed, kicking her legs idly as she reads and giggling periodically at some joke or other in the book.
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your giggly reverie is interrupted by an indignant screech. "Dumpling Head, GET. OFF. MY. BED!" she half yells, quite not in the mood for this. "And get your hands off my manga!"
[10:30] * Usagi-chan turns her head to look at the irate miko, rather taken aback. "What? I was just reading it, geez." Sitting up on the edge of the bed, she closes the small book, resisting the urge to toss it aside. While it might be fun to tease Rei, it looks like the poor girl is fried enough for one day.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> She comes over, eyeing you as you get off her bed. She does look frazzled to a high degree, and perhaps just wiped out.
[10:36] * Usagi-chan sighs, getting up to go replace the manga on the shelf. "What's got you so uptight?" she asks, frowning a bit. "Does it creep you out THAT much?"
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> She turns at you, a twitchy and worn-out expression if you've ever seen one. "All my friends are suddenly making out with each other, a second me appeared who is USAGI'S girlfriend, and I've lost three weeks. Yes, this ALL creeps me out," she says as she sits on her bed, tired.
[10:46] * Usagi-chan sighs, sitting down crosslegged on the floor. "Doesn't mean you have to snap at everyone in sight. Yeah, I can understand losing three weeks being a big deal - I just lost four days myself. But there's not a lot you can do about that, so you might as well let it go."
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she agrees, but then blinks. "When did you get so smart?"
[10:49] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I've heard I'm pretty different than the Usagi that lives here, so maybe that's it."
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods warily, laying straight down. "Yeah..." is her reply, trying to let the tension of the day work out of her by resting a bit.
[10:53] * Usagi-chan looks over at the recumbent miko curiously. "So why is it such a big deal about Ami and Makoto? I mean, I'm as surprised by our Ami as you are - but from what I can tell, Mako-chan wasn't completely against the idea herself."
[11:04] <Ana-work> She looks up at you, sighing. "I just found out at least half my friends are lesbians all at once. How would you feel?" she retorts.
[11:05] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "Been there too... it is a heck of a surprise, yeah. But it's not the end of the world either."
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Maybe not, but... ugh," she moans, turning over and burying her face in her pillow.
[11:08] <Usagi-chan> "What's so 'ugh' about it?" Usagi asks, mimicing the noise of disgust.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess YOU wouldn't understand," she muses to herself. "What if one of them has a thing for me, or my Usagi does, too?"
[11:10] <Usagi-chan> "Why wouldn't I understand?" Usagi says, a bit exasperated. "I already told you I've been where you are - I DO know what it feels like, first hand." She shakes her head. "And I don't know much about your Usagi, but if she's as attached to Mamoru as I used to be, then you don't have anything to worry about there," she adds with a snort.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What if Mamoru dumps her again?" she replies, making a note to not hang around Usagi much if it happens. "Or if she really, really likes me?"
[11:14] * Usagi-chan rolls her eyes. "I've seen the way you two fight. Do you REALLY think she thinks about you like that at all? Heck, I didn't even think about MY Rei that way until the day we got together."
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei doesn't reply for a bit, chewing it over. "And what about Makoto and Ami?"
[11:17] <Usagi-chan> "What about them?" Usagi asks. "So it's a surprise that none of us really expected. Is that such a big deal?"
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...I don't know," Rei sighs, deflating.
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know what your Ami is going to think about it, but would it really be so bad if they DID get together? I mean, if they're both happy with it what's really the problem?" Usagi asks reasonably.
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's just... weird!" Rei exclaims, not really having any better words for it.
[11:27] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, it is really weird," Usagi agrees. "But arguing with them about it is only going to make them mad at you and vice versa - I doubt you're going to be able to change their minds if that's what they really want. If it doesn't work out, you can jump in and give them all the I-told-you-so's you want, and if it does work out, no one has to worry about it."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmm," Rei says, resigning herself. "Yeah, I guess..."
[11:37] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Don't let it get to you. I'd say the odds of it happening to you are probably pretty slim, unless you actually start thinking the same way yourself. Even if it DOES seem like a lot of us are... that way, it's really not all that common."
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei sits up, looking a bit less worn out now. "It's just so... I could see that happening to us, now. Mamoru had dumped Usagi, Ami and Makoto had been spending time together lately..."
[11:42] * Usagi-chan smiles. "How DO you think of your Usagi?"
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> A short pause there. "She's an annoying Dumpling Head who makes messes, ruins my manga and can be terribly pesky... and she's also the Princess, I guess, and a friend." Her voice ranges from annoyed at the start to a bit more pensive at the end.
[11:55] <Usagi-chan> "And I'll bet she thinks the exact same things about you," Usagi nods. "She doesn't even have the idea that YOU'RE interested in girls, and I at least had that much to go on back home. And I still missed it almost completely."
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmm..." Rei muses. "She was interested in girls before you?"
[11:59] * Usagi-chan nods. "I'm actually her second girlfriend. The first one... well, that was kind of a messy breakup."
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Who was it," Rei asks, a bit curious now as to who won her heart in another world.
[12:03] * Usagi-chan pauses, considering the Minako she's seen in this world before answering. "I don't think you'd recognize her," she says quite truthfully.
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei is quiet again, chewing that over as well. "Mm."
[12:14] * Usagi-chan sighs. "That's probably part of what got us so close in the first place..." She shakes her head. "She was having a hard time getting over that, and things between me and Mamoru were really starting to go sour, and we kind of leaned on each other a lot through that."
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei nods again. "And leaning lead to another thing, and another thing, and another?"
[12:18] * Usagi-chan grins a bit. "More or less, yeah. The last straw was when I tried to help her out of something I thought was trouble even after she warned me not to. She caught me in the act, and in the middle of getting chewed out I realized I didn't know what I'd do if something happened to her. She was more important to me than anyone else," Usagi says with a smile, remembering the day. "And when I found out she felt the same way, well..."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You started making out," she asks with a bit of a snort, darkly amused at that image.
[12:20] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Some, yeah. Wasn't the first time we'd kissed, but I think it was the first time we both took it seriously."
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You two had kissed before?" Rei asks, further disturbed by that. "Do you girls just like to kiss each other over there?"
[12:22] * Usagi-chan grins. "Nah, nothing like that. The first time was playing Truth or Dare at a sleepover - you know how that goes."
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei nods, understanding that, at least. "Oh. What about Haruka - she's a lesbian too, isn't she?"
[12:25] <Usagi-chan> "She's interested in girls, yeah, but she's not with anyone right now." Usagi nods.
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei nods, wondering if they have a Haruka, if she'll be like that too, or if it's just a quirk of the dimension. "What about Minako? Was she a lesbian too before she... died?" Rei asks, wondering if this was a clean sweep.
[12:28] * Usagi-chan hesitates for a moment before nodding in the affirmative. "She was," she says quietly.
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Damn," Rei murmurs, skaing her head. "So... only Makoto likes boys... kind of."
[12:29] <Usagi-chan> "Well, and Herb likes girls," Usagi allows. "Although that one's kind of complicated."
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei raises a hand. "I don't want to know, then," she sighs. Rei is quiet a bit after that, then asks quietly, "What's it like being with another girl?"
[12:31] * Usagi-chan coughs a bit. "What exactly do you mean by 'being with'?" she asks.
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei blushes a bit at that. "What do you think it means... guh... how far have you been with Rei?" she asks, wondering exactly what Serenity is thinking of now.
[12:32] * Usagi-chan flushes bright red, her lips closed tightly.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei blushes herself even more, her mind in the gutter. "Uh... just kissing and stuff like that, then."
[12:34] <Usagi-chan> "It's... nice," Usagi says somewhat lamely, still a bit disconcerted. Taking a moment to get herself together, she gives the miko a grin. "If you're like my Rei, you're a REALLY good kisser."
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Wow. As Rei does an impression of a red Fire Soul, she stammers on. "Guess I am... am I that good at all of it?"
[12:37] * Usagi-chan hesitates a moment, then nods shyly.
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Uh... good for me...." she murmurs, not really sure that in retrospect, that she wanted to know that. "Well... gah. I should get to bed..." she says again, her mind given way too much info for its own good now.
[12:40] * Usagi-chan nods. "Hope you sleep well, Rei-chan," Usagi says, rising and heading to the doorway. "We'll see you in the morning."
-------
[09:57] <Ana> The night passes by as best it can, really. The visiting girls sleep, Other Rei taking her room back and Chibi Usa sleeping nearby Usagi. The girl tosses and turns all night, often crying out in the grip of vivid nightmares.
[10:01] <Ana> Other Makoto headed home late that night without much of a word to anyone, leaving it to just Rei and Yuuchiro and your visiting selves. The two were seen talking quite a bit late in the evening...
[10:06] <Ana> Breakfast comes, Chibi Usa almost clinging to Usagi in a dim-eyed stupor from her dreams and lack of sleep, as your Makoto serves another fine breakfast. The radio is on, talking about how the cleanup with the 'meteorite' is going. Schools are announced to be restarting tomorrow, and so on. Other Rei comes to the table a bit late, looking rather sleepy herself as she gets into the meal with a mumbled greeting.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan gives other Rei a small smile as she comes in, holding Chibi Usa on her lap. "Morning, Rei."
[10:07] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Rei," Rei greets... herself, distractedly as she works on eating her breakfast.
[10:09] <Rei-chan> "Feeling any better, today?" she asks after a moment, hoping the other miko has worked most of the shock of yesterday through her system.
[10:12] <Ana> The girl nods and gives a tired grunt as she gets herself a glass of milk, downing it quickly. "Yeah," she says. "Tired, but I'm alright."
[10:14] * Rei-chan smiles. "That's good. Just take it easy today - your body still needs time to recover from the last few weeks."
[10:14] * Usagi-chan decides to keep silent for the moment, concentrating more on her own breakfast - and on making sure Chibi Usa gets something to eat as well, as she's fairly sure the poor girl isn't going to have much of an appetite.
[10:18] <Ana> Rei nods to that, not offering up much more in the way of conversation now. Chibi Usa is sipping at a glass of milk and nibbling on some food, but you can tell her appitite is indeed dull today.
[10:19] <Rei-chan> Seeing her counterpart isn't much for morning conversation, Rei turns to Usagi. "Think Cyprine will stop by today?"
[10:20] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Hope so... I'm ready to go home, so the sooner we get that set up, the better."
[10:23] <Ana> "Yeah," Other Rei comments as she stuffs some breakfast down her throat.
[10:24] <Ana> "And Usagi," she continues. "You said something about repairs last night?"
[10:25] * Usagi-chan nods. "I'll get to that after breakfast - I think I can manage it without any problems today." She smiles.
[10:26] <Rei-chan> "I'll help," Rei adds, eyeing Usagi, "You're still looking a little bit pale."
[10:27] * Usagi-chan rolls her eyes. "I'm not made of glass, Rei-chan, I'll be fine."
[10:28] * Rei-chan frowns. "I'd rather not repeat the experience of having you in a coma for four days. I wouldn't expect you to be so keen on it, either," she says in a peeved tone.
[10:29] * Usagi-chan makes a face. "Fixing up the shrine is hardly trying to purify half of Tokyo in an hour."
[10:30] <Sailor_Dragon> "Besides," said Herb, "we all have lots of practice in fixing the shrine."
[10:32] <Rei-chan> "There's not that much difference. I've seen how tired you get fixing large objects before," Rei continues, for a moment almost wishing Usagi was as lazy as she used to be so she could just rest up like a good girl.
[10:33] <Usagi-chan> "That's been on my own though," Usagi replies. "I've got the Grail to help me now - it should make it a lot easier."
[10:35] <Ana> Chibi Usa looks up at you, "You won't hurt yourself, Mommy," she asks, showing a spark of life for the first time all morning.
[10:35] <Rei-chan> "You've been using the grail non-stop since we came here - it drains you nearly as much as using the Silver Crystal used to," Rei says, now starting to become seriously annoyed with Usagi's current attitude.
[10:36] * Usagi-chan smiles at the girl on her lap. "I won't hurt myself, Chibi Usa-chan," she replies, looking over at Rei. "And this will probably be the last time I have to use it for a long time. I doubt we'll need it very soon back home, so I can take plenty of time to rest then."
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "Why can't you rest now?!" Rei asks heatedly. "Dammit, Usagi! You've just spent four days in a COMA! Doesn't that mean anything to you?!"
[10:38] <Ana> Other Rei looks up, a bit of surprise keeping her eyes open now. "Usagi, if it's that big a danger, you don't have to bother." she says, with a bit of slow respect in her voice.
[10:39] * Usagi-chan glares back at her own Rei. "And I told you I feel okay, all right? I KNOW I was out for four days, but I'm feeling a lot better now! Why won't you believe me?"
[10:42] * Rei-chan takes several deep breaths, fighting off the urge to just scream incoherently at the idiotic Dumpling Head. "You thought you could handle going off by yourself to put a barrier over that last point, and we all saw how well that turned out," she says angrily, just barely keeping from shouting.
[10:44] * Usagi-chan frowns. "I never said that. I said it had to be done and I was the only one who could do it," she says levelly. "I knew it was going to cost me - I just didn't think I'd be out for as long as I was."
[10:46] <Ana> Chibi Usa tugs at Usagi's top, speaking up. "I don't want to see you fight with Rei-chan, Mommy," she says quietly. She looks up at you with big, sad eyes.
[10:47] * Usagi-chan sighs, giving Chibi Usa a small smile. "Sorry, Chibi Usa-chan," she says, giving both Reis an apologetic look. "Sorry, I shouldn't have snapped like that."
[10:48] * Rei-chan sighs deeply, making a supreme effort to calm down. "Sorry for getting so upset. I just don't want to see you like that ever again," she sighs again, noting that she's lost her appetite. "I think I'll go get some fresh air," she says, standing up and going outside.
[10:49] * Usagi-chan remains at the table, deflating a bit. "I don't either, but I can't just sit around and do nothing because I'm afraid I'll wear myself out again."
[10:50] <Ana> Other Rei watches the storm, having a good idea of how angry Rei must be. "You don't have to bother on my account, Usagi," the never white haired miko says. "If it'll cause that big a fight... Yuuichiro can do it just as well, it'll just take him longer." She smiles a bit at that.
[10:51] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I can compromise. I'll take care of the roof, that shouldn't be TOO big a deal right now. I could probably manage that without the grail, and it'll save you guys some time later on."
[10:52] <Sailor_Dragon> Herb smiles and chips in. "I'll help too; I've nothing else to do, after all, and many hands make light work."
[10:53] <Ana> Rei nods. "I'll kick that Yuuichiro into helping, too."
[10:54] * Usagi-chan grins. "He's had plenty of practice at it back in our world. I just hope he's as handy with a hammer here as he is there."
[10:55] <Ana> "He'll manage," Rei agrees, another small smile creeping onto her face. As this happens, Chibi Usa gets your attention again. "Can we go to the park later, Mommy," Chibi Usa asks. "The one with the lake and the dock?"
[10:56] * Usagi-chan smiles. "We sure can, Chibi Usa-chan. We'll go for a walk in a little while after I help Rei fix up her temple." She glances over at the remaining miko. "We can get started now, if it's okay with you."
[11:00] <Ana> "Sure," she nods once, standing.
[11:17] <Ana> The task goes on most of the morning, your Rei joining you once Herb calls out to her. It's not overly hard work - there aren't any huge damages, mostly just mid and low level stuff and a lot of it. Yuuichiro stands back... relatively unsurprised at what you're doing, really.
[11:19] <Ana> By lunch hour, the job is finished.
[11:19] <Ana> None of the Other girls have made it back over quite yet, notably.
[11:20] * Usagi-chan stands back with a satisfied sigh, feeling a touch tired but nothing too serious. "Finally done... looks a lot better now, even if there's still some details to take care of."
[11:30] <Anastasia> Other Rei nods, impressed by how you managed the magic like so. "Our Usagi can barely manage a Moon Princess Hallation sometimes, yet alone something more practical like this," she marvels at you work.
[11:30] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Well, this spell at least I've had a LOT of practice with. I'm still trying to remember most of what I used to know back in the Silver Millenium."
[11:34] <Anastasia> Rei nods again, stealing a glance at Yuuchiro. "Wonder if he could learn that..." she muses.
[11:35] * Usagi-chan looks over at the thoroughly mundane priest-in-training. "It'd be nice, wouldn't it?" she giggles. "I don't think I could teach it to him though."
[11:49] <Anastasia> Rei smils a bit, shaking her head. "Nevermind, anyway."
[11:50] <Usagi-chan> "At least you guys won't have to worry about any rainstorms now," she says with a smile.
[11:57] <Anastasia> Nodding, Rei leads  you down off the roof and back to the Shrine.

[Halbarad]

[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa is strangely insistent about the park, reminding you again during lunch.
[09:18] * Usagi-chan smiles. "All right, I haven't forgotten. Let's at least finish up eating first, then we can go out, all right?"
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa nods. "Okay," she agrees, going back to half-eating her food.
[09:21] * Usagi-chan finishes off the rest of her lunch quickly, taking her dishes to the sink once she's done. Coming back into the dining room, she looks over at Chibi Usa expectantly. "All ready to go?"
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods again, slightly happy. "Is anyone coming with us, Mommy?"
[09:25] <Usagi-chan> "Did you want anyone else to come with us?" She looks around at the other senshi curiously.
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't mind," she replies quietly.
[09:31] * Ami-chan blinks and looks up. "I'll go." she offers. "The shrine is nice, but I've spent a little too much time here in the past few days."
[09:32] <Sailor_Dragon> "I think I might draw too much attention if I went out like this", says Herb.
[09:33] * Usagi-chan nods. "Guess it'll just be you, me, and Ami-chan then." Usagi sends a sad look towards her Rei, but doesn't say anything.
[09:34] <Rei-chan> "Have fun, you guys," Rei gives the trio a small and not very heartfelt smile.
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa smiles just a bit at Usagi. "We will, Rei-chan."
[09:35] * Usagi-chan sighs a bit, taking Chibi Usa by the hand as she leads the way out of the Shrine. Once outside, she picks Chibi Usa up, springing lightly over the UFO blocking the street outside before setting the girl down and continuing on towards the park.
[09:37] * Ami-chan follows the mother and daughter, staying quiet and deep in thought.
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa enjoys the weather as you head down to the park where you entered this world, the park that nearly wasn't last summer, a memory or two tugging at Ami.
[09:39] * Usagi-chan does her best to enjoy the walk as well, although she can't help but feel a bit down over Rei's reaction. She mentally resolves to apologize to the miko once the group returns to the shrine.
[09:42] * Ami-chan looks about as she walks, now, a slightly thoughtful frown on her face at the memories. She glances up at Usagi, worried a little about Rei's rather chilly sendoff, but stays quiet, unsure what to say.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa cheers a bit as you go, the sight of the populated park buoying her. At the entrance, "Let's go to the lake, okay?"
[09:44] * Usagi-chan smiles a bit, trying to cheer herself up a bit for her daughter's sake. "Sounds good to me." She changes direction, heading down towards the lake. "It's definitely looking a heck of a lot better than the last time we were here, that's for sure."
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa smiles at that. "It's nice and sunny now," she agrees, picking up her pace a bit.
[09:48] * Ami-chan follows slowly, moving off to the side a bit, to let Usagi and her daughter talk without feeling as though she's intruding.
[09:52] * Usagi-chan halts for a moment as the lake comes into view, the scene one of warm summer tranquility. A flotilla of ducks swims near the shore, a couple of children feeding them scraps of bread. A few boats are out on the lake's surface, various couples enjoying the early summer afternoon.
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Enjoying the sunshine a moment, Chibi Usa tugs on your hand. "Let's go to the dock, Mommy."
[09:53] * Usagi-chan smiles. "You want to go rent a boat or something?" she asks, although starting down the path towards the dock.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...No," she replies after thinking a minute. "I just want to go down by the docks here."
[09:54] <Usagi-chan> "Well, we can do that. Any particular reason?" she asks curiously.
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I just like it down here," she says, looking down in the direction of the dock.
[09:56] * Usagi-chan looks at her destination as well, as the two near the small boat dock jutting out into the lake.
[09:57] * Ami-chan glances at Chibi Usa curiously, and follows the pair, but beginning to lag behind a bit.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Heading down to the docks, you see a man sitting on the end of the docks and staring out into the lake, a dark haired man with a pink vaguely dressy shirt and slacks... Mamoru stares at the lake, Chibi Usa picking up a bit more speed as you approach. "Mamo-chan!"
[10:04] * Usagi-chan lets go of Chibi Usa's hand with a smile as she starts off towards Mamoru, following along behind at a slightly more sedate pace. "Hey, Mamoru," she says cheerfully.
[10:05] * Ami-chan blinks, then looks curiously at Chibi Usa's retreating form. With a mental shrug, she follows more carefully now...
[10:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Briefly turning his head and smiling at the girl before getting up, he stands at the very edge of the dock as the daughter/not daughter of his hugs him. "Hey, Chibi Usa-chan," he says, patting her back.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan comes to stand a few feet away from the dark-haired man, watching 'her' daughter interact with the man who would have been her father.
[10:08] * Ami-chan stops nearby, also watching the scene, smiling slightly.
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mamo-chan," she says happily, hanging onto him, the man kneeling to pick her up. Holding her against his shoulder carefully, he smiles at you. "Hey, Usagi, Ami." he says. "Chibi Usa ask you to come here, too?"
[10:10] * Usagi-chan eyes the girl, a slight smile playing at the corner of her lips. "She was pretty insistent that I come down here, yeah. Ami decided to come along for some fresh air."
[10:10] * Ami-chan raises her eyebrows, but simply nods in agreement.
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Resting on his shoulder, Chibi Usa is silent. "Well, she must've wanted to..." he trails off a moment, not smiling a second before resuming his smile again. "You said you were leaving today, didn't you?"
[10:12] * Usagi-chan nods. "Probably tonight or in the morning, depends on when we hear from the Twins."
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, shifting the weight of Chibi Usa slightly. "Speaking of that... I wanted to ask you a few more things about them, and about that Mugen school," he comments.
[10:14] * Usagi-chan's smile falters a little. "I... wish I could tell you more, but I've been asked not to, and I trust the person that asked. You'll find out on your own soon enough, I expect."
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> He frowns just a bit at that. "Well... in that case, I'll look into myself," he vows. "With what you've told me, something must be there of interest."
[10:16] <Usagi-chan> "That might not be a bad idea... I'll just warn you to be careful and leave it at that." Usagi nods.
[10:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru nods. "I will be." At that, Chibi Usa whipsers to him, just audible to Usagi. "Don't get hurt, Mamo-chan..."
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling, he speaks to Chibi Usa softly, turning her so that she's facing him. "I will be, Chibi Usa-chan. Even if it's another Dark Kingdom there, they won't get Tuxedo Kamen or the Sailor Senshi."
[10:19] * Usagi-chan smiles, wondering how the senshi of this world will fare against the Deathbusters.
[10:21] <Ami-chan> A corner of Ami's mouth curls up as she ponders how the Mugen incidents will unfold here.
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...Just don't hurt any of the people at Mugen, either," she says. "They're nice, too."
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tucking that away for reference, he smiles at the girl. "Got you, Chibi-Usa. I promise."
[10:25] * Usagi-chan waits in an awkward silence for a few moments before speaking up again. "It's good to see the city back to normal again," she starts.
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," Mamoru agrees. "It's like everyone can't or won't think about the last few weeks - everything is blamed on that 'meteor' story."
[10:26] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe it's for the best that they don't," Usagi says quietly. "Considering the way everyone was acting, I don't know if I'd WANT to remember it."
[10:27] * Ami-chan nods. "People tend to rationalize away things that don't fit into their worldview." she agrees quietly.
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking at Ami, he smiles. "Yeah, guess so. Just like..." he stops, looking now at Usagi. "Usagi's dad. I took her home last night..." he laughs a bit, but he looks a bit embarrassed now.
[10:31] * Usagi-chan raises an eyebrow, having a fair guess what happened. "What happened, he chased you out of the house?"
[10:32] * Ami-chan blushes. Having an overprotective mother gives her a good idea what Kenji Tsukino must have thought...
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh..heh....yeah," he says, his face chagrined and amused. "Usagi said I was her boyfriend in front of the family... and gave me a kiss to emphasize the point. Her mother took it alright, but... I'm glad I jog now."
[10:33] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Why am I not too surprised? Daddy always has been really overprotective of me when it came to guys."
[10:34] * Ami-chan smothers a giggle behind her hand, and falls quiet, listening to the pair.
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa smiles at that as well, as Mamoru goes on. "Anyway... even if she didn't show it perfectly yesterday, Usagi is really grateful for what you did."
[10:36] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Well, I can't really blame her that much for yesterday. I kind of figured she'd flip if she found out about me and Rei, that's why I was trying not to say anything."
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh... yeah, sorry about that," he concedes, as Chibi Usa's smile fades. "She ranted about that most of the way home - about how if even if she was a lesbian, she wouldn't waste her time with 'that pyromaniac miko'."
[10:40] * Usagi-chan giggles a bit. "I can imagine... I just tried picturing the way I'd react if someone told ME that about a year ago. I'd have thought they were completely nuts!"
[10:41] * Ami-chan shifts a little, not terribly comfortable with the topic, but not showing it much, and smiling slightly.
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mamoru chuckles. "She said she'd at least go with Makoto so she'd get nice meals every day instead of curry and fast food," he shakes his head. "I don't know," he admits, stopping and getting more serious. "She really seems to be getting defensive over this entire thing."
[10:44] * Usagi-chan grins. "I can't say for sure, but I think both of them are closer friends than either one of them wants to admit. We might have just made them look at it more than they usually have to."
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> He chuckles some more, but there is a slightly worried tone beneath it. "Yeah. As long as she doesn't decide to run off with Rei, I don't think it's a big deal."
[10:46] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Just take good care of her and I don't think you'll have anything to worry about."
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding, Mamoru smiles. "I'm planning on it."
[10:49] * Ami-chan watches Chibi Usa idly through the conversation, curious as to what the girl is thinking, and trying to read her expression.
[10:50] <Usagi-chan> "I guess it's back to life as usual for you guys, then?" Usagi asks idly.
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> She's rather middling at the moment, happy to be with Mamoru, but obviously bothered by something.
[10:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Yeah, I guess so," he concedes. "We haven't had much of a chance to really relax since Ann and Alan came and everyone woke up, so we're ready for it."
[10:52] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I know the feeling... really feels good to have a break after having to fight for so long. I'm just looking forward to getting back home and enjoying my summer break."
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> At that, Mamoru begins walking forward, still holding Chibi Usa despite the protests in his arms. "Usagi said something just like that yesterday, and how their summer break was completely missed. She wasn't happy."
[10:56] * Usagi-chan grins. "I'll bet... we're missing a good chunk of ours to come here, but we'll make the best of what we've got left."
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, getting off the dock. Once there, he puts the girl down. "I have to get to work soon, so I'll see you tomorrow, Chibi Usa," he smiles, the girl nodding back. "Until then, ciao."
[11:03] <Usagi-chan> "We'll see you later, Mamoru," Usagi says with a smile.
[11:03] * Ami-chan nods to Mamoru, smiling warmly. "Nice to see you again."
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, heading off and leaving you with Chibi Usa.
[11:07] * Usagi-chan gives Chibi Usa a look. "Okay, Chibi Usa-chan, what's up? You asked us both to come down here."
[11:09] * Ami-chan nods to herself, seeing that Usagi is already headed to the conclusion she has come to, and remains quiet, backing off a little.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl wilts a bit. "I wanted to see Mamo-chan," she replies to you.
[11:20] * Usagi-chan kneels down next to the child. "Is that all?" she asks quietly.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "..I wanted to see you and Mamo-chan together," she admits finally.
[11:25] * Usagi-chan nods, her suspicions confirmed. "You really like Mamo-chan a lot, don't you?"
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl nods again. "I like seeing you with him, too..."
[11:29] * Usagi-chan sighs, not really sure how to attack this problem. "I wish I could have stayed with him back in my world, but I couldn't - things just didn't work out."
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl whimpers. "I... I want to see him with you, not Rei-chan..." she whispers, looking away from you and at Ami instead, pleading for help with her red eyes.
[11:33] * Ami-chan winces, and brings up something she's been forced to acknowledge. "Chibi Usa-chan... leaving that aside... Mamoru-san belongs here. Usagi-chan and I... and you, have to go home." she observes, deftly avoiding the main issue. "It couldn't work out."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa looks hurt at you. "But... I don't want to lose anyone else," she says, on the verge of tears, suddenly. "Not again... and again..."
[11:37] * Ami-chan winces. "You won't lose anyone." She says softly. "I can't imagine that Mamoru-san would leave it like that. He'll almost certainly visit, at least if he can."
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But..." she murmurs. "I want to be with Mommy and Daddy..."
[11:46] * Usagi-chan takes a deep sigh. "I know, Chibi Usa, but... if you want me to be your mommy, you can't have both."
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Don't you love... our family, Mommy," she asks in a cracking voice. "Mommy wouldn't make me and Daddy sad like that..."
[11:49] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, the girl wrenching her heart. "I want you to have a wonderful family, Chibi Usa-chan... but I can't stay here with Mamoru, and he can't come with us."
[11:50] * Ami-chan moves closer, and crouches near the child. "We do understand how you feel." she begins, softly. "But you can't force a family together, or everyone is unhappy." She points out gently. "That isn't what you want, is it?"
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Falling to her knees, Chibi Usa sobs. "Mommy... Daddy... I don't want you to..." she blubbers, having lost control as she cries, her energy rising to Usagi's eyes.
[11:52] * Usagi-chan takes the girl in her arms, hugging her tightly. "I know, Chibi Usa... I wish it didn't have to be this way either."
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa clings to you, crying and crying as her energy fluctuates. Something's stirring...
[11:55] * Usagi-chan does her best to soothe the girl, realizing that she's about to let off another moonbeam - but that aside from what she's doing now, there's not a great deal she can do about it.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Surely enough, the girl's energy is reaching a peak... with a flash of light, a stunning yellow beam erupts from her, searing your eyes and the sky above.
[11:57] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes quickly against the brilliance, still holding onto the pink-haired girl tightly.
[11:59] * Ami-chan boggles, and quickly shields her eyes, watching the light show with a curiosity.
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the light zooms from the tiny body, "Mommy! Daddy! I don't want to be alone anymore," Chibi Usa wails.
[12:00] <Usagi-chan> "You won't be alone, Chibi Usa-chan. I won't leave you," Usagi says quietly but firmly.
[12:02] <Ami-chan> "None of us will." Ami murmurs softly, nodding to herself, her heart going out to the child.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hugging onto you, the girl sobs as the moonbeam runs its course, the light fading. As it does, you can see a few parkgoers just coming into view, attracted by the light.
[12:04] * Usagi-chan strokes Chibi Usa's back gently, not really caring about any onlookers. "It'll be all right, Chibi Usa. I know it's got to be really hard."
[12:06] * Ami-chan moves over, noticing the newcomers, and watching them for signs of trouble, moving away to give Usagi and Chibi Usa privacy.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why, Mommy?" she says as she pours her heart out of her eyes, "Why can't it just be us and be happy anymore?"
[12:10] <Usagi-chan> "I'm sorry, Chibi Usa-chan," Usagi whispers. "Things don't always work out the way we want them to."
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few parkgoers peek over, murmuring loudly amongst themselves. "What was that... did you see... was that another meteor landing?"
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl just clings at this point, having lost the will to communicate beyond that.
[12:12] * Usagi-chan just rocks the poor girl back and forth, offering silent comfort.
[12:13] * Ami-chan winces at the murmured voices, and glances at Usagi and Chibi Usa. She pauses. 'Usagi-chan...I hate to interrupt,' she thinks, regretfully, 'But it may be prudent to move, soon.' she warns gently.
[12:13] * Usagi-chan nods to Ami, gathering Chibi Usa in her arms as she slowly stands to her feet.
[12:14] * Ami-chan leads the way away from the crowd, headed to one of the more private areas of the park that she uses as a personal refuge.
[12:15] * Usagi-chan follows Ami, murmuring soft reassurances to the pink-haired girl in her arms as she walks.
[12:18] <Ami-chan> Stopping in a shielded area, surrounded by trees and well tended flowers, Ami glances at Usagi, reluctant to speak out loud at the moment. 'You should escape notice, here.' Ami thinks again. 'Would you like me to give you some time alone?'
[12:21] * Usagi-chan shakes her head slightly. 'It's okay, Ami-chan... I just wish I knew what to do.' She gives her friend a lost look. 'I can't give her what she wants.'
[12:23] * Ami-chan shakes her head, smiling sadly. 'No one gets what they want all the time.' she offers. 'Even though it's natural for a parent to want to. There's nothing that can be done.'
[12:24] * Usagi-chan strokes the back of Chibi Usa's head as she continues to converse mentally with Ami. 'I just... I know she loves Mamoru a lot. I'm almost tempted to ask her if she wants to stay here with him, except I really don't think she'll take it - she hates this world's Usagi for whatever reason.'
[12:29] <Ami-chan> 'They didn't get off to a good start... then Mamoru broke up with this world's Usagi after she arrived. The other Usagi seems to have taken out her sorrow and jealousy on her, if my interpretation of what she told me is true.' Ami offers.
[12:30] * Usagi-chan sighs a bit. 'It wouldn't surprise me... and I can't even imagine how she'd react if I told her that Chibi Usa is - was - her daughter.' She shakes her head. 'Considering the way she reacted to Rei and me, I wonder if she'd even believe me.'
[12:31] <Ami-chan> 'I think it would be best if you didn't,' Ami offers, tentatively. 'It could complicate the situation more...'
[12:32] <Usagi-chan> 'Probably right, that's why I haven't said anything yet. I just wish I knew if Chibi Usa's told Mamoru. She's known for a while now, and she had plenty of chances while I was asleep.'
[12:34] <Ami-chan> 'I suspect he knows...' Ami sighed. 'But we can't be sure without questioning him.'
[12:37] * Usagi-chan nods. 'And I'm not in a real hurry to do that... if he doesn't know before I ask, I'd probably give him the hint just BECAUSE I asked.'
[12:38] <Ami-chan> 'Yes...' Ami agreed. 'Navigating two universes is unnecessarily complex...' she sighs. 'It will probably turn out best just to keep quiet...'
[12:40] <Usagi-chan> 'What do you think though? SHOULD I offer to let her stay here? She might make up with Usagi in time, and she could be happier with her 'real' mother and father.' Usagi looks rather sad as she relays the idea to Ami.
[12:43] <Ami-chan> 'I... don't know.' Ami admits, flustered at having to admit it. 'But... if you mean to explore that solution, we would need to reveal Chibi Usa's heritage to Mamoru, or Usagi."
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa finally cries herself out, now cuddling up to you and sighing.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan looks down at the sniffling child in her arms. 'I don't... I want her to stay with me, but... but I want the best for her too, and maybe I can't give her that myself.' She finally speaks aloud. "Chibi Usa-chan?" she says quietly.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmm," she murmurs, looking up at you with wet, cried out eyes. "Can we go home now, Mommy?"
[12:47] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "We'll go back to the shrine," she agrees, the broken-hearted look in Chibi Usa's eyes breaking down her resolve to ask whether she wants to stay here.
[12:49] <Ami-chan> "I'll follow you in a little bit." Ami says quietly. "You can manage with her all right?"
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay, Mommy," she says, weakly. "...We'll go home and we won't leave each other..."
[12:50] * Usagi-chan smiles weakly, nodding to Ami. "We'll see you later, Ami-chan. Don't stay out too long - I'm not sure when we're going to hear from the Twins."
[12:52] * Ami-chan smiles wanly. "Alright."
[12:53] * Usagi-chan turns her steps towards home, still carrying Chibi Usa - even if the girl is a bit heavy, she doesn't really feel like she wants to separate herself from Chibi Usa just yet.
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Chibi Usa is silent most of the walk, but near the end of it..."Mommy...?"
[12:55] <Usagi-chan> "What is it, Chibi Usa?" Usagi asks.
[12:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...I... I love you, Mommy," she says quietly, her tone slipping. "Don't leave me because I got mad, okay?"
[12:58] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, knowing she'll never be able to ask now. "I love you too. I won't leave you, Chibi Usa." She lowers her head, giving the girl a kiss on the top of her head.
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[13:13] <Usagi-chan> The two Usagis return to the shrine shortly thereafter, the blonde putting the pink-haired girl to bed for a short nap after the afternoon's ordeal. Once she's sure that the girl will be all right, she heads off in search of her girlfriend.
[13:15] <Rei-chan> It doesn't take long to find Rei, the miko out in the remains of the Shrine's meditation garden, doing her best to tidy the formerly tranquil area up from its current wrecked state.
[13:16] * Usagi-chan comes up behind the raven-haired girl quietly, opening her mouth several times as she tries to work out what to say. "Rei-chan..." She hesitates for a few moments more, then finally settles on a simple "I'm sorry."
[13:19] <Rei-chan> Rei pauses, not having noticed Usagi's approach in her distracted state. Dropping several twigs and branches she was clearing, she straightens and turns to face the blonde. "Don't be," she sighs tiredly. "I was just overreacting, right? I mean, you managed to fix up what you did without any problems..."
[13:20] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I still shouldn't have argued with you like that... I mean, I know you're trying to watch out for me, and I shouldn't get mad at you because you care."
[13:25] <Rei-chan> "It was... unexpected," Rei concedes, taking a seat on a large round boulder. "I just don't understand why you made such a big deal out of it. Yes, going to put up that last barrier yourself was stupid - we've both agreed on that. But you're right, it was important. But fixing up the Shrine..." she shakes her head, "It's not that big a deal. It's not a matter of life and death, and it can easily be done by hand."
[13:28] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I'd offered to do it - without thinking, I'll admit - and I didn't want to back out on my word." Usagi moves over to sit next to Rei on the large stone. "And I DO believe what I said this morning - I was feeling okay, and I don't want to stop doing things just because I'm afraid it'll make me tired or whatever."
[13:30] <Rei-chan> "But you should," Rei retorts, a bit of her earlier heat returning. "What happened to you recently, it was your body's way of telling you it can't keep up at the pace you've been putting it through. Why can't you listen and take the time to recuperate? There aren't any enemies to fight anymore, Usagi. You don't need to keep pushing yourself."
[13:32] <Usagi-chan> "I didn't think I would be, though," Usagi says in a small voice, not wanting to get the argument rolling again. "I know I overdid it, but that was using the Grail over and over again, several times a day. I figured that just one time today wouldn't hurt."
[13:35] * Rei-chan sighs, "It might not hurt, but it won't help you recover, either. I wasn't exaggerating when I said you looked pale - you still do. Maybe you can get by just using a little bit without pausing, but what about the next time you really need to go all out? You won't be able to handle it then because you never took the time to rest up and make a complete recovery."
[13:37] <Usagi-chan> "I know, it's just..." Usagi protests. "I just don't know. I wonder if I should stop using it completely, but then another part of me wonders if this is just part of getting used to using it - maybe with more practice I'll learn how not to drain myself so much. I just don't know enough to say for sure though."
[13:43] <Rei-chan> "It was never meant to be used like that, Usagi. It's like the Silver Crystal - incredibly useful when the situation is dire and you have nothing left, but if you use it constantly it'll continue to weaken you. What if you become dependent on the Grail and your own powers atrophy? And then if it disappears like the Crystal did?" Rei frets, wrinkling the fabric of her skirt in her hands.
[13:47] * Usagi-chan clasps her hands in her lap, staring down at them as she speaks quietly. "I know it's supposed to be for that, but... it's like I see something that I want to do but I can't on my own - but I know that I could do it with the Grail. It's hard not to just jump in and do it." Her shoulders sag a bit. "I don't really think about what it costs me."
[13:51] * Rei-chan sighs deeply, that being an answer she was dreading. "I'm not sure if I can even make you see it," she says in a defeated tone. "Don't you understand that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination? You could probably use the Grail to restore the Moon Palace, for example, but..." she fumbles for a moment to articulate her feelings properly,
[13:51] <Rei-chan> "Don't you see how we've learned so much doing things the way we have already? And everything we fix with our own hands - it's ours. We put a part of ourselves into it. If we just get the whole thing gift-wrapped and dropped in our laps, what's the point?"
[13:56] * Usagi-chan pauses for a moment, thinking over everything they HAVE accomplished together. The struggle with the great hall when it was just her and Ami, the sense of accomplishment from finishing one room after another, the good times from simply working alongside her friends... "I guess I can see what you mean," she says slowly. "I didn't even think about it like that."
[13:58] <Rei-chan> "I wish you would," Rei says, staring off into space. "The quick and easy solution is very rarely the best one."
[14:01] <Usagi-chan> "Tell me about it," Usagi says glumly, thinking of the 'quick and easy' solution for Chibi Usa - simply leaving her here with her real parents and letting them worry about her.
[14:02] <Rei-chan> "So you understand?" Rei finally turns to look at Usagi, her eyes shining with hope.
[14:03] * Usagi-chan nods, looking rather down. "I do... I just wish it was easier to do the 'right' thing," she replies, thinking of both of the problems on her mind.
[14:05] <Rei-chan> "It's not so hard," Rei takes Usagi's hand in her own, giving the blonde a slightly wavering but honestly cheerful smile, "We've done well so far, haven't we?"
[14:06] * Usagi-chan nods, still staring at her lap. "I guess so."
[14:07] <Rei-chan> Rei's expression falters. "What else is bothering you?" she asks gently. "Did something happen when you went out with Ami and Chibi Usa?"
[14:08] * Usagi-chan nods. "I guess you didn't see it from here?"
[14:09] <Rei-chan> "See what?" Rei furrows her brow. 'I guess I have been distracted, but...'
[14:12] * Usagi-chan sighs. "She apparently arranged to have Mamoru be down there at the park too." She closes her eyes. "She still wants the two of us to stay together, and she just won't listen when I tell her it can't work like that."
[14:16] <Rei-chan> "Oh." Rei slumps, letting go of Usagi's hand. "Funny that she has to hate the Usagi that Mamoru does love. But of course that would be too simple," she observes tonelessly.
[14:17] * Usagi-chan nods. "I almost want to ask her if she wants to stay here with Mamoru and this Usagi, but... she's almost paranoid about me leaving her. I don't want to do that to her if I don't have to. But I don't know what the best thing to do here really is."
[14:21] <Rei-chan> "There is no 'best thing' here," Rei snorts, "Either way she's still going to get a teenage mother. If she stays here there's a chance she and Usagi could reconcile and possibly end up as a happy family with Mamoru. If she comes with us, well..." she frowns slightly, "I don't know what she thinks of me, now. And Endymion in our world is a far cry from Mamoru here."
[14:26] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I know, I know. She'll probably never even MEET Endymion with the way things are now." She plays with the hem of her skirt nervously. "But I really do... I do love her, Rei-chan. I don't know if I could just leave her here very well myself, with as much as she seems to care about me." She closes her eyes at that, slumped where she sits.
[14:29] <Rei-chan> "In the end, the choice is Chibi Usa's, and she seems to have made it. And since you seem to want it just as much as her..." Rei sighs, resting her elbows on her knees, "I'll do my best to support you both, but I don't expect she'll welcome me much, now..."
[14:34] * Usagi-chan turns a small smile to Rei. "If you think she could learn to get along with this world's Usagi, I'm sure she'll get used to you. It's just... with everything that's happened to her recently, it's one more thing that's out of place, I think."
[14:36] <Rei-chan> "Usagi really is her mother, though - we know she's capable of growing up into the Neo Queen Serenity that bore and raised Chibi Usa," Rei points out. "I've never been part of her perfect family, though. She probably sees me as an obstacle."
[14:39] <Usagi-chan> "WE know that, but SHE doesn't. I don't think it'd be possible to convince her that this Usagi really is her mother - I don't know if it would even be possible if she'd never even MET me." Usagi shakes her head. "And it's what's in her head that matters here, not what the real truth is."
[14:40] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei sighs deeply, "Not with the real Neo Queen Serenity having never existed..."
[14:44] * Usagi-chan nods glumly. "She can't have it both ways - she can't have me as her mother and Mamoru as her father. And I don't think she's dealing with that very well. I just wish there was a way to help her accept that." She looks over at the miko. "Is being a parent really supposed to be this hard? I thought it wasn't so bad once you got past the diapers part."
[14:46] <Rei-chan> Rei's expression tightens minutely. "It's as hard as the effort you're willing to put into it," she says in a controlled voice. "I'm sure most parents would say it's worth it, though."
[14:47] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I'll do my best, but I never expected it to be this rough," she says with a sigh. "And I've barely even been a 'parent' for what, two days now?"
[14:48] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure your own mother will give you all the help you need," Rei says, giving Usagi a smile.
[14:50] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I bet she'll be really excited at the idea of getting a permanent granddaughter."
[14:53] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei looks contemplative. "How is Chibi Usa going to be registered, though? If she's officially your daughter then you'd had to have had her when you were nine or so..."
[14:55] * Usagi-chan looks up, her broody mood replaced with one of contemplation. "I don't know... I know I'm too young to officially adopt her, so that's out. Maybe Mom and Daddy will adopt her but the rest of us know the real story?"
[14:58] <Rei-chan> "That's probably the simplest solution," Rei nods. "I've never really thought about it before, but it must be a culture shock for her to go from Princess of Crystal Tokyo to a regular schoolgirl in our Tokyo..."
[14:59] * Usagi-chan nods. "That and everything else... it's hard to even imagine something happening so that everything I'd ever known just... stops existing." Usagi shakes her head. "I can't imagine what she must be feeling like right now."
[15:01] <Rei-chan> "I know. She must feel terrible..." Rei looks downcast.
[15:03] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, thoughtful. "I guess... that's part of why I don't want to leave her. If I'm like her mommy really was, it's got to be like one of the last familiar things she has," Usagi says quietly. "Which is a big part of why I don't want to leave her."
[15:08] <Rei-chan> "We'll just have to all do our best to help her grow up into a happy Lady, like her mother would have wanted for her," Rei puts her arm around Usagi, drawing the blonde close as she contemplates their future with the new addition to their 'family'.
[15:09] * Usagi-chan smiles a bit at the word, remembering Chibi Usa's aspiration. Letting her head rest against Rei's shoulder, she turns to look up at the miko. "So do you think I make a good Lady?" she asks, half teasingly.
[15:13] <Rei-chan> "Hmm..." Rei looks thoughtful for a second, "According to Chibi Usa, a Lady is graceful, strong, beautiful, and helps and protects." She smiles, "Since I haven't teased you for being a klutz in so long, I guess you meet the criteria."
[15:14] * Usagi-chan giggles, leaning over to give Rei a kiss on the cheek. "I haven't had a klutz attack in a while, have I?"
[15:15] <Rei-chan> "I think the last one was when you broke that glass a couple of days before we got together," Rei says, casting her mind back. "The day I introduced you to Eudial."
[15:17] * Usagi-chan smiles. "That puts it a ways back..." She giggles a bit as she remembers the events of that day. "I'm just glad I managed to get the two of you home safe.... Eudial the airplane wasn't in any shape to be driving, that's for sure."
[15:17] <Rei-chan> "Nor was I if I recall," Rei says with a faint blush.
[15:28] * Usagi-chan grins. "You weren't quite as bad as she was, even if you were pretty wobbly. It was still pretty fun though." She gives the miko a sly look. "So do you still think about asking me out?" she adds with a giggle.
[15:31] <Rei-chan> "Quite often," Rei admits, relaxing against Usagi as the conversation turns to more lighthearted matters. "A lot of the stress disappears when I already know what your answer will be."
[15:31] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I can't believe I didn't put things together then about you... guess I AM still a Dumpling Head a lot of the time," she admits sheepishly.
[15:34] <Rei-chan> "It wasn't exactly obvious," Rei retorts, "I was a model of restraint. Unlike you, Miss 'I'll just practice kissing on Rei-chan because she'll give me an honest opinion'," she giggles.
[15:34] <Usagi-chan> "Hey, that really was honest!" Usagi retorts. "Mostly."
[15:35] <Rei-chan> "Well, at least we don't need such flimsy excuses now," Rei grins, giving a squeeze with the arm wrapped around her girlfriend's waist.
[15:39] * Usagi-chan giggles. "True enough." Usagi lets the dark-haired miko draw her in close, leaning her head on Rei's shoulder once again. "I'm ready to go home... I hope the Twins get here soon."
[15:40] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods. "I miss everyone back home. And Grandpa's probably managed to drive off all the people I asked to help out at the Shrine while I was gone," she snorts.
[15:41] * Usagi-chan grins. "How many did you end up asking for help?"
[15:43] <Rei-chan> "Um... not counting Hotaru, seven," Rei replies. "I don't expect many to have lasted very long at all, though."
[15:44] <Usagi-chan> "At least you know Hotaru will stick with it," Usagi replies with a smile. "She really likes learning to be a miko with you, doesn't she?"
[15:47] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei smiles. "She's really been working hard, too. It'll be good to see her again when we go home."
[15:49] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I'll be glad to see EVERYONE when we get home. Maybe even Shingo." She pauses for a moment. "Although I can't honestly say I've missed Eiko much."
[15:50] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei makes a face. "Hopefully your aunt will hurry up and take her back."
[15:52] * Usagi-chan scowls a bit. "I wish... she's supposed to be here for at least a semester, so she'll be hanging around for at least another couple of months. At least I don't have to worry about her being under the same roof anymore - even if I don't like the fact that she got her own apartment."
[15:53] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it isn't right that she's mooching off your family like that," Rei nods. "Especially if Chibi Usa is going to be living permanently with you."
[15:54] * Usagi-chan nods. "I hadn't even thought about that... maybe I should think about getting a part-time job to help out?" she asks with a slight grimace of distaste.
[15:55] <Rei-chan> "You're too young for a part time job," Rei points out. "You'd have to wait until next year."
[15:56] <Usagi-chan> "I could lie about my age," Usagi replies, although she doesn't look too comfortable with the idea. "I hate to do it, but I don't want Chibi Usa to wind up being another burden for my parents."
[16:00] <Rei-chan> "It isn't just that, though - what about your education and our other responsibilities?" Rei reasons. "And most jobs will require documentary evidence of your age and permission from your school. I'm sure Ami could forge something, and the Professor would give permission, but still..."
[16:04] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I guess you're right..." She thinks for a moment, then brightens up a bit. "Maybe I could do something at Mugen? I know I wouldn't really help much with the professor's research as a REAL assistant, but I bet he'd let me work there. AND I could maybe take care of school stuff while I work."
[16:06] <Rei-chan> "You could probably do something to help with the office duties like filing and stuff," Rei muses, "It'd only be an hour each day after school - and all Saturday afternoon."
[16:08] * Usagi-chan winces at that. "I guess it can't hurt to ask, since I know my parents are already kind of tight because of Eiko."
[16:09] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "I really can't believe how inconsiderate your aunt is..."
[16:10] <Usagi-chan> "I know!" Usagi says indignantly. "It's like she just dumped Eiko off on us - I almost wonder if she's done this before or something. Eiko DID say she'd moved around a lot."
[16:11] <Rei-chan> "It is very suspicious how she's suddenly unavailable for contact," Rei says, frowning. "While I can certainly understand her wanting to ditch the brat, you'd think she'd just put her up for adoption or something rather than alienate the rest of her family."
[16:13] * Usagi-chan nods. "I wish WE could give her up for adoption... she's just a pain. She probably DOES need help, but her own mom should be the one taking care of that, not us."
[16:14] <Rei-chan> "That's certainly a bad example of parenting to be giving you," Rei says with a faint smile.
[16:16] * Usagi-chan grins. "How NOT to be a parent in two easy steps, huh?"
[16:17] <Rei-chan> "There's a lot more steps than that, but I'm sure you'll do fine," Rei says with an encouraging smile.
[16:17] <Usagi-chan> "At least I know I'll have good help," Usagi says, returning Rei's smile.
[16:21] <Anastasia> As your chat winds to a close, you can feel something coming for a moment. Cyprine appears, solid and landing with a slight plunk on the Shrine's yard.
[16:21] <Rei-chan> "Cyprine?" Rei blinks, noting her solid appearance, "Are you actually here?"
[16:22] * Usagi-chan sits up, giving the girl a curious look. "I heard her land," she says to Rei.
[16:22] <Anastasia> Coming up to you, "Yes. With the walls between the worlds so weak and without any energy to interfere, it's quite possible for one with enough power to transport between, now."
[16:23] <Rei-chan> "Is there still a risk of them merging?" Rei asks worriedly.
[16:25] <Anastasia> Cyprine merely shakes her head. "As it stands, no. Barring anything else happening to disturb the balance, the worlds will come no closer. Though 'anyone' could be someone as strong as us or Usagi." Cyprine frowns a bit. "The Professor wants you to come back as quickly as possible so you two can begin to work on repairing the worlds, Usagi."
[16:26] * Usagi-chan nods. "I think we're all just about ready to go home. We could probably leave any time."
[16:27] <Rei-chan> "We've done everything we can here," Rei nods, "The rest is up to this world's senshi."
[16:29] <Anastasia> Oddly, Cyprine frowns there, a tight lipped crescent. "Then, hurry." In the vaults of your mind, words echo. 'I saw this world's Deathbusters. If they summoned the Pharaoh any time soon, he could come to our world as well through this one and seek revenge. Reinforcing the walls is the top priority now.'
[16:30] * Usagi-chan nods, quickly getting up. "I'll go get the others - I'll be back in just a few minutes." She quickly hurries off, leaving Rei and Cyprine standing in the garden.
[16:31] * Rei-chan sits up straight at that, nodding as Usagi departs. "There's no reason for us to stay here," she says as she stands. "Do you know what's required to get the dimensional barriers back to their former state?"
[16:32] <Anastasia> "In principle, yes," she replies. "The idea is to use the Grail's power to seal and tighten the weakened walls of the worlds. This will happen in time, but not fast enough should this world's threat succeed."
[16:33] <Rei-chan> "How much energy will it require?" Rei casts a worried glance in the direction Usagi took off in, "Purifying this city really took a lot out of Usagi."
[16:35] <Anastasia> "Not too much at any one time. It's more about doing it consistently over a period of time." At that, Cyprine pauses. "Usagi... her aura is somewhat weak and overexerted."
[16:36] * Rei-chan nods. "She was in a coma for four days," she says, frowning. "She really needs time to recover."
[16:38] <Anastasia> "She may have done semi-permanent damage, Rei. Her inner reserves are starkly tapped out, even now."
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "I'm hoping if she just takes a good amount of time without doing any magic she'll recover completely, but she's too stubborn," Rei shakes her head sadly. "I think I got through to her a bit, but if she has to use the Grail to regenerate the barriers, I know she'll do it in a heartbeat."
[16:43] <Anastasia> Cyprine nods. "The Professor even speculates that the Grail will be extra effective with it, since much of the mythology Germatou had on it was about it bringing forth things from other worlds."
[16:43] <Anastasia> "So... she probably will," agreement there, easily enough. "As long as she's doing that, she probably won't recover well, if at all."
[16:44] * Rei-chan deflates considerably. "How long will it take? And is there any other option besides Usagi and the Grail?"
[16:45] * Usagi-chan comes out of the shrine, leading the rest of her senshi with a rather groggy-looking Chibi Usa in her arms. Rei trots along a few steps behind the group, arriving a few moments after Usagi and the others reach Cyprine. "All right, we're all here."
[16:46] <Anastasia> Cut off, Cyprine just murmurs, "Later, Rei."
[16:46] <Anastasia> Looking over the assembled girls, Cyprine nods. "Are all of you ready to go?"
[16:46] * Rei-chan inclines her head in a tiny nod, turning to the rest of the group.
[16:47] * Usagi-chan turns to Cyprine. "What do we need to do to get home?"
[16:47] <Anastasia> Rei looks on, standing a bit separate from the group. She turns her gaze to your Usagi, her eyes introverted and distant as she gazes at Serenity.
[16:49] <Anastasia> "Just stand still. Ptilol and I have a tunnel already, it's simply a matter of a single spell and Professor Tomoe being ready on the other end," she assures you.
[16:50] <Rei-chan> "Well, this is it, then..." Rei turns to her counterpart. "Good luck, and take care of yourself, Rei."
[16:50] * Usagi-chan nods, holding the still-sleepy Chibi Usa in her arms as she waits on the Twins. Turning to Other Rei, she gives the miko a smile. "Tell the others we wish we could have said goodbye, but it looks like we need to get home in a hurry."
[16:51] <Anastasia> She nods. "Thank you for e... almost everything," she smiles at all of you. "You saved us from dying and helped Chibi Usa."
[16:52] * Usagi-chan makes a wry face, but nods, smiling a moment later. "Good luck, Rei."
[16:58] <Anastasia> "Good luck, Serenity," she says, bowing once in respect. "Don't let her become a Dumpling Head again, Rei," she says to Rei, seriously.
[16:59] * Usagi-chan smiles at the term of respect from the other miko, returning her bow. "Turn your Dumpling Head into something you can be proud of," she replies.
[16:59] * Rei-chan chuckles. "She was easier to boss around back then," she notes. "But I like her better this way."
[17:00] <Anastasia> "All right... though I plan to let Mamoru do most of the work," she grins. "Be well, Princess." At that, Cyprine begins to power up, her aura rising as her power manifests.
[17:01] * Usagi-chan turns back toward the Twins as she feels their power rise, waiting for the spell that will return the group to their own dimension.
[17:04] <Anastasia> The view of the Shrine seems to shimmer and waver a few seconds... like it's out of focus, then a moment of darkness, cold and empty. Then... the lab at Mugen appears again!
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The lab appears, Professor Tomoe and Viluy working the machines. The slightly dusty smell of the room greets you, and moments later by a, "Welcome back, Usagi," Viluy says, nodding.
[10:29] * Rei-chan smiles, taking in the lab. "Home sweet home. Kind of."
[10:29] * Usagi-chan blinks a few times as she gets her bearings once again. "Thanks... it's good to be home." She gives Viluy a smile.
[10:29] * Sailor_Dragon detransforms at last.
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Professor Tomoe nods. "Welcome back, all of you." He looks closer, catching sight of the little girl by Usagi. "Is Chibi Usa still with you?"
[10:30] <Princess_Herb> "Hello there, Tomoe-sensei, Viluy-san." Herb says. "How long were we away for?"
[10:30] * Rei-chan blinks at Herb.
[10:32] * Usagi-chan nods. "It's a long story, but Chibi Usa will be staying with me from now on." She gives the girl in her arms a smile.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A bit over a week. The flow of time in the worlds is the same," Professor Tomoe replies, turning to Usagi. "I see. Welcome to our world, Chibi Usa." He nods to the little girl. "Why don't we go upstairs, Usagi?" he suggests. "All of you that want to discuss what happened can come up,a nd the rest of you can go home for some well earned rest?"
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "I was thinking of getting home to make sure the place is still standing," Rei makes a face. "How has Hotaru-chan been doing, Professor?"
[10:34] * Usagi-chan nods to the Professor, shifting the still-sleepy Chibi Usa in her arms.
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's doing fine - she, Tellu and Viluy have been spending time at your Shrine," he smiles a bit, Viluy picking it up. "Your Grandfather was thrilled with the help, Rei, even if he tried to get us to dress up like you used to as a Witch."
[10:36] * Rei-chan groans. "Sorry about that, Viluy," she says apologetically. "I owe you one, now."
[10:37] <Princess_Herb> "He must have missed that outfit a lot." Herb muses.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles a bit. "He didn't press the matter too hard. He's really kind of charming if you look past the obsession with teenage girls."
[10:37] * Usagi-chan giggles. "He is a lot of fun, yeah."
[10:37] * Rei-chan gives Viluy a bug eyed look. "Um... I guess... you could see it that way..."
[10:38] * Ami-chan snickers quietly, behind her hand.
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He is," she agrees, smiling warmly. Unable to resist herself, "Pity he's not fifty years younger, Rei." Viluy grins at that, envisioning something. "He can treat a lady nice when he wants to."
[10:41] * Makoto suddenly gets the mental picture of Rei getting her looks from Gramps' side of the family, and then her at that age, despite knowing they'll still look the same then. Her face twitches as she tries to avoid cracking up or having to share the image.
[10:41] <Rei-chan> Coughing, Rei thumps her chest a few times. "This is getting too weird for me. And considering the week I've just had..."
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Viluy chuckles, but lets it go. Taking up the pace again, "Who is going home and who is going up?" he asks again.
[10:44] <Usagi-chan> "Guess I'm going up at least," Usagi says, glancing at the others.
[10:44] <Rei-chan> "Well, I suppose I can stick around for a bit longer so we can fill you in on what happened," Rei offers.
[10:44] * Ami-chan smiles faintly. "I'm really not up to it right now... can I take a rain check?" she asks apologetically.
[10:45] * Makoto mentally debates for a bit before going with Rei's idea. She could wait to see Alan and tell him she was back a bit longer. "I'll go with you guys."
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, turning to Makoto and Herb. "That's fine, Ami."
[10:45] * Rei-chan glances between Makoto and Ami, giving the blue-haired girl a sympathetic look.
[10:45] * Ami-chan quickly lets herself out, ducking her head as she leaves.
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Professor Tomoe raises an eyebrow as the girl leaves, giving Usagi a questioning look. "Is Ami alright? She looked a touch shaken."
[10:46] <Princess_Herb> "I'm up for it," Herb says, "I can put my hot shower off a bit longer."
[10:46] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Another long story... we can get to it later, I expect."
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, stepping out from behind the console and leading the remaining senshi upstairs to his office...
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---

[Halbarad]

[09:01] <Anastasia> Coming into your classroom in Juuban Middle this fine day, you can't help be but slightly encouraged. After a resounding victory over the heralded Furinkan Kendo club yesterday, that's to be expected. Your familiar classmates smile at you, Ayako with a 'Good job', Fusae with a warm grin, Izumi with a pat on the back...
[09:06] <Anastasia> As Ms. Hayata, your Japanese teacher, enters, she comes with what looks to be a new student. "Class," the middle aged, wireframe glasses-wearing woman calls, her long hair tied back in a demure bun, "We have a new student today." The girl steps forward, unruly brownish hair covering slightly slanted brown eyes and a vaguely cute face. Of note is her pale skin - she's Western, not ethnic Japanese. "This is Ann Grainger, and she's moving to our class from another."
[09:07] <Anastasia> "Hello," she nods, stepping up in front of the class. As she does, Natsume feels a slight jump, a tiny ping. "I'm Ann Grainger, a transfer student from America. Please to meet you all," she recites, a polite if not overly-warm smile on her face.
[09:09] * Natsume notes the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end for a split second, but she continues to watch the new student with her normal passivity.
[09:10] <Anastasia> The class nods acceptance generally, nothing unusual there. "I like manga, Snow White and I'm learning how to cook Japanese food," Ann nods. Again, for just a moment, something about her is rubbing you the wrong way.
[09:11] <Anastasia> "Thank you, Ann," the teacher sits up front, getting her books and notes out. "Take the empty seat by Miss Kusanagi, would you?" she points to a seat right behind Natsume, empty since the student there moved two weeks ago.
[09:11] * Natsume wonders if its her overabundant cheer that's making her weary, or something a bit less obvious...
[09:12] <Anastasia> Nodding, Ann goes back there, passing by you. As she does, you feel another chill as her hand passes within a few inches of your body.
[09:14] * Natsume feels a shiver shoot straight down to her bones, but does her best not to let it show on her face.
[09:15] <Anastasia> Ann doesn't even look at you as she settles in, taking out the proper books and supplies. Thus, class begins. As the first hour passes by, you find that you can't quite slip into your studies - every so often, a slight feeling distracts you about that girl. For her part, she looks normal enough now, if on the side of being bored with Japanese class, doodling a bit on her notebook.
[09:17] <Natsume> 'What is this feeling I get from her?' Natsume thinks to herself. 'It doesn't feel like malice or ill-intent... I don't think...'
[09:18] <Anastasia> If there is a ready answer for that question, it fails to present itself by lunch break. Until then, you keep getting ever so slightly distracted. When the lunch bell does chime, though, she gets up at first notice, heading out of the room...
[09:21] * Natsume stands up a few minutes after and decides the follow the new girl, determined to find an answer to this mysterious aura she seems to radiate...
[09:23] <Anastasia> Following her, she seems to be heading to the roof... though, as you step into the stairwell leading there, you see her feet as she lands at top. From the looks of it, she just jumped about twenty-five feet up, Ann landing and opening the door to the roof.
[09:26] * Natsume begins to wonder if this new girl is a martial artist. Such long distance vaults are somewhat common to those with enough skill.
[09:26] * Natsume quickly sprints up the stairs in pursuit.
[09:28] <Anastasia> On the roof, you find that Ann is on the other side of the little enclave that leads to the roof. You could probably spy on her easily enough if you do it right, using it as a shield so you're not seen. As you ponder this, you hear Ann's voice. "Hey, Alan," she says, sounding relaxed. "How's life over at Juuban High?"
[09:30] <Natsume> 'Alan?' she wonders.
[09:30] * Natsume carefully spies on the new girl, using the enclave as cover.
[09:31] <Anastasia> A male voice, a bit deeper answers. You can just see the man, a familiar face lately. Alan Grainger, known by the gossip mill as 'that cute flute boy' and 'Makoto Kino's boyfriend', sits, leaning against a metallic AC vent jutting up from the roof.
[09:32] <Anastasia> "Boring," he says quietly, eating his lunch, an ornate green and white, leaf-carved flute beside it. "I'd rather still be here with you and Makoto."
[09:34] <Anastasia> "I'm sure Makoto misses you," Ann agrees, starting on her own lunch. Both have huge meals, working them over with a quickness. "Anyhow, have you heard about Usagi and the rest from Makoto yet?"
[09:35] <Natsume> 'Makoto... I've heard that name before,' Natsume thinks. 'Usagi sounds familiar as well...'
[09:37] <Anastasia> "Yeah," he agrees. "Off to deal with another dimension and save that girl's mom." Polishing off his large bento with stunning speed, he pulls another one out... from seemingly nowhere. Ann's at almost the same pace he is, too. "Without the Sailors around, they want us to help out if anything comes up."
[09:38] <Natsume> 'Another dimension? Sailors?' she wonders, her mind whirling. 'What on Earth are those two talking about?'
[09:39] <Anastasia> Ann nods, getting another meal from nowhereness. "Sure," she agrees amicably enough. "Anyway, we should go see the Tree before lunch ends," Ann goes on, to a different tack. "I saw it yesterday, and it's really starting show signs of life."
[09:40] * Natsume doesn't realize right away that they're pulling objects apparently out of nowhere, either because it happens so fast or that it is so unbelieveable.
[09:41] <Anastasia> "Good," Alan smiles, finishing his second lunch. "Ah... let's go, then, we can finish eating there." With that, Alan vanishes into thin air, Ann doing the same the next instant!
[09:43] <Natsume> "What in the world!" Natsume blurts out reflexively. She runs out of her hiding spot and over to where the two 'students' just were.
[09:45] <Natsume> "What... what is going on here," Natsume murmurs to herself. "Who... what are those two?"
[09:52] * Natsume steels herself. She has no idea who or what this Ann person is, but next time she will be prepared for a face-to-face encounter.
[09:57] <Ana-food> Going back to class and eating lunch goes by without incident, though a few friends wonder why you look so distracted. A few minutes late, Ann comes back, a content, happy smile still lingering on her face. "Since this is your first day in this class, Miss Grainger, we'll overlook your lateness. But don't repeat it," your teacher warns Ann as she sits back down.
[10:03] * Natsume can't help but affix her eyes on Ann as she passes by. Could she be a youkai? What she witnessed certainly fell in line with all the old stories her grandfather used to tell her as a child...
[10:06] <Natsume> 'He always told me that youkai were mischievous creatures,' Natsume thinks to herself. 'I remember reading stories of samurai encountering them on old battlefields or in the midst of travel... but she certainly doesn't resemble any youkai I've read in those fairy tales..."
[10:06] <Ana-food> Such thoughts consume Natsume for the latter half of the school day. Ann, for her part, is a bit more upbeat as the class goes by, getting up to leave the moment it ends.
[10:10] * Natsume stands, with determination in her eyes, and follows Ann, this time taking her trademark bokuto with her...
[10:12] <Ana-food> With a discreet distance between the two of you, you see Ann going into a nearby bathroom. Entering, you see no sign of her about...
[10:13] <Natsume> "Vanished again..." Natsume thinks outloud. "Did she notice me?"
[10:16] <Ana-food> If she did or she didn't, she certainly isn't here regardless.
[10:18] * Natsume turns to leave after giving the bathroom a quick survey. She will have to confront her at another time it seems...
[10:22] <Anastasia> That evening, your training goes poorly. Perhaps because of what is on your mind, your Grandfather owns you again and again in simple spars that should let you keep your own. "Natsume," he finally says after taking you down with an elementary swipe, "Your focus is terrible today."
[10:24] <Natsume> "I apologize, sensei," Natsume says as she gets up for roughly the twentieth time. "I... have many questions on my mind at the moment, though I know that isn't an excuse."
[10:25] <Anastasia> He nods briskly at that. "Let us retire for the night, Natsume. We will discuss this after your bath, perhaps?" he says, going to put his training sword up.
[10:25] <Natsume> "Yes, thank you for today's lesson," she says as she bows deeply.
[10:27] <Anastasia> Completing it with a bow of his own, he smiles at you. "Go get cleaned up," he says with a touch of compassion now. "We'll talk over evening tea."
[10:30] * Natsume puts away her shinai and goes for a bath.
[10:31] <Anastasia> Afterwards in the traditonal room where you take your tea and meals, Grandfather sits waiting. "What is on your mind, Natsume?" he asks, getting right to the point. "I haven't seen your focus so lacking in years."
[10:33] * Natsume takes a moment before answering, watching the tea leaves floating about in the steaming liquid. "I think... I think I saw a youkai at school today..." Natsume answers hesitantly.
[10:34] <Anastasia> "Really?" he asks calmly. "What has lead you to this conclusion, Natsume?"
[10:36] <Natsume> "It was like the stories you used to tell me as a child, grandfather," Natsume begins. "Objects would materialize out of nowhere in her hands, and she vanished into thin air twice. It's not just her... she seems to have a companion as well, but he doesn't go to our school it seems..."
[10:36] <Natsume> "She also... she..." Natsume tries to continue, but is at a lack for words.
[10:37] <Natsume> "She has this... aura about her... it's so... cold, I can't really describe it any better than that."
[10:37] <Anastasia> "Enough," he says, raising a hand to halt your ramblings. "You saw all this with your own eyes and spirit?" he asks.
[10:40] <Natsume> "Yes, I did," Natsume answers. Her face is slightly red with embarrassment at her long-winded explanation.
[10:44] <Anastasia> He nods once, sipping at his warm tea. "If it is a youkai as you think it is, what do you propose to do about it?"
[10:49] <Natsume> "If she intends some sort of mischief or ill intent, then I have no choice but to confront her," Natsume answers sternly. "I will do all I can to protect my fellow students from this menace."
[10:49] <Anastasia> He nods again, finishing his tea. "If you are so inclined, then let your judgment and blade ring true."
[10:55] <Natsume> "Yes, thank for your wisdom, grandfather," Natsume says, now filled with righteous vigor.
[10:59] <Anastasia> The next day, Ann comes in just before the bell, again sitting behind you...
[11:03] <Anastasia> She looks bored again, getting her books out and suppressing a light yawn.
[11:04] * Natsume turns her chair to face Ann.
[11:05] <Natsume> "I wish to speak with you... alone, please meet with me on the roof during lunch," Natsume says straightforward.
[11:05] <Anastasia> She blinks a bit and looks at you. "Yeah?" she asks simply, opening her Japanese text book. "Sure," she shrugs absently.
[11:10] <Anastasia> As the lunch bell rings, Ann stands, stretching a bit. "Hey," she says. "You wanted to go to the roof, right?"
[11:12] <Natsume> "Yes," she answers calmly. She picks up her wrapped bokuto before heading toward the door. "Please follow me."
[11:16] * Natsume leads to the rooftop, the same place where she first witnessed Ann's powers.
[11:17] * Natsume puts a bit of distance between them before asking.
[11:18] <Natsume> "First, I must know," she begins. "What is your business at this school?"
[11:19] <Anastasia> "Um," she blinks at that. "To get an education," she replies, staring at you like you're a new oddity at the circus.
[11:20] <Natsume> "Don't patronize me!" Natsume snaps back. "I know what you are, and I know you have some purpose for being here."
[11:22] <Anastasia> Ann's eyes narrow at that, her hands twitching. "Really, now? You know? I wonder... if you're one of those sisters the Sailor Senshi mentioned," Ann grins evilly at that.
[11:24] <Natsume> "Sisters? I have no idea what you're talking about," Natsume says. "But I do know this, depending on your answer to my question, I may be forced to stop you here and now."
[11:24] * Natsume unwraps her bokuto and takes a traditional middle stance, aiming the tip directly at Ann's throat.
[11:25] <Natsume> "If you intend to do evil at this school, than I, Natsume Kusanagi of the Kazeya Shinto Ryu school, challenge you to a duel right now!"
[11:26] <Anastasia> "You've got to be kidding me," Ann mutters, staring a moment. "Not a sister, then," Ann mutters further, then speaks up. "You want to duel me?" she asks, amused.
[11:27] * Natsume stares at the girl with hard eyes, not letting her stance waver in the slightest.
[11:28] <Anastasia> "So then... why do you want to fight me?" Ann goes on, still clearly interested, still taking it lightly.
[11:31] <Natsume> "In order to become a great and honorable samurai, it is my duty to protect the weak and defenseless," Natsume says in all seriousness. "I will strike down evil wherever it rears its head!"
[11:32] <Anastasia> Now smiling again in a vaguely disconcerting way, she shrugs. "I'm not evil, but if you really want to fight..."
[11:36] <Natsume> "If you are truly not evil, then you will defeat me in battle," Natsume proclaims. "Only a righteous soul can hope to stand against the Kazeya Shinto Ryu!"
[11:37] <Anastasia> With a chuckle, Ann shrugs. "C'mon, then," she beckons!
[11:37] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[11:37] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:37] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[11:39] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[11:39] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."
[11:41] * Natsume charges forward low and fast, coming with a swipe toward Ann's midsection!
[11:41] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[11:41] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:42] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:42] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:44] <Anastasia> Using your speed, born of many a training session and hard battle, Natsume rushes forward, striking Ann's midsection with a blow before she can move! Despite this, she only staggers a bit, while any normal human should have been knocked down hard and winded by such an attack! "Not bad," she smiles down on you, seeming to be getting into it as she launches an open palm strike at your face!
[11:44] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:44] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:47] * Natsume attempts to slip past the palm strike and inside her guard.
[11:47] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[11:47] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[11:48] <Anastasia> Slipping past the blow, you feel untold force and energy in it, far more than what such a schoolgirl should be able to manage!
[11:48] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[11:48] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:48] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[11:49] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[11:49] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."
[11:50] <Anastasia> Coming in with the other strike, Ann attempts to smite you again right in the face!
[11:50] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:50] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[11:50] <Anastasia> Yet somehow, despite the force used, it's just errant and misses you entirely!
[11:54] * Natsume reverses the grip of her bokuto at such close range, and attempts to jab Ann in the throat with the hilt.
[11:55] <Natsume> roll 2d6+2
[11:55] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6+2 and gets 12."
[11:56] <Anastasia> Natsume's strike only hits air, Ann already having moved with an inhuman speed to your side! "You're not bad," Ann smiles, interested.
[11:56] <Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[11:56] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:56] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[11:57] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[11:57] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 13."
[11:58] <Anastasia> Ann raises her hand forward, open palmed. A bit of... something... seems to gather there. "I think I've spent enough time playing around, don't you think?" she croons, aiming!
[11:58] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:58] * Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:58] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[11:58] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:00] <Anastasia> A wave of force slams into Natsume, sending you flying through the air and into a painful meeting, back first, with the concrete building that houses the stairs downwards! Your body roars in agony, the pure force of the blow rattling you down to your very bones! (40 damage) The top of your uniform is almost entirely gone, revealing a battered bra beneath it. Though, not like you're in any shape to worry about the exposure currently.
[12:02] <Natsume> "I... I've never felt such a power like that!" Natsume groans as she struggles back to her feet.
[12:03] <Anastasia> "Wow," Ann marvels, "You're not unconscious? Why don't you go back to class while you're still alive and go enjoy lunch, hm?"
[12:03] <Natsume> "A true samurai never yields to an enemy!" Natsume proclaims as she retakes her initial stance.
[12:04] <Anastasia> "Seriously?" Ann laughs a bit, seemingly amused by your attempt to stand. "Come on, then. We'll see if you can take that again, Natsume."
[12:08] * Natsume shift gears, raising her bokken above her head and coming in with a downward slash.
[12:09] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:09] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[12:11] <Anastasia> As you lunge forward, you perhaps misjudge how badly your body was hurt, tripping! Your bokken flies from your hands, clattering as it skids to the edge of the room and you zoom to the concrete roof top!
[12:13] * Natsume lands face first on the concrete
[12:13] <Anastasia> As you inspect the surface of the roof up close, Ann goes over and picks up your bokken. "Had enough," she asks idly, sitting down on the slightly raised edge of the roof and placing the sword in her lap.
[12:14] * Natsume moans pathetically as she rolls onto her back, her wracked body screaming in protest.
[12:15] <Anastasia> "Guess so," Ann notes, tossing the bokken off the roof absently. Walking over to you, she kneels down. "I'd go to the clinic now, it looks like you're gonna have a nasty bruise," Ann comments.
[12:16] <Natsume> "It seems... I was mistaken," Natsume finally admits. "You must not be a malicious entity after all."
[12:17] <Anastasia> "Obviously," Ann agrees. "You were chasing the wrong trail."
[12:17] * Natsume rises to her feet with effort.
[12:19] <Natsume> "I... apologize for my behavior," Natsume says as she bows deeply.
[12:19] <Anastasia> Ann shakes her head. "I don't know why you did this, but why don't you just mind your own business from now on?" Ann advises. "Next time you stick your nose in where it doesn't belong, you may not get it back."
[12:23] * Natsume frowns a bit, that was a pompous reaction.
[12:24] <Anastasia> "Anyway," Ann shrugs, walking away and to the stairs going down, "See you later."
[12:25] * Natsume follows her with her eyes as she leaves...
[12:25] * Natsume stares at her own hands, scraped from having fallen on her face.
[12:27] <Natsume> "I never knew such people could exist in this world," Natsume says out loud. "I must grow stronger if I am to walk the path of a true samurai."
[12:28] <Natsume> "But first..." she stares at her shredded top, before blushing slightly. "A new blouse."
[12:31] <Anastasia> ---
[10:22] <Anastasia> After your painful encounter with Ann and procuring a new blouse(which, luckily, was mercifully easy and embarrassment free), the rest of the day goes by. Ann doesn't come back to class, though.
[10:25] * Natsume also manages to retrieve her bokuto before anyone notices.
[10:25] * Natsume attempts to spend the rest of the day focused on class, but can't help but wonder what happened to Ann.
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the day passes until you get home. Over a nice dinner of rice and fish, your grandfather brings up the subject from yesterday. "How did it go today?" he broaches, interested. "Did you indeed find what you thought was there?"
[10:28] * Natsume twitches, secretly hoping the subject would not have been brought up...
[10:28] <Natsume> "Yes... and no," Natsume answers cryptically.
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Did what go like you thought?" Kurumi asks, chopsticks paused in midair with a hunk of rice in between.
[10:30] <Natsume> "She possesses great power, and not just physical strength. She struck me with some sort of... force, something I've never felt before," she attempts to explain. "I... was defeated. Her strength was too great."
[10:32] <Natsume> "But... I don't believe her to be ENTIRELY malicious," Natsume continues. "She could've gone farther than she did I think, but seemed to hold back for my sake. At least that's my guess."
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding solemnly, Grandfather nods to that. "You were defeated, Natsume? I see." He puts down his chopsticks, looking at you. "You believe she spared you?"
[10:32] <Natsume> "Yes..." she answers, her head lowered slightly in growing shame.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Closing his eyes a moment to collect himself, Grandfather stands. "We should go to the dojo, Natsume," he says in complete seriousness.
[10:35] * Natsume wordlessly stands and follows her grandfather...
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> He leads you without comment to the dojo, his face tightly controlled. Once there, he takes his bokken and goes into a battling pose, sword extended in front of him straight up. "Natsume, we are a family of warriors, the proud keepers of the Kazeya Shinto Ryu." He pauses, waiting for you to reply.
[10:39] * Natsume retrieves her own bokuto and takes a stance similar to his.
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We are not ones to be defeated so lightly, even by the spirits," he goes on, slowly lowering his wooden blade until it points right at you. "It is our honor, our duty to do so. Do you understand, granddaughter?"
[10:40] <Natsume> "Yes, sensei."
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We shall renew your training now," he says, raising his sword on high, like a warrior hoping the lighting will rain from the sky and kiss his blade.
[10:47] * Natsume retains her basic stance, ready for the onslaught that's about to come.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next three hours soon melt into a blur of exertion and battle. Your Grandfather holds back nothing, landing stinging blows at every chance he can, blows that would spell eternal finality for you on the field of combat. You've seen Grandfather go all out a time or two, but there seems to be an extra fire to it...
[10:50] * Natsume finds herself lying on her back, staring at the ceiling of the dojo in an almost daze. She can FEEL the welts forming all over her body...
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking over after planting you down yet again, you see a bit of relenting in your respected teacher's face. "That's enough for tonight, Natsume," he says, going to put up his bokken a moment later. "If you insist on battling the spirits, we shall have to increase your training so that I have a granddaughter to pass the art onto."
[10:54] <Natsume> "Yes, sensei," Natsume manages to say after forcing her battered body to stand. "Thank you for tonight's lesson."
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Having put away his weapon, he turns to you with a thin smile. "Go bathe now and rest your body, granddaughter."
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods to your words afterwards, bowing as is the custom.
[10:55] * Natsume bows, much to her body's raging protest.
[10:57] * Natsume staggers to the furo after replacing her bokken and training clothes.
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> At the bath, you find that your sister is also there, enjoying a nice soak after a day of schooling and work. "Hey," she calls as you enter the bathroom. "Sounded like you had a heckuva time in there tonight."
[11:00] <Natsume> "As I expected, grandfather wishes to increase my training," Natsume explains as she undresses and showers. "My defeat today is proof that I lack strength."
[11:00] * Natsume slips into the hot bath after washing herself off.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding and coming over the close side of the tub to listen, Kurumi leans towards you. "It looks it - your sides look like a sunrise at Mount Fuji."
[11:04] <Natsume> "Grandfather was very... enthusiastic today," Natsume says, feeling tingles all over as her bruises contact the water. Despite that, a smile begins to form across her face. "Very rarely fights with fervor when we spar..."
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He must've gotten really worked up over your defeat," she agrees. "I'll get some lotion for you when we get out of the bath," she offers with a smile. "I think you'll need it."
[11:08] <Natsume> "Yes..." she responds simply as her mind drifts back to her fight with Ann. "I have a long way to go before I am able to match her power. I believe grandfather realizes that as well."
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding to that, Kurumi smiles widely. "It's a pity it happened today, though. They had a report about those Sailor girls on TV after dinner," she comments. "They got some really good pictures of them from a couple of days ago."
[11:10] * Natsume snaps back to reality instantly...
[11:11] <Natsume> "They were on TV?! Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" Natsume says with overenthusiasm. "What happened? Why were they on the news? What were the details?!"
[11:12] * Natsume rambles with unusual swiftness...
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Whoa, Natsume-chan," Kurumi settles back a bit with a jiggle, one that shows she's on the way to being a woman. Waving her hands in mock defense, "I managed to tape most of it for you, since I know you wanted to see it."
[11:14] <Natsume> "Ah... I see," she says as she calms down considerably. "Thank you."
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Kurumi smiles to you. "We'll go watch it when you're ready."
[11:15] * Natsume undoes the ribbon keeping her ponytail up and lets her hair fall. "I hadn't heard any news I about them for a while," Natsume recalls. "I was getting... worried..."
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leaning back onto the tub again, your sister speaks. "It was cool, though. Sailor Dragon cut this one villainness in two," she says, giving you details. "And Sailor Jupiter got nearly thrown across the entire block."
[11:18] <Natsume> "Thrown across the block?" Natsume asks. "What could have done that to her?"
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That villain had some monsters with her," Kurumi clarifies. "And one of them did something to her that sent her flying. It looked like some sort of black explosion."
[11:23] <Natsume> "Horrid demons," Natsume snarls, her ire beginning to rise. "To bring harm to such noble champions, especially wondrous and brave Jupiter! If I could I would hunt them all down and let them face the fury of my blade!"
[11:24] * Natsume stands straight as she rants, but is quickly dragged back down to Earth by the stinging claws of her bruises.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> With another wave of mock protection, Kurumi again distances herself from your fury. "Relax, Natsume-chan. They got all of the monsters themselves. I just hope Sailor Jupiter is okay... she really looked beat up."
[11:30] <Natsume> "Hmph, no mere demon could possibly bring down such a gallant warrioress like Jupiter," Natsume says to ward off her younger sister's worries. "I'm sure whatever injuries she seemed to have were superficial at best."
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope so," with that, Kurumi stands, getting out of the tub. "I'll see you in my room when you're ready - I have the VCR in there tonight," she explains quickly, towelling herself off.
[11:35] <Natsume> "I'll be there in a minute or two," she says as she begins washing her hair.
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> After washing her hair and dealing with the rest of her bath, Natsume is in her sister's room, the smallish TV in there having the VCR already set up. "Tell me when," Kurumi adds, remote in hand.
[11:37] <Natsume> "When..."
[11:40] * Natsume simply nods for her to start.
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a flick, the tape starts. "...presents the Sailor Senshi." the report cuts to a few pictures - one of Sailor Dragon sending a cutting blade of energy towards a purple-haired and pink-garbed woman, a fatal blow. Another is of Jupiter being thrown high, her skin burned by bursts of dark energy. "With these new pictures of the Sailor Senshi, we see them protecting our city..."
[11:44] * Natsume watches intently.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Another picture, this one of Sailor Mars being bloodily cut by a bevy of scales from a nasty looking monster is shown. "Yet these girls bleed as we do... these mysterious protectors don't seem to be invincible..."
[11:45] * Natsume is... disturbed by the images...
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The images come to an end after that, the anchorman reappearing. "This leaves us with the question - what are the Sailor Senshi protecting us from? These menaces seem to be beyond the police to handle, yet these girls defeat them regularly."
[11:49] <Natsume> "Hmph, of course they can," Natsume says as a matter of fact. "To compare them to normal humans would be absurd."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The report ends there, the tape stopping. "What do you think, Natsume-chan?"
[11:53] <Natsume> "This new enemy they appear to be facing, it must be very powerful if it can give them that much trouble..."
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess," Kurumi shrugs, laying back on her bed. "I'm more worried about what to do for my half-day Saturday, though... I'm sure those girls have it in hand."
[11:56] <Natsume> "I guess..." she says apprehensively. "I only wish I could join in their valiant cause for love and justice," Natsume says, balling her fists tightly. "To only be able to sit back and watch frustrates me to no end!"
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What are you going to do, try and track them down and help them out?" Kurumi can't help but ask, lightly amused.
[12:03] <Natsume> "...Kurumi..." Natsume whispers. "You're a genius..."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kurumi blinks at that, then inwardly groans. 'Oh fuck', she can't help but think, managing to keep her face more or less composed. "Um... Natsume-chan, are you serious? I mean... do you know how to find them?"
[12:07] <Natsume> "They always appear wherever evil rears it head," Natsume muses. "I need only keep my eyes, ears, and spirit aware, and eventually I will find them."
[12:10] * Natsume suddenly gets a flash of insight...
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess," Kurumi agrees, shrugging.
[12:11] <Natsume> "I wonder... I wonder if Ann has anything to do with the senshi," Natsume wonder outloud. "Her powers are certainly above human..."
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ann?" Kurumi asks further.
[12:13] <Natsume> "The opponent I faced today, the one I accussed of plotting dark deeds," she explains. "She possessed uncanny powers, like disappearing from sight, and being able to strike me from a distance."
[12:14] <Natsume> "There was another she mentioned... someone named Alan I think," Natsume continues. "They were eating lunch together when I first witnessed their abilities. They both vanished into thin air as I was looking right at them."
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wow, could they be Sailor Senshi?" Kurumi suggests, interested a bit now.
[12:16] <Natsume> "... you could be right..." she says, her eyes widening. "To think that I could have possibly been in a battle with a real Sailor Senshi!"
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If you were... doesn't that mean that if you got your butt kicked that you're in over your head?" Kurumi goes on, curious to see how her sister will reply.
[12:18] <Natsume> "Ah... yes... well, you have a point there," Natsume admits with a slight blush. "I must grow stronger if I am to be of any use to them... perhaps I can convince Ann to train me!"
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If Grandfather leaves enough of you for two training sessions, anyway," Kurumi points out, at this point shrugging and resigned to her sister's choices on the matter.
[12:21] <Natsume> "I will endure any and all pain if it means I can grow stronger," she declares. "To be a practicioner of the Kazeya Shinto Ryu is to strive to be greater than all others in the way of the sword."
[12:21] <Natsume> "I'm sure grandfather would understand."
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding and smiling just a bit now, "Shouldn't you go rest, then? You'll need your sleep at this rate."
[12:24] <Natsume> "Yes, you're right."
[14:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a night's sleep and some lotion, your injuries only throb dully as you get ready for school, the sign that you're on the way to healing already.
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thus dressed and ready, Natsume Kusanagi departs for school and what may truly be an interesting day indeed. On arriving, you find that Ann is there early today, idly flipping through a manga well before class starts.
[14:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl half glances up as you enter, shooting you an amused smile momentarily before going back to her reading.
[14:48] * Natsume walks over to the side of her desk.
[14:49] <Natsume> "Ann Grainger," me announces. "I wish to speak with you... alone."
[14:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Putting down her manga, Ann looks up, and amused twitch upward of her eyebrow. "Well, I guess we can meet after class if you'd like a repeat discussion of yesterday," she pokes.
[14:52] <Natsume> "Yes... well, this time my reasons are far more modest," Natsume clarifies.
[14:54] <Natsume> "Just meet me after class, I wish to ask you something of great importance to me..."
[14:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shrugging and dismissing it for now, Ann nods. "Fine," she comments, going back to her fantasy manga. Glancing at it, you can see from the cover that it's something or other about elves and dwarves and all that.
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Class thus passes by without undue incident. Once it's over, Ann rises, rather bored by the whole thing. "Why do I even bother..." she murmurs to herself, but then brushes that away as she comes to you desk. "You wanted to go upstairs again?"
[14:56] <Natsume> "Yes," Natsume answers as she gets up to follow.
[14:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going upstairs again, you notice that part of the roof is roped off with yellow WARNING tape, a smallish crater in the roof near where you impacted yesterday. "So, what's up? Going to try and fight me again?" Ann asks outright, enjoying the warm sunshine as you get out of the building.
[14:59] * Natsume closes her eyes and sighs. 'Must... swallow... pride...' she thinks to herself. 'It is for the sake of the art...'
[15:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well?" Ann pries, not really amused by your hesitation. "What is it?"
[15:00] * Natsume quickly kneels down and touches her forehead to the floor. "PLEASE TEACH ME!" Natsume blurts out.
[15:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann hard blinks once before reacting, a rather quirky, surprised smile on her face. "Come again?" she asks, looking down at you. "You want me to teach you... what?"
[15:03] <Natsume> "I wish for you to train me," Natsume says after raising her head. "I wish to become as strong as you, so that I might aid you and your sisters in your noble cause for justice!"
[15:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann twitches a bit at that, but quickly regains her composure. "Okay, Natsume. Let's stop right there and start making sense, okay? I don't HAVE any sisters here, to start with. Where did you get that idea? Did I hit you too hard yesterday?"
[15:05] * Natsume finally gets up, having had quite enough of kowtowing...
[15:06] <Natsume> "I was referring to your fellow Sailor Senshi," she explains. "I want to become as strong as you are, and be able to fight with you!"
[15:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh... heh... fellow Sailor Senshi? ...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" To your request Ann laughs long and hard, falling into herself as she clutches her side in a furious storm of merriment. "Oh, Natsume... I'm not a Sailor Senshi. Not even close." she gets out between gales of loud laughter.
[15:08] <Natsume> "Y... you're not?" Natsume says in total confusion. "But... you possess such great and mysterious powers... surely you must be a Sailor Senshi."
[15:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still giggling quite merrily, Natsume shakes her head. "Nope. You couldn't be more wrong, in fact. Those Sailors aren't the only people who possess magical ability or great power."
[15:11] <Natsume> "O... oh... I see," Natsume says. "If... you are not a Senshi... then what are you?"
[15:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Grinning, Ann reaches out, poking you right on the forehead. "Just a wandering member of the nobility of the universe, let's say."
[15:14] <Natsume> "...nobility of the universe?" Natsume repeats, her brain not really able to wrap itself around such a concept. "I... see. Well... regardless, it has always been my dream to fight evil and injustice at the side of the Senshi, and I could if I had powers such as yours!"
[15:14] <Natsume> "So... I ask again, will you please train me?"
[15:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smirking, Ann goes on. "If you had my power, you could kill the Sailors, not just fight with them or get turned into a smear on the road." Looking on at you, Ann goes on from that barb. "And no, I can't. Magic isn't something you just pick up like that unless you have the gift for it."
[15:18] <Natsume> "Kill the Senshi? I could never bring myself to do such a horrible thing!" Natsume says first. "Ah... I see... well... how does one know if they have the gift for it or not?"
[15:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You just do," Ann comments, not sure herself how to answer that. "I've always been able to do what I've been able to do." At that, Ann lifts up off the roof, rising about twenty feet in the air. "Maybe if you are talented, you'll be able to follow me," she suggests.
[15:21] * Natsume goes wide eyed in astonishment at seeing Ann float in midair.
[15:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll be waiting at the Tokyo Tower if you can manage to fly," Ann smirks again, vanishing. "Maybe we'll have another fight up top of there?"
[15:23] * Natsume blinks as Ann disappears from sight, and searches the sky for a few moments before giving up.
[15:23] <Natsume> "So... if I have a talent for magic... I should be able to fly just like her..." Natsume thinks outloud.
[15:24] * Natsume stares at her hands, and then feet, trying to figure out exactly how Ann did that...
[15:25] <Natsume> "She just rose up off the ground..." Natsume says. "It shouldn't be too hard... I guess. Grandfather always tells me that visualization is the first step toward mastering any technique."
[15:27] * Natsume closes her eyes, balls her hand and... jumps.
[15:27] <Natsume> "FLY!" Natsume yells at the same time.
[15:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Jumping up, far higher than an untrained person, Natsume so shouts... and a few seconds later, her feet let loose an impacting sound as they land back on the rooftop.
[15:29] * Natsume slowly opens one eye... and then the other when she finds herself still on the roof...
[15:29] <Natsume> "Hmm... I should've known there would be more to it than that..."
[15:31] <Natsume> "Alright... I need to visualize... visualize..."
[15:31] * Natsume closes her eyes again, and this time lets her arms hang loosely at her sides...
[15:32] <Natsume> "Fly... fly... fly... fly..." she repeats in some makeshift sutra.
[15:33] * Natsume imagines herself slowly lifting off the ground a little...
[15:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Willing yourself excellently, yet nothing of the like happens. You may as well be trying to move the world in a single go.
[15:35] * Natsume opens her eyes again after about five minutes or so of chanting...
[15:36] <Natsume> "Hmm, what am I doing wrong..." she wonders. "I must have talent... if I don't I'll never be able to fight alongside the Senshi."
[15:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you do, you see a confused construction worker staring. "Um... what are you doing?" the middle aged man asks, putting down the bag of concrete mix he was bringing up.
[15:37] * Natsume whirls around quickly at the new voice.
[15:38] <Natsume> "Ah... uhh... well... I," she rambles. "I was just... uhh... practicing... for... for..."
[15:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Uh... yeah. Anyway, I thought no one was supposed to be up here while I was working," he complains.
[15:39] <Natsume> "I see, I apologize," Natsume says in apology as she bows quickly. "I was just leaving."
[15:39] * Natsume dashes for the stairs.
[15:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," he sighs, picking up the bag again. "Get going so I can get to work."
[15:41] <Natsume> 'I need to find a place where I can practice in private,' she thinks to herself as she descends the stairs. 'I can't let Ann think I have no potential. I MUST master the secret to flying!'
[15:44] * Natsume decides to wait until she returns home and consult her grandfather on the subject...
[15:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going home, you find your Grandfather finishing his lunch, just about to go back to a book of haiku. "Good afternoon, Natsume," he says solemnly. "Have you recovered from yesterday?"
[15:48] <Natsume> "Yes, grandfather," she answers. "Grandfather, I wish to ask your advice on something."
[15:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Very well, you may ask," he says, standing and putting away his poetry book. "What is it, my granddaughter?"
[15:52] <Natsume> "Today... I spoke with the girl who defeated me... and I managed to discover the secret of her power," Natsume starts. "She says in order to gain such strength that you need to have the potential for it. After that... she flew into the air and disappeared..."
[15:53] <Natsume> "I need to know, grandfather! I need to know if I have such potential!" she continues. "I was hoping if you knew some secret to what she was saying..."
[15:54] <Natsume> "I know that sometimes, when I see you fight, I can feel something of the same aura that I felt from her," she adds. "Perhaps... it is connected somehow?"
[15:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your grandfather spends several long moment staring at you after your speech, quiet. "What you feel is the chi of a master at work," he says, turning to look out the window. "Such a powerful life force can bend the rules of the world. In my prime, I was a fearsome warrior indeed due to that."
[15:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's the goal of such intense training as I gave you last night, Natsume. The pure chi of a warrior is capable of much beyond the normal. Even now, you can leap higher than a normal human, and take more punishment."
[15:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning back to you, he gazes right on you, his eyes hard as agates. "You wish to learn, Natsume?"
[15:59] <Natsume> "Yes! I truly do, grandfather," Natsume answers instantly. "I want to take my understanding of chi to the next step. I want to be able to do what my opponent can!"
[16:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> This causes him to smile, surprisingly brightly. "Very good, Natsume. I was hoping you would say that. Come, let us go to the dojo."
[16:02] <Natsume> "Thank you grandfather!" she says, just as brightly, before getting up to follow him to the dojo.
[16:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leading you from the house into the dojo, he faces off against you. "Get your sword," he says, making no motion to take his own.
[16:05] * Natsume quickly retrieves her training sword and stands a few feet away from her grandfather.
[16:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Come at me, as if to kill me," he says, still not taking his sword from where it lies.
[16:09] <Natsume> "W... what?" Natsume stutters in shock.
[16:09] <Natsume> "But... sensei... I could never..."
[16:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do it," he half shouts, not even bothering with a proper stance. "Do it!"
[16:12] <Natsume> "But... I..." she continues to ramble.
[16:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Natsume, you are a warrior of this school! You will do as your teacher says, and you will show the warrior spirit, not dawdle like a baby lost in the woods!"
[16:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shouts this outright, beckoning you with one hand. "Come now, Natsume!"
[16:17] * Natsume steels herself at those words and tightens her grip on her weapon. "As you wish, sensei..."
[16:18] * Natsume charges, letting out a kiai for all she's worth.
[16:23] * Natsume aims a sweeping strike at his neck which, if it were a real sword, would behead him...
[16:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling grimly as you advance, he stays still until the last moment. Then he moves with stunning agility, barely able to be seen as he swings into parrying position as if he was holding a sword. Despite it seeming to be nothing but air, your blade is stopped with a THUNK. A split second later, he pushes off and into a swipe at your side, the pain of a blade bashing against your still-tender bruises flaring.
[16:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A true master needs not a sword when he has chi, Natsume," he pronounces as the blow lands.
[16:36] * Natsume is shocked speechless, so much so that it overrides the fiery pain over her ribs.
[16:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Acting as if he is wielding a true sword, he props it(?) on his shoulder, taking a step back. "A true master needs no medium to enact his will onto the world, Natsume."
[16:38] <Natsume> "You were able to block my attack with... nothing," she says, still staring at his seemingly empty hand. "How! How did you do that, sensei?!"
[16:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pointing his sword/not sword at you, he smiles. "By forming my chi into an extension of myself, in the shape of a sword."
[16:41] <Natsume> "As an extension of yourself... I never imagined such a thing was possible..." she says, mystified. "Could I to do that as well, sensei?"
[16:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Perhaps, in time and with the proper training," he says, falling into a stance where his sword would be just over his shoulder as he holds it straight. "If you do truly have the blood of a warrior in your veins, you shall."
[16:49] <Natsume> "I do, and I will master my own chi, no matter how long it takes," Natsume says with determination, retaking her stance. "Please show me more, sensei!"
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding once more, he grins. "Let's begin. As I fight you... just try to focus on my blade, even when it hits you." Wasting no further words or giving you a chance to prepare, he lunges forward, intent on beginning his lesson!
[16:54] * Natsume rushes forward to meet his charge, intent on keeping her focus entirely on his chi-blade
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Thus, Saturday passes in training. Using his blade of chi energy, your Grandfather tests you all day, the energy striking you at times.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> By the end of the day, you're about ready to call it a week. Your body hurts again, yet you've seen his masterful chi energy in action quite a bit.
[12:27] * Natsume is lounging in the bath again... waiting for the incessant tingling sensations bombarding her body to finally cease.
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Resting in the warm water, your body does finally begin to mute its protests, but it won't stop entirely for quite a while.
[12:28] <Natsume> "Every strike of his sword sent what felt like a thousand volts through my body" Natsume thinks out loud. "I never knew chi could be so potent..."
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you felt every blow come home, there was a sense of his life force, of it being merely an extension of a mighty spirit indeed. If you could just forge your own being into it...
[12:31] <Natsume> 'He grasped it like a solid object, and it certainly struck like a solid object...,' Natsume thinks. 'But how can he wield and manipulate something he can't even see? There must be some aspect I'm still missing...'
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you think, the door to the bath opens, your sister coming in and going to soap and wash off. "Hey, Natsume," she calls. "Heard you training again today."
[12:38] <Natsume> "Yes, quite intensely," she answers, trying not to move as much as possible. "Grandfather was teaching me a new technique."
[12:43] <Natsume> "I have an idea of how it works, but there are still one or two blank spots," Natsume continues. "Though I'm sure grandfather meant for me to work those out on my own."
[12:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nodding as she slips into the tub, she smiles at you. "It's good to see you doing so well," she notes. "Will you master it soon?"
[12:53] * Natsume sighs. "I'm not sure," she answers.
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is it that hard to learn?" she inquires further, sighing happily as she sinks into the hot water.
[12:58] <Natsume> "Maybe... maybe not," Natsume answers cryptically. "Grandfather wielded it as if it were nothing to him, but I don't have near his level of experience."
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "What exactly was it, Natsume-chan? A new sword technique?"
[13:03] <Natsume> "Hmm, I suppose 'technique' wouldn't be a proper word for it," she tries to explain. " Its a way of taking your own... essence... and using it to do impossible things. Grandfather can actually forge it into a weapon. A little earlier today, I saw it used to fly."
[13:05] <Natsume> "If I can somehow master that power..." Natsume says in a faraway voice.
[13:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kurumi nods, soaking the tub. "I know a friend of Grandfather's who did something like that," she comments.
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It was kind of cool, too. He said it was just his chi, too." Looking at her sister fondly, "It would be awesome if you could manage something like that."
[13:07] <Natsume> "Eh? When did this happen? What exactly did he do?" Natsume questions her sister.
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It was a couple of weeks ago," she replies, "Back when I went with Grandfather that Sunday. He went to a friend's dojo, and they had a few friends over. One of the men there was able to turn his fists and arms into fire, kind of. Said it was his chi."
[13:09] <Natsume> "Amazing... I wish I had gone with him."
[13:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shrugging again, "You'd have had fun, Natsume. I was bored out of my mind," she admits with a smile, "Even with that fire guy."
[13:44] * Natsume finally, despite her battered body, stands up. "If I am to master this ability, I can't sit by and dawdle," she says with determination. "I must continue training!"
[13:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking at you and wincing, Kurumi speaks up after that. "I don't know, sis," she chips in. "You look like you got hit with a sledgehammer a few dozen times."
[13:48] <Natsume> "I can't allow these injuries to deter me," she declares. "I must master this power, otherwise I can't move forward!"
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay, sis, but don't overdo it," she shrugs again, resigned that Natsume was going to do what she wished. "I don't want to have to drag you to the hospital, sis."
[13:55] <Natsume> "I'm only going to practice what grandfather taught, in his own indirect way," Natsume assures Kurumi. "I'll be fine."
[13:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright, Natsume-chan," she nods. "Have fun."
[14:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> After dressing in her robes again, Natsume heads out and back to the quiet bit of forest behind her house, a rarity in Tokyo. Back here, where she has played and trained since being but a child...
[14:11] <Natsume> 'Grandfather said that chi is able to bend the rules of the world,' as she sits in the midst of the forest in meditation. 'With it, he was able to sword that felt solid, and he even carried it as if it had weight.'
[14:13] <Natsume> 'He said it was an extension of himself, in the shape of a sword,' she continues. 'Chi must be able to react to whatever he's thinking. All his years as a swordsman, of course it would be easy to imagine what a sword would feel like in his hands...'
[14:14] * Natsume finally stands up, intent on testing her hypothesis.
[14:14] <Natsume> 'I've been practicing with the bokuto since I was just a child, I should be able to do the same,' she thinks. 'I just need to make the image as detailed as possible I think.'
[14:17] * Natsume takes a forward stance, holding her hands as she would if she were holding an actual bokken.
[14:18] <Natsume> 'I just need to focus, all it is is focus,' she thinks. 'If I can do that, I know I can master this force!'
[14:21] * Natsume closes her eyes, and tries to imagine herself holding a wooden sword.
[14:22] <Natsume> 'Its not enough! I can't just see it, I have to make it seem real to myself,' she thinks. 'I have to visualize its feel, its weight, its length, everything...'
[14:26] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[14:26] * Hatbot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[14:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel yourself, you feel the blade, you feel the chi. Unseen to herself, Natsume slowly begins to glow an off yellow/red, a feeling of release as something begins to take form in her hand.
[14:32] * Natsume opens her eyes slowly.
[14:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Flickering in your hand is a vaguely sword-shaped object, red and yellow and glowing in the dimness, giving a reddish cast to your clothing. It's warm in your hands, notably.
[14:34] <Natsume> "I... I did it..." Natsume says, a huge smiling forming across her face. "I can't believe I did it!"
[14:35] * Natsume turns her attention to a large oak tree in front of her. "Now I just need to test it," she says.
[14:38] * Natsume shifts her stance slightly, aiming the tip of the chi sword down and behind her. "HAH!" she screams out loud as she swings the blade in a wide-arced slash.
[14:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slicing through the tree's well aged wood like a sword from Murasame, the tree stands unaffected a moment before splitting, the heavy tree falling back and with a loud crash! You feel a surge of exaltation, then of exhaustion as the sword flickers out of existance from that, your body feeling drained.
[14:42] * Natsume collapses in exhaustion, but can't hide her overwhelming excitement as she laughs like a genki little girl into the night.
[14:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---

[Halbarad]

[11:46] <Anastasia> ---
[11:58] <Anastasia> Sunday dawns and passes, Natsume practicing with her newfound talent.
[11:59] <Anastasia> The chi sword becomes slightly easier to use each time, now that you know how to summon and form it, the weapon soon ready almost on demand - if draining.
[12:02] <Anastasia> By the end of the day, you feel more or less in control of it...
[12:10] * Natsume drags herself back to the house, exhausted, but supremely satisfied.
[12:13] * Natsume is far too excited for rest, and decides to show her grandfather her new talent immediately
[12:13] <Anastasia> As you enter, the smells of dinner lure your nose. Grandfather and Kurumi are eating while waiting for you. "How goes your training today?" he asks as you enter.
[12:14] <Natsume> "Grandfather, come with me to the dojo, and I'll show you."
[12:15] <Anastasia> "Alright," he agrees without argument, nodding to Kurumi. "Put my dinner and Natsume's in the refrigerator, we'll eat later." With this, he follows along, looking rather relaxed today. "What is this that you wish to show me?"
[12:16] * Natsume just leads him to the dojo without answering immediately.
[12:17] <Anastasia> Entering and turning to face you once he's assumed his place at the center of the dojo, he waits for you to go on, eyes on you.
[12:18] * Natsume holds her hands out in front of her, as if grasping a hilt, and wills the chi sword into existence once again.
[12:20] <Natsume> "I wish to continue our session from last time, sensei," Natsume says with a bit of a smirk on her face.
[12:21] <Anastasia> Raising an eyebrow, he smiles slowly. "Very good, Natsume," he says with honest warmth. "I didn't expect you to be able to do this nearly so soon."
[12:23] <Natsume> "Thank you sensei," she answers. "My spirit won't allow me to be defeated, even by seemingly impossible techniques."
[12:24] <Anastasia> Smiling, he produces his own sword. "Then... let us see if your chi is strong enough to withstand the chi of a master," he says, sliding into an easy pose.
[12:24] <Anastasia> OOC - Sparring practice. This will be a 'rolled out' battle.
[12:25] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:25] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[12:26] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[12:26] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6 + 7 and gets 10."
[12:26] <Anastasia> Zooming forward with blinding speed, Grandfather directs a blow to your side with the flat of his chi sword!
[12:26] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:26] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:27] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:27] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:28] <Anastasia> The flat of the sword races past Natsume's defenses, slamming into her side painfully! Old bruises cry out at it, a new welt added to their number. (16 damage.)
[12:31] * Natsume grimaces at the blow, a stern warning not to underestimate her sensei by any degree.
[12:32] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:32] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:34] * Natsume attempts to break through her father's defense with an overhead slash, but misses her mark entirely.
[12:35] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:35] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:35] <Anastasia> "Come, granddaughter," your grandfather calls. "You can do better than this!"
[12:36] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[12:36] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 8."
[12:36] <Anastasia> Rolling gracefully from his last blow, your teacher flows into a a strike at your arm/shoulder area!
[12:37] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:37] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:37] <Anastasia> Yet he just subtly misjudges, only a fierce wind hitting you as his blade passes by you within an inch.
[12:39] * Natsume takes advantage of his close range to attempt to strike him in the midsection with the hilt of her chi sword.
[12:39] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:39] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:41] <Anastasia> The blow is sidestepped, Grandfather moving back into position.
[12:41] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:41] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:42] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[12:42] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."
[12:44] <Anastasia> Smiling as he gets into an honestly good sparring contest, he lets his blade speak for him, a thwap at your shoulders again!
[12:44] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:44] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:44] <Anastasia> And again, he misjudges, the blade passing by harmlessly.
[12:46] * Natsume takes the chance to dash forward with a wide slash to his side
[12:46] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:46] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:47] <Anastasia> Again, you simply take too long, your target and yourself not really meeting up.
[12:47] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:47] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[12:48] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[12:48] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 12."
[12:51] * Natsume dashes forward again, this time attempting a straight stab.
[12:51] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:51] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:52] <Anastasia> Quickly ducking aside, your teacher turns his blade sideways, using it to sweep out your legs!
[12:52] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:52] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:53] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:53] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:53] <Anastasia> With a nimble, short leap, Natsume avoids the vicious sweep!
[12:53] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:53] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[12:54] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[12:54] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 13."
[12:58] * Natsume aims the tip of her sword low and behind her, creeping forward a bit before exploding forward suddenly.
[12:58] * Natsume attempts to strike under his guard with a slash to the stomach.
[12:58] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[12:58] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:59] <Anastasia> Managing to somehow evade even that, he comes back with a flat rap at your hands!
[12:59] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:59] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:01] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:01] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[13:02] <Anastasia> The attack hits true, sending pain through out Natsume's hand! (16 damage, and make a Body Check to hold onto your sword.)
[13:03] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:05] * Natsume nearly cries out at what feels like a lightning strike of pain course through her hand, but her grip to her sword holds up against it.
[13:05] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:05] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[13:05] <Anastasia> "You can do better than this, can't you," your grandfather asks, shaking his head a moment.
[13:06] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[13:06] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 12."
[13:08] <Anastasia> Seeing Natsume coming, he braces himself, lashing out to try and hit her as she attacks!
[13:08] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:08] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[13:10] * Natsume tries a similar approach, and comes in with the flat of her sword aimed at her sensei's hands
[13:10] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:10] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[13:10] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:10] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:11] <Anastasia> At the very last moment, he recovers enough to stumble back out of the way, a bit off balance but unhurt!
[13:11] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:11] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[13:13] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[13:13] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."
[13:14] <Anastasia> Leaping high, "It's time to end this," he cries, bringing the flat of the blade right down at Natsume!
[13:14] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:14] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:15] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:15] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[13:16] <Anastasia> Easily rolling out of the way, Natsume finds herself in a prime position to strike as he lands from his leap! (Natsume : +1 bonus to your ACV for this attack.)
[13:17] * Natsume takes the opportunity, and aims a second slash at his side
[13:18] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:18] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:19] <Anastasia> Yet you misaim yet again, Grandfather having time to evade!
[13:19] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:19] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[13:19] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[13:19] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 9."
[13:20] <Anastasia> Recovering, he goes for the tried and true side whack, hoping to give Natsume another bruise!
[13:20] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:20] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:21] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:21] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:21] <Anastasia> Another painful blow into your side, widening your eyes as agony rockets through your senses! (16 damage.)
[13:23] * Natsume bites back the pain of yet another successful strike.
[13:25] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[13:25] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."
[13:25] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:25] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[13:28] * Natsume leaps into the air, coming down almost directly above her sensei with an overhead slash backed by the momentum of her drop.
[13:28] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:28] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:29] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:29] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:30] <Anastasia> The slash hits him on the shoulder, his body stiffening in defense as a blow finally hits home!
[13:31] <Anastasia> Smiling in spite of the pain, he nods his head. "Good, Natsume! Keep going!"
[13:32] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:32] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[13:33] <Natsume> roll 1d6+7
[13:33] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 1d6+7 and gets 12."
[13:34] <Anastasia> Raising his sword, he brings it down in a massive downward chop!
[13:34] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:34] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:34] <Natsume> roll 2d6
[13:34] * Musk-bot --> "Natsume rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:35] <Anastasia> Impacting on your shoulder, you are driven to your knees, your body complaining muchly as you find it difficult to rise...
[13:37] <Natsume> "It seems I have much more to master before I am a match for you, sensei," Natsume says under heavy breathing as she relents for the match.
[13:37] <Anastasia> Letting his own sword vanish, hes miles down and rubs his shoulder. "Perhaps, Natsume... yet you did manage a single hit."
[14:05] <Natsume> "Yes, after much effort," she admits. "How does my sword compare to yours?"
[14:10] <Anastasia> "It is a beginning, Natsume," he allows. "Yet you still have far to come."
[14:13] <Natsume> "Thank you, sensei. How long did it take you to make your sword as strong as it is now?"
[14:17] <Anastasia> "A long time... I'm rather old, Natsume," he smiles, beginning to walk away and motioning for you to follow as best you can. "You have a very long time to perfect it."
[14:20] * Natsume follows closely. "How do you train your spirit?" Natsume asks. "How can you make your chi stronger?"
-------
Scene not continued, I think. No logs, anyway.
-------
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sunday passes, with Monday bringing more classes and another encounter with Ann. She eyes you lazily from her textbook as you arrive, a slight smile on her face.
[13:59] * Natsume approaches and sits down quietly at her desk, though she can still feel Ann's smirk even with her back turned...
[13:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> As class begins, Ann leans forward to whisper when the teacher's back is turned. "Couldn't take off, eh Natsume?"
[14:01] <Natsume> "No... unfortunately your ability to fly is beyond my capacity to master... for now," Natsume says. "However, I did manage to acquire another power..."
[14:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really..." Ann whispers back, amused and a touch interested now. "Turned yourself into a frog, or spit out a fireball?"
[14:04] <Natsume> "Nothing quite so audacious," she answers. "Meet me in the usual place during lunch and I'll show you."
[14:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure," Ann nods, going back to her schoolwork.
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Come lunch hour, Ann heads to the roof with you sociably enough. She looks to be in a decent mood, even asking you what it's about as you climb the roof stairs.
[14:08] <Natsume> "Now that would ruin the surprise," Natsume answers, a smirk of her own forming. "Patience."
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," she agrees, finishing the climb shortly. Once outside, you see your crater has been repaired at least, no workmen around this time.
[14:10] * Natsume notices the same, and cringes at the memory of how it got there to begin with.
[14:11] <Natsume> "Now," Natsume declares a small distance from Ann. "Watch closely."
[14:12] * Natsume takes a forward, her hands positioned as if she's holding a sword.
[14:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann nods, watching and waiting for Natsume's promised power.
[14:12] * Natsume furrows her brow, and wills the chi-sword into existence.
[14:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sparking into life, your blade forms as it did yesterday, the needed soul power expending to create your weapon.
[14:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmm," Ann blinks at it, eyeing it. "It's something, I guess... didn't really expect you to have a drop of talent."
[14:15] <Natsume> "So far, I've managed to chop down a tree in one swipe," she explains as she takes a few practice swings.
[14:16] <Natsume> "I've proven that I have the potential to wield magic, as you call it," Natsume continues. "So, will you be willing to train me now?"
[14:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> She muses a moment, thinking. "I don't know... I want to see something else first," she decides. "You might just have a little bit of natural talent..." She grins oddly, the hairs on the back of your neck rising. "Why don't you show me something, Natsume?"
[14:20] <Natsume> "Oh?" she responds, narrowing her eyes at the aura Ann is suddenly giving off. "What do you have in mind?"
[14:20] * Natsume can most likely guess...
[14:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Stand still," Ann instructs, sounding a bit distant now. "Don't move a bit."
[14:26] * Natsume blinks, not expecting that response...
[14:26] <Natsume> "O... okay," Natsume answers.
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann focuses a moment, sitting. A moment later, a transparent image of Ann appears, moving out of her body. "Alright... try and hit me just a bit with that sword of yours," the image instructs.
[14:30] <Natsume> "As you wish," she says, gripping the chi-sword tightly
[14:32] * Natsume takes a breath, and charges at the spectre of Ann, preparing to deliver an overhead slash
[14:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The slash goes right through the image, causing it to ripple a bit. A moment later, she nods, the image vanishing back into her body.
[14:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Standing, Ann nods. "I felt something," she admits. "If you were normal, you wouldn't have even caused my projection to ripple."
[14:35] <Natsume> "What... exactly does this mean?"
[14:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It means you probably have natural talent for magic," Ann confirms, amused by this particular turn of events. "Lucky you... most humans don't have it from what I've seen."
[14:36] <Natsume> "Well, I am no ordinary human," Natsume says, her ego flaring a bit.
[14:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nope," Ann agrees, chuckling. "You survived a shot that would have turned a normal person to paste, too."
[14:40] <Natsume> "So what comes now?"
[14:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ann pauses. "I'm curious to wheather or not you can actually learn any of my magic," she admits. "Or any of my friends'."
[14:42] <Natsume> "Your... friends?" Natsume asks.
[14:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smirking now, "Sure. I don't know if you'll be a Senshi or anything, but maybe you can hack a bit of it."
[14:45] <Natsume> "I will do anything it takes to become worthy of following the Senshi!" she declares once again. "So she me a simple spell to start, and I'll see if I can do it."