Arc 2 setup log: Usagi

[Anastasia]

This takes place the winter after Gaia. It's pretty much filling in more odds and ends, as well as establishing character goals. Enjoy.

[18:36] <Kotono> So time slides by! Years and days and hours and minutes, each time a little more past Usagi trials. But many aspects of them appear closer than every before. One day in the winter after the burning hot summer of Gaia:
[18:37] <Kotono> Mmmm. Mugh. So Usagi sits at the breakfast table. It's not nearly as warm as her bed was, but school beckons. But even in her sleepy stupor, she can note her friends and family around her. Shingo is eating hot oatmeal and eggs, Dad's reading the paper. Mom's cooking, and Luna's curled up on her shoulders. But it's Serenity that comes down last - in a very professional long dress and blue blouse, smoothing it over as she sits down.
[18:39] <Kotono> "Morning," Dad notes to your houseguest, polite if absorbed in his reading. Oooh, something about the Middle East on the front pages again if that's your bend of interest.
[18:39] * Usagi blinks, managing a sleepy smile over breakfast at the older woman. "Look at you, all dressed up," she notes with an appraising look over her dress. "Got plans for today?"
[18:39] <Kotono> "Gooood morning," Ikkuko chirps as she cooks, eggs flipped into the air and landing safely, Mom cooking and humming to herself. The smell of eggs and pancakes and oatmeal and juice and more is one way to help wake up.
[18:40] <Kotono> "Pancakes, please," Serenity respectfully notes before she turns to Usagi. Wow - she's even wearing light makeup, you can note. "I'm going out today. A pause as she appraises Usagi, "A job interview."
[18:42] <Usagi> "Really?" the blonde's eyes light up. "What for?" she asks, waking up more fully as this piques her interest.
[18:44] <Kotono> "Just typing," Queen Serenity takes a moment to flex her figners, rubbing them after. "It's simple work when you get the hang of it, and I need some money for now. Besides," Bowing her head in respect, "I don't want to drain resources from your family or the other Sailors forever."
[18:45] <Usagi> "It's really no trouble," Usagi smiles sunnily on behalf of her family. "But still, you know how to type?" She can't help but be a little surprised.
[18:46] <Kotono> "Mom helped her," Shingo interjects quite helpfully, half obscured by chewing with his mouth open.
[18:46] <Kotono> "Shingo!" Mom scolds absently, glancing back, "I taught her the basics - it's really not that difficult if you have a typewriter or one of those new computers."
[18:47] <Kotono> As Shingo looks distinctly unapologetic, Serenity merely smiles. "It's a new age, Usagi. There isn't much demand for Queens without a kingdom in thi sage, is there?"
[18:48] * Usagi nods. "Yeah, Ami-chan uses the computer lab at school a lot, but I don't like those kind of computers. The games aren't nearly as fun as what's on the Famicom," she smiles obliviously before nodding to Serenity. "It's really cool that you're doing this, though, since you really don't have to. I bet you'll knock 'em dead in the interview!" she encourages brightly.
[18:52] <Kotono> "I'll settle for acceptance," Serenity chides ever so slightly, "But thank you. Even if..." Thinking a moment as she purses her lips, "The television I've seen about secretaries...mmmmm. There is one thing I worry about."
[18:52] <Kotono> "Hm," Dad peeks up from his newspaper, casually curious.
[18:53] <Kotono> Mom comes over, a plate of pancakes placed in front of Serenity, "Oh, those old stereotypes? Most of the modern women these days...well, anyway, they aren't that bad."
[18:56] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Slightly coloring, "I had thought against it, but it is a good job, but there does seem to be a lot of this stereotype of them and thier bosses..."
[18:56] <Kotono> Queen Serenity delicately clears her throat, "I hope it's nothing more than the old fables about Princesses and Princes."
[18:56] <Usagi> "Yeah, they sometimes even get it worse than maids!" Usagi nods, remembering the girl who worked at Miro's and her stories of how his son's hands were 'free'. "But sexual harassment in the workplace is unacceptable no matter what you're doing!"
[18:56] <Usagi> The blonde's eyes begin to glaze slightly, all the signs of her righteous fervour peaking, "If someone does that to you, you should never put up with it, even if they say they can get you fired, they're the ones that should be fired, and you can sue them as well!
[18:58] <Kotono> "Now Usagi sounds like those women on TV - the ones with short hair?" Shingo says slowly, "About how-" Oh, that's a cutoff, Mom ever so gently sending him an approaching look. Shutting up with a littl eeep, your brother goes quiet.
[18:58] <Kotono> "Ahem. There's nothing wrong with being a modern women, even if certain out spoken elements are..ahem." Coughing into her hand, "Yes, don't let yourself be taken advantage of!"
[18:59] * Usagi sticks her tongue out at Shingo. "You'll never get a girlfriend if you think any woman who sticks up for herself is like that!" she chides.
[19:00] <Kotono> "I can stand up for myself. Such behavior would be...aaah. Unladylike." Settling on those words as Serenity's blush dies down, going to her food now that it is, "If one does not get the idea...well then." Now there is hard steel in Serenity's eyes as she looks up to Usagi. "A Queen must sometimes reject decorum to do what must be done."
[19:01] <Kotono> "Mmm-hmm," Kenji says around a gulp of juice, nodding along behind his paper, "Really, if you can stand up for yourself and not wear short skirts, you'll probably be fine."
[19:01] * Usagi nods brightly. "That's the spirit! Let them know you don't like it, and if they still act like jerks, then they've no one to blame but themselves when they get themselves in trouble!"
[19:03] <Kotono> "Dear?" Ikkuko sends a look that should burn a hole through his newspaper, voice dripping with sweetness. There is a moment of PAUSE after that, until Serenity speaks. "If it comes to that I will manage fine."
[19:04] <Usagi> Resuming her breakfast and politely ignoring her parents, Usagi nods again to Serenity. "Considering what we've dealt with, a rude guy is hardly anything to really worry about," she agrees.
[19:05] <Kotono> "Indeed. Now..." Standing after only half eating breakfast, "I'll tell you how it goes this afternoon, Usagi. I should hurry - it's supposed to sleet this morning."
[19:05] <Kotono> "Speaking of," Mom glances at her wrist, checking an imaginary watch.
[19:06] <Usagi> "Yeah, yeah," Usagi gives her mother a long suffering look of resignation, managing one last bite of her breakfast before rising and collecting her bookbag. "See you all later!" she waves, making to leave.
[19:07] <Kotono> OOC: Cut ahead?
[19:07] <Usagi> OOC: sure
[19:10] <Kotono> Coming home that day, Usagi finds a surprise! Warm cookies, fresh out of the oven and cocoa! The perfect thign to ward away the chills of sleet, a whole plate of chocolate chip bliss. Mom and Serenity are chatting when you enter, slowly nibbling away on these treats.
[19:11] <Usagi> Having discarded her coat, scarf, and shoes at the door, Usagi follows her nose into the kitchen. "Mmm... something smells good..." she notes happily as she drifts into the room, nose upturned to take in the scent.
[19:18] <Kotono> "Usagi!" Serenity smiles warmly to the blonde rabbit, giong to get a few cookies ready for her as Mom gets some cocoa. "It was a most fruitful trip in several ways."
[19:18] <Usagi> "Really?" the blonde asks cheerily, hand reaching out instinctively for a cookie as she focuses on the pink-haired woman.
[19:22] <Kotono> "Mr. Kenko was such a gentleman," Serenity agrees brightly, "He gave me the job as well after 5 minutes. Then he took me to lunch to celebrate." Your Queen looks quite upbeat, "He seems like such a wonderful man. He's warm and he smiles so much and so honestly. For running a small printing store, he seem ssincerely happy."
[19:25] <Usagi> "I think anyone would be happy to hire you," Usagi smiles back as she munches on her confection. "You'll have to show me your new workplace, sometime," she adds, joining in the upbeat mood. "When do you start?"
[19:26] <Kotono> "Two weeks - the old secretary of his is retiring. A lovely lady as well," Going on and nibbling on her own cookie with a dainty, crumbless pace, "Also, I met one of the souls you girls touched afterwards by chance."
[19:26] <Kotono> Mom just gets the cocoa to Usagi, sitting down and quietly listening.
[19:27] <Usagi> "Oh?" Usagi blinks, trying to figure out who. "Who?"
[19:28] <Kotono> "Eleni is her name - I believe she was the schoolteacher that attacked T*A?" Serenity pauses to eat and sip, taking up her napkin to wipe her mouth. "She's been living in the house that Nior and the others stayed at, which is excellent."
[19:30] <Usagi> "Oh, yeah," Usagi nods. "I thought she'd left there since she wasn't around when we got back from Gaia... what's she up to, now?" she asks curiously, leaning on the kitchen table by Ikkuko.
[19:31] <Kotono> "She's been working at Juuban High - apparently she managed to become a substitute teacher again.  She's been living there while she gets on her feet, and is planning to move out soon. But..." Smiling ever so gently, "She did manage a few more improvements and repairs that I saw. Which is good, because one day?"
[19:32] <Usagi> "That'd be weird if she's still there by the time I start high school..." the blonde notes amusedly, shaking her head a moment before looking up at Serenity once more. "One day?"
[19:33] <Kotono> "I don't want to live dependant on another forever, even if I thank you for your kindness." A short bow of the head to both female Tsukinos, not lingered on. "But a house of my own - and further, a place for more visitors to stay, for I imagine we will have more in time."
[19:35] <Usagi> "Mmm..." Usagi looks a little crestfallen at the thought of Serenity not living with them. "But even so, if you've got a job now, couldn't you get a place of your own rather than an abandoned and creaky old house with no utilities that could get bulldozed any minute?"
[19:37] <Kotono> "I could." Serenity's smile is knowing and long, matching eyes with Usagi. "But...I want to see something myself. Something I touch with my own hands grow and thrive into new life."
[19:38] * Usagi nods slowly. "I know, I just worry that you could spend that long making it grow and then whoever owns the land comes along and pulls it all out from under you," she frets.
[19:38] <Kotono> "I'll worry of that - I plan to enqiure with the city. If need be, I'll procure the land myself." Serenity's voice is stronger, more rigid now. Commanding as her eyes slightly close, voice farther away. "It will be built and it will thrive."
[19:40] <Usagi> "Okay..." Usagi still looks a bit reluctant. "If you need any help with any of it, let me know?" she offers.
[19:41] <Kotono> "I will. But it will be built." Relenting and going back to her drink, eyes demurely shutting, "It will. I will be honored if any of you wish to assist me."
[19:43] <Kotono> "We will - if nothing else, I told you that you don't need to worry about rent. I just don't have the heart." Mom clucks, "You know, Usagi-chan? If nothing else, I wonder...what sort of man he was to attack her." A frown passes over Mom's features, like a stormcloud rolling in. "I can't imagine it."
[19:43] <Kotono> "I can't even muster the will to charge her when she offers."
[19:43] <Usagi> Finishing off her cookie as she studies Serenity, Usagi waits a moment before her mother's comment jars her out of her thoughts. "Attack? Who? What?" her eyes abruptly widen, looking between the two women, "When?!"
[19:44] <Kotono> "Oh!" Mom looks up, "I remember something you or Serenity mentioned when that Jadeite attacked Serenity."
[19:45] <Usagi> "Oh, Jadeite..." Usagi relaxes. "Yeah, he didn't exactly have much scruples about those things..." she frowns. "Don't have to worry about him anymore, at least."
[19:46] <Kotono> "Yeah..." Mom pales a moment again, looking away before sher eturns solemnly. Raising her glass, "I'll drink to that."
[19:46] <Kotono> "Cheers and blessings," Serenity offers, doing the same.
[19:50] <Usagi> "Likewise," Usagi agrees, raising her own mug before taking a sip of the hot choclatey liquid.

[Halbarad]

> ---Arc 2 setup go!---
> So time passes. One winter and then another - it's Christmas time! December 24th, 1993! Christmas Eve morning for Usagi. It's a Saturday and they canceled school, so you have real freedom! The freedom to sleep in! If there isn't a better present, you don't know what is.
* Usagi would voice her agreement, except she's currently far too busy sleeping!
> Plunk! Somethign soft lands right on the back of Usagi's head as she ignores all else in the world! It stirs her!
<Usagi> "Mwah..." Usagi makes a vague sleepy noise of discontent, hand moving on reflex to bat the object away as she stirs.
> As she does another lands! Plunk! Ow! It's soft and papery.
<Usagi> Eyelids fluttering open, Usagi sits up and rubs at her face, hands groping blindly to grab whatever is assailing her.
> An envelope! Two of them, as a matter of fact! One has 'Sailors' written on it, and the other 'Queen Serenity'.
<Usagi> "Oooh!" Usagi brightens. Something from Jun! Scopping up both letters, the blonde bounces out of her bed and goes out in the hallway to knock on Serenity's door, still only clad in the long rabbit-themed t-shirt she sleeps in along with her underwear.
> Usagi has to admit, it's starting to get tight around her chest. A joyous thing indeed as she knocks. No answer, though - Serenity's either asleep or already up. Probably the latter, knowing her and the fact that it's well into the morning.
<Usagi> No doubt. Well, this news can't wait for getting cleaned up and dressed! Long unbound blonde locks trailing behind her, the teenage girl proceeds to bounce down the stairs and into the living room in search of the Lunar monarch.
> The Christmas tree is out! Dad and Mom are decorating it with silver tinsel, "Usagi!" Dad laughs as he looks, "Aren't you a little old to be coming down in your pajamas?"
<Usagi> "We got mail from Gaia!" the blonde replies brightly, waving the two envelopes in the air. "Is Serenity around?"
> "She's at her job - giving that nice Mr. Kenko a Christmas present." Mom nods knowingly at that, "She should be back soon." Up the tinsel goes, a sparkingly tree assembled.
<Usagi> "Oh, well. She can have it when she gets back," Usagi sets Serenity's letter on the coffee table before parking herself on the couch, bare legs crossing as she tears open the envelope addressed to the Sailors - she can pass it around the others later on as well, but she wants to read it now!
> "This letter will be brief. I have worked on a later one, but it will be hand delivered by a coming guest in two days. Therefore, I only give you warning of your guest - I'll leave it a 'surprise', and the greetings of your season. Merry Christmas, is it not? Things are well here, and shall be elaborated from the hand and mouth of another. - Jun. P.S. I do not accuse in the least, but do not read Serenity's letter. This goes for any and all of you."
> This goes for any and all of you."
* Usagi pouts. Stuff like that just makes her want to read it! Wondering a bit at who this guest will be, the blonde continues to read down...
> That's all of it. It was a short letter indeed. Almost like a placeholdeR?
* Usagi shrugs. It's hardly even worth passing around to the others... "Someone from Gaia's coming in two days," she tells her parents, scooping up Serenity's letter. "Didn't say anything else... Oh, well. Anyone want in the toilet? I'm going to have a bath," she offers before starting upstairs.
> "Go ahead, I'll tell Serenity yo're looking for her," Mom calls, as she reaches up to place a little star atop the Christmas Tree.
* Usagi goes upstairs, leaving both letters in her room before she goes about bathing and dressing, before once more going downstairs for breakfast.
> On coming downstairs, you nearly run into another! SErenity climbs up, stopping a step away. "Oh, Usagi!" She smiles, "LetterS?"
<Usagi> "Oh, you're back already!" Usagi smiles. "Yeah, come on," she offers, reversing course back to her room. "How was work?"
> "It wasn't - I only brought Mori-erm, Mr. Kenko a present," Serenity says, coloring slightly. "It is the season of celebration on Earth."
* Usagi raises an eyebrow at the blush. "Uh huh... and how is 'Mr Kenko'?" she asks, a knowing smile on her lips as they enter her room.
> "Oh...well..." Serenity blushes again, but coughs. "He is well. Now, a letter?" Sitting down, Serenity's blush vanishes as she controls her smile into a far more constrained look.
<Usagi> "Mmmhmmm..." Usagi manages to look rather smug for a moment before she relents and picks up the letter addressed to Queen Serenity. "My letter was really short and just basically said that someone's visiting in two days and not to read your letter." She hands over the unopened envelope, "That just makes me even more curious, though!"
> "Well, I'll tell you after I read," Serenity takes the letter, opening it up and beginning to read. This takes a few minutes, two pages read over. Serenity's expression starts quiet, blooms into a smile, but finishes on a solemn somberness.
* Usagi cocks her head to the side, studying Serenity's expression throughout the letter as she reads. "What's it say?" she asks when the pink-haired woman appears finished.
> "First of all, Serenity is doing well. She's...healing." Now the Queen of the Moon looks happy again, "It's a slow process, but she sees the world of Gaia every day, going amid it with her son and Mamoru. The rest?" Oh, there goes that smile. "Jun said he'd address it in your private letter int wo days, and to remember some things are best left unknown."
<Usagi> "Yay, suspense," Usagi drawls. "So, two days till we actually find out more from our visitor... he could have at least said who to expect so we could get ready or bake a cake or something!"
> "About that," Once again Serenity smiles, "Jun mentioned to tell Makoto to do that."
* Usagi nods. "Anything else you're actually allowed to tell me?" she asks hopefully.
> "The visitor..." SErenity smiles, "You'll be pleased. I won't spoil the surprise, as Jun asked me not to."
> OOC - Gah.
> "Merely relax and wait for this visitor to come, and then we'll cope from there."
> OOC - GAH AGAIN.
> Now standing, "Further...this fits well, as I have an annoucement tonight, but I'll tell you now. Usagi..." Serenity closes her eyes, "It's been wonderful here, but I've saved up a lot of money and it's time to begin my goal and current dream on this world."
<Usagi> "I'd be pleased with pretty much any...whoah!" Usagi cuts off her statement as Serenity rises. "You mean you're going to move out, now?" she asks nervously. It's been so long since it first came up, she'd almost convinced herself it wouldn't happen...
> "In a week or two, yes. It's time - I can't stay here forever." So Serenity decrees, but her smile is warm and consoling as it does. "Of course...this means I'll just have to have all of you visit often."
* Usagi nods fervently, even though she still looks rather distressed. "I'll visit whenever you'll have me!" she promises.
> "Thank you, Usagi," Serenity comes forward, loosely hugging Usagi. "I'll be glad to have you."
* Usagi returns the hug far more tightly, eyes starting to mist a bit. "It'll be weird not having you around here, anymore..." she murmurs, held against the older woman.
> "Usagi...you Sailors saved my life. You'll always be welcomed in my house," Serenity takes that hug and returns it, stronger. "My house is the house of the Sailor Senshi. My hearth is their hearth. My bed is their bed."
<Usagi> "I know... I know I'm being silly, it's not like we won't see each other..." the blonde sniffles. "It's just going to be different not living together..."
> "I know, but all of those are always open to you and the other girls, Sailor Moon. Usagi...my Princesses." Leaning forward, Serenity kisses Usagi's forehead, a moment of warmth there, a place where a rare symbol glows. "But for now...let us help your mother cook a good meal for the day?"
<Usagi> "Mm!" Usagi nods, remaining in the embrace for a moment longer before she parts and dries her tears. "Lets."

[Halbarad]

[20:03] <Kotono> Springtime! Spring is in the late March air! It's nearly a year now for Usagi, a year since her destiny began to unfold. On this temperate, gleamingly mellow day she walks home from school. Naru just parted ways with her, the two old friends having a nice post school chat. So on the way home, down the businessfront, "Usagi! Hey, wait up!" Unazuki?
[20:04] * Usagi turns and gives her friend a little wave, smiling widely as she waits for her to catch up. "Hi, Unazuki-chan!"
[20:06] <Kotono> She runs, her T*A uniform giving her class away again. Coming to a stop at Usagi's side and huffing, "Geez! I spend half a block trying to catch up with you!"
[20:06] * Usagi blushes, reaching over to pat her friend's shoulder as she catches her breath. "Sorry, I'd have waited if I'd seen you," she apologises.
[20:07] <Kotono> Hands on her knees as she breathes in dear oxygen, "It's fine. I need the exercise, anyway. I can't believe I ate two lunches today! It' slike I can FEEL the boys backing off."
[20:08] <Usagi> "Hey, eating a lot is fine so long as you exercise!" Usagi insists a mite defensively. "Besides, you look great," she reassures, taking her time while Unazuki regains her composure.
[20:09] <Kotono> She does look good, in fine shape and pretty. "Thanks. Now if the boys would just...bleh. I swear, all the boys lately have been looking at everyone but me? I don't have some zit I'm not seeing, do I?"
[20:11] * Usagi shakes her head. "You're as cute as always!" she insists, before sighing and resting the back of her hand against her forehead and leaning back a little, "I'm feeling plainer already just standing next to you!" she adds with a touch of light hearted drama.
[20:12] <Kotono> "Well, if you put it that way?" Unazuki preens, lightly brushing back her bangs and glowing. "Well, when I do get my Prince, I'll be sure to help you with yours!"
[20:13] * Usagi giggles. "I'll look forward to it," she nods in good humour, starting to slowly walk onwards now that her friend has recovered. "So, love life aside, what's up?"
[20:14] <Kotono> "Nothing. Let's see..." Ticking off her fingers as she walks, weaving around a few clustered boys chatting together about elementary school, "Aced a test today, bombed a quiz, had to listen to that crazy blonde girl's Supernatural Club pitch again, ate too much at lunch, you know. Normal day."
[20:15] <Usagi> "Kotono-chan's still recruiting?" Usagi smiles a little. "Have to give her credit for never giving up, at least."
[20:16] <Kotono> "Yeah....wait. Did you say you knew her?" Unazuki considers, "I can't remember offhand, though I guess you just said as much the way you said it."
[20:17] * Usagi nods. "I introduced her to you when you were working one time," she elaborates. "She tried to recruit you then, but you found an elsewhere to be," she gives her older friend a knowing smile.
[20:18] <Kotono> "Oooooh yeah!" Unazuki perks up, "I'd forgotten all about that. Yeah, that's her - she's nice, but I think she's a few dozen bells short of a clocktower."
[20:20] <Usagi> "She's just really into all that stuff. The club's actually pretty fun the times I've sat in on their meetings and stuff - it's better than those dull sports clubs, anyway," Usagi reasons.
[20:22] <Kotono> "Really, really into it. Really." A correction is made as you pass by the Crown, Unazuki merely glancing in. "Anyway. She rambled on about the mysterious and the clocktower and a monster amid us before and all sorts of stuff."
[20:25] <Usagi> "You just have to have the right mindset to appreciate her," the blonde giggles as they pass Unazuki's workplace, deciding to change the subject. "Mmm... anyway, school's been pretty easy for me, lately. Just getting into the new term, even though some people are already freaking about their high school entrance exams. You guys at T*A are so lucky to never worry about that."
[20:30] <Kotono> "I know. Ooooh yes," Unazuki giggles, "I guess that's one reason I'm glad they spend so much money on the tutition!"
[20:31] <Usagi> "I guess they save money on the material for your skirts," the blonde comments cheekily, briefly gesturing at where the hem of Unazuki's skirt corresponds to more than halfway up Usagi's own uniform.
[20:32] <Kotono> "Hey," Unazuki quips right back, striding forward like a model on display! "I can't help it if you're jealous."
[20:34] * Usagi laughs easily. "You're right, I am. That's school clothes and boycatching clothes all in one! I need to pick a high school with a cute uniform so I can compete!"
[20:35] <Kotono> "Hey, you should come to T*A. Heck, you can get one of those 'merit' thingies the new headmistress is going on and on about." That gets Unazuki to make a face, "It's a nice school, but she's really playing it up. She talking about finishing classes down the line. Like tea ceremony and etiquette and dancing."
[20:36] <Kotono> As you walk along in the sunshine, you notice on the opposite side of the street Rei. She's window shopping by herself at the moment, lost in thought or avarice. Whichever.
[20:38] <Usagi> "Those sound kinda fun!" Usagi enthuses briefly, "Then again, the lack of any boys at the school does go some way to making the cute uniform less effective," she notes, before spotting her the miko across the street. "Hey, that's Rei-chan," she observes. "You know her?" she asks. She's never heard either mention the other, but you never know!
[20:39] <Kotono> "Unless -" Unazuki pauses her clucking, eyeing Rei. "Not really, no. I reconinze the hair, but that's it. ...oh wait. I saw her with Kotono once. I remember now..oh, so that's how you know her?" Pausing to put her hands over her eyes and squint towards her, "She's not the same as Kotono, is she?"
[20:40] * Usagi shakes her head. "Complete opposite. I'll introduce you - she's kinda nice, if you catch her in a good mood." Waving across the road, the blonde calls out, "Hey! Rei-chan!"
[20:44] <Kotono> Rei has about a second delay before she turns, arms crossed over her chest as she watches you approach. "Hey," she calls evenly, not lookign terribly annoyed or homicidal.
[20:46] <Usagi> Yet not happy. She should be delighted and thrilled to be graced with Usagi's presence! What an utter bitch. Luckily Usagi is used to forgiving these minor lapses, smiling cheerily as she leads Unazuki over to the raven-haired girl. "Hi, Rei-chan. What'cha doin'?" she enquires.
[20:49] <Kotono> Her voice is dry and a little distracted as she turns back, nodding absently to Unazuki. "Just looking." In the window is a stunning black strapless dress, the sort you'd wear to a dress or a bar and fully expect to be floor decoration come 3 AM.
[20:52] * Usagi would not expect that! Forgoing introductions, since Rei should at least know who Unazuki is from their trips to the Crown, and she just told Unazuki who Rei is, the blonde goes on, taking a moment to study the dress. "Looks nice... thinking of getting it or is this just a 'sigh wistfully and wish' thing?"
[20:53] <Kotono> "Depends," Rei narrows her eyes, looking apprasingly at Usagi. "I'm a little short. Wanna loan me 1500 yen?"
[20:54] <Kotono> "Hiya," Unazuki chirps, looking up at the dress. "Damn...wow! That's an amazing little dress, really sexy. It shows more leg than this uniform!"
[20:54] * Usagi likewise narrows her eyes. She has the money, but that would leave her poor for the rest of the week. "When would you pay me back?" she asks. Rei's rich, dammit!
[20:55] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Rei taps at her chin as she eyes Usagi back, two slitted violet orbs peering at the moneyed rabbit. "How about next week...or...mmm. Say, Usagi, wouldn't you like some free charms and a free fire reading?"
[20:57] * Usagi sighs. "It *is* a really nice dress," she agrees with Unazuki. "Alright, I'll lend you the money, but you have to pay me back and give me a free charm - a good one, none of that 'fertility' junk like you gave me last time!" she concludes hotly. "What do you need it for, anyway? Hot date planned?" she enquires, a little more wheedling in tone.
[20:58] <Kotono> "Oh, I will. Rabbits don't need help with that," Rei snorts back, voice rising into a lilt. "But mmm. Wouldn't you like to know? Oh well, I can tell you after - I'm sur eyou could use a few breadcrumbs."
[20:59] * Usagi takes out her purse and waves it in front of Rei. "Be nice to the girl who's way poorer than you but still giving you money," she chides good naturedly.
[21:01] <Kotono> "Fine, fine," Tossing her beautiful long hair, "I have a date. There's this guy that come sto my shrine a lot and we flirt, and hef inally asked." Preening and glowing like a primadonna. "We're going to...ahem, La Belle De Riviera."
[21:01] <Kotono> "Ooooh? French?" Unazuki pipes up, "That's so romantic!"
[21:02] <Usagi> "Wow!" Usagi lights up, happy for Rei despite it all. "Lucky, Rei-chan!"
[21:03] <Kotono> "Oh yes, of course," Glowing like a maven at a ball as she looks back at the dress, "Mmmm. Didn't Mamoru take you to somewhere French? I'm trying to brush up on everything French for this!"
[21:05] <Usagi> "Yeah, that was when I ate snails," Usagi nods. "They're actually quite nice, even if I'm glad I only found out after I ate them," she nods obliviously, giving Rei a nudge towards the door of the shop. "Come on, let's get you in that dress - I want to see what my money's buying!"
[21:06] <Kotono> So in you go! Rei gets it, going into the quiet changing rooms! A few women come to and from, including a 400 pound European whale in enough jewelry to buy Usagi's house twice over. Amid this Rei goes to change, Unazuki waiting with. "It'll look great on her - she's lucky, or she must eat almost nothing to have a figure like that!"
[21:07] <Usagi> "Rei-chan is really pretty, but don't let her know it," Usagi whispers to her older friend. "Her head's big enough as it is."
[21:08] <Kotono> "No kidding," Unazuki nods sagely, cupping her hand to Usagi's ear, "I expect her to come out with a whip and laughing 'OHHOHOHOHO!"
[21:09] * Usagi giggles. "Oh, she'd so be the type!" she whispers back, scandalised. "I should feel sorry for the guy, since she acts completely different when she's trying to be nice. He probably doesn't have a clue!"
[21:10] <Kotono> "Like a Venus Fly Trap?" As the two of you whisper, the door to the changing room opens quietly. Out strides Rei - red high heels, nice earrings, a silver bracelet, and a slinky black dress that goes from the tip top of her breasts to about midthigh. Nearly a micromini, even! "Mmmhmm!" Rei struts slowly.
[21:12] * Usagi straightens away from Unazuki, playing it off casually as she looks Rei up and down, spending a long moment to draw out the tension. "I guess you don't look completely hideous... Just so long as you don't wear those heels with it," she passes her rabbit judgement.
[21:14] <Kotono> "Hey!" Rei glares sourly, "The high heels are the best part! Oh, don't even say that - I know you're petty and bitchy because YOU can't balance in them." So slowly walking about, as if on display, "But I'm more than good enough for them!:"
[21:14] * Usagi shakes her head. "Really, Rei-chan. I know you like red, but they just don't go with that dress," she insists. "Way too glaring."
[21:15] <Kotono> "She's right - get some black ones if you insist or some good platformers," Unazuki adds quietly, carefully of the fiery miko as she nods with Usagi.
[21:16] <Kotono> "...bah. None of you have spirit," Rei mutters, goign to the mirrors and inspectnig herself. "I like it regardless. Alright, it's mine, shoes asidE"!
[21:17] <Usagi> "Yes, have my hard earned cash, you bloodthirsty vampire," Usagi sighs theatrically, digging into her purse.
[21:18] <Kotono> "Why thank you! I'll tell you all about it tomorrow," Rei promises, grinning like a cat in the cream.
[21:19] <Usagi> "Yeah, speaking of vampires and things that suck..." Usagi mutters under her breath, forking over the crisp 2000 yen bill that comprises her weekly allowance. "Don't forget to give me back my change!" she adds quickly and more loudly.
[21:20] <Kotono> "Sure thing...since at least I might GET to suck," Rei tosses her hair, laughing as she goes back into the changing room.
[21:20] <Kotono> "...spirited, but a bit of a...well...you know." Unazuki observes. "That must be SOME club they have..."
[21:21] <Usagi> "Only good in small doses," Usagi nods quietly as Rei leaves them once more.
[21:21] <Kotono> "Just tell me the gossip you get from it later," Unazuki so swears, "I'm gonna run home now."
[21:21] * Usagi nods. "Sure thing. See you, Unazuki-chan," she gives her friend a wave as she departs.
[21:22] <Kotono> So the dress is bought! On the street Usagi gets a not so crisp 350 yen back, Rei beaming. "Thanks, Usagi-chan!" She says, mood brighter.
[21:24] * Usagi frowns as she gets less change than expected, but doesn't make an issue of it as she pockets her sad remainder for the rest of the week. She so needs to get a part time job... "You're welcome... so, what's this guy like, anyway?" she asks the now happier miko.
[21:25] <Kotono> "He's cute, he's tall and he's...mmm. Delicious!" The way Rei grins makes it sultry, starting to walk. "Tell you what - I'll get a picture of him tonight to show you? I gotta go - time to go get cleaned up and ready!"
[21:25] * Usagi nods. "Good luck - don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she grins, patting Rei's back before they go their seperate ways.