Miscellenia 1 - for scenes between episodes.

[Anastasia]

All catchall scenes go here. Please note above the log when it happens timewise. I'll rotate in new topics as need be for this purpose.

[Halbarad]

This takes place shortly after Takeshi's first meeting with Queen Serenity and the senshi., between episodes 1 and 2.

[22:34] <@Hotaru-chan> ----
[22:41] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru yawned softly. Oh jeez, Serenity's couch was too comfy...and Mako-chan more comfy. Mmm! Also, tired, less so, was very tired... her thoughts garble as she cracks an eye open, back pressed firmly into the secure warmth of Makoto's presence on the couch, surveying Serenity's living room with curious and sleepy violet eyes.
[22:43] <+Takeshi> The room appears to be empty aside from the still-dozing Makoto - almost. On the other side of the room, seated in an armchair, Takeshi sits, a frown on his face as he concentrates. A pencil is in his hand, the young man stopping occasionally to write something in a small notebook held in his lap.
[22:46] <@Hotaru-chan> "Busy evening?" Hotaru asks weakly, yawning  as she curls up a little tighter on the couch, rubbing at her eyes. Moving is probably a bad idea with Makoto's arm around her waist.
[22:47] * +Takeshi glances up at the dark-haired girl with a start, his concentration interrupted. "Hm? Yeah, you could definitely say that," he replies with a snort. "This is not at all what I expected today to be like."
[22:49] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickered very softly, keeping her voice low with the proximity of her sleeping partner. "You could say that again...Asher last night, Nephrite today...and suddenly we have a war again," she breathes, sighing. "If I'd known it'd be this crazy, I might've taken a vacation on Gaia."
[22:52] <+Takeshi> "Yeah, I know the feeling," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "Last weekend was the first I'd even heard about you being around now, I only started to seriously look into you ladies yesterday, and here I am today. Go figure. Throw in the whole story with Gaia, Jadeite, and Kunzite, and... man. I don't even know if I'll be ABLE to sleep tonight, I've got so much to think about."
[22:53] * @Makoto moans softly in her sleep and tightens her grip on Hotaru, shivering once before calming and sighing shakily.
[22:55] * @Hotaru-chan smiles slightly, rubbing Makoto's forearm absently as she's pulled tighter, watching Takeshi primarily. "And we pretty much thought everything was done for two years ago...eh, sleep'll hit, eventually. If nothing else, thinking about Serenity usually works."
[22:57] <+Takeshi> "Funny you should mention that," Takeshi replies wryly, lowering his voice a bit as he sees Makoto stirring, "Actually dreamed of her last week, although I didn't have any clear knowledge of who it was until just now, or even if she was alive at this point."
[23:02] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers quietly, keeping to the soft tone of voice, not even lifting her head from the pillow. "She used to visit us in dreams, before she was ressurected...we'd be suspended in places like a memory of her's...Saturn's asteroid borne cities, or the like..."
[23:05] <+Takeshi> "Nothing quite that fancy for me, but what it was was enough. It's the only dream I can remember in the last five years that didn't wake me up with either a scream, a gasp, or a cold sweat." He shakes his head a bit. "Could see her face clear as day and knew it was important somehow, but nothing more than that."
[23:11] <@Hotaru-chan> "Serenity can leave that impression, yes," Hotaru breathed, closing her eyes a moment and smiling. "Eh...it's better to have her in the flehs these days, it's just something to miss on sleepless nights."
[23:12] * +Takeshi chuckles, taking a moment to write in his notebook again as another detail comes to mind. "What was your name again - sorry. I remember meeting you at the supermarket, but I get so many people's names tossed at me there that I'm lucky if I remember one in three."
[23:28] <@Hotaru-chan> "Hotaru Tomoe," Hotaru snickers, nodding a little. "I know the feeling...so many guys introduce themselves to a fetish waitress...so few you even want to remember..." she snickers very softly.
[23:33] <+Takeshi> "I remember you saying something like that, yeah," Takeshi replies, shaking his head. A slight frown as another item is added to the list on the page. "Not quite as many for me, but the number of girls who just 'happened' to be curious about when I get off work is disturbing. Why the hell I'd be interested in someone who doesn't know anything more about me than the way I look is a complete mystery to me."
[23:38] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru raises an eyebrow. "Aside from that I can understand their point of view by looks, even if definitely not my type...where do you expect to start? You don't really just walk into people at random and start talking, so once you move past your own social circles...what else is there to give it a jumpstart?" she asks quietly, her smile twisting.
[23:40] * +Takeshi shrugs. "Beats me," he replies simply enough. "It's not like I spend a lot of my time socializing, so I wouldn't have the first clue where to start with something like that."
[23:46] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers softly, closing her eyes. "To be honest, neither do I, just...it's like pan sifting. You have to pay a little attention to everything there, but only spend time on a small few...I don't even do that," she admits quietly, shaking her head. "If I threw out a net, I'd pick up dates from work, and send a lot of time on it...but, I've only had two real boyfriends, so..."
[23:46] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shrugs, sighing. "You do just have to keep an eye out, I guess."
[23:49] <+Takeshi> "Yeah," Takeshi says, sighing a bit. "Had one girl I was getting along with pretty well about a year ago - name was Reika, she was a transfer student from Osaka. Just about got to the point where I was going to ask her out, then I got transferred to another district again." He makes a face at that. "Life's got lousy timing sometimes."
[23:55] <@Hotaru-chan> "Mmm, sorry," Hotaru nods softly, curling up a little, jostling Makoto and wincing before she settles down again. Suddenly though, she grins. "You could ask Pluto out on a date."
[23:56] <+Takeshi> "Pluto?" Takeshi's brow furrows a bit. "Have I met her yet?"
[23:57] * @Makoto giggles softly in her sleep and buries her face in Hotaru's back, nuzzling happily.
[23:58] <@Hotaru-chan> "Awh!" Hotaru blushes, unable to help but giggle back and squirm slightly. "Ahm...a blonde, besides Usagi-chan? Goes to T*A..." she offers lightly, giggling softly at the ticklish feelings from her back.
[00:01] * +Takeshi chuckles at the pair's antics. "Doesn't sound familiar - only one of you that goes to T*A that I've met is Rei, according to what Tsukino-san told me. The description matched up, anyway. Other than yourself, of course," he adds, having seen the girl in her uniform at the grocery.
[00:04] <@Hotaru-chan> "Ohh...Rei-chan, she's in my class," Hotaru nods, snickering softly. "Kotono-chan, Pluto, is nice, if a little ah...excitable, and energetic. There's Setsu-chan too...but you probably won't ever meet her. She was supposed to be Pluto."
[00:06] <+Takeshi> "Not sure what Rei-san will think when we finally see each other again. I remember talking to her at the ice cream parlor, but that's about all. Just that much set off my memories in a serious way, and so I ducked out fast. I'd imagine it looked pretty strange."
[00:09] <@Hotaru-chan> "I think she'll amange to understand," Hotaru snickers lightly. "I mean...she certainly went through enough weird stuff with Kotono and I...and she's just cranky for it."
[00:11] <+Takeshi> "Hope you're right, if we're going to be working together," Takeshi says, shaking his head a bit. "Going to be hard to get used to seeing you in the flesh, though - Kino-san there just about gave me a heart attack when she showed up this afternoon." He nods towards the currently slumbering brunette.
[00:18] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nods a little, her smile wry and amused. "You'll get used to it given time...faster given stress and the like."
[00:21] <+Takeshi> "Yeah, I guess so," Takeshi says. After a moment or two of silence he stands, closing the notebook and slipping it into his pocket. "I should probably get going - I'd like something a little more concrete to give to Serenity-sama tomorrow, which means a late night tonight. At least the lack of sleep won't go to waste." He gives Hotaru a smile. "Nice talking to you, Tomoe-san - I guess I'll be seeing you around sometime."
[00:26] <@Hotaru-chan> Hotaru waves to Takeshi from her position, beginning to sit up a little bit. "Call me Hotaru, I bitched Setsu out enough about beign a group, so..." Hotaru just shakes her head, snorting. "Probably see you a lot in the next few days, but yeah. See you."
[00:26] <@Makoto> "Mphle!" Makoto's garbled mutter is audible as Hotaru sits up, pulling away from the brunette's mouth, and the larger girl's arms tighten dramatically, dragging Hotaru back down to the couch in protest. "Mmmm..."
[00:27] <@Hotaru-chan> "Ack!" Hotaru yelps a little more loudly, her cheeks lighting back up as she's yanked down to level with Makoto asgain, just giving Takeshi a sheepish wave.
[00:28] * +Takeshi laughs a bit as Makoto gets a tighter hold on her 'teddy bear'. "Fair enough, Hotaru. Enjoy the rest of your evening." He gives the two a slight bow before heading off, shaking his head and chuckling as he goes.
[00:28] <@Hotaru-chan> ----

[Asrana]

[13:11:55] <Varul> ----Arc 2 go!---
[13:17:46] <Kotono> So an evening over the weekend comes for Takeshi. He has the chance to do what he wants, dinner eaten and his foster parents watching TV. No distractions at all.
[13:26:03] * Takeshi heads up to his bedroom, once again securing the door as before. A slight smile settles on his face as he changes this time - it's nice to have a purpose, even if being in a fight isn't exactly the most wonderful purpose he could have.
[13:30:13] <General_Nephrite> Taking a seat on the edge of his bed, Nephrite closes his eyes, his palms held out in front of him as he concentrates. "I call upon the power of the stars," he murmurs. "The scales of justice, Libra! Show me the one who attacked me unjustly!" Focusing on Temptation, he tries to see where she is now!
[13:31:05] <Kotono> OOC: Considering these circumstances, I'm going to require a soul check.
[13:31:16] <Halbarad> roll 2d6 burning 10 EP for soul
[13:31:16] * Hatbot --> "Halbarad rolls 2d6 burning 10 EP for soul and gets 9." [2d6=3, 6]
[13:34:07] <Kotono> Nephrite gets no vision or no feelings of any sort at first - it's curious. It feels as if he's stretching very far, then cold. His flesh crawls and he has to supress a shiver. Nothing else happens.
[13:36:56] * General_Nephrite takes a deep breath, shuddering slightly at the sensation. Maybe another constellation will be more help? He takes a deep breath, trying to clear his mind before he tries again. "I call upon the power of the stars... Cancer, the great Crab! Show me what rock Temptation's crawled under!"
[13:37:00] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 burning 10 EP for Soul
[13:37:00] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 burning 10 EP for Soul and gets 9." [2d6=5, 4]
[13:38:27] <Kotono> Another chill, this one stronger. It just doesn't feel right to him - something's off. Something makes his flesh crawl and quake as if he was standing in the Arctic itself.
[13:40:02] * General_Nephrite grits his teeth, unwilling to give up quite yet. If nothing else, the resistance is something to make note of. "I call upon the power of the stars! Draco, the Dragon! Let your fires light the darkness to find Temptation!"
[13:40:10] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP
[13:40:10] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP and gets 12." [2d6=6, 6]
[13:42:04] <Kotono> BRR! Nephrite is chilled to the bone! He gets sick to his stomach, a feeling of needing to empty his innards poking up. His flesh CRAWLS with cold! (2 points of damage.)
[13:48:28] * General_Nephrite falls back, shaken deeply by the intense cold. This looks like it's going to be anything but easy, and there's no way he'll be able to keep going for tonight - this has just taken too much out of him. With a defeated sigh, he lets the change leave him, falling back on his bed with a grunt.
[13:50:40] <Kotono> OOC - Skip ahead to briefing Serenity on it?
[13:51:12] <Takeshi> OOC - Might as well. Not the last time I'm going to try this, but I might as well report on the little I have so far.
[13:51:44] <Kotono> OOC - Okay.
[13:56:15] <Usagi> --------
[13:57:21] <Kotono> AFterschool Saturday! Usagi and Takeshi meet in the classroom after everyone else has filed out. The perfect time to get away if they want to...whatever they need to do. Even if one might make rumors about it if they were seen?
[13:58:02] <Usagi> As students make to leave or go to their club activities on this glorious half day of school, Usagi makes her way over to Takeshi's desk. "Hi, Takeshi-kun," she chirps, more familiar now than before. "You busy this afternoon?"
[13:58:34] <Takeshi> "Not today, no," Takeshi replies, giving the blonde a smile. "Something on your mind?"
[14:01:47] <Usagi> "Well, I was thinking we could go somewhere," Usagi begins before lowering her voice and leaning in a bit, "And practice? I'm kind of out of shape anyway, and it gives us a chance to see what the other can do." Despite her words, Usagi doesn't seem to be anything except lithe and athletic in appearance, her trim form fitting easily inside her not too flattering school uniform and her skin practically glowing with health.
[14:03:35] <Takeshi> "I could stand to do that," Takeshi agrees. "I'm not in the best of shape myself, either - practically fell over myself at Kino-san's dojo the other day."
[14:04:25] * Usagi nods and smiles. "Come on, I know a place, so we can teleport once we're outside of the school," she offers, making to leave.
[14:05:02] <Takeshi> "Lead the way then," Takeshi says, packing his notebook into his bookbag before following the blonde outside.
[14:08:37] * Usagi leads Takeshi out of Juuban High, pausing to wave and say hi to any of her friends still within the grounds as they depart and proceeding into an alleyway once they're a bit aways from the school. "Ready?" she asks, extending a hand after checking there's no witnesses around.
[14:09:51] <Takeshi> "Whenever you are," Takeshi says agreeably, taking the offered hand as he lets the blonde take over - since he has no idea where exactly she's planning to go.
[14:12:28] <Usagi> As Usagi focuses, Takeshi experiences a curious distorting feeling, the world around him seeming to twist away and spiral into nothingness before the process occurs in reverse, only the world that reappears is considerably different, a dingy Tokyo alley exchanged for a grassy clearing amidst a red and gold autumnal forest. It only took less than a second for the change to occur.
[14:14:12] * Takeshi seems only mildly curious at the teleport - the way it looks is markedly different from his own method, not that he teleports himself very often anyway. "Nice place," he comments, taking a moment after letting go of Usagi's hand to look around the wooded clearing.
[14:15:25] <Usagi> "It's actually the place I told you about when we met in the park," the blonde replies with a smile, taking in a deep cleansing breath of the forest air. "We shouldn't be bothered here, at least."
[14:16:49] * Takeshi smiles slightly. "Reminds me of a camping trip I went on a few years back," Takeshi says, taking a moment to get a lungful of the clean air himself - it's a welcome change from Tokyo, certainly. "You come out here often, then?"
[14:18:05] <Usagi> "Not so much recently," Usagi admits with an embarrassed little giggle. "Hence the being out of shape. Anyway, can you do much like this," she gestures at her school uniform clad companion, "Or do you need to transform like we do to use most of your powers?"
[14:19:25] <Takeshi> "I'll have to change to do anything past hitting harder," Takeshi says, shaking his head as he does just that. The only apparent effect is a slight blurring of his form, and aside from that it's really not much of a change - the dark, nearly black school uniform replaced by the slightly more formal-looking, but lighter-colored charcoal of his general's uniform.
[14:24:23] * Usagi nods, her own form shimmering slightly as she straightens her stance, her school uniform sailor suit vanishing and being replaced by its far more abbreviated counterpart in a soft glow of white, far too quickly to allow any peeking at the goods beneath. Not that her new outfit does much to hide them, mind, Usagi now showing off a pair of fabulous legs beneath her mostly white miniskirt,
[14:24:24] <Usagi> while the skintight bodysuit does far more favours to her pert figure than her old school uniform did, showing off every nice curve of her teenage body. Still, if her fanservicey attire causes embarrassment to the blonde, she doesn't display it. "Okay, it's been a while since we really practiced this sort of stuff - normally I just practice magic only," she admits.
[14:24:24] <Usagi> "So, what all can you do?" she asks, deciding to start by just going over their capablities and then they can work out a way to practice together.
[14:25:52] * General_Nephrite chuckles. "If you really want to know, attack me," Nephrite replies, smiling slightly. "However you feel comfortable doing it is fine - just take a shot at me."
[14:27:18] <Usagi> "Um, you sure?" Usagi asks, pressing her gloved fingers together. "I mean, I'm sure you're tough enough to take it if you're anything like Jun or Jadeite, but it could still really hurt."
[14:28:08] <General_Nephrite> "I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't sure," Nephrite answers easily. "Most of my abilities are defensive, so I can't really show you unless you attack me."
[14:29:26] <Usagi> "That's why I wanted to talk about it, first," Usagi shakes her head, starting to walk backwards. "But, if you're really sure...?" she waits for final confirmation before doing something dangerous.
[14:31:13] <General_Nephrite> "Go ahead. If you're that worried about taking my head off in one shot start off small then, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it." Neph drops into a more ready stance as Usagi backs away.
[14:33:11] <Usagi> "Okay then - this shouldn't hurt, at least," Usagi promises as she takes off her tiara, rearing back as if it were a frisbee. "Moon Tiara Enclose!" at her words as she hurls it forward, the tiara blurs into a golden disc of light, racing through the air towards Takeshi!
[14:33:13] <Usagi> roll 2d6
[14:33:14] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 4." [2d6=3, 1]
[14:37:18] * General_Nephrite readies himself as the tiara approaches, thrusting out an open palm as it closes on his position. With a loud cry, a tiny, almost feeble burst of energy emerges from his hand.
[14:37:19] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[14:37:20] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=3, 6]
[14:38:49] <Kotono> The tiara and tiny blast of energy meet in the middle! There is a curious meeting of them - the tiara glows white, a shocking delivery in midair! But the energy isn't effected, nor is the tiara stopped fully! While th eshockback fizzles due to the Cleave, the actual tiara toss flies on!
[14:40:44] * General_Nephrite is rather surprised that the attack is still coming, and attempts to dive out of the way.
[14:40:45] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[14:40:45] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=6, 4]
[14:42:13] <Kotono> The unusual outcome is not enough for Nephrite to evade! Usagi's tiara binds around him, pinning his arms to his body in tight bands of slender gold!
[14:42:55] <General_Nephrite> "Well." Neph blinks, looking down at the bindings around him. "Didn't expect THAT at all."
[14:43:43] <Usagi> "Eheh..." the blonde rubs the back of her head, somewhat embarrassed. "Good thing I didn't use something that could've actually hurt you?" she offers, closing her eyes a moment as she focuses on dispelling the tiara, golden bands around Nephrite shimmering into nothingness before the headgear returns to her brow.
[14:44:12] <Kotono> The tiara returns withotu incident, freeing Nephrite.
[14:44:52] * General_Nephrite frowns for a moment, then his expression eases as he sees the head ornament return to Usagi. "Oh, THAT's why. It's something you actually threw at me." He chuckles a bit. "Wondered why it didn't stop there."
[14:46:39] <Usagi> "Yeah, I did take it off - it's kinda like a frisbee," Usagi nods. "Except it's a frisbee that can turn people to dust if I use it in a different way..." she adds more quietly. Speaking up again, "So what was that thing you tried to do to it?"
[14:48:12] <General_Nephrite> "It's a technique I learned back on earth called Cleaving," Nephrite explains. "It's not much to look at, but pretty much any attack made of nothing but energy - a fireball, a thunderbolt, force bolts, things like that - it'll dissipate completely. Like you just saw, though, it doesn't exactly work if there's anything BESIDES energy there, though."
[14:49:23] <Usagi> "Ah," the blonde nods slowly. "So if instead of using my weakest attack I'd used my most powerful, then you'd have been able to dissipate it?" she asks, perfectly straight faced.
[14:50:45] <General_Nephrite> "If it was nothing but energy, yeah," Nephrite agrees. "Unfortunately, either I don't remember how to do it right or the old Nephrite was way better at it than I am, because I can't manage to do it much. Maybe once or twice before I run out of gas."
[14:53:04] <Usagi> "Maybe you just had a bigger tank back then?" Usagi postulates. "Anyway, the tiara was the first thing I learned to do. It can bind people like it did to you or hurt them. My other attacks are a big burst of light and a huge beam of energy. What else can you do?"
[14:54:48] <General_Nephrite> "I can control stone, although I'm still pretty rough with that. Can turn my hands and feet into solid rock, which adds a heck of a punch. And I can walk through solid stone, although if you want to talk about draining for me, that's about as bad as it gets."
[14:56:50] <Usagi> "Those are pretty cool, though!" Usagi grins. "But yeah, I know all about draining - two more tiara throws would put me right out, and I could only manage one big attack right now after already teleporting and doing that little trick. Still, I can recover energy pretty quickly, and I can help other people do the same." Putting words to action, the blonde attempts to draw on her inner well, getting a second wind.
[14:56:54] <Usagi> roll 2d6 for rejuve
[14:56:55] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 for rejuve and gets 3." [2d6=2, 1]
[14:58:18] <General_Nephrite> "Lucky you, then," Nephrite snorts. "Once I'm out, I'm out. I can still fight with my fists, but that's about it. I never really trained in offense, but I was damn near the best on defense." He grins a bit at that. "I take it you're not much of a hand-to-hand fighter yourself?"
[15:00:16] <Usagi> "Oh, no," Usagi shakes her head quickly, pigtails whipping about. "Some of the other senshi are, and Mako-chan has her sword and Hotaru-chan her glaive, but my philosophy has always been 'stay away and blast the other guy'." Walking over to the brunette general, she offers him a hand, "Here, let me show you that energy thing, though."
[15:00:46] <General_Nephrite> "Okay..." Neph takes Usagi's hand, not quite sure what she has in mind.
[15:02:01] <Usagi> Usagi's hand begins to glow, a soft golden aura surrounding it as she clasps Takeshi's...
[15:02:02] <Usagi> roll 2d6
[15:02:03] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=2, 5]
[15:03:14] <Usagi> The glow spreads into Takeshi, though, dissipating from Usagi and lingering a moment longer on the general as he feels himself rejuvenated from within, depths of energy he didn't know he had stirring at the senshi of the Moon's call! (25 EP restored)
[15:04:05] * General_Nephrite blinks in surprise at the sudden rush of energy. "Whoa... that's handy. Feels like I've barely done anything now," he says with a chuckle. "Remind me to stay close to you if we end up in a fight."
[15:05:23] <Usagi> "Sure - you can use that Cleave thing on anyone that shoots at me!" the blonde replies with a giggle as she withdraws her hand. "So, your thing is more getting right in someone's face and hitting them really hard, then?" she asks, going back to his question about her melee skills.
[15:07:27] <General_Nephrite> "My thing is mostly getting in the way so other people don't get hit," Nephrite corrects. "The other 'ability' I have is that it's very, very hard to hurt me. Since you're not a melee fighter yourself I won't ask you to hit me, since you could possibly hurt your hand, but yeah. My last sensei cracked me over the head with a bokken once, full force, when I moved where he wasn't expecting. (more)
[15:07:56] <General_Nephrite> Laid me out like a light and raised one hell of a goose egg, but he was surprised as hell that he hadn't cracked my head open or worse."
[15:08:56] <Usagi> "Is that like how you can turn your hands to stone, then?" Usagi asks, tapping a finger against her chin as she looks over Nephrite. He does seem pretty sturdy, but no Nior...
[15:11:57] <General_Nephrite> "Similar, but not the same. I don't really have to try with that, the way I do when I change my hands to stone - it's just there." He chuckles a bit. "Jadeite actually nicknamed me Stonewall after one sparring session we had - just couldn't manage to make any progress at getting me to stop coming at him, no matter what he tried."
[15:14:52] * Usagi sets one of her feet further back, half turning to the side and looking down. "Guess it was a different age, back then..." she murmurs softly as she shows her profile to Nephrite.
[15:17:38] <General_Nephrite> "It really was," Nephrite says, shaking his head. "Look, I don't blame you for what you had to do - from what you described, any trace of the old Jadeite I knew was long gone by the time you ever met him." He sighs a bit. "I'd liked to have seen him again, but it sounds like it never would have been possible anyway, so I'll just hang on to the good memories I DO have of him."
[15:19:07] <Usagi> "I can't begrudge that," Usagi agrees, slowly shaking her head. "I know, from what Jun said, what kind of person he was long ago."
[15:20:38] <General_Nephrite> "Yeah," Nephrite says with a half-smile. "Enough depressing talk, though. I haven't really asked much about Kunzite - how is he doing these days? I know you've met him, and hearing that I hope I can meet him myself sometime - but if he's on that Gaia world, sounds like it might not happen anytime soon."
[15:22:35] <Usagi> "Getting to Gaia is a bit of a pain, but it's do-able," Usagi affirms, once again turning to face Takeshi directly. "But, hmm... I guess if I had to sum up Jun in three words it'd be: Cranky. Old. Man." she explains, smiling innocently. "Oh, sure, he's a pretty bishonen type now, but he wasn't like that when we met him, and he still acts old."
[15:31:12] * General_Nephrite snorts at that. "He was a bit of a cranky old man BEFORE Metallia came," Takeshi replies with a snort. "Always all business, unless you could knock him off guard - but oh, when you did, he'd go ballistic. He at least USED to be terrified of rats - don't ask me why, but he'd freak out completely if he saw one. Given a few thousand years he might have gotten over that, though," he muses, a rather odd expression on his face
[15:34:02] <Usagi> "I guess lots of people have weird phobias," Usagi admits sympathetically. "But yeah, that's Jun. All work and no play and all that. He's fun to mess with, though, and does have some sense of humour, just he keeps it hidden well."
[15:35:37] * General_Nephrite shakes his head. "Yeah, sounds about right. Anyway!" He smacks a fist into his palm. "We're here to practice, right?" His eyes glint as he looks on at the blonde senshi.
[15:37:19] <Usagi> "Oh, yeah!" Usagi nods abruptly. "Easy to get distracted, I guess," she admits. "So, any ideas?"
[15:39:26] <General_Nephrite> "What exactly were you having trouble with?" Takeshi responds. "I need to work on my attacking - couldn't hit Temptation to save my life the other day."
[15:40:05] <Usagi> "What do you know - I need to work on my dodging!" Usagi notes, sounding positively gleeful. "Think we could maybe come to an arrangement on that?"
[15:41:01] * General_Nephrite chuckles. "I think we just might," Takeshi replies. "Dodging anything in particular? Energy attacks are out for me, but I can probably make a decent try at anything else you'd want to try dodging."
[15:42:39] <Usagi> "Since both hit me with physical attacks yesterday, that works anyway," Usagi notes, stepping back a bit. "I won't fly away or jump into the trees, so lets see if you can work on hitting and I can work on avoiding being hit?"
[15:45:18] <General_Nephrite> "Go ahead and fly - I could stand to work on aerial moves myself, since they're not something most martial arts can train on for most people. Just do whatever you think you need to do - hit me back, whatever you think is necessary."
[15:47:48] * Usagi shakes her head. "I didn't have much trouble blasting those guys, and there's no point in even pretending that I could hurt someone without magic. Still, flying could be fun," she grins a moment as she begins to glow once again, thin tracers of light arcing out from her back and resolving into etherial butterfly-like wings - they're almost invisible in the early afternoon sunshine, but still discernable.
[15:47:48] <Usagi> Without further word, the blonde hops up... and up and up, lifting into the air as if gravity has no hold over her and ascending past the treetops!
[15:50:33] * General_Nephrite grins. "Hope you're ready," he mutters, crouching for a brief moment before leaping and rushing directly at the blonde with fist outstretched. "Because here... I... COME!"
[15:50:36] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[15:50:37] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 6." [2d6=1, 5]
[15:51:33] <Usagi> roll 2d6 (assume I'm using acrobatics for all of these unless I say otherwise, since I'm going full defence)
[15:51:33] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 (assume I'm using acrobatics for all of these unless I say otherwise, since I'm going full defence) and gets 9." [2d6=4, 5]
[15:54:42] <Usagi> Usagi seems flatfooted, hovering in the air until the last possible moment before she abruptly one eighty's herself and makes a spiralling dive down and past Nephrite as his fist rushes towards her, performing a patented Sailor Moon panty flash as she goes!
[15:56:23] <General_Nephrite> "Let's give THIS a shot then," Neph says, concentrating briefly as he focuses on the Earth below, attempting to fire a spear of stone from it upward at the diving blonde.
[15:57:07] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 for EC
[15:57:08] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 for EC and gets 10." [2d6=6, 4]
[15:58:19] <General_Nephrite> Unfortunately, nothing happens, Nephrite scowling a bit at the lack of reaction - for all that it's not that unusual. Taking off vertically, he zooms high before dipping back down just above the treeline, skimming the treetops as he swoops in for another attack!
[15:58:23] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[15:58:24] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=3, 6]
[15:58:37] <Usagi> roll 2d6
[15:58:37] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]
[16:00:17] <Usagi> Not noticing anything untoward about the hesitation before Nephrite's attack, Usagi simply hangs motionless in the air, once again waiting until he's almost upon her before a quick twist of her body and shift of her etherial wings sends her arcing around and over Nephrite! "This is actually fun!" she exclaims happily as she whizzes away through the open sky, now ascending even higher!
[16:01:01] * General_Nephrite attempts to form a spear of stone once again - well, he does need the practice after all, flipping over into a hovering posture just above the trees as he focuses.
[16:01:04] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 for EC
[16:01:04] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 for EC and gets 5." [2d6=3, 2]
[16:01:09] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 for ACV
[16:01:10] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 for ACV and gets 6." [2d6=2, 4]
[16:01:40] <Usagi> roll 2d6
[16:01:41] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 12." [2d6=6, 6]
[16:06:28] <Usagi> Paying attention only to Nephrite as what she should be evading, Usagi doesn't notice at all as a stalagmite comes rocketing out from the forest below her, crashing right into her unprepared body!
[16:06:30] <Usagi> Luckily the blunt stone doesn't impale her, but it'll surely leave a mark as the blonde shrieks in alarm and plummets several dozen feet through the air, only just righting herself before she gets scratched up by the tree canopy. "Hey!" she glares over at Nephrite, one hand rubbing her stomach, "That was cheating!"
[16:08:41] <General_Nephrite> "Cheating?" Neph smirks, moving closer to the blonde. "There IS no cheating in a fight for your life - anything goes, as long as it keeps you alive and the enemy down. You can't afford to fight 'fair' - use every trick you can lay your hands on. If it keeps you and your friends alive, it's fair."
[16:09:42] <Usagi> "Is this a fight for your life?" Usagi replies, narrowing her eyes. "I thought we were practicing hitting and dodging at hand to hand."
[16:11:13] <General_Nephrite> "Can you afford not to take it that seriously?" Nephrite says, giving Usagi a level look. "If you're not, we might as well stop now - the enemy's not going to pull any punches when it comes to a real fight. If I don't do the same to help you train, then there's no point, is there?"
[16:15:29] <Usagi> "That's the sort of thing you should check before training, don't you think?" the blonde replies archly. "The whole point of training is that it's controlled circumstances, not a free for all."
[16:18:03] <General_Nephrite> "Then we can stop, if you're not comfortable with it," Takeshi replies, shaking his head a bit. "I already know you know the basics - the easy stuff - or you never would have beaten Jadeite. Why do you think I told you to do whatever it takes to stop me? I'm not holding back anything I know short of my fists, since I know those work and a punch gets the same point across that a sledgehammer would."
[16:21:51] <Usagi> "I already get plenty of practice with my magic, and it really would be overkill," Usagi shakes her head. "Let's just continue, now that I know you'll be doing a lot more than trying to hit me with your fists..." the blonde begins to drift back, before she abruptly turns and dives down through a gap in the canopy, starting to whiz around amidst the trees below! "Catch me if you can!" is the cry called back.
[16:25:47] <General_Nephrite> "Hah, good move," Nephrite grins, fading down through the tops of the trees and concealing himself in the treeline. As he settles on a tree limb, he closes his eyes, focusing. "I call upon the power of the stars... Leo, the brave Lion! Show me the valiant Sailor Moon!"
[16:28:19] <Usagi> In Nephrite's view, Sailor Moon is seen zooming through the forest at a good clip, the scenery nearly a blur as she tears around, altering her height and drifting from side to side to avoid branches here and there. Though she's occassionally looking behind herself, and starting to slow down with a slight frown on her features.
[16:29:18] * General_Nephrite concentrates as the blonde slows, this time forming a sphere of stone from the earth below the 'escaping' senshi and driving it up at his foe!
[16:29:23] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 for EC activation
[16:29:23] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 for EC activation and gets 11." [2d6=6, 5]
[16:29:57] <General_Nephrite> Unfortunately, the effort of trying to maintain focus on both seeing Usagi and forming the stone proves too much for him, absolutely nothing happening.
[16:33:34] <Usagi> By now Usagi's stopped completely, and she begins to drift upwards, trees giving way to sky in the background. Were Nephrite to look up, he might even spot her in the distance as she breaches the red and brown canopy of dying leaves, the blonde looking over at where her sparring partner is seemingly sitting in midair and looking at some starry circle or something...
[16:35:42] <Usagi> OOC: strike that.
[16:36:37] <Usagi> By now Usagi's stopped completely, and she begins to drift upwards, trees giving way to sky in the background as she looks around in seeming confusion. "Well, this is good..." she mutters sarcastically, not seeing her sparring partner anywhere. Did she lose him completely?
[16:37:57] <General_Nephrite> Seeing that Usagi's risen above the treeline, Takeshi dips down close to ground level himself, zigzagging between the trunks as he nears her position. Once close enough, he bursts through the canopy at speed, spinning in midair to deliver a kick to the petite blonde. "Surprise!"
[16:37:59] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[16:37:59] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=1, 6]
[16:38:17] <Usagi> roll 2d6
[16:38:17] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=4, 6]
[16:41:38] <Usagi> Idly blowing up her bangs in irritation as she looks around, Usagi unfortunately misses Nephrite until he's nearly on top of her, the blonde giving a squawk of surprise as she tries to twist out of the way, but too late as she's booted right in her side.
[16:41:39] <Usagi> "Ooow!" she cries in pain, at least allowing herself to be knocked back rather than resisting the blow in an effort to lessen the damage as she careens through the sky before righting herself. "Yeah... this is practice I need," she mutters, rubbing her side. "Good one."
[16:42:55] <General_Nephrite> "You and me both," Takeshi replies, shaking his head. "Rocks are giving me a lot of trouble today - would have pegged you with another one while you were still in the woods but couldn't manage to keep track of you and do that at the same time."
[16:45:08] <Usagi> "Mmm... anyway, let's keep going. Only dodging two out of four is no good," the blonde shakes her head, keeping her eyes on Nephrite as she ascends higher, hoping the increased height will give her better warning of any airborne stalagmites.
[16:46:42] <General_Nephrite> "I'm game if you are," Takeshi agrees, circling Usagi as he matches her rise. The altitude's going to rule out any more flying rocks, unfortunately, so he studies the blonde as they ascend, looking for any sort of opening he can exploit.
[16:48:18] * Usagi seems to have a somewhat relaxed posture, simply letting her limbs dangle as she floats up by pure force of will - her 'wings' are even harder to make out in the increased sunshine up here, though they occassionally generate rainbow like patterns when the light catches them just so. Really, she seems pretty open, but she looked that way right before she dodged the first two hits as well.
[16:49:56] * General_Nephrite narrows his eyes - he'll only be able to try this once, but it's the last trick he's got up his sleeve. As the two rise, he teleports a very short distance - from just below and in front of Usagi to just above and behind her, letting out a sharp shout as he drives his heel down towards her shoulder!
[16:49:58] <General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[16:49:59] * Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 12." [2d6=6, 6]
[16:51:36] <General_Nephrite> Unfortunately he misgauges the distance on the teleport in the open sky - the direction was right, but he sadly ends up about two hundred meters too far away to actually REACH Sailor Moon.
[16:53:16] * Usagi starts at the loud cry coming from above her the instant after Nephrite vanishes, twisting herself to the side and looking up... to see her sparring partner quite a safe distance away. Still, what if he's like charging up for a kamehameha or something like that? Warily, the blonde prepares to dodge just in case!
[16:54:47] <General_Nephrite> Takeshi's shoulders slump as he descends, shaking his head in clear disapproval. "That was beyond stupid," he growls. "Swear I'm cursed lately or something."
[16:55:19] <Usagi> "Um, what happened?" Usagi asks, relaxing a bit.
[16:56:31] <General_Nephrite> "Meant to teleport a few feet behind you and drop a snap kick on you, but I completely screwed up on the distance." He shakes his head. "Bah. I'm about ready to call it quits for one day - I'm about out of gas anyway after that botch."
[16:59:31] <Usagi> "Oooh," Usagi nods slowly. "Yeah, teleporting's too draining to really use in the middle of a fight unless you just want to get far away from the fight." Slowly starting to drift back down to the forest below, "Oh, well, you still hit me a few times, and I dodged a few times. So neither of us is completely incompetent!" she tries to encourage.
[17:02:08] <General_Nephrite> "True enough," Takeshi says with a slight frown. "And sorry if I caught you off guard earlier, but... well, I was serious. And I wanted you to take it seriously, too." The frown quickly changes into a grin. "Glad you did. Showed some good sense there."
[17:03:29] <Usagi> "I've got plenty of sense when it comes to fighting, at least," Usagi essays a smile, detransforming and dismissing her wings as she gently touches down on the ground. "Just my reflexes that need work, these days."
[17:05:37] <General_Nephrite> "Only thing I saw that I could really emphasize for you is to stay alert," Takeshi replies, changing back into his street clothes as well as his feet reach the ground. "The only times I hit you were when you were paying too much attention to something else. Misdirection's a hard trick to avoid."
[17:07:33] <Usagi> "Guilty," the blonde rubs the back of her head embarrassedly. "Guess I'm out of practice on all counts... Well, at least I made the mistakes here so hopefully I won't next time that guy with the katana or your whip girl come calling?"
[17:09:36] <Takeshi> ":Let's hope not," Takeshi replies with a nod. "If I'm around though, I'll be sure to get in the way as much as I can, though." He grins at that. "It's what I'm best at, after all."
[17:12:08] <Usagi> "I appreciate it," Usagi grins and claps Takeshi's shoulder. "Anyway, might as well head back to Tokyo - anywhere you want dropped off?" she asks.
[17:13:34] <Takeshi> "Serenity-sama's place, if you don't mind," Takeshi says, his expression becoming a bit more solemn as he pats his bookbag. "If I'm helping you all out, I'm going to use every trick I know for it - and that means stepping back into the OTHER thing I trained for back in the old days."
[17:14:16] <Usagi> "Oh, what's that?" Usagi asks, pausing a moment as her curiousity is piqued.
[17:15:30] <Takeshi> "Intelligence," Takeshi replies. "Gathering information and putting it together to make the clearest picture I can of what's going on. Got notes on some of the things that stood out from the fight with Temptation the other day, although I didn't have much luck trying to spy on her directly the other night. Have to give that another go later, I guess."
[17:17:31] <Usagi> "Oh, cool!" the blonde nods brightly. "You can tell us both about it, then?" she offers, holding out a hand for Takeshi to take.
[17:18:47] <Takeshi> "Sure, I don't mind," Takeshi says with a smile, taking Usagi's hand.
[17:21:28] <Usagi> And once again in that curious distorting feeling, the woods around the pair vanish, replaced by the entranceway of Serenity's house, Usagi immediately taking off her shoes and calling, "Hello!"
[17:23:35] * Takeshi removes his shoes as well this time - at least he's not in boots this time around. He takes a moment to look around the house a bit more, having been somewhat preoccupied the last time he was here to notice any sort of detail.
[17:33:31] <Kotono> "Here!" Janna calls from the kitchen, sprinting to poke her head out. "If you're looking for her Majesty she's in the upstairs bathroom taking a bath."
[17:34:35] * Takeshi can't help but smirk as he sees Janna, but doesn't make any comment about her appearance. "If she's busy I can come back another time," he offers. "Sometime today would be good, though."
[17:34:36] <Usagi> "That's fine, we can wait," Usagi smiles as she enters. "You two've already met, right?"
[17:34:56] <Usagi> "Or that..." she adds at Takeshi's statement.
[17:36:34] <Kotono> "...oh yeah. That's right, I heard. That was quick," Janna smiles back politely at Takeshi, but seems a little unsettled. "Just to be clear - you arent' gay as well, are you?"
[17:37:02] <Kotono> This is delivered with perfectly sweet innocence, too! "Since if I lose out to another MAN at womanly things...that hair alone!" Janna mutters this, but fate conspires; it carries too far.
[17:38:13] <Usagi> "Jun does have fabulous hair," Usagi is forced to agree, sotto voce.
[17:39:04] * Takeshi snickers at that. "No, I'm not gay, despite the rumors you probably never heard. Cooking, designing, and getting guys, huh?" He can't hide his grin as he ticks the items off on his fingers.
[17:39:14] <Kotono> "I know!" Janna nods understandingly. "I don't think he even has to condition it much. Would you believe it's natural?...and oh, great news!"
[17:42:19] <Usagi> "Even when he was a wrinkly old guy it still looked pretty good, but after he became young again... It must be magic," Usagi affirms sollemnly as she strolls into the living room.
[17:43:26] <Kotono> "No kidding...oh damn it. If there's a Sailor Gaia I'm so on that role just to get the hair." A dramatic sigh as she pulls down at her bangs, "It's entirely not fair."
[17:44:10] * Takeshi just shakes his head at that, sitting back and watching as the two girls catch up on their gossip.
[17:44:40] * Usagi pats Janna's back comfortingly. "Even if magic fails, you should use this herbal essences shampoo and conditioner I use - it's really good." Taking one of her pigtails, the blonde presents to Janna, "See how soft and silky it is?"
[17:49:52] <Kotono> "Ooooh, it is!" Janna strokes the tail up and down, giving it a good feel. "I'll try that next time...ack! The stove's still on!" In a flash Janna is off, back to the kitchen!
[17:50:51] <Takeshi> "Is she always like that?" Takeshi says with a slight note of disbelief in his voice.
[17:51:47] * Usagi giggles lightly, letting Janna go tend to her stove as she goes to sit on the couch. "I guess?" she replies to Takeshi, shrugging. "Hard to believe she used to be one of Jadeite's elite youma soldiers?"
[17:53:30] <Takeshi> "A little," Takeshi agrees, settling back on the sofa himself. "More to her than meets the eye, I'm sure, if... Jun trusts her with what she's doing, Looked pretty important from what I saw."
[17:56:27] <Kotono> As you sit and talk, "Oh, hello there!" Serenity greets you with a smile, wearing old white pajamas and her hair in a towel. "Not very Queen like right now, I'm afraid, but if you're here..."
[17:56:29] <Usagi> "Yeah, she's spying because Earth's technology is a fair bit ahead of Gaia's, mostly. Not that much, but they're maybe forty years behind us or something like that?" Usagi explains. It's a bit hard to say - Gaia had cars and those cool tube public transport things, but there didn't appear to be planes and no TV either.
[17:57:09] <Usagi> "Oh, hi, Serenity!" Usagi smiles and turns towards the older woman. "I was just telling Takeshi a bit about Gaia, but he had stuff to tell us about the new enemy as well."
[17:57:50] <Takeshi> "Ah... sorry to intrude, Serenity-sama," Takeshi says, blushing a bit. "I was hoping to talk to you a bit more about some of what I noticed in the fight the other day."
[18:00:15] <Kotono> "Just give me a moment," Serenity apologies, quickly heading back upstairs! She's not long - a hasty white dress and blue shirt combo thrown on. It works despite it all - even out of the shower she looks good. Sitting down now, "Go on."
[18:03:09] <Takeshi> "Of course," Takeshi says, nodding to Serenity. "As I was explaining a bit to Usagi-san before we came here, part of my duties back on Earth were gathering and putting together intelligence. I've got a few abilities that help me with that, and with that in mind I've already started to put together the little information I've gotten about these new enemies, as well as trying a bit more direct methods."
[18:04:07] <Kotono> "Good. Go on, by all means. Intelligence is always important." Serenity waves her hand, as if to encourage him to speak.
[18:06:17] * Takeshi nods before continuing. "Some of this has already been mentioned, but I'm trying to keep it all together for easy reference," he starts off, somewhat apologetically, as he digs his notebook out of his bookbag and flips through it. "Let's see... the obvious stuff is that they refer to us as inhumans and seem to find it strange that we stay with normal humans. (more)
[18:09:07] <Takeshi> Despite that, Temptation looked to be using some sort of disguise or illusion to make herself look human, and she looked like was controlling humans in the crowd before she spotted me, so they apparently have some use for normal humans. She also mentioned a group of sages, and that they would 'welcome' me, whatever that means. Aside from that, I haven't been able to get (more)
[18:09:32] <Takeshi> much more information yet - I tried spying on her directly last night, but there was some sort of interference that kept me from being able to see her."
[18:10:12] <Usagi> "How were you trying to spy on her, anyway?" Usagi asks curiously, not having anything insightful to add, having never met Temptation and having already went over her battle yesterday.
[18:12:38] * Takeshi glances over at Usagi. "As Nephrite, I can use the power of the stars to see things in places away from where I am myself," he explains. "I used it to spy on Janna the night before I met all of you, and I was trying to do the same thing with Temptation last night without any luck."
[18:13:33] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Resting her chin in her hands, Serenity mulls this information over. A slight look of consternation as she thinks. "I'm afraid that doesn't mean anything to me. The inhuman part I assume they mean since we can use magic and most humans can't anymore. The rest?"
[18:14:09] <Usagi> "Oooh, that's pretty cool," Usagi nods, suitably impressed and luckily not considering the unsavoury possibilities of using that ability to peek into a girl's bathroom or something. Looking towards Serenity, "We at least know they're looking for something, from what the one I fought was saying."
[18:14:11] <Kotono> "I can't think of anything that connects. "
[18:14:25] <Kotono> "What are they looking for," Serenity follows that up naturally.
[18:15:34] * Usagi frowns thoughtfully, unfortunately lacking an answer to that.
[18:15:54] <Takeshi> "That I don't know," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "The thing that bothers me the most is trying to figure out why Temptation was controlling people in the crowd outside the Crown. If they see people that aren't 'inhuman' as far below them the way they seemed to imply to me, why bother with them at all? Doesn't make any sense."
[18:16:50] <Usagi> "Jadeite's servants sometimes controlled people to make it easier to gather energy - kinda like a pyramid scheme," Usagi volunteers. "What were they doing after Temptation controlled them?"
[18:17:34] <Takeshi> "Just staring at her with a hungry look, for the little I saw. She spotted me and tried to control me pretty quick once I noticed that, and at that point I just took off on my bike - wasn't about to stick around for that."
[18:18:02] <Kotono> "She was there after the attack. Mayhaps she was looking for a followup in the chaos?" Serenity ventures at that. "But you got her attention."
[18:19:03] <Takeshi> "That'd be my guess, yeah," Takeshi agrees. "It does seem a little strange to have one of them go for the direct approach and one of them for the subtle that way, but if they've done it once they might try it again. Something to keep an eye out for, anyway."
[18:19:17] <Usagi> "If they followup the area after a battle, and can spot us by our auras, it could be troublesome..." Usagi frets. "Wouldn't be hard to track us to our homes, even, unless we avoid places right after there's been a fight."
[18:20:25] <Kotono> "Teleport if you're unsure," Serenity says that with authority, nearly a command. "Secondly, either that, or...that's exactly what they were doing. Trying to catch you if you were watching after."
[18:20:39] <Kotono> That gets a nasty frown, "A forward thrust and then a feint parry after to your unprotected side."
[18:21:06] <Takeshi> "Maybe... or maybe not," Takeshi muses, rubbing his chin. "Thing is, if you know a trap's there, you can dodge it - and if you're lucky, you can turn it back on them. Might be a way to catch THEM off guard, if they don't realize we've caught on to it."
[18:22:09] <Usagi> "To catch them off guard we need our own way to track them, or at least know what attracts them to places so we can lure them somewhere," Usagi points out. "Right now we've got neither."
[18:23:35] <Takeshi> "Not unless we use some kind of lure, you're right," Takeshi nods. "Temptation DID stick out in the crowd because of her outfit, but I guess we can't count on all of them being that obvious."
[18:26:12] <Usagi> "Sometimes I can tell if there's bad magic up nearby, and I guess if I focus I can tell if someone's got magic about them, but if they can just tell by looking that I'm no ordinary schoolgirl, then we're still on even footing," Usagi notes with a sigh. "Right now we're just too ignorant of what's up - we don't even have Luna's screwy memories to help us out."
[18:28:49] <Kotono> "Yeah. We have to try to get information. For now, as long as they don't attack? Spread word amid the Senshi, the biggest priority is to get information any way possible." This is followed with a nod, curt and to the point.
[18:29:17] <Kotono> Serenity then clicks her tongue, a faintly faraway and maused continence on her face "Yeah? I'm sounding more like a person of this age with every passing day, am I not?"
[18:29:47] <Takeshi> "I agree," Takeshi says with a nod, then chuckles at the former monarch's last comment. "Just a bit."
[18:30:17] <Usagi> "We're ruining you," Usagi nods sollemnly. "But still, good point about sharing information."
[18:31:32] <Kotono> "Yes, do so. Any information at all." AT that note Serenity smiles, "So go and do it. Good luck and Godspeed, and may the Moon shine on your efforts."
[18:32:36] <Takeshi> "I still plan on trying to spy on Temptation when I can," Takeshi says. "Hopefully I can get something further about what they want that way. And thank you." He stands rather quickly, holding a fist to his shoulder as he gives Serenity a slight bow.
[18:36:23] <Kotono> ----

[Asrana]

This happens during the first weekend of the arc, after Asher and Takeshi and all that.

[13:20:23] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[13:22:32] <Kotono> The weekend gives Hotaru free time - the time to call a friend or a past lover, the time to do it when Mom's upstairs and napping (With Dad, so take that how you will!).
[13:25:44] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just stares at the phone a long moment. Why'd her parents have to go and poke her in THAT curiousity? Shiver. Chewing on her lip, she takes out the quite old receipt Yoshi wrote his number on more than two years ago, kept in the depths of her desk, and dials it, trying her best to not tremble. Really, can't do that...Princess...yes.
[13:28:23] <Kotono> Four rings! No pickup! Five rings! Nada! Si-"Hello?" Oh. That's him, alright. His voice has deepened but the inflection and overall timbre is the same. "Yoshi speaking."
[13:31:44] <Hotaru-chan> "Hi...Yoshi? It's Hotaru..." That was a long...what if he was...!? Hotaru's mind fairly shakes with the possibilities, fingers shakily intertwining with the phone cord. What...why...AGH. I mean...two years...and...Whimper!
[13:32:55] <Kotono> "...oh wow. I didn't even realise it was you at first." There's al ong pause before he speaks, a few notes of raw surprise playing in his voice's music. "Well, how are you? I didn't think I'd hear from you much again, no matter what we said."
[13:37:10] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nearly melts into the wall, a long soft breath of relief as she slumps down to the floor. No matter what she said, she still felt something there...what it was, that was a mystery. "Yeah, sorry," she offers softly, cradling the phone against her shoulder, closing her eyes. "I've been alright...growing up a lot," she snickers softly, smiling. "What about you?"
[13:41:23] <Kotono> "Pretty much the same. Growing up, dating a bit, getting through school. It's not so bad." A pause in the conversation, faint sounds of a chair scraping across floor. "So what's going on if you called. It's nice to talk to you, but I can't imagine you're doing this for no reason."
[13:47:32] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snerks, leaning into the wall, deep breath. Okay, really...he's...yeah, he's Yoshi. "Actually, it was because I wanted to talk again..." she laughs softly, "Stuff happening and memories...mmm," she sighs, hugging her knees. "So I was wondering if you wanted to get together and go somewhere...or, well, the phone works too, I'm just not used to it..." she murmurs, smiling despite nervousness now.
[13:50:20] <Kotono> "Heh, heh. Sure. It's been awhile - nealry two years?" Yoshi's nice about it, sounding amused as he talks. "Are you interested again?"
[13:51:41] <Hotaru-chan> "Yeah, a little more than..." Hotaru murmurs, smilingeasily anough, suddenly blushing. "...Honestly? Yeah..." she admits, blowing at her bangs. "I was still struggling with everything...mah, I grew up, put it that way," she laughs quietly.
[13:52:58] <Kotono> "Yeah. I know...I was thinking about calling you one day, but I never quite worked to it. Got too nervous. So...look. I'll meet you at that park by your house in a few hours?"
[13:54:36] <Hotaru-chan> "I was practically shaking dialing this number..." Hotaru snickers softly. "Yeah, that'd be fine...cya in a little bit," she agrees warmly, deep, relieved, relaxed breaths taken.
[13:57:37] <Kotono> "See ya. ...thanks, and see you!" With that second burst he's gone, the call over.
[13:59:16] * Hotaru-chan giggles softly, haning up the phone. Time to go get ready! And so she rushes off to bath, get dressed...hmm! So much to do!
[14:01:13] <Kotono> OOC - Skip ahead?
[14:01:23] <Hotaru-chan> OOC - Yeah
[14:02:04] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and describe your outfit and the like as you arrive.
[14:10:52] <Hotaru-chan> After all the rending of nerves and anxiety? Hotaru decides on something simple. She and Yoshi know each other, it's not like he hasn't seen her casual...and this is just that, casual.Even if they might...still! With those thoughts still simmering in her mind, she slips into the park.
[14:10:52] <Hotaru-chan> She's dressed in jeans tight enough to flatter her precocious figure, and a black sweater that's just snug enough in the right places to do the same for the rest of her, while warding off the early chills of the autumn. Only lipstick and a few small hitns of eyeshadow weight her face, realizing definitely that the air will give her any blush she needs. That or Yoshi will.
[14:10:52] <Hotaru-chan> ...Annnyway. So she begins to walk, looking for him, though paying attention more to any spots they once sat at, visited...or whatever!
[14:15:31] <Kotono> Hotaru doesn't have to look long. Under a tree with browning leaves Yoshi is found; sitting in gray slacks and a brown T-shirt. Not the best clothes for him relatively, but they look new. So he sits and waits, fitfully reading a manga.
[14:17:02] <Hotaru-chan> ...This time, you can play with him. Discreetly circling around behind him Hotaru comes from behind, discreetly trying to get in arm's reach without alerting Yoshi to her presence.
[14:17:09] <Hotaru-chan> *him,
[14:21:55] <Kotono> OOC - Mmm. Body check -3 since I feel dicey.
[14:22:22] <Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6-3 burning 10 ep
[14:22:23] <Reikobot> Hotaru-chan rolled : 2d6-3 burning 10 ep --> [ 2d6=7 ]{4}
[14:22:49] <Kotono> Yoshi doesn't even look up as you get closer!
[14:24:11] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles, crouching a little, and dropping her hands over Yoshi's eyes suddenly, leaning in to only very barely press against his back. "Hi!" she laughs softly.
[14:27:09] <Kotono> "Hotaru?!" Yoshi doesn't jump, but his hands dart up - surprisingly fast - to get Hotaru's hands in his own! "Cute. Planning on something while you have my indisposed?"
[14:30:13] <Hotaru-chan> "Do you want me to do something while you're indisposed?" Hotaru asks back, leaning into him a bit more. He's the one that asked about interest!
[14:32:07] <Kotono> "I wouldn't mind," He admits, "If you've grown up at all, you should be really cute." Now he gently begins to try to tug those hands away, slow and sure.
[14:35:03] <Hotaru-chan> "You haven't been visiting the right cafe..." Hotaru laughs, letting her hands get pulled away, shuffling to the side and forward, next to Yoshi. She wants a frank visual appraisal from the guy she knows really will speak his whole mind!\
[14:41:35] <Kotono> He's grown up, too! His form is lithe but developed well, arms not too bulky but speaking of an atheletic life. "Damn!" That says it all, Yoshi's eyes widening before he just grins. "Just that I was right."
[14:45:08] <Hotaru-chan> Hotru blushes dark red, sitting back on her heels a little  to...well, honestly put, display. "Thanks...?" she murmurs, smiling softly, and still a little nervously. "Just...yeah, 'Growing up' meant a lot..." she murmurs, glancing down at herself, the slim but definitely adult figure following her mother's pattern.
[14:50:02] <Kotono> "Yeah, I can tell. Just looking at you says that." Yoshi pats the ground next to him invitingly, as he nods. "So...it's been awhile, but it was fun back then. Remember the movie theater, or meeting?"
[14:52:44] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nods a little, shifting around to sit next to Yoshi, shoulder to shoulder and smirking. "Yeah..." she murmurs, smiling easily back at him. "I remember the theater VERY well...just not the movie itself," she snickers, relaxing a bit into Yoshi. "Lots of stuff...mah. I even still have the pictures you took."
[14:54:40] <Kotono> "Heh, I think it was a ...Samurai movie. Not like it mattered." As Hotaru relaxes his arm goes around her, much more confident than long ago. "Yeah, just a lot of good memories there."
[14:58:11] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru takes the easy cue, leaning into Yoshi comfortably, less nervous by far than the last time she did such. "Yeah," she sighs, a small smile playing on her lips. "You spoiled me, you know," she gripes, playful sounding though.
[15:04:50] <Kotono> "Did I?" A question right back, Yoshi leaning his head over to be close to Hotaru.
[15:07:01] <Hotaru-chan> "Mm," Hotaru agrees, leaning in to experimentally nuzzle Yoshi's jaw, pressing in. "Got so used to you being direct...well, and I liked it...'difficult' would be a mild descriptor of locating anyone I could date," she murmurs, her smile twisting a bit.
[15:09:26] <Kotono> "Then I'll be direct again." Oh, there isn't much pause as Yoshi moves in for an outright kiss!
[15:12:46] <Hotaru-chan> Not that she hadn't seen this coming...vaguely wished for it even at some points. And it's not 'unknown' either. Stop THINKING and just go! She gripes, smiling as she moves into it too, lips meeting with a far greater confidence than the first time they did!
[15:14:06] <Kotono> Indeed - Yoshi's in no hurry, and he's improved, too. A few very pleasant minutes pass in this fashion before some form of normality returns. Blowing in and out to catch some breath after, "...Direct enough?"
[15:18:56] <Hotaru-chan> "Quite," Hotaru whispers, lingering close still, snuggled in. She still gets cold easily, that's why, really. Pfah. "This feels...mmm, nice," she snickers. "Just...very nice."
[15:19:40] <Kotono> "Very nice," Yoshi nods, kissing Hotaru's cheek as you notice a few people are about. Oh, not anyone you know, but it's not quite 100 percent private. "What do you want to do now?"
[15:24:20] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm," Hotaru traces her lips with her tongue, relaxing slower, but holding back with all the other people. "I could finally show you how much of a library my room is, or we could go somewhere  if you want..." she offers softly, smile twisting in amusement. "I think I'm fine anywhere...it's just nice to be around you."
[15:32:56] <Kotono> "Mmmm. Your bedroom?" Yoshi carefully raises an eyebrow there, "Are you...serious about that?"
[15:34:23] * Hotaru-chan raises an eyebrow back at Yoshi. "What're you thinking?" she asks, smiling, if wryly. "Or should I say plotting?"
[15:34:59] <Kotono> "Well, when a girl brings you to her bedroom, it's usually to use the bed." That's said outright, another eyebrow raised to compliment the first.
[15:40:56] <Hotaru-chan> "...Yoshi, my parents are home," Hotaru snickers, kissing him lightly on the lips none the less. "Mmm...I think you'll know when I want to use the bed, too, hm?" she offers, blushing furiously.
[15:42:12] <Kotono> "....well, that answer that," he murmurs quietly. "This is fun, but I was half wondering if you were just looking for someone to get it on with. Not that I'm complaining, just...I like you still." A shrug punctuates that, Yoshi smiling as he looks Hotaru in the eye.
[15:45:23] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head, snorting quietly. "I'm fourteen...if I...no, just..." Hotaru gives Yoshi a mock glare over the first part, flowing into a bit of a smile at the end.
[15:48:19] <Kotono> "I know, but...hey." Coughing again and looking away in embarrassment before he turns back around, "I know girls that age that say they're not virgins."
[15:50:31] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just shakes her head, the smile easing a little as she sits up straighter. "Mah...guess I can't blame you, calling after two years..." she admits, smiling and leaning her head on his shoulder. "Still want to see the library? And probably meet my parents...don't worry, dad's laid back. It's mom you have to worry about...she fluctuates between worrying that I don't date enough, and chaining me to my bed to make sure I don't do anything..."
[15:52:56] <Hotaru-chan> bed to make sure I don't do anything..."
[15:58:48] <Kotono> "Ill go for it," Yoshi says even more agreeably. "Heh, I guess I can see that, all things considered." Indeed he can, lookign down just a little below Hotaru's face
[16:01:04] <Hotaru-chan> "Just don't look at them while I'm talking," Hotaru answers bluntly, snickering and giving Yoshi a softer, very brief kiss on the lips. "C'mon," she adds, beginning to get up.
[16:08:19] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and set up your house?
[16:10:57] <Hotaru-chan> The Tomoe house is its normal self. Well, normal for the last two years. The front garden's a display piece of sorts, vibrant and lively flowers blooming in seemingly perfection under the attendance of their nature goddess Kino Makoto. Easily two stories in a well off neighborhood, Hotaru heads up and inside, holding Yoshi's hand even as she unlocks the door and goes in.
[16:10:57] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm home," she offers to the emptiness softly, not wanting to wake her parents, but she's not sneaking in with her boytoy, either!
[16:13:12] <Kotono> No answer. Mom and Dad are either asleep, 'asleep' 'ASLEEP AGAIN' or they went out. Whichever. Yoshi looks around, whistling slightly. "Your parent are pretty rich," he observes, hands in pockets as he watches. "THis is really nice."
[16:16:36] <Hotaru-chan> "Workaholics," Hotaru explains softly, shaking her head. "Mom and dad...eh, once I learned to make dinner for myself..." she shakes her head, arm linked with Yoshi's, leading him quietly up the stairs. "It's better, kinda, they still spend a LOT of time at work."
[16:18:21] <Kotono> "Yeah. I can relate some," This is said as he walks up the stairs, voice low. "'least my brother's off at college now."
[16:19:46] <Hotaru-chan> "I hope my brother's still sleeping...he's only one and a half," Hotaru snickers quietly, shaking her head. "Remembering...yeah, your brother being away would be nice, hm?" she agrees, going past her bedroom, and perhaps against her own wishes, keeping her ears open as they head up to the closed door of her room.
[16:22:56] <Kotono> "It is." Yoshi stops, eyes closed, "He's my brother, but I'm also a lot happier. Plus..." Yoshi grins at this, "I can invite you to my room sometime now, too."
[16:30:24] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snorts quietly, smiling as she heads to her room, opening the door and going inside. "And am I to assume that you're intending to use the bed when you do that?" she asks softly, keeping her voice low. The room itself is as it always has been--dark and vibrant. Black, dark blue, and violet predominateentwining together on her bed, though a single emerald green pillow stands out amongst it.
[16:30:24] <Hotaru-chan> The floor is clean, picked and cleared, and indeed there are quite a number of darkly varnished bookshelves, all filled completely with books. Her desk is a little more cluttered, paper and pencils, pictures of all the senshi, individual shots of Rei and Makoto with Hotaru set aside a bit. The broken brick is there too, 'Hotaru' written into one side and a hole drilled through, alongside Misuki's dagger in its sheath.
[16:36:41] <Kotono> "It's nice," Yoshi murmurs, going to the desk and glancing over the pictures. He lingers on the knife, but keeps his hands off. "It's you."
[16:41:00] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just smiles shyly, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Yeah, I'd say so..." she agrees quietly, glancing around, taking a deep breath. "Hardly changes, even after a few years..." she murmurs, glancing back at her desk. "Questions? You looked like you were thinking a moment..."
[16:48:20] <Kotono> "Not really. It's your room, it fits, and I won't pry yet." Sitting next to Hotaru and feeling the bed, "It's not what I'd want someonet o do right off unless I was bored anyway. I mean, it's a nice room, just..." Oh, a hair of a blush, "Other things are still on my mind a bit."
[16:54:29] <Hotaru-chan> "Oh really?" Hotaru snickers softly, leaning into Takeshi a bit. "Like what?" she asks, playful and curious, stopping as she reaches down, pulling hte black sweater up and off, revealing a simple t-shirt of the same color underneath.
[16:56:18] <Hotaru-chan> *Yoshi ;_;
[16:56:22] <Kotono> For half a moment Yoshi starts to cough, but it end when he sees the T-shirt underneath. "You're a tease," he notes bluntly, "But that aside? Well..." Now he just leans in, looking to kiss Hotaru again!
[17:08:49] <Hotaru-chan> "Of course I am, I wear a maid unfirom to work," Hotaru laughs quietly, taking the offered kiss, arms slipping around Yoshi's neck, to relax, and to embrace in the nice, and well...it's comparatively innocent compared to what they COULD do!
[17:14:37] <Kotono> So it starts! Yoshi doesn't seem to really wanna stop this time, and indeed, it begins to go on - even in all sorts of ways, as certain hands begin to wander to certain round places?
[17:22:38] <Hotaru-chan> Being quite more comfortable, with Yoshi, herself, and even the relationship itself means this time, Hotaru doen't stop Yoshi, letting her boyfriend do as he pleases for the most part, though keeping a definite latch on the front of her jeans.
[17:26:39] <Kotono> It is indeed quite -fun-. Lots of interesting feelings indeed! As you two sit side by side, at one point he takes Hotaru's hand, putting it on his lap, mere inches from...that.
[17:30:27] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's eyes widen slightly as her hand's moved, glancing up at Yoshi. "Ah..." she just stumbles, unable to really form the question her eyes hope they convey looking at his, glancing at the door and then just looking at him, her hand only very lightly rubbing where it was placed, not THAT.
[17:31:28] <Kotono> Breaking off a moment from the kiss, "If you want," he says simply, "Or if you want, I'll..." He looks down, "I'm having fun, and if you're comfortable with it?"
[17:40:29] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's jaw works once, before she just clamps it shut, looking down and leaning closer into Yoshi. "I...don't know," she murmurs finally, smiling weakly. "Sorry, just...not going to break up with you about it," she adds softly after a moment, snickering. "I just...dont' know yet, and my parents..." she glances at the door, the hallway past, and all that it might contain. "Sorry..."
[17:41:18] <Kotono> Yoshi just smiles, "I understand, just..." He looks down, admittedly, ah, pressed there. "If you feel lik eit..." With that he gets back to the main attraction of Hotaru's mouth!
[17:46:34] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles a little, getting out "Later," before they're rejoined in the more innocent, easy way to pass the time and share affections, Hotaru eventually forgetting the door, and much else, in exchange for closeness and warmth.
[17:48:04] <Kotono> Indeed! It's easy to forget a lot with her mouth and chest occupied! Very easy - that is, until someone VERY loudly clears their throat.
[17:50:41] <Hotaru-chan> ...At least her bra is still on?! And her jeans, Hotaru otherwise freezing solid, and hardly in any condition to go retrieving articles of clothing. She gives Yoshi a gentle, but very firm push in the right direction, namely off of her. Please be dad, please be dad, please be dad... her mind whimpers, as she opens her eyes and turns to look.
[17:52:37] <Kotono> Well, it is Dad - and Mom! Both are just inside of your doorway - Reiko glares ever so balefully, while Dad just coughs andb lushes. "Aaah...bad time to ask if you wanted to go out to dinner?" Dad asks this as Mom crosses her arms, "Put it back on. All of it," she says.
[17:53:33] <Kotono> "Dear..." Dad tries to speak up, "Maybe they just need time alone?" This gets a serious look from him at Yoshi, "Though if you do anything to hurt Hotaru, I will hurt you back." This is said in his normal, slightly distant voice.
[17:55:40] <Kotono> "Sorry," Yoshi apologies very quickly, bowing his head and scooting away from Hotaru. He doesn't even try to say anything else.
[17:57:07] <Kotono> "I don't know," Reiko drawls out like the Grim Reaper himself, the words like waves of ice, "I think Hotaru was about to need privacy, unless she's into showing off as well."
[17:57:54] <Kotono> "Dear...it's natural!" Dad tries to smile again, stepping away from the Reiko. Waving his hands defensively as his glasses slide down his nose, "She's a beautiful young girl blossoming into adult hood, and he's a responsible young man...isn't he?" Oooh, a look right at Yoshi again!
[17:58:28] <Kotono> "Yes sir!" Yoshi is quick on that answer, nodding ferverntly!
[17:59:16] <Kotono> "See? No problem." Besides." Dad stops to come back in, patting his wife very gently, "At worst...well, they'll have lovely grandchildren?" Smiling, as if expecting an easy laugh from that joke.
[18:00:35] <Kotono> "Souichi. Out." Mother points, arm as rigid as a shotgun's barrel.
[18:00:54] <Hotaru-chan> "..." Hotaru just shakes her head, putting her shirt back in order. It was technically still on! "We're not...agh," she growls, blowing at her bangs. "I've dated Yoshi before, mom, nothing went wrong then."
[18:00:59] <Kotono> Dad tries to speak, but parents lock eyes! He takes several steps back immediately after, doorbound and not arguing it out!
[18:02:13] <Kotono> "Oh yes, I remember that name now. The one in the theater, Hotaru?" A question that doesn't really beg an answer, Mom looking on at both of you. "Yoshi, just go home."
[18:04:15] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru glares at her mother, a look beginning to fill with glowing violet will. "The one I spent months with?" she corrects, sighing and leaning over to kiss Yoshi's cheek. "I'll meet you at the cafe day after tomorrow," she breathes in his ear, a small smile offered amidst the anger.
[18:04:39] <Kotono> Yoshi murmurs back, "Okay. Sorry, it's not my place, and I don't think either of you want me to turn this into a scene, do you?"
[18:05:12] <Hotaru-chan> "It's fine," Hotaru assures, shaking her head, and gently pattin Yoshi's arm.
[18:06:18] <Kotono> "Thanks," With that Yoshi get sup, beating a retreat past Reiko and out!
[18:06:35] <Kotono> Once he's out the door is closed, Reiko just looking on with a steely, ungiving look at Hotaru. "Not. In. The. House."
[18:08:34] <Hotaru-chan> "Okay," Hotaru answers, blinking slightly. She expected more. But, one does not look a gift horse in the mouth.
[18:11:03] <Kotono> "Secondly." Reiko pauses a moment, striding in and out of the room. It's only a few moments, but she returns with a card. Pressing it into Hotaru'shand, she sees it's for a gynecologist. "If you insist on getting your legs spread," she adds with a bito f acid. "Third, just order out dinner. Your father and I are going to eat out tonight. Fourth?" Mom stops and crosses her arms again, "Doing it in the roof we provide, while we're a few room
[18:11:23] <Kotono> few rooms away? I'm dissapointed in you." With that Reiko storms off.
[18:13:54] <Hotaru-chan> "Thanks for the confidence!" Hotaru snaps as her mother's leaving, not expecting to get more from it. No, mom'll be stuck on her assumption for at least a few days. So Hotaru sighs, falling into bed and hugging her green pillow. She doesn't really feel like eating.
[18:15:10] <Kotono> "Thanks for doing it in your room!" Mom fires back, moving to slam the door but stopping a mere inch from doing so. Instead she turns back around, "You're only 14!" Now she does storm away for good, out and leaving Hotaru be.
[18:16:13] <Hotaru-chan> "We WEREN'T," Hotaru fires back at a near scream at even the abrest pause, since she'll at least be within range, before settling in. Ugh.
[18:18:34] <Hotaru-chan> Eventually, Hotaru stops staring into space. Instead? She calls Rei-chan! Rei's willing to get angry at her, but still...yeah. She's also the closest in attitude to her mother as people go, so...
[18:19:45] <Kotono> OOC - Call call or communicator call?
[18:20:06] <Hotaru-chan> OOC - Communicator! I need face to face...
[18:21:01] <Kotono> OOC - Okay.
[18:23:30] <Kotono> It takes a bit for Rei to pick up. The sunset is behind her room's window, the miko lying in bed with the sheets up to her neck as she turns the view. "Yeah?" Her hair is a bit mussed and she follows up with a yawn. "So'ry, just dozed off. What's up?"
[18:28:31] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles a bit. "Good news and bad news, if you feel like talking...none of it senshi related, though," she offers, still blushing despite all the anger and screaming.
[18:30:50] <Kotono> "Sure. Just a couple." Rei puts down the communicator, faint noises of walking away for a few. It's not long, Rei returning fresh faced and sipping a cup of tea. "Alright, go on."
[18:33:36] <Hotaru-chan> "On the up side, I have a boyfriend...specifically my ex from two years ago," Hotaru blushes, shaking her head. "Since...well, okay, I grew up, so it's not awkward anymore..." she sighs.
[18:44:23] <Kotono> "Oh? Which one was that...Yoshi, the one we all saw that one time way back?" Rei banters back lightly. "But you don't really look happy"
[18:47:06] <Hotaru-chan> "Yeah, Yoshi." Hotaru's smile is weak as she nods, taking a eep breath. "Well...being as we dated before...um, we didn't...um...okay, we started making out on my bed!" Hotaru brusts out, cheeks fiery red.
[18:48:54] <Kotono> "...wow. In your room? You took a guy into your room?" Rei archly raises her eyebrow. "That's both daring and really stupid!"
[18:50:57] <Hotaru-chan> "Maaah...Yoshi's fine, we talked about it before we even got into my house," Hotaru shakes her head, chewing on her lip nervously. "He wanted to see how much of a library it was...and I wanted him to meet mom and dad...but...they kind of walked in after we got distracted..."
[18:53:27] <Kotono> "..yep, stupid," Rei scowls at H otaru, "Really stupid, but how bad did it go down, anyway?"
[18:54:37] <Hotaru-chan> "About how I might've expected..." Hotaru sighs, closing her eyes. "Dad just looked kind of embarrassed, made vague threats over hurting me and insisting Yoshi had to be 'responsible'. Mom...mom went ballistic, and seemed to stick to the idea that Yoshi and I were having sex."
[18:56:24] <Kotono> "So yeah, how long are you grounded for," Rei asks simply, shaking her head in annoyance, disgust and shock. "Don't you have a park near your house? Go in the bushes or something at worst!"
[18:59:41] <Hotaru-chan> "...Oh, I'm not grounded. Mom realized back before Gaia that grounding me was an impossibility given magic," Hotaru murmurs with a snort. "She gave me a gynecologist's card, a few choice stabs, and left," Hotaru shrugs and sighs. "Yoshi's...mah, you don't want to me plot my lovelife," she murmurs, snickering. "Sorry, I just wanted someone to talk to, and you're blunter about it."
[19:00:52] <Hotaru-chan> *to hear me
[21:03:11] <Anastasia> "Blunt? Fine, you were an idiot that let your hormones get away with you, and you're lucky your Mom came home so yo don't have him inside of you?" Rei is indeed blunt, a little vicious as well. "So there you go. How're you gonna recover from this wreck?"
[21:05:15] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru rolls her eyes. "By the time she walked in, I'd already told him we weren't going past feeling up..." Hotaru sighs, her smile twisting. "I even still had all my clothes on me, jeez...um...how? Probably wait until mom's calmed down and keep Yoshi away from them until after that?"
[21:08:07] <Anastasia> "Damn..." REi tosses her hair as she sits up, wearing a loose frumpy T-shirt. Someone's not trying today, is she? "Have fun with it? Right guy's pretty good at it," REi insinuates even easier.
[21:12:38] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru raises an eyebrow at Rei, smiling. "Yoshi's good at it," she agrees softly, smiling easily and glancing towards the door. "He stopped halfway...asking if I wanted to do more..." she bites her lip, blushing. "Most of the girls in class didn't talk about their boyfriend offering though..." she frowns a moment, shaking her head. "Mah, probably just not listening."
[21:14:09] <Anastasia> "Or something, or they're just not that good at it. Oh well." So REi smirks again, "Anyway, go get yourself some ice cream and relax."
[21:18:48] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sticks her tongue out at Rei. "Thanks for listening," she laughs, smiling. "See you monday, Rei-chan."
[21:19:46] <Anastasia> "Yeah, see ya. Oh, might drop into your bakery some day after school. Got a craving for chocolate. Later." With that Rei winks away, leaving Hotaru to her devices again.
[21:20:35] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers, following Rei's advice. Ice cream, and then maybe takeout. And just avoid mom for now.
[21:25:11] <Anastasia> ---

[Laggy]

This takes place on some weekend, probably a week after Asher's first encounter with Kotono and Hotaru.

<Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
<Kotono> Aaah, the respite of Sunday! This should be a day of rest and fun by all means, right? It should be a nice morning to head downstairs after a good nap, right? However, the phone rings as Asher eats breakfast. Mom goes to get it, and, "Asher, phone," she dutifully calls back, going back to making eggs for the third straight weekend.
<Asher> Swallowing down whatever portion happened to be in his mouth, Asher stands up from his seat and heads over to the phone. Who'd be calling on Sunday? Mokou, maybe? Not a whole lot of people had his phone number in the first place, and nothing at school particularly stood out...
<Kotono> Oh no. Magic? A vision from her? The phone book? Hell if you know! But it's still her voice! "Hiya, Asher-chan, did you wannad o something today since Rei-chan is over and my house and I thought I'd invite you over to see my room and we could talk about really cool Supernatural things or maybe invite Hot-chan or Usa-chan or someone else over and have some fun, huh?!"
<Asher> Asher immediately retreats to the farthest, most remote corner possible in the room with the phone and away from potential parental listeners and waits a moment to reply. The moment is mandatory for him to will his lungs to begin functioning again. Asher's reply is a good deal more subdued. "Well, I was hoping get some training in today, but if we could work that in..."
<Kotono> "We can mana-ack!" Kotono's voice is cutoff, the sound of ab rief struggle! "Let go, you idiot!" Another voice demands, and then, "Hello. Asher?" You dimly think this is...oh, what was her name? Rei? Reiko? Something like that.
<Asher> "Speaking," Asher replies abruptly, sounding a little surprised at the cutoff. He idly glances off to the side at the kitchen where the rest of his breakfast was cooling.
<Kotono> Mom's still cooking eggs. Dad's off reading the Sunday paper or napping, whichever. "This is Rei - Sailor Mars and Kotono's friend. Anyway, you know, you don't HAVE to come over, Kotono's having one of her-OW!" There's a few screams, as, "HEY, YOU LITTLE MEANINE...MEAN..M.EAN...REI-CHAN!" Kotono shouts this full bore, the sounds of a fight heard! Oooh, is that a chair breaking?
<Asher> "........" Um. Asher stands there blankly, holding the phone with a look of profound disbelief on his face. Then he speaks up again, trying to put some more volume into his voice. "Rei? Kotono?" That definitely didn't sound good.
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=2, 5]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=1, 6]
<Kotono> roll 2d6 tiebreak!
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 tiebreak! and gets 7." [2d6=5, 2]
<Kotono> roll 2d6 tiebreak!
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 tiebreak! and gets 10." [2d6=4, 6]
<Kotono> There' another five seconds of bickering before you hear, "Oh, Asher!" Kotono sounds a little winded, but she's okay. "Sorry about that, I think Rei-chan and I just had another fight since she's being mean, but it's okay adn tell you what we'll stop on over in a little while, okay?"
<Asher> "...okay..." There's a healthy amount of caution in Asher's tone as he hazards as to what the two could possibly be fighting over. But now isn't the time in inquire. "Uh, where do you live? Anywhere near T*A?"
<Kotono> "I'll just cmoe up and blink you over or walk you from there, okay, since you should know where we live! See you in say a half hour, right, since...AAAAH! PUT DOWN MY EXCALIBER MODEL, REI-CH-" Then several thumps and then a dial tone...
<Asher> Right. A half hour. Carefully placing the phone back down, Asher wearily shakes his head before trudging back over to the kitchen to finish the remnants of breakfast. He'd have to run to make it there in time on foot, but it was doable.
<Kotono> So to T*A Asher goes! A very plain day with a faint wind, the gates of the school closed for the Sunday. But against them a blonde girl rests, as well as a raven haired beauty. Rei wears cute pink coveralls and a white T-shirt, Kotono going for a very tight black T-shirt and a small miniskirt. Rei's the one that happens to spot you, waving as you approach quietly.
<Asher> And Asher is making his way a bit out of breath, having pretty much jogged consistently the entire way - hey, it's quite a few miles away from home and he didn't have that much of a timeframe. Equipped with more casual clothes than the norm that Kotono would've spotted him in working at the bookstore, along with the now customary backpack and, of course, ye kendo stick neatly strapped on back. He slows down his approach and waves back.
<Kotono> "Hey," Rei gives Asher a level, all too understanding smile just a second before Kotono turns.
<Kotono> "Hiya!" Kotono beams at him, cheeks glowing as she scoots over. "So c'mon, let's go since I said I'd show you my house and room, right, and it has a lot of really cool things and it also has my bed but you're not that forward thinkign are you, huh, and that would be really kinda...woah..." Kotono stops midbreath, wobbling back and forth.
<Asher> "Rei, I assume?" Asher seems to be pretty composed for standards, given that Kotono isn't far from tackle distance and even given her neverending output of speech. He responds to the blonde with the faintest of exasperated looks before continuing again. "I'm Asher, but of course you already know that."
<Kotono> "Yes, and condolences," She smiles wryly as Kotono stops, starting to wobble like she's gonna fall voer! She's gone dead silent, eyes unfocused.
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=1, 6]
<Asher> OOC - can I try to catch her here?
<Kotono> OOC - Sure.
<Asher> OOC - Body check?
<Kotono> OCO - Sure
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]
<Kotono> Not quite fast enough, Asher sees Kotono fall to the ground at his feet! "Hey, Kotono!" Rei snaps, her smile gone as she rushes to be at the girl's side. "You alrigth, airhead?"
<Asher> Not awake enough to catch Kotono, but Asher freaks out considerably as he gets back down too to help Kotono back up to her feet. "Kotono? You okay?"
<Kotono> "Ooooh..." Kotono murmurs, lifting her face up from it's planted in the sidewalk position. "...oooh. Vision..."
<Asher> Moving over to take her hand and gently tugging at her to get back up to her feet, Asher blinks at that. "Vision? Rei, please tell me you didn't hit her too hard or something..."
<Kotono> "No," Rei scowls, "She has these every so often, but they've been rare lately. She's the Sailor of Time and Space, so sometimes she sees the future."
<Asher> There was a bit of a skeptic look at that, but Asher lets it pass quickly, putting that aside to consider the words. He wanted to open his mouth and ask something, but his attention was riveted mainly on getting the post-faceplanted blonde back up.
<Kotono> "I'm okay...just...I didn't get her name," Kotono murmurs, spacey voiced. Her eyes are still unfocused. "I think she has blue or green or light purple hair, but she was in the sky with someone in a white uniform or suit."
<Asher> Asher bites back a bit of a sigh. "Well, if I see someone in the sky, I'll be sure to let you know."
<Kotono> "...great. Try to remember more next time," Rei mimics in almost the exact same way, rubbing her temples. "So one of them has hair like that and there's a guy in white. Okay, it'll be good to know.":
<Kotono> "I'm okay...I got it..." Kotono very slowly pushes herself up, dusting off her shirt. "Yeah, it's usually something serious or interesting or worthwhile, you know?"
<Asher> "Is the future not mutable, though?" Asher sounds honestly curious as he steps back, his lips pursed. "Wouldn't you even having this vision be cause for potential to change things?"
<Kotono> "Winner," Rei says as she stands, sighing again. "Yes, exactly.  Kotono's had visions that didn't come true after the fact because we did different things. Don't get her stated about it - time paradoxes are a headache I wouldn't wish on Jadeite."
<Asher> "The whole magic thing is a funny business," he agrees lamently, though with a bit of a chuckle. He'd remembered being driven nuts by a few novels he'd read with time paradox-involved plots himself. And to heed Rei's warning, a bit of a verbal prod to Kotono. "So. Um, Kotono, your house, you said?"
<Kotono> A quiet nod, "Yeah, let's go," Kotono says, keeping quiet as you begin to go! So on you go - into a very nice neighborhood. Two and three story houses, money clearly on display. The streets are clean and the yards are large, and you eventually come into a small cul de sac off the main way. Here one house in particular is pointed two - three stories with a single car parked outside. Nice but in slight need of a paint job, and oddly, the
<Kotono> there are a few scorch marks in the grass, as well as a slightly uneven section, as if a big hole or crater had been filled in.
<Asher> Asher throws a pointed look towards that particular .. landmark, but considers inquiring to be a rather dangerous course of action that could lead to disastrous outcomes. Yet still, Kotono seems oddly subdued for her normal self after that vision. Keeping pace behind the two of them, he speaks up quietly. "Anything happen over the weekend? Another attack, or anything?"
<Kotono> "Not really, no," Rei supplies, drifting back as Kotono goes ahead. Lowering her voice, "Guess she's shaken up. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts." Rei adds this in a conspirator's whisper.
<Asher> "It's a bit eerie, actually," Asher speaks back in a similarly low tone. There's no denying the tangible amount of relief in his voice! But at the same time, he seems to always be looking over Kotono's shoulder as they walk, as though expecting her to just collapse on the spot again at any given moment.
<Kotono> Opening up, you see Kotono's front door goes right into her kitchen. She also doesn't take off her shoes. It's a nice kitchen if silghtly dated, however, really big! "Yeah, pretty much." Rei admits, "Just enjoy it. Trust me."
<Asher> Even if she doesn't, it would feel just thoroughly wrong to walk around with shoes in a house, at least for Asher. He pries them off and slides them to the side, following slowly and taking a good look around. The large amount of open space, again, is a bit of a new experience for him.
<Kotono> Rei doesn't remove her shoes either, shrugging. "Western style house - Dad's rich," she laconically informs him. Indeed, even if it's not updated you have to admit this place speaks of moneeeey. Big and nice, a huge living room ahead! Old black leather couches and a crystalline figure collection in the back. It's a bit dusty, but it all says $$$$.
<Kotono> Kotono goes to that couch and sits, closing her eyes. "Bleh...that one really took it out of me, you know? Rei-chan, um, could you take care of Asher for a bit since I'm just really tired and I think I wanna take a nap, okay?"
<Asher> "Uh." Asher starts a bit at that, the engrossment with the house's style snapping away. "I suppose so. Was there anything in particular you wanted to bring up, though? If not, I could always do my regimen in the back yard or something till you feel better..."
<Kotono> "Just some Supernatural stuff." Kotono curls up on the couch, resting her head down on her arm. She really does look tired, you note, eyes dropping shut.
<Kotono> "C'mon," Rei gently murmurs, "Even if Kotono's better at these then Setsuna, they're not always perfect."
<Asher> It's not without a bit of staring before Asher is assured that the Ko-creature is, in fact, asleep. It's still a bit of a shock to see her actually... well, exhausted. He's startled yet again out of this by Rei's words and gives her a nod. "Still, I never thought I'd see something wear her out so quickly."
<Kotono> Rei leads Asher upstairs, up old but firm stairs to the second floor. Lots of rooms here, all with shut doors. Once you're up here and in the plain, lightly decorated hall(Well, one door has a few alien stickers on it...), "Visions aren't easy. It's why Setsuna nearly blinded herself not to be Sailor Pluto anymore."
<Asher> "Setsuna being?" The ease of familiarity in which Rei threw the word around made him try to recall back everything that Hotaru had told him. But Asher distinctly doesn't remember a Setsuna.. although something about Pluto's replacement and Kotono...
<Kotono> "Yeah. The old Sailor Pluto, the should've been." Stopping in front o fthat stickered door and making no move to open it, Rei rests a hand on her hip. "She wished on part of the Silver Crystal to make Kotono Pluto instead. It's a really long story."
<Asher> "Not until you've heard it," Asher replies quietly, similarly coming to a halt in front of the door. "But whatever you feel's most important to go over first."
<Kotono> "Heh, heh." Rei turns, tossing her beautiful black hair as she grasps the doorknob. "Honestly, Setsuna's old history, and unless you come to the right Supernatural Club meeting you'd probably never meet her. She's not a bad person by any means, just...an idiot." Rei decides on that, "For whatever reason you like."
<Kotono> Turning and sending a small smile at Asher, "She's what happenes when you run from your fate. I supposei t's not something you can really change, even if you didn't choose."
<Asher> There's a brief, unreadable expression on Asher's face again with Rei's choice of words. He looks serious, even a bit thrown back with a hint of disbelief. "As though everyone were so lucky enough to be presented their fate. When it comes down to it... supernatural things, the danger, the secrecy aside... I find a lot of comfort in just knowing what road I'm on. Can't really say whether you'd be an idiot for taking it or not, though."
<Asher> "That'd be the realm of regrets, and I'm sure everyone's done that at some time or another." His gaze resumes back to the flowing dark black hair that Rei so extravagantly shows - not often he met any girls who kept it that long - and then the door next to her.
<Asher> --taking it or not, though."
<Kotono> "The road you're on...hmph." Rei huffs to herself, letting go of the doorknob and crossing her arms. "It's just life - the kami are important, but they don't dictate every thing we do. It's just that we're stuck with it. Oh, and it's a gift, no matter how much the actual work sucks." Now Rei smiles, a cocky grin. "I can't argue that since the first time I flew over Tokyo."
<Asher> "I'd say being stuck on it to this extent is a bit more than 'just' life," he adds in comment to that. "But my life's been necessarily routine for as long as I've known it, so that might my own perspective putting a spin on things." He chuckles politely at the latter remark. "Though I have to admit I'd love to be able to fly. I already waste enough days just traveling across the city on foot... can't imagine how much I'd do that in the air."
<Asher> --do that in the air."
<Kotono> "Heh, depressed much," Rei can't help but smile because fo the last words; nay, grin. "Yeah, it's amazing. See if you can get someone to teach you it or if you can figure it out yourself. Mako-chan or Usagi-chan or even Hotaru-chan could. Kotono if she ever stops just wanting to be 'really cool antigravity!'.
<Asher> "...really cool antigravity," Asher repeats. "Wouldn't that... only work for vertical purposes anyway...?"
<Kotono> "Hell if I know. It's Kotono - I just nod and smile and assume she'll work it out someway or another. Do you really want to try to understand how she does something?" With a cocky laugh Rei tosses her hair again, "So," she leans forward, idly brushing her hand against Asher's side, "Ready to see her room?"
<Asher> "I at least try to make an attempt, if nothing else," he quickly shoots back out, somewhat defensively, and then hazards her a long look of suspicion. "Why, is there some dark secret in there that you've all been keeping from me till now?"
<Kotono> "Of course. It's Kotono - wanna guess?" Rei lightly banters back, smiling cutely.
<Asher> "No. No I don't. Guessing games make me erk." With that, Asher smiles back with a hint of a smirk on his face and places one hand on the surface of the door. "Though this half feels like you're expecting a reaction."
<Kotono> "Damn," Rei snaps her finger, letting her hand brush Asher's as she pushes open the door.  Inside...woooow! While they're aren't any tentacle plants or aliens, there is almost everything else! Table after table cluttered with books and items beyond belief! Magazines are strewn about, most with supernatural or alien motifs. Posters line the walls; a 'magic sword' is mounted near her bed!  It's a huge room, and filled to the absolute bri
<Kotono> bsolute brim with supernatural knick nacks!
<Asher> "...you know, I never thought I'd walk into a girl's room and find something like this," he remarks in a bit of a hushed awe. Not that Asher's been to a lot of friend's houses in the first place! But a few, and Rei didn't know this. He lets her go in first, eyes quickly scanning the finer details of the material that Kotono has so eagerly spread around.
<Kotono> Supernatural Digest '94, Spring Issue! A 'real crystal ball', even with a little plaque to verify it as such! A unicorn horn, in a small class case and labelled. Books on magic. A Necronomicon titled tome. A book on world myths. A piece of the 'Turin Shroud'. Water from permafrozen ice in Antarctica. That sorta stuff.
<Asher> ...good grief. Obsession at its finest, and costing a pretty penny too. It's with a bit of a deep breath that he takes it all in, doing his best to try to hide back to the brief smile that struggles to come to his face. "Very much like Kotono. Enthuisastically eccentric and subject to all sorts of ideas and whims."
<Kotono> "Yeah. Most of it's junk - but some of it is real, considering what we do. The unicorn horn if rom a real unicorn on Gaia." Rei points that out, sitting on the unmade bed. "Exactly, yeah." As you come in the smell of oranges overwhelms you. Several iar fresheners with that scent are in the room here and there.
<Asher> Asher remains standing, albeit his eyes scan the room for another suitable place to sit down as he looks at the particular trinkets that Rei points out. But aside from virtue of novelty, they don't really offer that much insight for him. The other many doors in the hallway suddenly come to mind. "Who else lives here aside from her? Her parents?"
<Kotono> There's a few chairs, but most of them serve as mini tables for junk. "Her dad. Mom died when she was a kid." A faint scowl passes over Rei's face at this, "There's a game room that they never use, a guest room that's the same, and some odds and end stuff that I don't think anyone's been in for years."
<Asher> "It looks like it..." Remaining up on his feet and occasionally leaning over to examine something every once in a while, Asher mulls it all over. "...that's something I was wondering about, actually... do your families all know about everything?" He turns back to regard Rei with full attention.
<Kotono> "Yeah. Usagi's does, my Grandfather...he's special and figured it out by himself." A faint look of pride there, Rei smiling fiercely. "Ami's Mom knows, Kotono's Dad knows but doesn't care, and I think that's it."
<Asher> "Doesn't care." That was rewarded with an odd look from Asher. "I... see." Well, at least that said a lot as to the house's condition and what kind of life Kotono lead. And now all of that obsession seems to be a little more justified to him. He could barely imagine what kind of life he'd lead without his parents around... for all that he never really stopped to think about it until now. "It's good to hear that all took it well, at least,
<Asher> and didn't ship you off to a clinic or anything." One vacant worry gone!
<Kotono> "Heh. It worked out - demonstrations help." That gets Rei to smirk, "Though to be honest, my Grandfather has a few tricks himself. He's a very wise and intelligent old man who's a master priest. I wish I was half the priest he was, but..." Rei shrugs a little. "Guess my talent with to Mars."
<Asher> "A master priest?" He glances back over down at Rei, curiousity now piqued. "Where at?"
<Kotono> "At the Hikawa Shrine. I'm a miko there since I live with him." Ooooh, Rei's smile picks up, becoming pride ful. "Come over sometime - I'll show you a good time there and even give you a free charm."
<Asher> Somehow, the exotic beauty that Rei very easily showed off seemed to give added weight to her statement. Asher smiles a bit nervously under that line, punctuating it with a slow nod. "Someday, sure. I'm sure at this rate that I'll be dragged all -over- Tokyo soon enough, anyway... or flown, or teleported, or something equally outlandish, as it were."
<Kotono> "Yep." Rei just agrees with that, lying back on the bed in relaxation. "Look," Clearing her throat, "You're clearly not insane and you're kinda nice. You okay with Kotono?" Peeking up her head slightly, "I'll try to talk to her if you want."
<Kotono> "I don't want you to get dragged along with her just because she's hyper. It sucks, trust me." Rei smiles again - more like a wry, tired look of ARGHness more than anything else.
<Asher> "No, it's..." What WAS it? Someone was directly offering him a pathway to sanity! But Asher just keeps wearing that uneasy smile, not... really sure on how to respond to that. "I can handle it. If I can't even learn to get used to her, then I think there'll be a lot more issues that'll be coming my way. Besides..." He hesitates. "Not like I have a lot to do anyway."
<Asher> There is a vague implication that that wasn't the first thing he had in mind, but it sounds true enough!
<Kotono> "It's your funeral. Offer stands later, it's the least I can do to a fellow victim." A real, amused look is on Rei's face, seeming to look right through you. "Good luck, then."
<Asher> "Somehow, I doubt very highly that luck's got anything to do it," he answers back dryly. "Call it inner masochism if you insist. Besides, you all seem to be relatively intact yourself and you've probably gotten far more exposure to people worse than Kotono than is healthy for -any- person."
<Kotono> "I can handle it. You on the other hand? It may not be pretty. Dear God, can you imagine if yout wo go a ways? There's Kotono, then there is doing THAT with Kotono!"
<Kotono> Rei looks almost like she wants to laugh, but she pats the bed besides her instead.
<Asher> Asher nearly chokes at that, visibly blushing and trying to get rid of that by giving the miko a hard look. It takes a few seconds for him to catch his breath and reply coherantly. "Given her inability to stay on topic for any given thing, I don't think that'll ever come up."
<Asher> Man, he was already giving up and admitting the possibility existed! This sucked. Throwing his hands up with a low groan, Asher falls down to a sitting position on the floor, muttering darkly. "I'm only burying myself more, aren't I."
<Kotono> Understanding seems to flow freely as Rei smirks. "Yep. If you're gonna bail on her, do it as soon as possible. Now you can get out of it, but later? She's like a laser when she focuses, and do you wanna try to deflect that?"
<Kotono> "'course if you do?" Rei smiles a little more, "Gimme a call, hmmmmm?" Lightly purring in her throat, "You're kinda cute."
<Asher> Asher smiles briefly to himself, his look wavering away from Rei to the myriad of books aside. The way the conversation flowed so easily let him get out his thoughts with an ease he normally didn't have. "I don't think you have quite like what I think it is. Sometimes I envy Kotono's energy as much as I'm thoroughly scared of it. Like I said... masochism seems to be a suitable explanation."
<Asher> Though the last comment shoved him over at the edge as he gives her an odd look. "Heaven help me if you're right and Kotono catches wind of that. I haven't seen her when someone crosses her. Yet."
<Asher> The surrealness of their words is both odd and makes perfect sense at the same time... he can't recall a single memory of talking with -anyone- about this subject matter before, whether with friends, or parents. Even Mokou's occasional forced inserts on the matter were in jest and humor if nothing else. With that understanding comes an odd silence as Asher pauses and seems to stare off.
<Kotono> "....just good luck," Rei sighs in light exasperation at those words, flopping her head back down to bounce on the soft material of Kotono's bed. "Oh well, I tried. Least I could do for you."
<Asher> "It's appreciated." Sincere words spoken with a bit of hesitation. He turns around, still in a sitting position and tries to find something relatively stable and solid to lean back against as he angles over to look at the now prone Rei. "Why, you think I'm trying to shoot myself in the foot? I don't mind being told 'I told you so' later, if that's any concern at all on your mind."
<Kotono> "It's Kotono. What you see is what you usually get. Is that what you want?" Rei sits up again, scowling just a little bit. "I'm not gonna tell you your business, but I think you're insane if you don't at least stand up for yourself against her. Otherwise you're ni for a lot of of her and all she likes."
<Asher> He holds back a bit of a sigh at that, feeling a little embarassed. "I suppose my mind was banking rather heavily on the assumption that she'd wear herself out eventually. False hopes, I know."
<Kotono> "HAH!" Oh, Rei just laughed right at Asher, sitting up. "That's retarded. She has enough energy to solve the world's oil crisis if they found a way to make cars take Kotono."
<Asher> "Hey, look, I can't read everyone like a psychic," he mutters derisively, definitely a tone of feeling wounded in there. "That amount of hyperactivity is unreal. I couldn't grasp someone being like that being it 24/7 when I first met her!"
<Asher> A bit of a pause. "But. Um. I guess I'm supposed to say I've caught on by now." A wary smile plasters across his face, as he dances his eyes away from Rei and into something nearby, avoiding her direct gaze. "Just Kotono being herself, as it were. You don't think there's any kind of suitable distraction that could be used to calm her down?"
<Kotono> "The Supernatural - but if she likes you, I worry that it may not be enough. You see, you're a cute boy AND you're Supernatural AND you have a 'cool supernatural weapon'. Trifecta."
<Kotono> Rei laughs at that, getting up. "You're screwed. Badly." Patting Asher, "Gonna go get a drink, and why don't you go practice instead?"
<Asher> Asher looks like a man who was just delivered his death sentence as he stands up in response to Rei. "Yeah, yeah. Guess I'll go do that. Her backyard's well sized? I'm finding out more and more that thing - " A rueful glance at the kendo stick " - likes lots of room."
<Anastasia> "Go on - door's the farstest on the right, house is on a hill so it works out that way. Split level and all that." Rei waves vaguely, "Have fun."
<Asher> "Mmhm." Asher quietly picks himself up and makes his way out, leaving the door open as he makes his exit. Heading out the way Rei directed... or... well. First, he ambles slowly back down the stairs to check up on Kotono's condition. She still out and napping?
<Anastasia> She is. S he's curled up amid herself, softly breathing. Her miniskirt has rolled up, a nice pair of pristine white panties glimpsed if Asher so wishes.
<Asher> No, he doesn't get quite close enough to make out that much detail. Back out to the back yard he goes, dragging along heavy pack and good ol' Reclaimer with him. How's the day today?
<Anastasia> It's reasonably nice and cool. Not much of note, a few clouds without being cloudy. It's a large backyard, fenced off with high privacy fences in all directions. There's the wreckage of a small rocket launching pad, burnt and ruined. Also a half seared pentagram near the northern fence.
<Asher> A pentagram. Yup, definitely Kotono's place! What kind of view does the house have from here? Any rooms looking out?
<Anastasia> There's a few rooms with a window view, but the fences ar ehigh enough to prevent anyone looking in. It's fairly isolated.
<Asher> Eh. No point in rushing oneself ahead, especially in broad daylight. Asher starts off his routine normally, going back into the long practiced and flowing movements of his regimen to warm things up. The more .. interesting aspects can wait for later.
<Asher> And with no preamble or drama or sudden shatterings of glass, he starts off slow and ends up fast: the basics, the next and more intermediate steps, and then the full blown weaves and strikes that were the last thing his last sensei taught him. But today, he tries to experiment a little more, adding some more swipes, a few more ducks and slides, and quite a few jumps here and there... wondering if anything's carried over from the sword in that regard.
<Asher> --from his more locked away abilities in that regard.
<Anastasia> While he's not as agile or leapy as he was, he does find that he does a bit better than he used to. His body is finer tuned, reactions coming with a smoothness that borders on unnatural - which he is now, one could suppose.
<Asher> Integrating that into his new moves, Asher goes ahead and does something that for some reason had never occurred to him before... developing his own routine. In the far back of his mind, an old saying his grandfather used to quote came to mind as a warning. "A man who teaches himself has a fool for a teacher." But at the same time, he couldn't stand around and just expect someone to teach him about this.
<Asher> Well, there were the senshi. But even they could only help so much, and Hotaru had said herself that it was something you'd have to pick up through your own ways. Why had he limited himself to such a rigid and strictly defined mentality about going this the entire time? And so he starts, using faster swipes, more daring manuevers that his sensei would've likely reprimanded him for even trying. But he had to test.
<Anastasia> As this happens Asher becomes aware - not of progress offhand, but of a watcher. Kotono leans against the outside doorway, watching for now.
<Asher> Even though her presence startles him for a moment, he doesn't let up in his continual moving - at least, not until the end of the sequence he's in. Finishing it up with a brief series of somersaults and then a full-body leap - it feeling vaguely more like acrobatics then kendo, just with the bulky stick attached to his hand - he lands promptly, then stands back up. How much had passed between all of this? Asher feels worked up, certainly, but nowhere near the point of exhaustion...
<Asher> worked up, certainly, but nowhere near the point of exhaustion like he normally did.. and that had had to have been at least a half hour, since that was the length on his regular session. He blinks for a moment, feeling completely out of tune with time; this new speed was... throwing him off.
<Asher> Stepping back over to the doorway, Asher addresses the blonde casually with a quick approach. "Are you feeling better now?" And where's Rei?
<Anastasia> "I'm fine, just wante dot watch you a bit." Kotono smiles winsomely, "Gonna help us get whatever wasi n that vision by staying in practice, huh?"
<Asher> "I always stay in practice, Kotono." He tilts his head slightly. "I think this calls for a little more than that. But it wouldn't do to forget the basics. What about you, what're you up to?"
<Anastasia> "Well, I just woke up and Rei-chan's still upstairs." The way Kotono smiles, she makes it sound like the most easy and obvious thing in the world. "You're fun to watch, you know?"
<Asher> "About as fun as watching someone read or play a game, I suppose," Asher remarks dryly back. The air in the house feels decisively difference without the light breeze that was blowing outside, and the way he notices it more distinctly than the norm was... odd. "I think Rei was just taking a nap in your room."
<Anastasia> "Oh, that's fine." Kotono trots out and over to Asher. "So what's up with you today? You saw my room??
<Anastasia> "
<Asher> "Mmhm." He gives her a studious look at that. "Rei apparently decided it would be a good idea to expose me to it beforehand. I can't say that I'm overly surprised, but... um. You take the word 'hobby' to a whole new level."
<Anastasia> "It's because it's important," Kotono smiles even more, notably speaking slower. "Momma told me so, after all."
<Asher> Asher jerks back at that, his shoulders suddenly stiffening as what Rei told him earlier comes clear and strong to mind. He lets it pass as quickly as humanly possible, putting a smile on his face. "Yeah. Of course." Gently nudging her on the shoulder with his free hand, he glances up the stairs. "Should we head up there and bug Rei, then?"
<Anastasia> "Sure!" Kotono smiles, blushing at the little nudge. She leans closer to Asher as he begins to walk, "Let'sg o!"
<Asher> Well, it could be worse. He leads them up the stairs at an errand's pace and pokes his head in at the presumably still open door to see if Rei was awake and about.
<Anastasia> Rei's awake, idly flipping through a magazine. Poking her head in as she blushes a bit, "Heya, Rei-chan!"
<Anastasia> "Oh." Rei sighs just a little bit, shooting a cautious look to Asher. "Up already," she asks, not thrilled at all.
<Asher> "You were the one that hammered the point to me, Rei," Asher replies back earnestly with a bit of a smirk on his face. He strolls over into the room and resumes his normal spot from earlier, happy to just sit down on the floor while Kotono... well, what the heck did she have on her mind anyway?
<Anastasia> "Bah," Rei grumps, lying back down as Kotono get sin.
<Anastasia> "Right! Our purpose today is clear - Emergency Supernatural Club meeting! We're gonna have a special research session on magical swords, and you and Rei-chan can help me, Asher!"
<Anastasia> Kotono strides intot he room, nodding.
<Asher> "...uh, Kotono." Asher speaks up briefly. "Serenity already knows everything about it. It's a relic from the Moon Kingdom."
<Anastasia> "Well yeah, but I mean other magical swords! If Reclaimer is out there then there's Excaliber and other ones, right, and if we find those we'll be even cooler and stronger!" Nodding to herself as she goes to a table and fishes out a heavy book, "It makes sense, huh?"
<Asher> The urge to relapse back into crawl-away-and-hide-in-a-hole mode is strong, but why not try a different approach? Adopting a firm but agreeable tone of voice, Asher speaks up. "Kotono, what would we do if we found a sword from the Arthur era, honestly? Wouldn't that belong more in a museum than by us?"
<Anastasia> "No way! It would be magical like Reclaimer, and there's no point in it being in a museum when it can help save the world!" Pointing to the sky as she holds the book under one arm, "So for justice and awesome magic we're setting o ut!"
<Asher> "....okay..." Well, that line of reasoning wasn't going to work. At all. Let's try a different approach. "Well, so far, all of our magical items have been either Moon Kingdom-era or from Gaia, right?"
<Anastasia> "Right. Or just kinda showed up like Mako's sword." Rei shrugs a little, "Kotono, how about we work with what we have instead today?"
<Asher> Asher lets a bit of a pause hang there before replying. It wouldn't look too good if they both sounded like they were ganging up on Kotono at once, after all. "That might be a good idea... I'm just pointing out that as far as the realm of 'magical swords' go, it seems to be restricted with what we're actually sure of so far."
<Anastasia> "Well yeah, b ut it doesn't mean we can twork to find new ones, right?" Kotono says winsomely, giving Asher a HUGE smile. "Right, Asher?"
<Asher> ...mrf...  mrghle. Asher tries his best to reply cautiously, but it's really, really hard to look back at Kotono with a straight face. "...no, but... we should at least follow existing leads, Kotono. We can't just work off of nothing..."
<Anastasia> "Exactly," Rei nods sagely, "Figure out what we have before we go hurtling into the darkness."
<Anastasia> "Well...then...what about Reclaimer, huh?" Kotono smiles, looking dead on at Asher.
<Asher> "What about it?" Asher shrinks back a little under that look, though the kendo stick is, of course, right next to his side.
<Anastasia> "Well..." Kotono approaches quickly, zooming in for the kill or whatever goes through her mind. "Tell us about it, huh, everything1"
<Asher> A bit of backing up won't hurt here! Albeit Asher's gotten better at making this look... natural. Yes. Natural. He creeps ever so closely away from that sitting spot. "Well.. what.. um, more do you need to know? It was made in the Moon Kingdom, it draws on the power of wind... it talks to me, much to my chagrin, and apparently makes the wielder able to draw out the powers of a Knight..." That was about it, really.
<Anastasia> "So we'll look up for stuff on it!" Kotono smiles, coming to Asher's side and sitting next to him! So close to her, he can smell oranges as she latches in, not touching but too close, hovering...
<Asher> Reflexive instincts be damned, he did his best to keep his tone level and steady. Which... was working. ...so far. "What kind of sources do you have for stuff from the Moon Kingdom here...?" He remembers browsing around, but not anything in that particular field popping up...
<Kotono> "Well not much, it's not like there are books about it, which would be cool, but since there aren't we have to work with other stuff like legends and history and all sorts of cool stuff, even if we did find some stuff on the Beast Lord back in the day and that was cool!" Kotono rattles all of that off rapid fire, slowly starting to lean against Asher.
<Kotono> Rei sighs at this, coughing. "Y'know, I think I'll go get some drinks and leave you two alone," she decides, giving Asher a sympathetic but backing off look as Kotono head meets ASher shoulder.
<Asher> "B-b-b-but..." The protest that dies at Asher's lips earns him shoulders that slump over in defeat. No, he couldn't exactly expect a timed rescue from Rei after he had already been willing to dig himself in this deep! But that didn't mean she'd have to be so CRUEL. "... just check up again when you're bored, alright?" There's a whimper to the end of that request.
<Kotono> "Sure! Bback in awhile!" Rei waves as she beats feet out, as Kotono creeps into Asher, blonde orange girl seeming to find him pleasing.
<Kotono> "That was nice of Rei-chan...oooh!" Kotono blushes and closes her eyes, "Maybe she's thinking we're gonna do...or do ... or even THAT?!"
<Asher> "...or maybe she just wanted to get a drink?" He adds helpfully. Oh, heaven forbid he'd have to take the lesser of two evils. "So.. you were saying about legends and history from Moon Kingdom era...?"
<Asher> Asher also tries to edge away for a bit more of personal space, while all the meanwhile sporting a wary look...
<Kotono> Kotono just keeps on creeping, blushing more and more as she tries to keep pace! This leads to the two getting closer to her bed, Kotono pressing him back. "Well, there isn't much except what Queen Serenity tells us, right, so we don't know that much since Luna and Artemis aren't so good on it at times but they're still not bad and maybe we can talk to them later, huh, but if Rei-chan left us well..." Kotono blushes even more, before p
<Kotono> before presenting her face up and puckering her lips. "Do you...want to...kiss me, Asher?" Kotono asks in the sweetest voice you could imagine!
<Asher> Falling back. More. More. And more. It's like retreating from an encroaching lion. Even though this lion may be threatening in a completely different way, Kotono is very, very imposing right now! And probably not even aware of it... Asher backs up even more, his voice sounding a bit clammy. "...why do you ask that?" he manages with a very, very nervous smile. The poor boy is literally shaking.
<Kotono> "Because?" Kotono says winsomely, keeping the creep up, as Asher feels his back against Kotono's bed! "Oh, Asher, I...you're just so cute and you're always around me and it'ts totally fate and destiny and you like me too, right, so we should keep going since it's only natural!" Kotono's eyes are filled with hearts as she gets on her hands and knees, glowing with energy as she faces Asher dead on! Her lips pucker again, waiting  and ent
<Kotono>  waiting  and entirely too close!
<Asher> Ow. Is that the wall? Yeah, it is. Asher, like a cornered beast, realizes that this and now is the moment to do the absolutely most least likely thing that one can think of. That would be appropriate. Unfortunately, his mind freezes in the process of sifting through the myriad of possibilities this confers, and instead he just sort of sits there. Paralyzed. For a moment.
<Asher> Air then slowly returns to his lungs as he tries his damned best to gather himself - he wasn't a kid anymore, dammit. Looking up straight at Kotono, his voice carries just a tiny... little bit... of summoned conviction. "Kotono, heaven help me, and listen, I like you... but can you please... not..." He sucks in a breath. "Just... take it easy for a bit? Fate can happen on its own pace, you know..." Yeah maybe that witty remark will distract her.
<Asher> Maybe.
<Asher> --remark will distract her. Maybe.
<Kotono> "You like me?!" Kotono gushes, eyes sparking. "Why wait? It's totally fate and destiny and meant to be from the Elder Gods, so there's like no reason to wait, since well you make me feel funny and I...I wanna kiss you and touch you and all fo taht since this just has to be too awesome!" Another pause, Kotono bowing her head as she blushes, "I just...you're so nice and cute! All the normal cute guys just kinda run away, you know?!"
<Asher> This last statement comes with closing eyes and a long sigh. At least there is some minor amount of relief to be found in the fact that he isn't her first victim... that others have, in fact, shared in the pain. Of course, that was little in the face of the fact that he was her easiest target at the moment. Somehow. "Just kind of run away. I see. Any speculative theory on why that happens?" Somehow, oddly, delivered without <Asher> --his voice breaking up into itty bitty pieces. There isn't any resentment at all... just a vaguely curious tone to see if she really DID know. For all the signs that screams total ignorance... but no. He blinks back a bit, looking straight back into Kotono's face. There were those moments. Rare moments that he got a glimpse of the more serious side. You never know...
<Kotono> "Well?" Kotono does stop at this, still redfaced but at least hesitating! "Um, well...they say I'm cute, but they always get weird! You're not like that, are you, Asher?" Kotono looks at you with gigantic, praying eyes, watery. "I just...really want a nice boyfriend to be with, is that so wrong, huh?"
<Asher> Well. It could've been worse. Asher reopens his eyes and mutters something inaudible to himself before regarding Kotono with a bit more seriousness on his face. For all that she looks (and acts) ... questionably mature... who the hell was he to judge? And she -was- cute, in her own way. But.
<Asher> He hesitates a moment, and then places a somewhat shaky hand on her shoulder, speaking somewhat with the nervous smile still shakily expressed. "There's nothing wrong with that, no, just... Kotono, just... ergh, keep in mind that not -everyone- can keep up with you... you're a lot to take at once..."
<Asher> He bites down on his lips somewhat hard, trying really, really hard not to try to offend her. "Not that this is bad! Just... not all of us are blessed with your energy, and enthuiasism, and all. It's... intimidating sometimes."
<Kotono> "You want to take me?!" Kotono blurts out halfway, coloring like a red rose before she manages to get back ontrack! "Even if I'm al ot to take, but that's a really nice compliment, but well...um..." Kotono even triest o take a breath, smiling more demurely as she goes to ASher's side, resting her head on his shoulder. "I can try to be calmer. Really!"
<Asher> Mrfle. Asher just sinks back down, not really knowing what else he can DO. But her statement, even if he doesn't believe it for a millisecond, somehow manages to expel some of the tension off of his head. Right now a nice, sudden lapse of consciousness would be nice. ...or would it. ...ack. "That would be... nice, Kotono. If you really could... I think everyone would breathe a little more easily."
<Kotono> Oh dear. Kotono's all over your shoulder, purring as her arms wrap around Asher. "I'll try if that's what my Asher thinks," she says at as lower clip, looking up at him, "You do want me to hug you and be calm, don't you?"
<Asher> Okay. You know how that shaking got calmed down earlier? Asher is now positively shuddering with... anxiety? Fear? DESIRE?! Who knows. But it's enough to finally get him to tighten his grip on her shoulder and speak up a little more firmly. "Kotono! Please..." He takes in a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Steady, steady. She's so close, and...
<Asher> While these feelings aren't exactly unfamiliar, nor is he used to handling them in a real-time situation. He sucks in a deep breath, tries again. "Just... don't.. um, be so hasty. Or assume and... rush things." He smiles lamely, trying to come up with some stupid excuse while... realizing that he's got zero manuevering room. "Um..."
<Kotono> "Please...do you want me to," Kotono turns over a little, face to face with Asher, "I...you want me, or are...you going to tell me to go away like the others, huh, just that I don't wanna turn away, you're cute and nice and maybe, just maybe it's meant to be!" A dry sniffle by her, eyes ocking onto Asher's. "It's ust too easy to hope that maybe you're it, huh?"
<Kotono> As this happens? "Hey," Rei knocks on the door, "What did you two want for drinks since I'm coming back up in a moment?"
<Asher> THERE IS A GOD. Asher angles his head towards the direction of the door, suddenly realizing that Rei coming in and seeing this particular position would be Very Bad Indeed! At the same time, if he just jets away from Kotono, he'd probably leave her in a crying fit.
<Asher> ...oh, dammit. Well, one's a certainty, one isn't. Remaining submissively rooted to the spot she has him stuck in, he speaks up loudly with a bit too much enthuiasism. "Just water'll do, Rei!"
<Kotono> Snap, crackle. Kotono blinks heavily before blushing hotter, and then calling, "Um, orange juice, Rei-chan!"
<Kotono> A moment later she scurries off, blushing hotly and sitting besides Asher. A soft sniffle as she looks down, and then, "Just well...you know? Maybe you'll be the nice guy that doesn't tell me to go away, huh?"
<Asher> Asher then loses the ability to breathe as he waits for Rei to reply back... or open the door... or leave...
<Kotono> There's no reply from Rei confirming or not, just oppressive Rei-chan silence
<Asher> EXHALE.
<Asher> Looking down at Kotono with a weird look on his face, it's all Asher can do to not... well, not what? No, he really doesn't know what to say. It's dangerous to encourage this girl, it's dangerous to tread the line because she won't be ignored. And the little, irrational bit of his mind that tells him it's not right just to shove her off. Hell, in a way, she'd been the only real genuine friend he'd had for a while... that meant something.
<Asher> Looking down at Kotono with a weird look on his face, it's all Asher can do to not... well, not what? No, he really doesn't know what to say. It's dangerous to encourage this girl, it's dangerous to tread the line because she won't be ignored. And the little, irrational bit of his mind that tells him it's not right just to shove her off. Hell, in a way, she'd been the only real genuine friend he'd had for a while... that meant something.
<Asher> It's with this last lingering thought that he finally takes her a hand and gives her a hug, even as his face looks utterly and completely crestfallen. But it's just that. A hug. A firm one, even as he speaks quietly from behind her. "No, I'm not going to just tell you to go away. Just... take it easy, Kotono... and I don't mean just ... this." His words struggle to describe their immediate situation, but it grows stronger as he continues.
<Asher> "For everything. You might even find some things more appreciable when you let them go more slowly. ...kay?"
<Asher> --that meant something. (from earlier line)
<Asher> --stronger as he continues. (also from earlier line!)
<Kotono> "You won't?" For a moment Kotono's voice sounds honestly shakey, quivering from deep inside. "I knew it!" A crow of happy triumph, Kotono glomming on for dear life! "I knew it, Asher-chan!" Her face burrows into your shoulder and neck, turning it into a full body hold.
<Kotono> As this happens, you here a cough as the door opens. "Interrupting much," Rei smiles innocently, a few glasses in hand.
<Asher> AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH holyshit forgot all about Rei. Asher literally falls over from the shock, tumbling off the bed and probably into a large stack of something unpleasant!
<Kotono> Not quite - for Kotono is still glommed on, and what goes down with a blonde takes her with him!
<Kotono> So the two fall over! Into a half stack of books, falling all around you! Kotono yelps as one strikes the side of her head, but Asher is safe! Howevera, ll this makes Kotono do a face plant righ tinto Asher's own face!
<Asher> Asher sinks back into the desolate, bleak, utterly black existence that is his life and whimpers softly, letting out a quiet, weird "mrfle" sound as he just.. doesn't... move. For a few moments. It's like his entire body just shut down.
<Kotono> Kotono slowly raises her head up, a little dazed as she whimpers.
<Kotono> "Oh, here you go," Rei strides in, setting a glass of water and a glass of orange juice down besides the two 'lovebirds'.
<Asher> Fortunately, the sound of Rei's voice is apparently enough to breathe life back into Asher's form as he wearily tries to drag himself back up to his feet, looking similarly... out of it. He gently nudges Kotono off to the side so that she isn't... completely... on top of him... and looks back up at Rei with a completely surrendering look. "...thanks."
<Asher> With a not-so-steady hand, although he wills it to be enough so that he can handle his water without spilling it everywhere, he takes a brief sip, trying to catch his breath. It strikes him that this would be the moment to be completely overcome with embarassment, but somehow, the situation seems bearable with Rei. Small comfort.
<Kotono> "So, Kotono-chan!" Rei says easily, coming to kneel next to her friend and clasp a hand on her shoulder. For the moment before Kotono turns to look at her, Rei shoots you one hell of a look - it says ' you owe me a few million bucks, and like hell you're gonna pay up!'. "I forgot I have to do a special fire reading today...so tell you what, I can have one person with me. Wanna come?"
<Asher> Asher keeps his mouth readily shut aside from the few moments he takes conservative sips from the cup of water. It dulls the otherwise painful throb of his very dry throat, as he stays relatively still and quiet, his face remaining downcast.
<Kotono> "Well...oh, a special reading?" Kotono perks up just a little bit, looking at Asher the entire time.
<Kotono> "Yes, you idiot," Rei sighs, bapping her upsidet he head. "Go get your sill-er, 'cool' fire amplifying spells and we'll give it a shot."
<Asher> There's a bit of wince at that as he shoots Rei a glance, suddenly feeling like he should say something... but no? No, he should keep his mouth firmly shut. Yet. Still. Argh. Ugh. His mind twitches as it races in indecision.
<Kotono> "Well..." Kotono hesitates a little more, but her eyes start gleaming at Rei's last words. "Okay!" With thatshe's off like a bullet, racing outside of her room and away!
<Asher> "......" Another long, weary exhale as Asher brings his eyes up from the floor to Rei's. He looks tired. That's really the best way to describe it. "Thanks..." But even that, for some reason, doesn't feel right as he says it.
<Kotono> "Still wanna go with her?" Rei turns in slight annoyance, "Look, if you don't just do it. I don't wanna get stuck with bailing you out again too often. My entire day is a ...well, it's something now."
<Kotono> Taking a composing breath before tossing her hair back, "I listened in. No duh she likes you. It's not like she's subtle about it."
<Asher> "It's not that," Asher remarks quietly, his gaze becoming less focused again as he struggles to find the words. "I just... ugh. I'm not going to deny that she's cute in her own way, and I sure as hell don't ever want to hurt her feelings or push her off; just... having trouble trying to find a good way to tell her to calm down."
<Asher> "And it really isn't like that," he adds in instinctual defense. "At least not how I see it. Is preferring more natural means of development too much to ask? Or are all relationships target, acquire, and fire?" He sounds oddly detached with those words.
<Kotono> "Spike either her drinks, her food or your bodily fluid of choice with Ritalin or Valium. That might work." That's said totally deadpan, Rei sighing deeply. "She almost never lets up when she's around something that's 'cool' or 'exciting." Running a hand through her hair, "It's Kotono. She's like a giant man seeking homing missile of failing desperateness."
<Asher> Asher gives her a sour look, some more of that instinctual defenseness flaring up again as he replies. "I just don't feel comfortable getting attached to someone that fast and that... unconditionally, and it has nothing to do with -her-. And I can't say this without leaving her on the verge of tears. But I'm not going to give her the cold shoulder, either. That's just... not right."
<Kotono> "She glommped onto Makoto in a few days from what I understand - they went from loose friends to calling each other Sis." Scowling, Rei puts her hands on her hips, "Then I'll make it simple. I can't believe I'm saying this, but she's lonely and you're not running screaming from her. Damn it, just don't make her hurt anymore since that'll probably just make her worse. Oh, and if you tell anyone I ever said that?" Rei's grimace turns int
<Kotono>  Rei's grimace turns into a sweet smile, "I'll burn it off."
<Asher> For some reason, the threat seems to fly completely over Asher's head, provoking only the oddest of smiles as he stares right back into Rei's eyes. Without blinking. And then speaks up softly, with an amused edge, and a tinge of ... something else. "I'll keep that in mind... though a little sanity check now and then would certainly be appreciated..."
<Kotono> "Yeah, yeah," Rei just smirks back and turns, starting to go. "You do that - I'm off to deal with Kotono. Don't you forget any of that," she growls softly, before closing the door gently behind her.
<Asher> Softly, "Thank you, Rei," before her form completely departs from behind the door. Gathering himself up, and downing the last of the water in his cup, Asher stands up, unsteadily at first, then strengthening his posture. And to think he thought he had enough to worry about...

[Halbarad]

This scene takes place between episodes 2 and 3.

[21:40] <@Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[21:43] <@Kotono> Freedom from school! So two males escape out - unknown to each other for now. But both exit out quickly and speedily from Juuban High, ready to escape for another day. But as both Asher and Takeshi escape the throng, they find a woman demurely and quietly waiting outside. Queen Serenity is just outside, wearing a simple white dress and waiting.
[21:44] <Takeshi> Takeshi's eyes widen a bit as he catches sight of the monarch, but keeps his acknowledgement to a simple bow of the head, not wanting to attract too much attention by anything more dramatic. "Good afternoon, Serenity-sama."
[21:44] <@Takeshi> Takeshi's eyes widen a bit as he catches sight of the monarch, but keeps his acknowledgement to a simple bow of the head, not wanting to attract too much attention by anything more dramatic. "Good afternoon, Serenity-sama."
[21:45] <@Asher> Escape indeed! Asher's making his usual, casual, wait-for-everyone-else-to-leave routine as he exits the school. As such, it's not until a few moments later that he actually catches sight of the distinct pink-haired queen outside.
[21:49] <@Kotono> "Shh." Serenity smiles, but it's not needed. In perfect teenage apathy most  ignore her, and while a few do look, it's mostly private. "Takeshi," Serenity awknoledges discreetly.
[21:51] * @Takeshi takes the point, deciding to lounge against the wall of the school grounds next to the gate for the moment as the rush passes.
[21:52] <@Kotono> The rush goes out like birds escaping a cage, swift and soon lessening.
[21:54] <@Asher> Trailing along at the very end is one young man in particular, who regards Takeshi with a bit of interest as he approaches past the man and smiles to Serenity, though his face lingers with questions. "...er...?" He glances back at Takeshi, and then at Serenity again, backpack still on.
[21:55] <@Kotono> "Asher," Serenity murmurs as well as the last of the students go past. None pay that much mind to the three, Serenity standing aside as they head for home, work or play.
[21:56] <@Kotono> "I had come to retreive Takeshi, but if you wish to come along?" Her smile is golden and bright, heartwarming. "This is Takeshi, Asher. Asher, this is Takeshi."
[21:57] <@Asher> At that, he turns back over to look at Takeshi more carefully, his face polite as he extends his hand. "Asher Shinsei."
[21:57] * @Takeshi glances over at the other boy to be greeted, taking in the other with a curious eye. "A pleasure," Takeshi says politely, bowing to Asher.
[21:57] <@Asher> OOC - strike that.
[21:58] <@Asher> Putting on a polite face and bowing back, as was appropriate, Asher nods briefly to Takeshi, trying to remember if he'd seen the latter in any of his classes. Probably not - Takeshi seemed like someone who would stand out. "The same to you. I'm guessing we both know Serenity-sama?" He says this with a bit of a smile, lingering back to the monarch.
[21:59] <@Asher> "And, um, I would, but I actually have work today," he adds in reply to Serenity's last question, sounding a little abashed. "Though if it's urgent, I could try to convince Mokou-san to let me have the day off."
[22:00] <@Kotono> "Yes." The admission comes easily, the Queen inclining her head as she turns. "Would you wish to come with us, Asher?"
[22:01] <@Takeshi> "It would seem so," Takeshi replies, giving his companion a more critical going-over as Serenity invites him along - easier to do when his attention isn't turned to Takeshi in the first place.
[22:02] <@Asher> Asher seems totally like your typical Japanese schoolboy. So much that Takeshi really can't find the slightest thing remarkable about him. A bit taller than the norm, and there's that kendo stick he has half-held, but that's it.
[22:05] * @Takeshi turns back to Serenity, apparently satisfied in his examination. "You needed me for something?"
[22:08] <@Kotono> "It's not urgent - merely conversation. Don't allow us to slow you if you have an obligation, Asher," Serenity says kindly, starting to walk and go on.
[22:08] <@Asher> "Alright." He takes off towards the opposite direction, presumably where his workplace as and gives them both a farewell wave. "Take care, then, Serenity-sama! And nice to meet you, Takeshi-san!"
[22:09] <@Takeshi> "Um... all right," Takeshi replies, caught a bit off guard by that as he follows the queen. "You too, Asher-san," Takeshi calls back, turning to the other young man and nodding as he departs.
[22:11] <@Kotono> "Be well, Asher." Serenity nods towards him as he flees, then resumes a more sedate pace with Takeshi. "Do you mind an ice cream cafe? I find this world's confectionaries pleasing even after all this time."
[22:12] <@Takeshi> "Uh... no, not at all," Takeshi replies, still wondering what exactly it is that Serenity's looking for with him Probably just wanting a report on the battle at Hotaru's cafe, but that can wait until they stop.
[22:14] <@Kotono> So you go a block - it's shiny and nice, the scent of mint and chocolate mingling in the air. At the counter Serenity orders a large sundae, even if it gets her to blush. "To borrow Usagi's means and methods, this will mean I need to execute magic tonight to burn off all of this."
[22:16] * @Takeshi can't help but chuckle a bit at that. "She seems to be pretty energetic even WITHOUT that," he responds with a slight smile. He himself simply orders green tea, declining to get any of the ice cream.
[22:17] <@Kotono> The poor young high school grad manning the counter gives Serenity a weird look, but he declines futher comment himself. "Aaah... a large sundae and a green tea. Riiight." So he shuffles off, shaggy long hair and slow voice as he quickly gets your goods.
[22:19] * @Takeshi snorts slightly as the youth heads off, seeing a bit of himself in the young man - he hasn't worked an ice cream shop himself, but the feeling of having to deal with bizarre customers is one he can relate to.
[22:21] <@Kotono> Serenity considers before going to a fairly isolated and remote table. It's by the bathrooms, but not in earshot of many. Sitting and gently putting her ice cream bowl down, "Takeshi...Nephrite."
[22:23] * @Takeshi straightens up a bit at the form of address used. "Yes, Serenity-sama. What can I do for you?" he asks quietly.
[22:24] <@Kotono> "It's been millenia." Her beautiful eyes close like orbs passing behind the Moon, spoon gently rested down. "How much do you truly remember of the past?"
[22:27] <@Takeshi> "Clearly? I remember... some things. Some of the MOST clear are things I'd rather forget entirely, but not everything was bad," he shakes his head a bit. "Mostly, it's... impressions. Habits, sometimes mannerisms, things like that. It's..." He searches for an analogy. "Kind of like remembering being about four years old - you can remember a few things you did that stand out, and most of the rest is just a feeling about the way things were."
[22:27] <@Takeshi>  feeling about the way things were."
[22:28] <@Kotono> "If you would, tell me these things." Serenity sounds far away, voice slow and regal in it's speech. Reflecting the words and accent in a different way, bringing to mind a faint memory long ago.
[22:30] <@Takeshi> "I'll focus on the good things, then," Takeshi replies, sighing a bit. "I doubt you really want to hear about our side of the invasion, or what it was like to be... remade, by Metallia." The tone echoes within Takeshi, and in tune with it he slips into a somewhat different mode himself.
[22:31] <@Kotono> "Yes, go on. Metallia is nothing but a nightmare now, gone with the first rays of the dawn sun. All that is left are the tremors in the morning bed."
[22:32] <@Kotono> Serenity then bites into her ice cream, scooping out a bit and swalloing. She doesn't pursue it, instead waiting.
[22:33] <@Takeshi> "I'm not exactly sure where to start, to be honest. Most of my life before Beryl came along was spent training, with the others you know - Kunzite, Zoicite, and Jadeite." A slight shadow passes over his face at the mention of the last, but he doesn't pause. "I won't say it was all fun and games, because it was a ton of hard work, but having the others there made it a lot more bearable, and more... fun, I guess. (more)
[22:36] <@Takeshi> Kunzite and Zoicite were always close, even before they got together more seriously, and so Jadeite and I kind of gravitated together - there were times when neither of us really wanted to intrude on the others, and it helped us to pass the time." He chuckles. "Not that spending time with Jadeite back then was a chore. He was the absolute devil when it came to pranks, back in the day."
[22:39] <@Kotono> "Such innocence so long ago. A time so regretfully long gone. So long gone, is it not?" There is a defininte note of faraway melancholy in Serenity's face as she ponders, "For all the blessings the future has been given, the past..it is still home in so many ways. Is it the same for you, Nephrite?"
[22:42] <@Takeshi> "In a way, I guess so," Takeshi replies, shaking his head a bit. "Hate to say it, but even with all the bad I've got a lot fonder memories of the past than I do of this time. Which is partly the past's fault," he scowls a bit at this, "but there's nothing I can do about it now, so no sense getting bitter."
[22:45] <@Kotono> "There is no sense. The storybook of the past is written, read, forgotten and left to collect dust on the shelves of eternity. All we can do is follow this new path of the future." This has Serenity stop, a real smile coming. "Or at least eat the ice cream it provides, yes?"
[22:47] * @Takeshi chuckles. "I guess so," he replies. "Even if I'm not real big on sweets, I have to say the food in this time beats ANYTHING I remember from back then." He grins. "I'll take a bowl of inferno-grade spicy curry any day."
[22:51] <@Kotono> "The food was merely different. Sugar and sweet flavors have become mass produced and perfected. Something we never went as far with in the past. But still good." Taking a few bites of her sundae and savoring, "I do ponder one facet - the reincarned Sailors do not remember the past, yet you do. Your case is unique in so many ways, Nephrite."
[22:53] <@Takeshi> "Don't ask me why," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "In all honesty, I wish I never HAD remembered - my life might not be the crap it is now if I hadn't," he says, then blushes. "Er, pardon the turn of phrase there."
[22:56] <@Kotono> "Another thing the future has - so many interesting words for that bodily product." A streak of dry amusement tints Serenity's voice, but her smile is still pure. "No matter. But, ther eis one thing I wish to know - do you know...do you know..." Serenity stops, long and hard. "Why?"
[22:58] * @Takeshi gives Serenity a quizzical look. "Why what?"
[22:58] <@Kotono> "Why. Any of it. Any answer to those last days." Now Serenity goes solemn once again, "Jun had his own answer to that question, and only what Gods there may be know Jadeite's answer now."
[23:03] <@Takeshi> "I really don't have a clue," Takeshi replies after a few moments' thought, a faint look of pain flickering across his face. "My memories of most of that time are vague at best, and all I really remember was that what Metallia wanted, I had to help her get. It's... unpleasant enough to just remember that time, and so I've never spent much time thinking about it if I could help it at all."
[23:07] <@Kotono> "..mmm." Her Majesty takes that all into long consideration, and at last goes back to her food in meditation. After several more swallows of sugary bliss, "Do you want to hear about Jadeite at all? What he truly became?"
[23:10] * @Takeshi takes a deep, shuddering breath at that. "To be honest... not unless you think it's something I really need to hear," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "I can accept the fact that he.... turned into a monster, but it's hard enough thinking about something like that happening to the guy who was once my best friend. I'd rather not hear the gruesome details if I can avoid it."
[23:11] <@Kotono> "Then all you need to know is...that Metallia bred, nutured and created her superior." At last Serenity looks up, clear of doubt and worry. "The Jadeite you knew is free now. That is the only blessing I can give you about him."
[23:13] * @Takeshi closes his eyes. "I can understand it," he says quietly. "I just hope he's found peace now, regardless."
[23:16] <@Kotono> "So do I. With that power..." Serenity lets those words fall unansered, and instead busies herself finishing her ice cream. "You have a lot to live up to now."
[23:18] <@Takeshi> "Yeah," Takeshi replies quietly, folding his hands around his as-yet-untouched tea. "Yeah, I guess I would."
[23:19] <@Kotono> "You pride yourself as a protector," Serenity continues, lightly probing as she pushes aside her bowl.
[23:21] <@Takeshi> That gets a very small chuckle. "For what it's worth, yeah, I guess I do. It is what I'm best at - one of the few things I CAN take pride in."
[23:24] <@Kotono> "Makoto sees herself as the same.  You train at her dojo, so talk to her about it. Both of you appear to be excellent at it, so do I need to say the obvious?" Serenity's smile is kind and gentle, yet commanding.
[23:25] <@Takeshi> "I suppose not," Takeshi replies with a small smile and a nod. "I'll have a word with her the next time I'm over there."
[23:26] <@Kotono> "Thank you. Consider it a command if you wish." Another quirk of her smile upward, teasingly happy as she stands. "Thank you for the time, Takeshi."
[23:29] <@Takeshi> "As you wish, Serenity," Takeshi replies with a slight nod. "And it was no trouble at all - just let me know if you need anything else from me."
[23:36] <@Kotono> "Or if you need anything from me," Serenity adds as she starts to go. "I'm...glad to have met you again."
[23:39] <@Takeshi> "As am I," Takeshi replies, giving the older woman a slight smile as he picks up the now-lukewarm tea. "Thank you again for all you've done for me."
[23:45] <@Kotono> "It's because..." Serenity closes her eyes once again, "Thank you, and Takeshi? Just call me Serenity, nothing more."
[23:50] <@Takeshi> "Ah... yes, Serenity," Takeshi replies, feeling a bit awkward at the familiar form of address.
[23:51] <@Kotono> "Thank you," she repeats, smiling at that. "I'm grateful - Serenity sama gets old, and even if it reminds me of the past? I'd rather my friends call me Serenity."
[23:52] <@Takeshi> "I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was... uncomfortable for you," Takeshi replies. "I'll make an effort not to use it from here on out."
[23:54] <@Kotono> "That, and because..." Serenity smiles strangely, resting and stopping entirely.
[23:55] <@Takeshi> "And..." Takeshi says, taking a sip of his tea - and making a slight face at the bitter flavor of the warm beverage.
[23:59] <@Kotono> "You should be happy, too." Serenity says with with an honest simplicity, smiling warmly at Nephrite before she t urns to finally leave. "My house is always open."
[00:01] <@Takeshi> "I'll keep it in mind," Takeshi says somewhat absently, a thoughtful look on his face as Serenity takes her leave. "Happy, huh..."

[Asrana]

This happens during the week, between ep 2 and 3

[09:26:45] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[09:29:18] <Kotono> So the week passes for Hotaru Tomoe. Come near the end of it, the normal happens. On getting home late, she finds Mom feeding Hideo in the kitchen, clearly not going anywhere as mushed peas are served to your brother.
[09:30:34] <Hotaru-chan> "Do all children have an aversion to green?" Hotaru asks with a raised eyebrow, opening the fridge to go looking for a light dinner. Working at a bakery means she gets nowhere near starving by the time she gets home, but it also means she has to eat light afterwards.
[09:33:30] <Kotono> "Hmmm. Probably," Reiko says at last, as Hideo finally gets a spoonful down. Mom scowls, her old blue T-shirt having af ew new stains on it as she works with Hideo.
[09:47:01] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm," Hotaru agrees, withdrawing diet soda and a 'diet' frozen dinner, throwing it into the microwave. "Not going to try the airplane method? Or expecting Hideo's Tomoe cynicism to shine through and try to imitate an SA-6 missile shooting it down?"
[09:49:19] <Kotono> "Terrorist." Mom snorts at this darkly, muttering something else after. It's sharp and cynical, and it invovled the word 'sex', you think.
[09:51:04] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru gave her mother a sharp look, sitting down. "What was that?" she asked, raising one eyebrow. "Sounded like something I know nothing about."
[09:52:27] <Kotono> "Oh, how about in your mouth and in your ass?" Reiko drawls back sweetly, turning to Hotaru once and giving her a frosty gaze. Thereafter she goes back to Hideo, spoonfeeding slowly.
[09:59:12] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru rolls her eyes, just giving a snort. "I don't get it. Kissing my boyfriend, and him getting his hands under shirt, after telling him that no, I wouldn't do anything below the belt, suddenly equates to having sex in my room? Obviously, I should be traumatized by the number of times you and dad have given each other googly eyes. Surely I can blame it all on that utterly blatant display of sexuality in the home."
[10:00:48] <Kotono> "Riiiight. Your father and I are the reason you're tramping around. Cute." Softly snorting back as she feeds her son, "At least you like men, even if it's too much and too fast."
[10:04:16] <Hotaru-chan> "Excuse me?" Hotaru nearly chokes, staring at her mother. "Letting two guys in my entire life cop a feel is 'too much and too fast'? Kissing all of three counts towards that? Should I just dress myself in white and walk around with a sign reading 'Too pure to be touched' for your greater peace of mind?"
[10:06:50] <Kotono> "Yes!" This comes off with nary a delay, Mother putting down the baby food and turning to Hotaru. "Well...yes. It wouldn't hurt." Giving her daughter a very long look, "You're still only 14, Hotaru. You're too young to do THAT."
[10:12:44] <Hotaru-chan> "Right..." Hotaru snorts softly. "I'm not doing THAT, I'm not even getting close to it! I'm fourteen, I've never thought like someone my age, I'm surrounded by, live my life with, and exist practically AS girls one or two years older than me...I even look nearly indistinguishable from them! Is it such a crime to thus assume the priveliges with the responsibilities?"
[10:23:45] <Kotono> "When I see you do it? Yes." This doesn't even get  apause, Mom going back to feeding Hideo. "I was serious about it - not under this roof."
[10:26:13] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm not even contesting that point," Hotaru snorts, sighing and getting up to retrieve ehr dinner as the microwave pings. "I hardly let him do anything at all...and you seem to think we were having sex." Hotaru just sighs, slumping down. "If you'd so much rather not know anything about the boy I'll probably be dating for a loooong time, though..."
[10:29:21] <Kotono> "We'll see." To this Reiko just grunts inconclusively, shaking her head.
[10:31:43] <Hotaru-chan> "Besides," Hotaru adds a moment later, eyes glinting. "You'd so much rather have things reversed? Me in his room, away from any observation? His parents are nearly as bad as you and dad, his brother at college..." she hazards darkly.
[10:35:14] <Kotono> "...meh." Mother just turns and glares back equally as dark. "Don't push it, Hotaru."
[10:39:43] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just shakes her head. "Push it? I'm just pointing out that if we make out in my room, you might have half a clue what we are and aren't doing. I'd LIKE to make you less angry, but it'd hard to manage when you it'd amount to doing absolutely nothing with the one boy I actually can talk to, like, isn't gay, and isn't a thousand times my age."
[10:42:38] <Hotaru-chan> *it
[10:42:45] <Hotaru-chan> *it's  hard to manage when it'd
[10:44:05] <Kotono> "Hotaru." Mother takesa nother breath, long and dragging. "Then let me make it clear. I DON'T want to se what you do with him."
[10:47:26] <Hotaru-chan> "Fine," Hotaru sighs, closing her eyes and rubbing at her face, looking decidedly distressed. "Just don't assume I'm spreading my legs like some nimwitted girl without half a brain in her head. For heaven's sake, YOU raised me."
[10:49:21] <Kotono> "You'd best not be," Reiko adds, getting Hideo up and then to him, "Good boy! Let's get you in the bath with Mommy and then to bed, okay?"
[10:50:50] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's smile is wry now, shrugging. "Think to yourself...what would you have done at my age, hm? You'll probably get a roughly correct answer."
[10:52:26] <Kotono> Oh, that scores points! Mom goes quiet, just hauling Hideo out of there!
[10:56:14] * Hotaru-chan sighs, settling down to her dinner as her mother retreats. Pursuing won't get her anywhere now, at least she got SOMEWHERE...

[Jo'ou Ranbu]

This scene happens between episodes 2 and 3.

> Bed. Bed on a Thursday night. A torrent of images plauges Michiru. Is even her dreamscape sullied now? She drifts in the endless gray, screaming out at her. In it she sees the entire world, twisting into a formless blob of lifelessness.
* Michiru drifts aimlessly with the bravery of a hen fluttering over ceilings to escape from dinner. Or something pathetic like that. Her steps chimed like a music box, the crystalline, blue notes reverberating in a mad fantasy as if the floor she walked on was made of ice. The realization that surreptitiously escaped from her the other day rammed into her dreams in full force that night - the identity of the world. It was lost. And she walked.
> Walking on a floor of near ice, into this formless blob. It is all around you, the world dead. It may as well be as you see your reflection into it. The face that scared away Chitose, looming over it with a callous, condesending smirk. But as you look on, your head dimly hurts, points of pain.
* Michiru stands still, in feigned awe and a hint of discomfort. No matter how lucidly she understood the fate of humans - and, why not to say, her own? - the sadness she felt was intense, difficult. And from that, she'd have to live gracefully, like a sedate awakening. The face of ammorality stood before her, and from that smile, she extracted vital energy and weakness both.
> OOC - Mind check, +1
<Michiru> roll 2d6+1
* Hatbot --> "Michiru rolls 2d6+1 and gets 4." [2d6=2, 1]
> The headache gets worse! The gray blob ripples as a drop of water from the sky falls into it. The sound of dripping water as the visage in front of you changes, shimmering within you. The perfect flow, making your head hurt even more, yet there is color to those ripples. LIfe.
* Michiru watches the spectacle in a mixture of fascination and unbridled horror, her eyes widening. The very sight of colour ripped through her flesh and revived the stale blood, rippling her masks in quick succession. A faint murmur, and she kneeled. It... couldn't be... was it... hope...?
> It's so far away. That color - she sees it. The water shimmers, and in it a faint symbol appears. It's too indistinct to make out, hwoever.
* Michiru blinks. Was that supposed to be recognizable? Or an indistinguishable truth lurked? Was she aware that it was a dream, Michiru would probably laugh and consider it all too obvious, an insult to human nature - but then, that would be before she gave up. And she could try to pursue the light, to look up and engage existence like a battle of victories... but then, she'd feel terribly dumb - inappropriate, since only a fool would give in.
> OOc - Mind check +1 again.
<Michiru> roll 2d6+1
* Hatbot --> "Michiru rolls 2d6+1 and gets 10." [2d6=6, 3]
> The symbol attempts to try to clarify, but it's still so wavy and your head hurts so. As it does the pain gets worse, pounding inside of your skull!
* Michiru breathes heavily, the still waters in her soul rapidly burning into vapid steam, engulfing what was left from her life, migrating to her very brainwaves like a cancer in a brutal spread. If she was a wooden doll, her joints would've crumbled into dust - but, as flesh, the pain would only grow and cintillate, gnawing, murderous, famished.
> The steam is all around her as her head throbs. It's something she can't put her name on, but amid the steam she sees that symbol flickering - and opposite it at your side is Despair, hazy but noticiable. You seem to know who he is instantly, knowledge fore sent and given.
* Michiru stands still, defeated and torn. The glimmering symbol, the shadow of Despair, two... were they different sides to a particular coin? Seemed obvious to assume, but all she could truly discern was mist and a sharp migraine. There could be a choice to be made, but how could she know when all that surrounded her was the most gruelling display of an organic banshee's yell. As her head throbbed, Michiru tried to scream for help. In vain.
> OOC - Mind check +3.
<Michiru> roll 2d6+3
* Hatbot --> "Michiru rolls 2d6+3 and gets 11." [2d6=3, 5]
> Agony erupts! Michiru's vision becomes a wash of red agony, body falling over! In this storm she feels a hand on her shoulder, a relief coming as surity fills her body. Knowledge and meaning, the bleak despair filling her. "Stagnation...be strong. The false lures are nothing to be concerned about..."
<Michiru> "Despair..." His voice suddenly soothed her in a twisted, blood-red fashion that only grew. "This world... it pains me. I don't know how much longer I can stand this..."
> Color - his color is all around you, white and oil black. It washes away the red, the symbol beside shim fading. "Be strong. Your growth is not an easy road. The weakness you feel - crush it!"
* Michiru nods in vague shame and a sense of sad admiration. "Strength has never been part of me, Despair. I... don't know why this is happening. I used to be able to handle the gray tones in the world. But... the formless stance of their life is now unbearable. I want to give them shape, Despair. This sad excuse for existence needs at least identity."
> "You are above them! All of those gray humans, you are no more a part of them as I!" His voice picks up, a sonorous incantation of power. "Your strength is the ennui of listlessness, the dark depths of still water. You will give yourself your true shape, Michiru. You will justify yourself by your own power."
> "You will join us, as we find the Lightbringer, and on that moment in the flow of eternal time..." Despair puts his hand under your chin, bringing your head up to look at his face - a black face, empty and nothing, "With the Lightbringer and the Sages, the City of Forever Twilight shall be remade."
<Michiru> "I... understand. Forgive my petty weakness, Despair. It's unfair of my part to falter before the hardships this soon. My pain... it's nothing. Nothing compared to what you and the others had to go through for all this years..."
> "Now! You see this loathesome thing?" Pointing at the vague, fading blue symbol, Despair sounds quietly disgusted. "Marshall your will and your strength and focus within. Crush it."
* Michiru nods silently, turning to the symbol of lacerating hope. It pained her to even stare at it, but she knew what she had to do. Extending her palm, Michiru closed her eyes and focused her mind into the symbol. The lies it stood for. And her duty against such fallacies. Yes. She would destroy it.
> OOC - Mind and Soul check +2.
<Michiru> roll 2d6+2
* Hatbot --> "Michiru rolls 2d6+2 and gets 11." [2d6=6, 3]
<Michiru> roll 2d6+2
* Hatbot --> "Michiru rolls 2d6+2 and gets 10." [2d6=4, 4]
> But youf eel repulsed! Your head screams at you in the utmost agony you have ever known, a ripping within your soul! Flashes - PrincessReiT*AWaterSerenitySERENITYSERENITYMoonMOONMOON
* Michiru cringes, teeth clenching - the shock is so powerful Michiru bites her tongue, and she backs out, kneeling from both the screaming flashes and the organic pain. Why... why was that happening?
> Her entire mindscape is blurred now - Despair seems farther away, and the blue symbol is closer. SHe still can't make out it, but it's far less faded now. Oh, she hurts inside, mind overwhelmed with pain.
* Michiru tries to slump away from the symbol, her eyes wide in terror. The light penetrates Michiru's skin valiantly, enticing and taking control. No... no...
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=5, 5]
> Despair starts to move forward, but is repulsed in a flash of blue! Real blue light, real life, as you rmind screams again!
* Michiru looks back, trying to let out a desperate cry for help, but in vain. Even her voice fades, muted by the light's shining beacon. The struggle was over... and... is that it... "Is that it? I... suppose... heh. Cruel irony...", she uttered to her mind, feeling her thoughts grazing away at lightspeed...
> In a  wash of agony Michiru awakens! The dreamscape is shattered into blue pokers of discord and discomfort, her bed now her home once again.
> For a shining, perfect moment - the world has color. Life and color, before all fades back into gray.
* Michiru looks up to the ceiling, her forehead in fever and dripping. Living in ambiguity had never been as difficult as this. She knew her duties within the truth inherited from the inhumans... but the deceiving light was temptation incarnate. Her true wish was not to recede totally to a side, in reality - she just wished she could live between both worlds, experience the light - but have the guarantee she could return to the shadows...
> In this duality Michiru's head continues to throb, the night gonet o a wash of pain. It fades by the sunrise, but Michiru finds that the memory of this dream lingers.

[Ebiris]

[18:21] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[18:25] <Kotono> A dark, lonely place - misty and gray. The entire world is nothing but swirling black mists as your vision is swept in. A circle amid all of this becomes clear. The zodiac, the stars, the entire galaxy or even more is enscribe there into loving detail, vast and yet not too large at all. Around it are four cloaked men, black cowls and robes hiding them. In the center rests a great caldron, bubbling up. "Soon...Lightbringer..." One of them croak
[18:25] <Kotono> Soon...Lightbringer..." One of them croaks, voice nothing more than a rasping whisper into the mist.
[18:26] <Kotono> "Yes." Another murmurs, as his cloaked, shadowed hands reach out to the caldron. "The signs and omens are in place. Lightbringer's time is at a hand."
[18:26] <Kotono> As his hands touch it the pot bubbles ominously, black and green mists spewing out. But a third speaks instead, voice clear and thoughtful. "Death, come forth. Tell us how our efforts proceed."
[18:28] <Kotono> Above the caldron a figure appears. Simply hovering right besides it, cloaked utterly in shadow. A man, perhaps, but you can see nothing else. But he does bow, "Despair leads Pestilence, Hatred and Temptation on the realm of Earth. Your plans are being followed exactly, my lords."
[18:28] <Kotono> "What of the inhumans there..." The forth figure growls, an animalistic and angered warning. "Even if one has seen our wisdom of eternity, what of those that oppose us?"
[18:29] <Kotono> "The omens...said nothing about them?" Shadowed, you can none the less see Death smile faintly, even as he hides it by bowing again. "Perhaps the Lightbringer gathers them to that realm by instinct? I know not, but your orders are our law. If they will not cooperate and join us, we will not hestiatate. I swear it."
[18:31] <Kotono> "Yes..." The rasping sage declares, falling back away from the circle and into shadows impenetrable. "When the time has passed, bring the first inhuman to join to us directly. Until then, continue the search."
[18:32] <Kotono> "As you wish, m'lord," Death bows once more, but stops thereafter. "But, if I may ask...why the direct attacks? Is Lightbringer really that potentially dangerous if..."
[18:32] <Kotono> "Enough. Your orders are cast," The animalistic one growls, stepping forward slightly.
[18:33] <Kotono> "Yes," Death quickly amends, before vanishing without another word. As he does the caldron burns hotter, spewing it's mist all over this world.
[18:33] <Kotono> ---
[18:34] <Kotono> Aaah! Friday again! ANother week in the end of the early November period is over! But Usagi gets a bonus surprise on getting home - Dad's here and he brought home hot cocoa for everyone! As Mom and Dad sit back in the living room, "Usagi-chan! Just in time!"
[18:35] <Usagi> "Time for what?" the blonde chirps as she settles herself on an armchair and sips at her hot cocoa.
[18:36] <Kotono> Dad smiles, waving a small bunch of what look to be tickets or passes. "For these - I won them at the employee fall raffle today. Have you heard of the Indoor Health Springs, Usagi?"
[18:38] <Usagi> "I have now!" Usagi nods easily, leaning forward a bit. "So is it some fancy indoor hot spring?" she asks. It has to be fancy or they wouldn't be prizes!
[18:40] <Kotono> "Exactly - it's four passes for you go to tomorrow. A free full day's treament." Dad smiles, passing the ticket sto Usagi. "Since you Mother and I already have plans?"
[18:41] <Usagi> "Oooh, cool!" Usagi grins, accepting the tickets. "So what are you two doing, tomorrow?" she asks.
[18:52] <Kotono> "We're going out to lunch and a movie," Mother blushes, holding her head down demurely. Dad just laughs and rubs the back of hi shead.
[18:52] <Kotono> "So go call some of your friends to go with you, Usagi," Dad says quite nicely, "It's on us."
[18:54] <Usagi> "Thanks!" Usagi nods, finishing off her cocoa and getting up. "And you two have fun tomorrow, too!" she wriggles her fingers in a wave before going to make some calls.
[18:54] <Kotono> OOC - Go ahead and make them, Usa-chan. You can RP them out or not.
[18:54] <Usagi> OOC: Let's just do them OOC then we can skip to the actual event.
[18:55] <Kotono> OOC: Okay. Who are you going to call first?
[18:55] <Usagi> OOC: See #mk.
[18:55] <Kotono> OOC: You can essentially drag three people with you, mind.
[18:55] <Kotono> OOC: Okay.
[19:01] <Kotono> You're lucky it's inside! It's cold and rainy today! Winter's first preliminary thrust makes you scurry as Usagi's Dad drops you off! Just as well - it's a large two story building in Tokyo, with a jungle mural no it's front and modern revolving glass doors inside.
[19:01] <Kotono> "Brr!" Rei shivers and huddles in her nice purple long sleeved shirt, glaring up at the sky. "C'mon already! Stupid rain, so get your butts in gear!"
[19:02] <Usagi> Having been picked up straight from school, Usagi is still in uniform as she scurries from the car and into the Indoor Health Springs, not wasting any time replying to Rei!
[19:02] <Kotono> Kotono shivers but lighter, wearing khaki pants(Real pants, too!) and a green sweater. "Gee, Rei-chan, you shouldn't have insisted that we change, huh?" Kotono asks petuantly, as the girls scurry inside!
[19:03] <Kotono> So inside you go! A plush intro lobby with ads and plants is ahead, a front desk awaiting. At least it's dry and warm here, and it smell slike sweet vanilla.
[19:05] <Usagi> "Ahhh!" Usagi sighs happily once inside, waving through the doors to her dad as he drives off before she goes up to the front desk, bathroom-bag in hand and tickets presented. "Four, please!" the teenage blonde chirps to the receptionist.
[19:06] * Hotaru-chan follows in shrotly, left behind in the blonde cheetah race inside. "Jeez, Rain's not that horrible..." she mutters, following along.
[19:07] <Usagi> "If we're going to get wet, I'd rather do it in the hot springs!" Usagi replies cheerily to Hotaru, before glancing at Rei. "Why did you get changed, anyway? Not like you'll be wearing them for long..." she observes, putting just a hint of innuendo in her words.
[19:08] <Kotono> "Bite me," Rei glowers, tossing her hair - which doesn't work when it's wet, it' smore like a whip of dampened black. "I at least look good here, don't I?"
[19:09] <Usagi> "I guess you do look better covered up," Usagi agrees, keeping a straight face.
[19:09] * Hotaru-chan shakes her head a little, brushing some of the non-absorbed droplets of water from her black sweater. Not like she's any less guilty of it. "Rei-chan always looks good," Hotaru prods, snickering.
[19:13] <Kotono> "Oooh, full passes. C'mon back," The receptionist has a layer of her bangs over he left eyes, the rest of her chestnut brown hair smoothed back. Stylish in a little red dress, looking like a man killer. "Right this way and we'll get you setup."
[19:15] * Usagi turns her attention back to the receptionist, nodding and following along.
[19:16] * Hotaru-chan keeps behind Usagi, going along with the rest of them.
[19:24] <Kotono> So do Rei and Kotono, with Rei just shooting Usagi a dirty look. So into the locker rooms you go, and as you do, "Go ahead and change into your underware for now. Clean towels will be provided as needed." It's a nice locker room, clean and modern with benches.
[19:26] <Usagi> "Underwear?" Usagi blinks. "Aren't we going into the hot springs?" Well, a massage or something would be nice...
[19:26] <Kotono> "It's a full pass," Checking a clipboard she brought with her, "That's a massage, facial, body treatments, bath, steam room, dinner and more."
[19:27] * Hotaru-chan blinks as well, though already beginning to slowly strip, sweater coming off quickly, followed on by jeans. "Oh..."
[19:27] <Usagi> "Wow, that is nice!" Usagi beams, promptly starting to slip out of her school uniform.
[19:27] <Kotono> "That is!" Kotono giggles and blushes, "We'll look great after that, so how about we go by Asher's, huh?"
[19:28] * Usagi decides to keep her head down and let Rei field this one...
[19:28] <Kotono> Rei idly strips down, making no grand affair about it as she pats down her wet hair. "We'll see," Rei grunts, glancing at Hotaru at that.
[19:30] * Hotaru-chan takes the look, raising an eyebrow. "I think I'd rather go by some other boy's house if we're working from that premise..." she murmurs softly, blushing and removing her shirt, left in plain violet underwear, a figure like her mother's in miniature, though more petite unveiled, round and forming curves pronounced here and there.
[19:33] <Usagi> Bereft of her uniform, Usagi is dressed in simple and unassuming white underwear around her mostly exposed lithe figure. "So, massages first?" she asks eagerly.
[19:34] <Kotono> Rei went with red, of course, crimson like her wings. She sure shows off - her legs are her amazing legs, adn the rest is pretty damn good, too. While Kotono's not as good, she at least finally grew up her own legs and chest some. Even if she's just wearing plain white as well. "Right!" Kotono nods and blushes, "We need to look good for them, right, Hot-chan?"
[19:35] <Kotono> "Pfah," Rei snorts, drifting closer to Usagi and shaking her head.
[19:35] <Usagi> "Just look good for yourself - we're going to get pampered, today!" Usagi replies brightly, ready to get going.
[19:36] * Hotaru-chan just shakes her head. "Don't try too hard," she snorts, seeming at ease.
[19:38] <Kotono> So on you go! A room with several beds close together, each with plenty of white towels. Men are in here - mostly fairly cute and wearing white uniforms, awaiting. "Misses," Ooooh, an European Accent! "Would you please lie down on ze beds?"
[19:40] <Usagi> "Of course!" Usagi giggles cutely, the blonde having let her hair down as she strolls over to one of the beds and clambers aboard, resting her chin on her crossed forearms, not a hint of embarrassment at being in her underwear around a bunch of men she doesn't know. They're professionals, after all! And if they live up to their job description, they're going to make her feel fantastic in a few minutes.
[19:41] <Kotono> The room has hanging posters of pleasant scenes, as well as the murmur of water from somewher eyou can't pin down.
[19:41] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru raises an eyebrow, bnlushign just a little. This is unexpected...and rather over the top! But she follows the instructions, laying down and relaxing on her stomach, arms similarly supporting herself. This IS a spa, afterall...
[19:41] <Kotono> "Oooooh!" Kotono follows suit, hopping onto the bed and going belly down on it. "Hi, I'm Kotono! Nice to meet you!" The blonde adds in English.
[19:42] <Kotono> Rei just smirks, slowly getting onto the bed and lying down as well. "Dont' elt Asher hear you," Rei murmur sto Kotono with a smirk.
[19:43] <Hotaru-chan> "He might think he can get away," Hotaru adds, laughing softly and relaxing further.
[19:46] <Kotono> "Hello," One of the massues says evenly, as they get to work. Ooooh! It feels good - strong hands all over you, working with scented lotions!
[19:47] * Usagi sighs happily, closing her eyes and squirming a little as she gets comfortable, letting her body be manipulated into losing the stress of the past week or so. "Mmmm... That's nice..." she compliments, voice a low purr.
[19:49] * Hotaru-chan just melts, letting some of her guard down, all the mental and physical tensions that keep the darkest senshi coiled like a spring most of the time. "Fingertips more," she asks softly, shivering.
[19:50] <Kotono> "Ooooh...mmmm!" Kotono purrs like a kitten in the cream, going limpid to that touch. "Can you talk about...werewolves while you're at it?"
[19:50] <Kotono> "Mmmm. Just more hands, lower and lower," Rei invites, voice filled with bliss.
[19:50] <Kotono> To Hotaru's command he complies, working her over gently.
[19:51] * Usagi giggles slightly at Rei's request to go lower, wondering just how low the miko wants it.
[19:51] <Kotono> "Werewolves?" Kotono's worker just keeps giong, "Aaah, just relax, please."
[19:53] <Kotono> "That's it," Rei relaxes, his hands not visible to show you how low he's going!
[19:53] <Kotono> "So," Rei says a moment later, "How's it going with Yoshi?"
[19:54] <Kotono> "Aaaaw," Kotono murmurs quietly, but closes her eyes as her body is treated nicely instead.
[19:54] <Usagi> "Yoshi?" Usagi perks up a little. "Isn't that the guy you broke up with like two years ago? Or a different one?" the blonde asks, before getting distracted. "Oooh, right there!" she encourages her masseuse in a needy voice.
[19:55] <Kotono> So he keeps going on Usagi's back, rubbingt in little circles!
[19:55] <Kotono> "Yeah, that's the one," Rei says, "The one she made out with in the theater."
[19:56] <Kotono> "Lucky," Kotono blushes, hiding her face down into her arms. "I mean, at least there's Asher and he's really cute and nice, but...y'know?"
[19:57] * Hotaru-chan laughs softly, arching and purring under the massage. "Same guy I broke up with two years ago...just wasn't comfortable back then...two years makes a LOT of difference..." she murmurs, shuddering happily. "We were going to get together monday...he had an emergency, thingsjsut started going down the drain, so...we're seeing when we can actually manage to be together...sometime late this weekend. He's still Yoshi though..."
[19:58] <Usagi> "Bah, guys can sometimes just be a pain," Usagi replies dismissively to Kotono, thinking of her last breakup. She appends that with a winning smile up at her masseuse. "Not you, though, you're nice! Just keep working on that spot there!" Turning her attention back to Hotaru, "So going for another round to see if it works out better, this time?"
[19:58] <Kotono> "Oh, and not down your drain," Rei laughs haughtily, and then, "So...how HAS it gone," she adds with a smirking twinkle in her eye, looking over at Hotaru.
[19:58] <Kotono> "Thank you," Usagi's worker keeps on going, most of them keeping quiet to let the girls gab.
[19:59] <Kotono> "But...you're the ones the guys like!" Kotono gripes quietly, "But Asher-chan's better than that! He's really nice and cute and I swear it's really fate!"
[20:01] <Kotono> "It's fate that your ramen noodles resembled the face of The Virgin Mary last week, too," Rei drawls out sarcastically. "You know, you might just force him away with all that talk of destiny!"
[20:01] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm..." Hotaru just shakes her head, groggily slow as she relaxes. "We're giving it another round, yeah...perv, Rei-chan," she snorts, shaking her head. "Yoshi and I liked each other...there was nothing wrong with our feelings, I just didn't feel comfortable where we were going back then..." she murmurs, smiling. "It's fine now, so...why not? And I told you Saturday, Rei-chan, he's Good," she laughs. "But there has been no draining."
[20:02] <Kotono> "Aaaw. Tell them about what happened," Rei challenges right back, laughing again. "It's funny if we aren't you."
[20:03] <Kotono> "Oh!" Rei adds a second later, peeking up as she winces once, "I said LOWER!" Turning back to Hotaru now, "Oh, and Usagi, what about Takeshi? He's in your class, isn't he?"
[20:03] <Usagi> "You do seem to come on pretty strong, Kotono," Usagi agrees. "You should take it slow to avoid spooking him. Think of him like... a stray cat!" she brightens at her use of metaphor. "Like, he really wants someone to love him and take care of him, but you have to get past his guard first - slowly."
[20:03] <Usagi> "Huh? Takeshi?" Usagi replies to Rei, "Yeah, what about him?"
[20:03] <Kotono> "...hey!" Kotono whips her head around to Hotaru, nodding. "That's cool, and wait, if he's a stray cat, can I borrow your cat ears, huh?"
[20:04] <Kotono> "Well, he's tall, he's cute and apparently he's reformed." Giving Usagi a long, catty smile of her own, "Gonna sink your claws in?"
[20:04] <Hotaru-chan> "...No, Kochan, I need them," Hotaru sncikers, beginning to smile. "And what, Rei-chan, tell them how my mom walked in on us making out in my room, and blew her top assuming we were having sex?"
[20:04] <Kotono> "Then again..." Rei smirks long and hard, "You know, Jun did say something about your Serenity sama. Oh, nevermind then."
[20:05] <Kotono> "I'll be sure to talk to him a lot to make up for it!" So Rei adds with her own little grin of triumph.
[20:05] <Usagi> "I dunno..." the blonde replies, wriggling her body slightly under her massage and sighing. "He's nice, but I'm not sure he's my type. A bit too high strung, y'know?" Rolling her eyes at that last bit, "Get over it, Rei. Never gonna happen."
[20:05] <Kotono> "Yep," Rei quickly nods to Hotaru. "Go buy your own if you're into that, Kochan. You have more than enough money, you know."
[20:06] <Kotono> "Oh come on..." Kotono blushes but then giggles, "Oh, guess what Rei-chan said!" As Rei beginst o freak, "That Usa-chan! I need to get her and Serenity on a blind date since they're meant to be, then I can move in on that Takeshi!"
[20:06] <Kotono> "I DID NOT!" Rei shrieks, starting to heat up - perhaps literally!
[20:07] * Hotaru-chan laughs, shaking her head. "Do you really need to? I wouldn't call him at Usagi's type anyway...brooding and quiet. That's jsut my thoughts, though," she qualifies.
[20:07] <Hotaru-chan> *just
[20:08] <Kotono> "So go after him, Kotono! You two would compensate for each other!" This is followed by Rei leaning over to flick Kotono's ear, risking falling off her cot to do so!
[20:08] * Usagi just shakes her head. "You spend too much time picturing me with other girls, you know that, Rei?" she observes, before letting out a tiny whimpering cry as a knot she didn't know about is probed by her masseuse, just above her rear. "Oooh! Right there!" she whines, wriggling her bottom. "That's the spot!"
[20:08] <Kotono> "Aaah...we're not supposed to go THAT low," Usagi's masseuse says gently. "We'll have to work up a bit."
[20:09] <Usagi> "Ohhh... I take back what I said about you being nice..." the blonde pouts. It's above the line of her panties, even!
[20:09] <Kotono> "Ah, shuddap," Rei laughs, "It's just natural - hell, Jun even said...wait. Bleh, nevermind. That guy wouldn't know his ass from..." What follows is best left unsaid, Rei none to nice about it.
[20:09] <Kotono> "Ahem," The one working on Kotono nods, "Time to move on now. Facials are next."
[20:10] <Usagi> "Aww..." Usagi is less than thrilled. He won't be getting her number, after all! Nonetheless, the blonde sits up and smiles at her worker. "Thank you, that was very nice and professional," she beams, sounding completely sincere.
[20:12] <Kotono> "You're welcome," he says as he bows and heads out. "Lie on your backs, they'll come in here for the next part."
[20:12] <Kotono> "Damn," Rei rolls onto her back, sighing. "That was just too good. I say my next boyfriend needs to learn from these guys!"
[20:13] * Hotaru-chan just gives her worker a glowing smile, adjusting her bra before laying back down. "Maybe I could get him to try..." she hums softly, smirking. "Might distract him from putting my hand on his lap."
[20:13] * Usagi takes a second to rearrange her hair so it doesn't trail onto the floor as she turns around and lays back, her youthful bosom managing to defy gravity quite easily. "You've got to love a man who's good with his hands," she agrees sagely.
[20:14] <Kotono> "Lucky!" Kotono gripes again as she lies down! But you aren't alonef or long - professionally dressed women in white enter, a cart of supplies carried along. "Please close your eyes and relax while we get started," they instruct, "No talking until it's set."
[20:14] <Kotono> Rei bites back a reply, instead closing her eyes and nodding.
[20:14] <Kotono> "That's true...isn't it?" Kotono inquires, following suit.
[20:14] * Hotaru-chan does similarly, closing ehr eyes and just waiting.
[20:14] <Hotaru-chan> *her *sighs*
[20:15] * Usagi dutifully closes her eyes and mouth, settling in comfortably and resisting the urge to nap.
[20:15] <Kotono> This doesn't take long - a cool green paste is spread over your faces, cucumbers over your eyes.  A half hour of this passes in near and full naps. When it's over your face feels so much better - the now mask has little black dots it cleaned from your faces visible. "That's why you need to get these every so often," one lady notes, "Normal products can't get out deep pore dirt."
[20:16] <Usagi> "Eww!" Usagi winces at the sight of what was on her face. "I never knew!"
[20:17] * Hotaru-chan winces a little as she looks at it. "Good timing on delaying my date at least..." Hotaru murmurs, a slight blech motion with her mouth made.
[20:17] <Kotono> "Man...no wonder boys ran!" Kotono whimpers, "That's like we were totally nasty and ugly and we never knes!"
[20:18] <Kotono> "It wasn't enough to stop them on me," Rei laughs a little, but nods. "Have to get these done more often, then. Mr. Right could be just around the corner, and I can't let him make Usagi Miss Right!"
[20:19] <Hotaru-chan> "I still spend twenty or more hours a week being leered at..." Hotaru notes dryly, shaking her head.
[20:20] <Kotono> "That's because you ask for it," Rei ticks off a finger as she sits and stretches. "Y'know, showign off is nice and all, but that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Why not just ask guys to come over when you're in your underware?"
[20:20] <Kotono> "But Rei-chan, you're the one who digs showing off, huh, and I bet YOU'D get naked for a guy you like at all!" Kotono sticks her tongue out.
[20:21] <Usagi> "That's the whole point, Kotono," Usagi points out, in the odd situation of sticking up for Rei. "But only if you really like him and he likes you back!" she hastily amends before she gets any ideas about a naked surprise for Asher.
[20:21] <Kotono> "Oh, shut up!" Rei turns and gives Kotono a death glare in return. "That's different, even if it was true. Anyway, if I need money, I'd rather do it some other way. I don't need my amazing body - and it is amazing - to make money."
[20:22] <Kotono> "Well, youd o show it off a lot!" Kotono nods and retorts, and to Usagi? "I bet you'd show it off to us too if you thought we were gay! Heck, you're projecting on Usa-chan again, huh?"
[20:22] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru laughs softly. "I didn't either, I was making enough just being a cashier and baker...this is more one huge favor to Yohko than wanting to show off for money," Hotaru answers, shaking her head. "Just comes with working there."
[20:23] <Kotono> "Ahem," The lead facial artist clears his throat. "I'm sorry, but do you mind taking your baths and steaming before the body treatment? We're running a little late today with that set."
[20:23] * Usagi rises up off the cot. "Lead the way!" she requests, happy to leave this conversation behind.
[20:24] <Kotono> "Sure thing, this is fun and besides...it's Rei-chan's time now, isn't it?" Kotono gets up quickly, making haste away from Rei-chan!
[20:24] <Hotaru-chan> "That's fine," Hotaru agrees, getting up and uncurling from the cot.
[20:24] <Kotono> "Grr..." Rei mutters in annoyance, a hand balling up into a fist before she follows! There's no locker room between this - just a huge replica outdoor spring! Even little bamboo shoots and poles, plenty of space to be had! There's a counter with white towels if youw ant them, and little compartments to store undergarments as needed. It's empty right now, at least, plenty of privacy and a chance to soak.
[20:25] <Kotono> Rei opts for nothing but a towel around her hair, makign sure to bein Usagi's field of view as she gets down to her natural body and nothing else.
[20:26] <Kotono> Kotono pauses a moment doing the same, save for keeping her hair unbound. "Well, I guess it'll get dried and washed at some poitn during this, so it's no big if it gets wet, you know?"\
[20:26] * Usagi strips nude with no hesitation, following Rei's example of bundling her long hair in a towel. "Oh, Rei-chan, you're making me so hot," she drawls, rolling her eyes at the somewhat obvious display. "Stop, before I jump you right here and now," she concludes her deadpan delivery.
[20:27] <Kotono> "Oh," Rei puts a hand to her unblushing cheek, shaking her head. "Not in front of Kotono and Hotaru...unless you want to include them?!"
[20:27] <Hotaru-chan> "Wait for me to get a video camera!" Hotaru adds enthusiastically, smirking while she puts her hair up and follows, fully berefit of clothing.
[20:27] <Kotono> "I didn't know you had that in them, underclassman!" Rei adds with an after thought, before stopping and giving Hotaru one of those looks.
[20:27] <Usagi> "I just might not be able to control myself," the blonde replies, shaking her head, before grabbing a towel and snapping it at Rei's rear. Giggling at that, she drops it and flees into the water before retaliation can be made.
[20:28] <Kotono> Kotono just giggles and heads in, sitting in the wate rup to her chin. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Even if there probably aren't water kappa here or anything, this is really nice!"
[20:28] <Kotono> "OW!" Rei leaps a full foot into the air, hands on her rear end. "You..." With that Rei gives chase!
[20:29] <Kotono> "Hey," Kotono laughs a little, "Shouldn't you save that for the bad guys, huh, since they're around now and we need practice?"
[20:29] * Hotaru-chan just smiles at Rei, snickering and dropping into the water, a long sigh given. "Yeah...I still wish I had a video camera...naked dRei-chan chasing naked Usagi-chan with a look of malicious glee in her eyes? Perfect home movie."
[20:29] * Usagi sticks her tongue out at the miko, laughing merrily as she prances through the water away from Rei. "Rei-chan's a bad girl! That counts, doesn't it?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "Oh, go fuck a plastic..." Again with the nastiness, Rei humphing and sitting down into the water. "Anyway! Speaking of, what's going on with that?"
[20:30] <Kotono> "The bad guys, I mean," she appends a moment later.
[20:31] <Usagi> "Oh, I'm sorry, Rei-chan!" the blonde simpers insincerely, returning to sit down with the group, immersing herself up to her neck in the hot water. "You know I love you, really!"
[20:32] <Hotaru-chan> "Takeshi and I fought some...Hatred, broke my ribs, they tried to recruit us beforehand with something about inhumans in human guise..." Hotaru growls softly, rolling her eyes. "That's the other reason to keep working in a maid uniform--Mako-chan's there, and she won't be leaving. Can't just abandon her!"
[20:34] <Kotono> "Wish she'd made it here," Kotono murmurs quietly, "So how's that go, huh, Hot-chan?"
[20:35] * Usagi just winks and wriggles the 'sisters' in Rei's direction before turning her attention to Hotaru.
[20:38] <Hotaru-chan> "There's nothing really there..." Hotaru shakes her head. "Showed up, offered us to join them or die, we made the obvious 'screw you', got in a fight...we might've made it out, but they made it obvious we'd have a tough time of it if we did," Hotaru murmurs, shrugging. "'Hatred' was a tough basatard...but eventually, they said there point'd been made and left. We had to clean up."
[20:39] <Usagi> "Wish I hadn't fainted at the Crown..." Usagi murmurs a bit guiltily. "Must cost a fortune to replace all those windows."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Great." Leaning back and scowling, "To think I was gonna stop by if I hadn't gotten stuck helping Grandfather that day. So bleh - they're reasonably strong and they'd rather us help them than fighting us. Think they're serious about it?"
[20:40] <Kotono> Rei crosses her arms after, "Yeah, and the property damage. Lovely.
[20:40] <Kotono> "
[20:40] <Usagi> "Well, they know we're pretty tough, at least. Why wouldn't they prefer to have us on their side than against us?" Usagi points out the obvious. "Just wish we knew what they were after so we could reason with them..."
[20:40] <Hotaru-chan> "We actually didn't have much property damage at Yohko's," Hotaru shakes her head, sighing. "Lucky that way, but...yeah. We could've used you. A second senshi might've tipped the whole thing."
[20:41] <Kotono> "Yeah. What DO they want?" Rei scowls again, "Energy? If they're good we'll need to try to avoid going against them solo."
[20:41] * Usagi shakes her head. "It seemed like they were looking for a 'thing' rather than just draining people, at least at the Crown," she points out. "What about at Yohko's - say anything there?"
[20:43] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru frowns. "They were mostly wondering why 'inhumans like us' were taking human form. I don't remember too much else...it's all kind of washed out in pain. Try asking Takeshyi, his memory's better."
[20:43] <Kotono> "Pfah. Now they're sounding like Jadeite - inhuman this, superior that." Scowling a second time as she looks around at the girls, "We'll just have to kick their asses and make surethey don't get whatever they're after."
[20:43] <Usagi> "I know the feeling, at least," Usagi nods sympathetically to Hotaru. "That sword really did a number on me. Was lucky I didn't drop before he ran off."
[20:44] <Kotono> "Well, then have Sis fight that one! She'll kick anyone's ass in swordplay...well, except maybe Asher?" For a moment Kotono looks utterly torn before just blushing and sinking deeper into the water!
[20:46] <Usagi> "Anyway, yeah, lets talk about something more fun?" Usagi suggests, turning to Kotono and smiling nicely. "How *are* things going with Asher, Kotono-chan?"
[20:47] <Hotaru-chan> "Mako-chan would beat him five times over," Hotaru provides dryly. "She and I are on equal footings with the glaive and sword of thunderclaps, she's better in civilian form," Hotaru shakes her head. "And I was roughly on par with Asher using a naginata, he's just faster on his feet."
[20:52] <Kotono> "Well...." Now Kotono blushes even more! "Um...well, you see he's cute and all and he's really ncie and he hugged me and he didn't mind me leaning on me and he's cool and if Rei-chan hadn't gotten my attention maybe we'd have kissed huh and it's total destiny and I'm so gonna give him a lotta kids!" Kotono starts sitting down, rising up and eventully pointing to the sky by th etime she is done! THis would work better if she was wearing somethi
[20:53] <Kotono> something snazzy and not buck naked, however.
[20:53] <Usagi> "Oh..." Usagi deflates. "So... pretty much the usual then, huh?" she asks, thinking of all the other boys Kotono's been smitten with in the past.
[20:54] <Hotaru-chan> "Yep..." Hotaru sighs, slumping down in the water, closing her eyes. "Just...mah," she shakes her head. "Try to not think towards kids, at least, Kochan."
[20:54] <Kotono> "Pretty much," Rei adds in her own two cents with a little teasing smile at the ashy blonde Sailor of Pluto as she speaks to Usagi. "So! How about you and your 'Sis', then? At least she can calm you down, and heck, it's something."
[20:55] <Kotono> "But...well...He likes me! He said so!" Kotono retorts defensively, sinking down as she blushes again, startin to play with her hands. "It'll work ou-REI-CHAN!" Kotono colors like the red shade of the rainbow's spectrum, whipturning to the miko. "Hey!
[20:55] <Kotono> "
[20:55] <Kotono> *Kotono
[20:56] <Usagi> "Sorry, 'Tono-chan," Usagi reaches over to pat her fellow blonde's shoulder. "Just... we have heard this all before. At least try and be gentle with him?"
[20:56] <Kotono> "Right," Rei nods as sh esmiles back innocently. "Just try."
[20:57] <Kotono> "Right, I will be!" Kotono nods, looking to her friends and Hotaru last. "So you'll all help me with him, then, huh?"
[20:57] * Hotaru-chan takes a deep breath. "We really do want you to succeed Kochan, just...even if it's fate, fate'll decide when it happens, not you, right? Just let it go as it might be, and he'll be more easy about it."
[20:58] <Usagi> "Sure!" Usagi nods, "We're your friends and we're here for you. Any help, you just ask!" she gestures to herself with her thumb. "And we're trying to help right now with good advice!"
[20:59] <Kotono> "So..." Kotono takes a long breath before looking to her friends, "How should I kiss him the first time, huh?!"
[20:59] <Kotono> Rei starts to speak, before sinking down, head in her hands. "Oh, Kotono..." she murmurs.
[20:59] <Usagi> "No tongue," Usagi states flatly.
[21:00] * Hotaru-chan moves over towards Rei, giving her a little sympathetic pat on the back, but leaving it there. "And WAIT a while. make sure he's comfortable with it."
[21:00] <Kotono> "Right...even if it is the best part, you don't want to spoil him right off, or he won't be satistifed with just a kiss right away." Rei reverts to sitting up, nodding. "Then again, considering how Usagi does, maybe you should ask me that alone instead, hmmm?" A little smile there, REi sticking her tongue out at Usagi!
[21:01] <Usagi> "Excuse me?" the blonde turns towards Rei, a tic developing in her eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean, Miss Hino?"
[21:01] <Kotono> "Well, um..." Kotono just blushes, but is overwhelmed by Rei's reply.
[21:01] <Kotono> "It means you couldn't get a boy to stick with you...oh, what was the joke! Oh yes!" Leaning in viciously, Rei whispers into Usagi's ear before darting back!
[21:02] <Hotaru-chan> "Eh, that's not universally true..." Hotaru murmurs, blushing. "But don't assume all boys are nice boys like that."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Well, that's true, but Asher's nice.." Kotono says softly as Rei and Usagi get to it again. "So...just be nice to him and try not to kiss him too soon, huh?"
[21:03] * Usagi twitches severely. "Well, I don't want to steal your method, do I?" she replies to the miko, voice dripping with saccharine.
[21:04] <Hotaru-chan> 'Yeah, just...really, stay calm. Boys like it if they can pace things," Hotaru suggests gently, smiling at Kotono. 'You've been grabbing and pushing him so far, and it hasn't really been helping."
[21:04] <Kotono> "Oh, I don't need to do THAT to get boys. After all...you know. When you ahve these?" Rei stands up and fluants, running hands down her front, "You don't need to do what you do, Usagi-chan. The boys just come running."
[21:06] * Usagi snorts. "Yay for having slightly bigger but way saggier boobs?" the blonde rolls her eyes. "I'm happy with my body just the way it is - and so are all the boys that look at it, let me tell you!" she concludes, rising up indignantly out of the water.
[21:07] <Kotono> "Yeah, right! I bet you've never even gotten a guy to want to sleep with you!" Rei strides forward, twin godzillas jutting as Rei sticks a finger in Usagi's face! "Says the girl who's 'taking a timeout' from boys! How long a timeout? As long as it takes to get a girlfriend?"
[21:07] <Kotono> Kotono tries to nod, but just scoots back instead. "Um, Hot-chan...?" Kotono murmurs.
[21:08] * Usagi flinches. That kinda does sting. "Hey! I've had plenty of boys wanting to go a lot further than I've let them!" she cries defensively.
[21:08] <Kotono> "Oh yeah?" Rei tosses her wet hair back, turning and crossing her arms. "Wanna bet? Then how come you're single?"
[21:09] <Hotaru-chan> "I think they need to get their strangling sadomasochistic lesbian urges out before they can go back to boys, so let's just leave them," Hotaru nods.
[21:09] <Kotono> "Oh, okay!" Kotono agrees with that, creeping back and back. "Works for me!"
[21:10] <Usagi> "Because maybe I'm not ready?!" Usagi yells, spreading her arms. "Geez, it was only two months ago that my last boyfriend went and got married to some bimbo that slept with him the day she met him! Forgive a girl for being a little gunshy!" she wails, starting to tear up a bit.
[21:11] <Kotono> "...Usagi..." Rei glances around, face breaking a little bit. "Usagi-chan, I...oh come on!" For a moment she looks sincere, looking the rabbit in the eyes before she turns away. "C'mon now! It just means we need to go out there and get new boyfriends, ones that don't suck!"
[21:14] * Usagi sniffles. "I guess..." she mumbles, now all depressed and weepy. "I just... I really had faith in him... even though everyone said..."
[21:14] <Kotono> "He was a jerk!" Rei shakes his head, "So you know what we're gonna do, Usagi-chan? Since Hotaru and Kotono are already in relationships right now?"
[21:15] * Hotaru-chan breathes a slight sigh of relief. No nuclear explosion. There's a slight pang there, Hotaru shaking her head and getting up to rub Usagi's back. "Hey, it's okay...we all go through stuff like that, right?"
[21:15] <Usagi> "What?" the blonde asks, sniffing loudly and forcing herself to look up at Rei as she leans slightly into Hotaru's comforting gesture.
[21:16] <Kotono> "We're gonna go on a date - no, not like that." Shaking her head, "We need some time together to have fun and forget about boys, a girl's night out!" Nodding now, "We'll relax and see...an d heck," Rei turns back, eyes sparkling, "Maybe we'll decide about that Takeshi. I have to admit he's kinda cute!"
[21:17] <Usagi> "He is..." Usagi admits, twirling one of her feet under the water and forcing a smile on.
[21:17] <Kotono> Turning now and grasping Usagi's bare shoulders, "So c'mon. We're gonna go out tomorrow night and have a BLAST together. Hell, maybe you wanna get a few drinks since I think I know a club we can get into without IDs. We're going to forge tall about our troubles and have fun, while Kotono and Hotaru go boyfriend lovin' or whatever."
[21:18] <Kotono> Kotono stays back, smiling a bit but blushing even more.
[21:18] <Kotono> "Besides," Kotono smiles a bit, "I can tell everyone Usagi and Rei are going on a date tomorrow night?"
[21:19] * Usagi nods, starting to cheer up. "Yeah, lets do that!" she agrees, still looking a bit worse for the wear from her crying but starting to improve. Until Kotono's comment makes her face fall in an almost theatrical manner.
[21:19] * Hotaru-chan just sisghs, hugging Usagi lightly, and letting the blonde withdraw if she wants. "Just as long as you tag Mako-chan and I sleeping together onto it, Kochan."
[21:20] <Kotono> "Oh yeah..." Kotono just blushes, going quiet again.
[21:21] <Kotono> "Oh shut up," Rei just smiles fondly at the blondes, "So it's a, hehheh, date!""
[21:22] <Usagi> Sighing, Usagi squeezes her arm around Hotaru a moment before sitting down and immersing herself up to her neck. "Mmm... I bet my face is all puffy, now," she laments. "And after we just had that treatment..."
[21:23] <Kotono> "Oh yeah...so..." Rei sits next to Usagi and Hotaru, "Want met o kiss it to make it better?"
[21:24] <Usagi> "So making me cry was all a cunning plan to get smoochies?" Usagi tries to joke, cracking a half smile.
[05:30] <Kotono> "Well then," Kotono giggles naughtily at that, "I bumped my knee, why don't you kiss it and make it better, huh, Rei-chan?"
[05:31] * Usagi smiles a bit more at the banter, taking a moment to splash some water over her face and disperse the tears.
[05:32] <Kotono> "No! For you see?" Rei slides up to Usagi's side, glomming onto her with a wicked smile, and even sticking her tongue out at Hotaru. "Usagi-chan makes me feel even hotter inside!"
[05:32] <Hotaru-chan> "You just want Rei-chan's face where you can get a hold of it and spread your legs..." Hotru needles Kotono, smirking.
[05:32] <Hotaru-chan> *Hotaru
[05:33] <Kotono> "Hot-chaaan!" Kotono turns crimson once again, "He's not Asher, righ...erm, I mean, just nevermind that!"
[05:34] <Usagi> "Tell you what, Rei?" Usagi weakly pats the glommed on miko, "If I'm still single when I'm thirty and Naru-chan's found someone, then we can give it a try?" she offers amusedly.
[05:34] * Hotaru-chan winces slightly, barely concealing the recoil at Rei's stab. "Aha...so...Rei-chan likes blondes?" she hazards, rather off kilter there.
[05:35] <Kotono> "Well, I don't know..." Rei's smile turns to Hotaru again, cocking her head to the side. "If I'm going that way, I'd almost rather want someone who could resemble my younger sister, hm?" Her laugh is light and carefree, teasing as she lets Usagi go and sits back down.
[05:36] <Usagi> "Incest fetish, Rei-chan?" Usagi raises an eyebrow.
[05:37] * Hotaru-chan just shakes her head, snorting and relaxing, though...she hasn't let go of Usagi yet. "Probably more that we could test cosmetics on each other..." she adds dryly.
[05:37] <Kotono> "Hey, if I'm going all the way, another step won't hurt," A smirk back at Usagi, lightly splashing her and Hotaru.
[05:37] <Kotono> "...right..." Kotono just continues to blush, hiding in the warm water. "So anyway...um..."
[05:38] <Usagi> "Anyway..." Usagi turns to Kotono with a grin, tears forgotten, "What was that about spreading your legs for Asher, hmm?" she needles.
[05:40] <Kotono> "Um..." Kotono just sinks up to her hair, blushing and hiding!
[05:41] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers, shaking her head. "Weren't you suggesting to him you could have lots of kids?" she probes the Plutonian blonde, smiling and curling her legs up to herself.
[05:41] <Usagi> "Oh, come on, Kotono-chan!" Usagi pouts at her fellow blonde. "It's just us girls here - you can tell us all about it!"
[05:42] <Kotono> "Um...well...Okay, okay! I'd do it with him if he asked or I'd even use my mouth on him, he's just too cute and too nice and I still say it's destiny!" Blushing even hotter as she reemerges, "I mean, sometimes I wonder if he'll do it or he'll kiss me or want me to do something weird or naughty or perverted and I might even say yes!"
[05:43] <Hotaru-chan> "Next everyone's going to turn on me..." Hotaru murmurs, looking shiftily at the blondes and Rei. She's on to them! "But...well, that's not TOO abnormal...really not for Kochan, I guess..." she snickers.
[05:44] <Kotono> "Or wearing catears while acting like you're in heat," Rei smirks, though oddly she looks at both Kotono AND Hotaru with that look.
[05:45] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm facing enough accusations about sleeping with Yoshi!" Hotaru protests, her cheeks lighting up. "Even if he asked me to do...something, but...just..." she shakes her head quickly.
[05:46] <Usagi> "Best to wait until you're comfortable with it," Usagi nods sagely, a fond smile on her lips. "And he's comfortable with it!" she adds to Kotono with a bit more sharpness.
[05:47] <Kotono> "Well...okay..." Kotono just nods to that, as, "Ahem, girls," Your spa guide pokes in, "The steam room's ready. It's right in the back, and bring a towel if you want one."
[05:49] <Usagi> "Oooh, steam room!" Usagi rises up, water running off her as she goes to exit and grab a towel to wrap around herself before proceeding onwards.
[05:50] * Hotaru-chan shakes her head, getting up to follow Usagi's suit and get a towel, and then follow the blonde into the room. Well, they didn't ask for details! It's safe!
[05:50] <Kotono> Rei follows, loosely getting a towel around her. Kotono does the same, still blushing! The steam room is dark paneled and with little benches, alone except for you girls. More chances to relax, full of hot air and moisture. It feels good in here, so good and hot.
[05:51] <Kotono> "Oh yes," Rei grins as she drops her towel, sprawling out on one bench and sighing. "This is better!"
[05:51] <Kotono> Kotono wipes at her forehead, "Is te point of this to sweat all the bad stuff out or something, since I think this'll happen since it's really hot and muggy in here, you know?" Mercifully still toweled, Kotono sits opposite Rei.
[05:51] * Usagi sighs happily as she sits against the wooden panelling, legs pulled up onto the bench with her. "That's basically it, Kotono," she agrees, closing her eyes.
[05:54] * Hotaru-chan curls up on a bench, closing her eyes and smiling. "Mhm...this is wonderful," she sighs.
[05:54] <Kotono> "Mmm, isn't it," Rei grins from ear to ear, soaking in the steam. Wow, it's hot in here, really hot. It just pours off of you, puryfing you in time. "Remind us to get more tickets for this sometime, Usa." Rei purrs as she turns over onto her stomach, utterly content.
[05:56] <Usagi> "Yeah... be a week's pay for the full package, but it's worth it," Usagi agrees, basking in the humid heat. "Place like this really makes you feel special."
[05:57] <Kotono> "Mmm. You know? If we can get something supernatural here, I bet Kotono will pay for a Supernatural Club trip here every week!" Rei just laughs at that, light and so relaxed.
[05:57] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmmm..." Hotaru agrees listlessly, turning onto her back. "Should get Mako-chan...hell, Serenity too..." she snickers. "Make a real full trip for us?"
[05:57] <Kotono> "...hey...but it isn't it kind of tempting?" Kotono just plops back, soaking up steam like it' sgoing out of style. "I hear this makes your hair really shiny?"
[05:59] <Usagi> "Yeah... good for your pores, too," Usagi nods. "And that massage was just glorious, wasn't it?"
[06:00] <Hotaru-chan> "Don't remind me, it makes me want to hunt the guy down again..." Hotaru whimpers, laughingand rubbing her legs. "Or make Yoshi take classes on it or something."
[06:00] <Kotono> "Mmm hmmmmm." Now Rei sits up again, leaning back and propping her arms up. "You know? Almost for a moment wished it was one of those 'adult' spas. Now they had GOOD hands back there, didn't they?"
[06:01] * Usagi giggles. "My guy thought I was trying to get him to feel my butt... then they said the session was over right after." She pouts, still half grinning. "Pity, I was about to give him my number..."
[06:02] * Hotaru-chan cracks an eye at Rei. "Wish they massaged the front, too?" she asks, snickering. "Or down, down..." she breathes, a little shiver. "Gyuh, bad imagination."
[06:02] <Kotono> "...perverts!" Kotono adds, but can't keep a straight face, "But those were really good hands!"
[06:02] <Usagi> "Mmm... I'd say you're onto something, Hotaru-chan," Usagi murmurs, stretching herself out langruously. "Come on, Kotono," she half opens her eyes, "Like you wouldn't if it was Asher."
[06:05] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles a little, propping her head on one hand and looking at the others. "So what if they went really far down, rubbing your legs, massaging inwards slowly...drawing them just apart before going back up...?" she suggests, smirking.
[06:06] <Usagi> Usagi's blush is lost amid her heat flush, but she still musters a reply of, "It has been a while..." closing her eyes again and sighing.
[06:09] <Kotono> "...Oh, Usa-chan? Hot-chan?" Rei cocks her eyes fully open, smirking at them as they talk. A naughty, amused smirk, teasing both. "Girl talking again, hmmmmmmmm?"
[06:11] <Usagi> "Just saying, Rei-chan..." Usagi drawls out lazily. "Maybe you're right about me needing to start looking, again."
[06:12] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm...just thinking up ideas," Hotaru answers, smiling a bit. "And sharing, since it seems a good idea here, hm?" she snickers, closing her eyes. "It'd be nice to have that done..."
[06:13] <Usagi> "So..." Usagi half turns to Hotaru, "Think you will be letting Yoshi go any farther any time soon?" she asks, wondering just how much should be shared.
[06:14] <Kotono> Rei just smiles, closing her eyes again and listening.
[06:14] <Kotono> "Um..." Kotono colors, out of her depth and retreating back!
[06:16] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru coughs softly, turning to look back at Usagi, and offering a shrug. "He asked to last weekend...mmm..." she hums softly, nibbling on her lip. "Being honest..." she sighs a little, smiling. "Probably. I like him too much...he's the basis I judged other boys on!"
[06:19] * Usagi giggles quietly, just a bit in the back of her throat. "Mmmm, must be a real charmer. You'll have to introduce us, sometime," she murmurs, subdued by the all pervading heat and steam of the room. "Good with his hands, you think?"
[06:19] <Kotono> "Better be," Rei adds with her own giggle, "Otherwise you'll have to train him to be."
[06:22] * Hotaru-chan laughs softly, if somewhat embarrassed already. Not like it can be noticed in here! "Oh, he's good with his hands...better than Tsuru," she murmurs, smiling. "And well...he's not a charmer, actually," she snickers, shaking her head. "That's why I like him...he's really nice, but really, really open, and blunt...I don't have to wonder what he's thinking, or anything like that. We just...say it to each other, or do it."
[06:23] <Usagi> "Just hope you don't have to train his stamina as well. That'd be even worse," Usagi laughs a bit louder, stretching herself out a bit. So hot... "Mmm... that's nice, though. No guessing games," she nods to Hotaru's point.
[06:25] <Hotaru-chan> "And for paranoid me? The only way I'll date a boy," Hotaru smiles, nodding. "Just makes me...really comfortable, and warm...but mmm...well, if he's as good a kisser in new situations...maybe I wouldn't mind a lack of stamina...if he's good with it."
[06:26] <Kotono> "Ooooooh." Rei just chortles, "He gives you a good time and you get right to the point of your end of it?" A bit of a amused glare at it, ticking off her fingers, "That works fine in most cases."
[06:27] <Usagi> "Ooooh," Usagi squirms a little, towel shifting over her sweat-slicked body as she adjusts position. "Quite right, though - if he blows it too early he has to make up for it somehow!" she giggles naughtily.
[06:28] <Hotaru-chan> "Make up for it? Advance!" Hotaru laughs, hugging herself. "Don't take chances, if he wants THAT, he'd better make it worth it from the get go..."
[06:29] <Kotono> "So, Usa-chan...Hot-chan...how much do you know about THAT?" Rei challenges easily, as Kotono continues to slink back and away. "Had someone ruin your favorite date dress?"
[06:30] <Usagi> "Eheh..." Usagi giggles a bit lamely. "Ataru always was a bit too eager... never went that far to make it up, but, ah..." she holds her hand up and wriggles her fingers meaningfully.
[06:30] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru raises an eyebrow, glancing over at Rei. "Hardly. I broke up with Yoshi originally because I didn't feel able to do that...Tsuru and I were very ah...casual," she shakes her head, snorting.
[06:32] <Kotono> "Ooooooooh." Rei steeples her hands together, looking both girls over. "Sounds like you...well, that sucks for you, Usagi. Just didn't get it done?"
[06:34] * Usagi smiles innocently, opening her eyes. "I could encourage him a whole lot," she admits. "We had fun, anyway..." her expression takes a downturn as she thinks of how that trainwrecked... stupid arranged marriage.
[06:35] <Kotono> "That's a lot of th e point, having fun." Rei licks her lips at that thought, looking the other two over. "So you've never been that far along, realtively?"
[06:37] <Hotaru-chan> "Nope! Yoshi wanted to, last Saturday...he put my hand on his lap, but he was asking, and while I might've been dump to make out in my room?" Hotaru just shakes her head, snickering. "I wasn't THAT dumb."
[06:37] <Kotono> "That's what the movies are for!" Rei giggles at the end of that, slowly letting it morph into a sexy, lilting laugh of knowledge.
[06:37] <Usagi> "Well... halfway, I guess?" Usagi shrugs, the movement exposing more of her form as her towel shifts. "Haven't gone down on a guy or had one go down on me, but... y'know," she wriggles her fingers again. "Magic fingers!" she giggles.
[06:40] <Hotaru-chan> "That's a thought..." Hotaru murmurs softly, tapping her lips. "Maybe I could get him to..." she blushes, snickering softly.
[06:40] <Kotono> "Well, you'll have fun when you get to it." A slow, knowing wink by Rei, before she stands and stretches. "You guys ready to get outta here?"
[06:41] <Usagi> "I guess..." Usagi murmurs, slowly rising. "You've kept awfully quiet on your experience, though, Rei-chan..." she observes accusingly.
[06:42] <Hotaru-chan> "She doesn't want us to know about the baby Hino we should all be doting on," Hotaru remarks dryly, grinning and sitting up.
[06:44] <Kotono> "An aura of mystery is a part of any sexy girl," Rei absently grabs her towel, starting to pad out.
[06:44] <Usagi> "You're not trying to be sexy to us!" Usagi replies indignantly, following along.
[06:45] <Hotaru-chan> "Or should I start hoping?" Hotaru asks, laughing and following Usagi.
[06:45] <Kotono> "I have to be. Since you're so...not." So Rei stops at the door out, sticking out her tongue and shaking her rear.
[06:47] <Usagi> "Yeah, right," Usagi grumbles, going to take a shower to get the sweat off before drying and donning her underwear. "Anyway, what's next?"
[06:48] <Hotaru-chan> "Grabbing Rei's butt for the second time if she doesn't stop offering it?" Hotaru offers, smirking.
[06:48] <Kotono> "Body treatment then dinner," Kotono chimes in, bathed and cleasned. "...I wonder if we'll get those European guys again?"
[06:48] <Kotono> "You wish," Rei scurries ahead, going back to her compartment up front and getting her undies out to put on.
[06:49] <Hotaru-chan> "I've had it once!" Hotaru calls after Rei, pursuing!
[06:50] <Usagi> "Body treatment?" Usagi wonders aloud. That sounds rather vague...
[06:51] <Kotono> So Rei is chased! But you get back to the cots - and htis time t here are dozens of tubes of lotions to choose from. Only your general guide is here this time. "Feel free to try whatever body treatment ou like, t hen head on to dinner."
[06:52] * Usagi looks over the lotions on offer, considering...
[06:52] <Kotono> "OOooh!" Kotonog rabs one called 'Orange Estatcy', getting it and starting to lotion up her legs.
[06:53] <Kotono> There are several types to choose from, most scented most pleasantly. You can smell sweet oranges from Kotono's as she gets to work.
[06:56] <Kotono> Rei chooses 'Passion' and starts rubbing, sitting down and breathing in the fumes. "Not so bad. It's a s hame we're doing this alone, but oh well."
[06:57] * Usagi picks one more or less at random and gets to work. "Yeah... be nice to have this rubbed in with a massage..." she observes.
[06:58] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm," Hotaru agrees, sitting down to work in something called Midnight Blossom into her skin, coming down a bit fromt he fun of the steam room. "Bah...I wish we hadn't gotten our datew delayed," she growls a little, but continuing to work her skin.
[06:59] <Kotono> "Still. Oh, and no, that's not an excuse to offer to feel me up," Rei adds lightly as she works, up to her lower chest, working under her bra. "Yeah, delays suck. Just like you if you do this date, right, Hot-chan."
[07:00] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru pouts at Rei. "Ohhh...but you feel good! ...Probably better since Gaia and Ami's going away party," she laughs, smiling. "And if I do, he'll have made it very, VERY worth it already," she snickers.
[07:00] * Usagi snickers slightly at Rei's comment, continuing to work the lotion into her skin. Smells nice, at least. And makes her skin so soft! As if the massage, hot spring. and steam room didn't do it...
[07:02] <Kotono> "MMmmm." Going up to her face now, "Let'sfinish this, eat and get outta here. This has been great, but I'm getting tired. Besides, I think we've made enough jokes to last a few months."
[07:03] <Kotono> Kotono says quietly, nodding fervently.
[07:04] <Usagi> "I guess," Usagi shrugs, dusting her hands together. "Was fun, though, wasn't it?" she grins.
[07:04] <Kotono> "We should do more things like this. Especially with new men around - and I don't mean this in a bad way - but we girls have to stick together!" Rei nods as she stands up, dusting herself off as well.
[07:05] * Hotaru-chan bites her lip, looking rather put back for an instant at Kotono, but smothering it quickly. "Yeah," she agrees, offering a smile. "Lots of fun..."
[07:05] <Usagi> "Maybe not as together as some might hope, though..." Usagi notes with a sidelong glance at Hotaru, grinning cheekily.
[07:07] * Hotaru-chan gives Usagi a meaningful, more embarrassed than sharp glare, blushing. "Yeah, right," she offers lamely, standing up and patting herself off.
[07:08] <Kotono> Rei grins at that, giving Hotaru a teasing look. "Wantto go back to the baths alone, naked and see what happens, Hot-chan?"
[07:08] <Usagi> "Rei-chan always looks good!" Usagi simpers in a faux-Hotaru voice before giggling and prancing off back to the changing room.
[07:10] <Hotaru-chan> "Evil temptress," Hotaru sighs at Rei, following Usagi! She's dug her hole deep enough, she supposes.

[Laggy]

This takes place sometime between ep 3 and 4, the morning after the supermarket attack where Nior and Mamoru make their entrance.

[10:26] <Anastasia> Yep, it's raining here, too! It's quite quiet, but even from out here you can smell breakfast cooking. Something quite spicy and stomach stirring, but it's a nice compliment to the chilly rain.
[10:27] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blinks, humming. Must be a Gaian dish, by experience. Shaking her head though, she knocks lightly, waiting.
[10:29] <Anastasia> There's a loooooooong pause before the door opens. Nior answers it, towering in a black uniform like Janna's. Oh, he doesn't smile, but he doesn't look displeased to see you, either.
[10:29] <Hotaru-chan> "...Nior?" Hotaru asks, quirking her head in curiousity. "When'd you get on planet?" she asks, smiling herself, and not really expecting Nior to smile. Ever.
[10:30] <Anastasia> "Yesterday." He speaks gruffly, heading back inside after. To the living room - there's Asher on the couch, asleep and with a blanket over him. "Jun's visions have grown...violent."
[10:35] <Anastasia> "...Oh, it's just Hotaru!" Janna snips back, laughing all the while. "There is plenty of extra, and since Mamoru and Serenity stayed up late they probably won't be up until lunch. So c'mon!"
[10:37] <Hotaru-chan> "I already ate, thanks," Hotaru smiles, not detailing the SECOND reason to not engage in Gaian cuisine. Not with Nior around. Oh no. "I actually came by for...advice, when you're free," she murmurs, snikceirng a little. Don't mind Mamoru, no no...
[10:38] <Anastasia> "Oh great. I'll be out in a couple!" Janna carols back, as Nior goes to eat.
[10:39] <Anastasia> Meanwhile Asher begins to stir, awakening to voices penetrating a deep sleep.
[10:39] * Hotaru-chan just slumps down onto one of the chairs, watching Asher. She doesn't have much else to do!
[10:46] <Laggy> Asher's rise from unconsciousness is nothing if a bit fitful. He seems to be coming about, then rolls over and faceplants himself right into the comfort of the couch again. This goes on for at least a few minutes, his body still for most of the time, on occasion moving back and forth here and there.
[10:46] <Asher> He seems to mumble something under his breath, but it's completely incoherant, idle hands clutching onto the blanket that wasn't there last night when he conked out.
[10:47] * Hotaru-chan snickers a little, just watching the poor boy. He'll probably freak when he comes to, she did when this happened, but who knows! Part of her wonders if this is how all boys wake up, though, followed by a bit of a blush.
[10:50] <Asher> Morning gets a few more moments of passing before finally his eyes seem to open, then fade right back out; this prompts a bit of lounging and stretching from the young man, who, apparently not coming to grips with the fact that he wasn't in fact in bed, but on a smaller length couch not completely suited for him, slides off and nearly hits the table in his groggy state!
[10:50] <Asher> Instead Hotaru gets the joy of hearing the painful sounding thump of his rear making contact with the floor. He yelps out for a moment, scrambling back up to his feet... or trying.
[10:51] <Hotaru-chan> "Good morning," Hotaru cheerily chirps to the boy, smiling and snickering. "The hazards of comfort...it wasn't nearly so bad waking up like that when this place was abandoned and we used sleeping bags..." she notes wryly.
[10:52] <Asher> "Mmfmrghlewhatthe --" Asher's words get cut off as he drags himself back up, still holding onto the blanket for dear warmth and sits back down on the couch, looking around with a momentary confused look. Hotaru's voice cutting through the air, and his subsequent glance over to her, clears it up a little. "...oh. Good morning..."
[10:54] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers softly, half curled into a chair in black and black. "So, you had a battle last night..." she murmurs, smiling wryly. "And ended up passing out here...familiar experience."
[10:59] <Asher> "Is it really," he murmurs back just as softly, trying to straighten up his posture in the couch... still not finding much energy to do so. His hair was a complete mess from its usual self, his face worn. "I'm not sure all of you had someone coming in to save you from humiliation, though." With a bit of a wince, he cranes his neck around, working out all the kinks.
[11:03] <Hotaru-chan> "No, we were gangbeating an interplanar incarnation of gluttony and nightmares that wanted to consume my soul," Hotaru answered, ehr fingers twitching a little. Oh just do it. So she gets up, fishing a folding brush out of her purse. "Hold still, by the by," she tells him, moving around behind him. "And I ended up collapsing from physical shock by using a particular spell too much."
[11:04] <Asher> He blinks at her momentarily, seeming to shrink back with a half-wary, half-surprised look on his face. "Uh. What is it?"
[11:07] <Hotaru-chan> "Your hair is a mess, I refuse to leave it alone," Hotaru answers, hmphing.
[11:09] <Asher> Now that was about the last thing Asher expects as he instinctively self-buries himself in the blanket... sorta. Just makes it hard enough for Hotaru to actually get any reach on him. "Mmmf. It's too early..." His words mumble as he curls up momentarily, still plagued by the morning cold.
[11:12] <Hotaru-chan> "Bah, boys," Hotaru gripes, whapping Asher across the back of the head. "They're having breakfast if you want to join them, warning that it's usually hot and a little spicey, since it smelled like Gaian food."
[11:12] <Anastasia> "I'm coming, I'm coming," Janna calls out a second later. "Almost done, so don't do anything too cruel to poor Asher!"
[11:14] <Hotaru-chan> "He's being stubborn about having his hair brushed!" Hotaru fires back to Janna, grumpily.
[11:14] <Asher> Asher whimpers a bit at that and reluctantly emerges from his cover, giving her a weary, half-asleep glare that comes off across as more comical than anything else. "Spicy food's my specialty, so that doesn't sound off kilter at all. Did you hear about Nior and Mamoru, or whatever they were talking with Queen Serenity about?"
[11:15] <Hotaru-chan> "Nior answered the door, something about Jun's visions," Hotaru shakes her head, glowering at the second name. "Mamoru...tefh," she makes an inarticulate sound, not really caring to curse in Serenity's house.
[11:17] <Asher> Asher shoots her a weird look at that, the question on his face as he finally wills himself to toss the blanket aside, fighting off the chill.
[11:17] <Anastasia> "C'mon, then!" Janna calls again, "Asher, there's plenty in here...or wait, I'll bring you some!" The call back is quick, a humming carrying as Jannag ets back to work.
[11:19] <Asher> "Guh?" Asher pipes back up, sounding discouraged at that. "No, no, I'll be over there, Janna!" His tone of voice makes it evident he doesn't really want to be treated like that.
[11:21] <Anastasia> It's just a hair too late. Janna's trotting out with a big white bowl and spoon. It smells like spicy peppers and seasoning, steaming up. "Oh, don't worry, you're a guest. Besides, I get some small relief by at least being capable enough to serve the heroes of Earth...even if I have as much magic now as a brick." The last part is muttered, Janna's smile not ebbing.
[11:24] <Asher> Asher's face falls with a low moan of incomprehension. Hero of Earth. Riiiight. Janna was nice enough, but this amount of pampering just left him feeling more awkward than before. At least he had the good graces to politely smile back, although Hotaru, closer nearby, could see that it was entirely forced. "...alright, thanks, then..." The aroma of the food, to be fair, set Asher's stomach rumbling. That looks enticing...
[11:25] * Hotaru-chan shakes her head. "The latter is a blessing," she snickers, smiling at Janna. "Anyway...let's leave Asher to breakfast, ah..." Hotaru glances towards the stairs. "I kinda, well...need, want to talk to you...about some things..." she murmurs, giving Janna a meaningful look.
[11:26] <Anastasia> It is. A clear broth with meat and flecks of red. It looks more like a dinner by standards you're used to. You think that's beef in it?  "It's not authentic - your spices aren't as good as ours, quite, but it's still pretty good." Thereafter she goes to an easy chair and flops down...just as Hotaru speaks. "...oh. What...alright." Shaking her head and getting back up, "We'll be back in ac ouple, Asher."
[11:27] <Asher> Asher gives them both a meaningful look, his lips pursed, but he knows better than to pursue this.. especially not in the current situation. With a nod and a brief smile again, he nods them off. "Alright. Thanks again."
[11:27] * Hotaru-chan smiles a little, waving to the boy. "Probably because we have sugar," she murmurs, nodding. "Trust me, Asher, you don't want to know," she snorts, letting Janna lead off.
[11:30] <Anastasia> So to upstairs you go and Janna's room! A nice place - it's ab it spartain, but you notice someone's bought a really nice waterbed and a lot of Earth clothes! They're all over the place, hanging around on hangars. "So," Sitting on her bed, "Yeah?"
[11:35] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru tries to locate a chair, blushing. "Well...okay, so...I went out with this guy two years ago and I really liked him and we got along really, REALLY well but I wasn't really comfortable when things got serious but then I called him last saturday and we're sorta dating again only we're both really kinda serious now because we're older and we still like each other and well...YOU KNOW," Hotaru stops, her face dark, dark red.
[11:36] <Anastasia> Janna takes a very deep breath, reaching over and grabbing a clotheshanger. WHAP it goes, rattling Hotaru's head. "Okay, now that I've purified the Kotono out of you, try that again?"
[11:43] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blushes, sitting down and hmphing. "I'm going out with a guy that's...well, okay, no, I started half of it, so..." she blows at her bangs. "We're both...really direct? Or something, but...we really, REALLY like each other, and...he tried putting my hand THERE...well, near it, and then he asked, and I said I didn't know...because I don't," she sighs.
[11:43] <Hotaru-chan> "And then we're going out tonight, but given the weather...well, we might be spending a lot of time inside...and, y'know," Hotaru gestures, her blush brightening again.
[11:49] <Anastasia> "Oh. You wanna know how to ..." Janna closes her fist into a grip, making an up and down motion.
[11:54] <Hotaru-chan> "...Just...something," Hotaru slumps a little, closing ehr eyes. "And maybe...I don't know, whatever he...gah, well, whatever he decides to do for me, I'll do for him, so..." Hotaru just blushes even redder, probably radiating heat by this point. "And just...if you have advice for other things...I really don't know, we moved really fast when we got together, but it just evens out for a long time...that was two years ago, though, so..."
[11:56] <Anastasia> "...alright. I'll make it simple." Taking a very long breath, "If it's rubbing when he's still clothed, just use your palm until you feel something wet there, like he wet himself. If it's your hand, just rub up and down with your entire hand. It's pretty simple. If it's your moth, well...don't bite! If it's the whole nine yard, just do what nature tells you to do!" Finishing on an up beat and blushing, "See? Simple!"
[12:06] <Hotaru-chan> "...We're not doing the last one," Hotaru chokes, blushing and nodding a little. "Okay...it's really just..." she gestures and shrugs, blushing. "I always thought it'd be more complicated..."
[12:07] <Anastasia> "Look." Janna takes another breath, "It's a penis, not a machine! You take it and do what makes it feel good. According to men that's just hold and touching it, so keep it simple!" So she gets up, Janna starting to go. "Now that it's settled, let's get back to Asher?"
[12:21] <Hotaru-chan> "Right..." Hotaru sighs, shaking her head and gewtting up. "Let's go?" she nods, still blushing.
[12:22] <Anastasia> "Sure thing," Janna purrs away, utterly relaxed now that it seems to be over. "If that's it, let's go see how Asher's doing now?"
[12:26] <Hotaru-chan> "Unless you...no, nevermind, we're done," Hotaru takes a deep breath, nodding and closing her eyes. "I'll manage, I think."
[12:29] <Anastasia> So downstairs the pair goes! To Asher and his meal - one he finds quite spicy indeed, but it is indeed filling. "How is it," Janna asks, upbeat and lively.
[12:32] <Asher> Asher is actually all but done with it, having gulped down the entire meal with complaint - in fact, it's not as much as some of the dishes he'd been brought up on, and while this one brings a warm flush to his cheeks, he's endured worse. Janna catches him dropping the last spoonful as he turns around in surprise, reaching for a napkin to wipe and nods encouragingly.
[12:33] <Asher> "Mmf. It's good!" He takes a breath for a moment, chuckling. "Actually, I thought there'd be more jalapeno, but to be honest I couldn't even tell what you used in there. It sure warmed me up, though."
[12:34] * Hotaru-chan snickers, slipping into her seat again, and shrugging. "Gaian food seems to be like that a lot...no sugar, but it's good, just heavy."
[12:35] <Asher> "Seems like I'll get along fine with it then." Asher's up and about now, picking up the plate and bowl that Janna had so kindly gotten for him, then spies the kitchen out of the corner of his eye and heads there to deposit.
[12:36] <Anastasia> It's empty now - wherever Nior went off to he's gone. Once you put the plates up, you can hear, "Well anyway, you gonna stick around or head home?"
[12:37] <Hotaru-chan> "Unless Serenity's going to be up soon and not Mamoru, I might just disappear," Hotaru murmurs, shrugging a little. "I still don't like him...even if the impulse to hit him has eased."
[12:40] <Asher> Catching the tidbits of this, Asher keeps his thoughts to himself as he takes his time in the kitchen, letting a bit of running water go as he starts the dreary process of dishwashing. But he keeps the water dim enough so he can still hear...
[12:41] <Anastasia> "Up to you. No clue - they were up really late. Daughter gossip." A thin smile over Janna's face, "She pumped me for a good four hours for it when we finally sat down alone."
[12:42] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snorts a little, smiling. "Until I find out she's expecting, I'll probably still be on my guard, I guess..." she murmurs, humming and leaning back in the chair. "I vaguely wished he'd just stayed on Gaia, y'know? Having to keep all that bottled because he was dating Usagi...ugh."
[12:44] <Asher> Ooh. Steam. Employing his parents' patented method of using water at ridiculously high temperatures, with enough quantities to most likely crush all the bacteria by its sheer weight before even applying the dishcleaner, Asher continues to studiously rinse, wipe, rinse again, being slow and thorough about it. Eavesdropping... such a bad habit, but one he couldn't resist when presented..
[12:46] <Anastasia> "Eh. Give him a break. If you can forgive Balder..." A pause, Janna frowning and chewing her lip. "I know he's been through a lot, and I know he's was talking to Nior and Jun a lot."
[12:48] <Hotaru-chan> "...You think I've forgiven Balder on a personal level?" Hotaru snorts, voice a little sharp. "I've forgiven both professionally. But personally?" Hotaru shakes her head. I'm not trigger happy anymore, but..."
[12:52] <Anastasia> "Eh." A frown from teh Gaian woman, but she looks away to the floor instead. "Bother you that much?"
[12:56] <Hotaru-chan> "Mhm," Hotaru sighs, shrugging. "I sympathized with Setsuna, I didn't exactly like the perspective killing was forcing on me, or what visions msut've been doing to her...but if she threatened the happiness of someone I hold under my supervision?" Hotaru snorts. "I tore her to pieces, and Balder and Mamoru went and actually hurt Makoto, not just threatened."
[13:00] <Anastasia> "They weren't the only ones hurt," Janna adds in her own observation, very quiet. "But anyway! Yeah, he'll probably be asleep awhile longer, maybe?"
[13:02] <Hotaru-chan> "I can never account for everybody, just account for thsoe I can," Hotaru sighs, shrugging. "Necessity...mah, do you want me around?" Hotaru asks, her smile returning a bit. "I don't have anything to do, just I'd rather avoid him."
[13:03] <Asher> And with an abrupt stop, the water ceases flowing as Asher rinses the last one and racks them all up, drying his own hands on a towel and wincing slightly at the reddish aftermath it does to his skin. Checking to make sure everything's in order, he starts to make his way back out casually.
[13:05] <Anastasia> "Your call. He'll be around until he catches up with Makoto later - I know she was watching his place" Another shrug from Janna, "I don't mind the company."
[13:07] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru tenses sharply, eyes flaring a little. "Mah..." she shakes her head, sighing. "So what've you been up to, hm?" she asks, trying to drag herself down from the momentary touch of adrenaline, curling up in the seat.
[13:08] <Asher> What the heck. Rather than go back into the living room of the two, Asher instead slowly eases his way across... and up the stairs instead.
[13:14] <Anastasia> "Oh, I'vej ust been busy..." Janna begins, as Asher creeps around to the stairs! Upstairs is ahead if he wishes to go there.
[20:33] <Asher> Indeed he does, slowly making his way upwards with care. He's never been up here before, but... mm, he's just looking for open doors anyway.
[20:36] <Kotono> Upstairs are four rooms - two are open. The one on the upper left is open and the upper right. The upper left looks to be a girl's room with a waterbed and a lot of clothes hung about.
[20:40] <Asher> Passing by the closed doors slowly, Asher... feels like an intruder! But that's okay, what's the worst that could happen. ...okay, let's not go down that train of thought! He keeps going and pauses at the door outside of the room with the waterbed. "Queen Serenity?"
[20:42] <Kotono> A long pause, before, "Yes?" That is indeed Serenity, the sound of footsteps coming to the door.
[20:44] <Asher> Keeping dutifully at the side of the door and not daring to look in, Asher speaks a bit more formally, trying to not.. break down in nervousness. "Would you be free for... a bit anytime this morning? There are some matters that I wished to discuss with you, although they're not too urgent..."
[20:48] <Kotono> "Enter," It's all the answer Asher gets, and it speaks of conciseness and the appealing warmth in her voice.
[20:49] <Asher> Well. That's one way to quickly eliminate anxiety, although there's still a dull ache somewhere in his stomach. Asher steps in dutifully, not without a polite bow. "Thank you..."
[20:54] <Kotono> Her room is beautiful and elegant - paintings and hangings, a large bed with silken sheets. Serenity sits here, her gown as the Queen of the Moon worn today. "What is on your mind, Asher?"
[20:57] <Asher> There's a bit of a clipped sigh as Asher looks for a suitable place to sit, not ... quite sure how to phrase this delicately. He was not, well, used to bringing up matters like this at all; but this one gnawed at him considerably. With a bit of a sheepish smile... "Just... a few things that feel a little troubling to me. It's probably just my own misgivings, but... part of it is my own ignorance anyway,
[20:58] <Asher> so I was hoping you could shed some light." Damn it, was there anyplace he could sit down and not look awkward?
[21:00] <Kotono> Serenity sits on her bed, nary causing it to even sag. Her hands fold into her lap, as she smiles. The sort of smile that stops cars and gets the attention of the masses, all aimed at Asher. "Please go on."
[21:02] <Asher> Shifting his feet uncomfortably and remaining standing, he continues on... slowly. "I've only known everyone here for a few weeks, and I know everyone has their ups and downs... but there seems to be some bad blood between a few people." He lowers his eyes, looking down at the floor as he phrases the next comment carefully. "Particularly that of our new arrivals...."
[21:03] <Asher> "But I didn't have the courage to quite ask those involved and bring up sore history." He looks back at her helplessly, realizing that he'd just inadvertently stated he didn't mind bugging -her-! But it was said and done. "And I'm just... worried about internal conflict like this. I hate it when I see friends fight, or avoid each other, or anything like that..."
[21:07] <Kotono> "So do I, Asher. More...more than most other things in this new world." Serenity pats the bed besides herself invitingly, closing her eyes as her mouth works. "Mamoru's time here was difficult on him. Forgiveness does perhaps not come as easily as it should."
[21:11] <Asher> Asher gratefully takes a seat at the edge of the bed, some of the tension off of his shoulders. At least he hadn't been ridiculed. His eyes raise up to meet Serenity's, speaking a bit more clearly now. "That much I gathered... and he was very kind to me last night, so it did strike me as... odd." A bit of a pause. "And I don't feel right just -talking- about them like this, but I want to know what... happened to bring this about, at least..."
[21:14] <Asher> --happened to bring this about, at least..."
[21:15] <Kotono> "A long, old story. Mamoru dated Makoto and then Usagi, and both relationships ended...unsufficiently." There is a distinct pause to choose a word at the end, Serenity's eyes still closed as she listens and speaks. Her posture is relaxed, voice clear. "Both girls suffered for this, and certain parties may have not forgiven him for it."
[21:20] <Asher> A brief nod, pursed lips to accompany it as he chews on that. Still, he'd already known that much... although Serenity didn't seem very inclined to enclose the actual details. But there was still another piece of the puzzle that he's lost about.. and he brings it up quietly. "...and Princess Serenity?"
[21:21] <Kotono> "Endymion's level in the past, and Mamoru was...still drawn to her in this time. Another issue of contention. His heart was split, doing further damage."
[21:23] <Asher> "Endymion..." Asher's face plain shows that he's lost once again. He attempts to bring up what he remembers, with a bit of a frown. "Sorry, just... Mamoru Chiba, Tuxedo Kamen, right?" It sucks so much to be out of the loop like this.
[21:29] <Kotono> "Yes, he was Prince Endymion long ago. In the past he wooed Princess Serenity just before the end."
[21:32] <Asher> With a brief sigh, Asher raises his hand in apology, sliding back a bit from his position on the bed and speaks up again. "I'm sorry to trouble you with all these details in the past. But, coming down to it... there's still tension between..." He didn't want to list off the specific names, so he just gives a brief nod. Besides, hell, there might be more that he didn't even know about
[21:32] <Asher> "Should... this be something to worry about... or should it be left alone to resolve by itself?" he asks, quietly.
[21:42] <Kotono> "Mmm. Not in this state. If it is needed I will intervene." So she resolves, "But I thank you for mentioning it. It was that visible?"
[21:44] <Asher> "Hotaru doesn't exactly make a secret of it," Asher murmurs, a bit darkly. "And she isn't even one of the two who were actually... directly involved, so..." Cutting off what he was saying with a brief sigh, he looks back up at Serenity with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I do make a big deal out of things that are just not going to change. But.. thank you for listening."
[21:49] <Kotono> "Thank you for telling me." Reaching out, Serenity rests a delicate hand on Asher's shoulder. "Doyou feel better now?"
[21:52] <Asher> With a bit of a tired gaze and tilting of his head - perhaps involuntarily - Asher nods briefly, with a smile. "I just wouldn't know what to do if it came to a real argument between two people like that... and given.." He fumbles for the words again... "How... everything is so vital, that I hope that doesn't happen."
<Anastasia> "I hope so as well," Serenity turns and matches that smile with one of her own. "I hope for all our sakes that it doesn't happen."
<Asher> Well, what are you supposed to say after something like that...? Asher turns away for a moment, staring off at the wall before gathering himself back up. Shaking his head, he glances back at the queen in all her majestic beauty. "Other than that... I guess that's all, Queen Serenity. Thank you, again. I should probably be heading home now..."
<Anastasia> "No need to thank me. Just be careful and rest up, Asher." Serenity stands up as well, coming over to rest her hands on his shoulders. "I mean that - take it as an order if you wish. Go rest your mind and body."
<Asher> Half ready to flinch back from her, instead Serenity's touch is anything but provoking. Asher relaxes a bit, not daring to look back and only gives a brief, obedient nod. "I will." The moment lingers before he finally makes his way out of the door, glancing briefly into the other room that he'd passed earlier.... well, no matter. Back down the stairs and time to go home to the inevitable confrontation with his parents.