Episode 3 - Omens and battles, oh my!

[Anastasia]

[12:19:41] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[12:23:02] <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
[12:23:30] <Kotono> Soon...Lightbringer..." One of them croaks, voice nothing more than a rasping whisper into the mist.
[12:24:11] <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."
[12:24:46] <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."
[12:26:10] <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."
[12:26:53] <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?"
[12:27:49] <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."
[12:29:10] <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."
[12:30:11] <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..."
[12:30:39] <Kotono> "Enough. Your orders are cast," The animalistic one growls, stepping forward slightly.
[12:30:58] <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.
[12:30:59] <Kotono> ---

[Anastasia]

> ---Arc 2 go!---
> Saturday, last period!  While some plan a trip to the spa, Makoto's classes are discreetly disrupted. The teacher gets a notice over the PA system - "Will Makoto Kino please come to the office now for early release. Thank you."
<Makoto> *Okay, THAT's not normal.* Makoto muses, a decidedly weirded out expression on her face, looking to the teacher before assembling her things and bolting.
> You don't get anything abnormal until you meet Uncle Taka at the office. He awaits there, slightly out of sorts but nodding to Makoto. "We need to go to the bank now."
<Makoto> "O-Okay..." Makoto nods, blinking. "Is something wrong?"
> "Nothing serious, but they're transferring files over to a computer. From what the told me, the files invovling you and guardianship were damaged, so they're legally obligated to have to reconfirm the information directly." Taka leads the way out, a quick pace as always.
* Makoto follows, feeling a vague stab of panic. It was never any good when someone official contacted them in regards to paperwork. It always seemed like a fight to keep things normal, because despite their ludicriously passionate love for paperwork, it was almost never taken completely seriously... "But it's not serious, right?" Makoto probes anxiously, matching her uncle's pace as they hurry out.
> "Not at all." Taka gently cracks his knuckles as he leads you to his car parked at the curb, unlocking your door before going around.  After that he gives Makoto a tiny, reassuring look as he gets in.
* Makoto sighs softly and nods, opening the door and slipping in, unable to surpress a smirk at the knuckle cracking. *That would work, yep.*
> So on you go! The Second National Bank of New Tokyo is a gleaming edifice - while the first floor is yoru destination, they have offices several floors up as well. The main area is a long row of  cashier's stations with paths to the side as well as a security guard.  AFter talking to someone briefly, you're ushed into a side office. (More)
> The man here is round and quiet, 300 pounds and in offensive, smelling of shoe leather. "Aaah, welcome, welcome," He gestures to nice if slightly worn seats, smoothing over his tweed suit. "We just need to get your personal information again."
> "Pleasure," Taka says easily, shaking hands with him before sitting. "But can we get to business? I had to take Makoto out of classes early, so I'd much rather not waste this time."
<Makoto> His weight barely registers to Makoto's mind-nice people are too few in number to obsess about their apperance, even if she seems to be surrounded by gorgeous ones, these days-and she nods quietly in support of her uncle, having learned early that letting him take the lead is the best idea...a loud, opinionated girl might give the impression Uncle Taka's not a fit parent.
> "Yes, yes..." A flotilla of paperwork is handed over, several pens as well. That's at least 15 sheets! "If you'd fill all those out, and Miss Kino?" Ten passed to her, "If you'd fill those out in tripilcate?"
<Makoto> "Awp!" Makoto takes the paperwork shakily. "You're serious?" she asks, flipping through the forms, stunned. "Was there this much before?"
> "It builds up," The beurocrat rises up, "I'll be back in a half hour." He bows before scurrying out, making himself very scarce.
> "Oh..." Taka bites his lip, a sour look sent as the banker flees for good reason. "Typical salaryman," he adds on with a dollop of contempt.
<Makoto> "...At least he doesn't seem like a jerk." Makoto offers, nonetheless giving the door he fled through a dismayed look.
> "Yes, let-" Uncle Taka is cutoff, however! A thunderclap like BURST sounds from outside this room, echoing in somber tones of terror! A sound that Makoto only dimly knows from movies and perhaps Gaia itself - gunfire.
* Makoto jumps visibly, hurrying toward the door. "Holy Shit..." She mumbles anxiously, easing it open a crack to see out, and what's going on.
> Taka is up in a moment, but stops as Makoto goes to the door! Outside is chaos - three men in bandanas and black clothing each have shotguns, everyone falling to the ground! "I said down," he snarls, a banker's booth glass frame shattered. "Or you get it! Now start passing over the money!" A few duffel bags have been put on one of the counters, shotguns levelled at tellers!
<Makoto> "...Bank robbery." Makoto almost laughs, looking over at her uncle. "I can stop them." She fishes around in her skirt pocket for the transformation pen. "I...don't want to risk anyone, though-Should I wait until they're on their way out, or shut down the lights?"
> "Makoto?" Taka pauses a heavy moment before he nods. "Do what you think. This is where you're the teacher and master." A wry, tense smile shows on his face, as he steps back.
<Makoto> "That doesn't mean I know everything, though." Makoto protests, fingers closing around the pen! "Jupiter Crystal Power, Make UP!"
> In a flare of power Sailor Jupiter appears! Thunderbolts and lighting threaten mere bank robbers, the protector of Love and Justice here!
* Sailor_Jupiter grips her sword tightly, peeking out of the door, and watching the men, her stomach fluttering. *People are in danger. Have to think about them first.* She murmurs to herself, watching the men's movements, and waiting for a moment when all of the guns are pointed away from human targets...and at the same time, calling out at the top of her mental lungs. :BAD MEN ARE INSIDE THE BANK! GUARD THE DOORS, PLEASE!:
> OOC - Soul check -2 to see what sort of animal attention you get.
<Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6-2
<Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6-2
* Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6-2 and gets 4." [2d6=3, 3]
> Meanwhile, "Get it all in!" Two look towards the door, while the last has his shotgun levelled at a teller!
<Sailor_Jupiter> Grimacing a little, Makoto decides the time has come, or she'll lose them. Trying two things at once, but turning them into one thing, Makoto stretches out with her mind to forcibly halt the flow of electricity into the building, and instead focusing it into the metal still sewn into her gloves, using the stolen current to forcibly pull at the guns, hoping...PRAYING that at the very least, the muzzle of the one will turn away from the
<Sailor_Jupiter> PRAYING that at the very least, the muzzle of the one will turn away from the teller.
> OOC - Okay, that's a pretty impressive stunt. Soul check +2.
<Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6+2 burning 20 EP
* Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6+2 burning 20 EP and gets 8." [2d6=4, 2]
> Like cracks of lighting raining down on a barren plan, Makoto's power makes the lights go out! As semi darkness falls, it is illuminated! Makoto's gloves turn to great conduits of power, the guns turning to her - as well as a lot of loose metal, even a few pens flying right at her gloves! "Wha...whaa....?!" One of the robbers stares!
> "It's...one of the Juuban Angels?!" One of the tellers blurts out, pointing at Makoto, body illuminated ni electric blue!
<Sailor_Jupiter> "EVERYONE STAY DOWN!" Makoto thunders, and glares at the three men, and keeping the voltage level low enough to avoid killing any of them, Makoto simply sprays the only people in the room standing upright with the stolen voltage!
> OOC - ACV.
<Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=4, 5]
> OOC - DCVs for 'em, as if they have much of one, at least.
> roll 2d6
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 6." [2d6=4, 2]
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 4." [2d6=1, 3]
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]
> Each man is stuck prone!  Electricity hits the netirely normal humans, shocking them like dolls! As they flail about weakly the collapse, utterly poleaxed by Makoto's power!
<Sailor_Jupiter> Releasing her hold on the electricity, Makoto lets the lights come back on, rushing out to check each of their pulses.
> The stares! The innocent people of Tokyo stare at Sailor Jupiter as she finds that they still hav ea pulse. They have nasty electrical burns, however.
<Sailor_Jupiter> "Ouch..." Makoto sighs, pushing the guns well away from their owners, and looking up and beginning to blush at all the stares. "Um...Can someone call the police?"
> "R-Right!" A teller calls, one of them fumbling for a phone! Another man, perhaps thirty and kinda cute, looks on. "You really exist?" he calls out.
<Sailor_Jupiter> "I hope so." Makoto smiles, still blushing. "Or my friends would be disappointed." She adds glibly, giving the man a lingering look. Too old by half, but man! "Can someone keep an eye on them until the police get here? I called some friends to watch the front door, and I should tell them it's ok..."
> "Um...okay?" The security guard slowly advances - and older fellow, no guno n him.
* Sailor_Jupiter smiles at the guard. "I'm sorry to barge in on your job like that, but things looked dangerous." She offers, bowing, then heading to the front door, checking to see if her call got a response.
> Indeed! There are some stray dogs and cats outside, sitting and waiting ferociously! A few people stare as well, rather offput by the animal solidarity!
<Sailor_Jupiter> Makoto smiles at them, trotting out to kneel among the animals. :Thank you so much. We got all the bad men, but I'm glad you were here to help.:
> :Okay!: The animals are cheery by and large, at least! They lick Makoto's hands, one stray dog nuzzling her stomach and chest playfully.
* Sailor_Jupiter giggles, and offers the stray a light kiss, giving a little attention to them all, hugs, petting and and gentle ear scratchings. :I don't have a lot, but if you're hungry tonight, I can share a little with you: Makoto offers to them all after they all get a little attention, showing them the alley behind her apartment. :To say thank you.:
<Sailor_Jupiter> :But for now, you should all go hide. The people are getting nervous.:
> :Thank you!: With this the commanded animals flee like the wind, off to the four corners! Even more stares - hell, someone has one of those camcorders out and is recording you.
* Sailor_Jupiter looks up, jumping a little as she sees the camcorder, and with sudden urgency, She manifests her wings, leaping up and flying, circling to the top of a nearby building and landing on it, out of sight. "Great-how do I get back in?" She mutters, checking to make sure she's not being observed before dropping her transformation.
> This is a five story affair of an office building, and no one is up here. Dropping transformation would be harmless, and there is even an access door to downstairs.
<Sailor_Jupiter> "Ooh!" Makoto happily bolts for the door, dropping her transformation in the way. "Kami-sama likes me today!"
> This is easy enough. To the stairwell and outside in a few minutes. There are police cars around the bank now, as well as a news van pulling up.
> It's a scene of chaos, officials, media and exiting people all making quite a ruckus.
<Makoto> Calmly, Makoto makes her way back to the office, blushing, and trying to pretend she was in the bathroom.
> Lucky! No one pays much mind to Makoto in this mess, and Uncle Taka meets her halfway. A solemn nod as he beginst o lead her back out, "Evacuation," he says grimly. "No one's hurt, but let's go home. This'll hold until next week."
* Makoto nods to him and, on impulse, takes his hand as she follows him out, her hands shaking a little. "Thank god no one got hurt, at least..."
> "You're safe, that's what matters." To Taka's car you go in a bit of a daze, past the din of police and vans. OOC - WAnt to skip ahead a bit?
<Makoto> "They never really had much of a chance...Going up against demons is worse, but you usually have no bystanders for that. I was scared someone would get shot by accident, and I got carried away, and burned them." OOC-Sure. >.>
> A few hours later...
> Uncle Taka took youb ack home and lingered. Dinner and rest seems in order as he stays for it. He sits down to watch the news as Iori curls up in his lap. "I want to see if we made the news," he says simply, turning it on at the top of the hour.
* Makoto blushes. "Why?" She asks, scooping up the leftovers (She made a lot, After all there's about a dozen extra mouths to feed in an hour or two!) "I get embarrassed when I see my picture in the paper..."
> "Curiosity." Taka admits this as the news comes on! (More)
> "Today's top story - a bank robbery in Juuban Ward! We have breaking news about it. The 'Juuban Angels' were sighted today, and we have exclusive video and pictures from the scene!"
<Makoto> In much the same manner as ones eyes cannot be averted from a train wreck, Makoto finishes depositing the meat and vegtables in a pot, and comes over to watch, too.
> The anchor is controlled and calm, reading his cues with long practiced skill. Thes ort of voice that makes you feel -safe-.
> Images - a few flickering ones from what appears to be an in bank security camera. Then they go out, but, "A strange power surge disrupted internal camerawork. However, Eye on the Sky correspondant Tashiro captured this film." Now it shows Makoto talking to the animals, Sailor Jupiter then taking to the sky! (More)
<Makoto> "...Eye on the sky?" Makoto blanches, swallowing as she recalls her rooftop transformation.
> The camera is on the ground level, but it looks up and looses Makoto as she takes to the rooftops. It cuts down for another picture of the animals, but as it does, it sweeps across the sidewalk. For a frozen second it seems to freeze for your eyes. In the frame is a man - his clothing is white, a white suit with oil black hair. He stands and watches impassively, yet his eyes bore into the camera, and into yours by extension.
> There is something about him that makes Makoto's heart quail, shivering even on recording.
* Makoto breathes a sigh of relief, glad she hadn't missed a helicopter arriving, but her heart nearly stops as her eyes meet the camera's. "...Gyah..."
> "..ugh!" Uncle Taka winces grimly at that look, turning away from the TV.
> There is an uncomfortable pause ni the studio, the anchor's calm pierced. "I..." he begins, looking offstage and licking his now dried lips. Then it cuts to commercial rather speedily.
<Makoto> "He's..." Makoto cringes. "I hope he's not-" She stammers, then looks over at her Uncle. "He must be with her..."
> "Not human." Uncle Taka finishes this for Makoto, solemnly turning back to the commercials.
> "I've never seen eyes like that."
> Iori comes to your lap quickly, hiding there and his purring stops entirely.
<Makoto> "That's probably the best word for it...or inhuman." Makoto agrees, biting her lip and putting a hand to her chest as she tries to settle down, petting Iori nervously. "We ran into another few like that...It might be two years ago all over again..."
> Uncle Taka begins to open his mouth, but no words come out. Indeed, perhaps there is nothing to say as he begins to brood, looking down to the floor.
* Makoto looks over at her Uncle. "Sorry, that probably wasn't the best time to let you know..."
> "It's fine." Taka pauses again after that, and then, "Just go keep up on your practice, Mako-chan."
<Makoto> "I will." Makoto promises, sighing an little, and leaning on Taka. "We're older now, and stronger." she says it almost confidently, but with a slightly unnerved tone.

[Laggy]

<Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
<Kotono> Aaah, Saturday evening with Mom! This happens when Dad has a work obligation on Saturday evening, so it's just the two of you as Asher gets home. However, this is odd - she's heading out, purse slung over her arm and nearly running into you as you enter. "Oh!...Asher." Brushing herself off as she takes a careful step back, "You're home."
<Asher> ...huh? It was way later than Mom's normal shift and she couldn't possibly be going back to work. Asher blinks at her for a moment, nodding briefly and stepping to the side. "Yeah, although I might head out for a little bit later." It tempts him to inquire as to exactly what she's doing, but there's really no need. His parents never did anything trivial.
<Kotono> "Would you come with me now?" Mom shakes her head tiredly, "I fella sleep on the couch while cooking dinner, so I need to go out and get something quick to make since dinner's burnt badly."
<Asher> "Oh." Well, that'd explain it. "Um, sure," he agrees quickly. He'd have to leave his backpack and kendo stick behind, though, and for some reason that seemed very, very odd. The two were attached to him wherever he went about as of late. But ... there wasn't exactly an excusable reason for him here. Dropping them off in the house, he follows mother dearest out of the house.
<Kotono> "You're leaving that old stick behind? I never thought I'd see the day," Mom murmurs as she heads out the door. "You're kidding me."
<Kotono> Even if she does sound tired, the ever so faintest hint of a smile plays on her face
<Asher> He throws her a long look, feeling a bit abashed. "And here I was thinking you wouldn't want me to haul it into the grocery store. But if you insist!" And with that convenient excuse, he brings it along as they drag their steps out of the house.
<Kotono> "Oh Asher." Mother sighs faintly, weakened simply by the exertion of doing so. "Get in the car."
<Asher> "Yes, Mom," he replies automatically, doing just that. It'd been a while since he'd actually been in a car, thinking on it...
<Kotono> So into the car you go! A drive to a  small supermarket tucked away into a corner. While not the biggest, it's an old, fond place. Reasonable prices and the same faces each time you go, a neighborhood spot. So you go inside, into the aisles about midway.
<Asher> And, most likely having assigned to cart duty, Asher trudges along apathetically as said cart slowly fills up with more and more goods to add to the amount of weight he has to push along. Not that it's really anything of note or effort, but he's gotta pass the time somehow, right?
<Kotono> Indeed! Mom stops in front of boxed noodles, debating the merits of a few yen vs quality either way. She's rather lost in it, too. "Mmm, Asher...which one?" One for 500 yen, and one for 515 yen. You slightly like the latter, but really, is there a difference?" As soon as she asks she frowns, going back and grabbing to others altogether.
<Asher> Asher's reply is -always- the same: delegate it back. Escape blame! And no, there really isn't a difference. "I'm fine with either," he remarks under his breath as he looks around. To be fair, coming here alone would be equally boring...
<Kotono> "Asher!" Mom turns with a look of sleepy annoyance. "Some help would be appreciated! Don' you prefer one or the other?"
<Asher> Well, if she was going to put it THAT way. He just nabs the former of the two, placing them into the cart. "Alright, alright! It's just noodles, Mom."
<Kotono> "I don't know..." Momn takes the noodles out, biting her lip as she grabs that one and another new box altogether! "I still like this other one, though!" Presenting them back at ASher, "Which of these two?"
<Asher> Why. What makes her expect that he'd even know? Asher just randomly points to one... since he picked the former one last time, he picks the latter this time! "That one, I guess."
<Kotono> "But didn't you like this one...?" Mother frowns, going for two OTHER brands altogether! ARGH! OOC - Body check -4.
<Asher> roll 2d6-4
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6-4 and gets 4." [2d6=3, 5]
<Asher> Asher just throws up his hands in exasperation, finally losing it. "Mom, it really doesn't matter! Why don't we just go for variety and save ourselves a headache if we're going to go this route?"
<Kotono> No reply - for Mother's words are lost as she's flattened to the ground! A great sonic boom rattles the entire grocery store! Products come tumbling down, glass windows afront shattering into a cornucopia of noise!
<Kotono> Asher is unaffected, merely battered but not hurt in the least!
<Asher> What the... no. You've gotta be kidding me. Those are the thoughts that run through Asher's head as he instinctively dives down as well, immediately going over and checking on Mom's condition. Even as he does this, though, the normal panic that'd envelop him in such a situation is replaced by a much more subtle but evidently growing sense of dread.
<Asher> His grip tightens intensely on the kendo stick that he'd made the last-minute decision to bring along... what luck. Or maybe this was something else... no, it made no sense. Had to be. The boom, the window shattering - just like before.
<Kotono> She looks to be unconcious or highly dazed. A soft moan slips out from her lips, but she stays face down. Ahead you can hear something fron the front of the store - the sound of someone or something walking over broken glass, the cracking tinkle.
<Asher> Screw it. No time to hesitate. Hoping that the volume of his voice won't be an issue, Asher steps quietly away from Mom after making sure that she's relatively alright, taking a deep breath and raising his kendo stick - just enough to prevent it from actually sticking over the shelves. "Reclaimer Crystal Power!" he whispers out in an urgent tone.
<Asher> Dammit, and he'd forgotten to bring his backpack too - he wouldn't be able to even use Kotono's borrowed communicator and call for the others. And what were the odds of them randomly coming across here?
<Kotono> Summoning his power, Asher becomes the Knight of the Reclaimer again! HIs body feels more alive now, magic at his fingertips and power within his veins. Feeling courses throughout his body, priming him up.
<Asher> Instinctively, Asher glances up at the broken windows outlining the store, and to the ceiling, making sure he's not missing anything as he slowly makes his way to the end of the current corridor they're in. He takes his time, trying to listen again to the sound of footsteps, glass... conversation, even, if he was fortunate enough. It was as important to figure out what was going on as it was to fight.
<Kotono> The sound of someone walking over the glass ends as he approaches, noting the ceiling is intact. The windows aren't, all shattered. A few other people here are also downed, the blast having incapcitated them. "Go." A man's voice, one that brings to mind that day at the Crown. "Search for the Lightbringer."
<Asher> Still... quiet. Stay out of sight. What he'd been told before, and it didn't sound like bad advice to start off with. He tenses up, wondering if this was just another way of his mind telling him that he really didn't want to fight. But those self-doubts bat themselves out of his mind as he hears the voice.
<Asher> OOC - can I pinpoint the general location of the voice?
<Kotono> OOC - It's coming fron the front of the store. You'd have to peek out to confirm where. It's not in your cone of vision.
<Asher> OOC - incidentally, how's the night breeze tonight?
<Kotono> OOC - Slight but noticiable.
<Kotono> You hear rough, clapping feet on the floor, at least a couple sets setting out.
<Asher> He brings his movement to a still, remaining near the entrance of the corridor. Search... yep, as he thought. Several of them. This didn't look good. But he didn't have much of a choice, did he? He angles his head over so slightly over the corridor for a better view, his body tensing, ready to spring into action.
<Kotono> Two of them and the man from the Crown! He stands atop the first aisle's checkout, sitting on it as he watches his two bonefaced servants go out! One is darting to the far end and away from you, and the other is coming in your direction!
<Asher> The light air that wafts through the store's now "open" windows suddenly jolts Asher with a realization. He'd only practiced with this briefly, but... reaching out and biting down on his lips, Asher focuses on a conveniently nearby counter, shelf or any stack of equally volatile grocery objects near the man, opposite to his own vantage, and wills the wind to up its force.
<Asher> Maybe with a bit of luck... he ducks back behind the shelter, closing his eyes to concentrate entirely on triggering the spectacle.
<Asher> *shelf
<Kotono> OOC - Trying to send a stack of goods into a projectile storm via wind?
<Asher> OOC - not even a storm. Just knock them over or something to get their attention.
<Kotono> OOC - Okay, Soul check.
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]
<Kotono> Asher wills his power - and while there is a stir of wind? Nothing serious happens. You can hear the feet getting closer! One of the servants is coming right in your direction, and it can't be long until he'll come by and see you!
<Asher> Oh, dammit. Asher snaps his eyes wide open again, now alert and immediately looking straight down the corridor's he's in. He glances back down for a moment, but there's no way in -hell- he's going to risk Mom getting near these creeps... with a deep breath, he scans the area one last time for vantage positions.
<Asher> OOC - is there -any- other cover I can clear if I sprint across from the current aisle I'm in? Away from the cashier?
<Kotono> It's a typical supermarket asile. The shelve are perhaps 12 feet tall. Outside are seven checkout aisles with carts on the side with the doors out straight ahead. There's a few cases of soda stacked to the side, tall enough to hide Asher straight ahead. Behind him leads to the back, where the meats are. Lots of space back there.
<Asher> Behind is Mom, so that's out... soda, eh? It's a gamble, but it's either that, risk being seen by all three or bring more danger to people who couldn't defend themselves. Willing more into himself, Asher steps back.. back more... taking cover behind the shopping cart... and tries to topple just one or two of the sodas directly ahead of him, to lure any would-be monsters -that- way.
<Kotono> OOC - Wind EC again? -1 since it's not as much as the others and it's a little more viable.
<Asher> roll 2d6-1
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6-1 and gets 6." [2d6=2, 5]
<Kotono> A gust of wind sends a few cases of soda clattering over! "What?" Pestilence speaks sharply, the sound of feet changing direction slightly! IN your field of vision comes one of his servants, back to you as he goes to look at the fallen cases.
<Asher> Gritting his teeth, and praying like hell he's not going to get caught running towards the thing, Asher grabs a nearby can of... whatever, and cleanly lobs it over the shelf with as much force as he can muster to the opposite side of the store - way over there, where good ol' Pestilence probably ISN'T looking, waits for the impact noise, then sprints out to strike at his as-of-yet occupied minion!
<Kotono> The clattering sound gets immediate attention! The servant turns...the right way, keeping you out of it's vision!
<Asher> With a quiet snap-hiss of wind as a faint green aura suddenly surrounds the now glistening sword of the Moon Kingdom, Asher practically leaps across the clearing between the aisle and his intended target, sword arm lashing out!
<Asher> roll 2d6 strike one
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 strike one and gets 4." [2d6=3, 1]
<Asher> roll 2d6 strike two
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 strike two and gets 7." [2d6=1, 6]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=4, 3]
<Kotono> roll 2d6+1
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6+1 and gets 7." [2d6=2, 4]
<Kotono> Twin strikes slash out as Asher leaps! His arc is one of death and carnage, windlike feints and then crushing blows! A rip into it's arm and a followup into a deep, raking gash into it's side! An inarticulate howl of pain from it, as, "...inhuman..." Pestilence stands atop the middle cashier's checkout, grinning sickly. The second servant is still well and far away, at least. OOC - React/initiative.
<Asher> roll 1d6+9 initiative
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 1d6+9 initiative and gets 11." [1d6=2]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 servant (Pestilence is holding; the other one is spending the round getting over to you.)
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 servant (Pestilence is holding; the other one is spending the round getting over to you.) and gets 1." [1d6=1]
<Kotono> OOC - Go, Asher.
<Asher> So much for subtlety, so it goes. Asher circles around the... thing he just hit and continues to press on, relentlessly driving the sword into the spots that he deems would do it most injury! He has no shame! Any place is fair game for Reclaimer to stick its pointy end into!
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=2, 5]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=2, 3]
<Kotono> There is no sticking this time! It hops to the side, rended flesh leaking a thick greenish 'blood' as it retorts by it's mouth hand being thrust at Asher, trying to bite him!
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=2, 6]
<Kotono> But it overjudges! Instead it nearly trips over one of the soda cases as the two circle! Pestilence slowly, oh so slowly advances, hopping from one checkout to the next. With a motion of his hand he stops the second servant from advancing, grinning sickly as he watches. OOC - React/initaitive.
<Asher> roll 1d6+9 initiative
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 1d6+9 initiative and gets 13." [1d6=4]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 wounded Empty On
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 wounded Empty On and gets 5." [1d6=5]
<Kotono> Asher>Empty One; Pestilence and the other are holding again.
<Asher> Asher doesn't hesitate even with Pestilence drawing closer, even if it does drive the likelihood that this'll turn out well into the gutter. He continues circling, although pointedly leaving the injured thing inbetween him and the other two not-so-nice people and thrusts again with Reclaimer! For justice! Or something!
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=6, 4]
<Kotono> "Heh...heh..." Looking up and showing his black eyes as his white hair is tossed back, "Tell me, why do you continue this?" he inquires, voice a sickening near cough.
<Kotono> Meanwhile the servant retorts, this time trying to leap onto Asher outright!
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 4." [2d6=3, 1]
<Kotono> OOC - DCV
<Asher> His eyes refuse to even raise from the current target at hand, nor does Asher dignify Pestilence with a response! It's like he's not there! Of course he is, but Asher doesn't have to admit that!
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=6, 4]
<Kotono> It's feet hit Asher right in the chest, a bony dropkick sending the new Knight staggering back! (14 damage!) Not horrible pain, but his entire chest front winces from that forceful strike back!
<Asher> Asher refuses to even wince at taht, not willing to show the slightest bit of emotion on his face with that... weird... monster nearby. In truth, part of why he doesn't even look at him is because the guy gives him the creeps.
<Asher> Besides, nothing wrong with cultivating a little arrogance in your adversary. One other way to let him misjudge.
<Kotono> "You," He calls tohis other servant, "Go continue searching. This one...amuses me. What power...and a sword." His eyes glisten scarily at this, like barbs ready to inflict horrid rot into your body. "You think you know how to use a sword?"
<Kotono> The second Empty One bounds off, heading into the aisles as Pestilence gets even closer! OOC - React/initiative.
<Asher> roll 1d6+9 initiative
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 1d6+9 initiative and gets 13." [1d6=4]
<Kotono> roll 1d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 6." [1d6=6]
<Kotono> OOC - Tied. Asher can go first due to fast reflexes.
<Asher> One doesn't THINK about how to use a sword; one just DOES it. Anyone who's been through training or even a spar would know that, and it shows all over Asher's face as he still yet doesn't open his mouth, instead trying to piledrive Reclaimer's blade into the green-bleeding flesh of the Empty One in front of him!
<Asher> roll 2d6 for Hatbot love
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 for Hatbot love and gets 11." [2d6=5, 6]
<Kotono> A swift move, but one that makes Asher dive to the side and miss outright! His side is exposed, and as he goes by, it's mouthand bites at Asher! Looking to tear off it's flesh in revenge, it's own body still bleeding!
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=2, 6]
<Kotono> But again it's just a hair too slow! Asher stumbles and pushes against the ruined stand of sodas, bouncing off and recovering!
<Kotono> Hop-hop - he's only two aisles away now. "So...you have that but you can't even keep up with an Empty One?" A question said as a pure statement, disdain as he looks up. His white bangs blow in the soft breeze, smile sickly. "I'll wait for you if you survive a mere servant."
<Kotono> OOC - Initiative/react.
<Kotono> roll 1d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 4." [1d6=4]
<Asher> roll 1d6+9
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11." [1d6=2]
<Kotono> OOC - Tied again. Go Asher.
<Asher> Ohfuckit. Colorful words run through Asher's head as he rapidly finds out that apparently all his training was for naught when actually pressed to the task. The grating tone of the other guy coming fast isn't helping, either. Rather than actually lashing out at the thing, he just circles around the stand of sodas as fast as he can and -shoves- the thing with as much force as he can muster, to bury the creature in sugary goodness!
<Asher> --goodness!
<Kotono> OOC - Body check -4. THis is pretty easy all things considered.
<Asher> roll 2d6-4
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6-4 and gets 3." [2d6=4, 3]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=2, 5]
<Kotono> A rain of soda cases falls over! LIke a waterfall of regular and diet, the impact of dozens of cans rain down on th ewounded Empty One! It's battered by cans, knocked down amid a storm of them! It's quite stunned by this, sprawled out and badly beaten! OOC - It's spending it's action trying to get up. Body check for it.
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=4, 1]
<Asher> And with that, Asher takes the hell off, whipping right past Pestilence - whom he doesn't have any care to talk to - and heads for the other Empty One!
<Kotono> It's not getting up any time soon! Instead ASher runs, making haste! The other Empty One is out of sight, however, somewhere in the aisles!
<Asher> Easily solved as Asher takes to the air, leaping over the shelves and giving him a temporary bird-eye's view of the aisle to find a suitable spot to land!
<Kotono> OOC - I need initiative with you vs Pestilence now.
<Asher> roll 1d6+9 initiative
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 1d6+9 initiative and gets 12." [1d6=3]
<Kotono> roll 1d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 2." [1d6=2]
<Kotono> OOC - You go first, but let me line first.
<Kotono> Pestilence leaps just as easily, giving chase as Asher lands atop the shelves! Way in the back the other Empty One sprints, looking amid the downed people in a hasty, quick an dskilled shuffle! "Heh, heh," Pestilence chuckles, keeping up!
<Asher> OOC - is the Empty One anywhere near a shelf and is there currently someone next to him?
<Kotono> OOC - It's sorta close to one, but not really, no. It's in t he way back by all the meats. There is - a teenaged girl and boy, boht out cold.
<Asher> Without much thought to it and feeling the somewhat terrifying feeling of freefall coming up, Asher just aims to land straight at the bonefaced thing, sword ready to piledrive through it!
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=2, 3]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 2." [2d6=1, 1]
<Kotono> It's ready! It's response is instant, diving back and landing on the cooled meat! As Asher lands a few feet away, it uses it's momentum to make a rough outright tackle at Asher!
<Kotono> It's ready! It's response is instant, diving back and landing on the cooled meat! As Asher lands a few feet away, it uses it's momentum to make a rough outright tackle at Asher!
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=6, 4]
<Kotono> But this misses, soaring past the missing swordsman! Buta s this happens!
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=5, 5]
<Kotono> You see a few cans flying, raining around you? Huh? Pestilence isn't in your vision now, perhaps farther back? But cans...?
<Asher> roll 1d6+9
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15." [1d6=6]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 Empty One
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 Empty One and gets 2." [1d6=2]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 Pest
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 Pest and gets 1." [1d6=1]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 ????
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 ???? and gets 5." [1d6=5]
<Kotono> Asher>????>Empty One>Pest
<Asher> Cans? What the heck cans? Oh fug it, it's not like it matters - Asher moves and positions himself to keep locked onto the Empty One in front of him, using it instead as a convenient shield for any objects that decide to try to force themselves on his way! Yay enemy cover! Oh, right, and that stabbing thing too, it's probably a good idea. Reclaimer's probably laughing his head off at this ineptitude.
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 6." [2d6=2, 4]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=6, 1]
<Asher> Then again, it might be hard to laugh when your upper end is penetrating monster flesh with green blood...
<Kotono> Indeed! The thrust is enough to tear into it's chest, making it paw it's mouth at your sword! LIttle bites at it that do nothing, asi t's clearly speared and injured considerably! But meanwhile...
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=5, 4]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=4, 1]
<Kotono> There is noise from behind you, the sound of a clash, but you can't see that way! Meanwhile the other Empty One leans forward, it's other hand biting at Asher's arm!
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]
<Kotono> But it misses, going for naught!
<Kotono> "Another...you're...human?" You hear Pestilence, his voice somewhat unsure. It's also coming from a fair ways, only carrying thanks to the store being silenced.
<Kotono> OOC - React and initiative.
<Asher> roll 1d6+9
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14." [1d6=5]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 empty one
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 empty one and gets 6." [1d6=6]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 ????
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 ???? and gets 1." [1d6=1]
<Kotono> roll 1d6 Pest
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 Pest and gets 1." [1d6=1]
<Kotono> Asher>Empty One>Pest=????
<Asher> "Oh, great," Asher mutters under his breath, the myriad of possibilities running through his mind. They don't quite distract him enough to go for another slash against the gruesome creature in front of him, but who the hell would show up that wasn't... one of the senshi? The police? No, sure didn't seem like it from the way Pestilence responded... but what the heck, he has his own worries right now!
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=3, 2]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 12." [2d6=6, 6]
<Kotono> This slash cuts into it's head, finishing it off! With a gush of green it simply VANISHES into nothingness! (More)
<Kotono> Meanwhile above, you hear a grunt - mos tnotably NOT Pestilence, as...
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 2." [2d6=1, 1]
<Kotono> roll 1d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 1d6 and gets 6." [1d6=6]
<Kotono> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=3, 4]
<Kotono> The flash that follows is immense! PEstilence is being forced back by a giant! A literal giant! He stands over seven feet tall, gray hair tied back into a ponytail! Or so you think, he's a blur as he rains blow after blow at  Pestilence! Pandemic flashes out to parry each as he's pressed into the meat racks! EAch blow shatters the wall into ruin behind it, even parried, as a great gaping break in the concrete and metal wall is made wit
<Kotono>  EAch blow shatters the wall into ruin behind it, even parried, as a great gaping break in the concrete and metal wall is made with mere fists! Behind Pestilence is nothing but a gap into storage now, his body quaking and flickering. "How...a HUMAN?!" he gasps, falling back and gasping for air! (More)
<Kotono> The human here is titantic - he indeed stands over seven feet tall, a well cut black uniform worn. He looms over Pestilence like a golem of silent fury, cracking his knuckles after. "...leave." This word is said with enough gravity to sink an entire planet, his face utterly impassive.
<Kotono> "What...how...what ARE YOU?!" PEstilence staggers back, face showing utter and all consuming shock. "YOU'RE HUMAN! THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE!"
<Asher> Asher's face is similarly in a state of shock, if from an entirely different set of circumstances.
<Kotono> A moment later Pandemic droops, the arm carrying it limp and weak. "...ugh!" So he vanishes as your mysterious savior waits, simply not here anymore.
<Kotono> A single breath is exhaled before the giant turns to you. HIs voice is strangely soft spoken as he addresses you. "..Asher? Are you wounded?"
<Asher> "...t...th..." Asher's jaw is wide open, even as he tries to collect himself, but all he can do is stare at the giant of the man. He's never even seen anyone that tall, let alone someone who can break holes into walls and scare off Pestilence. His forehead drips with perspiration as he struggles to catch his breath, steadying himself.
<Kotono> "He'll be along soon to heal you," he says simply, approaching. Taller and taller, casting a shadow over Asher. "Jun's vision forced our hand and speed."
<Asher> Jun. Gaia. Suddenly everything seems to clear up as Asher forces himself back up to his feet, looking back up at the giant of a man and managing only a bare nod. He's no longer in shock, more in awe, even as he tries to get a hold of himself. "T.. thank you. You're from.. Gaia, then?"
<Kotono> "Clear," Another man calls from down the aisles, heroic and inspiring. "No one's hurt."
<Kotono> "Yes." A single word as he crosses his arms, stolid and quiet.
<Asher> His face downcast, Asher instinctually angles his head towards the sound of another man's voice.
<Kotono> Stepping out from the shadows of the far aisle is another. His face is covered by a ballroom mask of white, an elegant tuxedo worn. He even wears white ball gloves and a top hat, black hair slightly bushy and long. "You're Asher," he asks, Nior just nodding silently in confirmation to that.
<Kotono> "Let's go," Nior says quietly, "Are you fit to travel?"
<Asher> "I am," Asher speaks up, trying to put a little more sureness in his voice. For some reason there's a bit of a lingering question on his face as he hefts his sword back up, its weight somehow a comfort.
<Asher> "I am, yeah... they really didn't do much to me, but they were more toying with me than anything else," he speaks, a bit of dark undercutting his voice. There's that slash of humiliation on his face as well, but it covers up quickly as he stands up straight and looks at the two... well, more the tuxedo-donning man, as the giant was just too big to look at with a straight face. "Where are we going?"
<Kotono> Nior nods, starting to head stoically and silently out of the supermarket. Tuxedo Kamen smiles at Asher, starting to walk with him. "Out of here before anyone shows, then to make sure you're alright. From there? WE just got here less than a half hour ago."
<Asher> This follows up with another confirming nod, even as he feels completely out of place. And it just dawns on him that Mom is still back there, unconscious, knocked out....  he almost halts in his tracks. How could he just leave her there?
<Kotono> As Asher slows, "Something wrong," the tuxedoed man asks as you walk down the aisles.
<Asher> But it's a moment of inflection that lets him realize that this would be for the better. Taking a deep breath, Asher shakes his head a no as he picks up the pacing again. "No, it's... nothing."
<Asher> Or rather, it's something to worry about later. More importantly, his mom would be fine when the police came and roused everyone up. His own safety, on the other hand, was rather superficial in the wake of everything happening - and these two seem to want him to come along, so... come along he would.
<Kotono> So out you go! Into the cool night! To your surprise you find that a few people are outside, but Ko'ed as well. Nior leads you into an alley besides the store, out of sight. "You aren't hurt," he asys again, and then, "Do you know where Janna lives?"
<Asher> "I do." He glances at them both, a question in his eyes. "Are you going there to see ... Her Majesty?"
<Kotono> "Yes," Tuxedo Kamen nods, "I have a lot to tell her after we rest...Ugh." A yawn from him, "We've been going about twenty hours straight now."
<Kotono> "Coming?" Nior adds a moment later, quietly leaning back against the alley wall.
<Asher> "It's not too far from here," he adds in as a way of reassurance. But they could get there faster, and it seems like an urgent matter as is... with a bit of concentration as they walk along, Asher closes his eyes, knowing the path by heart and starts to concentrate.
<Asher> "Hold on." Asher stops for a moment, pausing, waiting for the two of them to pace near him, then with a bit of an ebb and a steady tap into the strong wind in the air...
<Asher> roll 2d6 burning 10 EP
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burning 10 EP and gets 3." [2d6=2, 1]
<Kotono> The wind picks up, a gust at your backs making walking far easier and quicker. "...mmm." Nior murmurs as you get going, but doesn't comment further! With this the walk is easy and simplistic, soon Serenity's abode ahead.
<Asher> "Pardon the bit of a roundabout method of transportation, but I'm not quite able to teleport at will like the senshi can," Asher says with a bit of exasperation. But in truth, he felt gratified that he could even do this much. The events of the night continue to gnaw at him as they make it about to Serenity's residence.
<Kotono> "It's fine," Tuxedo Kamen smiles - and as you safely enter the quiet yard, the tuxedo and mask vanish. A normal looking young man in a pair of slate gray slacks and a polo T-shirt is there instead, "Nice to meet you."
<Asher> Asher bows politey to the man, a smile of his own. Hey, it was good to see semi-normal faces, all things considered. "The same. Pardon the rudeness, but you did know my name... and you are?" He asks politely.
<Kotono> Nior goes to the door, knocking as Mamoru speaks. "Mamoru Chiba - Tuxedo Kamen. That's Nior."
<Kotono> "...coming, coming!" You can hear Janna call sleepily, loud enough to carry. "Just sec!"
<Asher> Asher speaks up wryly at Janna's voice, not really wanting to make the two wait. "You have your friends from home here, Janna."
<Asher> Post that, he nods back to Mamoru with a bit of an apolegetic smile. "I'm a bit new to... everything in general, basically, so pardon my ignorance about things. Thanks for saving my sorry butt back there, though."
<Kotono> "Hey, you're welcome." That gets an easy smile from him, "That's what I've been working on the past few years."
<Asher> And in cue, he too puts the sword away, with a brief flash transmuting it back into the far more mundane kendo stick - along with Asher in his normal attire.
<Kotono> "...hey! NIOR?" Janna opens up, in a frumpy set of blue pajamas and grinning. "C'mon! Jun send your butts over here too? You aren't here to bug me about not sending enough over, are you?"
<Kotono> Nior doesn't smile - but his lip does twitch upward ever so faintly. "...help and rescue. Jun's visions have become more frequent and vilent."
<Kotono> "Waitwaitwait," JAnna holds up her hands, frowning, "The old coot's having visions like that again and he didn't pass it on to me, jus that someone was coming? Jeez!"
<Asher> "A few years is a good deal better than a few weeks," he notes in passing to Mamoru as Asher forces himself up the steps, staying behind the rather large obstacle of Nior.. willingly or not, it didn't really matter, he wasn't getting through.
<Kotono> "Danger." Nior says only one word as he enters, Janna quickly darting back inside to admit him.
<Kotono> "She's upstairs since I figure you're looking forher," Janna tags on.
<Asher> "Janna, could you..." He glances at her momentarily, suddenly wondering something. "Hey, what time is it?"
<Kotono> "Ninish?" Janna shrugs as Nior and Mamoru go past her.  "Clock's in the kitchen ifyou need to know."
<Asher> "Too late to wake the others up and get them here? Or should it wait till... well, I guess Serenity's the one to decide that," he corrects himself automatically, face flushing red. "Don't mind me, I'm just being weird tonight." He reaches back and closes the door gently, stepping into the house.
<Kotono> "Want some tea or some dinner," Janna smiles fondly at the two men going upstairs, before turning her full attention to Asher. "Guessing you came form a battle - call it just a hunch 'round here."
<Asher> "Supermarket with my mom," Asher confirms quietly as he takes a seat down at a couch in the living room. "If it isn't a bother... some hot tea sounds really welcoming right now." He sort of dangles at the end of it, his eyes restless, looking around. He half considers going up with the two, but it wouldn't feel right...
<Kotono> Tea is quickly fetched, green tea and some crackers set before Asher. Janna takes the tray and even bows with a grin, before going to sit. "Yeah. How'd it go?"
<Asher> He throws her a disgusted look - as usual, none of it actually aimed at her as he sets the kendo stick leaning back against the table with a sigh. "Pestilence found it amusing enough that he sat back and watched me while I fought like a first-year amateur against his... minions, I guess. And probably would've cut me into neat tidbits if Nior hadn't shown up and given him the hell-beating of his life," he finishes, dryly.
<Kotono> "Well, aren't you new?" Janna smiles at Nior's battlereport, coming over to poke your shoulder. "Come on, you started just a week ago. From what I heardt hat's about normal for it. Heck, you'd already turn me into chopped steak without breaking a sweat."
<Asher> "But I can't make tea like you," Asher offers back with a hint of a smile after one sip of it. Good, thoroughly warm tea that seems to seep into every vein and muscle in his body. Some of the tension in his face relaxes, even as he shakes his head somewhat. "That's what everyone says, and I guess it's true enough... but I'm not really used to just being a complete handicap like that. Ugh." He reaches for one of the cracker, nibbling on it lightly.
<Asher> --crackers, nibbling it on lightly.
<Kotono> "Eh, at worst?" Janna shrugs a bit, now turning cherry red. "Learn to get out of the way when you're not up to it. If you have that power, learn to use it."
<Asher> "You can't learn anything if you just always stay out of it," Asher says in reply to that, a bit more quietly. "And I couldn't just exactly leave Mom there, even if I was by myself. Just... one of those trial by fire things. I guess..."
<Kotono> "So get someone to train you. That forest place I hear talked about, or Mako has a dojo she trains at, or..mmm. Nior's here now, too! He helped Makoto train." Janna nods at this, "Any of those might not be a bad idea."
<Asher> "..that's something," Asher agrees after a moment, sinking back and taking another long sip of the tea. Someone to train him... or at least some place to train at where he didn't just swipe at the damn air all day. That had gotten him nowhere. Years of training which proved zip. Maybe the kendo club? Or... well, he didn't even know Makoto. But he could ask later. "I don't think asking Nior would be particularly good for my health, though," he comments with a wince.
<Asher> --for my health, though," he comments with a wince.
<Kotono> "Heh, ask Mako about that, too." Now Janna's trying not to laugh and failing pretty badly. Soon her amusement echos downstairs, hands covering her mouth in vain.
<Asher> Asher just smiles politely back at her, his attention returning to finishing his cup of tea as he pauses for a moment until Janna regains her composure. Then he speaks up again. "What about Mamoru? You seem to know Nior well enough, but all anyone's ever said about him was that he was a knight too..."
<Kotono> "...oh yeah. Bad history there." Janna's smile does calm down now, far more reigned in. "In short? Dated Makoto, didn't work out. Turned out he was Tuxedo Kamen - whole other story - and then dated Usagi. Didn't work out. Stayed on Gaia fterwards, and he was hooked up with Princess Serenity back in the past."
<Asher> "Princess Serenity?" Asher inquires, emphasis on the former word.
<Kotono> "Queen Serenity's daughter form the past. Yeah, it's that messed up." A hand is waved, fanning and dismissing the matter. "Look, it's ten leagues of totally insane and...heck, I don't think he's a bad guy when you talk to him. Decent guy who was in a bad spot and made a lot of bad mistakes that dominoed on him."
<Asher> "He seemed nice enough," Asher hedges in carefully, studying Janna with a bit more thought. This sounded definitely like the messy kind of situation that he'd heard far too many times from other souls who had just wanted an outlet to get out to... and he'd been conveniently there. Story of his frickin' life. "And more laid back than anyone else. But I'll take your word for it..."
<Kotono> "Yeah, pretty much. I think he got his stuff together." With this Janna yawns out and stretches, "I'm gonna go check on 'em."
<Asher> A nod at that as Asher finishes up the rest of his tea, placing it back down with a light chink. "Okay. If I'm needed for anything, just tell me."
<Kotono> "I will." Oooh. She's not great, but she's kinda cute when she smiles. So Janna heads upstairs, Asher alone for now.
<Asher> And alone it'll.. be. Asher blinks, suddenly trying to remember something important. Very important. He looks around for a moment, his gaze lingering on the kendo stick, wondering what the heck it was. Lingering just on the back of his mind. But for some reason, he couldn't quite grasp it...
<Asher> Subconsciously, his form sunk back into the welcoming feel of the couch as the evening's breeze, now light and caressing, gently blew in to caress at his cheeks and hair. His grip relaxed, letting him slide further down into unawareness.. and unconsciousness... not quite remembering what he wanted so badly, apparently, to remember. His eyes shut, sleep taking its gentle hold on him soon.

[Ebiris]

[19:08] <Anastasia> Sunday! Usagi happens to fall asleep just past lunch. Weird dreams - something about Hotaru answering her door naked and with something in her mouth, then one about you and Kotono and Rei watching the strangest Rei tape. Why was she...oh well. So Usagi awakens around 4 PM, time to get up and get ready for her night out!
[19:10] * Usagi has an unpleasant flashback to the time she had those weird recurring dreams about her, Rei, and a nudist colony. "My own fault for napping, I guess..." the blonde grumbles, repressing a shudder as much as she tries to repress the dream. Oh, well! Time to get take a bath and wake herself up a bit!
[19:11] <Anastasia> The bath goes nicely enough. On returning Luna's in your room, flicking her tail. "Going out tonight, Usa-chan," she asks, watching theblonde return.
[19:13] <Usagi> "Hi, Luna!" the blonde chirps as she starts drying her hair. "Yeah, me and Rei-chan are going out. Y'know, get back on that dating horse or whatever," she grins inanely.
[19:14] <Anastasia> "Oh, have fun..." she says, as she curls up on your bed and yawns. "...wait, you and Rei?"
[19:15] <Usagi> "Yeah," Usagi pauses in her work with the hairdryer. "Something wrong with that?"
[19:16] <Anastasia> "...I didn't know..." Luna buries her head into her lap, blushing and turning bits of ehr fur red! "So he hurt you THAT bad?"
[19:18] <Usagi> "Well... yeah," Usagi replies, wincing. "Finding out your boyfriend slept with someone else isn't something you can just smile and put aside, y'know..." she mutters, expression cloudy.
[19:19] <Anastasia> "Then...I hope you and Rei the best," Luna coughs delicately, then, "Oh Serenity...I know you wanted to see 'grandchildren' from her, too..."
[19:20] * Usagi stares at Luna for a long moment. "Wait... what?" she asks weakly, having an inkling of what her cat is thinking and not liking it one bit.
[19:21] <Anastasia> "Oh, Usagi! You know Serenity sees you all as her children, and if you're with Rei neither of you will give her grandchilren!" Luna sniffles sadly, downcast.
[19:23] * Usagi promptly grabs a tube of lipstick from her dresser and hurls it in Luna's direction, not actually aiming at the cat but expressing her displeasure. "Luna!" she wails, mortified. "I'm not gay, and even if I was, I could do so much better than Rei! We're both going out to find some guys!"
[19:24] <Anastasia> "...oh." Hiding her face under her tail and hanuches, "Maybe I'll just go out looking instead for those new meances, yes. I've gotten too used to lying around!" With this Luna beats a hasty retreat, out your window in record time!
[19:24] * Usagi scowls a moment, but true to form she can't stay mad for long, promptly getting back to readying herself for a fun night out!
[19:24] <Anastasia> OOC - Set up your outfit.
[19:32] <Usagi> It's well after six by the time Usagi is ready - including a break for dinner, at least, but getting ready still took a while! Wearing her hair down and having artfully teased it into wavy streams of gold down her back, red lipstick and and faint mascara, she manages to look a few years older already - luckily she took the liberty of preparing magical fake IDs for herself and Rei earlier should they be necessary.
[19:32] <Usagi> A strappy cocktail dress, the colour of red wine covers her lithe form - a fair bit more showy than she's been wearing these last few months, but it's all about getting herself out of that rut! Blowing herself a kiss in the mirror, Usagi dons her black pumps, slings a tiny handbag over her shoulder (bare essentials of purse and senshi communicator held, natch) and heads off to meet Rei!
[19:34] <Anastasia> Meeting Rei at her Shrine is a fune vent! While you do enjoy the looks on the way, you find the miko to be stunning when you enter her room! Her hair is done up into an elaborate series of black curls and falls, complimented by massive black high heels - and a familiar short black dress, which she finally paid you back for!
[19:36] <Usagi> "Oooh, looking good, Miss Hino," Usagi nods approvingly as she saunters up to her friend, buoyed by the looks she got on the way. Yep, she's still got it!
[19:37] <Anastasia> "Yep! Even got us a taxi so we'll get going in style." Strutting and tall in her heels, Rei smirks as she grabs a little purse of her own. "Shall we?"
[19:38] * Usagi nods, reaching into her handbag before handing the miko a driver's license bearing her details except with her date of birth knocked back a few years - the photo is still vaguely unflattering, but Usagi just considers that a mark of authenticity. "I know you said we won't need ID at this place, but just in case."
[19:41] <Anastasia> "Heh, you won't. I know the doorman - remember Koji? Two dates and we both got interested in other people? He runs the door there and owes me a lot." Trotting out and showing off leg as you head down the temple stairs, "So don't worry about it...but where'd you get it, anyawy?"
[19:43] <Usagi> "Same place I got the fake ID we used on Gaia," Usagi replies with a grin as she follows after Rei. "So... owes you a lot, huh?" she prods after that.
[19:50] <Anastasia> "Ooooh. Yeah, I bailed him out when his next girlfriend turned into a pyscho. Don't worry about it." Waving it aside easily, Rei picks up her pace to the cab waiting below.
[19:52] <Usagi> "Ah," Usagi nods, letting the matter drop and hurrying after Rei into their transport. Really, the weather isn't appropriate for this sort of attire outside.
[19:53] <Anastasia> OOC - Skip ahead?
[19:54] <Usagi> OOC: sure
[19:55] <Anastasia> A half hour later the two girls get out of their cab. It's a cozy nook deep in Tokyo - a soft neon sign proclaims, 'Osakan Rythym'. The doors are black and a few guys linger around outside, screening most people away.
[19:56] <Usagi> "Looks pretty exclusive..." Usagi comments a bit uncertainly as she looks over at their destination.
[19:58] <Anastasia> "Great music and nothing but the handsome and usually well off." Rei's smirk reaches all the way across her face as she heads to the gate! One of the guys is about twenty, wearing a tuxedo and with strkingly, nearly white blonde hair. It's kept in a crew cut, but his face is just too ruggedly perfect! "Rei! It's Rei, let her and her friend in!" He even bows to both of you, stepping aside as the velvet rope is unhooked.
[19:59] * Usagi smiles and nods to the doorman as she follows Rei in, before leaning into the dark-haired girl. "I'd say something about dating older guys, but I guess I'm not really one to talk," she whispers, grinning.
[20:01] <Anastasia> Rei lingers by them, brushing her hand against Koji's before trottnig up to Usagi. "Yep. HE's a nice guy and he made the first move. So I figured why not?" Another smirk as you head inside. The scent of booze, a tiny whiff of smoke and smooth jazz greets Usagi. It's dark with colored lights, lots of tables and a few bars. Very old style, a jazz band playing.
[20:01] <Anastasia> The stage where they play is at the very back, with a curtain to behindstage. It's amplified by a few discreet speakers but otherwise natural.
[20:03] <Usagi> "Classy," Usagi can't help but observe as she takes in the decor. "Not what I expected, to be honest..." Well, at least she dressed up nice!
[20:05] <Anastasia> All the people here are dressed likewise, jewerly visible that costs months of a salaryman's pay. "It's elegant, special, perfect for meeting a good guy. If you can handle one yet," A toss of her hair as Rei goes to the bar, "Two cognacs - and just sip this Usagi. It's JUST to be sipped." A light warning look at that, ready to beat up on a blonde if need be!
[20:07] * Usagi nods warily, her only jewellery a set of pearl earrings and a gold but very simple locket containing a gem with value far beyond the imagination of anyone here. "I'm not sure, though..." she murmurs dubiously, "I mean, aren't the only guys here going to be rich old ones?" she asks, trying to scope out exactly what is on offer.
[20:22] <Anastasia> There are some older men - but a lot of younger ones. Dashing and well dressed, often alone or chatting with another pretty lady. Meanwhile two tiny snifters of cognac are put before you, Rei taking one and having a tiny little sip.
[20:22] * Usagi follows Rei's example, taking a delicate little sip of her own.
[20:23] <Anastasia> It warms your body, like liquid fire. Quite strong, too.
[20:24] * Usagi shivers a little as she takes the snifter away from her mouth. "I still prefer champagne," she casts her verdict as far as alcoholic beverages go.
[20:25] <Anastasia> "This is more mature...now look around! Go get 'em!" Rei casts her own eyes out, discreetly looking about as the band finishes a number, annoucning a ten minute break.
[20:28] <Usagi> "I guess," Usagi agrees, idly looking around. It certainly is nice and mature and all that - the Usagi of a few years ago would've lapped this right up. But now she finds herself hankering for something a bit more energetic and lively.
[20:30] <Anastasia> "You guess?" Rei cllaneges right back as you see a few guys you could go for. One even looks a bit like Mamoru in that tuxedo...
[20:32] * Usagi shrugs. "Just out of my element, I guess," she admits. Social chameleon she might be, she doesn't want to have to put on airs just to get a date.
[20:35] <Anastasia> "Oh well, then just soak up the feeling for a bit." Rei takes her glass and has another long sip. "Thinking more of a techno dance club next time?"
[20:37] <Usagi> "I think that's more my speed, yeah," Usagi nods, taking another tiny sip of her own. "Just... I guess when I was younger I used to always dream about going to these sorts of elegant places, but it's not really me."
[20:38] <Anastasia> As the band goes out, "Attention..." A stunning, captivating female voice says over the loudspeakers from the stage. It's enthralling, a voice of pure bliss. "This is a special place for many of you...a placew here you find the temptation of love..."
[20:39] * Usagi smiles slightly as she looks over towards the stage. Maybe she'll sing? Nice voice, that's for sure...
[20:40] <Anastasia> She is. She's blonde and wearing some sort of peekabo dress, but you don't get a very good look from here. Rei smiles as well, turning. "Nice," sh emurmurs.
[20:40] <Anastasia> "Love...love's temptation is the sweetest of them all. None can resist it, finding what they desire in the dark corners of their heart the most." So she goes on, waving out with a broad sweep of her arm to all.
[20:40] <Anastasia> It is a nice voice - you feel lulled but ever so slightly warmed up now.
[20:41] * Usagi listens politely to the performance, taking another tiny sip of her drink as she watches.
[20:42] <Anastasia> "The temptation to take this must never be ignored. For in this you will find the bliss your human lives crave for even short seconds." She bows her head, cascades of blonde falling around her. The crowd watches with attention, conversation slowing and ceasing. You feel good somehow - distantly good and warm.
[20:43] <Anastasia> "Mmm..." Rei idly sips from her own drink again before putting it aside. "Very nice voice, hm?"
[20:43] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check +2, Usa.
[20:43] * Usagi nods. "I'm kinda tempted to go ask someone to dance if she's going to sing," the blonde observes with a smile.
[20:43] <Usagi> roll 2d6+2
[20:43] <Reikobot> Usagi rolled : 2d6+2 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{8}
[20:44] <Anastasia> "Mmmm." Rei smiles again as she goes on.
[20:45] <Usagi> The blonde does furrow her brow for a brief second. "Hmm..." she murmurs, thinking as she tries to place that oddness that seems to emanate from the woman, moreso than her blatant appeal. "Something funny about her, though..."
[20:46] <Anastasia> "Now...reach within your hearts and find what you have left behind. Take it...make it yours!" OOC - Soul check +2 for Rei, Soul check even for Usa.
[20:47] <Usagi> roll 2d6
[20:47] <Reikobot> Usagi rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=11 ]{11}
[20:47] <Anastasia> roll 2d6+2
[20:47] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6+2 --> [ 2d6=5 ]{7}
[20:48] <Anastasia> Rei shakes her head back and forth, muttering - as Usagi feels temptation bloom in her heart. The woman she looks at, her eyes on Rei as it fills her. Rei...Rei-chan...oh, Rei-chan. Her heartbeat quickens, the forbidden fruit drawing to her! So beautiful..so...oh. How did she ever ignore it?
[20:49] <Anastasia> Meanwhile those all around stare at others near them, transfixed and utterly rapt. Dead silence now, the only expressions coming from love locked eyes.
[20:49] * Usagi blushes as she stares at Rei, distractedly primping her hair as her eyes brim over with love. "... Rei-chan..." the blonde murmurs, overwhelmed. How could she not have seen it?
[20:51] <Anastasia> Rei needs af ew more blinks before she turns to Usagi. "...yeah," she asks, as overlaying it, "Give in...take it...it is your day to take your temptation and dream!"
[20:51] <Anastasia> Rei's eyebrow raises, looking at Usagi. "What?"
[20:54] <Usagi> "I..." Usagi swallows a lump in her suddenly dry throat. She's too perfect... every inch of her seems to tempt the senshi of the Moon. It's too much! Sparing further words, the blonde launches herself in a glomp at Rei, cognac discarded as she wraps her arms around the raven-haired goddess, lips hungrily seeking out Rei's to claim as her own!
[21:01] <Anastasia> Rei is frozen a moment, Usagi laying her own kiss of lvoe on the miko! (OOC I'm going to give her a Soul check -3 to resist.)
[21:01] <Anastasia> roll 2d6-3
[21:01] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6-3 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{6}
[21:01] <Anastasia> With a shove Usagi is pushed off, a shocked blush and half snarl. "What the hell, Usagi?" Rei looks around at the other couples, eyes settling onto the 'singer'. "Oh, hell no."
[21:03] <Usagi> "Rei..." Usagi looks up tearily at the miko, even now clambering to her feet. "Please, I... I never even realised... I love you!" she blurts out. "Don't you feel something, too?" she asks, ever so earnestly, broadcasting nothing more than her pure and innocent love to the world.
[21:03] <Usagi> roll 2d6 for aura of serenity
[21:03] <Reikobot> Usagi rolled : 2d6 for aura of serenity --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[21:03] <Anastasia> OOC - Giving Rei a soulc heck here due to being under a few influences as well as quite alarmed.
[21:03] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[21:03] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=3 ]{3}
[21:04] <Anastasia> Rei's eyes soften! Oh God, she's going to say it back, isn't she? Isn't...SLAP! Even if it's a calm slap Rei quickly strikes out! "You idiot! Stop it!" A moment later she turns, a snarl on her face. "What the hell arey ou, bitch?"
[21:05] <Anastasia> "Mmm....rest now...inhuman," Temptation sings into the microphone, words like ambrosia to your ears. "Give in to the lure of what you deny yourself."
[21:07] <Usagi> "Ow!" Usagi whimpers as she's struck, face turning with the blow. It registers a bit more than the words of the strange woman, at least... Rei tells her to resist, while the other woman tells her to give in? Well, she'll listen to Rei, of course! "Rei, what's going on?" she asks, sidling up to the other girl.
[21:07] <Usagi> "She's one of those bad guys - the one Takeshi talked about!" the blonde realises, yet somehow failing to see anything wrong with her sudden attraction to the senshi of Mars.
[21:08] <Anastasia> "Yes! Just...transform so we can kick her ass!" Looking on at her, "You're going down for this! Mars CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"
[21:09] * Usagi wordlessly transforms on her own, not having brought her transformation pen, but eager to please Rei. In an instant, Sailor Moon is on the scene, her hair even restyled into its traditional odango'd look!
[21:09] <Anastasia> Sailor Mars appears! The Staff of Cinders hisses in her hands, face a mask of pure, righteous heterosexual fury!
[21:09] <Anastasia> OOC - Ack.
[21:10] <Anastasia> Sailor Mars appears! The Staff of Cinders hisses in her hands, face a mask of pure, righteous heterosexual fury! "No speech, but get ready to just die!" With that Rei begins to sprint, ready for battle! OOC - React/initiative.
[21:11] <Anastasia> "Oh...your loss. Look at these others. They're at the bliss that humans rarely obtain." Indeed, everyone else is lost starting at others, lovestricken regardless of gender.
[21:11] <Sailor_Moon> "Wait for me, Mars!" Usagi calls needily, blind to all else except Rei and her target as she follows the red miniskirted heroine!
[21:11] <Anastasia> Temptation holds her hand out, a whip appearing in hand. "But if you insist, I'll entertain myself with you a little while, since the Lightbringer does not seem to be here."
[21:11] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[21:11] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 1d6+9 --> [ 1d6=1 ]{10}
[21:12] <Anastasia> roll 1d6 baddie
[21:12] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 1d6 baddie --> [ 1d6=6 ]{6}
[21:12] <Anastasia> roll 1d6 REI
[21:12] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 1d6 REI --> [ 1d6=2 ]{2}
[21:12] <Anastasia> Temptation>Rei>Moon
[21:13] <Anastasia> Laughing to herself, Temptation chants, "Fiery inhuman...rest. Give into your heart's love and temptations!" Her body glows faintly pink, as energy surrounds Rei!
[21:13] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[21:13] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[21:13] <Anastasia> roll 2d6 Soul check +1
[21:13] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6 Soul check +1 --> [ 2d6=12 ]{12}
[21:14] <Anastasia> Rei stops in her tracks! The Staff of Cinders is dropped as she holds her head! "Oh...Usagi!"
[21:16] <Anastasia> She stops cold, whimpering as she looks up. Slowly she begins to cry, soft teardrops. "I'm so sorry! I didn't meant to smack you... I love you so much!"
[21:17] <Anastasia> Meanwhile Temptation only laughs, watching on with a hint of obvious amusement. "PEstilence could not even stand up to a human...and these inhumans cannot even stand up to my charm! Hah." A wicked smile plays over her face, "Sir Death, you'll be most impressed..."
[21:19] <Sailor_Moon> "Oh, Rei!" Usagi beams happily as she goes to hug her fellow senshi. "It's alright, I forgive you!" she swears, taking a second to glance at Temptation. "And I forgive you as well! Anyone who helped us realise our love can't truly be all bad!" the blonde continues to gush, ecstatic and thankful for finally realising what true love really is.
[21:21] <Anastasia> "Just...don't leave me, ever!" Rei gushes right back, full of saccrine love as Sailor Mars is embraced! Her warm lips go for Usagi's, saying all she'll ever feel in passionate liplocking! No nod to Temptation for Rei, she's more interested in ANOTHER blonde.
[21:22] <Anastasia> "Heh...heh...hah!" Temptation snickers loudly, leaping off the stage and landing deftly. "Sir Death, do you hear me...come. You wished to see these inhumans, and the time is ripe."
[21:23] * Sailor_Moon kisses Rei back with fervent passion, their scantily clad bodies rubbing against each other as they make out with abandon until Usagi sadly runs out of breath. Taking a breather, the blonde turns to Temptation with palpable gratitude. "You helped us... I have to help you in return!" she swears, parting from Rei but still holding hands as she summons the Lunar Staff in a shimmer of gold.
[21:23] <Sailor_Moon> And with two words, she gives Temptation her just reward... "Moon Restoration!"
[21:25] <Anastasia> There is no reply to Temptation's power, and instead she is washed over by the power of the Moon. "What...purity..." Temptation looks around as the light washes over her!
[21:25] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[21:25] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=6 ]{6}
[21:25] <Anastasia> She stumbles back, whip dropped but still upright. "...ugh! Have your entertainment...Lightbringer isn't here!" With a flash she is gone, leaving Rei and Usagi alone with eother lovestricken ones. OOC - Usagi loses no EP.
[21:26] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul checks +4, both of you.
[21:26] <Sailor_Moon> "It didn't work..." Usagi pouts, looking down a moment. She's soon distracted, however, dismissing her staff away in a shimmer of light before she embraces Rei, preparing to teleport to more private surroundings...
[21:26] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+4
[21:26] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6+4 --> [ 2d6=10 ]{14}
[21:26] <Anastasia> roll 2d6+4
[21:26] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6+4 --> [ 2d6=4 ]{8}
[21:27] <Anastasia> "Mmm..." Rei just holds Usagi, starting to neck on her - or would if she didn't very slowly blink. "...u....uh...?" she tries to quickly shake her head, eyes unfocused!
[21:28] <Sailor_Moon> "Rei?" Usagi murmurs softly, puzzled by that reaction. She's not... having second thoughts, is she?
[21:28] <Anastasia> OOC - Normal soul check to try and break free now
[21:28] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[21:28] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[21:28] <Anastasia> OOC - For Rei, not you.
[21:28] <Sailor_Moon> OOC: I don't need to know that!
[21:29] <Anastasia> OOC - You already bombed your check there, Rei got just enough to have a last ditch stab. <_<
[21:29] <Anastasia> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP!
[21:29] <Reikobot> Anastasia rolled : 2d6 burning 20 EP! --> [ 2d6=4 ]{4}
[21:29] <Sailor_Moon> OOC: Thought she was already in the clear.
[21:29] <Anastasia> "...no!" Rei stumbles back, shaking her head violently! Sailor Mars' eyes flash with anger and embarrassment, hand on over her heart. "...No! No way I'm not! There's only one gay girl Senshi, and it's not me!" In a tizzy Rei falls back, literally onto her rear. "Usa-Usagi, sn-snap outta it!"
[21:30] <Sailor_Moon> "B-but, Rei-chan..." the blonde sniffles, resting a hand over her chest. "Didn't you feel it?" She looks down, stricken, "Was that kiss a lie?"
[21:31] <Anastasia> "U...Usagi. Moon!" Rei's voice gets like a whipcrack, demanding, "Your love is telling you to purify yourself, now!"
[21:33] <Sailor_Moon> "But..." Usagi hesitates a long moment, realising the implications. "But... what if I don't want to go back?" she asks in a tiny voice. Even if its a lie... it feels so right! "You felt it as well, didn't you?"
[21:33] <Anastasia> "Usagi..." Rei takes a very long breath, trying not to let her face twist into an angry mask. "I love you. You love me. Just do what I say for Rei-chan." She blushes at this, looking away and breathing rapidly.
[21:35] * Sailor_Moon shuffles her feet slightly. "I'm going to feel horrible in a minute, I just know it..." she notes, pained. Swallowing and plucking up her courage, she looks at Rei with pleading, desperate eyes. "Can you... can you hold me, at least? I... I want to remember this happily. Just... even if just for a second."
[21:36] <Anastasia> "...oh for..." Rei mutters something not worht repeating, befor esighing and embracing Usagi - not too much, though. "Do it NOW."
[21:37] * Sailor_Moon leans against Rei, for one moment her face an expression of contented and innocent joy even as she focuses part of her will inwards. A soft, etherial glow emanates from the blonde, giving a magical feeling to the dim and smoky jazz club as Usagi sacrifices her love... for the sake of her love.
[21:38] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check for invoking EC.
[21:38] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[21:38] <Reikobot> Sailor_Moon rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
[21:38] <Anastasia> In a flash it all falls away. Usagi's normality returns via purification magic, even as what she did bears on her mind.
[21:40] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep, shuddering breath as she pulls away from Rei, face ashen. "We..." she licks her lips fearfully, stumbling a bit as she retreats. "Oh, God!" a full body shudder envelops the blonde, who begins to heave slightly.
[21:40] <Anastasia> "Just..." Rei holds up a hand, her face like ashes. "Take us somewhere, now. Teleport." Her demand is soft, but you can tell she means it. Maybe it's the way she's nearly breaking her gloves apart, the way her hands are so balled up.
[21:41] <Sailor_Moon> "I'll... I'll take you home..." Usagi agrees dazedly, having a hard time looking at Rei as she takes the other girl's hand and whisks them back to Hikawa Shrine.
[21:42] <Anastasia> In a moment you're in Rei's bedroom! Said Sailor detransforms without a word, falling face first onto her bed. "Don't...go anywhere yet," Rei adds, shivering all over.
[21:43] <Sailor_Moon> "Aww..." Usagi moans audibly, already detransforming herself and just about to vanish home. "Just... can we not talk about it?" she asks, pained.
[21:43] <Anastasia> "See, now that works for me. We ran into Temptation but she fled when we confronted her. Okay? No kissing, no touching, no l-l-love declarations. Right?"
[21:44] <Anastasia> Rei doesn't even look up, face still just hidden. "So we both go take long showers for the rest of the night and pretend we never heard of that club."
[21:45] <Usagi> "Right!" Usagi nods emphatically. "Temptation was there and. Nothing. Happened!" she agrees. "Um... don't take this the wrong way, but I still think it'd be better if we avoided each other for a little while," she adds another suggestion for her own peace of mind.
[21:46] <Anastasia> "Hell yes. Say a week?" Rei nods rapid fire, "'less we get into another fight." Sitting up so that she can do that nodding, you notice her hands are shaking. "We also NEVER tell anyone. Especially not Kotono or Hotaru."
[21:46] <Usagi> "Definitely not!" Usagi's agreement is all too readily given. "No one must ever know!"
[21:47] <Anastasia> "Yes...we're straight! Not gay in the least! Never wanted to touch a woman!" Another set of little bursting nods, overwhelmingly fast.
[21:49] <Usagi> "And never will again!" Usagi echoes Rei's rapid fire nodding. "That's our one bit of youthful experimentation done, so it never needs to happen ever again!" she goes on breathlessly, "And, uh... yeah, that's it. Never happened, and won't ever happen again! So I'll see you in like a week, maybe?" she hazards before vanishing without even waiting on a reply.
[21:50] <Anastasia> Home! Bedroom! Safe! NoRei! NoGay! Cat! "Oh, there you are," Luna looks up frmo her perch on your desk, a book in front of her. "How was your date with Rei?" Luna even has the guts to smile at this like she's teasing you!
[21:53] <Usagi> "Kyaaaah!!!" Usagi emits a loud and undignified shriek, *so* not having been mentally prepared for that. "WHO TOL- AAaaah!" she just barely cuts herself off from yelling something incriminating before just twitching a long moment, just unable to cope at all. "It was fine. Goodnight," she eventually grates out after a long moment, kicking her shoes off and falling right onto her bed, not even bothering to change or even turn off the light.
[21:54] <Anastasia> "...okay." Luna gawks at Usagi's behavior, hesitating about thirty seconds before she dares speak again. "Bad evening?"
[21:55] <Usagi> "Don't wanna talk 'bout it," the blonde mumbles into her pillow, head down and facing away from the feline.
[21:56] <Anastasia> But Luna is already hopping over, "Didn't you have a good time with Rei? You two always get along so...interestingly." A carefully chosen word as Luna pokes her head next to your buried face, sniffing
[21:57] <Usagi> "Sleep now. Talk later. Or never," Usagi grinds out, rolling over away from Luna.
[21:58] <Anastasia> "...meow?" Luna says, utterly non plussed. "Do you...want me to get your Mother or Serenity?" A last ditch try, even as Luna creeps back and off Usagi's bed with a nimble leap.
[21:59] <Usagi> "No. Just... just no," Usagi replies, a lifetime's worth of stress packed into that short phrase. God, just let tonight END so she can forget about it!
[22:03] <Anastasia> With that Luna beats a retreat, leaving Usagi to her own devices. Goodness help her.