Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

ARC II - The Escape of the Space Criminals

(Synopsis ruthlessly stolen from the synopsis topic)

After their victory over Metallia, and the Crystal's actions to undo the damage of the battle, the girls all went home. And at home, Usagi discovered that she had apparently been missing for 2 days (the crystal had also undone the Dark Kingdom's massacre that happened right after the barrier fell) and her family was understandably aggrieved. Not seeing any use in hiding it with the fighting over, Usagi came clean as to her identity as Sailor Moon.

Meanwhile, Minako started attending T*A Academy with Rei. And promptly got them both expelled on her first day.

Shortly afterwards, Usagi teleported herself up to the Moon to have a few words with Queen Serenity. After talking on far better terms than they had the last time, Queen Serenity died, her last words telling Usagi to take care of her kingdom. Exploring the now no longer evil-occupied ruins, Usagi came across several rooms containing chests with energy barriers around them. Being the Princess (now Queen) of the Moon Kingdom, she had no trouble passing the barriers, and in the first one found the Legendary Holy Blade that had belonged to Sailor Venus in the Silver Millenium.

Alas, the next room contained no such powerful artifact. Instead it was a crystal prison, housing the very worst criminals of the Moon Kingdom (Beryl also made use of the prison, and put Jadeite in there). Usagi's arrival triggered their release, and the criminals all promptly teleported off the Moon and away from their confinement. So much for a holiday after beating Metallia...

As the girls looted the remaining artifacts from the Moon to aid in the upcoming battles, one of the former criminals was already making her move. An Ice Spirit named Celcia had set up shop in Tokyo, and was doing her best to imitate the villian from the S Movie by freezing the Earth. Arriving back in the blizzard-swept city, and drained from their teleporting, the senshi nonetheless trudged through the snow and hail to reach Celcia's Ice Palace (which used to be a mall).

After a long and tiring battle, the first of the escaped criminals was dealt with, and aside from being drained, none of the girls had been really hurt at all. A few days later, Usagi ran into Mamoru, who was having some mental difficulties over his past life memories surfacing, and the effects of being brainwashed twice. This ended with Usagi being rather traumatised and the Tuxedo'd one taking off for a relaxing holiday in Hawaii while escaped Lunar criminals rampaged over Japan.

During all this, Makoto hadn't been seen for a few days, and the girls were growing increasingly concerned for her safety. While Rei tried to locate the senshi of Thunder with her fire readings, Ami busily researched the prisoners on her computer, the two converging when Ami found out about one of the criminals being a former retainer of Princess Makoto, who was unhealthily obsessed with her. Meanwhile, Usagi was plagued by memories of Princess Serenity's best friend, a girl named Cynthia, who she seemed to have had some big falling out with...

Finally catching a break, Rei located Makoto in an upscale apartment in Tokyo. Wasting no time, the girls raced off to her rescue, only to be confronted by three majorly powerful baddies, who unsurprisingly were former recipients of the Moon Kingdom's penal system. Two of the villians promptly teleported away, leaving a demon behind for our girls to battle. The creature was dispatched in fairly short order, and then the other criminal who had been observing finally joined the fray.

Nearly gutting Sailor Mars with impossible speed, the villian's energy skyrocketed to pants-wetting levels, understandably freaking the senshi big time. Disorganised and tired from fighting the demon, the senshi were forced to retreat for the first time, Sailor Moon blowing the entire apartment to bits to cover their escape, which barely seemed to phase the swordsman.

Not giving them much time to recover from this, Jadeite finally acted. The Dark General already knew the identities of Moon, Mercury, and Mars from right before their last battle with him, and he made use of this to kidnap Kenji and Shingo, along with several of Usagi's classmates to lure Sailor Moon into a trap. Beryl's former servant underestimated our heroines' resolve, however, and found himself recieving a sound beating for his trouble. During this, Mars discovered Jadeite had been controlled by Metallia the same way she had been, presenting the girls with something of a dilemma. Even with Metallia gone, his soul had been so long steeped in evil that he knew no other way to act, but Mars and Moon were still determined to help him, somehow. Venus disagreed quite vehemently, insisting that the only solution was to kill him. But as the girls debated, Jadeite managed to escape to fight another day...

Over time, the girls learnt more about their foes from the Mercury Computer, and from one of the former criminals who bore them no ill will - a powerful mage named Starfire, who seemed to be on rather good terms with Sailor Pluto.

The swordsman was named Oxyite, and was a pirate from the Silver Millenium. Among his many crimes, he was responsible for the death of Sailor Neptune.

The other man was Orestes, the former retainer of Princess Makoto, a powerful psionic, and certifiable madman.

And the female villian was Cynthia, Princess Serenity's best friend who had been imprisoned when her experiments in demon summoning went out of control.

Catching another lead on Makoto (in another upscale apartment), the senshi attempted once more to rescue their friend, this time planning their attack rather than charging in blindly. With Oxyite being the only villian presently guarding her, it fell to Moon, Mars, and Venus to attack him, while Sailor Dragon used the diversion to liberate Makoto.

The battle went poorly for our heroines, with Mars being overwhelmed in an instant and kicked through the ceiling onto the roof of the building, the others following to take the battle where they would have more room. Pelting Oxyite with their most powerful attacks, the three senshi were wearing him down, but the main effect seemed to be his massive energy was spiralling out of control. Finally it was too much, and he blew, only a timely teleport from Starfire getting the senshi out of there before the blast, which wiped out the whole block.

While Minako had a psychotic episode over what happened during and after the battle with Oxyite, it was learned that something nasty had been done to Makoto. A large chunk of her soul had been removed! With the poor girl completely comatose, and looking unlikely to recover on her own, the beleagured and embattled senshi had to continue searching for Orestes.

Luckily, he made that rather easy, by taking over Channel 5 TV station and challenging the senshi on national television. Racing to confront him, the girls found the building in the midst of an electrical storm the likes of which had never been seen before. Orestes was obviously making good use of the Thunder senshi's soul, while his cohort used her demonic powers to open a Gate which would unleash Hell on Earth.

Battling their way to the top of the TV station, the girls faced off with Orestes, Cynthia, and her pet demons. A creative ofuda from the miko managed to take Cynthia and her demons out of the battle, by turning them against each other, but in the process Sailor Mars was nearly killed by a lightning shot from Orestes. This prompted Sailor Venus to go berserk, and the other senshi made short work of Orestes. But while Sailor Moon worked to seal the half-open Gate, Venus calmly executed the comatose Cynthia, right before the eyes of Mars, who was giving her a sound verbal beatdown at the time.

In the aftermath of the battle, the stolen portion of Makoto's soul was returned to her, while the girls sought answers as to why Minako had flipped the way she had. This ended with Venus taking a leave of absence from the senshi, and the remaining girls feeling more dispirited than ever.

Determined to regain some measure of cheer, Usagi invited the senshi and their families to a Christmas party at her house. Festivities were cut short, however, by Jadeite attacking once more, turning Shingo into a youma to kill his sister! While Moon tried to reason with her transformed sibling, Mars quickly tracked Jadeite to the roof of the Tsukino home, and engaged him in their final battle. Unwilling to change his ways, Jadeite fought to the bitter end, only asking for forgiveness as he died in Mars' arms.

With Jadeite's death, the girls had reclaimed their peace, and could finally take the time to recover from the emotional scars inflicted by the series of brutal battles following straight after Metallia's demise. The peace wouldn't last forever, but they'd enjoy it while they could...

[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - A day or so has passed since your home revelation.
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite the wonkiness over it, your parents seem to be adjusting about as well as can be expected. Shingo, on the other hand, has avoided Usagi altogether... even going out in the snowstorm this early evening.
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> And further, it's odd to have Luna eating at the table with you - but your mother insisted, even setting up a small dish of food for the feline.
[09:21] * Usagi-chan gets up from the table. "Dinner was great, Mom." Usagi gets up, looking a little unsure. "Um... I may be gone for a while tonight-I've got something I need to take care of. I'll probably take Luna with me too. I'm not sure exactly when I'll be back though."
[09:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay, dear," your mother says. "Will you be careful?"
[09:24] <Usagi-chan> "Of course! I don't really expect any real trouble; I just need to talk to someone for a while."
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Don't stay up too late, Usagi," your dad says. "You still have all that makeup work and detention time, don't you?"
[09:26] * Usagi-chan groans. "I'll do my best, Daddy." She mutters to herself. "He just had to bring that up, didn't he?" Usagi turns to her advisor. "Come on, Luna, we need to talk a little bit before we leave." With that, she scoops up the Mau and carries her up to her room.
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna gulps down the last of her stirfried pork before getting snatched with a small meow of protest.
[09:28] * Usagi-chan closes the door to her room and sets Luna down on the bed with a sigh, trying to steel herself for the confrontation ahead.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, what are you planning, Usagi?"
[09:30] <Usagi-chan> "We're... going to go see someone. Someone you're going to recognize, but you haven't seen in a while."
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You mean..." Her eyes widen. "The Moon?"
[09:32] * Usagi-chan nods. "I want you to promise me something before we go though. No matter what I do or say, you keep quiet about it, all right?"
[09:32] <Usagi-chan> "At least until we get back."
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna looks at you for a moment. "Feeling different, Usagi? You're acting...more like what I remember," she gushes suddenly.
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> A small, odd smile plays across her face.
[09:34] <Usagi-chan> "I've... had my eyes opened in the past few days." Usagi looks downcast. "That's part of what this trip is about."
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really? What...is it about?" she asks.
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's not nice to keep your advisor in the dark, Usagi-chan."
[09:35] <Usagi-chan> "You'll see when we get there. Will you promise me that for now?"
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," she says by way of submission.
[09:37] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks, Luna. Now, let's see if I can do this..." Usagi closes her eyes, and a few moments later the room flashes with light.
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Princess Serenity," Luna gasps.
[09:38] * Serenity-hime picks Luna up. "I hope I can do this by myself..." Serenity focuses on the image of the Queen's sanctuary on the Moon, and... "Sailor Teleport!"
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Drawing on your internal power, you feel the room shift and shimmer away...
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> After several long moments in some...thing, you find yourself in front of a splendid palace. A fountain gushes crystal clear water nearby, and a woman sits on the edge.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her fairy like wings and dress shimmer in the light from Earth, her crescent moon shining softly.
[09:45] * Serenity-hime gives the woman a flat stare for a few moments before speaking. "I thought that I... that we weren't supposed to be strong enough. Who is the fool now, Serenity?"
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Queen looks down, her face clouded. "Princess...thank you." she merely says, not meeting your eyes.
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna, who had not commented so far, gasps at your tone and at the Queen's reaction. "USAGI!"
[09:48] * Serenity-hime glares at Luna. "Not one word, Luna." With that, she stalks over to the queen and seizes her by the shoulders, giving her a slight shake. "Why?! Why did you say all of that to us, right before the most difficult fight we ever faced?"
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your hands grasp onto her surprisingly solid shoulders. "Princess...I....I lost to Metallia so long ago because I gave into her despair...I wasn't able to break free until you defeated her..." tears trickle down her face as she speaks. "I couldn't see anything but that all these centuries..."
[09:53] * Serenity-hime feels her anger melt away in the face of the heartbroken monarch. "I'm sorry, but to have you tell us there was no hope - that was just too cruel. I know what Metallia's influence could do..." Serenity's thoughts turn to Rei for a moment. "but that really could have made our chances against her even worse."
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I...I am sorry..." she chokes out. She hangs her head, looking at the tiled floor.
[09:55] * Serenity-hime stares sadly at the elder Serenity for a moment, then takes her into a hug. "I know... and I forgive you."
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her sobs rock against your chest, as no more words are spoken for a time.
[09:58] * Serenity-hime strokes her mother's back gently, murmuring soft words of reassurance.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally...she finally looks you in the eye after she cries. Her eye is red streaked and sad beyond words, and depresses you in a way you can't explain. "Princess...I have a request of you."
[10:01] * Serenity-hime steps back and takes the queen's hands, nodding. "If it's in my power, I'll do my best to help you."
[10:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Then...will you put the last of the Kingdom to rest? Please, take what you will and allow the rest to finally sleep."
[10:05] <Serenity-hime> "What about you? What will you do from here? I'll gladly take care of the Kingdom, but you don't need to stay here alone any longer. Why not come back with me to Earth? You won't be able to be a queen any longer, but then we don't really have a kingdom to rule any more either. Why not make a new start of things?"
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Princess...I thank you, but I have no place on Earth now." she says. "I...I'm tired, so tired..." her face droops, as if keeping her eyes open is a sudden effort.
[10:12] * Serenity-hime takes the queen's shoulders again. "Mother, are you all right? Stay with me, please - you don't have to rest yet!"
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mother," she echos you. "Thank you, Princess. But...I should have rested a long time ago. It's time to let go of the past, Serenity..." her eyes start to close...
[10:16] <Serenity-hime> "No, please! Mother, you don't have to go!" Serenity grabs her mother in a tight embrace. "Not now when we've already won, when we could start again!" She looks her mother in the eyes, tears flowing freely. "We don't have to let go of the past completely, Mother - all we have to do is remember it, and not let it hold us back from the future."
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> She doesn't respond, but smiles instead as her eyes close. Her body goes limp in your arms, like a weight.
[10:18] * Serenity-hime falls to her knees as the queen collapses. "No... Mother..." The tears flow from her eyes. "Don't go, I still don't know what to do..."
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her body glows momentarily, before dissolving into a cloud of light, and fading away.
[10:20] * Serenity-hime lets her hands fall to her knees as she sobs brokenly.
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a bit of that..."Usagi," Luna says sadly. "I'm sorry." her voice shows her own sorrow at the events of the day.
[10:23] <Serenity-hime> "Luna... why? We won, didn't we? Why did she have to go now?"
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Maybe...it's time to let the Moon go, Usagi," she says quietly. "That's what she wanted..." Luna is cut off by the air shimmering, and you find yourselves in front of a ruined, darkened version of where you were before.
[10:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's quiet...there is a sense of abandonment around, like a old, used building left to rot.
[10:26] * Serenity-hime slowly manages to gather herself, although her eyes are still red and puffy from crying. "Maybe... maybe you're right, but it still hurts." She looks over at the black mooncat. "I just feel so lost... I don't know what to do anymore."
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You'll go on as Usagi Tsukino now, and as Sailor Moon. The Princess may finally be able to rest as well. All of this," she makes a clumsy wave with her paw, "Maybe it's time for it to rest."
[10:29] * Serenity-hime looks at Luna in surprise. "I can't believe I'm hearing YOU, of all people, say that. You're always telling me how I need to live up to my responsibilities as the princess and the leader of the senshi!"
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I... things just changed, Usagi," she sighs. "I don't like it, but what is left of the Kingdom now? It only lived on because of the Dark Kingdom... and even that is finished."
[10:35] * Serenity-hime is silent for a few moments. "I'll follow my mother's last request and put the Moon Kingdom to rest, if I can figure out how. For the rest... I'll have to think about it some more, I guess." With that, Serenity stands up and takes a good look at her surroundings.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The area is a old, beaten entryway, a dried up fountain to the side. The main doors are gone, allowing you to walk right in.
[10:38] <Serenity-hime> "I wonder where we are exactly..." Serenity murmurs as she walks through the doorway ahead of her.
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think it's one of the entryways," Luna chimes in.
[10:40] <Serenity-hime> "Gee, Luna, ya think?" Serenity gives the cat a sarcastic glance.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside is a beautiful, ruined stairway ahead, or at least what looks like one amidst a caved in ceiling.
[10:57] * Serenity-hime carefully makes her way to the foot of the staircase, trying to imagine what this must have looked like before the Dark Kingdom struck.
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> You shudder for a moment as you begin to walk, the memory of climbing these stairs coming to mind.
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nothing fancy... just the memory of walking up the stairs by yourself, going... you can't recall where.
[10:58] * Serenity-hime takes a deep breath to steady herself, then begins to make her way up the ruined staircase.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Could you carry me, Usagi?" the Mau asks.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't think I can make it over all this rubble."
[11:00] <Serenity-hime> "Oh sorry, Luna... almost forgot you were there." The princess leans over and picks up the cat, nestling her comfortably in her arms before continuing upward.
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Luna curls up in your warm arms, you pick your way across the stairway. At the top is a large, formal foyer, with doors and long hallways branching off.
[11:05] * Serenity-hime enters the foyer slowly, glancing around a bit nervously. The silence of this place makes her feel a bit strange.
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Crunch* The sound of something breaking beneath your shoed foot is heard as you take a step forward.
[11:06] * Serenity-hime lifts her foot and looks down to see what she crushed.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> On the floor, you see a simple glass earring, one broken and the other nearby and unharmed. They are a simple circle formation, like a glass stud. Kinda pretty, if a bit dirty and dusty.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Like what you wore when you weren't so formally dressed, the thought passes through your head.
[11:09] * Serenity-hime kneels down on the dusty floor and picks up the unbroken earring to take a closer look at it.
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a glass stud, almost circular in shape. It's dirty and dusty, as if it's been laying here a long time.
[11:11] * Serenity-hime cleans it off with her fingers, a twinge of regret running through her that the matching earring is now broken.
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mom, thank you!" you shout as you see the small, delicate glass earrings. They aren't much, but they are nice and shiny...
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Another memory?
[11:15] * Serenity-hime stands again and begins to walk around the room, taking a much closer look at everything this time-including the floor. She doesn't want to step on anything else.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The only thing you notice is the rubble on the floor..."Hey, what happened to my earrings?" this complaint has been your anthem for the day, ever since you lost your glass earring somewhere outside...
[11:21] * Serenity-hime jerks her head up. "I remember..." she murmurs. "Now, which one was it?" She starts to walk briskly around the room, looking for the passage she knows leads out into the gardens.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a bit of poking, you find a old, narrow hallway that leads to a back door into the gardens - or in this case, a dead, lifeless expanse of old trees and shrubs and stonework.
[11:27] * Serenity-hime starts examining the ground. She has no idea why she'd be any more likely to find the missing earring now than thousands of years in the past, but she keeps looking anyway.
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Searching the garden, you are hit with a torrent of images...of playing with children in your youth, of smelling the Lunar Blooms, of eating a light lunch amid the blossoms...
[11:29] * Serenity-hime lets a smile come to her lips as she recalls all the happy hours she spent here.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Another memory comes forth. The force of her slap sends you reeling. Cynthia's eyes are red and puffy, and her face is contorted. "And you were my friend, Serenity!" she shouts, past reason.
[11:31] * Serenity-hime stops dead in her tracks. Where did that one come from?
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Something about a... damn. It's just fading away.
[11:34] * Serenity-hime shakes her head and continues her slow walk around the dead garden.
[11:39] <Anastasia> "Hey, Ser! Look at this," Cynthia says, holding a white flower in her hand. "Isn't it great?" the nine year old chirps.
[11:40] <Serenity-hime> 'It's that same girl again,' Usagi thinks to herself. 'Who is she?'
[11:43] <Anastasia> Walking past a old statue of a garden fairy (How'd you know that?), you sigh. Somehow, this place is depressing you now.
[11:44] * Serenity-hime looks for a way to leave the gardens, aside from the back way she took previously.
[11:45] <Anastasia> There are a few doors in and out, three others than the ones you took into this garden.
[11:46] * Serenity-hime heads for the one closest to her, just eager to leave this place now.
[11:47] <Anastasia> Going through the nearest doorway, you go through the next hallway, only to find it blocked off by a wall/ceiling cave in ahead.
[11:48] * Serenity-hime mutters in frustration and heads back out to the garden, deciding to try the next entrance to the left.
[11:50] <Anastasia> The next doorway opens a larger hallway, which branches off into several rooms and doors.
[11:51] <Anastasia> "Go ahead in the third door on the left," Luna speaks up. "I remember something in there."
[11:52] <Serenity-hime> "All right, it's as good a place as any." Usagi heads for the door pointed out by the mooncat and opens it, heading into the room beyond.
[11:53] <Anastasia> Inside is a small room. It's plain, and in the center sits a large, ornate box made of wood. Even now, a blue barrier of light surrounds it.
[11:55] <Serenity-hime> "I wonder what that is..." Serenity approaches the box.
[11:56] <Anastasia> "It's..." Luna starts. "It's something of the Kingdom's. I'm sure of it." Luna says.
[11:57] <Anastasia> The light hums softly, emitting a bit of light and sound.
[11:58] * Serenity-hime reaches towards the box cautiously, afraid of being stung by the light - whatever it is.
[11:58] <Anastasia> The light feels warm as you get closer to it...
[11:58] * Serenity-hime gently touches the light with a fingertip.
[11:59] <Anastasia> It's warm to the touch, but not painful or resistant.
[12:00] * Serenity-hime reaches in to take hold of the box, pulling it out of the field of light.
[12:00] <Anastasia> The box refuses to move in the slightest. It feels as if it's made of heavy stone when you try and move it, like moving a mountain.
[12:01] * Serenity-hime gives up on taking it and simply opens it where it sits.
[12:01] <Anastasia> The hinges creak as you open it...
[12:01] <Anastasia> Inside sits...
[12:02] <Anastasia> A sword. A decorated sword, with hearts, rubies, and diamonds all over it. It looks brand new.
[12:03] * Serenity-hime picks up the beautiful sword and looks at it in awe.
[12:03] <Anastasia> It is light, as if made of air. It reflects the blue light from the field and shimmers beautifully.
[12:04] <Anastasia> Luna smiles. "That's...that's part of the Kingdom, Usagi." she says. "Something I haven't seen in a long time."
[12:04] * Serenity-hime draws it out of the field of light to get a closer look at it. "What is it, then?"
[12:05] <Anastasia> "The Silver Crystal was the mightiest by far, but not the only relic the Moon Kingdom had, Usagi," Luna declares. "This is the Venus Sword, one of the weapons used by Sailor Venus, the Princess of Love and Beauty."
[12:06] * Serenity-hime smiles. "I wonder what Minako will say when I give it to her."
[12:07] <Anastasia> "She'll probably say how many skins she can cat with it," Luna chuckles.
[12:09] * Serenity-hime giggles. "Poor Artemis... I wonder if there's anything else like this still here." Usagi slips the sword into her subspace pocket and heads out of the room, now curious as to what else she can find. She opens the door opposite the one she just left.
[12:10] <Anastasia> As you walk out..."The Kingdom kept many treasures sealed like that, to prevent them from being stolen, only to be used in times of war... sadly, the last war came too quickly..."
[12:12] <Serenity-hime> "Well, Mother DID say to take what we need..." A sad expression comes across Usagi's face as she remembers the queen's passing, but she continues on into the next room.
[12:13] <Anastasia> After going back into the hall way, the next room is dark. A broken box sits inside, darkness spreading from it like a bane. The door slams behind you, and a chill passes through you!
[12:20] * Serenity-hime whirls around to look at the sealed door. "W-w-what just happened, Luna?" She rushes to the door and tries to open it.
[12:20] <Anastasia> The door is jammed shut, and you cannot see in the darkness...
[12:21] <Anastasia> Except for the slow, weak glow coming from the center of the room. A collection of intertwined crystals float in a pattern, each made of the blackest crystal you have ever seen.
[12:21] <Anastasia> In some of them, a small person like thing floats, slowing moving and twisting, as if trying to escape it's bonds. The crystals are cracked, as if they are breaking from the inside.
[12:23] * Serenity-hime takes a moment to let her eyes adjust to the near-total darkness, then tries to get a better look at the figure encased in crystal.
[12:24] <Anastasia> You see several. Men, women and other things are trapped inside, at least a dozen.
[12:24] <Anastasia> To your shock, one is Jadeite, the lost Dark Kingdom General.
[12:24] <Anastasia> "Usagi!" Luna hisses, drawing up in your arms. "It's Dark Kingdom energy inside! The Crystal Prison is breaking!"
[12:24] * Serenity-hime panics and reaches for her communicator, hitting the all-call button. Her concentration broken, her transformation into the princess falls away.
[12:25] * Usagi-chan manages to babble into her communicator. "On the Moon... Jadeite..."
[12:25] <V-chan> "What?" Minako exclaims. "Usagi, are you okay?"
[12:26] <Anastasia> As if reaching you, you feel dark energy creeping from the crystals towards you. Yearning for you.
[12:26] * Usagi-chan backs up against the door, getting as far away from the dark crystals as she can. "Help! If anyone can hear me, I need help!"
[12:27] <V-chan> "I'll be right there!" Minako yells, and closes the communicator, running towards the guest room.
[12:27] <Anastasia> "Usagi! This was used to contain the scum of the Kingdom! If it breaks..." her voice trails off.
[12:28] <Rei-chan> Inside the guest room, Rei is already transforming. "Mars Power, Make Up!"
[12:28] * V-chan throws the guest room's door open, rushing towards Rei. "Let's teleport over to her right away!"
[12:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Minako, hurry and transform!" Rei says quickly.
[12:28] * Usagi-chan manages to stop hyperventilating. 'Panicking isn't going to get you anywhere, Usagi-baka!' Taking hold of her locket, she shouts the words of her transformation. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[12:28] <Anastasia> "What's up?" Artemis is trailing behind Minako, trying to wake up.
[12:29] <V-chan> "No time!" Minako yells, grabbing Rei's hands, and thinks of Usagi. "Let's go! Sailor Teleport!"
[12:29] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi's on the Moon and she's gotten into trouble, we have to go, now!" Rei says urgently.
[12:29] <Anastasia> The cat quickly leaps on to Minako's shoulder. "Let's go, then!"
[12:29] * Sailor_Mars concentrates intently on Usagi, wherever she may be. "Sailor Teleport!"
[12:29] <Prince_Herb> "I'm too far away to get to you two quickly..." Prince_Herb says.
[12:29] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:30] <Anastasia> Nian frowns. "CAn you manage to fly to Sailor Jupiter, Prince?" the cat asks.
[12:30] <Anastasia> Okay - The other two first.
[12:31] <Anastasia> As the ruins appear instead of your home, you find yourselves in front of a door. The door is glowing with terrible black energy, enough to rouse Rei's senses.
[12:31] <Anastasia> Meanwhile.
[12:31] * Sailor_Mars flinches from the door, before setting her expression and rushing forward to kick it open.
[12:31] * Sailor_Moon glances back and forth between the weakening crystals, unsure whether attacking now would destroy the inhabitants or release them more quickly.
[12:31] <Anastasia> "Sailor Moon! We have to stop this from breaking! If even a few of the terrors that were captured here by the Queen escape, it's a disaster!"
[12:33] <Sailor_Moon> "How the hell am I supposed to do that, Luna? The crystal is gone! I don't know if attacking these things is going to help or hurt them!"
[12:33] <Anastasia> "It's GONE?!" The cat sputters. "Why didn't you TELL me?"
[12:33] <Anastasia> Rei - The door holds firm against your kick.
[12:34] <Sailor_Moon> "You never asked me anything about it! I don't know what happened, it just disappeared after we defeated Metallia!"
[12:34] <V-chan> "Get away from the door!" Minako yells, before calling out, "Love-Me Chain!" She summons her golden chain and uses it as a whip against the door.
[12:35] * Sailor_Mars leaps backwards.
[12:35] <Anastasia> The door buckles but holds firm as it glows with evil power... like a black lightbulb.
[12:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Dammit!" Rei curses, reaching out her spiritual senses to see what is holding the door, and hopefully defeating it. It's a gamble, but Usagi is worth it.
[12:36] <Anastasia> "Get me out!" A female voice comes from the prison, distant but audible.
[12:37] <Anastasia> The crystals shake, like something is struggling inside.
[12:37] <Anastasia> "This isn't the time, Usagi!" Luna protests.
[12:37] * Sailor_Moon suddenly comes up with a crazy idea. "God, I hope this works..." Moon turns to face the crystal holding Jadeite. "He looks human... Moon Healing Escalation!" Moon puts all the strength she can muster into the energy flowing towards the Dark Kingdom general - towards what end, she's not certain.
[12:38] <Anastasia> Rei - You feel several very strong evil energies enaminating from inside. All together, they are not as strong as Metallia-sama, but each is formidable.
[12:38] * Sailor_Mars gives her everything towards unsealing the door so they can get in and help Usagi against the danger.
[12:38] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:39] <Anastasia> The healing energy clashes with the black energy, sparks and lightning gushing from where the opposing energies meet!
[12:39] <Anastasia> Meanwhile...
[12:39] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-2
[12:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-2 and gets 5."
[12:40] <Anastasia> The door buckles again, before flinging open!
[12:40] * Sailor_Mars charges into the room, "Usagi!"
[12:41] <Anastasia> Inside, you see a blindingly bright clash of Sailor Moon's energy and dark energy, with sparks and such flying from the battle.
[12:41] * V-chan lunges into the room after Rei, calling out Usagi's name.
[12:41] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:41] <Anastasia> Finally, with a burst of light, both energies vanish.
[12:41] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:41] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:42] * Sailor_Moon pants with exhaustion, and tries to summon the energy to continue.
[12:42] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:42] <Anastasia> For a second, you have the image of several beings in the room, but they soon vanish in various fashion.
[12:42] <Anastasia> As that happens, the crystals fall apart, like old toys finally able to be used no more.
[12:43] * Sailor_Mars moves close to Sailor Moon so she can protect her from the no doubt impending attack.
[12:44] <V-chan> Not finding any immediate danger any longer, Minako transforms into Sailor Venus.
[12:44] <Anastasia> Only the tinkling of shattered crystal and light slowly returning to the room occurs as you do so.
[12:45] * Sailor_Moon looks to where Jadeite's crystal was, her vision slowly returning after the bright flash that lit the room a few moments previously.
[12:45] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:45] <Sailor_Mars> "What happened?" Rei asks, tryimg to sense the evil she felt before.
[12:45] <Anastasia> "Oh Princess..." Luna cries. "Oh no..."
[12:45] <Anastasia> Her voice is soft and stunned, like when a relative dies.
[12:46] <Anastasia> The crystals are a mess now, all shattered on the floor. A single crystal is impossible to determine now.
[12:47] <V-chan> "What happened, Luna?" Venus asks.
[12:48] * Sailor_Moon simply collapses to the floor, staring in shock.
[12:48] <Anastasia> "The Crystal Prison..." the Mau murmurs. "It's broken..."
[12:49] * V-chan sighs, and glances at Mars. "There's always something afterwards, isn't there, Rei-chan?"
[12:49] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't understand. Prison?" Rei asks, still trying to sense the strong evil energy she felt mere moments before.
[12:51] <Anastasia> The energy is fading away. "The Crystal Prison is where the worst criminals were jailed in the past," she says. "An eternal, almost perfect prison."
[12:52] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, that 'almost' is always a real bummer," Rei says sarcastically. "I felt a strong surge of dark energy, but it's gone now..."
[12:54] <Anastasia> The cat laughs. "It's funny, because it was devised so super beings couldn't reform bodies or be resurrected."
[12:55] * V-chan walks over to Usagi, squatting down next to her. "Hey, are you alright?" she asks, patting the other girl's shoulder.
[12:55] <Sailor_Mars> "Super beings?" Rei repeats with a hysterical gleam in her eye, "Beings like Metallia, right?"
[12:55] * Sailor_Moon just stares in front of her, unresponsive.
[12:55] <Anastasia> "Not that powerful, but powerful in their own right. Enough to be a threat to the order of the Millenium," the cat responds, shivering.
[12:56] * V-chan grasps Usagi's shoulder more firmly, and shakes the girl.
[12:56] * Sailor_Mars sighs. "Well, so much for getting a break after saving the world." She then turns to see Minako shaking Usagi, "Hey, you alright, Usagi?"
[12:57] * Sailor_Moon pays no attention to either of her friends. 'It's my fault... If I hadn't come in here, nothing would have happened...' She thinks to herself.
[12:58] * V-chan looks at Luna and Rei worriedly. "Do you think she's okay?" Minako asks.
[12:59] * Sailor_Mars returns Minako's worried look, "I'm not sure... Usagi? Can you tell us what happened?" she asks, while discretely checking that no evil aura is permeating around the girl. Because that would be very bad.
[12:59] <Anastasia> Rei - You sense only Usagi's pure aura.
[12:59] <Sailor_Moon> "I... I failed..." Usagi's voice is barely above a whisper.
[13:00] <V-chan> "Failed?" Minako repeats.
[13:00] * Sailor_Mars unconsciously breathes a sigh of relief at that before kneeling down next to Usagi. "What do you mean, 'you failed'?"
[13:02] * Sailor_Moon lets a manic little giggle escape her lips. "I shouldn't be surprised, really... it was only a matter of time anyway."
[13:03] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi, you're not making any sense," Rei says firmly, "Start from the beginning."
[13:04] * Sailor_Moon's strange laughter changes into bitter sobs. "I should have known... should never have tried..."
[13:05] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi, please," Rei's voice is now desperate, "Tell us what's wrong!"
[13:07] * V-chan picks Usagi up. "We can talk back on Earth, where it's safer," she tells Rei. "How about your shrine?"
[13:08] <Sailor_Mars> "As good a place as any," Rei shrugs, "I'm a bit tired from teleporting with just you, but I think I can manage it," she says bravely.
[13:08] <Anastasia> "We must come back here, though," Luna murmurs.
[13:08] <V-chan> "Sure," Minako says, looking at Luna. "Jump onto my shoulder."
[13:08] <Sailor_Mars> "When we figure out what's going on," Rei says to Luna, even though she'd rather not ever see the Moon again.
[13:09] <Anastasia> "We may need more than the Venus Sword now," she says back.
[13:09] <Sailor_Mars> "Venus Sword?"
[13:09] <V-chan> "The Venus Sword?" Minako asks.
[13:10] <Anastasia> "A relic we found of the Moon Kingdom," Luna replies.
[13:10] * V-chan grins. "Now we're stabbing with gold!"
[13:10] * Sailor_Mars shrugs. "Okay, well we can discuss it when we arrive at the Shrine." Rei gives a worried look towards Usagi, "You ready, Minako?"
[13:11] * V-chan turns to Usagi, giving her a smile. "Think about Rei-chan's shrine, okay, Usagi-chan? It's safe there, but her grandpa's a pervert."
[13:13] * V-chan nods at Rei, and calls out, "Sailor Teleport!"
[13:13] <Sailor_Mars> "Sailor Teleport!" Rei calls, picturing her bedroom at the shrine.
[13:14] * Sailor_Moon barely manages to focus enough to assist the other two as they return to Tokyo.
[13:15] <Anastasia> You appear in the snow choked courtyard of the temple, snow falling at a good clip.
[13:16] <V-chan> "Here, get her inside," Minako tells Rei, passing Usagi over to her.
[13:16] * Sailor_Mars nods, shivering as she carries Usagi indoors.
[13:16] * V-chan hits the all-call button on her communicator.
[13:17] <V-chan> "We're at the shrine with Usagi," she says to the other senshi. "Can you get over here as soon as you can?" Not waiting for an answer, she cuts off the transmission.
[13:17] <Sailor_Mars> As she heads towards her bedroom, Sailor Mars lets her transformation slip, setting Usagi down on the bed and sitting on the floor herself.
[13:18] * V-chan stores her communicator, and fishes for her cell, calling home.
[13:19] * V-chan drops her transformation, as it rings.
[13:20] * Rei-chan gets an uneasy feeling. What if that evil energy she felt had already come to Earth? Stretching out her senses, Rei tries to detect anything like it.
[13:21] <Anastasia> Rei - You sense no dark energy.
[13:22] * Rei-chan breathes a sigh of relief at that as she turns up the heater. It's pretty cold, after all.
[13:23] * V-chan tells her father that one of the friends she mentioned earlier got into an accident, and both she and Rei had to rush over to check on her. She adds that she'll call in an hour to give them an update, and says goodbye.
[13:23] <Rei-chan> "Usagi?" Rei prods gently, wondering what's taking Minako and Luna.
[13:23] <V-chan> "Let's go inside ourselves," Minako tells Luna, following her words.
[13:25] <Anastasia> "Yes," the cat responds, distracted.
[13:26] * V-chan moves inside the house, calling Rei's name.
[13:28] <Rei-chan> "We're in my room," Rei calls, opening her door.
[13:28] * V-chan happily heads towards Rei's room.
[13:30] * Rei-chan fidgets uncomfortably at Usagi's lack of response.
[13:30] <V-chan> "Where's the Venus Sword?" Minako asks suddenly, entering the room.
[13:32] <Anastasia> "Perhaps later, Minako," Luna replies as she goes up to Usagi. "Usagi-chan?" she says quietly.
[09:04] <Anastasia> Prince Herb -
[09:10] <Anastasia> You arrive at Jupiter's apartment despite the snowstorm, only to find that she is not home.
[09:11] <Anastasia> "Perhaps Princess Jupiter was caught elseware in this storm," Nian says, still shivering from the cold and wind outside.
[09:13] <Prince_Herb> "What do we do now? The travel news was that we couldn't expect to get through to the shrine by road."
[09:13] <Anastasia> "The air? Could we ford through the rougher areas with a bit of flying?" Nian asks you.
[09:14] <Prince_Herb> "I guess we'll have to."
[09:15] * Prince_Herb takes the car home, then transforms and flies over, with Nian in his insulated carrying basket
[09:16] <Anastasia> The snowy wind is difficult to fly through, yet you manage to use that and some judicious timing to make it through the snow storm and to Rei's temple...
[09:16] <Anastasia> Meanwhile...
[09:18] <Anastasia> Usagi is asleep as the storm rages on. This would be a freak storm anytime in Tokyo, at this time of year it's a truly amazing thing.
[09:22] <Anastasia> Ami continues to work on her computer while Rei and Minako wait...and it's then the door to the room opens, revealing a very cold and snow-dappled Sailor Dragon.
[09:23] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Herb," Rei greets the transgender senshi.
[09:23] * Ninja_Ami waves distractedly, banishing the snow from the prince.
[09:23] <Anastasia> Artemis looks up from where he was curled up in Minako's warm lap. "You made it through that storm," he asks, surprised.
[09:24] * Sailor_Dragon puts down the cat carrier and lets Nian out
[09:24] <Sailor_Dragon> "Thank goodness for warm ki, is all I can say."
[09:25] <Anastasia> "Is Princess Usagi safe," Nian asks, walking quickly over to the sleeping girl.
[09:26] <Rei-chan> "She's been out of it pretty much since we found her," Rei says, casting a worried glance at the comatose blonde.
[09:27] <Sailor_Dragon> "Hi all..." Sailor_Dragon says, greeting the lesbian and the criminal senshi. "...is there anything I should be doing?"
[09:27] * Rei-chan shrugs. "We're still not really sure what's going on." She sighs before continuing, "It looks like a bunch of criminals from the Moon Kingdom have suddenly gotten loose."
[09:28] <Sailor_Dragon> "How did that happen?" Sailor_Dragon asks, envisioning Usagi tripping over a big "RELEASE PRISONERS" lever up in the Moon palace.
[09:29] <Rei-chan> "We're not sure. Probably the seals on them decayed enough that they could break loose. Though it's odd that it happened barely a day after we defeated the Dark Kingdom..."
[09:30] <Anastasia> "Maybe the seals were weakened by the demise of the Dark Kingdom?" Luna asks this. "If Jadeite was in there, that means they used it as well...and put their energy into it."
[09:30] <Ninja_Ami> "You'd think the Universe would give a girl a break," Ami mutters just loud enough to be heard.
[09:31] * Rei-chan shivers. "Great, so we're looking at people even Metallia didn't want to risk dealing with..."
[09:31] <Anastasia> "And without the Crystal..." Luna murmurs in a small, quiet voice.
[09:32] <Rei-chan> "From what I could tell, most of them seemed about as powerful as the Dark Kingdom's generals, but at least one was a lot stronger..." Rei says worriedly.
[09:32] <Sailor_Dragon> "No, no. Throwing them in the chokey *was* Metallia's way of dealing with them." Sailor_Dragon says. "Luna, is the crystal lost forever, or might there be some way of finding it again?"
[09:33] <Ninja_Ami> "We've got data!"
[09:33] * Ninja_Ami waves the others over.
[09:33] <Rei-chan> "No, Luna said that Queen Serenity imprisoned most of them." She then turns to Ami, "What do you have?" she asks interestedly.
[09:34] * V-chan looks at Ami expectantly.
[09:34] <Sailor_Dragon> "Ah, I see. She just agreed that they should stay there, you mean?"
[09:35] * Ninja_Ami stares at the screen for a moment blankly. "You know what, you guys keep talking. I'll try to make sense of this."
[09:35] <Anastasia> "What did you find, Ami," The golden mooncat asks.
[09:35] * V-chan peaks from behind Ami's back.
[09:35] <Rei-chan> "Exactly," Rei says irritably to the cross dresser, "And if Metallia didn't think she could make use of them, I think that tells us a lot about how nasty they were."
[09:38] <Ninja_Ami> "well guys, I have good news and really, really not good news," Ami calls out.
[09:38] * Rei-chan looks at Ami, seeming entirely unsurprised.
[09:38] <V-chan> "Oh! I know this one!" Minako exlaims. "The bad news!"
[09:41] <Ninja_Ami> "The first bit of bad news is that a lot of the data is corrupted. It is going to take some time before I can make sense of it. Now the good news is that I can at least make partial sense of one of these profiles. Not entirely sure it's one of the twelve though. And it doesn't look good."
[09:41] <Rei-chan> "Go on," Rei prods.
[09:43] <Anastasia> "How not good?" Artemis queries.
[09:44] * Sailor_Dragon uses warm ki to defrost herself.
[09:44] <Ninja_Ami> "We have a name, Oxyite. Age and sex are too corrupted to read. Race starts with a D before corruption there as well. Crimes are slaying the Senshi of Neptune, mass murder, piracy, rebellion." Ami pauses for a moment. "There was a Sailor Neptune?"
[09:44] <Anastasia> "Sailor Neptune?" Luna and Artemis both ask back at the same time.
[09:44] <Rei-chan> "If she died before Metalla came along, it probably explains why she wasn't reincarnated with us," Rei says thoughtfully.
[09:45] <V-chan> "That's a shame," Minako adds.
[09:45] <Rei-chan> "But does that mean there are senshi for Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto? Or did they all die like Neptune as well?"
[09:45] <Sailor_Dragon> "There were a lot more senshi in the old days. I expect that the outer planets had one apiece."
[09:45] <Ninja_Ami> "There's more," Ami says, looking further.
[09:45] <Sailor_Dragon> "And several of the alien planets and constellations had their own as well, Nian says."
[09:45] * Rei-chan waits for Ami to continue.
[09:48] <Ninja_Ami> "He possess the 'Cosmic Blade', some sort of stolen magical artifact. Apparently, he killed Neptune with it. And there is something about a bond? But the data is too corrupt." Ami shakes her head. "That's about all I can get from that one."
[09:48] <Rei-chan> "Any pictures or physical description?"
[09:49] <V-chan> "And any ideas on what the Cosmic Blade does?" Minako asks.
[09:50] <Ninja_Ami> "Like I said, most of the data is useless as it is. It doesn't help that some of it is apparently coded as well. This is going to take some time to work with. I'm not even sure this is one of the twelve that broke out."
[09:51] <V-chan> "You know," Minako says conversationally, "things would have been much easier if Serenity just killed her convicted mass-murderers."
[09:52] <Rei-chan> "Certainly sounds like someone they'd want locked away for a long time, though," Rei says. "I wonder what race begins with a 'D'? Maybe he came from that same Draconis place as Herb?"
[09:52] * Rei-chan edges away from Minako slightly, a hurt look on her face.
[09:53] <Anastasia> "A dragon as a mass murderer?" Nian says in amazement. "It isn't possible. Right?"
[09:53] <Ninja_Ami> "Draconis?"
[09:53] <Sailor_Dragon> "It's possible. If he's an ancestral dragon, he's going to be tough. Stronger than me."
[09:53] <Sailor_Dragon> "We dragons aren't always there for the nice things in life."
[09:54] <Rei-chan> "Well, that sword you got should even the odds, right?" Rei suggests, her tone distant as though she is thinking of something else.
[09:54] <Ninja_Ami> "Woah, wait. Somebody fill me me in. Draconis?"
[09:54] <Anastasia> Nian sighs, slouching down.
[09:55] <Sailor_Dragon> "I need to learn the dragon killing techniques from Ryuu to give me an edge..." Sailor_Dragon says still considering the prospect of a fight.
[09:55] <Anastasia> "If he's a dragon," Artemis speaks up. "Perhaps he's another race who just happens to have a D as the first letter of their race's name?"
[09:56] <Sailor_Dragon> "Dracos is the planet and constellation where my people came from in the long ago. I mean, it's the home of dragons."
[09:56] * Rei-chan shrugs, "It was just a thought. Can you think of any other possibilities? I don't remember what races existed back then."
[09:56] <V-chan> "Demons," Minako voices with a shrug.
[09:57] <Sailor_Dragon> "Sailor Mau..." Sailor_Dragon wonders.
[09:57] <Ninja_Ami> "Hello, people? Draconis?" Ami is becoming irritated, being all but ignored.
[09:58] <Anastasia> "If he is a prisoner," Luna muses, "And if he killed a Senshi...he's a prime threat. Someone who could kill a Senshi in the Silver Millenium is quite powerful."
[09:58] <Sailor_Dragon> "Anyway, the ancestral dragons are the creatures of legend. I am but an egg. These guys are colossal, magically powerful, breathe fire, all of that. And can turn into humanoid beings with all the same kind of powers. Good thing we were Serenity's allies in those times, eh?"
[10:00] * Sailor_Dragon looks at Mercury seriously. "But as to where the planet is, and what it's like, I know little enough. Nian nor I remember it."
[10:01] <Ninja_Ami> "There's a whole lot of that going around," Ami mutters.
[10:02] <Anastasia> "Indeed," Nian agrees simply.
[10:03] <Rei-chan> "If all these criminals are from the Silver Millenium, they probably went to the other planets and are right now wondering what the hell happened. Pretty soon they'll notice Earth is still inhabited, and will seem like an easy target compared to the Moon Kingdom..." Rei postulates.
[10:03] <Anastasia> "And at least we know about one of the prisoners already first hand," Luna says. "Jadeite will probably make a move soon."
[10:04] <Rei-chan> "Jadeite... he knows about me, Ami, and Usagi... but if only the three of us could take him, he's not much of a threat to all of us as we are now," Rei says confidently.

[10:04] * Usagi-chan continues to toss and turn. In her dream, she sees Jadeite approaching her with a cruel-looking black sword. She finds herself unable to move as he plunges the sword into her chest... and awakens with a short gasp.
[10:04] <V-chan> "We have an advantage they don't," Minako says, glancing at the other senshi. "We work together, as a team. And together, we'll beat any of these criminals."
[10:06] <Anastasia> "That's right," Artemis agrees. "They aren't any match for six Sailors."
[10:06] <Ninja_Ami> "That is, unless they were part of some crime syndicate and understood the value of working together. But what are the chances that'll ever happen?"
[10:08] <V-chan> "Even in that case, the syndicate is long gone," Minako replies. "What makes you think they'll just flock to one another?"
[10:08] <Sailor_Dragon> "I guess that's your field, Mercury-hime. You have all the information we have to work with, after all."
[10:08] <Ninja_Ami> "Power draws power. If nothing else someone is going to want to declare him or herself the best."
[10:09] <V-chan> "Speaking of power...." Minako turns towards Luna. "What was that about the Venus Sword?"
[10:09] <Rei-chan> "More likely they'll see each other as rivals to take over Earth now that it's such an easy target."
[10:09] * Ninja_Ami does a search on Draconis with a cross reference to Oxyite. Looking for more information to fill in the blanks like the Silver Millenium version of CNN.
[10:09] * Usagi-chan stands behind Minako and lowers the sword in front of her face. "You mean this Venus Sword?"
[10:10] * V-chan startles, falling back.
[10:10] <Rei-chan> "Usagi, you're awake!" Rei cries.
[10:11] <Anastasia> "How are you feeling, Usagi-chan," The black mooncat asks.
[10:11] * Usagi-chan manages to give Rei a small smile. "Yeah, lazy Usagi finally got up." She looks exhausted, but there is a determined expression on her face.
[10:11] * Ninja_Ami frowns, turning up nothing. Ami tries a straight search for news articles about Oxyite instead.
[10:12] <Rei-chan> "Can you tell us about what happened?" Rei asks gently.
[10:12] * V-chan grins, and stands up, taking the sword from Usagi's arms.
[10:13] * Usagi-chan sighs and sits down. "I took Luna, and we went to see Queen Serenity. I wanted to settle things after that little talk we had with her before we faced Metallia. She was... apparently she'd been influenced by Metallia herself, all those years ago." A tear falls from the corner of her eye.
[10:14] * V-chan blinks a few times, and then shakes her head to clear it, and sits down next to Usagi, laying the sword on the floor next to her.
[10:14] * Rei-chan thinks that she can relate, but remains silent.
[10:14] <Usagi-chan> "She asked for my forgiveness, and then she... she died in my arms. She spent all that time afraid, hiding from Metallia, and then once she was gone she just couldn't hold on any longer." Usagi cries.
[10:15] * Rei-chan looks very uncomfortable with the topic.
[10:15] * V-chan hugs Usagi impulsively.
[10:17] * Usagi-chan returns Minako's embrace as she cries on her shoulder for a minute, then manages to regain her composure. "After she died, Luna and I were back in the ruins of the Moon Kingdom. We wandered around a bit, and finally found that sword." Usagi indicates the Venus Sword, now lying on the floor next to Minako.
[10:18] <Usagi-chan> "I thought there might be other things there to help the rest of you guys, but the next room I went into was the one with that prison. The door closed up behind us and, well, I think you know the rest."
[10:19] <V-chan> "We were going to face them anyway," Minako says, patting Usagi on the back. "You actually gave us a heads up, so cheer up!"
[10:20] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, just a pity they all were able to teleport from the prison before we could deal with them, but I don't think I'd enjoy taking on all twelve at once..."
[10:20] <Usagi-chan> "You don't know that though! If I hadn't gone in there, they might STILL be sealed up in there! I could feel the prison breaking... I mean, I tried using my healing to try and hold them together, but what if I ended up making things worse?"
[10:21] <V-chan> "What if you hadn't gone there?" Minako asks Usagi. "I would be short of a sword, and Jadeite would attack you, Ami-chan or Rei-chan in their sleep!"
[10:22] * Rei-chan sighs. "Usagi, 'what ifs' don't matter. They're loose, and we'll deal with them like we have everything else. The Moon Kingdom was able to deal with these guys, and we just took out the people who destroyed the Moon Kingdom."
[10:22] <Usagi-chan> "Or he might still be completely sealed up in there and we'd never know the difference."
[10:23] <Ninja_Ami> "Ok, I've got a little more information. Looks like Oxyite was one of the prisoners. He, and it is a he, was bonded to this Cosmic Sword. Probably why he was able to take on all four Outer Senshi. Not much info in the sword itself, only that it was a gift from a faraway planet. Not sure how far is far when this was written though."
[10:24] <Ninja_Ami> "Four Outer Senshi," Ami muses. "I wonder if any of them are still around?"
[10:24] * Rei-chan grimaces. "So he took on four senshi and was able to kill one of them..." she manages a somewhat strained smile, "Good thing there's six of us, right?"
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> "One of them killed a senshi?" Usagi looks horrified.
[10:26] <Rei-chan> "Sailor Neptune," Rei nods. "Explains why she wasn't reincarnated if she died before Metallia destroyed the kingdom."
[10:26] <Ninja_Ami> "Oh, and Minako, they were going to deal with him, but I guess the Kingdom fell before they could remove the bond with the sword."
[10:27] * Usagi-chan hangs her head. 'This is even worse than I'd ever imagined...'
[10:27] * V-chan frowns. "Can you check how they created the crystal prisons in the Silver Millennium, Ami-chan?"
[10:27] <Rei-chan> "We'll get by, Usagi. We always do," Rei says, trying to cheer up the blonde.
[10:28] <Ninja_Ami> "Doubt it, but I'll look. Somehow I think the ability to trap people as powerful or more powerful than we are was a well guarded secret."
[10:28] <Usagi-chan> "I'm going back to the Moon once I'm rested enough." Usagi announces without raising her head.
[10:29] * Rei-chan shivers, not wanting to ever set foot there again, but for Usagi... "I'll come with you," she says determinedly.
[10:29] <Anastasia> "Outer Senshi," Luna murmurs. "I remember...no..." the cat frowns.
[10:30] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I'm going alone this time. If there are any other things up there like Venus' sword, we need them-but you guys don't need to take the risk of going."
[10:31] <Rei-chan> "And I'm not going to risk you going alone!" Rei says fiercely, "Any of them could still be up there!"
[10:31] <Ninja_Ami> "Sailors Uranus, Saturn, and Pluto might still have been reincarnated," Ami tells Luna, trying to jog her memory.
[10:32] <V-chan> "We'll come with you, Usagi," Minako tells her firmly. "This isn't a request."
[10:32] * Rei-chan nods to Minako, grateful for the support.
[10:33] <Anastasia> "I...don't remember," Luna says, finally.
[10:34] * Ninja_Ami pats the kitty. "Don't worry about it, Luna."
[10:34] <Usagi-chan> "Neither is what I said! I'm the one who let these guys out, I'm the worst fighter of all of us, and you guys may not even be able to get your artifacts out! There's no reason for any of you to have to go, and if there's anyone we can afford to lose it's me. I don't even have the Crystal anymore."
[10:35] <Sailor_Dragon> "No way! We're not losing the Queen! You're the most important!" Sailor_Dragon cries.
[10:35] <Rei-chan> "Bull, Usagi," Rei says, starting to sound angry, "You're our leader. You're the strongest of all of us."
[10:35] <V-chan> "You think you made a mistake, Usagi?" Minako asks. "By going to the Moon on your own last time?"
[10:36] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not the queen. I'm just a silly little girl who's been playing around with things she can't hope to live up to."
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "No, you're not the Queen," Rei says, standing up, "You're Sailor Moon, the defender of love and justice who defeated the Dark Kingdom yesterday. Are you saying none of that matters now?" she asks, giving Usagi an intent look.
[10:38] <Anastasia> "Usagi, stop talking like that!" Luna exclaims. "You're the Princess!"
[10:39] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, the same Sailor Moon who just blundered into letting out a dozen criminals that even Metallia didn't want to deal with. Some defender of love and justice I make."
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:40] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:41] * Ninja_Ami watches the argument escalate, her mood turning dour.
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "The same Sailor Moon who saved me from life as Metallia's plaything yesterday. The same Sailor Moon who defeated Metallia once and for all. Doesn't that count for anything, Usagi?" Rei asks, starting to sound desperate.
[10:42] * Sailor_Dragon huggles Usagi. "Hey, anyone can make a mistake. It's how you deal with it that makes the difference."
[10:42] <Anastasia> Nian sends Herb a odd look, like he's sighing mentally.
[10:42] * Sailor_Dragon sighs.
[10:43] <Sailor_Dragon> "I remember, I once made a mistake myself." Sailor_Dragon says, looking uncomfortable.
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "And I'm going to deal with it. I'm going to see the end of every last one of these guys if it kills me." Usagi growls.
[10:43] * Ninja_Ami gets up and stands by the door.
[10:44] * Rei-chan nods approvingly, "It won't kill you, though. We'll make sure of that."
[10:47] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not worth you risking yourselves over! I'm just a silly klutz who managed to get lucky against Metallia, okay?" Usagi is in tears as she shouts at the other girls.
[10:47] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+3
[10:47] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 12."
[10:47] <Rei-chan> "You're worth a hell of a lot more than I am, Usagi," Rei says quietly.
[10:48] <Sailor_Dragon> "Damn right!" Sailor_Dragon agrees
[10:48] <V-chan> "This is stupid! You're both worth equally, and are important!"
[10:48] <Sailor_Dragon> "You're the leader, the one who holds us all together!"
[10:48] * V-chan glares at Herb.
[10:50] <Usagi-chan> "I tried being a leader, taking responsibility, and look where it got us! Not even a DAY after we defeated Metallia we've got a whole new problem to take care of, courtesy of yours truly! Sounds like real leadership material to me!"
[10:50] <Anastasia> Artemis and Luna move out of the way of the door, you vaguely notice.
[10:50] * Sailor_Dragon looks back at V-hime "Sorry, I didn't mean that like it sounded."
[10:50] <Rei-chan> "You've been our leader since the very beginning! And we saved the Earth, dammit!" Rei yells, becoming increasingly irate.
[10:51] * V-chan grabs Usagi's arm, and slaps the other girl.
[10:51] * Sailor_Dragon looks appalled.
[10:51] <V-chan> "You seemed like you needed it," she says quietly. "Want another to bring you to your senses?"
[10:51] <Usagi-chan> "And how many times did you tell me that I didn't deserve to be the leader, huh?" Usagi shouts right back, then deflates. "Looks like you were right."
[10:52] <Sailor_Dragon> "I think we need a cup of tea to calm us all down, don't you?"
[10:52] * Rei-chan winces. "No, Usagi. I couldn't have been more wrong. The past few days have taught me that..."
[10:53] <Sailor_Dragon> "Nian," Sailor_Dragon whispers, "how do you make a cup of tea? Lime and Mint always do it for me..."
[10:53] <V-chan> "We were all wrong, okay?!" Minako yells. "So let's stop making these stupid mistakes."
[10:53] <Anastasia> "I'll do it," he whispers back, sighing. "If these girls ever calm down and stop imitating the telly," he says.
[10:53] * Usagi-chan laughs bitterly. "Stop making stupid mistakes? Guess I should lock myself in my room for the next few years then."
[10:53] * Sailor_Dragon and Nian go to the kitchen, to make tea and listen to the news.
[10:54] <V-chan> "If you don't stop talking about going to the Moon alone, maybe I'll do it for you," Minako snaps.
[10:55] * Usagi-chan glares at the silver-haired girl. "Just try it."
[10:55] <Anastasia> "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Luna shouts at the top of her feline lungs. "We are SAILORS, not a group of quibbling children, glaring all the while.
[10:56] * Rei-chan looks between Minako and Usagi, utterly appalled at the direction things are taking.
[10:56] * Ninja_Ami calmly opens the door, letting the biting winds and snow enter. "I think we all need to cool off a bit." And with that Ami pipes in several streams of icy water goodness aimed at her friends.
[10:56] <Rei-chan> "Gwah!" Rei cries, throwing up her hands to shield herself.
[10:57] * Usagi-chan shrieks in surprise, wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm.
[10:57] * V-chan twitches, not letting go of Usagi's arm as she is drenched.
[10:58] * Sailor_Dragon returns with a tray of tea things
[10:58] * Rei-chan marches over and closes the door, glaring at Ami. "That was unnecessary," she says harshly.
[10:58] * Sailor_Dragon boggles.
[10:58] * Usagi-chan glares at her blue-haired friend.
[10:58] <Sailor_Dragon> "Boobies..." she mutters to herself.
[10:58] * V-chan sneezes. "Can I borrow some clothes from you, Rei-chan?" she asks. "This is kinda all I have on me."
[10:58] <Anastasia> "...What in the name of the Moon is going on here..." Nian says, disbelievingly. "This is a bloody circus now..."
[10:59] * Sailor_Dragon powerblushes.
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, looks like we all need to change into something dry before we catch colds," Rei says, still glaring at Ami.
[10:59] * Ninja_Ami evaporates the water, but continues to stand by the door, smiling.
[10:59] <Sailor_Dragon> "Eheh..."
[10:59] * Rei-chan nods as the water evaporates, then goes over to turn up the heater, before realising it's already on full.
[10:59] * V-chan finally lets go of Usagi, giving her a glare. "If you try to do something stupid like running away, I swear that I will personally hunt you down." Then, she turns her back on Usagi and moves towards Rei.
[11:00] * Sailor_Dragon serves up tea
[11:00] * Rei-chan gratefully accepts a steaming hot cup of tea.
[11:01] <Sailor_Dragon> "Time out. Let's drop this for a while."
[11:01] * Usagi-chan stalks off to the restroom for some privacy.
[11:01] <Anastasia> "I can't blame you, Ami, but what in the world has gotten into you," Luna whispers.
[11:01] * Rei-chan follows Usagi. "Where are you going?"
[11:01] * Sailor_Dragon drinks tea and leafs through the pages of Rei-chan's collection of manga...
[11:03] <Anastasia> "So, Artemis says tirely, "Are we going to fight these escapees or are we going to do the work for them?"
[11:04] <V-chan> "If we don't fight together, we ARE doing their work for them," Minako says tiredly to Artemis.
[11:04] * Ninja_Ami just smiles at them all and calmly walks after Usagi.
[11:05] <Anastasia> "I know," he says back to the Love Senshi.
[11:05] * V-chan sighs, and lays down on the floor. "Wake me up when we get the old Usagi back."
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> Inside the bathroom, Usagi closes the door and locks it before leaning against it. 'Why can't they just understand? I don't want them risking their lives to clean up after my stupid mistake.'
[11:07] <Rei-chan> "Why can't you understand, it's not that big a mistake," Rei says through the door, thinking she had heard Usagi speaking out loud.
[11:07] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi?" Ami calls quietly at the door.
[11:08] <Usagi-chan> "What do you want? I don't need another cold shower, thanks." Usagi's voice is bitter.
[11:09] <Ninja_Ami> "I don't know, with all the hot heads in full force tonight I think some of you might just need another one," Ami jokes.
[11:10] * Rei-chan gives Ami an exasparated look that translates as 'Guess what?! You're not helping!'
[11:12] * Ninja_Ami has the decency to look away. "Anyway, would you please come out? I haven't gotten a chance to talk to you yet."
[11:12] <Rei-chan> "Usagi, none of us are blaming you for what happened. What's important is how we deal with it, and going off on your own isn't a good way of doing that."
[11:16] <Usagi-chan> "You don't have to blame me for it. Whether you blame me or not, it's still my fault it happened-and I don't want you getting hurt or worse because of one of my mistakes!"
[11:17] <Rei-chan> "Why, Usagi? I know you'd always be the first to put yourself on the line for any of us. Hell, you did yesterday. Why won't you let us help you? We're supposed to be a team!" Rei says desperately.
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "Because you guys mean too much to me... I couldn't stand it if I was the one responsible for something happening to you." Usagi starts to cry. 'I've failed at so much... I can't let them be depending on me the next time I fail.'
[11:22] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi, this is everyone's problem," Ami say's, trying a different tactic. "It doesn't matter if you were the one to free them. What's done is done and there is no changing that. All we can hope to do is correct the problem. But these people, Usagi, these people are srtonger than any of us separately. Running off to get yourself killed doesn't help anyone, it doesn't fix the problem. That's even worse than what Serenity did."
[11:23] <Rei-chan> "Nothing will happen if we work together, Usagi. It's when one of us tries to do something on her own that things go wrong," Rei says, recalling her disastrous attempt at sealing the portal.
[11:24] <Ninja_Ami> "At least in hiding she might still come out to confront her enemy. Throwing your life away needlessly serves no one but your own ego."
[11:24] * Rei-chan nods in agreement with Ami's point.
[11:27] * Usagi-chan is silent, then speaks in a small voice. "I'm in no position to tell you what to do. But please, PLEASE be careful if you really want to help me that much."
[11:27] <Rei-chan> "Of course, Usagi. Trust me, if we go to the Moon, I'll be very careful," Rei says, shuddering a little at the memories the place brings.
[11:29] * Usagi-chan replies by unlocking and opening the door, revealing a face stained with tears. "I don't want to lose any of you, Rei-chan."
[11:29] <Rei-chan> "And we don't want to lose you," Rei replies, hugging Usagi.
[11:30] <V-chan> Minako's eyes snap open, as she wakes up, screaming.
[11:30] * Rei-chan jolts as she hears the scream. "What the hell?!" she says, already running back to the bedroom.
[11:31] * V-chan looks around wildly.
[11:31] * Usagi-chan is only a step behind Rei as she follows her to the bedroom.
[11:31] * Sailor_Dragon drops the magazine and runs over to where V-hime is lying on the floor
[11:31] <Anastasia> "Mina," Artemis asks as he scampers over.
[11:31] <Rei-chan> "What's going on?" Rei asks urgently, trying to sense anything amiss.
[11:31] <Sailor_Dragon> "What's the matter, Minako-hime?"
[11:31] <Sailor_Dragon> "Bad dreams?"
[11:31] <Anastasia> Rei - You sense something on the edge of your senses, like a distant dark dot.
[11:31] <Anastasia> A familiar one at that.
[11:32] <V-chan> "Nothing's the matter," she snaps sharply, breathing heavily.
[11:32] <Rei-chan> "What... I sense something," Rei says urgently, trying to focus on the feeling.
[11:32] <Anastasia> It's very familiar, a...Dark Kingdom signature? A fairly strong one, but not as strong as Kunzite, Beryl or company.
[11:32] <Anastasia> And it's fading out of your range.
[11:33] <Usagi-chan> "What is it, Rei?" Usagi gives the miko an unusually intense look.
[11:33] <Rei-chan> "I think I just sensed Jadeite, but he's far away..." Rei says, trying to determine the direction.
[11:34] <Usagi-chan> "Any idea where he went?" Usagi's voice is flat and hard.
[11:35] <V-chan> "Jadeite?" Minako asks, standing up and not really understanding what's going on.
[11:36] <Rei-chan> "It's to the north... very far north, but I can't get a more accurate fix. He's beyond my range..." Rei says, her voice tinged with frustration.
[11:38] * Usagi-chan turns a burning stare northward. 'Guess it's starting already...'
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "Jadeite was the first Dark Kingdom general we faced. Beryl probably imprisoned him for screwing up so often," Rei tells Minako.
[11:39] * V-chan nods. "I heard that, I just...." She shakes her head. "Anyway, he's nearby?"
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "No, he's far away to the north," Rei repeats. "He's definitely outside of Tokyo."
[11:41] <V-chan> "What do we do?" Minako asks turning towards Usagi.
[11:41] <Rei-chan> "We could teleport some ways in that direction, and I might be able to locate him again. If he hasn't teleported away himself..." Rei suggests.
[11:41] <Anastasia> "I don't think we can go after him, in this weather," Luna shakes her head. "And if we teleport, what shape will we be in to battle him?"
[11:42] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Not without a better idea of how far away he is. We'd just be wasting energy. All we can do now is keep our eyes peeled for news that sounds like it might be related to Dark Kingdom activity."
[11:42] * Rei-chan deflates, "Yeah, you're right, guys..."
[11:43] * V-chan nods, and her thoughts return to her dream. 'Can Rei-chan like Usagi-chan after all...?'
[11:44] * Usagi-chan blinks and turns to give Minako a puzzled look. "What?"
[11:44] * V-chan still thinks about her nightmare, not noticing Usagi's look.
[11:45] * Usagi-chan glances over at Rei, then looks back to Minako.
[11:45] <Rei-chan> "Hmm?" Rei notices the look.
[11:46] * Usagi-chan walks over to stand next to Minako. "Why are you worried about that?"
[11:46] <V-chan> "Huh?" Minako snaps out of her thoughts. "Worried about what?"
[11:46] * Rei-chan looks between them, curious as to what's going on.
[11:47] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I thought you said something about Rei-chan and me..." Usagi blushes a bit.
[11:47] * V-chan blanches. "It's true?" she whispers.
[11:47] <Rei-chan> "What are you guys talking about?"
[11:48] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Of course not, don't be silly! Rei-chan and I are just really good friends, that's all."
[11:48] <V-chan> "Rei-chan," Minako asks her hesitantly. "You don't think about Usagi like that, do you?"
[11:48] <Rei-chan> "Am I missing something?" Rei asks, not liking being left out of the conversation, especially when it seems to concern her.
[11:51] <Rei-chan> "Like what?" Rei asks, blinking innocently.
[11:52] <V-chan> "Well, umm," Minako starts awkwardly. "If Usagi confessed to you and then offered to start a band with you, you wouldn't go with her, right?"
[11:52] <Anastasia> Nian buries his head under his paws. "Tell me when it's over, Princess. Please."
[11:53] * Rei-chan looks at Usagi with slowly dawning horror. "Oh, no... not you, too?!" she raises her head to the ceiling, "Why? What is it with me and blondes?!"
[11:53] * V-chan glomps Rei, begging, "Please don't leave me!"
[11:54] <Usagi-chan> "What are you looking at me for? I have no idea where Mina-chan got that from! I just heard her say she thought you might like me."
[11:54] <Anastasia> "Wait, so Usagi and Rei..." Artemis glances at the two, confused.
[11:54] <Rei-chan> "Uh... I'm not going anywhere... Minako, where are you getting this from?" she asks, dazedly.
[11:55] * V-chan just keeps on holding onto Rei quietly.
[11:55] <Rei-chan> "... right..." Rei says, awkwardly patting Minako on the back to reassure her.
[11:56] <Anastasia> Artemis softly walks up to Minako. "I...I'm sorry, Mina. Is there anything I can do for you," he says, still out of the loop.
[11:56] <Sailor_Dragon> "V-hime... Did you have a nightmare that you were in the Moon Kingdom and lost Mars-hime to the Queen?" Sailor_Dragon asks, trying to make sense of what's going on.
[11:56] <V-chan> Minako's hold on Rei tightens slightly.
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "Even if that did happen in the Moon Kingdom, it has nothing to do with the here and now."
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "It didn't happen, did it?" she then adds, worriedly.
[11:57] <V-chan> "It was here and now," Minako mumbles quietly. "It felt so real...."
[11:57] <Usagi-chan> "And I sure don't remember anything like that happening in the Moon Kingdom. I think I'd remember something like that..." Usagi scratches her head.
[11:58] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I think Endymion would have had a thing to say about it as well," Rei jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
[11:58] * V-chan shivers at the mention of the tuxedo-clad prince.
[11:58] <Sailor_Dragon> "Well, if it didn't happen, there's nothing to worry about now. Especially with Tuxedo Mask in the offing."
[11:58] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Come on, Mina-chan - Rei's not going anywhere. And if she tries it, I'll drag her back to you myself, so there!"
[12:00] <Rei-chan> "Just relax, Minako. It was only a silly dream," Rei consoles her girlfriend.
[12:00] * V-chan raises her head to look at Rei. "You sang with Usagi. In that dream."
[12:00] <Usagi-chan> "Wow, that would be a nightmare... You've never heard me sing, have you?" Usagi giggles.
[12:00] * Rei-chan flinches. "Well there you go, it can't have been real then. I don't sing."
[12:01] <V-chan> "Really?" Minako asks her. "You really, really never sang in your life?"
[12:01] <Rei-chan> "I used to, but there are more important things," Rei says gruffly, hoping to drop the subject.
[12:02] * V-chan shakes her head. "Singing is important, too! It can fill people's lives with joy!"
[12:03] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, well other things are more important. I have to have priorities in life, and a silly hobby like singing isn't important compared to protecting the Earth," Rei says, silently begging Minako to drop it.
[12:04] * V-chan deflates.
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "Besides, it's not like I was ever any good," Rei adds. 'At least, not compared to a famous idol like Full Moon...'
[12:07] * Sailor_Dragon prods Nian "I think you can come out now."
[12:08] <Anastasia> He looks up cautiously. "Well, the temple is standing, so that's good."
[12:10] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, Full Moon is really awesome. I love her hair." Usagi grins.
[12:10] <Anastasia> ------------
[12:11] <Anastasia> Finally, things wind down. Due to the still raging blizzard, a sleepover is in order. Perhaps because of a small miracle, no more incidents happen that night.
[12:11] <Anastasia> In the morning, light snow still falls, and at least 2 feet have fallen. You're snowed in with the rest of Tokyo.
[12:12] * Rei-chan does not look enthused at the possibility of sweeping all that snow.
[12:13] <Anastasia> Over breakfast... "So...what do we do today," Luna asks. "We can't do much with all this snow, can we?"
[12:13] <Usagi-chan> "Wow, look at all the snow... I wonder if we'll even be able to get out of here today." Usagi sighs.
[12:13] <V-chan> "We could visit the Moon and look for those items you mentioned yesterday, Usagi," Minako says.
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "I could transform and melt it all away..." Rei offers, though she doesn't look eager to do so.
[12:14] <Anastasia> In the background, the television is going on about the 'Great Tokyo Blizzard' and how more snow is expected for the next few days, as well as highs in the teens. The weathermen are stunned about this freak weather pattern.
[12:14] * Usagi-chan nods. "I guess we might as well, there's not much we can do around here today. I doubt I could even get home through that mess."
[12:15] <Princess_Herb> "I guess I could fly you out." Princess_Herb offers
[12:15] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I might take you up on that when we get back, thanks."
[12:15] <Rei-chan> "Okay, we'll go transform in my room then teleport back to the Moon," Rei says hesitantly, having a brief flashback of events on her first trip there.
[12:16] * V-chan grabs Rei's hand. "It'll be all right this time, Rei-chan."
[12:17] * Usagi-chan nods. "We've got a lot better idea of what we're getting into this time, so don't worry."
[12:17] <Anastasia> The tv goes on about how, oddly, the weather pattern seems to be intensifying despite trends otherwise, and promises to blanket Tokyo again...
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... I'll be okay, guys," Rei tries to reassure them, heading back to her room so they can transform and be on their way.
[12:17] <Sailor_Dragon> "Nian, stay here and monitor the news," Sailor_Dragon instructs her advisor. "If that means watching 'I Dream of Jeannie' reruns, that's OK."
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "Mars Power, Make UP!"
[12:18] <Anastasia> "Of course, Princess," he replies.
[12:18] <Usagi-chan> "I'll be right back, guys."
[12:18] * Usagi-chan has a hunch; she writes up a short note for Ami asking her to check out the blizzard a bit more while they're gone, just to be safe, then returns to the bedroom where the other girls are waiting.
[12:19] <Usagi-chan> "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[12:19] * V-chan transforms quietly, appearing in her Sailor Venus guise.
[12:19] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, you guys ready?" Rei asks, extending her hands out.
[12:19] * V-chan grabs Rei's hand, and then looks for another person.
[12:20] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Ready as I'll ever be." She takes Rei's and Herb's hands.
[12:20] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, so will we aim for where we found you yesterday, Usagi? Then we can resume searching for the artifacts where you left off," Rei suggests.
[12:21] * V-chan finally takes Herb's hand.
[12:21] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Hopefully we'll land close by and not in the room... I don't really want to back and see that again." Usagi shudders.
[12:23] <Sailor_Mars> Seeing everyone ready, Rei calls out "Sailor Teleport!"
[12:23] <V-chan> "Sailor Teleport!" Minako echoes her.
[12:23] <Sailor_Dragon> "Sailor Teleport!" Sailor_Dragon repeats
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The room swirls as you activate the Sailor Teleport...A moment later, you find yourself in a grand foyer from before, with many rooms and side hallways...and one broken down door.
[12:24] * Sailor_Mars lets go of Usagi and Minako, and tries to sense any evil presence. Or any other presence at all, really.
[12:24] * Sailor_Moon feels a stab of guilt as she looks at the broken door, but pushes it aside.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mars - You sense...emptiness. It feels like a long forgotten building
[12:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, at least I don't sense anything here right now."
[12:25] * Sailor_Moon studies the area with a curious expression.
[12:25] * V-chan takes out her broadsword, admiring the way light reflects off its blade.
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Through cracks in the ceiling, light from Earth streams in, reflecting on the blade.
[12:26] <Sailor_Mars> "So, where to, now?" Rei asks, wondering if they should have brought Luna along.
[12:27] <Sailor_Moon> "Well, that door..." Moon points to the door opposite the broken down one, "is where I found the Venus Sword. I was thinking if there are any other artifacts, they'll also be in some of these rooms."
[12:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, may as well go through them all," Rei says, heading for the unopened door next to the one Usagi said she found the sword in.
[12:30] * V-chan follows Rei.
[12:30] * Sailor_Mars opens the door and looks inside.
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door creaks open, and inside is a broken stone box. It looks like it was shattered from the outside, caving in.
[12:31] * Sailor_Moon takes a good look around before following Rei to the doorway.
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the room is plain, with nothing of note.
[12:31] * V-chan comes closer, to look inside the broken box.
[12:31] <Sailor_Moon> "That looks like the same kind of box the sword was in, except that there was an energy field around that one."
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a bit of velvet at the bottom, rotted. It looks like something laid on it long ago.
[12:32] <Sailor_Mars> "Anything?" Rei calls over to Minako.
[12:32] <V-chan> "No, it got looted," Minako calls back over her shoulder.
[12:32] * V-chan checks the dust inside the box, trying to estimate how long ago that was.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is ample dust inside, showing that it was broken a while ago.
[12:33] <Sailor_Moon> "I'll try the next room, you guys." Moon moves down the hall to the next doorway and stops to listen.
[12:33] * V-chan returns to the doorway, saying, "Doesn't look like any of the prisoners took it, either."
[12:34] <Sailor_Mars> Shrugging, Rei moves to the opposite door and opens it, peering inside.
[12:34] * V-chan looks inside over Rei's shoulder.
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside is a stone box, like the last room. A dark red glow surrounds it.
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the room is plain again, as if it is an afterthought.
[12:34] <V-chan> "Is it evil, Rei-chan?" Minako asks, indicating the glow.
[12:35] * Sailor_Moon turns to face the other two senshi. "Did you guys find something?"
[12:35] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense anything from the glow.
[12:35] <V-chan> "Something," Minako replies.
[12:35] * Sailor_Moon heads over to the room where Rei and Minako are to see for herself.
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> The glow is odd to you. It's not evil, but...it's not natural.
[12:36] * Sailor_Dragon follows and uses her Draconic supernatural senses to see what's up with the glow.
[12:36] <Sailor_Moon> "That's what the other one looked like, except that it was blue before."
[12:36] <Sailor_Mars> "It's not evil or good... just magical, I think," Rei says, heading over and touching a hand against it.
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sensing...it's supernatural. You know that.
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - Make a Body check
[12:37] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:37] <Sailor_Mars> OOC: do-over
[12:37] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your hand is gently pushed back by a puff of air as you feel a bit of heat from the box.
[12:38] <Sailor_Mars> "Ah... it's hot!" Rei says, drawing her hand back. "I wonder..." she says contemplatively, stretching out with her innate powers over fire and seeing if she can influence it.
[12:38] <Sailor_Moon> "Be careful, Rei-chan..."
[12:38] * V-chan heads inside the room
[12:38] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-2
[12:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-2 and gets 5."
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel a familiar power around it...slowly, you feel the heat lowering to your will.
[12:40] * Sailor_Mars smiles in satisfaction, again touching the barrier and seeing if she can penetrate it.
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> The barrier feels soft this time, and your hand goes through it.
[12:41] * Sailor_Mars opens the box and looks inside.
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside the box...are what look to be two polished sticks of red oak wood. They are capped with gold, but nothing else.
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Each is about a foot and a half long, maybe, or two feet long.
[12:42] * Sailor_Mars retrieves the sticks and examines them curiously.
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> They look to be of fine quality, but that's it.
[08:38] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense anything supernatural about the ornate sticks.
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mars - The sticks are magical. Beyond that, it's out of your depth.
[08:40] * Sailor_Mars shrugs. "They're magic. Beyond that I can't really say." She looks to the others, "Anyone have any ideas?"
[08:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:43] <Sailor_Mars> Seeing no response, Rei shrugs again. "Well, we can ask Luna when we get back. Let's check the next room."
[08:43] * V-chan nods, and opens the next room, looking inside.
[08:45] * Sailor_Mars follows Sailor Venus.
[08:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside the next room is the same as the last, a plain room with a stone box in the center. The box is surrounded by a white/yellow glow, sending off motes of shiny lights.
[08:46] * V-chan approaches it, testing the glow with her senses.
[08:47] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:47] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> The box's enegry is familiar, like a fragment of your own power over Love and Beauty.
[08:48] * V-chan tries to dispel the protection over the stone box.
[08:48] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:48] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The glow flickers and fades, leaving the stone box as is.
[08:49] * V-chan finally comes up to it, and opens the box.
[08:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> The box opens....Inside is a silver bracelet, plain and simplistic.
[08:52] * V-chan blinks, and touches the bracelet hesitantly.
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The metal feels cool to the touch, like you'd expect.
[08:55] * V-chan shrugs, and plucks the bracelet from the box, showing it to everyone. "Neat, huh?" She waves it at Sailor Moon. "Ring any bells?"
[08:55] * Sailor_Moon takes the bracelet from Venus and examines it closely.
[08:57] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+1
[08:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+1 and gets 6."
[09:02] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "I remember seeing someone wearing it, but I don't remember who exactly."
[09:03] <V-chan> "Oh well." Minako takes the bracelet back, and stores it in her subspace pocket. "It'll come in handy, I bet."
[09:03] * Sailor_Dragon looks at it to see if she remembers anything. "Maybe it belongs to Mercury-hime?" she suggests.
[09:04] <V-chan> "I'll be sure to ask her, once we return," Minako replies, chuckling darkly to herself.
[09:06] <Sailor_Moon> "Let's see if there's anything else." With that, Moon leads the way to another door, opening it and looking inside.
[09:07] * V-chan follows Moon, still chuckling.
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, a broken stone box sits, it's pieces scattered about the room.
[09:08] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Looks like I'm good at finding the broken ones."
[09:09] * V-chan checks the room anyway, again trying to divine when it got looted.
[09:10] <Sailor_Dragon> "I'll try the next one; if it's rubble, it'll prove you're not jinxed, Usa-chan!"
[09:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going back outside, you notice there are only 3 more doors left.
[09:11] <Sailor_Moon> 'Usa-chan? Oh well, it beats Serenity-hime...' Usagi smiles to herself. "I hope for everyone's sake it's not - I get the feeling we're going to need these, whatever they are."
[09:16] * Sailor_Dragon inspects the next door
[09:16] <Sailor_Dragon> "Luck, be a lady tonight..." she says as she opens it wide.
[09:17] * Rei-chan looks over Herb's shoulder into the room.
[09:17] * V-chan walks into the corridor, having asserted that whatever was in the room Usagi went into got taken a long time ago.
[09:18] * Sailor_Moon trails after the other three, coming up behind Sailor Mars.
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the next room is yet another stone box, this one glowing dark green with black stripes.
[09:19] * Rei-chan tries to sense anything from the box and surrounding aura.
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> You sense...magic, again.
[09:20] * Sailor_Dragon touches the box, trying to see if it will open for her
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Make a body check, Herb.
[09:22] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[09:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:22] <Sailor_Dragon> I pass that
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your hand is pushed back from the box, and you feel a searing, freezing cold coming from the box.
[09:26] <Sailor_Mars> "What happened, Herb?" Rei asks, stepping into the room and remembering the fiery aura from the box she opened.
[09:26] <Sailor_Dragon> "Cold..." Sailor_Dragon says. "...not my sort of thing at all!"
[09:27] <Sailor_Moon> "I wonder... So far, these have all been things you guys control, but I somehow got into Venus' box without any problems. Maybe I should try it."
[09:28] * V-chan shivers, back in the corridor.
[09:29] * Sailor_Mars smirks slightly at the innuendo. "Go for it, Usagi," she says, covering her mouth.
[09:29] <Sailor_Dragon> "Go ahead, Usa-chan." Sailor_Dragon says, stepping away from the box to give Mars more room
[09:30] * Sailor_Moon steps into the room and gingerly reaches out to the box.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Make a body check.
[09:31] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:31] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> A cone of icy, freezing cold engulfs Sailor Moon from her hand and outward, freezing her arm and chest!
[09:32] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi!" Rei cries, rushing over to the other girl.
[09:32] <Sailor_Moon> "Aaah!" Moon drops to her knees and starts shivering. "C-c-c-cold..."
[09:33] * V-chan hears the commotion, and rushes inside as well
[09:33] <V-chan> "What happened?" Minako asks, upon seeing Usagi on her knees.
[09:34] <Sailor_Mars> "Don't worry, Usagi, I've got you," Rei says, cradling Usagi and willing a gentle warmth to melt away the ice without burning her.
[09:34] <Sailor_Dragon> "Usa-chan, your luck really is out today," Sailor_Dragon says, looking sadly at the frozen Queen
[09:36] * Sailor_Moon gradually stops shivering as Mars heats the air around her. "Why... why didn't it work? I didn't feel anything before..." Usagi stops to think for a moment.
[09:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Don't worry, Usagi. I'll deal with it," Rei says, rising and glaring at the box. "So, it's cold, is it?"
[09:37] * Sailor_Moon reaches out and takes hold of Rei's arm. "No, wait... Let me try it one more time."
[09:37] <Sailor_Mars> "No way! I'm not going to risk you getting hurt worse!" Rei protests.
[09:37] <V-chan> "Try what?" Minako asks, before taking in Rei's glare. "Did the box hurt Usagi?"
[09:38] * Sailor_Moon struggles to her feet. "I just remembered... last time, I didn't try it as Sailor Moon." She concentrates for a moment.
[09:38] <Sailor_Mars> "It's a cold aura. I'll just have to heat things up a bit..." Rei says, before turning a startled look at the transformed Usagi.
[09:39] * V-chan blinks. "Nice gown," she comments, taking in Usagi's new look.
[09:39] * Serenity-hime approaches the box with a determined look. 'I hope this works...' She reaches out to it once again.
[09:40] * Sailor_Mars raises a hand to stop Usagi, but is too late in coming out of her shocked stupor at the transformation to reach her in time.
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> The aura does not impede you this time.
[09:40] * Serenity-hime opens the box and looks inside.
[09:40] * Sailor_Dragon checks out the flimsily-clad hime-chan.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside the box is a heavy looking hand mace, decorated with bolts of lightning.
[09:44] * Serenity-hime manages to lift the heavy mace from the box with both hands. "Looks pretty mean to me."
[09:45] <Sailor_Mars> "Could certainly bash someone's head in with that," Rei agrees, still a little stunned at what Usagi just did.
[09:46] <Serenity-hime> "Not me, I can barely lift the thing. I'll bet this is Makoto's though-see the lightning bolts on it?" Usagi holds the mace up for inspection.
[09:46] * V-chan agrees, nodding.
[09:47] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah. That fits. Want me to carry it for you, Usagi?" Rei offers.
[09:47] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "I'll just store it for now." She puts the mace into subspace. "Okay, who's picking the next room?"
[09:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Any will do, since we're going to check them all, anyway," Rei says, exiting the room and opening the next door.
[09:48] * V-chan walks out after Rei, and opens a new door.
[09:48] * Serenity-hime follows behind Rei, standing next to her in the doorway.
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside this room is another box, this one black and shifting, like a shadow moving. It's not Dark Kingdom energy, though, but a great sense of foreboding is palpable.
[09:49] * Serenity-hime shudders. "I don't like the looks of that..."
[09:51] <Sailor_Mars> "It's very powerful," Rei agrees, carefully approaching. "On one hand, I'm not sure if we should open that box, but on the other, can we risk leaving it here for someone else to find?"
[09:52] <Serenity-hime> "It doesn't LOOK like Dark Kingdom energy, just... I don't know how to describe it. I suppose we should try to open it though." Serenity slowly approaches the box, reaching out to it with a trembling hand.
[09:52] * Sailor_Mars looks very uncomfortable with letting Usagi touch the aura, but doesn't interfere.
[09:53] * Serenity-hime pauses for a moment, a somewhat vacant look on her face, but then she continues to reach out to the box slowly.
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Venus - In the last room, you find another box, glowing dark yellow.
[09:55] * V-chan again tries to reach out to the box with her senses, trying to discern the origin of the energy.
[09:55] * Serenity-hime stops just as her hand touches the aura and gasps. After holding that position for a moment, she gets a determined expression and continues to reach inside the aura, opening the box as she does so.
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Venus: It's not yours, that you are immdiately sure of.
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, the Princess presses through the aura, opening the box...
[09:56] * V-chan frowns, and walks to the room Rei picked, resolving to return later.
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside the box is a small polearm, with a bladed end.
[09:57] * Serenity-hime reaches inside and picks up the long weapon carefully.
[09:58] * Sailor_Mars gasps as she sees Usagi pull the wickedly bladed polearm from the box.
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> You pick it up. The weapon feels relucant but docile in your hand, like a sleeping viper.
[09:59] * Serenity-hime slowly draws it out of the field and draws it closer to her to take a closer look.
[09:59] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense anything from the weapon, already expecting it to be exceptionally nasty given the aura that guarded it.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> You both feel death from it.
[10:00] * Sailor_Mars shivers. "Usagi... you shouldn't touch that."
[10:01] * Serenity-hime takes a deep breath. "I... I don't think it's going to hurt me. It doesn't seem evil, just..."
[10:01] <Sailor_Mars> "It's death, Usagi. It isn't evil, it just is," Rei says worriedly.
[10:02] * Serenity-hime nods. "Better that we know where it is than someone else then." With those words, she carefully slips the wicked-looking weapon into her subspace pocket.
[10:02] * V-chan enters the room, and gives off a low whistle. "Cool polearm."
[10:02] <Sailor_Mars> "Agreed. If the Dark Kingdom had ever gotten that..." Rei lets the thought trail off ominously.
[10:03] <Serenity-hime> "Did you find anything else, Mina-chan?"
[10:03] <V-chan> "Yep," Minako tells her. "But we need the master key, so here I am!"
[10:03] * V-chan grabs Serenity's arm and drags her to the next room.
[10:03] <Sailor_Mars> "Let's go," Rei says, wanting to get away from the pervasive aura of death in this room.
[10:03] <Serenity-hime> "Oh, so I'm just a skeleton key now, is that it?" Usagi grins. "Let's go have a look then."
[10:03] * Sailor_Mars follows.
[10:05] * Serenity-hime gives a relieved sigh as she sees the dark yellow field surrounding the box. "At least this one doesn't look quite so bad."
[10:09] * Serenity-hime reaches out to open the box, a bit less cautiously now.
[10:09] <V-chan> "I like my shade of gold better," Minako comments. "This one... lacks something."
[10:09] <Sailor_Mars> "Like love?" Rei smirks.
[10:10] * V-chan snaps her fingers. "Exactly!" she exclaims, turning towards Rei.
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside is, to your surprise, empty.
[10:12] * Serenity-hime feels inside the box to make sure it actually IS empty.
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The box is empty; you do not feel anything.
[10:12] <V-chan> "What's up, Usagi?" Minako calls out.
[10:12] * Sailor_Mars notices Usagi rummaging in the box. "Anything?"
[10:13] <Serenity-hime> "There's nothing here! I wonder who could have gotten whatever it was out without breaking the box."
[10:13] <Sailor_Mars> "Another senshi?" Mars guesses.
[10:14] <Serenity-hime> "Guess that means there are other senshi still out there. Maybe Queen Serenity got it out-but I don't know why she would."
[10:15] <V-chan> "Maybe they had different duties, back then," Minako voices.
[10:15] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, we still don't know anything about Sailors Saturn, Uranus, and Pluto. But how could any of them have gotten here while the Dark Kingdom was around?"
[10:15] <Serenity-hime> "Unless whatever was in this box was taken out before the Dark Kingdom arrived. That's the only other thing I can think of."
[10:16] <V-chan> "It's possible," Minako agrees. "Besides, maybe even Sailor Neptune got reincarnated."
[10:16] <Sailor_Mars> "So someone must have grabbed their item right before the attack... I suppose we'll never know what really happened..." Rei shrugs. "In any case, is there anything left for us to do here?"
[10:17] <Serenity-hime> "Not unless you want to take a better look around the palace while we're here."
[10:17] <Sailor_Mars> "I'll pass, thanks," Rei says, with a small shiver. The place still gives her the creeps...
[10:17] <V-chan> "Maybe we should?" Minako asks. "What if there were more prisons?"
[10:18] * Serenity-hime closes her eyes. "If there are any other prisons I do NOT want to wander into them again, thanks all the same."
[10:18] <Sailor_Mars> "We can ask Luna if she knows of anything we should check out. Otherwise, I'd rather not just wander around here..."
[10:18] * V-chan frowns. "Say, Usagi, do you remember where my old room used to be?"
[10:19] <Serenity-hime> "Yes, but it's a long way from here. I can show you if you really insist, but it'll take us a while to get there."
[10:20] * V-chan shrugs. "I'll visit some other time, then."
[10:20] <Sailor_Mars> "Do we really need to sightsee just to dredge up the past?" Rei asks, a bit of irritation creeping into her voice.
[10:20] * Serenity-hime takes Rei's hand. "It's okay, I think we're ready to head back now." She gives the miko a gentle smile.
[10:21] <Sailor_Dragon> "It's different for everyone, Mars-hime. Some people are comforted by it, some want to forge their own futures. I don't really think I had much in common with the old Sailor Dragon myself."
[10:21] <V-chan> "Jeez, I just wanted to know more about the kind of person I used to be," Minako mutters quietly.
[10:22] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't know anything about the past Sailor Mars, and I don't care either," Rei says, starting to sound a bit angry. "Come on, let's get out of here."
[10:23] <Sailor_Dragon> "Where to?" Sailor_Dragon asks.
[10:23] <Serenity-hime> "Back to the shrine, I guess. I don't think we have anywhere else we need to go right now."
[10:23] <Sailor_Mars> "Back to the shrine? Unless anyone has someplace else they need to get to, what with the snowstorm..." Rei offers.
[10:24] <V-chan> "It seems like the perfect opportunity for you to train me, Rei-chan!" Minako exclaims, bouncing over to the miko.
[10:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Train you?" Rei blinks, "Oh, yeah, you want to help at the Shrine. Well, I doubt we'll have anyone coming to visit the place with the weather today..."
[10:25] <Sailor_Dragon> "Maybe Mercury-hime has found out something by now?" suggests Dragon-chan, inwardly suspecting that she and Nian have been spending their time watching TV comedy shows.
[10:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, only one way to find out," Rei says, offering her free hand to Minako.
[10:25] * V-chan clasps it.
[10:26] * Serenity-hime takes Herb's hand with her free hand. "Everyone ready?"
[10:26] <Sailor_Dragon> "We are all at your command, Serenity-hime!"
[10:26] * V-chan concentrates on Rei's bedroom.
[10:27] * Serenity-hime closes her eyes and focuses on the shrine. "Sailor Teleport!"

[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> ------------
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - As you work away on the the computer, four Sailors pop into the room.
[10:28] <Ninja_Ami> "Welcome back," Ami waves.
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "Heya, Ami," the detransformed miko waves back.
[10:29] * Serenity-hime relaxes and lets her transformation go.
[10:29] * V-chan drops her own transformation as well, and fishes for the item she stored away.
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Luna around? We need her to look at some of the stuff we found."
[10:29] <V-chan> "Recognize this?" she asks, dangling it in front of Ami's face.
[10:30] * Sailor_Dragon drops her transformation
[10:30] * Usagi-chan reaches into her own pocket and manages to haul out the mace she stored away earlier. "Geez, this thing weighs a ton."
[10:32] * Rei-chan puts the two sticks down on the table.
[10:32] * Ninja_Ami pulls back, bringing the item into focus. Studying it for a moment, Ami shakes her head.
[10:32] <Ninja_Ami> "No. Should I?"
[10:33] * V-chan stores it back, along with the sword.
[10:33] <V-chan> "Nope! Mine, then!"
[10:33] <Usagi-chan> "Mina-chan! We need to figure out who all these things belong to!" Usagi puts her hands on her hips.
[10:34] * Ninja_Ami gives Minako an unreadable look for a few moments before turning back to her computer.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You found something, Usagi-chan," Luna asks from her place on a blanket.
[10:34] * V-chan pouts. "I don't see the polearm here," she whines, but takes it out again anyway.
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "Any idea what these are?" Rei indicates the two sticks before giving Minako a firm look, "None of us are going to use that weapon, Minako."
[10:34] <Usagi-chan> "Several things, actually." Usagi points to the collection of items on the table. "And that polearm thing is staying where it is unless I absolutely HAVE to bring it out again. I don't like touching it."
[10:35] * V-chan shrugs, saying, "A weapon's a weapon."
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Mau hops up and trots to the table. "They look like sticks or wands," Luna says with a feline shrug.
[10:36] <Rei-chan> "A weapon like that is far too dangerous for any of us to risk using," Rei says, her tone brooking no argument.
[10:36] * Usagi-chan recalls the images that went through her mind as she was retrieving the glaive and shivers. "I think that one is a bit more," she says quietly.
[10:37] <Rei-chan> "Can't you remember anyone in the Moon Kingdom using things like them?" Rei asks Luna, disappointed at her appraisal.
[10:37] <Usagi-chan> "We found them along the same hallway where we found the Venus Sword."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't," Luna says. "Maybe Artemis or Nian will."
[10:38] <Princess_Herb> "Yes, where is Nian?" Herb asks
[10:38] * Rei-chan looks around for the other two Mau.
[10:38] <Usagi-chan> "I remember seeing someone wear that bracelet, but I still can't remember who. I've been trying to ever since we first saw it."
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nian and Artemis are watching television, the news in particular.
[10:38] * V-chan pokes Ami. "Don't you have pictures of our past selves on that computer?"
[10:38] * Rei-chan picks up the bracelet and tries to sense anything from it.
[10:39] * Usagi-chan takes one of the sticks and gives it a close examination as Rei looks at the bracelet.
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're back, girls?" Artemis turns from the television. "I think we may have a problem."
[10:39] <V-chan> "That's exactly the wrong way to greet a girl," Minako chides him.
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You sense magic from it as before...
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - Make a Mind check
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:40] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:39] * Rei-chan shrugs. "Magic, but hell if I know anything else," she says, dropping it back on the table.
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do you sense anything amiss, Rei?" The white haired mau asks.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "Just that it's magical. I couldn't tell you anything more," Rei shrugs.
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> You remember flames and the sticks, fire burning a long forgotten enemy.
[10:41] <Usagi-chan> "Fire..." Usagi murmurs.
[10:42] <V-chan> "So, Artemis, what's the problem?" Minako asks.
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "Hmm?" Rei turns her attention to Usagi.
[10:42] <Usagi-chan> "I remember... something about these sticks, and someone being burned - but that's all."
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I was watching the weather report. More snow for the next week - blizzards every night now. It's not natural," he says.
[10:43] * Usagi-chan looks over at Ami. "Did you get my note?"
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "Huh. Maybe they did belong to Sailor Mars of the Moon Kingdom," Rei says tersely, "I sure didn't sense anything familiar from them."
[10:43] <Princess_Herb> "That's going to kill a lot of old people, Nian. Did the news say anything about death tolls?" Herb asks.
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "I just wish my memories weren't so full of holes." Usagi sighs in frustration.
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat looks up. "No, but they were talking about emergency heating services. Tokyo may be snowed in for over a week now."
[10:44] <V-chan> "Where's the origin?" Minako asks Artemis. "Or the place where the blizzards are strongest?"
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "All around Tokyo," the cat says grimly.
[10:45] <V-chan> "Just Tokyo?" she asks. "Not the suburbs, or the other cities?"
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There is snow around them, but the worst is in Tokyo by far."
[10:46] <V-chan> "Fine." Minako thinks about this for a moment. "Can you try to sense any evil energy nearby?"
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I have been," the cat says. "I'm sensing something out there."
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei?" he asks. "Do you feel anything now?"
[10:46] <Rei-chan> "Let me see..." Rei volunteers, stretching out her supernatural senses.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You reach out...in the snow and the wind, you feel something. A presence, something stirring things.
[10:48] * Rei-chan nods. "Yep, I can definitely sense something is behind this unnatural storm." She furrows her brow, trying to discern the source more clearly.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Make a Soul Check, Rei.
[10:48] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:48] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:48] <V-chan> "All we need is a direction and the will to fight the evil!"
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's not close, nearer to the heart of the city. But it's there.
[10:49] <Rei-chan> "I can sense... it's somewhere near the middle of Tokyo. I can't get much clearer than that, sorry," she finishes apologetically.
[10:51] <V-chan> "I bet you'll be able to get a better fix on them, once we're closer," Minako says. Glancing at Artemis, she asks, "Should we go and have a look?"
[10:51] <Usagi-chan> "Sounds like a good idea to me. I'm up for it."
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "Sitting around won't get anything done," Rei agrees.
[10:52] * V-chan takes the bracelet, and stores it away for safekeeping. "Let's not leave these things lying around, with just the cats and Rei's grandfather to guard them," she tells the others.
[10:52] * Rei-chan grabs up the sticks and puts them in her subspace pocket without giving them any special attention.
[10:53] * Usagi-chan nods. "Good thinking." Usagi manages to store away the mace again, if barely. "I really need to start working out or something..."
[10:53] <Rei-chan> "Okay, once more... Mars Power, Make UP!"
[10:53] <Ninja_Ami> "We should try the Tokyo Mall," Ami speaks up. "It appears to be the main focus of the storm."
[10:53] <Usagi-chan> "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[10:53] <V-chan> "Venus Power! Make UP!"
[10:53] <Sailor_Mars> "Alright, Ami. Let's go!"
[10:54] <Ninja_Ami> "Mercury Power! Make UP!"
[10:54] * Sailor_Moon heads out of the shrine ahead of the others and looks towards the center of the city.
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once you get outside, you note that the 2+ feet of snow on the ground is going to make moving highly difficult.
[10:55] * Sailor_Mars follows Moon. "Uh..."
[10:55] * Sailor_Mercury grins.
[10:56] * Sailor_Dragon has no such difficulties
[10:56] * Sailor_Mercury heads out, moving the snow around effortlessly. "Follow me."
[10:57] * Sailor_Mars follows Mercury, grateful she wasn't forced to melt the snow, and probably cause a flood.
[10:57] * V-chan follows Mercury alongside Rei.
[10:57] * Sailor_Moon walks behind Mars and Venus.
[10:57] * Sailor_Dragon flies along after the other sailors
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> With Mercury's elemental control, the going is doable.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you get out of the temple, snow and wind batters you. Looks like things are picking up again.
[10:59] * Sailor_Moon wraps her arms around herself and shivers. "I should have brought a coat... this outfit wasn't exactly meant for a blizzard."
[11:00] <Sailor_Mars> "Here, take my hand," Rei offers, also holding one out to Minako.
[11:00] * Sailor_Moon takes Rei's hand, still shivering.
[11:00] * V-chan materializes five color-coded coats, and hands four of them around.
[11:01] * V-chan then blinks at Rei, and grabs her hand happily.
[11:01] * Sailor_Mars heats up the air around herself and the people in physical contact with her.
[11:01] * Sailor_Moon sighs happily as she warms up. "You're a lifesaver, Rei-chan!"
[11:02] <Sailor_Mars> "Heh, I guess Fire doesn't always have to burn," Rei replies.
[11:02] * Sailor_Mercury wraps the coat around herself.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you travel onward, the snow continues to fall and the wind continues to blow. The intensity picks up as you plod through the frozen city, an hour needed to get even remotely close to the city center.
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Closer and closer you get to the heart of the city and the Tokyo Mall. The snow is deeper here, at least three feet deep. Parked cars are lost in drifts, and building window displays are nearly cloaked entirely.
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Only the efforts of Sailors Mercury and Mars have made it passable.
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you turn another city block a raw, terrible blast of wind cuts through your jackets, sending a shiver through you despite the efforts of Mars.
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> It looks be be getting worse by the block now.
[09:46] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm really looking forward to having a few words with who or what is causing this," Rei says between chattering teeth.
[09:47] <Sailor_Moon> "You and me both. I like snow every now and then, but this is crazy!" Moon shivers.
[09:48] * Sailor_Dragon manipulates her ki to stay warm.
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Plunk* A snowball crashes into Sailor Dragon's side! (No damage). Turning, you see that a man shaped golem of snow threw it, a crude and primitive grin on its face.
[09:48] <Sailor_Dragon> "Ack!"
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> It tosses another snowball, this one just missing Sailor Moon.
[09:49] <Sailor_Dragon> "What do you thing you're doing, tossing snowballs at a prince... I mean, a princess, of the Mus... of dragonkind?" Sailor_Dragon splutters, looking angry.
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Its motions are crude, like a badly constructed robot from that sci-fi movie last weekend or two.
[09:49] <Sailor_Moon> "Great - a huge blizzard and now psycho snowmen. What's next?"
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> It does not respond, instead throwing another snowball. But this one expands into a snow bank, coming right at you!
[09:50] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh, for crying out loud. It's a snowman!" Rei says exasparatedly, willing a burst of flame into existence right on top of the frozen construct.
[09:50] * Sailor_Dragon flies up and over the snow bank.
[09:50] <Sailor_Dragon> "Not a snow youma?"
[09:52] * Sailor_Dragon waits to see if there's anything left of the creature after Mars' elemental attack before diving down on its position
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> The snowman melts instantly, falling to the ground.
[09:52] * Sailor_Mercury wills the water molecules of the snow bank to disperse into the air.
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> The snow dissipates as if it was never there...not quite making it to you before it vanishes.
[09:53] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense how close they are to the source of this unnatural weather.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sensing out...you feel the disturbance is a mile or so away, near the mall.
[09:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Ugh... still a mile to go. Come on girls, let's keep at it," Rei tries to encourage her teammates.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Plunk!* This time, a iceball hits the back of Sailor Mercury's back, causing her to stumble forward.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> (1 point of damage)
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning, two more of the crude snow men are standing, holding icy, painful snowballs.
[09:55] * Sailor_Mars groans, holding out her hand towards them and causing a large burst of flame to encompass both of the stupid creatures.
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> They fall apart and into water soon to be ice, not even getting off another shot.
[09:56] * V-chan takes out her sword, and holds it ready for any further attacks against her or Rei-chan.
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> *PLUNK!* Another iceball beans Sailor Moon in the leg, this time from where the first one was. Three are now there, all holding iceballs. (1 damage)
[09:56] <Sailor_Mercury> "Well, this is different," Ami remarks, the snow falling away from her.
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Another iceball flies forward, hitting Sailor Dragon in the shoulder before you can react. (1 damage)
[09:58] * Sailor_Mercury concentrates, trying to bend the water in the area to my control.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Sailor Mercury tries to directly manipulate a large area, you feel another force working the water and snow in the area.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Affecting that much will probably bring you into conflict with it, you'd wager.
[10:01] * Sailor_Dragon looks around to see if there's anyone else in the vicinity from on high. "Someone's bound to be controlling these, after all."
[10:02] * Sailor_Mercury focuses toward the snowmen.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Okay, make a Soul check and tell me how much you pass or fail by.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:03] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[10:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> You flex your spirit and will forward in a momentary battle...but you are pushed back, stunned by the victory of your unseen foe. The snow refuses to react to you.
[10:23] * Sailor_Mercury shakes her head, a bit surprised. "Guys, don't waste your energy. Whatever is controlling these things has control over all the water for a good portion of the area. Destroy one and it can just make another. Our real battle is there!" Ami points toward the general direction of the mall.
[10:23] <Sailor_Mercury> "Let's just run for it!"
[10:24] * V-chan shrugs, and glances at Rei.
[10:24] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Lead the way, Mercury!"
[10:24] <Sailor_Mars> "Fine, let's go," Rei says.
[10:25] * Sailor_Mercury leads the way!
[10:25] * V-chan follows, still holding Rei's hand.
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> You plow through as quickly as you can, dodging through... A block later, four more snowmen are in the road, all ready to throw icy balls at you.
[10:26] * Sailor_Dragon flies overhead, taking advantage of the cover offered by the snowstorm and the street furniture
[10:26] <Sailor_Mars> "To hell with this," Rei snarls, forming a large flame in front of the which will move with them as they charge through the snowmen.
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The flame forms, causing heat to wash over each of you.
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The snowballs thrown are negated by the flame and soon the snowmen are, too.
[10:28] * Sailor_Mercury continues forward.
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> As they melt, the wind gusts, a gale force wind cutting through. Damn, it's cold...
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> And on the next block, 10 snowmen are waiting...all with those damn balls.
[10:29] * Sailor_Moon shivers uncontrollably. "How can anything survive for long if it's this cold? I feel like a popsicle!"
[10:29] <Sailor_Mars> "Sailor Dragon, get down here!" Rei yells at the show off flying senshi.
[10:30] * Sailor_Mercury dodges for cover.
[10:30] * Sailor_Dragon drops down to where Mars-hime is
[10:30] <Sailor_Mars> Once all the senshi are fairly close, Rei expands the fire to form a barrier around all the senshi that will move with them.
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The barrage of iceballs are met and stopped by this fire.
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You feel the drain of all the energy you've expended quite keenly.
[10:31] * Sailor_Mars starts to sweat, and not from the heat. "Come on," she pants, "We can ignore them now, and we're nearly there..."
[10:32] <Sailor_Moon> "Are you okay, Rei? You're looking kind of pale..." Moon looks at Mars with concern.
[10:32] * Sailor_Mars waves off the concern. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Let's just keep going," she says, still breathing a bit heavily.
[10:33] <Sailor_Moon> "Just don't overdo it, okay?"
[10:33] * V-chan goes on, determined to handle the next wave of snowmen herself.
[10:33] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah..." Rei says quietly, maintaining the barrier as they forge onwards towards the inevitable confontation.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next block...the snow is about at the four feet level now, and gale force winds batter the street.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's getting difficult to stand in this weather.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's also getting hard to feel your extremities, even with all the precautions you've taken. You hope the mall has the heat on...
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally, turning a corner, you see the Tokyo mall ahead.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Or what should be it. Now, it looks like a building carved from ice, and a tower ascends from the roof. What is it with bitches and towers, anyway?
[10:37] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh, man..." Rei says, now starting to wish they hadn't visited the Moon today. She's feeling awfully light headed right now...
[10:37] <Sailor_Mercury> "I'd say that's a pretty good indication of where we need to go," Ami jokes, trying to keep her spirit up.
[10:38] <V-chan> "Let's go and stab her with fire," Minako says, nodding.
[10:38] <V-chan> "Of course. It's always a girl."
[10:38] <Sailor_Moon> "You think?" Moon says sarcastically.
[10:38] <Sailor_Mercury> "Sounds like a plan." Ami continues forward, keeping a (x2) eye out for danger.
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> No more snowmen impede your way. The doors are covered in ice, yet still open when you push them. Once inside, the wind is not on you. While well below freezing inside, it's more than made up for by the windlessness.
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> The mall itself is covered in a thick layer of ice everywhere, at least four feet of frozen water on everything.
[10:40] * Sailor_Mars lets the flame barrier dissipate as they enter, slouching down and breathing heavily.
[10:40] * V-chan glances at Rei worriedly. "Are you okay, Rei-chan?" she asks.
[10:40] <Sailor_Moon> "Are you all right, Rei-chan? You really don't look so good..."
[10:40] * Sailor_Mercury summons the Mercury computer, scanning the mall for the presence she felt earlier.
[10:40] <Sailor_Dragon> "Wild! I hope they have the name of a good plumber."
[10:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Don't worry, just a little tired..." Rei says to reassure them. "Teleporting around and then using my powers so much on the way here took a lot out of me..."
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - "Detected above." the computer replies. "Target is above."
[10:41] <Sailor_Moon> "Take it easy for a while then. We can take care of whatever's causing this." Usagi smiles.
[10:41] * Sailor_Dragon looks up, hoping nothing ominous is on its way down
[10:41] <Sailor_Mercury> "We're going up," Ami says. "That's where our 'friend' should be."
[10:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Heh, don't count me out just yet," Rei says, standing tall and putting on a show of bravado.
[10:42] * V-chan keeps near Rei.
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> PLUNK! A iceball hits Sailor Mercury in the back of the head, sending her down in a heap. (2 damage.) To the side are a few scattered snowmen.
[10:42] * Sailor_Moon grumbles. "Don't these guys ever stop coming?"
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> (3 of them total, by the way)
[10:43] <Sailor_Moon> "Moon Tiara Action!" Moon hurls the glowing disc at the snowmen!
[10:43] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:43] * Sailor_Mercury raises to her feet, her eye ticking. As she gets up she forms a police shield out of ice.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Tiara cuts through the snowmen, reducing them to snowy remains on the floor!
[10:46] <Sailor_Mars> "Come on, lets go deal with the boss instead of wasting our time on these stupid things," Rei says, looking around for the stairs up.
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is an esclator, but it's frozen over...
[10:46] * Sailor_Dragon picks up Mercury. "Tell me where you want to go!"
[10:47] <Sailor_Mercury> "The tower," Ami grins.
[10:47] * Sailor_Dragon flies up to the next level
[10:48] * Sailor_Moon starts towards the escalator to follow, but slips on the icy floor and lands on her face. "Ow...."
[10:48] * Sailor_Mercury holds the shield ready, looking out for any more attacks.
[10:48] * V-chan makes her way towards Usagi, and helps her rise to her feet.
[10:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, we'll see you guys up there," Rei says to the flying pair, heading after Sailor Moon and offering her a hand when she falls over.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next level of the mall is also iced over. No snowmen are about...and a fountain in the center of the floor area is now converted into a icy stair way to above. Gee...
[10:49] <Sailor_Mercury> "Wow. I'm going to have to ask whoever did this for tips."
[10:49] * Sailor_Mars heads up the icy stairs.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you place your foot on the stair, it takes all your coordination not to fall. the surface feels like slippery oil or melting ice...not good to walk on, period.
[10:50] * Sailor_Moon follows carefully, trying not to slip and fall over again.
[10:50] <Sailor_Mars> "You guys, be careful. This stuff is really slippy," Rei warns the two behind her.
[10:51] <V-chan> "Can I go first, Rei-chan?" Minako asks.
[10:51] <Sailor_Moon> "Oh great..." Moon mutters.
[10:52] <Sailor_Mars> "Be careful, Minako," Rei says, making room for her.
[10:52] * V-chan uses her sword to carve better footsteps on the stairs, making her way up.
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> This helps, allowing you to slowly make headway up the long stair way.
[10:53] * Sailor_Mars follows Minako carefully.
[10:53] * Sailor_Moon brightens up a bit as she gets an idea. The soles of her boots flash, and she starts walking a moment later with a slight crunching noise.
[10:54] * Sailor_Mars turns and gives Moon a curious look. "Snowshoes?" she guesses.
[10:54] <Sailor_Moon> "Spikes." Moon grins.
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Climb, climb, climb...The party scales the stairway without a major spill or incident. Coming to the top, a throne of ice sits in a circular room of ice, with a blue skinned, blue haired woman in a peasant blouse and skirt. Her face is cruel and cold, much like the wind outside.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Welcome to my icy paradise, Sailors!" she crows.
[10:55] <Sailor_Mercury> "I'd rather be in Wai-ki-ki," Ami grouses.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Queen Serenity took my cold away before, but this time no one will stop me from turning this planet into my winder wonderland!"
[10:55] <Sailor_Mars> "This unnatural cold is an affront against the burning passion within my heart! My guardian is the planet of fire, and in the name of Mars, I'll chastise you!"
[10:56] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Then let us play outside," she declares, vanishing! "Let us play in the wind and snow and ice!"
[10:57] * Sailor_Dragon gently lets Ami-chan down so that she's free to manoeuvre.
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> You hear the sound of ice crumbling. Turning, you see the ice falling in shards to the mall below. "Follow me into the glorious wind, Sailors..." her cold voice echos in the room.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The wind howls and gusts below, spreading more and more cold throughout Tokyo...
[11:00] * Sailor_Mercury tries to track her with the computer.
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - She is a fair ways outside the tower, flying right above the outer roof.
[11:02] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6 for a speed check
[11:02] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 for a speed check and gets 4."
[11:05] * Sailor_Mercury manipulates the ice on the wall nearest the enemy's location, opening a window in the ice.
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - A window in the ice forms, showing the tempest outside.
[11:06] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense the location of the snow woman through the window Ami just formed.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you grit your teeth at the bit of wind that comes through the open window, you sense outward...
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel her outside, flying in the winds.
[11:08] <Sailor_Mercury> "Guys, I have a plan, but I don't think we'll get two tries at it."
[11:08] * V-chan pauses, and moves closer to Mercury. "A plan?"
[11:08] <Sailor_Mars> "Let's hear it, Ami," Rei says, walking over to her.
[11:09] <Sailor_Moon> "Let's hear it."
[11:12] <Sailor_Mercury> "I think I might be able to pull her out of of the storm with my power, giving you the chance to strike."
[11:12] <V-chan> "Well, it beats taunting her and calling her names," Minako says, shrugging. "Tell us when."
[11:13] <Sailor_Mars> "Go for it, Ami," Rei says, keeping her senses locked onto the Snow Woman so she can fire off an attack at the first opportunity.
[11:14] <Sailor_Mercury> "Herb, you're the only one of us that can fly. I think you should be our ace in the hole, in case this fails."
[11:14] <Sailor_Dragon> "What do you want me to do, Mercury-hime?" Herb asks
[11:16] <Sailor_Mercury> "When they attack you'll need to strike. If they miss you'll be our best chance."
[11:18] <Sailor_Mercury> "Is everyone ready?" Ami looks over the others.
[11:18] * Sailor_Dragon summons her ki to provide her with somebody-else's-problem field.
[11:18] <Sailor_Mars> "As I'll ever be," Rei replies confidently.
[11:18] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:18] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[11:20] * Sailor_Dragon sneaks off.
[11:21] <Sailor_Moon> "Okay, Mercury, do your stuff!" Moon braces herself to attack.
[11:25] <Sailor_Mercury> "Alright. Let's continue." Ami checks her computer, shifting the window for the best chance of success attack. She concentrates fully, letting the world around her drop away until there is only her element in all it's glory. Her mind shifts into attack mode, actively trying to pull her target out of the storm with the might of her will. Drawing her arm back swiftly she yells, "Get over here!"
[11:26] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[11:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel the wind and ice bend to your will...you can feel the alarm of the Ice Woman as she is dragged towards the tower.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Out the window, you see her being hurtled in range...
[11:32] <Sailor_Mars> Both seeing and sensing her target, Rei forms a cross with her arms in front of her, grinning savagely as flames coruscate all over her body. With a cry of "Mars Snake Fire!" she unleashes an inferno shaped like a viper's head directly at the Snow Woman!
[11:32] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:32] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Snake Head crashes and plows through the woman, eliciting a shriek of agony from her. She melts instantly, water falling from where she was!
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Is it over? The tower does not show signs of crumbling, and the wind continues to howl.
[11:36] * Sailor_Moon peers through the window at where the woman had been. "Is she dead?"
[11:37] * Sailor_Mercury checks the computer.
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see no sign of her visually.
[11:38] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense if the Snow Woman is really gone.
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars and Mercury - You both detect some dark energy. You don't know if it's her or just residual energy.
[11:39] <Sailor_Mars> "Did that really finish her?"
[11:39] * Sailor_Mercury tries to locate its position.
[11:39] * Sailor_Moon backs away from the window slightly. "I don't like this... that was too easy."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars and Mercury - Suddenly, there is a spike in the energy, and you sense the snow woman below, her energy reforming in the ice and snow below.
[11:41] <Sailor_Mars> "It was. She's back," Rei says. Thinking quickly, the soldier of fire rapidly increases the temperature in the area below where the snow woman is reforming.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Make a Soul Check, Mars.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:41] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel a force oppose you, but you are stronger. You bring heat and warmth to the area, and you feel her energy flee.
[11:42] <Sailor_Mars> "Damn... I drove her off, but didn't finish her," Rei says angrily.
[11:42] * Sailor_Mars tries to track where the energy fled to.
[11:43] * Sailor_Mercury attempts to track the energy.
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars and Mercury - The energy flees and starts to form in the Mall parking lot.
[11:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Not so fast," Rei growls, this time increasing the temperature in the parking lot to a far greater intensity than she did last time.
[11:45] <Sailor_Moon> "Where is she?" Moon asks.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+2
[11:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+2 and gets 4."
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> MAke a Soul Check, Rei.
[11:45] * Sailor_Mercury creates an ice slide down to the parking lot.
[11:45] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> You battle, but a powerful wave of cold energy pushes away the heat! You can feel her body and form reform, albeit not as intensely as last time.
[11:46] <Sailor_Mars> "She's weakened!" Rei tells the others, before staggering a little, "But so am I..."
[11:46] * Sailor_Mercury jumps down the slide. "This way!"
[11:46] <Sailor_Mars> "The parking lot..." Rei says weakly, following Ami down the slide.
[11:46] * Sailor_Moon leaps onto the slide right after Mercury.
[11:48] * V-chan stores the sword away, before following the rest.
[11:48] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[11:48] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you reach the parking lot, you see the blue skinned woman looks sweaty, as if she's exerting herself. Rage and cruel anger are on her face as you land. "DIE, in the name of Celcia! Die to the Lordess of Ice!" she shouts!
[11:49] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[11:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[11:49] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+11
[11:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 15."
[11:49] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[11:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[11:50] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+6
[11:50] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+6 and gets 12."
[11:51] <V-chan> roll 1d6+12
[11:51] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+12 and gets 16."
[11:52] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[11:52] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:52] <V-chan> "Carrying the protection of the star of beauty, Venus, I am the Senshi of Love, Sailor Venus! I like playing with fire, and that's why you're going down, buster!" Minako finishes, posing, and launches a "Love Crescent Shower" at the blue-skinned woman.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack roars out, but the blue skinned woman sidesteps the attack, missing her by inches!
[11:57] * Sailor_Dragon drops down on the blue girl from above, trying to put her into a half nelson
[11:57] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The snow woman tries to overpower you, but is no match for your muscle! She is trapped in your hold.
[11:58] <Sailor_Dragon> "If you move, you'll break your neck." Herb lies.
[11:59] <Sailor_Mars> "Rin, pyo, to, sha, kai, jin, retsu, sai, zen..." Rei chants, holding up a ward and charging it with power to seal the Snow Woman into her body so she can't reform. "Akuryo Taisan!" she finishes, throwing it to stick on her head!
[12:00] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[12:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 5."
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ofuda slaps itself onto the Celcia's head, and she shouts in rage and pain! Her body now seems almost watery, as if she's starting to melt...
[12:01] <Sailor_Mars> "Now, Sailor Moon! Finish her!" Mars shouts.
[12:02] <Sailor_Moon> Moon's face wears a grim expression. 'Time to start cleaning up this mess...' The only words she speaks are "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[12:02] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:02] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack washes over both the youma and Sailor Dragon, who is holding the prone monster!
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a flash of light, the energy of the creature flares outward in a pyrotechnic show, and you feel her energy fading away on the winds of it!
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon is send flying backwards into a snow drift from it, but looks okay.
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> (5 damage to Herb)
[12:05] * Sailor_Moon rushes over to check on Herb. "Sailor Dragon! Are you all right?"
[12:05] <Sailor_Dragon> "Ouchie!" Herb exclaims.
[12:05] * Sailor_Mars slumps to her knees, her fuku fading to be replaced with her civilian clothes
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, the wind slows and stops...
[12:05] <Sailor_Dragon> "I'm fine, Usa-chan! I've had worse in the dojo."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking around the now windless plain, it is still cold and covered in many feet of snow, but the overwhelming cold is gone...
[12:06] <Sailor_Mercury> "Celcia, huh? I'll remember that." Ami mutters.
[12:06] <Sailor_Moon> "Glad to hear it... I was trying not to hit you, but I couldn't control it that well." Usagi breathes a sigh of relief.
[12:06] * Rei-chan looks up to see the weather calming, but remains on her knees, taking deep breaths to get her strength back.
[12:07] * Sailor_Mercury goes to help Herb up.
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "I really hope we don't get in any more fights today..."
[12:07] * Sailor_Moon gives Sailor Dragon a hand in getting back to her feet.
[12:07] <V-chan> "Well, this was fun," Minako comments, kneeling next to Rei.
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars - Distantly, you feel the last dregs of Celcia's energy being absorbed by another force...
[12:08] <Sailor_Mercury> "Herb, like I said. Our ace in the hole," Ami breaths.
[12:08] * Rei-chan gets a distant look on her face. "Uh oh..." she whispers, trying to discern more about the absorbing force.
[12:08] * Sailor_Moon looks up, a concerned expression on her face.
[12:08] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-1
[12:08] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-1 and gets 3."
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> You sense Jadeite at the fringes of the scene...fading as he takes the last of Celcia's energy.
[12:09] <Rei-chan> "Jadeite!" Rei stands up on wobbly legs.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking, you see that he is gone. But you know you felt him...
[12:10] <Sailor_Moon> "You felt it too? He's gone now..." Moon grinds her teeth.
[12:10] <Rei-chan> "That dirty sneak!" Rei growls. "He absorbed the Snow Woman's energy..." She then looks at Moon, "You mean you felt it?" she asks, surprised.
[12:11] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head slightly. "I don't know exactly what it was, but I could sense her energy being absorbed by something."
[12:11] <Sailor_Mercury> "Well, look on the bright side. At least we're down one enemy. We'll get him too, eventually."
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you speak, the sun pokes out from the storm clouds...
[12:12] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... we beat her, so him getting the dregs of her energy won't make much difference," Rei says confidently.
[12:12] <Sailor_Mercury> "Not much left from the look of her anyway."
[12:12] * Sailor_Moon nods. "You're right. Now, I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I could REALLY use some hot chocolate right about now!"
[12:12] * Sailor_Mercury turns toward the mall, checking to see if its still frozen over.
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "I'm for that," Rei nods agreeably.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> It is still covered in ice.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> The tower is still intact as well.
[12:13] <Usagi-chan> "We can go to my place-it's not as far as the temple, and I'm sure Mom won't mind making us some cocoa."
[12:13] * Rei-chan looks at the tower, and frowns. "That'll collapse when it starts to melt..." she says worriedly.
[12:13] <Sailor_Dragon> "Cocoa sounds nice."
[12:14] <Sailor_Dragon> "The fire brigade can probably deal with that, though."
[12:14] <V-chan> "Mercury could do something about it, too," Minako adds.
[12:15] * Sailor_Mercury concentrates, willing the sublimation of the structure.
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The structure slowly obeys, turning into steam with relative ease. But, you are decidedly tired now, it's been a rough day.
[12:16] <Sailor_Mercury> "Let's go home." Ami drops her transformation.
[12:16] <Ninja_Ami> "And by home I mean Usagi's house."
[12:17] <V-chan> "I'm all for hot cocoa," Minako says, smiling, and dropping her own transformation.
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "Let's go, then," Rei says before adopting a thoughtful expression. "I wonder where Mamoru-san was during all of this..."
[12:18] <Ninja_Ami> "Herb, you coming?"
[12:18] * Usagi-chan is a bit silent as she thinks of Mamoru, but she shakes it off after a few moments. "Doesn't matter-let's just go get something hot to drink!" With that, she starts heading for her own home.
[12:19] <V-chan> "If he got kidnapped again, I'm not rescuing him," Minako whispers to Rei.
[12:19] <Princess_Herb> "Sure..."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------

[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> An hour and change later, you have made it to Usagi's room, equipped with borrowed dry clothes, blankets and lots of hot cocoa...
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite the fuss Usagi's mom made, Luna seems to have called home last night, explaning you were spending the night out.
[12:20] * Princess_Herb pours a little hot water over herself
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Also, as she brings you the hot drinks...
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, are these your FRIENDS?" she asks, putting the proper emphasis on the words to Usagi.
[12:21] * Usagi-chan giggles a little. "Yeah, Mom, these are my FRIENDS." Usagi puts the same emphasis on the word.
[12:21] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Mrs Tsukino," Rei waves.
[12:21] * V-chan waves as well, smiling.
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Rei," she replies, smilng. "Keep up the good work, girls," she says as she walks out.
[12:22] * Usagi-chan sips from her mug of cocoa happily. "I'm glad she took the news so well."
[12:22] <V-chan> "Took the news?" Minako asks, still smiling.
[12:22] * Rei-chan manages a genuine smile in response. "It's nice to be appreciated," she says inbetween sipping her cocoa.
[12:23] * Usagi-chan nods. "The other day after we beat Metallia, I told my parents about Sailor Moon."
[12:23] * V-chan twitches. "I see."
[12:23] * Rei-chan nods. "Figured as much. It's a lot easier not having to keep stuff secret," she says.
[12:23] <V-chan> "Secrets are lots of fun!" Minako protests. "Lots and lots!"
[12:24] * V-chan takes a sip from her mug of cocoa.
[12:24] <Usagi-chan> "That's for sure. I didn't get into any of the Moon Kingdom stuff or anything, but it's nice knowing they understand why I disappear so suddenly sometimes."
[12:24] * Rei-chan pauses, giving Usagi a funny look. "How did Shingo-kun take it?"
[12:25] * Usagi-chan grins. "He STILL refuses to believe it, even after I transformed right in front of him. Little baka."
[12:25] <Rei-chan> "Heh, well, I remember he seemed like a big fan of Sailor Moon. He probably has trouble accepting his idol is the same big sister he makes fun of."
[12:26] <Usagi-chan> "Hopefully he'll get used to it eventually. I think Luna was the biggest surprise though-you should have seen the look on Mom and Dad's faces when she said hello." Usagi giggles.
[12:26] * Rei-chan chuckles. "I can imagine."
[12:27] * Usagi-chan stretches and sighs. "I just wish there had been more time to relax after we took care of Metallia."
[12:28] * V-chan nods. "My Hawaii plans have been delayed once again."
[12:28] * Prince_Herb blinks.
[12:29] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, we've sure been busy," Rei agrees. "A vacation would have been nice, but I'd settle for a single day off at this point."
[12:29] <V-chan> "Well, we should have some time off in the mornings for a while, Rei-chan," Minako says, before wincing.
[12:29] <Usagi-chan> "At least I won't have to worry about school tomorrow. There's no way all this snow is melting THAT fast."
[12:30] * Rei-chan winces as well. "Yeah... Minako and I don't need to worry about school at all, now..."
[12:30] <Usagi-chan> "Why, what happened?" Usagi notices the somewhat sheepish looks on their faces.
[12:30] <Prince_Herb> "She didn't seem alarmed when I changed back into a guy, did she? Maybe that's what mothers are like..." Herb muses.
[12:30] <Rei-chan> "We... kinda got expelled," Rei replies, blushing.
[12:31] * V-chan nods. "For being lesbian witches."
[12:31] * Rei-chan blushes a deeper shade.
[12:31] <Usagi-chan> "You? Expelled?!" Usagi practically shouts at Rei. "What in the world did you do?"
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "Uh... we kinda had an argument in the hall, then when we went to see the headmaster, um..." Rei fidgets a little. "I'm not sure, really... but things went badly..."
[12:33] * Usagi-chan covers her mouth with a hand. "It must have... I can't imagine YOU of all people getting expelled, Rei-chan."
[12:33] * Rei-chan looks away. "Yeah..." she says, not really having a good answer to that.
[12:34] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I'm sure you'll find a new school that's just as good."
[12:36] <Rei-chan> "We're looking into getting into Mugen Gakuen. It's probably going to be hard to get into, but..." she shrugs helplessly, "Well, I can't go to a public school."
[12:37] <Prince_Herb> "But remember to ask about their policy on lesbian witches before you sign up this time, eh?" Herb winks.
[12:37] <Usagi-chan> "Oh yeah, your dad, right?" Usagi frowns.
[12:37] * Rei-chan frowns. "Yeah. My dad. I'd rather not get him involved, so if I get into an 'elite' school myself, hopefully he'll keep his nose out rather than pick one for me."
[12:38] <V-chan> "And Mugen's the most elite of the elite in Tokyo!" Minako pipes up.
[12:38] <Usagi-chan> "It's too bad... it'd be really cool if you guys could come to Juuban with all the rest of us."
[12:39] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei says a little bitterly, "But it'd never happen."
[12:39] * Rei-chan finishes off her cocoa.
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, telephone," your mother calls from the first floor.
[12:40] <Usagi-chan> "For me? But you guys are all here, wonder who it could be..." She trails off as she dashes downstairs to answer the phone. "Hello?"
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi?" Luna's voice comes through the phone. "Could you speak loudly? How did things go?"
[12:42] <Usagi-chan> "Oh hi, Luna. We took care of the... ice woman thing, so the blizzards should be over." Usagi sighs. "There was one slight problem though."
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What?"
[12:43] <Usagi-chan> "Jadeite showed up at the end apparently, and took some of the remainder of her energy."
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Great, but everyone is safe now? Good, I have to go, someone's coming," You hear the sounds of Mau shuffling until you hear a click.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan smiles. 'I wonder what Gramps would say if he caught Luna using the phone...'
[12:45] * Usagi-chan hangs up the phone and heads back up to her room.
[12:46] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Usagi. Who was it?"
[12:46] <Usagi-chan> "Luna, calling from the temple. She just wanted to know if we managed to take care of things."
[12:48] <V-chan> "We should make the 'cats kitty communicators," Minako says thoughtfully.
[12:48] <Rei-chan> "Or the cats could make them themselves, doing their little backflip thing," Rei smiles.
[12:48] <Usagi-chan> "I wish they would. It gets annoying when Luna bugs me for mine."
[12:49] * V-chan ponders something, and takes out the silver bracelet she had found on the Moon, before putting it on.
[12:50] <Rei-chan> "Oh yeah," Rei notices Minako and takes out the two sticks. "Heh, if these have fire powers, we still didn't need them to deal with Snow Lady..."
[12:51] <V-chan> "That's because we rule," Minako agrees, nodding.
[12:51] * Usagi-chan puts on a wry grin. "Funny to think of it, but those are sort of the reason we're in this mess."
[12:52] <V-chan> "I don't see a mess," Minako replies. "I only see a delayed vacation."
[12:53] * Rei-chan stretches, before letting herself fall backwards to lie on the floor. "We're taking an extra long vacation after this."
[12:53] <Usagi-chan> "I wish that's all it was. And don't worry, I'm not going to get all upset or anything. I just... I don't know, I'm thinking how many things I could have done differently and this wouldn't have happened."
[12:54] <V-chan> "You guys beat this Jadeite once before, right?"
[12:54] <Rei-chan> "Well, like what? Tell us what you could have changed, so you'll know better next time?" Rei asks lazily from her position on the floor.
[12:55] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know, I could have called you guys before I started wandering around on the Moon alone or something. Or at least have let you know where I was going."
[12:55] * Ninja_Ami nods.
[12:55] * Usagi-chan looks over at Minako. "Yeah, we got him a long time ago, back at the airport. We didn't kill him, but we never saw him again after that."
[12:55] <V-chan> "Just as long as you do it next time you try something like that, it's all good," Minako replies with a shrug.
[12:55] * Rei-chan sits up and nods. "That's a good start. Go on."
[12:56] * Usagi-chan thinks for a minute. "I should have been more careful while I was there, too. I got trapped because I just rushed into that room without looking first or anything."
[13:00] <Rei-chan> "It's always good to be cautious unless you absolutely have to hurry," Rei agrees.
[13:00] * Ninja_Ami nods.
[13:01] * Usagi-chan sighs and lies back on the floor. "Guess all I can do now is pick up the pieces and go on."
[13:01] <Rei-chan> "Hey, we'll get by," Rei offers encouragingly, "We always do."
[13:03] <Usagi-chan> "I just wonder what happened to Jadeite. I guess Beryl locked him up in there after we beat him or something. I just wonder if my healing did anything to him when we were on the Moon - he was the only one I was aiming for."
[13:04] <Ninja_Ami> "He's still going around grabbing people's energy. I can't say that I believe he's changed much."
[13:04] <Rei-chan> "He didn't feel any different to me when I could sense him, so I'm guessing he hasn't changed," Rei says softly, finding this subject of 'healing' evildoers is hitting rather close to home.
[13:06] <Ninja_Ami> "On the plus side, he isn't as powerful as any of the others we've been fighting. There are. what, six of us now? Way back when there were only the three and we still beat him."
[13:06] <V-chan> "Maybe it did work after all," Minako says thoughtfully. "He grabbed an evil person's energy, right?"
[13:06] <Usagi-chan> "That's what I'm thinking. If it was the old Jadeite, he'd be out there grabbing energy from anyone he could find."
[13:06] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, even if he gets the dregs of energy from these guys, without the rest of the Dark Kingdom to back him up, he's still not up to much compared to us," Rei nods to Ami.
[13:07] <Rei-chan> "Why?" Rei asks, "The Dark Kingdom needed energy to release Metallia. But what can he do with it? He can store some for himself, but it's an inefficient process."
[13:08] <Usagi-chan> "Well then, why is he taking it away from these guys then? If he can't use it at all, why would he need it from regular people OR from the bad guys?"
[13:09] <Ninja_Ami> "Maybe he wants to set himself up as another Beryl??"
[13:10] <Rei-chan> "He might not just be getting energy from the exchange. That woman had a lot of strange powers, maybe by taking her dying life force, he was able to gain some of her abilities?" Rei offers. "Trust me, taking energy from people is only good for restoring what you can have naturally." She looks very uncomfortable with this admission.
[15:21] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a sad look. "Either way, it's just another thing to worry about. Maybe what I did up on the Moon weakened him and he's just trying to get his strength back."
[15:22] * Rei-chan shrugs, still looking uncomfortable. "I couldn't say for sure, I suppose..."
[15:24] <Rei-chan> "Hey," Rei suddenly looks up, "How were you able to sense him anyway? You've never done anything like that before..."
[15:26] <Usagi-chan> "I... I'm not really sure, to be honest. I couldn't tell that it was Jadeite until you said it was him, but I could sort of feel the Snow Woman's energy getting sucked up by someone else." Usagi shakes her head. "It's been kind of weird-I got some impressions like that when we were on the Moon earlier, too."
[15:27] <V-chan> "It's a power up," Minako says, nodding to herself. "It happens all the time in video games."
[15:27] <Usagi-chan> "But what would have made me power up? Not that I'm complaining, but it's kind of weird getting used to it."
[15:28] * V-chan takes a few locks of her now-silver hair, and glances at Usagi. "Take a wild guess?"
[15:28] <Rei-chan> "Heh, maybe Minako's right. Throwing around all that energy with the Crystal, and then penetrating those auras on the Moon... maybe you're becoming naturally sensitive to magical energy?"
[15:29] <Usagi-chan> "I guess it's possible..." Usagi points to the bracelet now on Minako's arm. "The first thing I noticed was when we were getting all that stuff on the Moon; I don't know how to describe it, but I could tell from looking at the bracelet and those sticks that they've got some kind of magical power."
[15:30] * V-chan nods. "And if it's like that manga I read, then we should try to build scouters that show us everyone's magical energy and then 'ooh' and 'ahh' from the sidelines while you battle the main baddie."
[15:31] <Rei-chan> "I hope you don't mean like in Dragonball Z," Rei mutters, thinking of how often the main characters die in that.
[15:32] <Usagi-chan> "I could sort of tell where the Snow Woman was sometimes too, but it was never very clear." Usagi looks thoughtful.
[15:32] <V-chan> "No, actually," Minako replies. "But DBZ works, too."
[15:33] <Rei-chan> "Hmm... could you focus on it, or was it just a feeling you'd get without any control over it?" Rei asks, leaning forward while still sitting with her legs splayed out.
[15:34] <Usagi-chan> "I tried to figure out what it was or where it was coming from a couple of times, but I couldn't really. Just that it was in the general direction we were going already. It didn't really come and go though, if that's what you mean."
[15:36] <V-chan> "Maybe we can practice it tomorrow?" Minako offers. "Especially if school's cancelled for you."
[15:36] * Rei-chan continues looking thoughtful. "Well... That doesn't sound exactly like my own sixth sense. Normally I have to concentrate to sense anything, if I'm not actively sensing, then I only pick up immediate dangers or anything that's incredibly strong..."
[15:38] <Usagi-chan> "If I could learn to use it better, it could be really helpful. No more waiting until the last minute before we find out something's going on." Usagi smiles.
[15:38] * V-chan drinks some more cocoa.
[15:41] <Rei-chan> "Well, if you practice it should improve naturally. That's how most things work," Rei suggests helpfully.
[15:41] * Prince_Herb perks up drowsily.
[15:42] <Prince_Herb> "Maybe there are scrolls of secret techniques on the moon?" Herb offers
[15:42] <Rei-chan> "There's bound to be a library. Whether the books have survived..."
[15:42] <Usagi-chan> "It's possible, I guess. You still wanted to go back to see your old chambers, right Mina-chan? We could look then."
[15:42] <V-chan> "Speaking of practice, Rei-chan," Minako says, glancing at the white-haired girl. "You still have to start training me!"
[15:43] * V-chan nods at Usagi. "Yep. Maybe tomorrow?"
[15:43] * Rei-chan twitches, thinking of something else entirely. "Training?" she repeats in a small voice.
[15:43] * V-chan returns her attention to Rei, looking at her with adoration. "Yes. Shouldn't we go back to the shrine for it? We can't exactly do it here, in Usagi's room."
[15:44] <Usagi-chan> "Tomorrow's okay by me, I guess. I just need to rest up first. Herb, would you want to come along too?"
[15:44] <Rei-chan> "Gack!" Rei responds eloquently.
[15:44] <V-chan> "I mean, I wouldn't mind, much, but Usagi might not like the mess we'll leave on her floor," Minako says, tapping her lips thoughtfully.
[15:45] <Rei-chan> "Mess?" Rei replies, her hair toinging out.
[15:45] * Usagi-chan glances between Minako and Rei nervously. "Exactly what kind of, um, 'training' are we talking about here?"
[15:46] * V-chan nods, pointing at the floor. "The fire will really mess up the room, wouldn't it? We must have the fire, after all."
[15:46] <Rei-chan> "We need fire?" Rei asks, dumbfounded. "Minako, maybe you should back up. Exactly what do you want me to train you in?"
[15:47] <V-chan> "To be a shrine priestess, of course," Minako replies. Curiously, she asks, "What did you want to train me in, then, Rei-chan?"
[15:47] * Usagi-chan groans and falls over backwards.
[15:47] * Rei-chan giggles nervously, the brilliant crimson flush on her cheeks contrasting nicely with her white hair. "Never mind that. Uh... shrine priestess training?"
[15:48] <Prince_Herb> "Yes, what did you have in mind?" Herb asks. "I can't work it out. It must be something Japanese..."
[15:48] * V-chan nods. "Yeah... but c'mon, tell me." Minako pokes Rei's thigh. "C'mon...."
[15:49] <Rei-chan> "So, you want to be a miko, huh?" Rei asks loudly, not answering the other question. "And you want me to show you how?"
[15:49] * V-chan smiles brilliantly. "Yep!"
[15:50] * Usagi-chan sits back up. "That reminds me, Herb-san; I was wondering if you could show me how to do some simple martial arts stuff sometime. I've tried to learn from Mako-chan, but we always end up eating her wonderful food before we really get anything done." Usagi sighs.
[15:51] <Rei-chan> "Well... there's not actually that much to it," Rei answers, tapping her chin, "All it really is is cleaning the Shrine and selling charms and stuff to people who visit. And sometimes telling them the history of the Shrine, but hardly anyone asks about stuff like that..." Rei looks thoughtful as she considers other duties to tell Minako about.
[15:51] <Prince_Herb> "I can do that, sure..." Herb frowns. "But where is Makoto? I went to get her last night, but she was out. And she didn't show up today either."
[15:51] <V-chan> "I always thought you needed to talk with the fire, too," Minako says, frowning. "Or does it come later?"
[15:52] * Usagi-chan pulls out her communicator and tries to contact Makoto, but gets no response. "Hmm, that's weird. I wonder where she could be - maybe she got stuck somewhere in the snowstorm?"
[15:52] <Rei-chan> "Talk to the fire? You mean you want me to actually teach you about meditation and stuff? I thought you were just going to help out at the Shrine," Rei says, surprised.
[15:53] * Rei-chan turns to Usagi, "What? You can't reach Makoto?" she says worriedly.
[15:53] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "She must have her communicator turned off or something."
[15:53] <V-chan> "I want to do both," Minako says, adding in a slightly hurt voice, "I'm not completely useless...."
[15:54] <Rei-chan> "I hope she's okay..." Rei says before turning to Minako, "I never said you were, I'm just surprised is all. I never thought you were very religous."
[15:55] <V-chan> "I never thought I'd be dating a girl." Minako shrugs. "We all get our surprises."
[15:56] * Usagi-chan giggles at that.
[15:57] <Rei-chan> "Can't argue with that," Rei shrugs. "But, if you're serious about learning, I'd be happy to teach you." She smiles, "Heh, I'll go easier on you than Gramps has been on Yuuichiro."
[15:57] <V-chan> "Speaking of Makoto," Minako says suddenly. "I don't think anything actually bad happened to her. If Usagi could reach us with the panic button all the way from the Moon, while trapped in an evil Dark Kingdom energy field and with not much time to react, then surely so could Makoto. If she were in any real trouble, that is."
[15:57] <Usagi-chan> "Oh come on, Rei-chan - you should make her swing through the trees too!"
[15:58] <V-chan> "Swing through the trees?" Minako ponders that for a moment. "I think I could do it, no problem!"
[15:58] <Rei-chan> "Heh, I said I'd go easier, not that I'd let her slack off completely. Gramps has done worse things than that," Rei says with a sinister grin.
[15:59] <V-chan> "Like ask for pictures?" Minako asks.
[15:59] * Rei-chan blanches, "No, he's never asked Yuuichiro for pictures," she says with a disgusted look.
[16:00] <V-chan> "Ah, must be just us, then." She nods.
[16:02] * Rei-chan sighs. "Just us and any other pretty girl he ever sees..." she says, thinking of the warning notices in various magazines telling girls to beware the lecherous old man at Hikawa Shrine...
[16:03] <Usagi-chan> "He's never asked ME for pictures..." Usagi pouts.
[16:03] <Prince_Herb> "Pictures of what?" Herb asks
[16:03] <V-chan> "You have those kinds of pictures?" Minako asks, seeing Usagi in a new light.
[16:03] <Rei-chan> "He would if he thought you'd do anything interesting in them," Rei sighs.
[16:05] * Prince_Herb looks puzzled but doesn't ask again
[16:05] * Rei-chan shakes her head, wondering how Herb can be so naive.
[16:06] <Usagi-chan> Usagi is looking rather thoughtful. 'This sensing thing seems like it could be pretty cool. I wonder if there's anything else I "powered up"?'
[16:09] <Rei-chan> "Just remember, Usagi. If you can sense something, sometimes they can sense you, too. You might want to learn how to shut it off from time to time," Rei finishes and has a slightly haunted as she recalls her experiences on the Moon the first time they went there.
[16:11] * Usagi-chan looks slightly caught off-guard. "I... Well, I guess I can try. But I don't know how I started sensing things in the first place, so how will I know how to turn it off?"
[16:12] <V-chan> "If it were easy, it wouldn't be a true power up!" Minako wisely proclaims.
[16:13] <Rei-chan> "That will only come through self mastery. You'll need to practice to fully understand this ability and know how to use it to it's fullest, and not use it at all when necessary," Rei says, feeling a little bad at not being more helpful.
[16:15] <Usagi-chan> "It's all just so confusing. I mean, being Sailor Moon is one thing-I can transform and change back when I need to, so aside from that part it's not that hard to deal with. But this... I can see things even right now, and it's kind of weird. I can't say "this is something for Sailor Moon, not Usagi Tsukino"."
[16:16] <Rei-chan> "I understand that. I think my control over fire is starting to work when I'm not transformed, too," Rei says worriedly, "Except I can't quite control it as well..." she finishes, blushing. 'I still can't believe I set fire to the headmaster's desk...'
[16:16] * Usagi-chan gapes at Rei. "You did WHAT?"
[16:17] * Rei-chan looks up, startled, "What? I didn't say anything!" 'How? Did I look that guilty that she figured it out?'
[16:18] <Usagi-chan> "I heard you say it! Didn't I? I mean, you didn't really LOOK guilty or anything, but you admitted it so you didn't HAVE to."
[16:18] <Ninja_Ami> "What?" Ami looks up from her computer. "What are you guys talking about?"
[16:19] <Rei-chan> "I didn't say anything about what I did, did I?" Rei looks around worriedly. 'Oh, man... if she knows about it, I'll never live the 'pyro' cracks down...'
[16:20] <Ninja_Ami> "Did? Did what?"
[16:20] <Usagi-chan> "Don't worry, I won't call you that if you're that worried about it. But wow... did you do it on purpose, or was it just an accident?"
[16:20] <V-chan> "Do what?" Minako asks.
[16:21] <Rei-chan> "It was an accident, I swear! I didn't expect it to catch fire!"
[16:21] <Ninja_Ami> "What caught fire?" Ami asks, confused.
[16:22] <Usagi-chan> "Don't worry about it, Rei-chan. If it was an accident, you'll just have to be more careful in the future, right? Guess we'll BOTH have to learn a little control." Usagi smiles at Rei.
[16:23] <Rei-chan> "The headmaster's desk..." Rei turns a confused look at Ami. 'How did Usagi figure it out, but not Ami? I don't think I said it out loud, but how else could she know?'
[16:23] <V-chan> "Oh, that." Minako snorts. "He deserved it!"
[16:23] <Usagi-chan> "I could have sworn you said it..." Usagi turns to Minako. "Didn't you hear Rei tell me that she set the headmaster's desk on fire?"
[16:24] <V-chan> "Not recently, no," Minako says, shaking her head. "She told me last night, at my place."
[16:24] <Rei-chan> "I really didn't mean to..." Rei says in a small voice.
[16:25] * V-chan pats Rei's shoulder. "It's okay, really...."
[16:25] <Usagi-chan> "But then how... I HEARD it, I swear!" Usagi looks to Herb and Ami. "You heard her say it, right?"
[16:26] <Ninja_Ami> "You set the headmaster's desk on fire?" Ami exclaims. "What were you thinking?"
[16:26] * Rei-chan looks directly at Usagi, her lips firmly closed. 'Hey, Dumpling Head! Can you hear this?'
[16:26] <Usagi-chan> "Go easy on her, Ami-chan! It was an accident!" Usagi turns to look at Rei. "Of course I can hear you, you're sitting right there."
[16:27] <Rei-chan> "Gah!" Rei cries, pointing at Usagi. "I definitely said nothing there! You're reading my thoughts!" She quickly starts a mantra of nursery rhymes in her head.
[16:28] <Usagi-chan> "Wha... what? You're kidding, right? And why are you reciting Mother Goose now?"
[16:28] * Ninja_Ami looks back and forth between Usagi and Rei. "Am I missing something here?"
[16:29] <V-chan> 'Maybe Usagi really is after Rei-chan, if she's reading her thoughts,' Minako thinks, before a thought about polishing her sword comes up.
[16:29] <Rei-chan> "Aaah! Stop it!" Rei tries a different tack, using a meditation technique to try and block the telepathy.
[16:29] <Usagi-chan> "Mina-chan! Of course I'm not after Rei-chan, are you crazy?"
[16:29] * V-chan twitches. "People always call me that. Of course I'm normal."
[16:30] <V-chan> 'Maybe she's not after Rei specifically, but just girls in general?' Minako ponders.
[16:30] * Usagi-chan blushes bright red. "Minako!"
[16:30] <V-chan> "You're blushing!" Minako exclaims, pointing at Usagi. "I knew it!"
[16:31] * V-chan links her arm with Rei's. "You're not having her!"
[16:31] * Rei-chan is almost comatose with the effort of keeping up her mental shield, and doesn't notice.
[16:31] * Usagi-chan covers her face with her hands. "What is going on here?" 'Great, now Rei-chan and Mina-chan must think I'm absolutely nuts or something...'
[16:32] <V-chan> "Aah!" Minako cries out. "You're doing an evil mind-control technique to brainwash Rei-chan to your nefarious needs!"
[16:32] <Usagi-chan> "I am not! I'm just... gah, I don't know what I'm doing!" 'Maybe I really AM going crazy...'
[16:33] * Ninja_Ami calmly pulls back from the conversation and moves next to the only other sane person in the room.
[16:33] * Rei-chan slumps over, gasping as she loses focus. "Oh, man... I need more practice at that..." 'What if Usagi finds out about that dream I had with all the other girls after Minako confessed to me?!'
[16:33] * V-chan summons her sword, a glint in her eyes. "Didn't anyone tell you it's wrong to steal other people's girlfriends?"
[16:33] * Usagi-chan lets out a shout. "Everybody just STOP!"
[16:34] * V-chan blinks, and returns the sword.
[16:34] <Rei-chan> 'Oh, god! She knows!'
[16:34] * Rei-chan blushes deeply.
[16:34] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath. 'Okay, say yes if you can hear me.'
[16:34] <Rei-chan> "Yes. But your lips didn't move."
[16:34] <Ninja_Ami> "Herb, do you have any idea what they're talking about?"
[16:35] <V-chan> "Maybe," Minako says, looking at Usagi with distrust.
[16:35] <Rei-chan> 'I hope she doesn't figure out that I think Mamoru-san is secretly gay...'
[16:35] * Usagi-chan nods. "I know, I'm trying to figure this out.... Rei-chan, stop that!"
[16:35] <Prince_Herb> "Usagi is reading Rei's mind, and she's getting worried in case she thinks anything else incriminating."
[16:35] <Prince_Herb> "I understand this much, at least, Mercury-hime."
[16:36] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, try to think of saying something to me, but DON'T actually say it."
[16:36] <Rei-chan> "I can't help it! If I don't want to think about something, I can't help thinking of it!" Rei cries.
[16:36] * Ninja_Ami nods. "Well, that explains it. More cocoa?"
[16:37] * V-chan concentrates, thinking, 'Steal her and you awaken Mistress V.'
[16:37] <Prince_Herb> "No thanks. I just really need a bit of a rest to recover my ki. I do wonder what guilty secrets Mars-hime has to hide, though"
[16:37] <Usagi-chan> "Ha ha, very funny Mina-chan."
[16:37] <Rei-chan> 'He's really not gay, I bet! Honest, I was joking! Why would I think that?'
[16:37] * V-chan grins.
[16:38] <Ninja_Ami> "Probably her doujin collection, Herb. Think they can read our minds too?"
[16:38] <Usagi-chan> 'Stop panicking, Rei-chan! Let's just figure this out.'
[16:38] <Rei-chan> 'I bet Herb does all kinds of dirty stuff with his girl body...' Rei thinks angrily as she hears Herb.
[16:38] <V-chan> 'Okay, how about this? I'm actually kinda scared of tuxes. But don't tell anyone.'
[16:38] * Usagi-chan looks over at Minako in surprise. "Seriously? I never would have imagined..."
[16:38] <Prince_Herb> "Well, we'll see. I'm thinking really hard now..." Herb says and concentrates on a blue plush cat
[16:38] <Rei-chan> 'My hentai manga! Wait... Usagi already knows about that... Hey, Usagi, you can borrow them, but don't mess them up.'
[16:39] * V-chan shrugs. 'Well, they remind me of penguins, I think, or is that the other way around? And nuns come into this, and they're spooky!'
[16:39] <Ninja_Ami> "What are you thinking about?" Ami asks Herb.
[16:39] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes and shakes her head. "We're DEFINITELY going to have to figure out how to control this one... I'm starting to get a headache."
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "Meditation would be good," Rei nods, still looking wide eyed.
[16:40] * V-chan gets a mischievous glint in her eyes, and tries to pick up any thoughts currently going through Usagi's head.
[16:40] <Prince_Herb> '...blue plush cat...blue plush cat...'.
[16:40] <Prince_Herb> "Eh, a blue plush cat."
[16:40] <Rei-chan> 'Now I understand why everyone was always creeped out by my psychic powers...'
[16:40] <Prince_Herb> "I guess it didn't work. My brain is secure."
[16:41] <Ninja_Ami> "Hm. Maybe I should try that."
[16:41] * Usagi-chan looks at Rei-chan. "I swear, I'm NOT trying to read your mind. It's just... sort of happening."
[16:41] <Rei-chan> "I understand. But knowing my thoughts are open is making me think of exactly what I shouldn't think of."
[16:42] <Ninja_Ami> 'Hm. Testing. One. Two. Three. Testing. One. Two. Three.'
[16:42] <Prince_Herb> '...boobies...'
[16:42] <Usagi-chan> "Well, it's not happening all the time. I mean, I didn't even realize it was happening until just now, right?"
[16:43] <Ninja_Ami> 'Mako-chan... Herb-sama...'
[16:43] * Rei-chan uses a less intensive meditation technique to calm herself, and keep from thinking anything too intently.
[16:44] <V-chan> "Hmm," Minako says, before turning towards Rei. "Can you hear this?" she asks, before thinking, 'I like you.'
[16:45] <Usagi-chan> "I heard it, Mina-chan. Did you hear anything, Rei-chan?"
[16:45] <Rei-chan> "Hear what?" Rei asks curiously.
[16:45] <Usagi-chan> 'She said she likes you.'
[16:45] * V-chan pouts. "I guess I'll have to show you at the shrine," she says.
[16:46] * Rei-chan blushes at Usagi's thought and Minako's words. "Oh, my..." 'Better make sure Grandpa is kept distracted later on, then...'
[16:46] <Ninja_Ami> "Hm. Looks like we're safe," Ami says to Herb.
[16:46] * Usagi-chan laughs. "Don't get too wild and crazy." She grins.
[16:47] * Rei-chan blushes some more. 'We're still junior high students... even if we got expelled, I have to be moral!'
[16:48] <Usagi-chan> 'I know, I'm only teasing.' Usagi covers a giggle.
[16:48] <V-chan> "Teasing?" Minako asks with a raised eyebrow.
[16:48] <Rei-chan> "This is going to take some getting used to," a slightly more calm Rei says.
[16:48] * Prince_Herb snores gently
[16:48] * V-chan sighs. "I wish you could hear my thoughts, too. It could've been so cool!"
[16:48] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Tell me about it. It's going to be a pain if I start hearing your thoughts all the time."
[16:49] <Rei-chan> "A shame you can't get Ami's thoughts. School would be a breeze, them," Rei smirks.
[16:49] * V-chan frowns. "If I have to study hard to get into Mugen, Usagi better work, too!"
[16:50] * Usagi-chan grins. "No kidding." She turns directly towards Minako, and focuses. 'I wonder... Minako, Rei, tell me if you can both hear this.'
[16:50] * V-chan waves at Usagi in reply.
[16:50] * Rei-chan quirks an eyebrow at the wave.
[16:50] <V-chan> "I think we're getting better control already," Minako explains, at Rei's gaze.
[16:51] * Usagi-chan turns to Rei, and focuses on her now. 'You didn't hear that, but Minako did. And if I'm right, she can't hear this.'
[16:51] <Rei-chan> "Ah, cool! You've got some focus already. Now it's just us who need to control our thoughts," Rei replies aloud.
[16:52] <Usagi-chan> "I wonder... so far I've only 'heard' what you're thinking. Maybe I can 'see' it too?"
[16:52] * V-chan creates a leather-clad super-deformed Sailor V in her mind, complete with golden whip, high heels and mask. "I think I've got my end covered," she says cheerfully.
[16:53] * Rei-chan involuntarily thinks of what she did while rampaging through Tokyo under Metallia's influence, but quickly clamps down on it with a nursery rhyme.
[16:53] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Nothing. You can't see what I'm thinking of?" Usagi imagines a horde of nuns and men in tuxedos, inspired by Minako's earlier confession.
[16:54] * Rei-chan breathes a sigh of relief. "So you didn't see that? Good..."
[16:54] <Usagi-chan> "Nothing. I guess I can only hear things you were thinking like if you were going to say them."
[16:55] <V-chan> 'Yeah, Rei-chan got that right. The last thing I need is a mental image of Usagi and Tux-- oh, jeez. Bummer.'
[16:55] <Rei-chan> "Okay, that gives us some control," Rei says, relaxing.
[16:55] <Usagi-chan> 'I WASN'T thinking of Mamoru-kun!' Usagi glares at the silver-haired girl.
[16:56] <V-chan> 'I didn't think you'd be thinking of him,' Minako replies mentally. 'But, well, since he's in college....' She lets the thought trail off.
[16:58] <Usagi-chan> 'Yeah, and... well, I don't know what comes after and.' Usagi blushes.
[16:59] <V-chan> 'You're thinking about it!' Minako accuses her. 'And you can bet he is, too. College guys who date junior high girls do it for a reason. Lolicons.'
[17:00] <Usagi-chan> 'I don't think that's it - I mean, all those thousands of years ago we were really a hot item, from what I remember. But now it's just... I don't know.' Usagi looks deflated. 'I don't know what to make of him now.'
[17:01] <V-chan> 'Weren't you younger than him back then, too?' Minako asks in her thoughts.
[17:01] <V-chan> 'I sense a pattern.'
[17:02] <Ninja_Ami> "Ahem," Ami coughs. "Some of us aren't mind readers."
[17:02] <Rei-chan> 'Mamoru-san sure is a cold fish. He was really boring when I dated him,' Rei responds to Usagi's thoughts about him, 'But he always seemed so cool as Tuxedo Mask.'
[17:02] <V-chan> "It doesn't take a mind reader to see that Mamoru's a lolicon," Minako replies to Ami.
[17:02] <Usagi-chan> "Sorry, Ami-chan. We were just talking about Mamoru-kun."
[17:03] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, nothing interesting there," Rei jokes.
[17:03] <Ninja_Ami> "Lolicon? No, you know what. You guys can go back to your conversation."
[17:03] * Usagi-chan turns to Rei. "I know, that's why I don't know what to make of him. He DOES seem kind of... dull when he's just Mamoru Chiba. But it's like there's still a part of me that's drawn to him, sort of."
[17:04] <V-chan> "Well, you know what I think," Minako says. "He's scary in either form."
[17:04] <Rei-chan> "He seemed really cool when I first met him. All mysterious and handsome, even as Mamoru-san, but when we dated..." she grimaces, "Ugh, it was like talking to a brick wall."
[17:04] * V-chan turns to look at Rei sharply. "You said you didn't have any boyfriends."
[17:05] <Usagi-chan> "I know what you mean. He's just... I don't know." Usagi pulls on her hair. "God, this is so annoying! I don't know what to do about him!"
[17:05] <Rei-chan> "We dated twice," Rei says, a little bitterly. "And I barely got more than monosyllables from him when we talked. That's a long way from a relationship."
[17:05] <V-chan> "He has no idea what he's missing," Minako says, smiling.
[17:06] * V-chan pats Usagi on her shoulder. "Dump him! Plenty of girls around! And guys! Whichever suits your fancy."
[17:06] * Rei-chan smiles. "Thanks," 'Minako is so sweet, I don't know what I did to deserve her...'
[17:06] * Usagi-chan sighs, but smiles as she hears Rei's mental comment.
[17:08] <Usagi-chan> "That's easy to say, Mina-chan, but I've never even HAD a boyfriend before Mamoru. Or a... girlfriend." Usagi blushes a bit at the idea.
[17:08] <V-chan> "I can set you up with someone," Minako suggests.
[17:08] <Rei-chan> 'I hope she doesn't mean Kotono...'
[17:09] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks for the offer, but it's okay." Usagi rests her head on her arms. "I'll figure it out, eventually."
[17:09] <Rei-chan> "Take your time," Rei pats Usagi on the shoulder, "You're young, you've got your whole life to figure it out."
[17:09] * V-chan ponders something, before frowning briefly, and thinking to Usagi, 'I need to talk to you about this later, in private.'
[17:10] * Usagi-chan looks up at Minako and focuses on her before replying. 'Um, okay... sure, I guess. Just let me know when.' "Minako, you're supposed to be the Soldier of Love - is it always this complicated and messy?"
[17:11] <V-chan> "It's not complicated!" Minako says, sighing happily and closing her eyes. "Love is a beautiful thing...."
[17:12] <Rei-chan> "You do fight for Love and Justice, after all. You should get to enjoy both," Rei grins.
[17:12] <Usagi-chan> "Everyone always says that, and I thought for a while I did love Mamoru-kun. It's just that now I'm not so sure anymore." Usagi sighs.
[17:13] <V-chan> "There is a way to find out. I think." Minako squirms in her seat.
[17:13] * Rei-chan looks at Minako curiously.
[17:13] <Usagi-chan> "What do you mean?" Usagi shares in Rei's curious glance.
[17:14] * V-chan squirms some more. "Can we talk about this some other time?" She darts a glance at Usagi's face. 'That 'when' time.'
[17:14] <Rei-chan> 'I wonder what that was about? Oh well, I trust them.'
[17:15] * Usagi-chan gets a sudden look of recognition. "Oh, of course! Just let me know later."
[17:15] * V-chan nods.
[17:18] <Rei-chan> ----------------------
[21:15] <Usagi-chan> As the senshi prepare to leave Usagi's room for their respective business, Usagi hooks Ami by the collar, preventing her from leaving. "You stay here, we need to talk for a minute." She does not look particularly happy at the idea.
[21:16] <Ninja_Ami> "OK," Ami shrugs. She waves the others out.
[21:17] * Usagi-chan sits down and sighs. "I am SO not good at this, but I suppose I'd better learn." She looks directly at Ami. "Is something going on that you're not telling us about?"
[21:18] * Ninja_Ami blinks. "What do you mean?"
[21:21] <Usagi-chan> "It's just that you've been acting kind of weird lately, like what you did to Minako, Rei and me last night in the temple. Why in the world did you soak us with freezing cold water like that? It's not like we never get into arguments or anything; we do fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but we've always worked things out before. Why did you do that?"
[21:22] * Ninja_Ami takes a seat, figuring she might be in this a bit longer than she thought.
[21:24] <Ninja_Ami> "Do you realize how hard it is to see you all of you acting like that, Usagi? After a while it gets tiresome, and even I lose my patience."
[21:26] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It's just not like you, Ami-chan. I know you've spoken up when Rei-chan and I have been fighting before, but you've never done anything that drastic. I can understand it being frustrating-it's no picnic for us either, believe me. It's just that doing something that extreme is kind of weird for you, and that's why I'm worried. Is there something going on at home you haven't told us about or something?"
[21:34] <Ninja_Ami> "No Usagi, nothing like that." Ami sighs. "You can't see it. You're looking at this from the inside, but I can see it. Everyone is changing, and not always for the better. Rei, Minako, you; each one of you keeps trying to take all the responsibility on yourselves. Rei was brainwashed. You couldn't have known what would happen when you went to the moon and even if we had been there with you, so what?"
[21:34] <Ninja_Ami> "Everything you've said points to the fact that we wouldn't have been able to stop the breakout anyway. But all of you keep blaming yourselves for things you can't control and its tearing you apart. I can't stand to see my friends hurting like that, Usagi."
[21:37] * Usagi-chan leans back on her elbows. "I can't blame you for that, I guess-I feel the same way. But drenching us with ice water is NOT going to make us stop doing whatever we're doing-all it does is get us upset with you. Minako was about ready to rip your head off when she talked to me this morning before we left for the Moon.
[21:39] <Usagi-chan> Even Luna mentioned she was really surprised at you for that-I mean, you've always managed to talk us down before, and it DOES help to have someone with a clear head talk sense into us sometimes. We do get lost in our own worries, and it's nice when you remind us what the real issue is. That's really the reason I'm worried about you; it's not that you wanted to stop us from arguing, it's the way you did it."
[21:41] <Ninja_Ami> "Did you even see yourselves? You were ready to rip each others' heads off. Again."
[21:42] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "I know. We've never actually gone that far before though, and even the worst fights we've had we've always managed to make up from. It might take a little while sometimes, but we've got a lot of practice." Usagi grins wryly.
[21:45] * Ninja_Ami grins back. "That's the Usagi I know and love. Sometimes..." her voice trails off.
[21:47] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I haven't gone anywhere; it's just like you said - I've had to deal with a lot of changes lately. I'm having a hard time, I'll admit it - but I'm not so tied up in my own problems that I can't take time to listen to yours. So come on, Ami-chan - we've known each other longer than any of the other senshi; you can tell me if you've got something on your mind. The only reason I could imagine you doing what you did is if something else was stressing you out."
[21:51] * Ninja_Ami ruffles Usagi's hair playfully. "I guess that was a bit mean, huh? Although you should have seen the looks on your faces," Ami giggles.
[21:52] * Usagi-chan gives her a mock frown. "You were lucky you COULDN'T hear my thoughts right around then. I was about ready to wring your neck myself."
[21:53] * Ninja_Ami summons the Mercury computer and visor, setting the visor on Usagi's head. "Watch," Ami grins, playing back the moment in slow motion.
[21:56] <Usagi-chan> "I can't believe you recorded that!" Usagi's voice is shocked... although she does have to supress a smile as she sees the look of outrage on Rei's and Minako's faces. The sight of her own face takes the smile off her face though. "Seriously though, don't do that again. If we ever get so bad that we won't even listen, maybe - but you didn't even try that last night." Usagi's expression now is one of clear disapproval.
[21:58] * Ninja_Ami uses her puppy dog eyes. "I'm sorry Usagi."
[21:59] * Usagi-chan nods. "That's better. I suggest you apologize to Rei-chan and Mina-chan too; I promise to tell Minako not to cut off your head though." Usagi grins.
[22:01] <Ninja_Ami> "Bah, like she could ever do that!" Ami grins. "Why, I'd have to do something like, oh, this?" Ami plays the video back again.
[22:01] * Usagi-chan gives the blue-haired genius a flat look. "I'm not laughing anymore - it really wasn't that funny."
[22:04] <Ninja_Ami> "Fine, fine." Ami banishes the visor and computer.
[22:05] <Ninja_Ami> 'I bet Makoto and Herb would laugh.'
[22:07] * Usagi-chan simply holds her stare, unblinking.
[22:08] * Ninja_Ami stares back. "What?"
[22:09] * Usagi-chan sighs and looks away. "Nothing."
[22:10] <Ninja_Ami> "Anything else, Usagi?" Ami asks, still feeling the battle from earlier.
[22:10] <Usagi-chan> "I guess that's all... oh wait, there was one other thing - senshi business. You got scans of all the artifacts we found, right?"
[22:11] <Ninja_Ami> "Of course," Ami says. "What about them?"
[22:12] <Usagi-chan> "There was one more, but I'm not going to pull it out unless I absolutely have to. I think I can sketch a picture of it for you to research though." Usagi pulls out a sheet of paper and slowly draws a fairly accurate picture of the Silence Glaive before handing it to Ami. "I don't know exactly what it is, but there was a strong sense of death around it when I picked it up."
[22:17] * Ninja_Ami looks at it, something familiar about it.
[22:18] <Usagi-chan> "If you or Luna insist on seeing the real thing, I MIGHT bring it out one more time-but I want both of you here if I do. I don't like handling it much at all, so I'd rather only have to do it once."
[22:20] <Ninja_Ami> "Hm. I don't think that will be a problem," Ami says. "I'll check into it when I do the other searches."
[22:20] * Ninja_Ami yawns.
[22:21] * Usagi-chan smiles as she sees Ami's yawn. "You and me both. I'm going to take a loooong nap at this point, I think."
[22:21] <Ninja_Ami> "I think I should go home," Ami mutters tiredly.
[22:22] * Usagi-chan nods. "Take it easy, Ami-chan. Just remember what I said-if you need to talk about anything, I'm always here to listen."
[22:23] <Ninja_Ami> "I'll remember that Usagi. And you remember that implies the same for you. Whenever you need to talk, I'm always there."
[22:24] <Usagi-chan> "I know. I think I'll be okay from here." Usagi manages a tired smile. "After all, if we can take out Metallia, these guys should be a piece of cake, right?"
[22:27] <Ninja_Ami> "Yep! We're the best!" Ami raises and heads for the door. "Later, Usagi."
[22:28] <Usagi-chan> "Later, Ami." Usagi gets up and flops down on the bed. "This has been one heck of a long day,." she mutters to herself.
[22:28] <Usagi-chan> ------------------------
[17:27] <Rei-chan> About half an hour later, Rei and Minako have returned to Hikawa Shrine, and are presently in Rei's bedroom.
[17:28] <Rei-chan> "Okay, so... training to be a miko, huh?" Rei racks her brain for a moment, trying to recall how she started off when she first came to live here so long ago.
[17:28] * V-chan nods happily.
[17:28] <V-chan> "Proper clothing is not a problem!"
[17:29] <Rei-chan> "Oh, robes!" Rei nods, "We're about the same size, so that's easy."
[17:29] * V-chan smiles at the thought of wearing Rei's clothing.
[17:30] * Rei-chan opens her closet to reveal several sets of her usual miko robes. Taking out two, she hands one to Minako. "Er..." she then pauses. On one hand, they are both girls, so it's okay to change in front of each other. On the other hand...
[17:31] * V-chan takes a robe. "So I just put it on over my underwear?" she asks.
[17:32] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it's just pants and a gi top, really," Rei says. "Um... I'll go change in the bathroom," she quickly exits, blushing.
[17:33] * V-chan looks confused for a moment, but then changes clothing. "Ah, how nostalgic," she says, used to using her compact for that.
[17:34] <Rei-chan> After a moment, Rei enters, similarly dressed. "Right, okay. Now, I'm still not sure how to start off your training..." she says thoughtfully.
[17:35] <Rei-chan> Slapping a fist into her palm, Rei speaks up, "I know! You can help me sweep the snow from the courtyard and steps. That will... well, I was always told it builds character, but monotonous tasks can also help you focus your mind towards something else." Rei doesn't sound entirely convinced of her own words...
[17:35] <V-chan> "Do I have to do it alone?" Minako asks, pouting.
[17:36] <Rei-chan> "I said you'd help me," Rei replies, frowning. "Come on, Gramps and Yuuichiro have both been complaining about me slacking off, so we might as well get this done."
[17:36] * Rei-chan leads Minako outside, stopping by the closet to grab two brooms.
[17:37] * V-chan takes one of the brooms.
[17:37] * Rei-chan stops and slaps her forehead. "Wait a minute. Brooms are for sweeping light snow and leaves. We'll need shovels for this," she then takes the brooms back and gets two shovels.
[17:38] <Rei-chan> "Okay, come on," she says, handing one to Minako.
[17:39] * V-chan looks at the shovel, and takes it, beginning to shovel snow away.
[17:39] <Rei-chan> "Just get it all in piles towards the edge of the courtyard," Rei tells her, also commencing with the shovelling.
[17:40] <V-chan> "Sure thing, Rei-chan!" Minako chirps.
[17:42] <V-chan> "This miko training thing is just like what the sempai do to people joining a club at school," Minako comments, working. "Only you're a nice sempai, since you're doing it with me."
[17:42] <Rei-chan> "Well, it takes half as long with both of us. And it builds character." Again, Rei sounds very doubtful on the 'character' bit.
[17:44] <V-chan> "Should we ask Ami to help us study for our entrance exam, Rei-chan?" Minako asks, sounding doubtful. "Or do you just want to do it with me?"
[17:46] * Rei-chan pauses. That sounded like one of those trick questions girls used to trap guys so they could have a pretense to yell at them for being insensitive. "Well, I'm sure we could get a lot done ourselves, but having the smartest girl in all Japan helping us would help us to do even better!" For some reason, Rei feels like she just said something dumb...
[17:48] * V-chan shrugs. "I guess," she says in that same doubtful tone, before brightening up. "I don't care about the details, as long as I get into Mugen with you, Rei-chan!"
[17:49] <Rei-chan> "Well, it'll take a lot of hard work. I wouldn't turn down any help," Rei says, continuing to shovel snow.
[17:50] <V-chan> "Did anything else happen to you after all this?" Minako asks conversationally. "Aside from the fire thing."
[17:50] <Rei-chan> "After all what?" Rei asks, trying to get Minako to clarify her question.
[17:51] <V-chan> "Well, any new powers that you suddenly got," Minako clarifies, turning to face Rei.
[17:52] * Rei-chan looks away. "I lost all the powers Metallia gave me. And I'm glad. They weren't worth it,"
[17:52] <V-chan> "Yeah," Minako agrees, downcast. "But... what if I did get something?"
[17:53] <Rei-chan> "You've got a new power? Like Usagi and her new psychic abilities?" Rei asks, looking over curiously.
[17:54] * V-chan draws a line in the snow with her toe. "Kinda. It's more like an old power unlocking itself, I guess."
[17:55] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei says, prompting Minako to elaborate.
[17:55] <V-chan> "It's... kinda weird." Minako looks away. "People might think I'm a freak."
[17:56] <Rei-chan> "Weirder than shooting laser beams from your fingers?" Rei asks, smiling.
[17:57] <V-chan> "Oh yes," Minako says with conviction, before nodding to herself. "But I've asked you to trust me a lot, and I should be doing the same thing. Well, more."
[17:58] <Rei-chan> "I'd never think you were a freak, Minako," Rei replies simply. It's the simple truth, after all.
[18:01] * V-chan raises her right hand high and summons her sword from subspace. As it appears, she slashes with it to the side, careful to avoid Rei, who stands next to her. The sword whooshes through the air, and white, feathery wings sprout from Minako's back, throwing her gi top open in the process.
[18:01] <V-chan> "Umm, surprise?" she asks timidly.
[18:04] * Rei-chan stares, goggle eyed, dropping her shovel. "Are... are they real?" she asks, raising a hand up towards the angelic wings.
[18:04] * V-chan twitches, and the wings move along with her motions.
[18:05] * Rei-chan gently caresses one of the wings. "They're so soft," she whispers, awed.
[18:05] <V-chan> "And ticklish," Minako giggles.
[18:06] <Rei-chan> "Oh," Rei blushes, dropping her hand, "Sorry. Wow... do they actually work? Can you fly?"
[18:08] * V-chan looks down sorrowfully. "Not that well." She flaps them, and lifts half a meter off the ground, floating there. "This is kinda my limit, now. But in the vision I saw...."
[18:09] <Rei-chan> "Vision?" Rei asks, looking up at the bra clad floating girl and thanking her lucky stars Usagi isn't around to spy on her current thoughts.
[18:10] * V-chan glides down to land next to Rei. Banishing her sword, she envelops the other girl in her wings. "I had one, when I first touched my sword in this life," she whispers, standing close to Rei.
[18:11] * Rei-chan sighs, feeling awfully intimate in this situation. "It's a good thing no one is likely to visit the temple today."
[18:12] <V-chan> "A very good thing," Minako says, leaning towards Rei.
[18:12] <Rei-chan> "I don't think we're going to get much work done, now," Rei whispers back, her lips now very close to Minako's.
[18:13] <V-chan> "What a shame," Minako replies, covering Rei's lips with her own.
[18:15] * Rei-chan eagerly returns the kiss, breaking it after a few blissful moments. "Yuuichiro can shovel the snow," she says breathlessly, before leading Minako back towards her bedroom.
[18:15] <Rei-chan> --------------------------

[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next day is cold, not as cold as the last but still below freezing. Large drifts of snow are about, and the city is mostly shut down - including school.
[08:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Therefore, the day is open for more Sailor business, like exploring the ruins of the Moon Kingdom.
[08:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> You meet at Minako's house in the late morning, refreshed and ready to go. Rei is absent, however.
[08:52] * Princess_Herb arrives, having been splashed by melting snow several times
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako's parents are around, both also home due to the freak blizzard.
[08:53] <Princess_Herb> "Hello there..."
[08:53] * V-chan greets her friends, introducing them to her parents.
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her mother politely greets each of you, happy to see Minako having friends over.
[08:53] * Princess_Herb bows to V-hime's parents.
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, dear," she says. "Good to meet you, it's nice to see Minako with more friends around."
[08:53] <Usagi-chan> "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Aino." Usagi smiles.
[08:54] <V-chan> "This is Usagi," Minako tells her parents. "My second best friend!"
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mom blinks for a moment. "Minako..." she says curiously, in a way that doesn't leave much doubt to her meaning.
[08:54] * V-chan shakes her head.
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, good. It's nice to meet you, Usagi."
[08:55] <V-chan> "Rei-chan is my bestest friend and no one could replace her!" Minako tells her cheerfully.
[08:55] * V-chan points at Ami and Herb. "They're my friends, too. Ami's really smart, and so is Herb!"
[08:55] <Ninja_Ami> "Hello Mrs. Aino," Ami echoes Usagi.
[08:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm glad to meet you, Ami, Herb," she says, bowing. "Such a nice group of friends my daughter has now..." she smiles.
[08:56] * Usagi-chan beams at the compliment.
[08:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just don't make a big mess, Mina," your mother says, bowing again and going back to her magazine.
[08:58] * V-chan turns towards Ami. "Say, could you help Rei-chan and me study for Mugen's entrance exams?"
[09:01] * Ninja_Ami blinks, then glances at Usagi. "Yes, of course."
[09:03] <V-chan> "Cool! We could go and tell her once we get back," Minako says, smiling.
[09:03] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Speaking of which, is everyone ready to go?"
[09:04] * Princess_Herb waits until the Aino parents are out of the way, and then passes V-chan her present. "My servants say that this is the best of the Venus-Mars manga. I hope you enjoy it."
[09:04] * V-chan nods. "Yeah. Let's just go somewhere private first, k?"
[09:04] <Princess_Herb> "Of course, your majesty."
[09:04] * Usagi-chan nods. "Lead the way, Mina-chan!"
[09:04] * V-chan blinks. 'They couldn't have found out so soon!' she thinks in horror.
[09:04] * V-chan grabs the manga, and stores it away in a subspace pocket, blushing.
[09:05] <Ninja_Ami> "The cats aren't coming?"
[09:05] * Usagi-chan giggles.
[09:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Manga, Rei and Mina?" Artemis laughs from where he's been by Mina's leg.
[09:05] <Princess_Herb> "Nian gets travel sick, so he's staying home to watch more TV."
[09:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm coming," Artemis says. "What about Luna, Usagi?
[09:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "
[09:05] <Usagi-chan> "And Luna said she didn't feel like coming this time. I think seeing the Queen kind of shook her up the last time."
[09:06] * Ninja_Ami nods. "I'm ready when you are."
[09:06] <V-chan> "Yeah, it couldn't have been pleasant," Minako says.
[09:06] <V-chan> "There's a quiet alley nearby," Minako says. "I use it to transform, sometimes. Let's go there?"
[09:07] <Usagi-chan> "Sounds fine to me. Just lead the way." Usagi nods.
[09:07] * V-chan smiles, and grabs Usagi's hand, dragging her there.
[09:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis follows, smiling at the antics.
[09:08] <Usagi-chan> "Whoa!" Usagi stumbles along behind Minako.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The alley is dark and quiet, as advertised. Only a few boxes litter the area.
[09:09] <Princess_Herb> "Dragon Prism Power Makeup!"
[09:10] <V-chan> "Venus Power! Make Up!" Minako commands, after looking around.
[09:10] * Usagi-chan glances around as well, and then closes her eyes in concentration.
[09:10] * Princess_Herb transforms into the silken-thighed champion of love and justice, Sailor Cutie Dragon!
[09:10] <Ninja_Ami> "Mercury Power! Make Up!"
[09:11] * Serenity-hime takes Minako's and Ami's hands. "Okay, ready when you guys are."
[09:12] * Sailor_Dragon takes Ami and Minako's other hands "Let's rock!"
[09:12] <Sailor_Mercury> "This is my first time," Ami mutters, grabbing Herb's hand.
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis hops on Venus's shoulder.
[09:13] <Serenity-hime> "Oh yeah. Just concentrate on going to the Moon, and shout 'Sailor Teleport' with the rest of us, okay?"
[09:13] <V-chan> "Think pleasant thoughts about my room!" Minako suggests, before crying out, "Sailor Teleport!"
[09:13] <Sailor_Dragon> "Three...two...one....Sailor Teleport!"
[09:13] <Serenity-hime> "Sailor Teleport!"
[09:13] <Sailor_Mercury> "Sailor Teleport!"
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Flash!*
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> -------
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once again, the ruined vista of the Moon spreads in front of you. You are in what looks to be the same area as yesterday, light from the Earth coming through cracks in the ceiling.
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a touch cold, but barely noticeable after the freezing you got yesterday.
[09:17] * Serenity-hime looks around and sighs. "Guess we've got a bit of a walk - this looks like where we were yesterday."
[09:17] <V-chan> "Might as well sight-see," Minako says, sighing as well.
[09:18] <Sailor_Dragon> "I wonder if my rocket plane is still around... we could use a bit of that to move around with." Sailor_Dragon says, thinking that the said rocket plane is probably scrap metal by now.
[09:19] * Sailor_Mercury summons the Mercury computer.
[09:19] * Serenity-hime looks around carefully, trying to get her bearings.
[09:20] <V-chan> "Say, Ami," Minako says, turning towards the blue-haired girl. "Did you find anything on that computer about the items we got, or notice any pictures of us in our past lives?"
[09:24] <Sailor_Mercury> "Not a lot, I'm afraid. Mostly just news articles which aren't very detailed, and the military files are encoded so its slow going. About the best I've found is that the Venus Sword is supposed to augument Sailor Venus' power somehow, but I have yet to find out how."
[09:24] * Sailor_Mercury shrugs. "It takes time."
[09:25] <V-chan> "And no luck on the pictures?" Minako sighs. "I guess there's one more reason to check out our old rooms, now."
[09:25] <V-chan> "If Usagi remembers someone wearing it a lot, they'd probably be photographed with the bracelet, too."
[09:26] <Serenity-hime> "Okay, I think I know how to get to the living quarters from here. This way, guys." Usagi motions the other senshi to follow her.
[09:26] * V-chan follows Usagi, while keeping on the lookout, just in case.
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The walk goes... occasionally, a tiny fragment of memory comes to the surface of each senshi, but nothing solid.
[09:29] <Sailor_Mercury> "I wonder if any of the tech up here still works," Ami says. She scans around a bit, hopeful for something to take back home.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury - The technology seems badly frazzled and ruined, only a few shards even remotely usable...if you had the tools and time to fix it.
[09:32] * Serenity-hime walks for several minutes before stopping to look around. "I think this was the hallway where all your bedrooms were."
[09:32] <Sailor_Dragon> "Only if you're looking for a long-term science project, Mercury-hime, I think." Sailor_Dragon smiles at the disappointed Ami. "But we'll have plenty of time to fill later on, I suspect!"
[09:32] <V-chan> "Let's check out mine first, then," Minako tells Usagi, before trying to recall where it used to be.
[09:33] * Sailor_Mercury makes her way to the room marked as Venus' in the plans.
[09:33] <Sailor_Mercury> "This should be it," Ami says, pushing the door open.
[09:34] * V-chan steps in, and takes a look around.
[09:34] * Serenity-hime stands in the doorway behind Minako and looks inside the room as well.
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, a spartan room with a bed, dresser and a few picture frames on the dresser is ahead.
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Quite a bit of free space is just empty, as if whomever lived there didn't care to decorate it.
[09:36] * V-chan looks at the picture frames first.
[09:37] <Sailor_Mercury> "Usagi, you stay with Minako?" Ami asks at the door.
[09:37] * Serenity-hime nods. "Just be careful if you two go looking around on your own."
[09:37] <V-chan> "And don't forget our communicators exist for a reason," Minako adds, smiling.
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the pictures are the image of Zoisite, a few with him and Kunzite.
[09:38] * V-chan scowls at the pictures, and smashes them against the floor.
[09:38] <Sailor_Mercury> "We will. Come on, Herb." Ami heads toward Mercury's old quarters.
[09:38] * Serenity-hime blinks in surprise. "What was that for?"
[09:39] <V-chan> "Not my kind of decorations," Minako says simply.
[09:39] * V-chan then moves to look inside the dresser.
[09:39] * Serenity-hime shrugs and continues to watch as Minako explores the room.
[09:41] * Sailor_Dragon looks at Ami-chan's old quarters.
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako - As you look around...."Hey, hurry up," someon calls. "Coming!" Princess Venus calls. "I can't be late to lunch, can I? The Princess will tar and feather me alive," mock seriousness is in her words.
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course not," the voice echos back as the real world returns.
[09:44] * V-chan sits down on the bed, thinking about the vision she got.
[09:45] * Serenity-hime enters the room, walking over to stand next to the bed. "You okay, Mina-chan? You looked a little out of it for a second there."
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - Your room is much as the last one, minus the picture frames. A bit of dust is about...
[09:46] <V-chan> "Just remembering you calling me for lunch. I think." Minako shakes her head. "Can you do that fuku to gown change again? Maybe it'll help."
[09:47] <Serenity-hime> "Sure, just give me a second." Serenity concentrates for a moment, and the gown disappears.
[09:47] <Sailor_Mercury> "Nothing worth salvaging here," Ami turns to leave. "Did you have a place on the Moon, Herb?"
[09:47] <Usagi-chan> "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[09:47] <Sailor_Dragon> "I...don't remember." Sailor_Dragon frowns
[09:48] <Sailor_Moon> "Okay, here goes..." Usagi concentrates, and a flash of light fills the room as she reappears in her lunar gown.
[09:49] <Sailor_Mercury> "Let's check out the other rooms." Ami heads toward Jupiter's quarters.
[09:50] <V-chan> "Do you remember visiting me here, Usagi... no, Serenity?" Minako asks.
[09:50] * Serenity-hime closes her eyes and tries to think back.
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - Your thoughs are disrupted by your communicator...
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Jupiter's quarters are the same as the last. Nothing of note is visible.
[09:52] * Serenity-hime pulls out the communicator and answers it. "Yes?"
[09:53] <Rei-chan> "Usagi, just wanted to let you know, I had an unwelcome visitor at the Shrine a minute ago," Rei says, her face appearing on the screen.
[09:53] <Serenity-hime> "Who was it? What's up?" Usagi wears a look of concern.
[09:53] <V-chan> "Rei-chan?" Minako asks, moving to look at the picture on Usagi's communicator.
[09:54] <Rei-chan> "Jadeite showed up. Seems he wants to set himself up as the new ruler of Earth," Rei smirks slightly, still not taking the possibility too seriously.
[09:54] <V-chan> "Is everything alright now?" Minako asks her.
[09:55] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, we talked a bit and he disappeared as usual," Rei reassures her, "But still..." she frowns, "There's a bad feeling in the air..."
[09:55] * Serenity-hime raises an eyebrow. "The same Jadeite we beat with only three senshi? Wonder what got into him..."
[09:55] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, he was pretty arrogant. I tried to tell him it's a stupid thing for a loser like him to aim for, but..." Rei shrugs, "Sometimes they have to learn the hard way."
[09:56] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "We taught him once, and we've come a long way since then. If he shows up again, we'll just have to take care of him."
[09:57] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah. He's not a big deal, but... I figured I should tell you. There is a foreboding sense I keep getting, so something big is in the offing. Though I suspect it has more to do with one of the other criminals than Jadeite."
[09:57] <V-chan> "Rei-chan?" Minako asks. "Can you ward off a room in the shrine, again?"
[09:58] <Rei-chan> "We still have that room warded from last time," Rei replies.
[09:58] <Serenity-hime> "Do you need us to come back? We're still on the Moon right now."
[09:59] * Rei-chan shrugs. "Take your time. If anything urgent comes up I can contact you again."
[09:59] * Serenity-hime nods. "Be careful, Rei-chan. We'll come see you when we get back then."
[10:00] <Sailor_Dragon> Sailor_Dragon wanders around aimlessly looking for something that will bring some sort of memories back.
[10:00] <Rei-chan> "Sure thing," Rei nods, closing the connection.
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon - You get a flicker as you glance at a old door..."I told you, do not shut the door when it's stuck! I had to fly through the window again," an irate man says..."Heh, it's good training, Prince..." another man says.
[10:02] * Sailor_Mercury wanders with Herb.
[10:02] <Sailor_Dragon> "Whoa! I had a memory there. That door always used to be stuck..."
[10:03] <Sailor_Mercury> "Guess that's a yes," Ami says. "Want to try that door?"
[10:03] <Serenity-hime> "Sorry, Mina-chan-I couldn't remember anything about meeting you here."
[10:04] * V-chan sighs. "Let's check out your quarters, then?"
[10:05] <Serenity-hime> "Let's wait for the others to finish up; my rooms are in another part of the palace. These are sort of like the guest quarters." With that, Usagi walks back out into the hallway.
[10:06] * V-chan shrugs, and goes to explore other rooms.
[10:08] * Serenity-hime simply waits in the hallway for the others to finish looking around.
[10:08] * Sailor_Dragon tries the old door to see if it still sticks after all these years
[10:08] * V-chan stops for a moment, and tries to recall whether she had her own secret passageway, like Makoto's room did, or any safe that only she would know about.
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Herb - The door is stuck, sure enough.
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Venus - You do not remember a secret passage off the top of your head.
[10:09] * Sailor_Dragon kicks in the door, feeling a certain sense of deja vu as she does so
[10:09] * V-chan sighs, and resists and urge to smack her head against a wall.
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door clatters down, making a loud noise in the otherwise quiet hallway.
[10:13] * Serenity-hime whirls around at the noise. "Herb! Don't do that, you scared me half to death!"
[10:14] <Sailor_Mercury> "Feel better?" Ami asks, wondering what the door must have done to Herb in his/her past life.
[10:14] * Sailor_Dragon nods. "That door and me had issues to settle from way back."
[10:15] * Sailor_Dragon goes in to see what's behind the door
[10:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, there are several smallish beds and a few dressers, looking like a simple dormitory room.
[10:20] * Sailor_Dragon inspects the dormitory casually.
[10:21] <Sailor_Dragon> "I don't know why, though. This hardly looks like a room for a Dragon Princess."
[10:22] * Sailor_Dragon inspects the dressers, looking in the drawers.
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the drawers, you find old female clothing...old and moldy..."Thanks, Grandmother," you chirp happliy, holding the bag of new clothes. "These are soooo nice!"
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - Your communicator goes off again.
[10:24] <Sailor_Mercury> "Hm?" Ami blinks, wondering who would be calling Usagi specifically.
[10:24] * Serenity-hime pulls it out and answers it. "Is that you again, Rei-chan?"
[10:24] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Usagi," Rei says, running a hand through her hair in a stressed gesture. "I've got really bad news, this time."
[10:24] <Serenity-hime> "What's going on?"
[10:25] <Rei-chan> "I tried to contact Mako-chan earlier, but there was no answer. I was a bit worried, so I did a fire reading on her, and it basically seems like she just vanished off the face of the Earth. And I have no clue who took her or why," Rei says, irritated at not having more useful information.
[10:27] * Serenity-hime blows out a long sigh. "Great, just great. First we get a dozen escaped criminals running around all over the place, and now Mako-chan's vanished completely. I'd ask what else could go wrong, but I don't really want to know at this point."
[10:28] * Rei-chan has a sheepish look, "Sorry," she says, not liking being the bearer of bad news.
[10:28] <Sailor_Dragon> "Ami-chan could tell you she was pregnant?" offers Sailor_Dragon
[10:29] <Sailor_Mercury> "..."
[10:29] <Serenity-hime> "It's not your fault, Rei-chan; thanks for letting me know." Usagi manages a smile.
[10:30] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I just don't know what we can do without any clues as to who took her or why," Rei says, clenching a fist.
[10:30] <Serenity-hime> "Me either. I don't even know where to START looking for her, especially if you can't even find anything with your meditation."
[10:31] <Sailor_Mercury> "Jadeite didn't say anything about her when he showed up?" Ami asks Rei.
[10:31] <Rei-chan> "No, and I saw Makoto was taken totally by surprise in her civilian form. There's no way Jadeite could know her identity," Rei answers Ami's question.
[10:32] <Sailor_Mercury> "Who else could? we killed everyone else that knew."
[10:33] <Rei-chan> "Maybe they didn't even know she was Sailor Jupiter? Maybe they took her for some other reason?" Rei sighs. "All I saw was her walking along, looking surprised, then vanishing. Next I saw her in a dark place, and I couldn't tell if she was just sleeping, or..."
[10:34] * Serenity-hime sighs. "Looks like we're due for a major meeting when we get back then. First Jadeite and that other thing, now poor Mako-chan..."
[10:34] * Rei-chan nods sadly.
[10:38] * Sailor_Dragon looks for the dragon princess' jewellery box
[10:40] <Serenity-hime> "We'll finish up here as quick as we can, then we'll meet at the shrine when we get back to Earth. I'll give you a call when we arrive, okay?"
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "Okay, see you soon," Rei replies, closing the connection.
[10:44] * Serenity-hime claps her hands sharply. "Okay everyone, we need to wrap this up quickly. If you're looking for something in particular, do it quick, but we're heading over towards my rooms in just a few minutes otherwise."
[10:45] * V-chan makes one last pass in her room, trying one more time before she's ready to give up.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako - As you walk the room..."Hey, Love Girl," An amused female voice calls. "Truth or Dare!" Damn it, she picked you again. "Truth," you say back, not willing to risk another incident like last time. "Okay, who do you have a crush on," giggles are heard...
[10:50] <Sailor_Dragon> "Roger that, Serenity-hime."
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> You glare at Cynthia. Of course she'd pick that..."I like..." the vision fades.
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon - As you pick and poke around the room, you see no trace of your jewelry box...Except in it's hiding place? You frown as that memory comes unbidden..
[10:52] <V-chan> "Cynthia...?" Minako says to herself.
[10:55] <Sailor_Dragon> "Hiding place..." Sailor_Dragon whispers, as the ancient memories come to the surface.
[10:55] * V-chan tries to put a face to that name.
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> You search your mind...but all that comes to mind is a feminine giggle, from your memory.
[10:57] * Sailor_Dragon looks at the wall, searching for the loose stone
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Poking at the wall, you finally find a slightly loose stone, ready to come out if noticed and pulled...
[10:59] * V-chan walks out into the hallway slowly.
[11:02] * Sailor_Dragon pulls the stone forth from the wall and looks into the hidey-hole behind it
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon - A small, carved wooden box is in the hole...something you haven't seen since you remember putting it there so someone wouldn't borrow your jewelry again...
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Venus - One last wisp of your vision surfaces... "And, so that's who I like," you say, smiling. Somehow, the other girls don't look surprised...
[11:07] * Sailor_Dragon takes the box and heads back to Serenity-hime.
[11:07] * Sailor_Dragon pops it in her subspace pocket for security.
[11:08] <V-chan> A worried expression comes over Minako's face briefly, before she shakes her head and moves towards Usagi.
[11:09] * Serenity-hime glances over at Minako for a moment, but shrugs. "All right, since we're all finished here let's go." She starts to set a brisk pace, walking towards another wing of the palace.
[11:10] * V-chan matches Usagi's pace, thinking to her once she's by her side, 'Do you remember anyone from our past lives? Anyone, who wasn't a senshi?'
[11:11] * Serenity-hime continues to walk. 'I DO remember one person... I got a few memories of her when I was here alone before. I think her name was Cynthia, but I can't remember much else about her.'
[11:13] <V-chan> 'All I get is a giggle.' Minako frowns. 'We knew each other fairly well, I think. All of us. Maybe she was a senshi after all... one of the other senshi?'
[11:15] <Serenity-hime> 'It's possible, I guess. I think I've seen one of the other senshi...' Usagi blanches slightly as she recalls the purple-suited senshi from her vision.
[11:15] <V-chan> "What's wrong?" Minako asks, noticing Usagi blanch.
[11:17] <Serenity-hime> "It's... well, what I saw just looked really ominous. I'm still not sure what to make of it."
[11:17] <V-chan> "An ominous... senshi?" Minako asks, not really understanding.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis, who until this point had remained in the background, speaks up. "An ominous senshi," he echos, curious. "What did you see?"
[11:20] <Serenity-hime> "It's hard to explain... You saw that weapon thing I found with Rei-chan yesterday, right Mina-chan?"
[11:20] * V-chan nods. "It seemed powerful."
[11:21] <Serenity-hime> "It felt like... death. And when I reached through the field to get it, I got these visions, sort of. I heard someone say "Death Reborn Revolution", and then I saw a senshi in a purple fuku standing near a bunch of asteroids out in space."
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis blanches and frowns, his face quite pale. "Death Reborn Revolution, you said?"
[11:22] * Serenity-hime nods. "I think so. I heard it twice."
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That ran a chill down my tail," the cat comments. "Like a bad omen."
[11:26] * V-chan snorts. "This is superstition, cat," she says. "Glaives don't kill people. People kill people."
[11:26] <Sailor_Dragon> "That sounds rather ominous, doesn't it?"
[11:27] <Serenity-hime> "Trust me, it was worse when I heard it." Usagi shudders. "Like I told Ami though, if you and Luna want to see the actual weapon, I'll take it out once so you can get a look at it. But I'm waiting until you two and Ami are there so I don't have to do it again."
[11:27] <Sailor_Dragon> "Hmm... Bigger weapons kill *more* though..."
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," the cat says. "I'm in no huge hurry to see it myself."
[11:28] <V-chan> "It belonged to a senshi, and senshi are the good guys." Minako shrugs. "That's all there is to it. Just because it's a bit big doesn't mean it's evil."
[11:29] <Serenity-hime> "It's not evil, just... I don't know. It's hard to describe."
[11:30] <V-chan> "Say, Usagi..." Minako starts. "You got hurt from that other stone box and Rei-chan had to warm you up, right?"
[11:30] <Serenity-hime> "Yeah, when I tried to open it as Sailor Moon." Usagi nods.
[11:30] * V-chan nods as well. "Did that energy feel... ominous?"
[11:31] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "Not really, it was just cold. VERY cold."
[11:32] <V-chan> "Which just goes to show that it's not the energy, either, but how you use it."
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking through more parts of the ruined palace, a few more shards come to the fore. All are trifling, except for one of Ami's...
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> She stops for several moments, shaking her head.
[11:33] <Serenity-hime> "Are you all right, Ami-chan?" Serenity stops to wait for the blue-haired senshi.
[11:34] * V-chan glances at Ami.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm fine," she replies. "I just had a memory come to the front of my mind."
[11:35] <Serenity-hime> "What was it about?" Usagi looks at her curiously.
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "An old grudge," she says, still a bit distracted.
[11:36] <V-chan> "With?" Minako asks, raising an eyebrow.
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A woman. I don't remember her name," she shrugs.
[11:37] <V-chan> "Cynthia?" Minako asks with a shrug.
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No, I don't think so, sorry." Ami furrows her brow. "I..can't remember the name."
[11:38] <V-chan> "It was worth a try," Minako says, shrugging once more. "She seemed like she got around much, back then."
[11:39] * Serenity-hime nods. "I wonder who she was..."
[11:40] <V-chan> "Do you remember how she looked like, or anything else about her? Or even over what the grudge was?"
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It was over....another person," she finally gets out.
[11:41] <V-chan> "The plot thickens," Minako says, grinning.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, let's get going," Mercury says, starting to walk again.
[11:42] <V-chan> "Truth or dare?" Minako asks suddenly, following Mercury.
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...Truth?" Mercury responds, blushing a bit.
[11:44] <V-chan> "Who did you like?" Minako asks, giggling.
[11:44] * Serenity-hime looks over at Minako and raises an eyebrow.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Did?" Mercury echos.
[11:45] <V-chan> "The person this grudge was over?" Minako says.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A guy, I think. Maybe," she says.
[11:45] <V-chan> Both of Minako's eyebrows rise. "Maybe?" she can't help but ask.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I just can't remember clearly," she finishes, sighing. "It's like a broken stained glass window; I can see a bit but most of it is too damaged to make out."
[11:48] <Serenity-hime> "I know what you mean. It's so frustrating to have so many holes in my memory - none of the stuff I can remember makes any sense, usually."
[11:49] * V-chan nods to that. "It sucks."
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope it was a guy, anyway," Ami murmurs, low enough that only Usagi hears it.
[11:51] <Sailor_Dragon> "I think it's for the best in some cases. If I ever get the memories back of my old self having hot sex with guys, it'll probably kill me..."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami blushes deeply. "Um...." she stutters at that, obviously embarrassed.
[11:53] * Serenity-hime matches Ami's blush. "I... think we'd better hurry up and get to my chambers."
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a bit more walking, you arrive at a formal sitting room in ruin. It looks to have been a front room for the Princess' chambers.
[11:55] <V-chan> "We'll have so much to clean up, if we ever want to restore this palace," Minako laments.
[11:56] <Sailor_Dragon> "Well, at least you'll have plenty of time, V-babe."
[11:56] <Sailor_Dragon> "I don't even know if my planet still exists..."
[11:57] <Serenity-hime> "I can imagine how beautiful it used to be though..." Usagi pictures the room as it probably looked during the Silver Millenium.
[11:57] * V-chan narrows her eyes at Herb, thinking, 'One of these days... only Usagi may call me that!'
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Princess, you have a visitor, Miss Cynthia..." The thought comes unbidden into Usagi's mind.
[11:58] <Serenity-hime> 'Cynthia... who WAS she?'
[12:01] * Serenity-hime shakes her head and looks around the room again.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the next room is a beautiful, small dining area and tables, all old and rotted.
[12:03] * Serenity-hime heads into the dining area, looking at the ruined furniture.
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> *Splat!* "I'll get you for that, Rei-chan!" says the eight year old Princess of the Moon, chucking her applesauce as her handlers look on in horror at her food stained gown....
[12:04] * V-chan follows Usagi, still fuming at Herb.
[12:05] * Serenity-hime laughs quietly. "I did get her, too."
[12:09] * Serenity-hime walks into the next room, still smiling at the previous memory.
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next room looks to have maybe been your bedroom...after a high powered being threw a temper tantrum.
[12:10] * V-chan takes a look around, having kept up with Usagi.
[12:10] * Serenity-hime winces as she sees the devastated room. "Somebody apparently didn't like my taste in decorating."
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The outer wall is completely gone, leaving only a few shards of stone in its place. The furniture is smashed into pieces, leaving only the barest bedframe.
[12:11] * Serenity-hime carefully walks over to the ruined wall, looking out at the former palace grounds beyond.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> You can see outward and below, showing what was a view into a small garden...
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> There looks like there should have been a balcony, but that is gone as well.
[12:12] * Serenity-hime sighs. "Beryl really did a number on this place."
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Envy, perhaps?" The still mostly silent Mau asks.
[12:13] <V-chan> "Or a fight that took place here."
[12:14] <Serenity-hime> "Maybe." Usagi turns away from the window. "So much was ruined and destroyed, and for what?"
[12:16] * V-chan runs her hand on what's left of the bedframe. "At least we won, in the end. And these are just things, and can be replaced."
[12:17] <Serenity-hime> "I know we won, but the whole fight seems so pointless. Why bother to take over the Moon if this is what they did to it? I mean, I can't imagine anyone LIVING in what we've seen, can you? It's like they just wanted to destroy everything here just because they could." Usagi shakes her head.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Look at what Rei did when she was directly under Metallia's influence," Artemis says. "Maybe it's not that surprising?"
[12:18] <V-chan> "Perhaps that's exactly what they wanted, Usagi," Minako says quietly. "And that's why we have to keep fighting them."
[12:20] <Serenity-hime> "I'm not saying we should stop fighting them... I just wish I understood why THEY were fighting us to begin with." Usagi shrugs slightly. "It might not matter in the end, but I can't help wondering."
[12:20] <V-chan> "The old line about understanding the enemy is way overrated," Minako says with a snort.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis looks away from the ruin. "Maybe we should just go home now?"
[12:22] <V-chan> "Might as well," Minako says. "Hop on, Cat."
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "This really depresses me, and it doesn't look like we'll find anything here now,"
[12:22] * Serenity-hime nods. "I suppose you're right, Artemis. There's nothing to be gained by staying here any more."
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis hops up on Minako's slender shoulder nimbly.
[12:22] <V-chan> "Don't let your paws stray," Minako warns him, before offering a hand to Usagi.
[12:22] * Serenity-hime takes Minako's and Ami's hands once again. "Ready when you are."
[12:23] * Sailor_Dragon joins the circle of hands.
[12:23] * V-chan twitches slightly, as Herb takes her hand, and makes a mental note to explain to him why calling her 'V-babe' is a really bad idea.
[12:24] <Serenity-hime> "Let's go straight back to the shrine, since Rei's waiting for us." Closing her eyes, she pictures the shrine in her mind before calling out. "Sailor Teleport!"
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I wouldn't go after a taken girl, Minako," he whispers as you teleport...
[12:24] <Sailor_Dragon> "Sailor teleport!"
[12:24] <V-chan> "Sailor Teleport!" Minako echoes her, thinking of Rei.
[12:25] <Sailor_Dragon> 'I wonder why V-babe is giving me such a funny look...'
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> You appear in Rei's bedroom, on her bed to be precise. She isn't in the room, however.
[12:26] * V-chan blushes, and scampers off the bed.
[12:26] * V-chan does her very best to shield the thoughts that come to her mind.
[12:27] * Serenity-hime hops down off the bed. "Not exactly where I had in mind, but it'll do." Usagi relaxes and lets her form change back.
[12:28] * V-chan gets as much distance as possible between her and Usagi, going to look for Rei.
[12:28] * Sailor_Moon looks down at her fuku. 'Huh? Oh yeah, that's right-I changed like this for Minako.'
[12:28] * Rei-chan opens the door just as Minako approaches it, and blinks at the new arrivals in her bedroom.
[12:29] * Sailor_Moon lets the other transformation slip, returning to her street clothes.
[12:29] <Rei-chan> "Uh... hi guys..."
[12:29] <V-chan> "I didn't mean to teleport into your bed, Rei-chan!" Minako blurts out, panicking.
[12:29] * Usagi-chan grins. "I think we missed by a couple of rooms when we teleported back."
[12:30] <Rei-chan> 'Damn, she must have been thinking of what we did yesterday...' Rei blushes. "Ah, it's alright... um, we can all go into the living room..." she leads them out of her bedroom.
[12:30] * V-chan walks after Rei, a bit rigidly.
[12:31] <Usagi-chan> 'What they did yesterday? No... I'm not going to ask, I'm not going to ask.' Usagi goes a bit red, and follows the other two girls out of the room as they leave.
[12:31] <V-chan> Minako's blush increases, and so does her speed.
[12:32] <Rei-chan> 'Oh, no! I forgot Usagi could read my mind! Hey, Usagi, we didn't do anything too serious, really, I swear!' Rei replies mentally, picking up Usagi's thought.
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami looks on at the scene, and shrugs, following.
[12:32] <Usagi-chan> 'It's... okay, I trust you guys.' Inwardly, Usagi thanks the fates that she can't pick up on mental images.
[12:33] * Rei-chan blushes deeper as she takes a seat in the living room.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, Jadeite showed up again," Artemis asks from his perch on Minako.
[12:33] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway... what's been happening while we were gone?"
[12:34] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I pretty much told you everything that happened when I called earlier. We talked a bit, he made some vague threats, then left," Rei shrugs.
[12:34] * Princess_Herb wonders why all the other sailors except Ami have gone pink.
[12:34] * V-chan drops the transformation, sitting down next to Rei.
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis hops off Minako's shoulder, opting for her lap instead. "And about Makoto?"
[12:35] <Princess_Herb> "Oh! Mars-hime, I brought you a manga you might like. My servants say it's a good one..." Herb bows and gives Rei-chan the Mars/Venus doujin.
[12:35] <V-chan> "Yeah, what about Makoto?"
[12:41] <Usagi-chan> "She's... disappeared. You know how she wasn't answering her communicator? Apparently she got taken by someone, but we don't know who or why, or where she is now."
[12:42] * V-chan blinks. "Damn. And here I was thinking it wasn't anything major...."
[12:42] <V-chan> "Is she okay?" she asks after a short pause.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan looks over at Rei-chan, who is sitting in embarrassed silence. "Apparently... I only know what Rei-chan told me, and from what she saw apparently she wasn't hurt, or at least not anything major."
[12:45] * V-chan glances at Rei as well. "How do you know this much, though?"
[12:48] * Sailor_Anastasia waits for Rei.
[12:52] <Rei-chan> "Well, I called Mako-chan, and after getting no response, I meditated on the Sacred Fire to see what it would reveal. I told you what I found out," Rei says, studiously ignoring the perverted manga. 'I cannot believe Herb is such a pervert! If I wasn't so worried about Mako-chan, I'd... I don't know what I'd do, but I just can't believe he'd do something like that at a time like this!'
[12:54] * Usagi-chan works on maintaining a strict poker face. 'Easy there, Rei-chan. He didn't know before we got here.'
[12:55] * Rei-chan looks up at Usagi in surprise, before calming her expression. 'Even so, what the hell is he thinking? Did he think I'd like to see myself and Minako turned into pathetic sex objects for drooling idiots like his two 'servants'?'
[12:56] <V-chan> 'Didn't know what?' Minako asks Usagi, curious.
[12:58] <Usagi-chan> 'About Mako-chan and Jadeite. He was looking around both times Rei-chan called me.' Usagi replies.
[13:00] <Rei-chan> "Anyway," Rei says, trying to get back on track, "I was wondering if maybe Ami could track Mako-chan's communicator with her computer?"
[13:02] <V-chan> "Your vision," Minako meanwhile asks. "Do you think you have enough of an impression of the place Makoto was taken, to teleport there?"
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I should be able to," Ami replies, starting to work on the Mercury Computer.
[13:02] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "I couldn't see any details at all. It was totally dark," she says apologetically.
[13:03] <Usagi-chan> "It's okay, Rei-chan; I know you tried your best." Usagi gives her a reassuring smile.
[13:04] * Rei-chan gives a wan smile in response, "I can't force the Fire to reveal more, only it decides what to show me."
[13:05] * V-chan looks down at Artemis. "Do you think we could do it, though? Concentrate... oh, I don't know, on our transformation pens and try to teleport over to a person, not a location?"
[13:06] <Rei-chan> "I remember I concentrated on Usagi when we teleported to the Moon after all the criminals got loose," Rei chips in.
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis frowns... "Maybe," he says after several seconds of thought. "Assuming no adverse conditions and perhaps a higher energy burn..."
[13:07] <V-chan> "And we did end up near her," Minako agrees. "Even though we had no idea where she was." She returns her gaze to Artemis. "So can it be done?"
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You... could try." he shrugs. "I'd try less extreme means first, though. Can Rei sense her?" he asks.
[13:08] * V-chan files the knowledge away for later, and glances at Rei.
[13:09] <Rei-chan> "Even with the fire helping me I couldn't get much, but I can try," Rei offers, reaching out to sense Makoto's aura.
[13:10] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[13:10] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:10] * Usagi-chan sighs. 'I wish I was able to do stuff like that.'
[13:11] <Princess_Herb> "Why are you sighing, Usa-chan?"
[13:11] <V-chan> 'I hope I can do that soon, too!' Minako thinks, looking at Rei in awe, before smiling mischievously. 'Perhaps in a few more training sessions....'
[13:12] * Usagi-chan smiles over at Minako. 'At least you've got someone who can train you. I don't have a clue what to do about what I can do.'
[13:13] * Rei-chan is concentrating intently, and misses Usagi's mental messages.
[13:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> You reach out, your mind soaring over the city...
[13:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> For a split second, you feel something, but you feel another force block you, restoring blank status quo of the city. Someone is shielding...
[13:15] <Rei-chan> "Dammit," Rei curses, "I did feel her, she's somewhere in the city, but someone else blocked me before I could locate her." She stops, frowning for a moment, "Someone with considerable skill..."
[13:16] <V-chan> "Would it help if we tried to concentrate as well and help you, Rei-chan?" Minako asks.
[13:16] <V-chan> "Kinda like... well, a psychic planet attack?"
[13:17] <Rei-chan> "It might..." Rei ponders, "If you can join your powers to mine, like we did for the planet attack, and if I guide it, we should get past that shielding..."
[13:18] <V-chan> "Any suggestions for how to handle this, Artemis?" Minako asks.
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If someone can block Rei from sensing...I don't know if power will break through. If it's affecting Makoto's aura at the source..."
[13:19] * Rei-chan deflates, "That's also true... but what else can we go on?"
[13:19] <Usagi-chan> "How exactly do you focus like that, Rei-chan? Maybe there IS something I can do."
[13:20] <V-chan> "This seems like an excellent moment for our esteemed advisors to advise," Minako mentions with a frown. "Not to criticize every plan we can come up with."
[13:21] <Rei-chan> "Well... you did say you can sense energy now, Usagi? Makoto's energy is similar to all of ours, so you could try sensing for anything similar to us out there?"
[13:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well...it's just that if Makoto's being contained at the source, it may not matter how much power you throw. You're aiming at the wrong target, basically." he shrugs.
[13:22] <Usagi-chan> "Worth a try, I guess." Usagi studies the other girls in the room for a moment, trying to get a better idea of what to look for.
[13:23] <Princess_Herb> "Can we look for physical traces instead? Maybe we could track by scent or something?" Herb says, as he brainstorms ineffectually
[13:23] * V-chan recalls something, and asks Ami, "Got anything yet with your computer?"
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I just am," she says, sighing. "Makoto's communicator is in her apartment."
[13:25] * Rei-chan sighs. "Great. Why did she have to leave home without it the one time she gets kidnapped..."
[13:26] <V-chan> "Can you ask the Sacred Fire specific questions, Rei-chan?" Minako asks.
[13:27] <Rei-chan> "I can try, but it normally just shows me what it thinks I should see. Trying to force visions is rarely helpful," Rei sighs.
[13:28] <V-chan> "Well, we could try to find out whether those who kidnapped her mean her any harm," Minako says. "And whether they are with the Dark Kingdom, or... well, something else entirely."
[13:28] * Princess_Herb nods
[13:28] * Usagi-chan is fairly still through all of this, slowly giving each of the other girls a rather intent look.
[13:29] <Rei-chan> "Okay, I can try meditating on it some more," Rei says, rising, "I don't know how long I'll take, though," she says as she leaves the room.
[13:31] * V-chan grabs the dojinshi Herb had brought, and hides it in her subspace pocket as well, not wanting it to fall into others' hands.
[13:31] <V-chan> "Wait for me, Rei-chan!" Minako calls out, running after the priestess. "I wanna see how it works!"
[13:32] <Rei-chan> "Okay, you can sit in. Just don't distract me," Rei says, entering the Shrine itself.
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the temple, Rei sets up, ready for another session in front of the Fire.
[13:35] <Rei-chan> "It's very important to meditate with a clear mind," Rei tells Minako as she sits, "If you're distracted, it won't reveal anything."
[13:36] * Rei-chan begins to chant softly, focusing on learning more about the people who kidnapped Makoto.
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> You focus...and focus....
[13:37] * V-chan tries to memorize Rei's actions.
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mind reaches out, beyond the constraints of your body and into the ether beyond...
[13:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako - the Flame roars and burns, arcing higher than you usually see.
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> You are over the city...
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The buildings below are nothing but dots and specks to you now...
[13:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> As if a rotten patch of skin on the surface of the city, you see a part start to glow...green, sickly light glows and rushes forward!
[13:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako - To your shock, the Flame jumps even higher and glows green for a moment before Rei gasps out loud.
[13:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You feel your sight pushed back, from a force below...it's strong mentally. Very strong.
[13:41] * Rei-chan pushes back, using all her spiritual power to its fullest.
[13:42] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3
[13:42] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 9."
[13:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your will clashes with the will of the green light...finally, both separate, unable to gain an edge on the other.
[13:45] * Rei-chan takes a moment to identify where the green light is coming from in the city below.
[13:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's quite bright now, and it's coming from a very densly packed area of Tokyo...someone in the center, with reasonably upscale apartments. It's a very wide radious, though.
[13:46] <Rei-chan> Having gotten an idea of where to look in the real world, the white haired miko draws her astral presence closer to the green light once more, seeking to communicate with it instead of battling it.
[13:48] <Rei-chan> "You have taken my friend. Why?" Rei asks the aura, keeping her guard up in case it interprets her attempt at dialogue as a weakness.
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel the thought flying to the other aura...
[13:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> And no response. Instead, it vanishes entirely, leaving you floating and waking up...
[13:51] * Rei-chan growls at the rebuff, turning to Minako. "I have an idea of where they're holding her, but didn't get much else," Rei says through gritted teeth.
[13:51] <V-chan> "Right!" Minako heads towards Rei, patting her on the shoulder. "Let's grab the 'cats and go check out ground zero?"
[13:52] * Rei-chan nods, standing up and returning to the living room where everyone else is.
[13:52] * V-chan walks alongside Rei.
[13:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk back, you hear the end of an interesting conversation...
[13:58] * V-chan freezes, entering the living room. 'There are more?' she can't help but think, shocked.
[13:58] <Rei-chan> "Worry about what, now, Usagi?" Rei asks, entering the room with Minako and catching the thought.
[13:58] * Usagi-chan looks up in surprise. "Huh? Oh, nothing that serious-I'll tell you some other time, okay?"
[13:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis takes a look at Minako and blushes deeply.
[13:59] <V-chan> "Why are you blushing, Artemis?" Minako asks, half-histerically. "What's there to blush about?"
[13:59] * Rei-chan notices the perverted manga is gone. 'I bet they all looked at it. Those perverts. I look nothing like what I get drawn as in those...'
[14:00] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a horrified look. 'You mean you've gotten them before now?'
[14:00] <V-chan> "Gotten what?" Minako's eyes dart between Rei and Usagi.
[14:01] <Rei-chan> 'I've seen a few at conventions,' Rei replies with a mental snort, 'I try to ignore them. I prefer my porn to be about people I don't interact with on a daily basis, far less about myself.'
[14:01] <Princess_Herb> "I apologise, Mars-hime. I shall select something more suitable as a present next time, now that I know your tastes better."
[14:01] * Rei-chan coughs, "Anyway, I have an idea of where Mako-chan is now," she says, hoping to get off the topic of hentai manga.
[14:02] <Princess_Herb> "Forgive me this time."
[14:02] * V-chan looks at Usagi, thinking about the look that passed between her and Usagi, plus the word 'tastes'.
[14:02] <Rei-chan> "Hmmph," is all Rei says in response to the cross-dressing prince.
[14:02] <Princess_Herb> "Really? That's excellent news!" Herb says, brightening up
[14:03] * Usagi-chan gives Minako a puzzled look. "What?"
[14:03] <V-chan> Minako's sword arm twitches, and she flexes it a few times, before relaxing. "Later," she voices. "For now, let's go and look for Makoto."
[14:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...er..." he stutters.
[14:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis finally settles on blushing and laying down.
[14:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------------------

[18:42] * Rei-chan walks along towards the Juuban shopping district, dressed in her cute pink dungarees and yellow sweater underneath a light jacket, enjoying the calm weather after the past few days as she heads out to get some new manga. She is just nearing the Crown arcade, when...
[18:43] * Usagi-chan bursts out of the arcade, caught in a fit of the giggles, and runs directly into Rei, knocking both girls to the ground.
[18:43] <Rei-chan> "Ack!" Rei cries, falling on her rear.
[18:44] <Usagi-chan> "Owww!" Usagi tears up, not quite wailing yet. "That really hurt!"
[18:45] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it wasn't a picnic for me either, Dumpling Head," Rei replies, not unkindly, as she stands up, dusting off her rear before offering Usagi a hand.
[18:46] <V-chan> "Are you okay, Rei-chan?" Minako asks, concern written over her face.
[18:46] <Usagi-chan> "Sorry, Rei-chan - guess I still need to look where I'm going more." Usagi makes a face and lets the taller girl help her stand.
[18:46] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Minako," Rei waves her free hand as she pulls Usagi to her feet, "I'm fine, really."
[18:47] <Rei-chan> "So, what are you two up to?" Rei asks, once Usagi is upright once more.
[18:47] <V-chan> "Are you sure?" Minako asks, staring at Rei's bruised behind. "Maybe you should get that looked at."
[18:48] * Rei-chan blushes. "Ah... that's quite alright, Minako..."
[18:48] <V-chan> "If you say so, Rei-chan," Minako tells her doubtfully.
[18:48] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Not in public, V-chan!" Usagi slaps Minako's arm lightly.
[18:48] * V-chan looks at Usagi in confusion.
[18:49] * Rei-chan can't keep a smile from her face, in spite of her blushing.
[18:50] <Rei-chan> "Anyway, what's up with you guys?" Rei asks again, "I was just going to go buy some manga. The new Nakoyashi is out today."
[18:50] <Usagi-chan> "We're going to go make some perverts pay for their crimes!" Usagi declares in answer to Rei's earlier question.
[18:51] <Rei-chan> "Perverts? Crimes?" Rei narrows her eyes, 'Has Minako been talking about Artemis again?'
[18:52] * V-chan nods at Usagi's words. "We met here completely by accident, and then didn't talk a bit on things that are bothering us, when we spontaneously decided to go punish perverts in high heels!"
[18:52] * Usagi-chan giggles at Rei's mental comment. "Not Artemis..." As Minako finishes, she rolls her eyes.
[18:53] <Rei-chan> "Oh...kay..." Rei nods slowly, "What perverts, and what did they do?" 'I wonder what's up now? I hope Minako isn't going back to keeping a load of secrets like she used to...'
[18:54] <V-chan> "Well, Artemis is a pervert," Minako replies, babbling again. "And he tries to be perverted a lot, though most of it is just words. And Herb's a pervert, and why does he keep on calling me his V-babe when I told him it was a bad thing to do?"
[18:54] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It's not like it's a big secret, Mina-chan. She was trying to help me figure out what to do about Mamoru - I'm just really confused about that whole thing right now."
[18:55] * Rei-chan looks between the two girls, feeling rather lost. "Herb does tend to act inappropriately quite a bit," she says to Minako, before turning to Usagi, "I'm sure you'll figure things out before long." 'I have no idea what's going on...'
[18:57] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, we got to talking about those doujins that Herb gave you and V-chan - it's just not right! So we're going over to make sure those creepy servants of his have gotten rid of every last one of them!"
[18:57] <V-chan> "I disbelieve them doing it," Minako says with conviction.
[18:58] * Usagi-chan nods sharply in agreement.
[18:58] <V-chan> "I have a sword and I'm willing to use it," Minako adds.
[18:58] <Rei-chan> 'I am so not asking about what makes Artemis perverted.' "Yes, I'm still angry at Herb giving me that perverted manga. I hate the thought of his perverted pals looking at pictures of us, even ones that don't look much like us, and getting their jollies..." Rei shudders as she finishes speaking.
[19:01] * Usagi-chan focuses on Rei and thinks. 'Trust me, you DON'T want to know about Artemis. All I'll say is that I'm making sure I know where Luna is from now on.'
[19:01] <Rei-chan> 'You're right, I didn't want to know. Thanks,' Rei gives Usagi a fake smile as she thinks this.
[19:02] <V-chan> "I bet all the perverts are reading that manga. I bet Artemis already did." Minako scowls. "He kept on looking at me, then blushing."
[19:03] <V-chan> "He handles all my merchandise! I know I didn't authorize this stuff!" she yells, grabbing one of the dojins from subspace and waving it around.
[19:03] <Usagi-chan> "But he's a CAT, Mina-chan... oh." Usagi goes bright red as she realizes what she just said.
[19:03] * Rei-chan shudders. "It's just not right. We save the Earth, and we get treated like pathetic sex objects. People should show us the proper respect." Her eyes widen with alarm at the sight of the dojin in Minako's hands.
[19:04] <Rei-chan> "Minako! Put that away!" Rei hisses, looking around.
[19:05] * V-chan fumbles with the dojin, and it falls on the ground, opening to a picture of Mars and Venus holding each other in the rain, their fukus transparent.
[19:06] <Usagi-chan> "Minako!" Usagi grabs the offensive book and shoves it into her own subspace pocket. "Do you want everyone in Juuban to see that?"
[19:06] <Rei-chan> 'At least there aren't tentacles in that one...' Rei thinks to herself.
[19:06] <V-chan> "They already have!" Minako buries her face in her hands.
[19:06] * Usagi-chan goes scarlet at Rei's thought.
[19:07] <V-chan> "That's not the way things went at all," she protests, shaking her head. "Venus was the one who went after Mars, not the other way around."
[19:08] * Rei-chan sidles up to Minako and clamps a hand over her mouth, "Minako, I love you dearly, but if you don't stop talking about that, I will have to do something... unpleasant."
[19:08] * Usagi-chan stares at Minako. "You mean you actually READ it?" 'Shut up Usagi, you don't want to know any more about this than you already do...'
[19:09] * V-chan shudders, and glomps Rei. "I'm sorry, Rei-chan. I just couldn't help myself! I had to know what they're writing about us!"
[19:10] <Rei-chan> 'And I certainly never tied up Minako and whipped her until she called me Queen like they have me do in half those things...' "I know, Minako. It upsets me too," Rei says, rubbing her back comfortingly.
[19:10] * Usagi-chan turns to stare at Rei. "Not you too!" 'Shut UP already, odango brain!';
[19:10] <V-chan> "If this is the best, most tasteful thing out there, I'm gonna cry," Minako whines.
[19:11] * Rei-chan looks unapologetic. "I wouldn't have such a strong opinion against them if I hadn't seen how bad they were for myself," she answers reasonably.
[19:14] <Usagi-chan> "I don't care how bad they are! I just want them to... to not BE! I don't want people thinking about Sailor Moon... about ME like that!" Usagi hisses.
[19:15] <V-chan> "I don't want people to think Venus is cheating on Mars," Minako adds.
[19:17] <Rei-chan> "I don't like them either," Rei replies calmly, "But there really isn't much I can do to stop them." A rebellious mental voice points out that people would be a lot more respectful if they could remember Sailor Mars nuking half of Tokyo, but Rei quickly clamps down on it, feelings of shame washing over her.
[19:17] <V-chan> "I can stop them," Minako says suddenly. "It's about my power."
[19:18] <Rei-chan> "Power?" Rei blinks, still on her own thoughts of destruction... 'She's not going to shoot Crescent Beams at everyone who buys those dojin is she?'
[19:19] <V-chan> "Forget I said anything!" Minako says hurriedly, letting go of Rei in record time.
[19:19] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. 'It's not anything THAT drastic, Rei-chan,' she thinks.
[19:19] * Rei-chan blinks, surprised and a little hurt at Minako's reaction. "Oh..." is all she says.
[19:20] <V-chan> "Yeah," Minako says, staring at the ground.
[19:20] * Usagi-chan turns her thoughts towards Minako. 'You know, you're going to have to tell her about your power sooner or later.'
[19:21] <V-chan> Minako shakes her head firmly. "No."
[19:22] * Rei-chan backs away a few steps. "Well... I guess I should be going, then... I'll leave you guys to... whatever it is you're doing..." she says, sounding a little distant.
[19:22] <Usagi-chan> "Hold on a minute, Rei-chan." Turning back to Minako. 'Tell her! How do you think she feels right now, knowing that you're keeping something secret from her?'
[19:23] * Rei-chan has brief flashback of when Metallia showed her Minako declaring her love for Usagi... 'No... they wouldn't do that...' she tries to convince herself.
[19:23] * V-chan shivers, and her eyes dart between Rei and Usagi.
[19:24] * Usagi-chan groans out loud. "Either you tell her, or I'm going to. You decide."
[19:24] <Rei-chan> "If... if there's something you two need to tell me... you should just get it out," she says sadly, "I promise I won't react... badly..." She remembers herself killing both Usagi and Minako in Metallia's dreamscape...
[19:25] * V-chan walks over to Rei, and hugs her, not saying anything.
[19:25] <Usagi-chan> "Just something I think Minako needs to tell you herself." Usagi crosses her arms and watches Minako, tapping her foot impatiently.
[19:26] <Rei-chan> 'Oh, god... she's trying to let me down gently...' Rei thinks, using all her self control to keep from bursting into tears.
[19:26] <V-chan> "I'm terrified," Minako says quietly. "You could hate me for real. And I love you, so if you hate me...."
[19:26] * Usagi-chan sighs. 'Rei-chan, you're overreacting. It's nothing that bad, really.'
[19:27] * Rei-chan looks at Minako in confusion, "I don't understand," she says, calming slightly at Usagi's mental message.
[19:28] <V-chan> "There are no bad senshi weapons or powers. That's what I believe." Minako sighs. "But I don't think there are those that are purely good, either, in anyone's hand."
[19:28] * Rei-chan winces, "I know that better than anyone, Minako..."
[19:29] <Usagi-chan> "Spit it out, Minako! If you don't, I will!" Usagi frowns.
[19:29] <V-chan> "I can't!" Minako protests.
[19:30] <Usagi-chan> "Stop being silly! You have no reason to be embarrassed about what you can do at all!"
[19:30] <Rei-chan> "What is it?" Rei asks, her violet eyes gazing into Minako's golden ones, "Why can't you tell me?"
[19:31] <V-chan> "Because I don't want it to stop," Minako whispers. "Because I'm a selfish person."
[19:32] * Usagi-chan snorts, and turns her mind to Minako. 'She trusts you, Mina-chan, and you can trust her. Tell her.'
[19:32] <Rei-chan> "Minako... whatever it is, it can't be worse than anything I've done. I promise I won't think less of you, no matter what you tell me," Rei says, her voice developing a pleading edge.
[19:33] <V-chan> "I can make people fall in love," she finally tells Rei, looking away.
[19:34] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei replies, eloquently.
[19:34] * V-chan holds Rei more tightly, not speaking any more.
[19:35] <Usagi-chan> "She can make two people fall in love with each other if she wants to." Usagi sighs.
[19:36] <Rei-chan> "How? Like... brainwashing them?" Rei asks, her expression unreadable and her thoughts buried deep.
[19:36] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It doesn't sound like it, from what she told me. I don't exactly understand how it works myself, to be honest."
[19:37] * V-chan stiffens.
[19:37] <Rei-chan> "Then how does it work, Minako?" Rei asks, still sounding carefully neutral.
[19:39] <V-chan> "It's not brainwashing. I need to be at full strength for that," Minako mumbles. "It's... manipulation. Little things. Bigger things, as I get stronger."
[19:41] <Usagi-chan> "So it's kind of like making the feelings two people have for each other stronger? If they weren't already a little bit in love, it wouldn't work then?"
[19:41] <Rei-chan> "Have... Have you used it on anyone?" Rei asks, her control slipping a little. 'Please let the answer be no, oh god, please let it be no...'
[19:41] <V-chan> "No."
[19:43] <Usagi-chan> "Calm down, Rei-chan, I don't think it's anything to be worried about." 'Damn it! I should never have made her say it... but if I hadn't, what would Rei-chan have thought? Aaargh, I hate having to make decisions like these!'
[19:43] * Rei-chan breathes a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding. "Thank god," she whispers, stroking Minako's hair.
[19:44] <V-chan> "Do you love me?" Minako asks quietly, not looking at Rei's face.
[19:46] <Rei-chan> "Yes," Rei kisses Minako's forehead gently. "It's just... I was scared. Having had my own head messed with, I wouldn't wish it on anyone."
[19:47] <V-chan> "Your head... was messed with?" Minako asks suddenly.
[19:47] * Rei-chan blinks. "I sure didn't serve Metallia because I thought it was a good idea myself," she answers incredulously.
[19:48] * Usagi-chan bites her nails nervously. 'God, I should never have said anything... I'm such an idiot!'
[19:49] <V-chan> "I hate my power. I never should've gotten it. I was wrong... it wouldn't be cool at all to be able to do this...."
[19:50] <Rei-chan> "That's why I was so relieved when you said you hadn't used it," Rei says, still hugging Minako, "A person's free will should never be compromised."
[19:51] * V-chan lets go of Rei. "I think you deserve someone better."
[19:51] * Usagi-chan slaps her forehead. 'Mina-chan, what are you doing?!'
[19:52] <V-chan> 'I can't tell her! I won't tell her!' Minako thinks back sadly.
[19:52] * Rei-chan laughs bitterly, "I don't deserve anyone at all, Minako. But for some crazy reason you actually love me," her expression then becomes softer, and she blushes slightly, "And that... makes me happier than anything..."
[19:57] <Usagi-chan> 'You hear that, Minako? She LOVES you - and she can't even understand why you, much less anyone else, love her back! That sure doesn't sound like someone being influenced to me!' Usagi thinks to Minako.
[20:00] <V-chan> "Maybe I did it to you," Minako tells Rei, trying to smile and failing. "How would you know?"
[20:01] * Usagi-chan blows out a long sigh. 'Well, it's out in the open now, for better or worse.'
[20:09] * Rei-chan narrows her eyes. "So that's it?" she asks softly, looking down. When she lifts her head, unshed tears are visible, glistening on her eyes. Her hand rears back, and flashes forward to slap Minako across her cheek.
[20:09] <Rei-chan> "I know," Rei chokes out, "Because I can feel it in here," she thumps a hand against her chest. "When Metallia corrupted he, my mind was singing out how wonderful it was, but my soul was dead inside. What we shared the other day at the Shrine... I could feel it in the deepest part of my soul, that this is right. You can't fake that, Minako."
[20:11] * Usagi-chan nods solemnly.
[20:14] <V-chan> "I was so afraid that I did something, because deep down I wanted you to want me back." Minako sniffles. "I thought more and more about how terrible I was, just like Metallia... I couldn't trust myself anymore...." Tears appear in her own eyes, and she wipes at them clumsily. "I promised not to cry, and I broke that promise too, now."
[20:15] * Rei-chan steps forward and embraces Minako, "And I told you it's alright to cry," she says quietly.
[20:16] * Usagi-chan steps back to give the two lovers a bit more privacy.
[20:16] * V-chan cries on Rei's shoulder, hugging the other girl.
[20:17] * Rei-chan just holds Minako, silently encouraging her to get it all out. 'Why do I always have to be the strong one?' she asks herself.
[20:20] * Usagi-chan smiles sadly. 'Because you ARE strong, Rei-chan. But that doesn't mean you don't get to feel. If you need to cry too, go ahead - no one's going to think any less of you for that.' Usagi sends to the white-haired priestess.
[20:21] * Rei-chan blushes slightly, having forgotten that Usagi could read her mind. 'I'm scared if I start crying, I won't ever stop...' she sends back, sadly.
[20:22] <Usagi-chan> 'Everyone has to cry sometimes, Rei-chan, even you. Just let it go.' Usagi nods to the miko.
[20:24] <Rei-chan> 'No... I have to be strong,' Rei sends back, continuing to comfort Minako.
[20:25] * Usagi-chan sighs mentally. 'You have to let go sometime, Rei-chan. If not now, then later. If you don't feel like you can talk to Minako about it, you can always talk to me.' Usagi smiles as she thinks to Rei.
[20:26] * V-chan pulls back halfway, and brushes a finger against Rei's cheek.
[20:26] <Rei-chan> 'I'll... I'll think about it. Thanks, Usagi,' Rei sends back, smiling at Minako, "Feeling better, now?"
[20:27] <V-chan> "I always feel better when I'm with you," she replies truthfully, managing a smile.
[20:28] <Usagi-chan> 'Just let me know when you want to talk, Rei-chan.' Usagi smiles. "I'll let you two have some time alone-I think you could use it." She waves to the pair and starts walking back towards her home.
[20:30] * Rei-chan shakes her head bemusedly, "I can't really understand why, but I'm glad." 'Okay, Usagi. But remember, we still have to deal with Herb's perverted friends.'
[20:30] <V-chan> "I hate burdening you with my troubles all the time," Minako says apologetically. She leans over to Rei and kisses her lightly. "I'll make it up to you, okay?"
[20:31] <Usagi-chan> 'I haven't forgotten about those two... but they'll keep for a while. You two enjoy yourselves... just not too much okay?' Usagi punctuates her thought with a mental giggle.
[20:32] * Rei-chan smiles, 'I know, I know. We'll keep it within reason,' she sends back. "So, Minako, we seem to have the day free to ourselves, what do you want to do now?"
[20:35] <V-chan> "I want to have a date with Rei-chan!" Minako proclaims, smiling at her girlfriend.
[20:36] <Rei-chan> "That sounds good to me. Any idea where to go?" Rei asks, removing herself from the hug and taking Minako's hand in her own.
[20:38] <V-chan> "There's a romantic milkshake with our names on it somewhere in this city," Minako replies with a smile.
[20:40] <Rei-chan> -----------------------
[20:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a nice afternoon. Spending the morning at home relaxing is always a nice change of pace, isn't it? Luna is napping the day away in your lap while you watch TV and die in the Sailor V game too many times to count. Damn, that last Mafia level is hard...
[20:50] * Usagi-chan frowns in concentration as she tries to master the tricky double-jump-and-shoot move in the middle of the level.
[20:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, lunch is ready," your mother calls, causing you to look up ever so slighty and send Sailor V to a bloody demise.
[20:52] <Usagi-chan> "Aww man... All right Mom, I'll be there in a sec!" Usagi turns off the game and TV and heads into the kitchen to see just what lunch IS today.
[20:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the kitchen is a sandwich and juice, a simple meal. You notice a small, mini tuna sandwich is waiting for Luna.
[20:54] * Usagi-chan smiles as she sees Luna's sandwich. "I still can't believe you're insisting that Luna eat at the table with us, Mom."
[20:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles as Luna tears into the fish sandwich. "I can't have her eat off the floor now, can I?"
[20:56] <Usagi-chan> "It's not like she's not used to it by now." Usagi grins. "Besides, I don't want cat hair getting in my food." She sticks her tongue out at the black cat.
[20:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna's response is lost around a large bite of fish.
[20:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi," your mom starts, sitting down besides you.
[20:57] * Usagi-chan takes a large bite of her sandwich, mumbling around it a bit. "Hmm?"
[20:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What..." she starts, but pauses as if she's choosing her words. "What is it like to do what you do now?"
[20:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her expression is vaguely worried, but mostly interested.
[21:01] * Usagi-chan thinks for a moment. "It's... it's kind of hard to describe. It's scary in some ways, and exciting in others."
[21:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "And... what was causing all the monsters? Do you know?" she asks.
[21:04] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Well, just before I first told you guys about me being Sailor Moon, they were all coming from a place called the Dark Kingdom. Like I said then, we managed to beat the force behind the Dark Kingdom, called Metallia."
[21:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dark Kingdom? It sounds creepy," she declares, shivering slightly.
[21:09] * Usagi-chan nods. "It definitely is that. I've been there a couple of times now, and even with nothing left there it's still seriously spooky."
[08:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is it a real kingdom on Earth," she asks, curious. "It isn't some alien world?"
[08:14] * Usagi-chan smiles. "It's not on Earth, but it's not exactly alien either. It's on the Moon."
[08:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mom blinks, but before she can answer, the doorbell rings. "Could you get that, Usagi," she politely asks, smiling.
[08:18] <Usagi-chan> "Sure thing!" Usagi jumps up and runs over to the door to answer it.
[08:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Opening the door, you see that Minako, aka Sailor V, aka Sailor Venus, has come to pay you a visit.
[08:19] * Minako waves at Usagi. "Are you busy?" she asks, looking inside curiously.
[08:20] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Not really, I was just talking with my mom. She was curious about some of the things we've done, so we were talking about it while we had lunch. Want to come in?"
[08:20] * Minako shrugs. "Sure."
[08:21] * Usagi-chan shouts back to the kitchen. "Mom! Mina-chan's here-can she stay for lunch with us?"
[08:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Don't shout, Usagi," she chides you. "Yes, she may stay for lunch, dear."
[08:22] * Usagi-chan beams. "Thanks a bunch, Mom!" Usagi heads back to the table and sits down to take another big bite of her sandwich.
[08:23] <Minako> "If you're free after lunch," Minako says, following Usagi, "we could get Rei-chan and go on our special mission."
[08:23] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. Sure, sounds good to me."
[08:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Minako," Usagi's mom greets you, as she shuffles at the counter making a sandwich.
[08:24] * Minako waves at Usagi's mom, just as she had at Usagi, earlier.
[08:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods back, as she finishes the sandwich and gives it to Minako. "So, Usagi," she says, picking up the conversation where she left off, "A special mission?" she asks, changing gears as she hears that.
[08:26] <Minako> "A new menace threatens Tokyo," Minako gravely announces.
[08:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really?" Ikuko looks up, worried. "Will there be more monsters?"
[08:27] * Usagi-chan laughs. "It's nothing THAT serious, Mom. We've just got some... publicity work to take care of."
[08:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Publicity? Do you talk to reporters, dear?"
[08:29] <Minako> "I never knew Tokyo had so many perverts," Minako says, a frown marring her features. "Rei-chan's right. We save the world. It's just not fair."
[08:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi's mother looks up sharply. "Perverts?" She rushes over to Usagi and holds her by her shoulders. "Usagi, these perverts aren't coming after you, are they? ARE THEY?"
[08:30] <Usagi-chan> "Not reporters." Usagi frowns. "We found out that there are people putting out hentai stuff about us, so we're going to go put a stop to it!"
[08:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> She twitches three times. "Hentai...about my little girl..." she twiches again...
[08:31] <Minako> "Yeah, what a way to find out," Minako whines. "Betrayed by a fellow senshi...."
[08:32] <Usagi-chan> "Not after we're done with them," Usagi scowls. "I'll make them pay for writing that kind of stuff about me!"
[08:32] * Minako blinks suddenly. "Making them pay. Haven't thought of that."
[08:32] * Minako smiles.
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "THOSE PERVERTS!" she roars, suddenly waving around a kitchen knife. "HOW DARE THEY!"
[08:33] * Minako hides behind Usagi in a flash.
[08:34] <Usagi-chan> "Mom! Calm down!" Usagi looks panicked.
[08:34] <Minako> "Quickly, purify your mom!" she whispers into the blonde's ear.
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I WILL NOT CALM DOWN! THOSE PERVERTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF MY LITTLE GIRL!" The knife waves once, twice, with quite a bit of energy and vigor.
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her eyes almost radiate heat, and if you didn't know better, you'd say they were on righteous fire.
[08:35] <Usagi-chan> "Just put... the knife... down, please." Usagi backs away from her mother slowly. "We're going to take care of it, I promise - there won't be any more of that perverted stuff when we're done. Just calm down, please?"
[08:36] <Minako> "Yeah, we have a foolproof plan!" Minako adds from behind Usagi.
[08:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> She takes a few deep breaths, and goes back to her normal, tranquil state. "I hope so, girls," she says with a smile, as if she never lost her temper in the first place.
[08:37] * Usagi-chan breathes a sigh of relief. "If we can handle youma, I don't think any stupid perverts are going to give us much trouble."
[08:37] * Minako peeks from over Usagi's shoulder.
[08:37] <Minako> "Is it safe?" she asks.
[08:37] * Usagi-chan nods.
[08:38] <Minako> "It's a good thing your brother isn't one of those perverted Sailor Moon fanboys," Minako says, returning to her seat. "Or who knows what kind of stuff might be hidden in his room...."
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko twitches again.
[08:39] * Usagi-chan twitches at the exact same moment her mother does.
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Excuse me, dears," Usagi's mother says, leaving the kitchen. "I suddenly have a urge to clean Shingo's room."
[08:40] * Usagi-chan rolls up her sleeve. "I'll help." She storms out of the room, following her mother.
[08:40] <Minako> "Was it something I said?" Minako asks, before following Usagi with a shrug.
[08:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'd just stay out of the way," Luna opinions from her now empty lunch plate.
[08:41] <Minako> "I'm good at hiding!" Minako quips, as she leaves stealthily.
[08:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna shrugs, going after the other lunches once the kitchen is bare. "I could get used to this..."
[08:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> -------
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Twenty minutes later, Shingo's room has been THROUGHLY cleaned and inspected by two rather fervent Tsukinos.
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> And Usagi found one thing - a amateur comic of Sailor Moon...The cover is a picture of her posing against a full moon. Clothed, much to your relief.
[08:45] <Minako> "Ooh, how cute!" Minako exclaims, peeking over Usagi's shoulder again.
[08:45] * Usagi-chan scans the comic, looking for so much as a HINT of perverted content.
[08:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> It is the story of a brave heroine - Sailor Moon - and her four sidekicks as they fight youma across Tokyo. While there are panty shots and one bath scene with Sailor Mars(chest only, at least), it's clean by the standards of a doujin. Fanservicy, but clean. And not all that badly drawn.
[08:47] * Usagi-chan frowns and tosses the comic back on the bed. 'I suppose I shouldn't be TOO surprised, but it wasn't that bad.'
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother reads it after you throw it to the bed. "Yes, I suppose it's no worse than many other manga..." she says, as if trying to convince herself.
[08:48] <Minako> "Are we your sidekicks?" Minako asks Usagi.
[08:50] <Usagi-chan> "That's not how *I* think of you guys. You're all my teammates, not my sidekicks."
[08:51] * Minako nods. "That's the only thing that bothered me. Well, that and the bath scene. You don't take baths with Rei-chan, do you?"
[08:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko twitches again at mentioning that.
[08:51] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "The only time was when we went up to the hot springs, but we were with Mom for that one too."
[08:52] <Minako> "I wish I could've been there," Minako says wistfully. "It was probably as good as Hawaii." Sobering up suddenly, she adds clumsily, "Well, without the youma attack and stuff."
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hmmm," Ikkuko pipes up. "This seems to be one in a series of books," she says, as she reads over the back cover.
[08:53] * Usagi-chan sighs as she recalls her failure at the hot springs again, which ended up landing her mother in the hospital.
[08:54] <Minako> "Is the tuxedoed one there?" Minako asks Ikkuko.
[08:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Tuxedoed one?" she asks back.
[08:55] * Usagi-chan snaps out of her thoughts in time to hear her mother's last comment. 'Oh no...'
[08:55] <Minako> "You know, the college guy who shows up in a cape and--" Minako shudders, "--tuxedo."
[08:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A college guy," she asks. "Is he that much older than you other girls," she asks, curious.
[08:56] <Minako> "Pretty sure he's as old as Motoki-oniisan," Minako says with a shrug.
[08:56] <Minako> "Don't they study together, Usagi-chan?"
[08:57] * Usagi-chan covers her face with her hand. "Yeah, I think they do."
[08:57] <Minako> "So, does he appear in the manga?" Minako presses on.
[08:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," Ikkuko comments. "He showed up after the bathhouse youma ruined Sailor Mars and Moon's bath," she says.
[08:58] * Minako twitches. "He peeked at Sailor Moon-chan and Sailor Mars-chan?"
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, I suppose he might have. He was there to help deal with a monster," she says.
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Now that I think about it, neither of them looked happy to see him..." she murmurs.
[09:00] <Minako> "He never helps." Minako snorts.
[09:00] * Usagi-chan continues to blush. "As if explaining this wasn't complicated enough... thanks a lot, Minako." Usagi mutters.
[09:01] <Minako> "Huh? You say something, Usagi?" Minako asks, turning to look at the blonde.
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Usagi," she prods, curious.
[09:06] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It's a really, really long and complicated story, Mom."
[09:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why don't we go discuss it over a nice cup of tea in the living room, then," she says.
[09:08] * Usagi-chan sighs. "All right... but compared to this, being Sailor Moon is easy to swallow."
[09:08] <Minako> 'I'll need to give Usagi's brother a few manga-drawing tips,' Minako thinks, following Usagi.
[09:09] * Usagi-chan shoots Minako a lethal glare. 'Don't you dare, Minako Aino. He's bad enough as it is.'
[09:10] <Minako> 'Huh?' Minako blinks. 'What's wrong?'
[09:11] <Usagi-chan> 'No manga-drawing tips for Shingo-baka, got it?' Usagi follows her mother down the stairs and into the living room.
[09:11] <Minako> 'But he must realize Sailor V's lasting dreams of a vacation in Hawaii!' Minako complains mentally.
[09:12] <Usagi-chan> 'We'll get to Hawaii, Mina-chan - I promise. Just be patient!'
[09:13] <Minako> 'I'll try. He does need Aino Minako's Fabulous Tips on Staying Alive and Drawing Sailor Manga, though.'
[09:14] * Usagi-chan simply shakes her head and sighs.
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the living room, you are confronted by a dangerous thing - a curious mother.
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, Usagi," she asks, giving you her attention.
[09:18] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I'm not even sure I know where to start on this one. I guess who he is is as good a place as any. His name is Mamoru Chiba, and he's a student at Azabu Tech."
[09:19] * Minako uses her compact to transform into Mamoru. "Hello, I like to fight in formal dining wear."
[09:19] * Usagi-chan covers a giggle as she sees Minako change herself into the dark-haired student.
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko twitches again. "YOU'RE A GUY, TOO," she sputters, grabbing and shaking Minako.
[09:21] <Minako> "It's a gift," faux-Mamoru replies airily.
[09:21] <Usagi-chan> "Calm down, Mom! She's just got something that lets her disguise herself. I do too, actually." Usagi smiles.
[09:21] * Minako transforms back to her normal self. "That's all there is about him, really. Motoki-oniisan is way cooler." Glancing at Usagi, she adds, "No offense."
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE PERVERTS, TOO!" she screeches, still shaking Minako.
[09:22] * Usagi-chan stands up and takes her mother by the shoulders. "Mom, stop it! Minako isn't a pervert!"
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hearing Usagi, she deflates, letting Minako go.
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...sorry," she says to Minako, sitting down again.
[09:23] <Minako> "I just thought a visual aid would help," Minako says in a hurt voice.
[09:23] <Usagi-chan> "Guess you should have warned us first." Usagi smirks. "No harm done though."
[09:23] * Minako pouts.
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, yes," she says. "So, go on, Usagi."
[09:28] <Usagi-chan> "Well, like you saw in the manga he's got a secret identity too - Tuxedo Kamen. And I'll admit, back when I first met him - Tuxedo Kamen, that is - I had the most gigantic crush on him." Usagi smiles at the memory.
[09:29] * Minako shivers at a mental image of a tuxedo-clad guy.
[09:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother nods, allowing you to go on.
[09:31] <Usagi-chan> "It was... right before we went to the hot springs when I actually found out that Mamoru was Tuxedo Kamen... as well as a lot of other stuff." Usagi sighs. "He got taken by the Dark Kingdom then - that's why I was so depressed."
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Taken? He wasn't tragically turned into a villain that opposed you only to be brought back by the power of love and friendship," she asks, a hint of amusement in her voice.
[09:32] * Usagi-chan puts on a quirky smile. "Funny you should say that, actually..."
[09:32] <Minako> "And a healthy dose of smack-down," Minako adds.
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really," she asks, rather embarrassed. "I was joking."
[09:34] <Minako> "He's just so weak," Minako explains. "All he's got is an extendable cane. That's no match for the feelings of righteousness burning in our hearts and our energy napalm."
[09:34] * Usagi-chan giggles, then becomes solemn as she turns back to her mother. "You actually saw him once after he was taken. Do you remember the man in armor who appeared at the hot springs?"
[09:34] <Minako> "Oh, right," Minako says, smacking her forehead suddenly, "when they used him for evil, his cane couldn't extend."
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> She frowns, obviously not liking to remember that incident. "I...I think I might," she says.
[09:35] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "That was him... except he was called Endymion then." She sighs. "And THAT's where the story gets really weird."
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "How strange, Usagi?"
[09:37] * Usagi-chan tries to think of a good way to say it for a moment, then just rushes into it. "Because that's who he was thousands of years ago when he was the prince of Earth and I was the princess of the Moon and we were in love with each other." She blurts out in a rush.
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko blinks a few times, trying to take that in. "Princess of the Moon, the same evil moon where those monsters came from," she says, trying to sort it out for herself.
[09:39] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It wasn't evil back then. The Dark Kingdom invaded it a really long time ago and took it over - Luna knows more about that than I do, but it was a beautiful place before then."
[09:39] <Minako> "No, the Moon was good," Minako says. "It just had a bad case of being conquered."
[09:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right," she says in a tone that says she doesn't get it. "Go on."
[09:40] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, Minako and Rei and Herb managed to get him back from the Dark Kingdom for a while, but he got taken again right before we beat Metallia. He's back to normal now, but I haven't seen him at all since then." Usagi looks down.
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wow," she finally says, stunned by all that.
[09:43] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah," Usagi says in a rather small voice.
[09:45] <Minako> "I hope he wasn't brainwashed a third time," Minako mumbles to herself.
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And...you are a Princess.." she murmurs, as if not believing it.
[09:47] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "The reincarnation of one, at least. I used to be called Princess Serenity."
[09:48] <Minako> "But we're different people, now," Minako says. "We just happen to have really cool powers."
[09:49] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Minako's right. No matter what else I am, or who I used to be, I'll always be Usagi Tsukino."
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course, Usagi," she smiles, glancing at her watch. "Oh no, I'm late for the neighborhood meeting!" she says, annoyed. "Can we pick this up later, girls?"
[09:50] <Minako> "As long as we don't talk in the kitchen," Minako agrees.
[09:50] <Usagi-chan> "Of course!" Usagi goes over to give her mother a hug. "Thanks for being so understanding about all of this, Mom."
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," she says, returning the hug briefly before dashing out.
[09:55] * Usagi-chan sits in silence across from Minako for a few minutes. "I've decided. I'm going to go talk to Mamoru today. I can't keep putting it off forever."
[09:56] <Minako> "Good luck!" Minako chrips, patting Usagi on the shoulder.
[09:56] * Usagi-chan smiles weakly. "Thanks... I'll be sure to let you know how it goes."
[09:57] <Minako> "Great! And I'm going to... well, talk to Rei-chan today. Hopefully. If her grandfather's out."
[09:58] * Usagi-chan shakes her head and smiles. "All right, have fun! I'll give you a call when I get done, and then we can see about taking care of Herb's servants." Usagi grins.
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Going out, Usagi," Luna asks, coming into the room.
[09:58] * Minako nods. "Sure thing! Call my cell, okay?"
[09:59] <Usagi-chan> "Will do, V-chan! What's your number again?"
[10:00] * Minako rattles off the number, and leaves with a wave.
[09:58] * Usagi-chan nods to Luna. "It's time I went to talk to Mamoru and settle things between us."
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna nods back, carefully. "What do you plan on doing, Usagi?"
[10:01] * Usagi-chan waves to Minako as she departs, then turns to Luna. "To be honest, Luna, I don't exactly know myself. But things are just too awkward right now - we need to talk, figure out where we stand, you know?"
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I suppose so, yes," the Mau agrees simply.
[10:03] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath, her fists clenched in determination. "Right! So I'm going now." With that she puts on her coat and strides out the front door of the house.
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is still quite a bit of snow around, but the roads and the sidewalks are mostly clear so travel isn't an issue.
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> A while later, you arrive at his apartment. Knocking on the door several times produces no Tuxedo Kamen, however.
[10:05] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Figures... the one time I go looking for him, I can't find him. Let's see..." She thinks for a moment, then brightens up. "I bet Motoki-oniisan would know where to find him!" With that, she turns her steps towards the Crown Arcade.
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Crown Arcade is bustling today, full of teenagers and noise.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan works her way through the crowds, looking for Motoki's familiar blond head.
[10:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> It takes a few minutes for Motoki to be found, as a gaggle of teenage girls are taking his attention. They are circling him like vultures of love, obviously smitten with him.
[10:09] * Usagi-chan waves to try to get Motoki's attention. "'niisan! Over here!"
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks up, seeing you before the girls get his attention again. He sends you a desparate look, a look that speaks of getting him away from the crush of 14 year old admirers.
[10:12] * Usagi-chan forces her way through the throng. "Excuse me ladies, I'm DYING for one of Motoki-oniisan's famous triple fudge milkshakes, so you'll have to let me borrow him for a few minutes." Taking Motoki by the elbow, Usagi attempts to drag him towards the counter at the front of the arcade.
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girls give you a combined look that speaks of feminine death and destruction, but it works.
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thanks, Usagi," he says, grinning.
[10:13] * Usagi-chan grins up at the older boy. "You owe me one for that, 'niisan. But I might have to cash it in right away."
[10:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um, right," he says. "Let me get you that milkshake," he dashes off to get the promised drink.
[10:14] <Usagi-chan> "Wait!" Usagi pulls on his elbow. "I kind of don't have time for that right now..." She shuffles her feet a bit. "Do you... know where Mamoru is right now?"
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mamoru? He's been spending the last few days at this one cafe nearby," he says. "What, are you looking for him for a hot date," he teases, smiling.
[10:17] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Just tell me where it is, okay? I really need to talk to him about some stuff," Usagi replies, not rising to the bait.
[10:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He's at the Greenleaf Cafe," he says. "It's a few blocks down."
[10:19] * Usagi-chan gives Motoki a small smile. "Thanks, Motoki-san - now I owe YOU one. I'll see you later, okay?" Usagi waves and bustles out of the arcade, leaving Motoki at the mercy of his fanclub.
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Greenleaf Cafe is a modern looking place, with metal and plastic for the decor. It's primarily an internet cafe.
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sure enough, Mamoru is found at a back table, sipping a cappuccino and staring off into space.
[10:23] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath to steady herself and approaches the table where Mamoru is seated. She puts a hand on the back of the chair across from it and pulls it out, taking a seat. "We... need to talk."
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> It takes a few seconds for him to notice you, and when he does, he merely nods calmly.
[10:26] * Usagi-chan breathes out a long sigh, then gives Mamoru a wry smile. "I came all this way to talk to you, and now that I'm finally here I don't even know where to start." She rests her face in her hands and looks up at him. "What are you thinking right now?"
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I was remembering taking you out to your garden one night, after we snuck away from our rooms," he says, smiling. Something about his voice is different, older...
[10:28] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I've remembered a few things like that myself. We really were in love back then, weren't we?"
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," he says, sipping from his drink. "How much of it do you remember, Usagi?"
[10:30] <Usagi-chan> "Not a whole lot, to be honest. I still get bits and pieces coming back to me all the time though."
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," he says.
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I've gotten...more since this happened."
[10:33] <Usagi-chan> "How much more?" Usagi looks at him curiously.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Smiling, he responds to you in a tounge that is beyond you understanding, but sounds deeply familiar. "Very much more," he says after that.
[10:35] * Usagi-chan gives Mamoru a slightly puzzled look. "I could swear I've heard that before somewhere..."
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's the language spoken back on the Moon in it's prime, Princess," he says. "It's not really close to anything currently spoken."
[10:36] * Usagi-chan grins wryly. "That would explain why it sounds familiar then. Sounds like you DO remember a lot more than I do." She sighs.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think I remember the vast majority of things now," he says, gravely. "Also...I remember my time with the Dark Kingdom now."
[10:38] * Usagi-chan gives him a level gaze at his last statement. "And?"
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's funny, almost. Three lives now...a Prince of Earth, a normal student in Tokyo, and a Prince of the Dark Kingdom. It's quite a lot."
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> "Four for you, then-unless you don't count Tuxedo Kamen. Three for me is bad enough."
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh, I guess so," he says, sipping again at his drink.
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And... I'm going away for awhile soon, Usagi," he says without any lead-in.
[10:42] * Usagi-chan looks up in surprise. "You are? Why?"
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I can't handle being around you girls right now..." he sighs. "I want to protect you, kill you, and rule you all at once. I need to get away from all this and decide what I'm going to do now...and what I feel for you."
[10:45] * Usagi-chan looks down at the table. "That's... kind of why I came to talk to you. I don't know whether I should throw myself into your arms or watch you every minute to make sure nothing happens to you." She closes her eyes. "I won't lie, Mamoru - I'm afraid. I don't know what to do anymore..." A tear slides down her cheek.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Serenity," he murmurs, wiping your face with a napkin. "You beat Metallia...you're a strong girl. You'll be fine no matter what you do, alright?" he smiles.
[10:48] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "But I'm not Serenity any more! I used to be her, and I can still feel part of her inside me, but that's not who I am now! I'm Usagi Tsukino!"
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> He still smiles, a sad, calm smile. "You are Serenity, just like Mamoru Chiba is Endymion."
[10:51] * Usagi-chan shakes her head again, more angrily this time. "I am NOT! I'm not going to deny that I used to be Serenity, but she is NOT going to determine who I am now! My name is USAGI!" Usagi shouts the last word.
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> His smile doesn't waver. "Call yourself whatever you want, but you're still the Princess of the Moon. Or the Queen now, if it matters." he laughs. "Well, I should be going now," he gets up suddenly, his face much more business like. "Frankly, I want to both hug you and gut you, and I don't think either is appropriate."
[10:53] * Usagi-chan simply sits there trembling, too worked up to even answer the man.
[10:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Be strong, Princess Usagi," he says as he leaves. "Until I return from Hawaii." he walks out, leaving you sitting by yourself.
[10:55] * Usagi-chan drops her head on her arms and starts crying her heart out. 'So I was right...'
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> -------
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami - It's a nice afternoon, you think. While still cold and snowy, the worst of it is over now.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk home from a small matter that needed to be dealt with, you notice that you're thirsty...and a cafe is reasonably close by. The Greenleaf Cafe, it reads on it's sign.
[11:02] * Ninja_Ami goes in. Tea sounds nice right now.
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking in, you notice that most of the crowd inside is discreetly watching a girl sobbing her heart out. A girl that you know very well, Usagi Tsukino.
[11:04] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi?" Ami says, surprised. She approaches the girl quickly and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Usagi?"
[11:05] * Usagi-chan continues to sob, not paying any attention to the voice calling her name.
[11:06] * Ninja_Ami pulls up a seat beside her, wrapping her arms around her crying friend affectionatly. "Usagi," Ami calls her name again.
[11:07] * Usagi-chan allows herself to be drawn into the embrace. "Oh, Ami-chan... he doesn't love me!" The words seem to set her off into a fresh set of tears.
[11:10] <Ninja_Ami> "Oh, Usagi," Ami gasps. There was only one person she could think about for her friend to be so worked up over. She continues to hug her friend. "What happened?"
[11:12] * Usagi-chan sniffles a bit. "He said... he said he was in love with Serenity... I'm not Serenity any more! I'm Usagi!" She bangs a fist lightly on the table to emphasize the point.
[11:14] * Ninja_Ami looks around quickly.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The crowd isn't quite close enough to have heard that, but perhaps this isn't the place for this...
[11:16] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi, listen to me, ok?" Ami tries to get her friend's attention.
[11:16] * Usagi-chan nods slightly, still sobbing gently.
[11:17] <Ninja_Ami> "Let's go back to my house. It isn't that far from here and we can talk more freely there, ok?" Ami says quietly.
[11:19] * Usagi-chan gives another almost imperceptible nod and stands, her head still lowered.
[11:20] * Ninja_Ami keeps her arm around Usagi, guiding her friend out of the store and to her apartment.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once at Ami's apartment, you find that her mother is not home, leaving just the two of you. Soon, you are curled up under a blanket with a untouched cup of now warm tea...
[11:25] <Ninja_Ami> "Ok Usagi. What happened?" Ami begins.
[11:25] * Usagi-chan has calmed down to sniffling at this point, and launches into her story with a few more sobs. "I went... to go talk to Mamoru, to try to figure out where we stand now. I was really confused because of him being with the Dark Kingdom, and finding out that we were in love in the Moon Kingdom, and him not saying anything to me for so long afterwards..."
[11:27] <Ninja_Ami> "Go on," Ami urges.
[11:30] <Usagi-chan> "He said..." Usagi's words are still punctuated by the occasional sniffle. "He said he remembered a lot of what happened in the Moon Kingdom, and what happened with the Dark Kingdom. He said he didn't know whether to protect me or kill me..." The tears start to flow freely down Usagi's cheeks again.
[11:35] <Ninja_Ami> "Oh Usagi," Ami whispers, horrified. Ami again takes Usagi into her arms, hugging her reasuringly. "I thought the crystal cleansed him? Why would he want to kill you?"
[11:37] * Usagi-chan shakes her head slightly. "I don't know... but then, then he called me Serenity and said that I could handle anything." Her face grows angry. "I am NOT Serenity, damn it! I'm Usagi Tsukino, and I might have been Serenity once-but I am NOT her now!"
[11:43] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi Tsukino is the only you I know," Ami says quietly, not showing the anger beginning to build in her. "I don't have any real memories of that time. I don't - can't - know who she was or what she was like, but I do know you. Usagi Tsukino, the kindest, most gentle person I know," Ami whispers.
[11:46] * Usagi-chan smiles weakly. "Thanks, Ami-chan... it's really nice of you to say that." Usagi takes a deep, shuddering breath. "I'll get through this... I just didn't want it to be true."
[11:47] <Ninja_Ami> "I won't pretend to know what got into Mamoru all of a sudden," Ami says, voice hardening. "But I can sure find out."
[11:48] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It's okay, Ami-chan... I think he's got plenty to worry about all by himself for a while." She recalls the strange conversation and shakes her head. "More than plenty."
[11:52] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi," Ami begins but quits, shaking her head. "You're a stronger person than me, that's all I have to say."
[11:53] * Usagi-chan smiles a bit, trying to lighten the mood. "It's only fair-you're way smarter than I could ever hope to be, Ami-chan."
[11:56] <Ninja_Ami> "Don't say that Usagi," Ami's mood brightened considerably. "All you need is to study a bit more. I could help you, if you want."
[11:57] <Usagi-chan> "You would? I mean, I don't want to be a bother or anything, but I do want to start working harder on my studies and stuff. Are you sure I'm not going to hold you back or anything?"
-----------------------

[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> -------
[12:42] * Usagi-chan picks up her communicator and contacts Rei. "Hi Rei-chan, are you busy?"
[12:43] <Rei-chan> "No, not really," Rei answers, looking up from her manga to answer the communicator.
[12:44] <Usagi-chan> "Umm... can I come over then? I've got some stuff I'd like to talk to you about." Usagi sounds rather hesitant.
[12:45] * Rei-chan blinks. "Sure. What do you need to talk about?" she asks, sitting up straighter.
[12:45] <Usagi-chan> "I had a talk with Mamoru yesterday." Usagi looks to the side.
[12:48] <Rei-chan> "Oh," Rei leans closer, noticing Usagi doesn't seem very happy and making the obvious conclusion. "Of course you can come over, Usagi," she says sympathetically.
[12:49] <Usagi-chan> "Sorry to bother you about it, Rei-chan. I'll be over in a few minutes." Usagi shuts off the communicator and leaves her house for the shrine.
[12:49] * Rei-chan goes to check there is plenty of chocolate ice cream in the freezer, before settling down to wait.
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> ------------
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The weather is almost above freezing today with no wind, almost normal weather. It's nice...Rei's Shrine is always a good place, and Rei is waiting for you.
[12:50] * Usagi-chan slowly walks up the long staircase leading to the shrine, her heart heavy.
[12:52] * Rei-chan is still inside, waiting for Usagi.
[12:53] <V-chan> "Hey, Usagi!" Minako greets the blonde.
[12:54] * Usagi-chan gives the new miko-in-training a small smile. "Hey there, Mina-chan. Is Rei inside? I needed to come and talk to her about something."
[12:55] <V-chan> "Sure," Minako says, pausing and leaning on her shovel. "She's inside, doing some important priestly duties I'm not up to just yet."
[12:56] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks, Mina-chan!" Usagi waves and ducks inside the temple building, looking around for Rei.
[12:57] * Rei-chan hears the door, and arrives to greet her friend. "Hi, Usagi," she waves, "Come in."
[12:58] * Rei-chan leads Usagi to her room, and takes a seat.
[12:59] * Usagi-chan blows out a sigh as she takes a seat on the floor. "Sorry to bother you with this, Rei-chan... I just didn't know who else to talk to."
[12:59] <Rei-chan> "There probably are better people," Rei says, "But I'm here for you. How badly did it go?" she asks, leaning forward.
[13:00] <Usagi-chan> "He's still in love with Serenity." Usagi states flatly.
[13:01] * Rei-chan winces. "Oh," she winces some more, "Oh, that's harsh. Damn... I'm sorry, Usagi," she says, scooting over a bit and putting a hand on top of Usagi's.
[13:02] <Usagi-chan> "He said some other things too..." Usagi looks at Rei nervously, not sure exactly how she'll take the question. "Can I ask you something kind of... weird? I mean, you don't have to answer or anything, but..."
[13:02] * Rei-chan has a slightly puzzled expression. "Well, if I know the answer, I'll give it. But I'm not really the person to ask if you want to understand how guys think."
[13:04] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It's not... about guys. Um... how do I put this..." Usagi stops to think for a moment. "After we got you back from the Dark Kingdom, have you ever thought about... hurting any of us?" Usagi grimaces. "I don't think you do or anything, it's just that Mamoru said something like that..."
[13:05] <Rei-chan> Rei's expression goes completely neutral in an instant. "Let's go for a walk, Usagi," she says, standing up.
[13:06] * Usagi-chan looks up in puzzlement. "Huh? Okay, um, sure, I guess." She stands up quickly. "You're not mad at me for asking, are you?"
[13:07] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "You'll understand soon," she says, putting on her shoes and sliding open the door to the outside.
[13:07] * Usagi-chan follows behind Rei somewhat nervously.
[13:15] <Rei-chan> Closing the door after Usagi, Rei heads towards the Temple steps, her eyes fixedly looking forwards.
[13:16] * V-chan looks up from shoveling snow around, and waves at the two.
[13:16] <Usagi-chan> "Um, where are we going, Rei-chan?" Usagi gives a small wave to Minako as the pair passes her.
[13:17] <Rei-chan> "I told you, for a walk," Rei answers simply, giving Minako a curt nod when she notices her.
[13:17] <V-chan> 'Suspicious,' Minako thinks, following them with her eyes.
[13:18] * Rei-chan continues down the stairs, waiting for Usagi at the bottom.
[13:18] * Usagi-chan thinks to Minako, not turning away from Rei as she keeps walking. 'I have no idea what's going on, Mina-chan.'
[13:20] * V-chan frowns, and ditches the shovel, walking up to Usagi. "My, I felt like a short walk after all that hard work," she says in her most sincere voice.
[13:20] * Rei-chan taps her foot, looking up the stairs to see what's keeping Usagi.
[13:20] * Usagi-chan simply shrugs and goes down the stairs to meet Rei.
[13:21] * V-chan descends the stairs, coincidentally headed in the same direction as Usagi.
[13:22] <Rei-chan> Once Usagi catches up, Rei begins walking down the street, measuring her pace so as not to pull away from the blonde. She notices Minako, but gives no visible reaction, other than a slight thinning of her lips.
[13:22] * Usagi-chan does her best to keep up with Rei's quick pace, still wondering what in the world taking a walk has to do with the question she asked.
[13:23] <V-chan> Minako's frown deepens, as she trails the two girls at a short distance.
[13:24] <Rei-chan> As their walk takes them to a busy pedestrian area, Rei looks around for a moment, before sidling up to Usagi. "You see that guy," she says in a conspiratorial whisper, pointing to a rather handsome young man, perhaps a year or two older than they are.
[13:24] * Usagi-chan nods. "What about him?" Usagi replies.
[13:25] <Rei-chan> "Cute, isn't he?" Rei asks, her voice becoming a bit more high pitched in a blatantly fake imitation of the tone usually reserved for when junior high girls meet idol singers.
[13:27] * Usagi-chan gives the young man a more critical look. "I guess so... why are you pointing him out, Rei-chan?"
[13:27] * Rei-chan turns to look Usagi dead in the eye. "He didn't look so cute when I burnt half his face off."
[13:28] * Usagi-chan winces. "Rei-chan..."
[13:29] * Rei-chan ignores her, pointing out a rather stately looking old man. "Did you know old people don't have much energy? That guy shrivelled into a dead husk after a few seconds of me draining him."
[13:30] <Usagi-chan> "Rei-chan, why? Why are you doing this?" Usagi gives the miko an injured look.
[13:32] * Rei-chan points to a policeman having a friendly conversation with two young boys, about to explain how she melted him onto the asphalt, when she notices Usagi's look. "I'm answering your question, Usagi," she says, back to sounding rather toneless. "I think about these things all the time."
[13:32] <Rei-chan> "How can I not?" she asks, spreading her arms, "When nearly every face I see is a reminder?"
[13:33] <Usagi-chan> "Rei-chan, you can't do this! This is... this is horrible!"
[13:35] <Rei-chan> A flicker of emotion passes over the miko's face, but she ruthlessly suppresses it. "Metallia told me what to do, Usagi. She didn't tell me how to do it. I can still hear that voice, when I let myself, telling me to do all those horrible things. It sounds like Metallia, but it's not," her face scrunches up slightly, but she keeps from crying, "It's not Metallia, it's me."
[13:38] * Usagi-chan looks like she herself is on the verge of tears as she takes Rei by the shoulders. "But you would never have done anything if Metallia hadn't forced you to, Rei-chan! You can't keep beating yourself up over what happened!" She shakes her head. "I don't believe you - you'd never do anything like that! Not the Rei I know and love!"
[13:41] <Rei-chan> "But I did do it, Usagi. I did it, and I can't ever forget that. I can work as hard as I like to protect others in the future, but... but I'll always carry the mark of my shame," she says, fingering her bone-white tresses. "Metallia unlocked a part of me I didn't know I had... something I never wanted to have. But it's there, now. And always will be." The effort of speaking so calmly on this subject is beginning to show visible strain on Rei.
[13:45] <Usagi-chan> "And you think no one else has ever thought like that?" Usagi looks at Rei incredulously. "I think about ways of killing my little brother all the time - heck, I've even been mad enough to think about killing you before! The ONLY difference between us is that Metallia pushed you to actually DO what you thought instead of just thinking about it. We've ALL got a dark side, Rei-chan, not just you. The only thing that matters is what you do about those thoughts, here and now - not what you might have done in the past."
[13:47] * Rei-chan manages a weak smile, before hugging Usagi. "You sound awfully sure. Why did you sound so worried when you asked me your question earlier, then?"
[13:48] <Usagi-chan> "Because... because of what Mamoru said to me..." Usagi looks away. "He said he STILL wanted to kill me, and at the same time he wanted to hug me... and I didn't know whether he meant it or not. I've never heard anyone talk that way before, Rei-chan, and it scared me." Usagi closes her eyes, and a tear runs down her cheek.
[13:50] * Rei-chan brushes away the tear, "You didn't sound too scared a minute ago," she points out.
[13:52] <Usagi-chan> "Are you kidding? I was scared to death - for you. Hearing you talk like that... I could see you were just hurting yourself, Rei-chan. I couldn't stand the thought of you being hurt, by anyone."
[13:53] * Rei-chan breaks the hug and shrugs. "Maybe it's karma? I deserve to be hurt for what I did. At least as long as I feel hurt by remembering these things, I know there isn't much chance of me doing them again."
[13:56] <Usagi-chan> "Don't say that, Rei-chan! You DON'T have to keep hurting - it's over and none of it was permanent." Usagi shakes her head. "You deserve exactly the same thing that all the rest of us do - a chance at having a normal, happy life filled with love and friendship. Let yourself have that chance, Rei-chan."
[13:59] <Rei-chan> "I do have love and friendship, Usagi. More than I ever had back when my life was 'normal'." Rei manages a genuine smile for her friend, her eyes darting towards where Minako is watching them as she mentions 'love'.
[14:00] * V-chan watches the pair impassively.
[14:01] <Usagi-chan> "And you deserve it, Rei-chan. So stop telling yourself you don't."
[14:02] * Rei-chan shrugs. "I don't know what I deserve, but I do know what I have. And I'll fight to hold onto it," she answers Usagi, her eyes wandering towards Minako as she wonders what her girlfriend is thinking.
[14:06] <Usagi-chan> "Then stop that..." Usagi points back towards the people walking around the intersection. "What you did is over and done with, Rei. Let the past stay in the past."
[14:08] * Rei-chan sighs, "Kinda hard when the past is less than a week ago, but I'll try, Usagi," she says softly.
[14:10] * Usagi-chan hugs the taller girl. "That's all I'm asking for, Rei-chan."
[14:13] <Rei-chan> "It's hard, but I have people who help me," Rei says, glancing at Minako again. 'What's she thinking of? She must have overheard... but I thought she didn't care about those things...'
[14:16] * Usagi-chan notices Rei's movement and releases her, looking back to see what's drawn Rei's attention.
[14:21] <Rei-chan> 'Maybe she hates me now that she knows what goes on in my head... but she knew that I did those things, I thought she didn't hold it against me...' Rei thinks with rising alarm at Minako's lack of reaction.
[14:26] * Usagi-chan sees Minako standing behind the two of them. "Mina-chan? I thought you were back at the temple?"
[14:27] * V-chan blinks, and shakes her head. "What? Oh, no, I felt like a walk. Me being here is a coincidence," she says with difficulty.
[14:28] * Rei-chan draws in on herself slightly, looking and feeling awkward.
[14:29] <V-chan> "I think I'm shaping up to be a bad priestess, ditching my chores," she muses out loud.
[14:33] * Usagi-chan recalls the thought she picked up as she and Rei were leaving the temple. "Are you sure that's all it was, Minako?"
[14:34] <V-chan> "Just because a girl's worried about her girlfriend doesn't mean she can't end up at the same place coincidentally," Minako says defensively.
[14:37] <Rei-chan> "Minako... I know you heard most of what I just said. If... if it bothers you, just say so..." Rei says, coming across as both hurt and defensive.
[14:38] <V-chan> "Why should the thought of you torturing yourself constantly bother me?" Minako asks sarcastically. "I would have been ecstatic to hear that - if I were listening, that is."
[14:40] * Rei-chan frowns. "You think I like talking about those things?" she asks quietly.
[14:40] <V-chan> "No, of course not," Minako says with a snort. "You just keep them bottled in."
[14:42] <Rei-chan> "It's not exactly the thing to just drop into conversation, is it?" Rei replies smartly.
[14:45] <V-chan> "No, onot when it's so much healthier to let it eat you inside." Minako steps forward, grabbing Rei. "It helps to talk about this, doesn't it? Even if it's hard, at first. Doesn't it?!"
[14:48] <Rei-chan> "Maybe it does," Rei shoots back, "But I can deal with it, anyway!"
[14:48] <Usagi-chan> "That doesn't mean it's easy, Mina-chan." Usagi gives Minako a calm look.
[14:49] <V-chan> "That's a lie," Minako tells Rei quietly. "The first you told me, I think."
[14:52] * Rei-chan recoils slightly, before firming herself. "It's not a lie! I can deal with it, and I have been!"
[14:52] <V-chan> "And another." Minako looks at Rei sadly. "They come easier, once you convince yourself to start, don't they?"
[14:54] <Rei-chan> "Don't you get sanctimonious with me, Minako!" Rei replies angrily, "I have been dealing with it. Or are you going to lie and say you knew? That somehow, the way I've been acting over the past week screamed out my troubles to the world?"
[14:55] * Usagi-chan looks as if she was about to say something, but closes her mouth before she actually says anything.
[14:55] <V-chan> "I should have known," Minako says with a frown. "But I just thought you'd get better on your own. Silly me, right?" She laughs mirthlessly. "It's not like I can imagine what you went through."
[14:57] <Rei-chan> "I have been getting better!" Rei snaps. "And why the hell would you want to imagine it?"
[14:57] * Usagi-chan puts a hand on Rei's arm. "Rei-chan, calm down."
[14:58] <V-chan> "It's alright to cry," Minako says, smiling at Rei. "Remember that? It's what you told me. It's okay to cry when it hurts, and you just can't hold it in."
[15:00] <Rei-chan> "I can't believe you'd throw that back in my face!" Rei says, flinching as if struck. "And I can hold it in."
[15:02] * V-chan keeps smiling at Rei. "But I'm right, aren't I?"
[15:02] <V-chan> "Just like you were right, when you told me that before."
[15:03] <Rei-chan> "You were already crying! I'm not!" Rei yells, pointing at her dry cheeks. 'But I might if this keeps up...' she thinks, realising that her anger is all that's keeping her from breaking down.
[15:07] * V-chan lets go of Rei's arms, sliding her hands around the other girl in a hug. "I'm right, aren't I?" she repeats softly.
[15:07] * Usagi-chan simply looks at Rei with a sad expression in her eyes.
[15:10] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei breaks loose of the hug. "No, I'm strong, and I can deal with things on my own. Maybe talking does help, but I don't have to."
[15:11] <V-chan> "Do you always have to be strong?" Minako asks her.
[15:16] <Rei-chan> "Yes, dammit!" Rei yells, "I didn't tell Usagi this stuff because I needed to talk about it, I told her because she needed to hear it! Mamoru might be letting stuff like this screw his relationship with Usagi, but I'm not letting it do the same to us!"
[15:18] <V-chan> "It won't hurt us, Rei-chan." Minako looks at her pleadingly. "Just trust me, instead of hiding it where it keeps hurting you!"
[15:21] <Rei-chan> "It's already hurting us!" Rei shoots back, "This is exactly why I didn't want to tell you. Why did you even follow us, anyway?"
[15:25] <V-chan> Minako opens her mouth to respond, before closing it, shaking her head. "I'll be strong, from now on." She looks Rei in the eyes with determination. "I'll always be strong, and one day, you'll see that it's not going to change and lean on me for a change, like I have on you so much until now."
[15:29] <Rei-chan> "Fine, you do that, Minako," Rei says, giving her a searching look, "But I didn't ask you to change. And you shouldn't expect me to change, either."
[15:31] <V-chan> "You don't need to change, Rei-chan," Minako says, smiling again. "I like the present Rei-chan, even when she's wrong. I like all of her!"
[15:33] <Rei-chan> "Fine," Rei nods curtly, before saying to the other girl, "I hope you can figure things out yourself, now, Usagi." Not sticking around, she turns and walks off, still heading away from the Shrine.
[15:35] <V-chan> "I think I have a gift," Minako says out loud.
[15:35] * Usagi-chan watches Rei stalk off, then turns to shoot a dark glance at Minako. "Way to go, Minako." With that she spins on her heel and starts following Rei. 'And don't you DARE follow this time!' she thinks to Minako angrily.
[15:43] * Rei-chan continues to wander aimlessly for a bit, eventually winding up in Juuban Park and finding a quiet copse of trees just off the pathway, near the pond.
[15:44] <Rei-chan> 'I am such an idiot,' she thinks, feeling her cheeks begin to dampen.
[15:44] * Usagi-chan stays at a fair distance as she follows Rei, trying not to be observed by the other girl. She notices Rei slip into a small grove of trees, and she approaches quietly, still trying not to be seen.
[15:46] * Rei-chan leans against a tree, sliding to sit on the still snowy ground with her knees pulled up against her chest, her crying becoming audible now, she pulls out a hankerchief from her pocket and blows her nose.
[15:47] <Rei-chan> 'Why did she have to make me say it? Why couldn't I say it?' she thinks sadly, 'Why do I ruin everything?'
[15:49] * Usagi-chan feels her heart break as she hears Rei begin to cry more audibly. She approaches, kneeling down next to Rei and wrapping her arms around the other girl. "You don't ruin everything, Rei-chan. And you're certainly not an idiot."
[15:51] * Rei-chan jolts slightly, but her crying doesn't abate in the slightest, as the full weight of the past few days comes crashing down on her, along with the fight she just had. "Usagi..." she mumbles, "I didn't want you to see me like this..."
[15:52] <Usagi-chan> "I know, Rei-chan... you always try to be so strong for all of us." Usagi smiles. "But you hurt just as much as any of us do. Just let it go, Rei-chan; I'm here for YOU this time."
[15:56] <Rei-chan> Sobbing, Rei latches onto Usagi like a lost child, "It's just... everything has gone so wrong lately, but then things got fixed, and it seemed alright, but I'm still wrong. I thought," she sniffs loudly, "I thought if I could just act like I normally did, everything would be okay, but now things are worse!"
[15:56] <Rei-chan> She continues to babble, not letting Usagi get in a word, "And if I had just admitted how bad things were, maybe we could have worked it out, but I couldn't... I just got so angry, and I was too proud of my control... and now Minako's going to turn into a horrible person like me!"
[15:56] * Rei-chan finally falls silent, aside from occasional sniffles.
[15:59] * Usagi-chan just holds on to Rei as she continues to talk. "You're not a horrible person, Rei-chan. And you're not wrong, either - you've been through some really rough stuff lately, and you never stopped to let yourself get over any of that. Just take some time for yourself... it'll be okay, I promise."
[16:02] <Rei-chan> "I thought I was getting over it..." she cries, "we've been dealing with these new enemies well enough, things between me and Minako were great, I thought everything would just keep getting better." She gives a slightly hysterical laugh, "I know I got expelled, but compared to what else went wrong, I barely even noticed."
[16:06] * Usagi-chan giggles slightly as Rei laughs. "You can't just ignore what happened though. You have to deal with it sooner or later... and the later you leave it, the harder it is to take care of when you finally DO get to it."
[16:12] * Rei-chan cries harder. "I know. It's just one more thing... I always tried to be a good student, but I couldn't let them talk to Minako like that!" A mental voice points out that it's entirely Minako's fault she got expelled, which only makes her feel worse for blaming anything on someone who actually loves her.
[16:14] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Love makes us do some crazy stuff, doesn't it?" Usagi thinks back to the hot springs, when the sight of the man she loved leading an attack froze her into complete inaction.
[16:17] * Rei-chan nods, futilely dashing at her tears even as more replace them. "I think I was right... Now that I've started crying, I won't stop..." she complains inbetween shuddering sobs.
[16:18] * Usagi-chan smiles again. "You won't cry forever, Rei-chan... but it might take a while. Take all the time you need -- I'll be here for as long as you need me to be."
[16:20] * Rei-chan gives a wordless grunt of gratitude as she continues to sob on her friend's shoulder, her feelings of desperate misery somewhat blunted, but still very much there.
[16:21] <Rei-chan> -------------------
[07:35] * Princess_Herb contacts Usa-chan with the communicator before driving over.
[07:36] <Princess_Herb> "Usa-chan, I opened the jewellery box ; want to see what I found?   I'm hoping you and the furball will be able to remember something."
[07:44] * Usagi-chan grins at the mention of Luna. "All right, Herb-san. I'll..." She pauses for a moment, thinking of Herb's servants. "Is there someplace you'd like to meet?"
[07:46] <Princess_Herb> "I'm meant to be meeting Ami-chan later to go shopping...   How about I drive over and we go to the mall?   We could have coffee while I wait for the brainiest senshi in Japan."
[07:47] <Usagi-chan> "Sounds GREAT... I could use a good shopping trip right now, to be honest." Usagi grins.
[07:51] <Princess_Herb> "OK!"   Princess_Herb rings off...
[07:51] * Princess_Herb drives over to the Queen's house in her Ferrari to pick her up...
[07:53] * Usagi-chan hunts Luna down, scooping the cat up when she finds her. "Come on, you - you've been requested."
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What's up, Usagi," she asks, not batting an eye.
[07:54] <Usagi-chan> "Herb wants you to take a look at something he found when he was on the Moon." Usagi shrugs. "It was in some kind of jewelry box, I think."
[08:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Another Lunar artifact? Certainly," she agrees.
[08:08] * Usagi-chan nods. "Good. And then we're going shopping with Ami-chan!"
[08:10] <Princess_Herb> Princess_Herb arrives in her cute girl student disguise to pick Usa-chan up
[08:11] <Princess_Herb> "Hiya, Usa-hime-chan."
[08:12] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Hey there, Herb-chan. Ready to go?" Usagi settles Luna across her shoulder.
[08:16] <Princess_Herb> --------
[08:17] * Princess_Herb drives to the mall and the coffee shop. She orders coffee and cake for herself and some bizarre sugar-laden cake for Usagi
[08:18] * Usagi-chan wears a look of happiness as she demolishes the cake in record time. "Mmm, thanks - how did you know I'd like those?"
[08:19] <Princess_Herb> "From the looks of disapproval Luna was giving it, of course."
[08:20] * Usagi-chan smirks at her cat. "So, what exactly is it you found, Herb-chan?"
[08:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna mutters something softly, but remains quiet.
[08:21] * Princess_Herb takes the jewellery box from out of her disgustingly cute mooncat shaped plush backpack and opens it up. The Dragon Flame Ring sparkles invitingly from amongst the expensive looking jewels.
[08:23] * Usagi-chan holds a look of amazement at seeing the rather impressive looking collection. Seeing a ring that stands out from the rest of the collection, she picks it up to get a closer look at it.
[08:25] <Princess_Herb> "Do you recognise it?   It was given to me when I became Sailor Dragon in my previous life, but I don't know who gave it to me, or what it does. There's a special attack linked to it, but Nian doesn't know anything. He says she only used it once..."
[08:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna looks over the collection, deep in concentration.
[08:31] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I don't remember anything about it, Herb-chan. I'm sorry." Noticing Luna's rather intent look, she asks, "Do you remember something, Luna?"
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...Maybe..." she mutters, lost in thought.
[08:36] * Princess_Herb looks intently at the mooncat. "It's not an evil thing, like that naginata, though. So what is it?"
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Flames, I think," Luna finally says.
[08:41] * Usagi-chan is examining some of the other jewels in the box in the meantime, admiring their colors and sparkles.
[08:41] * Princess_Herb rewards the good mooncat by scratching her between her ears. "That's better than Nian came up with; are you sure you don't want his job?" Princess_Herb teases the Mau.
[08:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, I think I'll stick with Usagi," she says, purring a bit.
[08:44] * Usagi-chan smiles and tickles her mooncat's stomach.
[08:47] <Princess_Herb> "How are the..." Princess_Herb begins to ask, then stops, deciding that burdening the queen with seriousness at this time would be a bad idea.
[08:47] * Usagi-chan looks up at Herb curiously. "How are what?"
[08:49] <Princess_Herb> "Nothing that can't wait.   This is meant to be a fun outing, not business as usual.   Although, I'm not sure what the fun in shopping is, quite.   Ami-chan said she'd show me, though."
[08:50] * Usagi-chan shrugs and smiles. "It's all about imagining how good you'd look in all the different clothes and jewelry and stuff! You can't actually BUY everything you like - at least I can't - but it's fun to try all sorts of cool stuff on!"
[08:55] <Princess_Herb> "I think Lime and Mint would begin to worry if I came home with hundreds of girl outfits, though.   But I guess it will be fun to see how cute you and Ami-chan will look!"
[08:57] <Usagi-chan> "You don't have to buy everything you like, or even anything at all if you don't want to. Just imagine dressing up and going out with someone you like, right?" Usagi winks at Herb.
[08:58] <Princess_Herb> "Eh...   There is no one I like...   Not in that way..." Princess_Herb powerblushes.
[08:59] * Usagi-chan grins. "That blush tells me you're lying... So come on, who is it?"
[09:00] <Princess_Herb> "There's a girl in my history of art class..." Princess_Herb blushes more.
[09:01] <Usagi-chan> "So tell me-what's her name? What does she look like?"
[09:02] * Princess_Herb sweatdrops and wishes Ami-chan was here to save her.
[09:02] <Princess_Herb> "A gentleman never divulges such information!" Herb gambits.
[09:03] <Usagi-chan> "Oh come on - it's not like I'm going to tell anyone anyway. I just want to know what she's like!" Usagi smiles winningly.
[09:06] <Princess_Herb> "And you promise you wouldn't attempt to match me up or prod me to do anything?"
[09:07] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I promise!" Usagi crosses her heart with her finger.
[09:10] <Princess_Herb> "She's a kendo player, very tall, smart with it too."
[09:11] * Usagi-chan giggles. "What's her name?"
[09:15] <Princess_Herb> "Hiroe."
[09:15] <Usagi-chan> "You'll have to introduce me to her sometime. Thought about asking her out yet?"
[09:16] <Princess_Herb> "Yes..."
[09:16] <Princess_Herb> "But I'm sort of worried about how she'd react to the curse, and to Lime and Mint."
[09:17] <Princess_Herb> "Mostly the curse though. Students with flatmates like Lime and Mint aren't unusual."
[09:18] <Usagi-chan> "Well, we took it well enough. It is kind of strange, but I bet she'd understand as long as you explained it to her first." Usagi smiles.
[09:19] <Princess_Herb> "Or she might think I'm a pervert amd tell the entire college, and they'd treat me like some kind of alien freak..."
[09:21] * Usagi-chan grins. "My first reaction if you were telling me about it would be that you were pulling my leg. If she's a good person, though, she wouldn't do anything like that, and I don't think you'd be interested in someone that's not a good person."
[09:23] <Princess_Herb> "Maybe..."
[09:25] <Usagi-chan> "All you can do is try, Herb-chan. I know I promised not to interfere or anything, but I do think you should give her a chance. If you do decide to date, you're going to have to get used to telling people anyway - why not start now?"
[09:28] <Princess_Herb> "You're probably right, Usa-chan... No, you are right. I'll just have to think about the best way tp go about it."
[09:28] <Princess_Herb> "Look, there's Ami-chan!" Princess_Herb waves at the smartest girl in Japan.
[09:29] <Ninja_Ami> "Herb! Usagi! You made it," Ami says, coming up to the duo.
[09:29] * Usagi-chan smiles at Herb. "I know you'll figure something out, Herb-chan." Usagi turns to see Ami approaching, and waves to her in greeting.
[09:30] <Ninja_Ami> "How long have you two been here? I've kind of started without you," Ami blushes, holding several bags already.
[09:31] <Princess_Herb> "Just long enough for a cup of coffee, and a chat about the Dragon Flame Ring, Ami-chan.   What did you buy?"
[09:32] <Ninja_Ami> "Just some light reading material," she says.
[09:32] <Usagi-chan> "What, another dozen physics textbooks?" Usagi makes a face.
[09:33] <Princess_Herb> "Better than H-doujin, though, Usa-chan?"
[09:33] * Usagi-chan fumes. "Don't remind me..."
[09:34] * Ninja_Ami does not reply, simply shifting a few bags around.
[09:35] * Usagi-chan stands up suddenly, startling Luna. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get down to some serious shopping!"
[09:35] <Princess_Herb> "All for one and one for all!" Princess_Herb affirms
[09:37] <Ninja_Ami> "Right. So, where to first? I saw the cutest little number at the new place by JC Penney."
[09:38] <Princess_Herb> "I am but a humble student in the way of shop-fu.   You are truly the master."
[09:38] <Princess_Herb> "Lead and I shall follow!"
[09:38] <Usagi-chan> "Lead the way, Ami-chan!" Usagi unceremoniously scoops Luna up.
[09:40] * Ninja_Ami blushes. "Minako is the master. I am but a humble student. There is much for me to learn."
[09:41] <Usagi-chan> "I just wish I had Minako's money. I LOVE shopping, but I usually can't afford anything." Usagi sighs.
[09:41] * Princess_Herb puts her jewellery back in the mooncat shaped rucksack
[09:41] <Ninja_Ami> "Don't worry, Usagi," Ami pat pats her frind on the head. "If there's something you want I'll get it for you."
[09:42] <Princess_Herb> "If I see anything that you look especially cute in, I might treat both of you."
[09:42] * Usagi-chan smiles. "That's okay, Ami-chan. I have tons of fun just looking anyway."
[09:43] <Ninja_Ami> "Ok!" Ami says, hiding a blush. "Let  us commence with the shopping!"
[09:43] * Ninja_Ami heads out the door.
[09:44] * Usagi-chan follows close behind, bright-eyed at the prospect of shopping her heart out.
[09:49] <Princess_Herb> Princess_Herb's head spins as the three senshi embark on a shopping trip of Biblical proportions...
[09:49] <Ninja_Ami> "Ok Herb. The real trick to shopping is to use your eyes and your head. Everyone will try to pull you in with promises, but you must decide what it is you really want," Ami begins to lecture. "See that really hip looking store over there, Herb?" Ami points to a Babbages.
[09:49] <Princess_Herb> "Sure!"
[09:51] <Ninja_Ami> "Notice the music? The ambiance? Almost makes you feel like "Hey, I'm cool! I can rock this, yo!" right?"
[09:51] <Princess_Herb> "Well, if you say so...   But there's a but in there, isn't there?"
[09:53] <Ninja_Ami> "Of course!" Ami enthuses. "It's garbage. High priced garbage, yes,but garbage none the less. There are only two types of people who shop there."
[09:53] * Princess_Herb blinks and makes a note.
[09:54] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Sounds like you've got this all worked out, Ami-chan. You been sneaking away from the bookstore when I wasn't looking?"
[09:56] <Ninja_Ami> "People who are fashion dead but have lots of money to try to look 'cool'. A lot like that guy," Ami points to a middle-aged man trying, and failing, to keep up with the times. "The other is the kid who wants people to know they have money and aren't afraid to use it."
[09:59] * Ninja_Ami points to another customer within the store. The girl is almost painful to watch. Neon platforms, leather pants and jean jacket, 'designer' undershirt; a hideous afront to fashion she was.
[10:00] * Usagi-chan winces at the sight. "Ugh... she's screaming for the fashion police."
[10:01] <Ninja_Ami> "Always remember, you aren't just dressing for youself. You're dressing for the world. Keep this in mind and you can avoid the most painful of fashion pitfalls." Ami continues forward past the store.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan spots a sporting goods store across the way, and remembers something. "Come on, Herb-chan - I need your help for this." She grabs the older girl by the elbow and drags her towards the store.
[10:07] * Princess_Herb is dragged over.
[10:08] <Princess_Herb> "Wow... They charge that much for something so small?"
[10:08] * Ninja_Ami follows.
[10:09] <Usagi-chan> "Remember how I wanted to start learning some martial arts stuff with you? I was wondering - what kind of uniform do I need for the stuff you do?"
[10:10] <Princess_Herb> "Uniform? Something loose, I suppose."
[10:11] <Usagi-chan> "There's not like a special outfit or something? I know I've seen people wearing something to learn karate and stuff - I was wondering if I needed something like that."
[10:12] <Princess_Herb> "Well, something like this would be good," Princess_Herb says, as she looks through the racks of martial arts outfits.
[10:13] <Ninja_Ami> "You're teaching Usagi martial arts?" Ami asks, surprised.
[10:13] * Usagi-chan glances over the racks critically. "Wow, they don't have many colors, do they?"
[10:14] <Princess_Herb> "Tai chi chuan.   It's an ancient martial art, allowing the student to channel their chi to best effect in combat."
[10:15] <Ninja_Ami> "Try white. It's traditional," Ami comments on the lack of variety. "Hm. I should probably do some sort of training myself."
[10:15] <Usagi-chan> "Ooh, I think I've seen people doing that in the park before. It looks really graceful." Usagi smiles.
[10:17] * Usagi-chan turns back to the racks. "I guess white works..." She pulls a white gi off the rack in her size, then looks around for a fitting room.
[10:17] <Princess_Herb> "The clothes are simple, yes. And the style is graceful, as well as very taxing physically." Princess_Herb suddenly realises that grace is one of the accomplishments that Usagi most craves, since she's so lacking.
[10:18] <Princess_Herb> "The choice is really between these cheap polyester outfits and these better quality silk ones."
[10:19] <Ninja_Ami> "So, she asked you to train her?" Ami asks, pondering.
[10:19] * Usagi-chan examines the robe in her hand and compares it with one of the silk ones on the rack. She gasps as she catches sight of the price tag on the silk one. "Guess I'll be going cheap for this one." She makes a face.
[10:20] * Princess_Herb nods. "Best not to spend too much money until you know it's for you."
[10:21] * Usagi-chan finally spots a small fitting area towards the back of the store. "I'll be right back - I just want to try this on before I buy it." Usagi hurries off and steps inside the dressing room.
[10:23] <Ninja_Ami> "Herb, you're a martial artist. How do you think I can improve?" Ami asks, looking over the outfits.
[10:27] * Princess_Herb examines the swimsuits. "I need one of these for Hawaii, if we go... With a lot of practice, there's no reason that you couldn't be as good as any one of the others. If I'm teaching Usa-chan, you could come along too, if that suits you." Princess_Herb stops before a rack of tankinis, wondering which colour suits her.
[10:30] * Usagi-chan comes out of the dressing room a few moments later, blushing slightly and holding the top of the gi closed tight with her arms. "I'm definitely going to need something to wear underneath this," she mutters.
[10:31] <Ninja_Ami> "I'd like that. Ooh, try this one!" Ami hands Herb a blue and light blue misty-looking tankini.
[10:31] * Princess_Herb nods in agreement. "You don't need to distract the teacher after all."
[10:31] <Princess_Herb> "Eh, OK..." Princess_Herb says and heads off to the changing rooms herself
[10:32] <Usagi-chan> "At least it fits." Usagi follows Herb back to her own changing room to change back into her regular clothes.
[10:32] <Princess_Herb> Thank goodness, Princess_Herb thinks, that it's not one of those communal changing rooms, as she slips past the curtain
[10:35] * Usagi-chan exits a few moments later with the gi over one arm, and goes to look at a rack of sports bras.
[10:35] * Ninja_Ami brows the store, nothing really catching her keen eye.
[10:37] <Princess_Herb> "How's this look, Usa-chan, Ami-chan?"
[10:38] * Usagi-chan turns to look at Herb in her swimsuit. "Oh wow, that really looks great on you, Herb-chan!"
[10:38] <Ninja_Ami> "Grrrr. That is one hot number," Ami agrees.
[10:39] * Usagi-chan gives Ami an odd look.
[10:40] * Princess_Herb blinks innocently and goes to change back and add it to her own purchases
[10:41] * Usagi-chan goes back to her search, finally picking out a plain white sports bra in her size. That done, she takes the clothes up to the front of the store to pay for them.
[10:42] * Princess_Herb tries out a few more swimsuits, just in case, before making her purchase
[10:42] <Princess_Herb> "Where now, o great leader?"
[10:44] <Usagi-chan> "I always like going to one of the upscale department stores and looking at all the evening gowns." Usagi grins.
[10:44] <Ninja_Ami> "Now we venture forth. There are two ways to shop, Herb. One is to know exactly what you're looking for before hand. This way you do not give into temptation and spend more than you plan. The other way is to browse."
[10:45] <Ninja_Ami> "We shall be browsing. Go ahead Usagi, pick which store."
[10:46] <Usagi-chan> "Foley's!" Usagi marches out of the store with a grin, headed for the department store in question.
[10:46] <SA-brb> ---------------
[07:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> After what happened, Minako ended up just going home. Artemis is there, and gets one look at you before sighing. "Hey, Mina."
[07:37] <V-chan> "Hey, Artemis. We're going crime-fighting! Isn't that exciting?"
[07:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> 'Woah, she must have had one of those days...' "Alright, Mina," he agrees placidly.
[07:40] * V-chan grabs the transformation pen, and drops the compact into her subspace pocket.
[07:40] <V-chan> "I'll transform at the usual place," she tells Artemis, picking him up and heading downstairs.
[07:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, curling up in Minako's arms.
[07:42] <V-chan> "I'm going to become stronger," she tells him, walking to the alley she uses to transform away from curious eyes. "Got any tips?"
[07:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Train with that sword, maybe. It's a part of your heritage and your powers, and I have to believe it will become stronger," the Mau comments thoughtfully.
[07:44] <V-chan> "Good idea," Minako agrees. "But I can't exactly use a sword as Sailor V. It's unsporting."
[07:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat grins. "Really? Save it for the next time someone turns an Uzi on you, Mina."
[07:47] <V-chan> "Well, there's that. But I've heard from someone that true strength comes from within, so I'll try not relying on my toys so much." She shrugs, and holds up the transformation pen, looking around to make sure there are no spectators. "Aside from this one. It's a genre thing, and the outfit's too cute. Moon Power Transform!"
[07:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um, right," Artemis says, used to Minako's unique turn of phrase.
[07:49] * V-chan transforms, coming out in a copy of Sailor Moon's pose. "Does this suit me more?" she asks Artemis.
[07:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks you over. "It isn't too bad, Mina."
[07:51] * V-chan nods. "Maybe it's time for a change. I could do all kinds of poses, and keep the villains guessing." She shakes her head. "But that's for later. Now, let's find us some baddies."
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, it's time for Sailor V to kick some scum around," Artemis agrees as you go onward.
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----
[07:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you roam through the less than savory neighborhoods of Tokyo, you quickly find trouble.
[07:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you pass by a run down apartment complex, gunshots ring out of an alley nearby!
[07:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Three shots, probably a heavy handgun from the sounds of it. Since guns are rare in Japan...
[07:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis hisses. "Great, another gun. I thought they kept a lock down on those in this country," he comments.
[07:57] <V-chan> "A better lock than in England," Minako says with a shrug. "Let's just hope we're not too late to help, Artemis."
[07:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, let's GO," he says.
[07:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rushing into the alley, you see three men. Two are in casual if nicer clothes than the average here and the last man is in a rumpled suit. Two other men are laying on the ground, shot and bleeding massively. Both wounds look fatal or nearly fatal on first glance.
[07:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The man with the suit has a large caliber firearm drawn at where the men are lying.
[08:00] <V-chan> "Hold it right there, Villain!" Minako pronounces in a clear voice. "Code name: Sailor V. The soldier of justice, the sailor-suited beautiful soldier, I am Sailor Venus! Shooting at people with a large caliber firearm is unforgiveable!"
[08:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> All three of the men stare at you a moment..."Go home, kid. This isn't business any teenager should be in," the man in the messy suit says, tiredly.
[08:03] <V-chan> "Even dirty old men who draw teenage girls in compromising positions don't deserve to be shot!" Minako tells the man in a scolding voice. "Surrender your weapon peacefully and lie down on the ground until the police arrives, and I won't have to hurt you."
[08:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> The suited man sighs, surprisingly deep from a person who just capped two people. "You should be able to guess I can't do that." He raises his gun at you. "I didn't want to have to do this..."
[08:08] <V-chan> Minako points her right arm at the suited man, index finger extended, and cocks an imaginary trigger with her fingers, launching a weakened Crescent Beam at him.
[08:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The man is taken off guard, a look of shock on his face as the beam hits him! It lashes by his side, causing him to howl is agony!
[08:10] * V-chan charges forward at the trio after firing.
[08:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> One of the plainly dressed me see this and takes out a switchblade, swinging it at our Pretty Sailor V!
[08:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The wild swing missed V-chan by a good margin, however, not coming close to damaging out heroine!
[08:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The man with the gun grits his teeth and tries to steady the weapon, firing a single, roaring shot at Sailor V!
[08:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> At the last moment, his concentration fails, causing the gun to go upward and the shot to crash into the alley wall twenty feet up!
[08:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> The third man, still a bit shocked, takes a punch at Minako!
[08:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> A wicked, fast punch comes at Sailor V, but she ducks out of the way of the vicious blow!
[08:17] * V-chan somersaults, and then comes out of the roll with a punch at the switchblade-holding man.
[08:17] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[08:17] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 6."
[08:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> A crunch is heard as your fist meets his sensative parts! He crumples to the ground, whimpering.
[08:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> The gun man steadies himself again, firing again at our champion!
[08:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> But the shot is again wild, missing Sailor V.
[08:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The third man breaks and runs, dashing out of the alley like the ghosts of Hell are at his heels!
[08:22] <V-chan> "Don't let him get away, cat!" Minako yells, before launching a spin-kick at the gun-wielding leader.
[08:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right," Artemis says, leaping out of Minako's arms to give chase.
[08:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor V's kick misses, however, as the man strafes and braces for another gunshot!
[08:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The bullet rips through Sailor V's thigh, leaving a trail of blood quickly running down her leg! (30 damage)
[08:34] <V-chan> Pushing off the alley wall, Minako turns on her uninjured leg to backhand her opponent with all her strength.
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> The fist slams into the man in the chest, sending him to the ground and his gun clattering to the floor as well!
[08:36] <V-chan> Minako points her right arm at him again, the tip of her index finger glowing golden. "And stay down," she tells him, breathing heavily. Hobbling over, she kicks him in the head to knock him out.
[08:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> He doesn't even manage to move before the kick sends him to dream land.
[08:37] <V-chan> With some difficulty, Minako moves towards the two man who had been shot before she arrived and checks them.
[08:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> One man took a bullet in the throat. From the excess of blood, he's probably already moved on to wherever he'll end up.
[08:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> The second took two in the gut, but is still breathing.
[08:39] <V-chan> With a flick of her wrist, a cell phone is in Minako's hand. She dials the emergency services number, waiting on the line anxiously.
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "911 services. How can we help you?" the man on the line asks.
[08:40] <V-chan> "Someone's been shot twice in the stomach," Minako tells him, glancing at the supine man. "He's still alive! You've got to send an ambulance for him!"
[08:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Shot? Where is he," he asks, calm and reasonably composed. "Where in the stomach?"
[08:41] * V-chan describes the area where she is, before taking a more careful look at the wounded man, using the 911 operator as a guide for what to look.
[08:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> From what he says, he probably took them in the intestines.
[08:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Intestinal damage? Alright, stay there until the medical personnel arrive."
[08:43] <V-chan> "Call the cops," Minako asks the man at the other end of the line. "Two of the criminals are here, unconscious, and they had a gun. A third one's trying to escape." She closes the cell, and smiles at the wounded man. "You'll be all right. Just hang in there."
[08:44] * V-chan heads towards the gun, and grinds its barrel under her heel, wincing at the action.
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The gun is soon ruined, never to injure girls of justice again.
[08:45] * V-chan walks out of the alley, leaving a small trail of blood behind her, as she's looking for Artemis.
[08:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> A block down, you find Artemis standing over the third man, who is down and out cold.
[08:45] <V-chan> "Hey, Artemis!" Minako calls out.
[08:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> He's out in front of a lamppost, giving the impression that he ran into it.
[08:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mina!"
[08:46] * V-chan flashes her cat a victory sign.
[08:46] <V-chan> "Good job, kitty!"
[08:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sees the wound on your thigh. "Mina! Are you okay?"
[08:46] <V-chan> "It's just a scratch," she lies. "Come on, let's go check out another neighborhood."
[08:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako, you got shot. And from the way you are bleeding, that is hardly a scratch. You need to get home at the very least, Mina," he says with unusual authority.
[08:49] <V-chan> "Okay," Minako agrees. "I need to hit the books anyway. Well, either that or get drunk. But I'd need the compact for that, and I just decided not to use it anymore." She picks up Artemis again, and begins walking towards her home.
[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The walk takes a long time, as the wound is not allowed to really stop bleeding as you walk. (Another 3 damage.) By the time you reach home, you feel tired and a bit lightheaded.
[08:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> By a stroke of luck, you are able to get to your room without incident.
[08:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Both of your parents seem to already have turned in for the night.
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally, you are able to bind and bandage the wound. It was a clean shot, so there is no bullet to worry about extracting.
[08:55] * V-chan sits at her desk, and takes out her schoolbooks. She snorts at the advanced Engrish guide, before throwing it in the garbage bin in a perfect smash which is a throwback to her volleyball days. Math is pushed away, with a frown. Finally, sciences remain to confront her.
[08:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Mina," Artemis says as you try to start in your subject chosen.
[08:56] * V-chan looks at Artemis with a frown. "London, I think we have a problem," she says.
[08:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How about you save the studying for tomorrow, and I'll help you then," he says. "You should rest after what happened, Mina."
[08:58] * V-chan shakes her head. "I can't rest. I've already put this away for a few days, and it can't really wait. I promised mom that I'd study, right?"
[09:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis smiles. "I like the new work ethic, Mina, but aren't you weakened from that injury? I know you had to have lost a fair bit of blood. Why not study tomorrow when you're recovered and in a better mental state?"
[09:02] <V-chan> "I'll study tomorrow, too," she replies, shrugging. "And it's only blood." She fixes Artemis with a glance. "It's not like this is the first time I was shot at."
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But you were hit this time, Mina," he says. "I'm just worried, that's all. I don't want you to overdo this."
[09:05] <V-chan> "I'm not overdoing anything," she protests. "Look, do you know this stuff or not? I'd rather get your help than Ami's."
[09:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I know it," he says. "But are you sure you can't wait? A night of rest won't affect anything, most likely."
[09:07] <V-chan> "It can't," she says resolutely. "I don't have much time to study these days, and if we can't find Makoto soon...." She trails off, sighing.
[09:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis looks down at the mention of Makoto. "Dammit...If we could just find her....instead of spending our afternoons flailing around without any luck."
[09:08] * V-chan snorts. "Yeah, there have got to be better ways to spend afternoons than what happened today."
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope she isn't dead," Artemis says sadly and bluntly.
[09:10] <V-chan> "Of course not!" Minako half-yells, remembering just in time to lower her voice. "Rei-chan saw her, and she was fine then."
[09:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah..." The mau sighs. "Damn..."
[09:12] <V-chan> "Now, how about explaining to me why the book is so confusing?" Minako asks, holding out a physics textbook. "It says things that are obviously wrong!"
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure," he says, giving in. "About the laws of energy...."

[13:27] * V-chan lazes around in bed, having woken up half an hour earlier. Hearing the door bell ring a few times, she gets out of bed in her pajamas, and goes downstairs to check who is at the door.
[13:31] <Rei-chan> Rei is at the door, looking slightly nervous as she stands there in a high necked light blue sweater and dark blue skirt over black leggings. "Uh... hi, Minako. Can I come in?" she asks, giving a small wave.
[13:33] <V-chan> "Sure!" Minako agrees, stepping aside.
[13:34] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei says, entering the house and mentally psyching herself up for the impending conversation.
[13:35] * V-chan closes the door and looks at Rei. "Want to chat in the living room, or go upstairs to mine?"
[13:36] <Rei-chan> "Are your parents or Artemis in?" Rei asks, fidgeting slightly.
[13:36] <V-chan> "Well, my folks left for work already," Minako replies with a shrug. "Dunno where Artemis is, though. Maybe he was tired after last night's tutoring, or decided to take a walk. He just wasn't in my room when I woke up."
[13:37] <Rei-chan> "Well, we can go to your room," Rei says, before suddenly looking up, "Unless you'd rather we went to the living room?"
[13:38] <V-chan> "My room's fine," Minako tells her. "I like it. I decorated it too, you know?"
[13:39] <Rei-chan> "Ah, okay," Rei says, waiting for Minako to lead her upstairs.
[13:40] * V-chan shrugs and heads upstairs, stopping long enough to turn around and flash Rei a smile. "You know the way, right?"
[13:41] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, you pointed it out last time I was here, I was just being polite," Rei says awkwardly as she follows.
[13:42] <V-chan> "You don't have to do that to come to my room, Rei-chan," Minako admonishes her.
[13:42] * Rei-chan manages a small smile, "I'll remember that in future."
[13:43] * V-chan gets to the room, and sits on her bed, looking at Rei expectantly. "What's up?" she asks the white-haired girl.
[13:47] * Rei-chan remains standing, taking a deep breath. "Okay, first - I want to say I'm sorry for getting angry at you yesterday. I admit, I was overstressed, and I lost my temper. But I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that."
[13:47] <Rei-chan> "But," Rei adds on quickly, before Minako can get in a word, "I'm not sorry for keeping quiet about my... problems. We both have our own ways of dealing with things, and I respect yours, so you should respect mine." 'Even if my way sucks...' she thinks, disconsolately.
[13:49] <V-chan> "Umm." Minako blinks. "Okay... so you're not mad at me?"
[13:53] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei says, "Well, I was mad yesterday, but you know how my temper is..." she shrugs helplessly. "Anyway, I'm not mad now, and I'm sorry for getting mad yesterday."
[13:53] * V-chan pats the bed at her right. "Come on, you don't have to stand."
[13:55] * Rei-chan sits down where indicated. "Minako... there is something else..." she says hesitantly.
[13:55] * V-chan turns towards her. "Yes?" she asks.
[13:56] <Rei-chan> "Yesterday, when you said you were going to be 'strong' like me... I really think you should reconsider that..." Rei says, looking at her lap.
[13:58] <V-chan> "But you deserve a stronger person, Rei-chan!" Minako protests. "Someone who doesn't cry and whine so much, and who isn't so clingy, and doesn't babble -" She claps her hands over her mouth, her eyes widening. "Well, I'm still working on the last one," she mumbles in embarrassment.
[14:01] * Rei-chan turns to look Minako directly in the eyes, "But Minako, I don't want you to be like me. I wouldn't love someone like me." She blushes somewhat, "It's your honesty and openness that attracts me to you... I don't want my Minako to change into someone else."
[14:03] * V-chan mirrors Rei's blush. "Even if I ditch my studies for more fun stuff, and annoy you all the time? Even if I keep glomping you suddenly, just because?"
[14:05] <Rei-chan> "We do need to study if we want to get into another school..." Rei sighs, "And if you annoy me, I promise I'll let you know." She then gives her girlfriend a flirtatious smile, "But you can keep right on with the glomping."
[14:06] * V-chan glomps Rei. "Okay," she mumbles into her girlfriend's chest.
[14:08] * Rei-chan hugs Minako, glad that things had proceeded more or less painlessly.
[14:09] <Rei-chan> -----------------
[14:50] <Rei-chan> It is the afternoon, and our heroines are at Hikawa Shrine, studying for school, or in the case of two of them, to get into a new school...
[14:51] <Usagi-chan> "I swear, algebra has to be the single most useless subject EVER. When am I ever going to use any of this stuff in real life?" Usagi whines.
[14:52] <Rei-chan> "If you become a math teacher it'll be handy," Rei points out, with a small grin.
[14:53] <Ninja_Ami> Ami smiles patiently.
[14:53] * V-chan nods at Usagi. "It's so boring I never bothered to read it so far."
[14:53] <Ninja_Ami> "You'll have to know these things if you want to get into Mugen," Ami points out.
[14:54] <Usagi-chan> "Who CARES what x or y or any of the rest of this stuff is? It's not like I need to be doing math problems in the middle of a fight." Usagi grumbles.
[14:54] <V-chan> "Well, no," Minako counters, raising a pen with a Venus symbol on it. "I could cheat my way into Mugen."
[14:54] <Ninja_Ami> "You could?"
[14:55] <Usagi-chan> "Minako!" Usagi looks shocked. "You wouldn't!"
[14:55] <V-chan> "That's how I passed math last year," she responds with a shrug.
[14:55] <Rei-chan> "How would that work?" Rei asks, curiously.
[14:55] <V-chan> "I'm glad you asked," Minako says with a smile. She takes Rei's notebook, finds an unsolved problem and starts writing. Soon, the problem is solved flawlessly.
[14:56] * Usagi-chan starts muttering something about pens and lockets under her breath.
[14:56] * Rei-chan looks at the problem, trying to find a flaw. "What... how?"
[14:56] <V-chan> "It's a gift," Minako says sagely, twirling it in her hand and making it disappear.
[14:57] * Ninja_Ami frowns, but says nothing.
[14:57] <Rei-chan> "That's totally unfair," Rei gripes.
[14:57] <V-chan> "But I promised Mom I'll study," Minako whines, suddenly deflating.
[14:58] <Usagi-chan> "We'd better get to it then," Usagi sighs. "SOME of us don't have magical pens."
[14:58] <Rei-chan> 'If we hadn't been kicked out, I wouldn't be struggling for this entrance exam, now...' Rei thinks, trying to focus on her Chemistry problems.
[14:58] <Ninja_Ami> "Ahem, Usagi. I want you to solve this problem," Ami says, pointing to a fairly easy eqation.
[14:59] <V-chan> "Yeah, it's totally unfair," Minako agrees. "All blondes should have magical cheating pens."
[14:59] * Usagi-chan mutters and settles down to work on the near-impossible tangle of letters and numbers.
[14:59] * V-chan sighs, and takes out another pen, solving a math problem slowly.
[14:59] * Rei-chan looks at her hair, 'Thank god it's not quite blonde... but I still miss it the way it used to be...'
[15:00] * Usagi-chan looks up at Rei and frowns. 'Is there something wrong with being blonde?'
[15:00] <Rei-chan> 'It wouldn't suit me at all,' Rei replies, her mental voice distasteful, 'White is bad enough. Hardly any of my clothes match anymore.'
[15:01] <V-chan> "Say, Rei-chan," Minako asks suddenly, looking at the shrine priestess. "Should I change my hair back to blonde, so people at Mugen won't think I'm a witch?"
[15:01] * Rei-chan sighs. "I'm sure your hair had nothing to do with him calling us witches, Minako..."
[15:01] <Usagi-chan> 'You know I could take care of it for you, Rei-chan. You don't HAVE to leave it white.'
[15:01] <V-chan> "Really? But I can't think of any other reason," she says, frowning.
[15:02] * V-chan solves a problem, moving on to another.
[15:02] * Usagi-chan finally finishes the problem before passing it over to Ami to be checked.
[15:02] <Rei-chan> "The desk suddenly igniting might have tipped him off," Rei says dryly to Minako, while thinking to Usagi 'No, I know I could dye it, but having my hair like this is a reminder so I won't ever let something like that happen again.'
[15:03] <V-chan> "You really think so?" Minako asks curiously.
[15:03] <Usagi-chan> 'I think you remind yourself of it enough WITHOUT the hair, but I won't argue.' Usagi sighs out loud.
[15:04] <V-chan> "Chemistry making you sigh too, Usagi?" Minako asks, glancing at the blonde.
[15:04] * Rei-chan blushes. "That really shouldn't have happened, but I didn't know I could do things like that when I'm not Sailor Mars..."
[15:04] * Ninja_Ami glances over Usagi's work, ocationally marking it with a red pen.
[15:05] * V-chan discretely pushes the math textbook away, grabbing a thin booklet and concentrating on it.
[15:05] * Usagi-chan winces every time Ami makes another mark on the paper. "I swear, at this rate I'm going to hate red ink for the rest of my life."
[15:05] <Ninja_Ami> "Usagi, you almost have it right. See here..." Ami begins correcting her friend.
[15:06] * Rei-chan continues plodding through her exercises, occasionally looking something up in a different textbook. She seems fairly focused on her work, now.
[15:06] * Usagi-chan sits next to Ami, trying to remember all the corrections and hints from the blue-haired genius.
[15:08] * V-chan puts down 'Alchemy for the Masses' by Professor Souichi T., and turns to Usagi. "So, did you end up visiting Mamoru?" she asks the other girl curiously.
[15:09] * Rei-chan winces. 'Doesn't she remember that I told Usagi all that stuff because of what Mamoru said? Hey... what exactly did he say, anyway? He never killed anyone, did he?' she thinks.
[15:09] * Ninja_Ami stiffens slightly.
[15:09] * Usagi-chan freezes completely in the middle of doing another algebra problem, then slowly deflates. "Yeah, I did..."
[15:10] * V-chan blinks. "You don't sound enthusiastic."
[15:10] <Usagi-chan> "There's not much to be enthusiastic about." Usagi's voice is toneless.
[15:10] <V-chan> "Ah." Minako blinks again. "Well, you're better off without him?"
[15:12] * Usagi-chan gives a humorless chuckle. "Yeah, I probably am." She shudders slightly, remembering the bizarre things that were said to her in that conversation.
[15:12] <V-chan> "Want me to do something amazing to him?" she offers, smiling evilly.
[15:12] <Ninja_Ami> "Minako!"
[15:12] <Rei-chan> "There's more, Minako," Rei says gently, "Mamoru is having... similar problems to what I've been having. And he's letting his past life dictate how he views... people," she gives a look to Usagi to see if she's overstepped any boundaries.
[15:12] <V-chan> "What?" Minako asks, turning to look at Ami. "He'll live."
[15:13] * Usagi-chan looks up in surprise. "Huh?" She shakes her head quickly. "No... no, I don't think you should." 'I don't know what Mamoru's capable of right now...' Usagi closes her eyes tightly.
[15:13] <V-chan> "You mean the stuff about having a voice in your head that's telling you to kill people?" She frowns, silent for a moment. "As long as you fight it, it's all good."
[15:14] <Usagi-chan> "So it's good to tell someone you want to hug them and gut them all in the same breath?" Usagi retorts sarcastically. "...sorry, I shouldn't have said that like that."
[15:15] * Ninja_Ami pats Usagi gently. "It's ok, Usagi. I know it must be hard on you."
[15:15] <Rei-chan> "Usagi... did he actually threaten you?" Rei asks, her voice low. 'I smacked him around good before, I'll do it again if I have to!'
[15:15] <V-chan> "Well, no," Minako responds at length. "That's why he's an ass. I mean, it's not like his problem is unique. We all deal."
[15:16] * Usagi-chan hurriedly shakes her head. "It's nothing like that, Rei-chan... at least I don't think it is. I... I really don't know what to think right now." She sighs again.
[15:19] <Rei-chan> "Well, Usagi... if you do go to see him again, make sure to do it in a public place, right?" Rei suggests worriedly.
[15:20] <V-chan> "Say, Usagi, where is Mamoru right now?" she asks in a casual tone of voice.
[15:20] <Usagi-chan> "I don't think that'll be a problem. He said he'll be leaving Japan for a while, so I don't think I'll have to worry about bumping into him or anything."
[15:20] <V-chan> "Leaving Japan? Really?" Minako frowns. "How far is he running, and what's his head start?"
[15:21] * Rei-chan sighs. "Well... Tuxedo Kamen helped us a lot in the beginning, but we can manage fine without him now. We have been, anyway..."
[15:21] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know when he's leaving, but I think he said he was going to go spend some time in Hawaii. I don't know how long he'll be gone though."
[15:21] <Ninja_Ami> "Minako, that's enough," Ami says.
[15:21] * V-chan burns with a golden fire, and doesn't hear Ami's words.
[15:22] * Usagi-chan simply lowers her head and tries to work on her homework again, but has difficulty concentrating. The things Mamoru said to her in the cafe keep echoing through her mind, making it hard to think of anything else.
[15:23] * Rei-chan casts a worried glance at the silver-haired girl. "Minako, calm down," she says firmly, "You're not helping."
[15:23] <V-chan> 'My Usagi... my Hawaii....'
[15:24] <V-chan> "Right. Priorities," Minako says finally, relaxing. "Finding Makoto. Getting into Mugen. Taking a Hawaii vacation."
[15:26] * Usagi-chan says nothing else for a few minutes, her pen not moving as she stares at her homework. Finally, she stands. "I'm going to take a little walk, I think," she says in a much more subdued tone than her usual cheery self. She slowly makes her way out of the room.
[15:27] * V-chan follows Usagi hurriedly.
[15:28] <Rei-chan> 'Usagi, don't let him get to you, please,' Rei sends, deciding to give the girl her privacy.
[15:28] * Ninja_Ami sighs heavily.
[15:28] <Ninja_Ami> "Well, that could have gone better."
[15:28] <V-chan> "Wait up!" Minako calls out to Usagi, once they're both out of the room.
[15:29] * Usagi-chan gives a bitter laugh mentally. 'I think it's a bit late for that, Rei-chan. He already has.'
[15:29] * Rei-chan considers stopping Minako, but decides to let it be. "Yeah... Mamoru's a real jerk," she says to Ami, 'Though I'm not much better... I really shouldn't have spelt things out so harshly yesterday...'
[15:30] * Usagi-chan pays little attention to Minako, merely stopping to collect her jacket before she heads out of the shrine itself.
[15:31] * V-chan just dons her shoes, and catches up to Usagi. "So you still love him, even after all that?" she asks, studying Usagi's face.
[15:31] <Ninja_Ami> "He isn't the only one," Ami mutters, gathering her things.
[15:31] * Rei-chan winces. 'Ouch... though I probably deserve that...'
[15:33] * Usagi-chan merely concentrates on the ground ahead of her, not turning to face her friend. "I... I guess I do still, some. And I want him to love me, too."
[15:34] <V-chan> "Remember-" Minako bites her lip. "Remember how I offered my... help? Back then?"
[15:35] * Usagi-chan chuckles softly. "I remember. But I don't want you to do anything, Mina-chan. I want someone to love me for myself, for who I am. Sounds selfish, I know, but that's how I feel."
[15:36] <V-chan> "What about a magical bandage?" Minako asks suddenly. "You know, just until he returns?"
[15:38] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks, Mina-chan, but I'll be okay." Usagi manages a smile. "I appreciate the offer."
[15:39] <V-chan> "You don't have to leave," Minako tells her, grabbing Usagi's sleeve. "You can stay with your friends, right?"
[15:40] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not going anywhere, not for real. I just want some time to think, that's all."
[15:40] <Usagi-chan> -------------------
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Several days have passed since Makoto was confirmed missing. Each day, a portion of your time has gone to searching for the lost Sailor.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> But, despite your best efforts along all lines, no trace of her has been found.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The mooncats are growing progressively more worried, as 11 more criminals roam the Earth and Jupiter is still AWOL.
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's after another fine day of classes when you meet at Rei's temple, ready for another day of searching...
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury has been working on the encoded files in her spare time, slowly working on the biggest chunk.
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> With any luck, they may even crack today.
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well," Nian starts off the daily meeting, "Does anyone have any ideas for today's search?"
[10:55] <V-chan> "Why not search the suburbs?" Minako asks.
[10:55] <Rei-chan> "I'm not sure," Rei says sadly, "It seems every time I sense something, the trail goes cold long before we get anywhere close to finding her..."
[10:56] * Usagi-chan bursts into the temple, panting heavily. "Sorry I'm late... I hate it when Miss H has a date cancel on her." She flops down on the floor.
[10:57] <Ninja_Ami> "Evening Usagi," Ami greets their leader.
[10:57] <Rei-chan> "You haven't missed much," Rei assures her.
[10:57] <Usagi-chan> "Anything new about Makoto or any of the criminals?" Usagi looks around the room.
[10:58] * Rei-chan sighs. "Nope, and nope."
[10:59] * Usagi-chan grumbles. "I hate all this waiting."
[10:59] <Ninja_Ami> "You aren't the only one."
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," Luna agrees. "This is really getting us nowhere."
[11:02] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I might as well get down to studying again. Anyone want to volunteer today?"
[11:02] <V-chan> "Sure, I'll study too," Minako says.
[11:02] * Prince_Herb volunteers
[11:02] * Usagi-chan looks up, startled.
[11:03] <Usagi-chan> "M-mako-chan?" Usagi whispers.
[11:03] * Rei-chan suddenly looks up, startled, and closes her eyes in intense concentration as she tries to lock onto what she feels.
[11:04] <Rei-chan> "I've got it!" Rei cries, "I know where Mako-chan is!"
[11:04] * Usagi-chan tries to focus on the faint impression she's received as well.
[11:04] <Ninja_Ami> "What?" Ami asks, startled. "Where?"
[11:05] <Rei-chan> "She's in an apartment building downtown, not far from where we've been looking!" Rei says, excitedly, "We have to hurry!"
[11:05] <V-chan> "Let's teleport there," Minako suggests.
[11:06] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, her concentration broken. "Let's get going then. Rei-chan, you lead since you know where you're going."
[11:06] <Rei-chan> "I'd rather not waste time," Rei nods, holding up her transformation pen and crying "Mars Power, Make UP!"
[11:06] <V-chan> "Venus Power! Make UP!"
[11:06] <Ninja_Ami> "Mercury Power! Make Up!"
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[11:08] * Sailor_Mars holds out her hands for whomever will take them as she visualises the location she wants to teleport to.
[11:08] * V-chan takes Rei's hand hesitantly.
[11:08] * Sailor_Moon takes one of Rei's hands and holds out her other hand for Ami.
[11:09] * Sailor_Mercury holds Usagi's and Herb's hand.
[11:09] * Sailor_Mars concentrates on Jupiter's aura, in the classy apartment building downtown that she visualised.
[11:10] * Sailor_Moon simply focuses on Jupiter's aura as she knows it, without really knowing where it is.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a jerk, the world around you fades away into something else...
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> A second or two later, you find yourself in what looks to be a small underground parking garage.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few nice cars sit around, and an elevator and stairway are both within sight.
[11:12] * Sailor_Moon tries to focus on Jupiter's aura again, to get a better idea of where she is.
[11:12] * Sailor_Mars tries to remain locked on Jupiter's aura so she can guide the others to her.
[11:13] * Sailor_Mercury scans with her computer, trying to lock onto hr friend.
[11:13] <Sailor_Mars> "She's right above us! Come on!" Mars encourages the others, already running for the stairs.
[11:13] <Sailor_Moon> "Upstairs! And hurry, it's getting weaker!" Usagi releases the other senshi's hands and runs for the stairs.
[11:13] * V-chan follows Rei quickly.
[11:13] * Sailor_Mercury runs after Usagi.
[11:13] * Sailor_Dragon takes up the rear
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> The stairs go upward... You run up several flights of stairs without incident, until you come to the upper end.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> A single access door is there, unlocked and unguarded.
[11:15] * Sailor_Moon bursts through the door, trying to get a better fix on Jupiter.
[11:16] * Sailor_Mars follows without hesitation.
[11:16] * V-chan exits to the other side of Sailor Moon.
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> A plush hallway is ahead, leading to a large penthouse door. The door is of solid wood, and looks sturdy.
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel Jupiter beyond the door...?
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> And something else...
[11:16] * Sailor_Moon runs towards the door, attempting to kick it open!
[11:17] * Sailor_Mars frowns, remembering the green aura that blocked her, and trying to get a better feeling of the 'something else'.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> *CLUNK* The door doesn't even budge to your kick, the hardwood unaffected.
[11:17] <Sailor_Moon> "She's inside!" Moon shouts to the other senshi.
[11:18] <Sailor_Mars> "Be careful!" Mars cautions Moon, "There's three pretty strong auras in there. One's even more powerful than Beryl!"
[11:19] * Sailor_Moon nods, taking a moment to try to extend her own senses past the door to see for herself.
[11:19] <V-chan> "Get away from the door, Sailor Moon," Minako calls out.
[11:20] * Sailor_Moon jumps out of the way, taking a couple of steps back up the hallway.
[11:20] * V-chan points her index finger at the door, a golden aura surrounding her and whipping her hair about. "Crescent Beam Shower!" Minako cries out, sending several lances of golden energy at the door.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door shatters into pieces, clearing the way ahead... and inside...
[11:21] * Sailor_Mars moves in front of Moon, carefully advancing towards the interior...
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside is a plush living room, with a fireplace and a large window giving a good view of the city. On a couch, a being in a crimson shirt sits, idly watching you. His hair is bluish and goes straight up, like a strange mohawk. Two others are standing in the left center of the room. Makoto is held by a girlish looking man, with green hair and dark eyes. If not for the fact that he was nearly six feet tall, he could pass as a woman.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girlish man wears green armor, embossed with a forest/dark green to match his hair.
[11:24] <V-chan> "You know, we don't really have to fight," Minako says, stepping forward. "Why not return our friend to us and call it a day?"
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Such manners," he says in a high, light voice. "Brutes," he sneers, "Such terrible brutes that my Princess has as 'friends'."
[11:27] <V-chan> "Like you should talk about manners, Mr. Kidnapper," Minako tells him snidely.
[11:27] <Sailor_Mars> "Your princess?" Mars asks, quirking an eyebrow as she steps into the room.
[11:27] <Sailor_Moon> "'Your' Princess? Just which princess are you talking about?"
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The man runs his free hand across Makoto's cheek. "Why, the exalted Princess of Jupiter, of course." he smiles as he runs his hand across her cheek.
[11:28] <V-chan> "Move that hand or lose it, buster," Minako warns him.
[11:28] <Sailor_Mars> "The Princess of Jupiter died thousands of years ago. Her name is Makoto Kino," Rei says, clenching her fists.
[11:28] <Sailor_Moon> "Let Mako-chan go." Moon's tone is low and dangerous.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Such wenches. It shall be a service to my Princess to dispose of you." his voice gets higher, even more girlish. "In the name of the House of Jupiter, I shall see your executions!" He waves his free hand, and he and Makoto vanish. In his place is a humanoid creature, of golden skin and a cruel, twisted smile of a face.
[11:32] * Sailor_Mars ignores the creature, turning to the guy in the red shirt. "What about you? Why are you involved in this?"
[11:33] <Sailor_Mercury> "Who are you?" Ami adds.
[11:33] * Sailor_Moon merely keeps an eye on the strange creature, waiting for it to make a move.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> He chuckles, a gutteral sound. "I'm just getting a ride off this rock," he says, his voice rough.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> A high, evil hissing is heard from the golden creature, a sound of rage.
[11:34] <V-chan> "Why don't you teleport?" Minako asks curiously.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> It raises it's arms, as if to attack...
[11:35] <V-chan> roll 1d6+12
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+12 and gets 16."
[11:35] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[11:35] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[11:35] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+6
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+6 and gets 8."
[11:35] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[11:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> The odd creature on the couch looks at the readying Senshi, his blue skin shaking as he laughs but making no offensive motions...
[11:40] <V-chan> "Right, we'll chat some more once we dust the beastie with the rage disorder," Minako tells the blue-skinned guy, before firing off a Crescent Beam Shower at golden creature.
[11:40] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack crashes into the creature, causing it to hiss in agony, but it stands.
[11:42] * Sailor_Mars sighs, "Why do they always make us fight the dumb monsters first?" she laments, aiming her clasped hands at the creature. With a short cry of "Fire Soul!" she looses off a spiralling fireball at the creature.
[11:43] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The creature makes no attempt to dodge, the fire washing over it like water over stream rocks. Once it clears, you can tell the creature was completely unaffected by your fire attack. It raises it's arms above it's head...
[11:44] <Sailor_Mars> Rei's eyes widen in alarm as her attack has no effect on the creature.
[11:49] * Sailor_Moon narrows her eyes as she tries to focus on the creature's aura, looking for any information that might be useful in fighting it.
[11:49] * Sailor_Dragon steps forward and kicks out at the creature, hoping that it's vulnerable to a sound kicking
[11:49] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[11:50] * Sailor_Mercury pulls back, scanning for signs of Jupiter.
[11:50] * Sailor_Moon shudders slightly. "It's not a youma, whatever it is. It's like... almost like it doesn't have any soul at all."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> It turns it's vile glance at Rei, and flames suddenly surround her!
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> A burst of fire erupts around her, but misses, dissipating instantly.
[11:53] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[11:53] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 17."
[11:53] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[11:53] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[11:53] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[11:53] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 12."
[11:53] <V-chan> roll 1d6+12
[11:53] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:53] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:53] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[11:54] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+6
[11:54] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+6 and gets 12."
[11:55] * V-chan summons her sword from subspace and hands it over to Rei. "Let's see if he likes it better," she says, while pointing her left hand at the golden beast and shooting a Crescent Beam at its wound.
[11:55] <V-chan> roll 2d6+3
[11:55] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 7."
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack drills through the creature's old wound, causing it to burst open!
[11:57] <V-chan> "So, can we chat now?" Minako asks, turning towards the creature on the couch. "You were saying something about why you couldn't teleport off our planet?"
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blue skinned man(?) merely shrugs, seemingly uncaring. "I'd worry more about the demon over there," he says in his gutteral voice, making a wave with his hand.
[11:59] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head, any doubts in attacking the creature dispelled by what she saw. She aims for the same spot as Minako as she draws out the Lunar Rod. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[11:59] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[11:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The creature is consumed by the blast, reduced to a pile of limbs and blood on the floor!
[12:00] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head, handing the Legendary Holy Blade back to Sailor Venus.
[12:00] * Sailor_Moon makes a face. "Ugh... I preferred it when they just turned into dust."
[12:00] * V-chan sighs, and takes it back.
[12:02] <Sailor_Mars> Seemingly unaffected by the creature's demise, Rei again speaks to the crimson being. "So where are you wanting to go?" she asks curiously, "All the other planets we know of are dead."
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, around," he says. As he says that, a pulse of darkness comes from the body. Turning, you see the limbs rise and reassemble, the blood turning back into flesh and bone. "Don't you know? A demon can't be killed," he laughs.
[12:04] <Sailor_Mars> "They can still be dealt with," Mars smirks, an ofuda appearing in her hand.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> It hisses again, seemingly undeterred from the events of a few moments ago.
[12:06] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[12:06] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[12:06] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:06] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+6 and gets 9."
[12:06] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[12:07] <Sailor_Moon> "If they can't be killed.... we can always try purifying them." Moon raises the Rod high and traces a circle with it as she faces the demon. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
[12:08] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:09] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack goes over and an into the demon...and you can tell by it's unchanging aura that the healing at absolutely no effect on the creature.
[12:13] * Sailor_Dragon tries a high kick, trying to develop it into a neck-lock with her well-muscled thighs.
[12:13] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[12:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:16] <Sailor_Mars> Taking several rapid steps towards the demon, Sailor Mars slams her ofuda against its forehead with a cry of "Akuryo Taisan!"
[12:16] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:16] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:16] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ward slaps on...you feel the creature be restrained slightly, but it seems to still be mostly functional.
[12:19] * V-chan charges the creature with her sword, trying to run it through.
[12:19] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:19] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your sword goes into the creature's abdoment, causing it a good dose of pain and bleeding!
[12:20] * Sailor_Moon cries out in shock and jumps backward a few feet.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The creature looks at Usagi and glares evilly...
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:21] * V-chan pulls the sword out, and leaps back.
[12:22] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+4
[12:22] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+4 and gets 10."
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi is propelled into the air by a blast of flame and force, going up a few feet. From the burst of flame around her, it is possible to tell that the attack missed to a degree, as only the edge of it hit Usagi.
[12:28] <Sailor_Mercury> Summoning a blue ball of energy in her hand, Mercury crosses her arms before opening them wide, unleashing a torrent of freezing bubbles at the demon. "Shabon Spray Freezing!"
[12:28] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[12:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:29] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ice and mist surrounds the creature, slivers of cold on its skin now. It loudly hisses in pain from the cold blast!
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ice is around parts of the creature, some on its body and feet...
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Having fun," the man on the couch asks, watching the battle. He seems to be enjoying your fight against the monster.
[12:34] <Sailor_Moon> "Not particularly..." Moon grits her teeth as she struggles to rise on one knee.
[12:34] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[12:34] <Rei-chan> roll 1d6+10
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:34] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[12:36] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[12:36] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 12."
[09:29] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[09:29] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[09:30] * V-chan springs forward, her sword slashing against the creature diagonally.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:31] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack slices across the vile creature, causing a cut spurt blood!
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The golden skinned demon stumbles back, obviously pained from the wound.
[09:33] <Sailor_Mars> Holding up her hands in prayer position, Rei chants rapidly as she focuses her will on banishing the demon back to wherever it was spawned.
[09:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[09:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 14."
[09:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[09:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 15."
[09:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[09:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 12."
[09:35] * Sailor_Moon manages to struggle to her feet, rallying her strength to continue the fight!
[09:35] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> The creature hisses yet again, its high pitched wail loud! Your banishment fails.
[09:38] * Sailor_Dragon rises slightly into the air and unleashes an attack on the puir wee beastie. "Dragon Spirit Blast!"
[09:38] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[09:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:39] * Sailor_Mars brings up her hands, her eyes widening.
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack sails up and wide, missing the monster!
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> The monster turns it's terrifying glare at Sailor Mars!
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> A blast detonates near Sailor Mars, but she is merely pushed back a bit, unharmed!
[09:43] * Sailor_Mars growls as she steadies herself, none the worse for wear.
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Such a show," the man on the couch cheers you on, laughing.
[09:44] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[09:44] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[09:44] <Sailor_Moon> "Glad you find us entertaining." Moon sticks her tongue out at the man.
[09:44] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[09:44] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d5
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d5 and gets 2."
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "This is battle comedy," he roars back, highly amused by your attempts to slay the demon.
[09:46] <Sailor_Moon> "Stay dead this time, will you?" Moon pauses to shoot a glare at the man on the couch, then turns back to the demon. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[09:46] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack slams hard into the creature! With a groan, it again falls into a pile of blood and body parts!
[09:47] <Sailor_Moon> "Get rid of it, someone!" Moon shouts.
[09:48] * Sailor_Mars repeats her earlier mantra, focusing intently as she tries to send the chunky giblets back to wherever they came from.
[09:48] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[09:48] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 10."
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, the pieces of the demon spin and twirl, and in a bright flash of light, vanish!
[09:49] <V-chan> "Victory!" Minako exclaims, posing with her sword.
[09:49] * Sailor_Moon breathes a sigh of relief.
[09:49] <Sailor_Dragon> "Yay! Go Mars-hime!"
[09:49] <Sailor_Mars> "Who cares if it can't die? It won't bother us now," Mars tells the red-shirted man as she turns round.
[09:50] * Sailor_Mars doesn't show any visible reaction to the vision of the place the creature came from...
[09:50] * V-chan stays on the lookout for any more threats.
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The man stands, without a word. Now that he is standing, you can see he is over six feet tall and well muscled. His body speaks of many battles, and perhaps even more. Loose black cloth pants complete his outfit, and a large, two handed white sword appears in one of his hands out of thin air.
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good. I was hoping that I'd get to do this personally," he says, grinning.
[09:51] <V-chan> "Isn't it custom to tell us your name first, or something?" Minako asks, turning to face him.
[09:51] * Sailor_Moon draws away from the man, holding her rod in front of her in a defensive pose.
[09:51] * Sailor_Mars narrows her eyes, studying his two auras intently to see if she can learn anything useful.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ask your comrade in hell," he jests, still grinning for a second. With a flash, he comes at you, almost too fast to even see his blur!
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[09:52] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 17."
[09:52] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[09:52] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 10."
[09:52] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:54] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[09:54] <Sailor_Mars> 'His auras are amplifying each other!' Mars sends to Moon, her eyes widening in alarm.
[09:55] <Sailor_Moon> 'I see it...' Moon returns.
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a stunning speed, he is upon Sailor Mars, sword ready!
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:55] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:55] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Two slashes come at Sailor Mars, both meant to draw the life away from our Pretty Sailor!
[09:56] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[09:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:56] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[09:56] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 13."
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[09:57] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[09:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first slice opens up a nasty wound across Mars's belly, blood flowing from it. The second runs through her right shoulder, and he kicks off it, sending Mars into the wall in a bloody heap. A second later he is moving again in the same speedy blur, almost impossible to see!
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> (64 damage to Mars.)
[10:04] * Sailor_Moon gasps in horror. "Mars!" She spins to face the downed senshi, raising the Lunar Rod. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
[10:04] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:04] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> The light of the Healing washes over Mars, abating the shoulder wound entirely. Her belly still bleeds, however.
[10:07] * Sailor_Mars stands up on shaky legs, her face as white as her hair even as her wounds abate. A hand covers her stomach, while she clenches the other fist. "Thanks, Sailor Moon," she gasps.
[10:08] <Sailor_Mars> 'Usagi... his energy keeps getting higher...' Mars sends to their leader, the worry in her mental voice palpable.
[10:08] <Sailor_Moon> 'I can see that... we need to get out of here!' Usagi sends to Minako as well.
[10:13] <V-chan> "Leave them all alone!" Minako yells, and charges the swordsman.
[10:13] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[10:13] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> He wards away your blow, swiftly moving away afterward. It didn't even look like he had to try to stop your swing.
[10:15] * Sailor_Dragon tumbles towards and over past the guy, stopping to launch a vicious swipe at his lunchbox.
[10:15] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[10:15] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:16] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> He's too fast, evading your blow, only a harsh laugh left behind.
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Guys," Mercury calls, looking up from her computer, "His energy is growing massively!"
[10:23] <Sailor_Mars> 'We need a diversion if we want to get out of this alive,' Mars thinks grimly. Still clutching her wounded stomach, she raises her other hand and snaps her fingers, causing a brilliant burst of incandescent fire to erupt right before the swordsman's eyes. 'If he's blinded, we might just make it...' she hopes.
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> The flash of light bursts in front of him, causing him to stagger for a moment, slightly stunned.
[10:26] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[10:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[10:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d2
[10:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d2 and gets 1."
[10:26] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[10:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11."
[10:27] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[10:27] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 14."
[10:27] <V-chan> roll 1d6
[10:27] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[10:28] <Sailor_Mars> "Guys, he keeps getting stronger! We have to get out of here while we still can!" Mars cries to her teammates, her voice filled with the shame of retreat, and the fear that they might die if they don't.
[10:30] * Sailor_Dragon now falls back towards the door
[10:33] * Sailor_Moon turns to face the half-stunned swordsman, yelling to the other senshi at the top of her lungs. "GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE, ALL OF YOU!" Acting on instinct, she throws her hands out in front of her and a brilliant white beam of light lances out from them towards the man!
[10:33] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:33] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your eyes are blinded as a beam of light floods the room. The room shakes as the walls are blown out and the window is pulverised. Once your eyes clear, Sailor Moon is on her knees, stunned. The man in the crimson shirt is guarding himself with his sword in front, near the open window. He looks relatively unhurt, but surprised and a bit off balance.
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> The sky is above... the roof is gone completely.
[10:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Like I'm leaving you!" Mars yells, grabbing Sailor Moon as she retreats.
[10:38] * V-chan retreats as well, staying in the back.
[10:38] <Sailor_Mars> "His energy is still rising!" Mars sounds almost totally panicked as she hurries down the stairs, Sailor Moon over her shoulder in a fireman's carry.
[10:38] <Sailor_Dragon> "Soaring Dark Dragon Spirit!" Sailor_Dragon calls out, and the temperature of the penthouse drops a couple of centigrade as a negative ki blast lashes out at the blackguard, then she drops over the side, falling out of range of the swords
[10:39] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[10:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ha!" he yells, his red aura suddenly becoming visible to all that still see him. With a swipe of his blade, the ki is deflected away...
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> You run, down the stairs. To your surprise, you find no pursuit as you flee the building...
[10:41] * Sailor_Mars is starting to really worry what'll happen when all that energy gets released...
[10:41] * Sailor_Moon glances over her shoulder. 'How can one person control that much energy...?'
[10:42] <V-chan> "Let's run like hell first, and think this over later," Minako suggests, urging Usagi on.
[10:42] <Sailor_Dragon> "That's a question for the Pretty Soldier Sailor Mercury.   He didn't try to absorb the negative ki, though."
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> AS you escape, waves of his red energy begin to flow through the building...and as you escape out, a final wave emits, rocking the building to it's foundations. While shaken, the complex is still up.
[10:45] * Sailor_Mars continues putting as much distance between herself and the building as she can. Even if she can no longer sense the energy, she doesn't want to stick around in case he's planning something...
[10:45] <Sailor_Dragon> 'Wow,' Sailor_Dragon thinks,'those earthquake proof buildings do the business..."
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> ------

[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> After your flight from the building, you race to Rei's temple, where you lick your wounds...
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury goes to work on her computer, trying to figure out the readings she got from the battle.
[10:47] * Rei-chan looks at her stomach, which is still oozing blood. "I... I need to go get some bandages," she says, slightly woozy without all the adrenaline pumping.
[10:47] * V-chan follows Rei worriedly. "Want me to bandage you again?" she asks, stepping in pace.
[10:47] * Usagi-chan collapses on the floor, exhausted and more than a little burnt from her encounter with the demon.
[10:48] <Rei-chan> "Okay..." Rei says, looking rather pale as she pulls the first aid box from under her bed.
[10:48] * Rei-chan takes off her sweater and throws it in the bin. Not like those stains will come out...
[10:48] <Usagi-chan> "At least... at least we all got out in one piece." Usagi pants.
[10:49] * V-chan winces, and tries to clean Rei's wounds as best she can.
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The wound is a clean cut, at least. It should heal well.
[10:49] <Rei-chan> "Damn... and I thought Kunzite packed a punch..." Rei says, wincing at the sting of antiseptic.
[10:49] <V-chan> "What is it with bad guys and swords," Minako grumbles, bandaging the wound. "And what is it with them attacking you...."
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "I'll be okay..." Rei reassures her, "I'd rather get hurt myself than see you guys get hurt."
[10:51] <V-chan> "I would rather no one got hurt," Minako says, frowning. "Except the bad guys with swords. I'll get him next time, oh yes."
[10:52] <Rei-chan> Once her bandages are on, Rei grabs an old grey sweater from her closet and puts it on, before returning to the living room where everyone else is.
[10:53] <Rei-chan> "We were lucky to get out alive," she tells the others, flatly.
[10:55] <Princess_Herb> "The first thing we don't do again is teleport into a combat," Princess_Herb says.
[10:55] <Princess_Herb> "It puts us at an instant disadvantage."
[10:55] <V-chan> "We need an advantage," Minako announces. "And for that, we need to unlock the secrets of the artifacts we brought from the Moon."
[10:56] <Rei-chan> "Teleporting normally gave the Dark Kingdom an advantage," Rei says bitterly, "But for some reason it drains us a lot more than it did them..."
[10:56] * Usagi-chan manages to sit up, wincing. "You're both right. Teleporting takes too much out of us to charge straight into a fight, but we've got to find something we can use to even the odds a bit."
[10:56] <V-chan> "Avoiding teleportation may not be an option," Minako says bitterly.
[10:57] <V-chan> "Remember that snow girl, and how we had to get to the mall?"
[10:59] <Princess_Herb> "It's certainly an option we should consider last, then.   We should also work on team plays and a code so that we can tell each other our plans without the enemy being any the wiser."
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "That guy... he really hurt me right at the beginning, and he just kept getting stronger..." Rei says, holding her arms around herself, "By the end... it wasn't as strong as Metallia, or Usagi with the Crystal, but it was light years beyond any of us..."
[11:00] <Rei-chan> Looking up, Rei speaks, sounding a bit more confident, "We need to stop using our most powerful attacks right at the beginning. We wasted a lot on that stupid demon, and it put us at a huge disadvantage against that guy..."
[11:00] * Princess_Herb nods in agreement.
[11:00] <V-chan> "Any ideas what made him keep on getting stronger?"
[11:01] <Rei-chan> "He had two auras... one was in the sword, I think, and they resonated... amplifying off each other in a constant cycle," Rei says, furrowing her brow.
[11:01] <Usagi-chan> "And just kept going..." Usagi shakes her head.
[11:02] <Princess_Herb> "We should have attacked the sword first, then."
[11:02] <V-chan> "He was too fast to choose where my attack would land," Minako responds, shaking her head.
[11:02] <V-chan> "I don't see a way to hit it, at my current level."
[11:02] <Rei-chan> "Hey... didn't one of those space criminals have a sword he was bonded to?" Rei says, now sounding worried, "The one who killed Sailor Neptune?"
[11:03] <Princess_Herb> "That's so."
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oxyite," Mecury echos. "Yes, that was Oxyite."
[11:04] <Princess_Herb> "Didn't the Silver Millennium Venus-hime have some control over metals?" Princess_Herb asks.   She opens up her mooncat shaped backpack and fishes out her notebook.
[11:05] <Usagi-chan> "What does that have to do with Oxyite?" Usagi looks puzzled.
[11:05] <Princess_Herb> "If his sword's made out of some kind of metal, it might be relevant."
[11:06] <Princess_Herb> "Does anyone want to make up a list of possible plays, or shall I do it?" Princess_Herb asks
[11:06] <Rei-chan> "But it might be made out of a tooth, like your sword," Rei puts in, "Or some other strange non-metallic material. In any case, Minako doesn't have those powers, so unless you have a time machine to fetch the old Sailor Venus, it's not much good to us."
[11:06] <Usagi-chan> "If Rei's right and the second aura I saw is from the sword, there's no way. They're so closely tied together I doubt we could do anything to that sword without killing him first."
[11:07] * Rei-chan nods, "They were bonded completely, I thought it was a single aura at first."
[11:07] * Usagi-chan nods in agreement. "So did I, but I started seeing two once he got stronger..."
[11:08] * V-chan frowns, deep in thought. "What if we combine our powers for an attack right off the bat?"
[11:08] <Rei-chan> "I sensed two auras when I first saw him in person, but I didn't really have time to examine it until right before he attacked us..."
[11:08] <V-chan> "This oscillation-thingy takes time to reach its peak, right? So he'd be weakest at the beginning."
[11:09] <Usagi-chan> "What are we going to DO? If he really did kill Sailor Neptune back in the Silver Millenium, how are we going to be able to take care of him now?"
[11:09] <Princess_Herb> "Well, scratch that idea then," Princess_Herb sighs.
[11:09] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, the longer a fight goes on, the stronger he gets while the weaker we get..." Rei says contemplatively.
[11:10] <Princess_Herb> "They did get him in the end, so it must be possible.   We just don't know how they did it, or why they imprisoned him, rather than anything else."
[11:10] <V-chan> "The Planet Attack," Minako says, looking at the other senshi. "Unless you have any other ideas, it seems like our best opening shot."
[11:10] * Rei-chan nods. "It worked against Metallia, and as powerful as he is, he's not on that scale."
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But would that leave us with anything else if that green armored man came after him?" Mercury asks.
[11:11] <V-chan> "Yes," Minako says. "Our normal weapons."
[11:11] * Rei-chan suddenly turns to Usagi, "Hey, what exactly was that thing you did right at the end there?"
[11:11] <Usagi-chan> "And how long will it take us to get it ready? I mean, we had a second to get it started with Metallia, but this guy is just so fast!"
[11:12] <Rei-chan> "Well, it was four of us doing it against Metallia, the others could distract him?" Rei offers.
[11:12] * Usagi-chan turns to Rei. "I... I'm not exactly sure, to be honest. I was just so scared and worried, I did it without thinking."
[11:13] <V-chan> "I think Artemis works well as a distraction," Minako says, smiling. "He took out a guy just the other day, all on his own!"
[11:13] <Rei-chan> "What guy?"
[11:14] <V-chan> "Just some criminal." Minako waves her hand in dismissal. "They were weaklings."
[11:14] * Rei-chan shrugs, dismissing it. Gears turn in her head for a moment, before she looks up, "Hey, I wonder if Jadeite knows anything about these guys? When he showed up at the Shrine, he hinted that we'd be awfully busy soon, and it wouldn't be because of him..."
[11:15] <Usagi-chan> "It's possible, I guess. He WAS imprisoned with them, although from the way things looked I don't think they did a heck of a lot of talking in there."
[11:17] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... he could have just been talking crap... he did a lot of that," Rei says, shrugging.
[11:19] <Usagi-chan> "No way to know unless he shows up again." Usagi sighs.
[11:20] <Rei-chan> "He will. I am kind of curious how he plans to take over the world without an army of youma to back him up, though," Rei chuckles.
[11:20] <V-chan> "How are the rest of you guys?" Minako asks suddenly. "Does anyone aside from Rei-chan need Cute Nurse Minako's tender care?"
[11:20] <Usagi-chan> "I'm just really, really tired. And I feel like I've got the sunburn from hell." Usagi mutters.
[11:20] <Princess_Herb> "I could do with a bath, but apart from that I'm fine..."
[11:21] <V-chan> "Sunburn?" Minako turns to Rei. "Do you have a lotion for that, or something?"
[11:21] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'll go find it," Rei says, heading off towards her room.
[11:22] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "You don't have to go to the trouble, I'll be okay."
[11:22] <V-chan> "Now, you need to take off your clothes," Minako tells Usagi, nodding. "After Herb leaves, anyway."
[11:22] <Rei-chan> A moment later, Rei returns bearing a soothing after sun lotion, and blinks at hearing Minako's request to Usagi.
[11:23] * Princess_Herb suppresses the urge to use Ranma's line and nods
[11:23] <Princess_Herb> "I'll go home to have that bath and work on a list of plays..."
[11:23] * Usagi-chan glances at Minako. "Um... oookay."
[11:23] <V-chan> "Want to help me, Rei-chan?" Minako asks her girlfriend innocently.
[11:24] <Rei-chan> "Uh... here you go," Rei says, handing the bottle to Minako. 'I wonder if my powers could do anything to alleviate burns... I doubt it, they only seem good for causing them. But I can put out fires when I want, so maybe...'
[11:25] * V-chan glances back at Usagi. "Hurry up! Or do you need our help?"
[11:25] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a worried glance. "You can try it, but be really, REALLY careful, okay?" Usagi waits for Herb to depart.
[11:25] <V-chan> "Try what?" Minako asks.
[11:25] * Princess_Herb blushes. "Hey! I'm still here!" She begins to rapidly shove her stuff into the mooncat backpack...
[11:25] * Princess_Herb flees at speed
[11:26] * Rei-chan shakes her head, "I was thinking my powers might do something, but I'd probably make it worse. The lotion is our best bet."
[11:26] <V-chan> "Yes, and I'm great at putting lotion on! You'll feel better in a sec!" Minako flashes Usagi a sunny smile.
[11:26] <Rei-chan> "Anyway, weren't you burnt on your front, Usagi? You can use the bathroom and apply it yourself," Rei suggests.
[11:26] <V-chan> "You don't believe in my skills?" Minako asks Rei, pouting.
[11:26] * Usagi-chan nods. "Okay, your call." Usagi slowly removes her blouse, revealing a side that's been cooked to a lovely red color.
[11:27] <Princess_Herb> 'Boy, those girls work fast..." Princess_Herb thinks as she runs home, "I wonder if Usa-chan will be sold on lesbianism by tomorrow?"
[11:28] * V-chan uncaps the bottle, and begins applying the lotion to Usagi's skin gently, her hand glowing with a soft golden light.
[11:28] * Rei-chan winces, "That looks nasty," she says, before heading towards the kitchen, "Anyone want anything to eat?"
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Some juice?" Ami asks, not looking up from her computer.
[11:29] <Usagi-chan> "It doesn't feel so great either." Usagi makes a face. "You know me, Rei-chan -- whatever you've got ready, I'll eat." She cracks a smile and winces as Minako continues rubbing the lotion in.
[11:29] <V-chan> "Juice would be great," Minako adds.
[11:29] * Rei-chan nods and disappears into the kitchen.
[11:31] * V-chan continues rubbing the lotion in spiral patterns, trying to get Usagi's skin to relax and her nerves to go slightly numb.
[11:31] <Rei-chan> As she makes up a few sandwiches, Rei frowns. 'What is Minako doing?' she wonders, feeling a strange aura in the living room going from Minako to Usagi.
[11:32] * Usagi-chan lies down on her good side. "Mmm... thanks, Mina-chan. That does feel a lot better."
[11:33] <V-chan> "I don't think Rei-chan believes me," Minako says sadly. "Should I show her my lotion-rubbing skills as well, for kicks?"
[11:34] <Rei-chan> Entering the living room with a plate of sandwhiches and a tray of drinks, Rei puts them on the table, before turning to Usagi and Minako. "What are you doing?" she asks the silver-haired girl. "I can sense your aura, going into Usagi's..."
[11:34] * Usagi-chan giggles slightly, wincing at the sudden motion. "I'll vouch for you, V-chan."
[11:35] <V-chan> "It covers her skin -- the burnt, hurt part," Minako replies to Rei, not looking away.
[11:36] <Rei-chan> "You mean you can heal her like that?" Rei asks, surprised.
[11:38] * V-chan shakes her head. "Not heal, no. Just numb the skin a bit, that kind of thing."
[11:39] <Rei-chan> "Oh," Rei says, handing a glass of orange juice over to Ami, "Well, that's still pretty useful."
[11:39] * Usagi-chan nods, closing her eyes. "It doesn't hurt as much, that's for sure. Everywhere else that I touch that's burned, it's worse than having a sunburn." Usagi taps her leg to demonstrate and winces again.
[11:40] <V-chan> "Wanna see how it works, Rei-chan?" Minako asks, beconing the girl over.
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei says, grabbing a sandwich and handing it to Usagi as she kneels next to Minako.
[11:41] * Usagi-chan accepts the sandwich and starts munching away happily. "Thanks, Rei-chan."
[11:41] <V-chan> Minako's other hand glows as well, and she cups Rei's cheek gently with it, smiling.
[11:42] <Rei-chan> "Ah!" Rei brings up a hand, stopping short of touching her cheek, "It tingles," she says, smiling.
[11:43] <V-chan> "Isn't it cool?" Minako asks her, giggling.
[11:44] * Rei-chan nods, leaning back and smiling for a moment. Then she remembers their current problems (reminded by a sharp pain in her stomach as she moves), and frowns. 'I hope we can all recover fully before we fight that guy again...'
[11:44] * Usagi-chan finishes off her sandwich and relaxes, drifting off to sleep as Minako continues to apply the lotion to her burns.
[11:44] * V-chan concentrates on applying lotion to Usagi's skin again, using both hands this time.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------------
[11:51] * Usagi-chan is on her way home, after a short nap at the shrine. Her progress is a bit slower than usual, due to the burns making walking a bit painful. Usagi arrives home without too much incident. "Mom, I'm home!"
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Usagi. Dinner is ready," she calls from the eating room.
[11:52] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks Mom, I'll be there in a minute." Usagi makes her way to the dining room, limping very slightly.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> You notice it's just your mother and Luna tonight. "Your father is at a late event, and Shingo is eating at a friend's house," she says by way of explanation.
[11:54] * Usagi-chan smiles and nods. "So, what are we having?"
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just some reheated leftovers, this and that," she smiles. "Since it's just me and you..."
[11:57] <Usagi-chan> "That's fine. I had some snacks over at Rei-chan's earlier, but I'm still starving."
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How was your day, dear," she asks she makes you a plate.
[12:00] * Usagi-chan gives Luna a knowing look. "A lot busier than I expected."
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really?" Both Luna and your mom say, both having different meanings.
[12:03] * Usagi-chan nods. "A lot of running around and stuff. The other girls and I were looking for someone."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Who," she asks, looking at your face. "Usagi, did you get sunburned somehow?"
[12:05] * Usagi-chan ducks her head. "Mako-chan - we haven't seen her in a while, so we were out trying to figure out where she might have gone."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Makoto," she chews it for a moment. "She's a Sailor, correct? Did something happen to her about that?" her voice is interested, and perhaps a tad worried.
[12:07] <Usagi-chan> "Um..." Usagi looks rather uncomfortable. "Kind of..." she finishes, in a small voice.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What happened, Usagi?" she asks. "Are you alright?"
[12:09] * Usagi-chan sighs. "We... found Mako-chan, but someone's captured her. We couldn't get her back today, and we got into a fight after she was taken away."
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, are you alright," she asks again, clearly concerned now. Luna shoots you a curious look, but holds her tounge.
[12:10] * Usagi-chan nods. "We're all okay, Mom. We'll get Mako-chan back somehow."
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> She reaches out, running her fingers across the right side of Usagi's face. "How did you get a sunburn in weather like this? Did something happen?" she asks, undeterred.
[12:11] * Usagi-chan draws in a hissing breath in pain as her mother touches her face, tears forming in her eyes. "Ow!"
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her hand jerks back. "Oh, Usagi...What really happened, dear?" she sighs, deeply worried and hurt.
[12:12] * Usagi-chan looks away. "I got hit while we were fighting. It's just a little burn, nothing serious really."
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hit with what? A fireBALL?" her voice rises a few notches.
[12:14] * Usagi-chan shakes her hands. "No no, it's all right! I'll be fine! It was some sort of fire... explosion... thingy, I'm not really sure exactly."
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You got blown up?" she is filled with worry now. "Oh, Usagi..."
[12:17] <Usagi-chan> "It's okay, Mom, really. I've had to deal with worse before." Usagi gives her mother a smile. "I usually heal up pretty fast, so it's nothing to worry about, I promise."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You mean you get hurt that often?" Damn, another rise in her voice.
[12:19] * Usagi-chan stands up, taking her mother by the shoulders. "No, I don't get hurt that often! But it has happened sometimes. It's really nothing to worry about!"
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But..." she starts.
[12:21] * Usagi-chan gives her mom a hug. "It's nothing, I promise. I'll probably be good as new in the morning."
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi..." she murmurs, crying a bit.
[12:22] * Usagi-chan just holds on to Ikkuko. "It's okay, Mom... I'm not going to let myself get hurt at all if I can help it, okay?"
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But I'm afraid she won't be able to help it," a familiar voice taunts from nowhere and everywhere.
[12:24] * Usagi-chan releases her mother quickly, looking around for the source of the voice as she tries to place it.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wha?" your mother looks up, surprised.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> The image of Jadeite shows up in the near window. "It's been a long time, Sailor Moon."
[12:28] * Usagi-chan narrows her eyes. "Jadeite... Rei said you'd showed up around here." 'Rei-chan! Mina-chan! Transform and get to my house NOW!'
[12:28] <Rei-chan> At the Shrine, Rei immediately drops what she's doing (reading manga), and transforms, rushing to Usagi's house as fast as she can.
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm afraid I must cut across the formalities today, Sailor Moon." The vision shifts a bit, and you see Shingo tied up, unconcious. "Such a good source of energy, Usagi." Jadeite smiles infuriatingly.
[12:30] * Usagi-chan clenches a fist. "Let him go, Jadeite. He has nothing to do with this. I'm the one you want."
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No, I'm afraid not." he smiles. "In fact, I have a few other people." The imagery zooms across a dark room, showing your father, Naru, Umino, and a few other people you know. "You keep such good company, Sailor Moon."
[12:32] <Usagi-chan> "Then what DO you want?" Usagi practically spits.
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Such good energy, too. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were keeping them for yourself to drain," his smile is predatory.
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You monster!" Ikuko shouts. "Let them go!"
[12:33] <Usagi-chan> "You can't even USE that energy, so stop trying to mock me. Metallia is dead, and you can't use their energy yourself."
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You'd be surprised what one an enterprising person can learn, Sailor Moon," he taunts again. "I'll find some reason to drain them dry, I'm sure."
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "You have no clue what you're dealing with, Jadeite. I'll only ask politely one more time. Let. Them. Go."
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course not. I'll be waiting for you to turn yourself in to me, defenseless, at the Harbor 9 pier," he says, vanishing.
[12:37] * Usagi-chan sags as the apparition vanishes, her anger-born strength dissipating. "Damn him!"
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother sinks into her chair, her face showing pure shock.
[12:39] * Usagi-chan turns to her mother, an expression of sorrow on her face. "I'm so sorry, Mom..."
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Kenji...oh God...Shingo..." she croaks  out.
[12:41] * Usagi-chan's face darkens. "I won't let him hurt them, I swear it. Dad and Shingo will be fine."
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> She buries her face in her hands and sobs. "Oh..oh...oh..."
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We need to put an end to this, Usagi," Luna says quietly.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan throws her hand out to the side. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[12:44] * Sailor_Moon kneels down next to her mother. "I swear to you by the Moon itself, I WILL get them back - all of them."
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Please, Usagi..." she gets out.
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Please don't go and get hurt, okay?"
[12:45] * Sailor_Moon strokes her mother's hair lovingly. "I won't. Luna!" Usagi's head snaps up to look over at the mooncat.

Meanwhile...

[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> When Minako finally gets home, it's about dinner time. From the car just leaving, it looks like delivery is the order of the day.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> It looks like your parents ordered plenty of Chinese food for the night. Several white cartons are spread over the kitchen table.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Minako," Your mom says around a bite of rice. "Studied hard today?"
[12:04] <V-chan> "I studied hard yesterday and the day before, and--" Minako shakes her head. "But something came up today. I'm sorry."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," she says, putting her chopsticks down. "Will you be ready to get back in school soon?"
[12:06] * V-chan nods. "Of course! I've been studying with Artemis at nights, and with Rei-chan at the temple most days. And Ami helps us there a lot."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> She chortles. "I don't see what help that silly cat is, but I'm sure the others are helping you. Right, dear?" she asks.
[12:11] <V-chan> "Sure!" Minako responds, smiling. "I think I understand sciences better, now."
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good, good. Well, are you hungry, Mina?" your dad interjects from his General Tso's Chicken.
[12:13] <V-chan> "Yeah, I didn't really get to eat today." She laughs embarrassedly. "I guess I kinda forgot."
[12:13] * V-chan grabs a carton, and begins eating.
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I swear, it's like you run around like a space heroine, Mina," your father laughs. "All hustle and no time to eat."
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dear," your mother chides him.
[12:15] <V-chan> "Try a space princess," Minako corrects him absent-mindedly, eating the Chinese food.
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, a space princess from the planet Mercury!" he laughs more, rocking in his seat. "Our daughter, the intergalactic Princess!"
[12:16] <V-chan> "I like Venus more," Minako interjects. "Isn't that like the coolest planet around, Mom?"
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If I remember my classes, Venus is a covered with a gassy, hot atmosphere," she shrugs. "It's not like anyone human could live on it, so I don't see any appeal." she takes another bite from her meal.
[12:18] * V-chan pouts. "I bet it didn't always used to be like that. I bet it was once a beautiful place, sunny and happy."
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your Dad has gone back to his food, and does not comment. "I guess it could have been, a long time ago," your mother admits.
[12:19] <V-chan> "Maybe it will be again, some day!" Minako announces, posing with her carton of Chinese food. "And I'll go there, tidy up the place and then rule over it!"
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not until you get back in school, young lady," Yuri says, sighing.
[12:20] <V-chan> "Well, yeah." Minako deflates. "When's my entrance exam, anyway?"
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A bit after the Western New Year. January...4, I think. Or a day or two either way." she says. "I'd have to go check the papers."
[12:21] * V-chan nods. "Plenty of time to conquer sciences."
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Until then, Mina, I want you to study hard, okay? Remember that, and try not to go gallivanting off too often."
[12:24] <V-chan> "Something came up for real!" Minako protests. "A friend needed my help really badly, Mom!"
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I believe you, Mina. Just...stay focused."
[12:29] * V-chan drops her carton suddenly, getting Usagi's mental message. "Artemis, Usagi's in danger!" she yells at the top of her lungs, before rushing outside, ignoring her parents.
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wha...MINA!" Your mom shouts, totally confused.
[12:36] * V-chan transforms once she puts some distance from her house, and heads towards Usagi's home at top speed, calling both Ami and Herb and telling them to get there.
--------
[12:45] * Sailor_Mars arrives outside the Tsukino residence, still not sensing anything evil. Nonetheless worried, she tries to open the front door, forgoing knocking. 'I hope it's open...'
[12:46] * V-chan runs up to Mars, calling out her name.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Usagi?" the cat asks.
[12:46] <Sailor_Moon> "Get Mom over to Rei's shrine - she'll be safer there than anywhere else if Jadeite tries anything."
[12:47] * Sailor_Mars waves to Venus as she enters the Tsukino residence. Hearing voices, she heads for the kitchen, and stops on seeing the distraught Ikkuko. "What happened?"
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright, Usagi. Be careful, he's still dangerous," the Mau says.
[12:47] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:47] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:47] <V-chan> "Where are you going, Usagi?" Minako asks, arriving after Rei.
[12:47] * Prince_Herb parks his Ferrari outside the Tsukino residence and hops out
[12:48] <Sailor_Moon> "Harbor 9 pier. Jadeite's got my dad and little brother and a bunch of people from school there. I'm supposed to arrive alone."
[12:49] <V-chan> "The hell you will," Minako tells her.
[12:49] * Sailor_Mars winces. "Damn... I should have taken care of him when he showed up at the Shrine. I'm sorry, Usagi..."
[12:49] * Sailor_Moon smirks. "You're not going to show up with me, Mina-chan... but that doesn't mean I'm going alone, either. Keep to the shadows and try to get everyone out while I deal with Jadeite, got it?"
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you talk, you distantly hear Luna trying to console Ikuko.
[12:50] <V-chan> 'Did Jadeite find out you could talk to us this way?' Minako asks Usagi mentally.
[12:50] <Sailor_Moon> 'I don't think so, Mina-chan. I'll use this to contact you and Rei-chan if things go badly.'
[12:51] <V-chan> "What if I go instead?" Minako asks. "You'll keep to the shadows, and stay safe."
[12:52] <Sailor_Moon> "He doesn't know you, Minako. I'm the one he wants, I'm the one he'll get. He just doesn't know WHAT he's getting yet. Now come on, we need to move!"
[12:52] * Sailor_Mars nods. "Let's go."
[12:52] * V-chan nods reluctantly. "Let's go."
[12:52] * Sailor_Moon heads for the door at a rapid walk.
[12:53] * Sailor_Mars is right behind her.
[12:53] * V-chan follows the two, throwing back a worried glance at Luna and Ikuko.
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> You get in the waiting car, and are soon en route to the pier...
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------
[12:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> The pier is quiet this evening, and vaguely creepy. Whatever workers would be around this pier and warehouse are gone now.
[12:57] <Sailor_Mars> "I can definitely sense something up in that warehouse," Mars says, not sounding surprised.
[12:57] * Usagi-chan climbs out of the car. "All right guys, you know what to do. I'll call if I need you."
[12:58] <V-chan> "Don't wait too long before calling on us," Minako warns her.
[12:58] * Usagi-chan nods and heads for the warehouse entrance.
[12:58] * Sailor_Mars nods, sneaking around the warehouse and looking for a less obvious entrance to use.
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> You find no obvious back doors, and the few high, narrow windows are boarded up even if you could reach them.
[12:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - There is a main entrance, with closed doors.
[12:59] * V-chan goes along with Rei, not having any special senses.
[12:59] <Sailor_Mars> 'No matter, I can make my own entrance,' Mars smirks, heading towards whichever part of the warehouse exterior puts her closest to the evil she sensed.
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The middle back does, although it feels reasonably inside
[13:00] * Usagi-chan walks forward and stands in front of the main entrance. "All right, I'm here." she calls out.
[13:01] * Prince_Herb transforms a little way up river, uses her henshin rod to summon the sailor cutie wetsuit and slips into and under the cold water
[13:01] * Sailor_Mars decides to wait her for any signal from Usagi, focusing intently on her supernatural senses for any changes in the feeling inside, or anything approaching from elsewhere.
[13:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> The doors open after you say that, leading into a dark warehouse. Boxes form a straight ahead pathway into a crude clearing...it's hard to see more because of the lack of light.
[13:01] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath and begins to head into the warehouse, slowly.
[13:02] <Usagi-chan> 'I'm going inside, guys.'
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you cross the threshold, the lights above come on, spilling out light.
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the clearning ahead, you see several people laying on the ground, tied up.
[13:02] <Sailor_Mars> 'Just say the word and we'll bust in,' Mars sends back.
[13:02] * Usagi-chan puts up one hand to shield her eyes from the sudden brightness.
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello there, Usagi," the snide voice of Jadeite says from above. Looking up, you see him hovering about twenty feet off the ground above the hostages.
[13:03] <Usagi-chan> "All right, Jadeite -- I've kept my part of the bargain. Now let them go!"
[13:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not until I drain every drop of your energy, Sailor Moon," he says, his smile smug.
[13:04] <Usagi-chan> "Why bother? I doubt you even could if you tried, Jadeite. Things have changed a hell of a lot since the last time you saw me."
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why, such language from a Sailor," he says in mockery. "So you've gained a Moon Pottymouth," he laughs.
[13:06] * Usagi-chan grins. "I've gained a lot more than that."
[13:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really, now," he says, still mocking.
[13:08] * Usagi-chan laughs, a short mocking sound. "You're in so far over your head and you don't even realize it."
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Jadeite's eyes narrow. "You have changed, haven't you." He grins, but strangely. "That's something I remember Queen Beryl saying, not Sailor Moon. But no matter. Your energy!" he demands.
[13:09] <Usagi-chan> "If you want it, come take it."
[13:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Then I shall," he says, flying down to you...
[13:10] * Usagi-chan drops into her fighting stance. 'NOW!'
[13:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing your change in stance, Jadeite stops coming forward. "Second thoughts?"
[13:10] <Sailor_Mars> Outside the warehouse, Rei summons a thin jet of intensely hot blue flame from her hand, quickly making a rectangle in the wall with four slashes, and kicking it open!
[13:11] <Usagi-chan> "Why Jadeite, don't tell me you're afraid of little old me!"
[13:11] <Usagi-chan> "Do I look like Sailor Moon to you?"
[13:11] <Usagi-chan> 'Hold up a second!"
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> He turns at the noise of the wall coming down. "Wha?"
[13:11] <Sailor_Mars> Satisfied with her impromptu entrance, Mars steps towards it, faltering at Usagi's message.
[13:12] * Usagi-chan jumps towards Jadeite, attempting to tackle him while he's distracted! 'GO!'
[13:12] <Sailor_Mars> 'What? Bit late now...' she sends, a little nervously.
[13:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> He scowls and blinks, teleporting back above. "Then allow me to free you of your family and friends, Sailor Moon!" he declares.
[13:12] * Sailor_Mars dashes into the warehouse, heading straight for Jadeite.
[13:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Lines of energy begin to flow from them, going up to Jadeite.
[13:12] <Usagi-chan> "NO!" Usagi screams.
[13:12] * V-chan summons her own sword, and rushes into the warehouse, immediately firing off a Crescent Beam at the ex-general.
[13:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> A ball of energy forms in his hands...
[13:13] <Serenity-hime> "YOU WILL STOP NOW!"
[13:13] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:13] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[13:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Lowering one of his hands, he meets the beam and a mirror like field appears, deflecting the beam. As it goes off into the wall, he turns to Serenity.
[13:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What?" he shakes his head a moment, the ball of energy waning..."No!" he says like it's the simplest thing in the word, but his guard is down and the energy drain has slowed...
[13:15] * Sailor_Dragon flies up outside the building and looks for an opening in the first storey
[13:16] * Sailor_Mars leaps straight at Jadeite, an ofuda held in her hands as she cries "Akuryo Taisan!" and slaps it on him to try and nullify his Dark Kingdom powers.
[13:16] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:16] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> There are a few high windows, narrow and closed. Maybe if you broke one, you might be able to squeeze through.
[13:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> He is surprised by it, stunned and lowering, his ball of energy stopping entirely.
[13:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Urgh!" he claws at the ward, obviously taken by it.
[13:18] * Sailor_Mars lands, only to spin around and leap at him again, intending to tackle him to the ground!
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:18] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[13:18] <Sailor_Mars> OOC: Strike my last line!
[13:18] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[13:18] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[13:18] <Serenity-hime> roll 1d6+5
[13:18] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 1d6+5 and gets 6."
[13:19] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[13:19] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[13:21] * Sailor_Dragon breaks through the window and enters the warehouse this round
[08:52] * V-chan leaps into the air, and strikes at the immobilized ex-general's neck with a diagonal slash.
[08:53] <V-chan> roll 2d6+3
[08:53] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 13."
[08:54] <Anastasia> The slash misses, mistimed.
[08:55] <Sailor_Mars> Spinning on the ground as she lands from her previous attack, Mars instantly leaps back up, this time trying to tackle Jadeite to the ground.
[08:55] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[08:55] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[08:55] <Anastasia> roll 2d6+3
[08:55] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6+3 and gets 8."
[08:56] <Anastasia> You collide with the Dark General, and both of you fall to the ground in a heap, with Rei on top!
[08:57] <Anastasia> Stunned by the tackle, Jadeite musters his power to try and push you off!
[08:57] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:57] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:57] <Anastasia> But Sailor Mars is far too strong, staying on top of Jadeite and keeping him immobile!
[09:00] * Serenity-hime slowly approaches the place where Mars has Jadeite pinned to the ground. "Just give it up, Jadeite. You have no allies, you have no one to back you up -- you're alone."
[09:01] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[09:01] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:01] <Anastasia> Jadeite snarls at you. "Never!" he says, trying to move his hand at the ward that binds him.
[09:02] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+3
[09:02] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+3 and gets 8."
[09:02] <Serenity-hime> "Please, I don't want to have to fight you, Jadeite. There's no need for this."
[09:05] <Anastasia> He grunts, still struggling under the pin.
[09:05] * Sailor_Mars does her best to restrain Jadeite securely.
[09:08] <Serenity-hime> "I can help you be free of the Dark Kingdom, if you'll let me." Serenity smiles down at the general. "All you have to do is ask."
[09:10] <Anastasia> He grunts again, pounding against Sailor Mars to escape.
[09:11] <Sailor_Mars> "Or did you like your old life? Kowtowing to Beryl and Metallia?" Mars puts in, following Usagi's lead as she leans closer to him, "Well they're all gone, and you have a chance for a fresh start. You can do the right thing, or continue on your present path and see how far it gets you."
[09:21] * V-chan sighs at her failure, but then moves off to free Jadeite's tied-up hostages, cutting them loose with her sword.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you chat, Venus cuts loose the unconscious hostages...
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No!" he exclaims. "I'm finally free to take the world without Beryl," he says. "I won't give into you little Sailor Disgraces!"
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> HIs voice wavers, however.
[09:34] * Serenity-hime kneels down next to him. "And look at your position right now. You're just not strong enough by yourself, Jadeite -- I'm not saying it to make you feel bad, but it's the truth, and you know it. Let me help you."
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:34] <Sailor_Mars> "She's right, Jadeite. A single man alone can't take on the whole world," Mars tells him firmly, examining his aura for a taint like the one she recieved from Metallia...
[09:35] <Sailor_Mars> 'Usagi... he has a taint, like what Metallia gave me... but it's been a part of him for so very long...' Mars sends to Serenity.
[09:36] <Serenity-hime> 'All he has to do is want to change, Rei-chan. He knows the truth now, it's up to him what to decide to do about it. I can't force him.' Usagi sighs mentally as she replies to Rei.
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Without responding, he pushes against Rei with all of his strength, sending her back a bit. He stumbles back, quickly ripping off the ward...
[09:38] * Sailor_Mars quickly gets up, standing over Jadeite. "What are you going to do, Jadeite?" she asks, her voice devoid of malice.
[09:39] <Serenity-hime> "You can have a new beginning, Jadeite. I won't hold anything you've done against you."
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Damn you," he curses, blinking away quickly. "This isn't the end, Sailor Moon!" his voice haunts you as he vanishes again.
[09:40] * Sailor_Mars curses softly, trying to sense where he teleported to.
[09:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Damn... I thought we were getting through to him," Mars says angrily as she fails to detect where he went to.
[09:41] <Sailor_Dragon> "You were. He wants you to kill him, though." Sailor_Dragon says from high above
[09:41] <V-chan> "I'll kill him next time," Minako mutters with a mental shrug, before looking after Usagi's family.
[09:43] <Sailor_Dragon> "It may be an act of mercy, Venus-hime."
[09:44] * Serenity-hime lowers her head, thinking about Sailor Dragon's words.
[09:46] * Serenity-hime shakes her head and walks over to see if any of the hostages have any serious injuries.
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The hostages have no serious injuries, but are suffering from minor energy drain.
[09:47] * Sailor_Mars follows Usagi, though she is distracted by her own thoughts.
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> They do not stir, they seem to be still out.
[09:47] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[09:47] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[09:48] * V-chan stores her sword away, and takes out her compact, calling out, "Love Crescent Shower! Pour down rain!"
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The golden shower pours down over the hostages, reviving them...
[09:51] * Serenity-hime smiles as she sees her friends and family awaken, slowly backing out of sight.
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the others leave, the hostages slowly sit up, confused. A smattering of what happeneds and where are wes are the words spoken.
[09:57] * Serenity-hime sighs softly and relaxes.
[09:58] <Sailor_Mars> Standing with Usagi, Sailor Mars also lets her own transformation drop.
[09:59] <V-chan> "Is everyone all right?" Minako asks, still in her Sailor Venus guise.
[09:59] <Rei-chan> "Usagi... I'm not sure what to do about Jadeite now..." Rei admits quietly, "He's just as much a victim as I was..."
[10:00] * Usagi-chan nods. "I thought he might be... I mean, he looks as human as any of the rest of us do, not like a youma at all. I thought maybe... just maybe... he could change." Usagi whispers.
[10:01] * Rei-chan nods, "Remember Nephrite, right before he died? Maybe all of the generals could have been good people... until Metallia got to them..."
[10:02] <Usagi-chan> "I'll do everything I can to help him, Rei-chan. I wouldn't want anyone to have to be like that if I can help it."
[10:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> The people look at Venus, blearly but aware. "Yeah, I think so," one girl says.
[10:02] <Rei-chan> "The taint I sensed, though... it's such an ingrained part of him, I don't think he remembers how to live without it..." Rei says, pity welling up inside her.
[10:03] <V-chan> "Excellent!" She smiles, and gives everyone a victory sign, before running off.
[10:03] <Usagi-chan> "I wish we had a way to contact him... I think if we could just talk to him a bit more, we could get him to see." Usagi sighs.
[10:04] <Rei-chan> "We haven't seen the last of him... but I don't think he's very stable right now," Rei says, sounding rather depressed.
[10:05] <Usagi-chan> "Me either... I just hope he doesn't do anything too drastic." Usagi closes her eyes. "Come on-there's people out there who could use some help." With that, she heads out into the warehouse, looking for her family.
[10:05] * Rei-chan nods, following Usagi.
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your father looks up, seeing you enter. "Usagi...?" he says, still dazed
[10:07] <V-chan> 'Call me if you need me again,' Minako thinks to Usagi, headed home. 'And tell Rei-chan I said hi!'
[10:07] <Sailor_Dragon> "Usa-chan, this won't be the last thing he tries to do to get you to kill him.   Unless we find another path for him to follow, he'll keep trying to destroy the people and things you love, so that you will have to destroy him." Sailor_Dragon says, with a sad look.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan runs over to give her father a hug. "Are you all right, Daddy?" 'Thanks for your help, Mina-chan.'
[10:08] * Rei-chan looks up at Sailor Dragon, panicked and making a slashing gesture across her throat. 'Shut up, moron!' she thinks, 'We have secret identities for a reason!'
[10:10] * Usagi-chan shoots an icy glare at Sailor Dragon.
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What? Huh?" Naru says, confused. "A Sailor Senshi?" she says, looking at Sailor Dragon.
[10:12] * Rei-chan points behind Naru "Oh my god, what is that!"
[10:12] <Usagi-chan> "Naru-chan!" Usagi runs over to see her friend. "Are you all right?"
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm just a bit dazed, Usagi...But what was that about?" she says, looking at Rei and Sailor Dragon.
[10:14] * Usagi-chan thinks furiously to Rei. 'Get Herb OUT of here!' "What was what about, Naru-chan?"
[10:14] <Rei-chan> "I thought I saw something... must have been a trick of the light..." Rei offers feebly. 'How? I'm just a regular girl, remember?' she sends, frantically trying to come up with something to get rid of the remaining sailor soldier.
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That Sailor Senshi..." Naru says, shaking her head.
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, what happened," another classmate says. "I thought I saw the Senshi!"
[10:16] * Rei-chan looks around, 'I could sure use a distraction right now...' she thinks desperately.
[10:16] * Sailor_Dragon does the Somebody Else's Problem Field trick and fades back into the rafters.
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What...? What are you doing here, Usagi? Who was that?" are the questions your friends ask.
[10:17] <Usagi-chan> "I thought I saw them leaving here, Naru-chan, that's why I came in here to see what was going on."
[10:17] <Rei-chan> A small metal can falls off a crate near Rei, making a loud clattering noise, and hopefully drawing people's attention...
[10:18] * Rei-chan jumps and looks at the can. 'That was convienient...'
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The people look in the direction of the sound, confused again.
[10:20] <Rei-chan> "Boy... this sure is weird... does anyone actually know what's going on?" Rei asks, scratching the back of her head nervously.
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nope," another classmate of Usagi's says.
[10:20] <Usagi-chan> "Come on, Naru-chan - let's get you home, all right?" Usagi puts an arm around Naru's shoulders.
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure, Usagi..." she says, confused. "I hope this wasn't about Nephrite..." she murmurs sadly.
[10:21] * Usagi-chan feels a pang go through her heart, lost for words.
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the people manage to get out, still rather unsure about the entire thing, you see your father and Shingo hanging back a bit.
[10:24] * Usagi-chan slowly heads over to her family. "Daddy... Shingo... I'm so sorry..." Usagi hangs her head in shame.
[10:25] * Rei-chan hangs back, now feeling a little awkward. 'Uh... I guess I can go now...' she sends to Usagi, not wanting to butt into a family matter for the Tsukino's.
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hmph!" Shingo grunts. "Some Sailor you are."
[10:26] <Rei-chan> Hearing that, Rei stalks forward, forgetting her plan to leave. "How dare you!" she yells at the brat, "You have no idea how hard things are for her! It's not all fun like in the comics!"
[10:26] <Usagi-chan> 'Thanks again for all your help, Rei-chan. I'll talk to you later, okay?' "Well excuse me, Shingo - I got here as fast as I could, okay?"
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> He glares at Rei, but doesn't respond. "Let's just go home, Usagi? Okay," Kenji says, tiredly.
[10:28] * Usagi-chan deflates, nodding. "All right, Daddy."
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "I'll be on my way as well, then," Rei says, leaving ahead of them. 'Little brat.'
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------

[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> ------------
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting home for the night, Mercury idly checks her computer. To her pleasant surprise, the message 'Files partially decoded' is waiting for her.
[10:59] <Sailor_Mercury> "Finally." Ami gets comfortable and opens the files.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you begin to read what you can, you still see that much of the data was too damaged to be recovered, but several gems are waiting.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Name: Starfire Brynswald
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Age: Unknown/Several centuries old
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Race: Human
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sex *corrupted*
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Information - The Eternal M*corrupted* ead the rebellion of year 7*corrupted*. Power leve was reduce*corrupted* She can create almost any magical effect. *Rest of this file is corrupted*
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> A picture comes with this, showing a middle aged, majestic female with black hair, with just a bit of grey.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She has a simple blue circlet and no other jewelry.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> The file also has an attachment.
[11:02] * Sailor_Mercury opens the attachment.
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside are several pictures.
[11:03] * Sailor_Mercury studies the pictures intently.
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> All of a greystone castle, with notes that call it 'the castle of Eternity'.
[11:05] * Sailor_Mercury continues to read the file for more information.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a bit more on this Castle of Eternity, described as a 'Fortress outside time and space, lost in a battle in the Silver Millenium. It is sait to be even outside the grasp of *Corrupted*
[11:10] * Sailor_Mercury continues to the next file.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next is a tiny shard, pulled from a badly damaged file.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Name: *corrupted*
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Race: Draconic
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Information: A fallen dragon Sailor, who caused much destruction and caused a new Sailor Dragon to be named.
[11:11] <Sailor_Mercury> "Hm," Ami hums. She looks for attachments.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> None. This is the only part of the file recovered.
[11:12] * Sailor_Mercury makes a note to look further into that later. "On to the next file."
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Another small shard.
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Name : *Corrupted*
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Age : *Corrupted*
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Race : Lunarian
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Information - A *corrupted* by Queen Sereni *corrupted* and talent in mag *corrupted* after incident with Pr *corrupted* mon summoning, which drove h *corrupted*
[11:15] * Sailor_Mercury sighs, cursing the corruption, and continues to the next.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Name : Orestes
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Age : 24
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Race : *corrupted*
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Description - A retainer of Sailor Jupiter and family, who went criminal after an unclear incident with the Princess of Jupiter. Known as a powerful pyschic and a fair mage, he is a powerful threat. He was imprisoned in the Crystal Prison at the behest of Princess Jupiter, who wished mercy for her retainer despite the events that happened. He can create blasts of *corrupted*
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is picture, of the man you saw earlier today holding Makoto.
[11:19] * Sailor_Mercury narrows her eyes at the picture. 'That's him! That's the one who took Makoto!'
[11:19] * Sailor_Mercury scrambles for more information.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Unfortunetally, that is the extent of that file's usable information.
[11:20] <Sailor_Mercury> "Damnit! Why can't there be some useful information here?" Ami curses. She scrolls to the next file.
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next is another file on Oxyite.
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> It is an article about a 'Cosmic Blade', and appendixed with a second draft later on.
[11:22] * Sailor_Mercury reads both drafts.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first is solely about the Cosmic Blade. A gift of peace and friendship to the Moon Kingdom from a faraway Solar system, it was sent to the Kingdom but intercepted by raiders...
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> It does not dwell on this, but instead goes on about the sword.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> It is a powerful magical artifact, a sword forged from the magical energy of several. It's powers were not fully unlocked at the time of the sending, but it was assured that a Senshi could use it to great affect.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The second article goes into depth about Oxyite.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Oxyite was believed to be a member of the pirate crew that stumbled on and took the ship with the Cosmic Blade. The events surrounding him obtaining the sword are unclear, but he ended up with it.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Queen Serenity received word of this and sent forces to capture the stolen artifact, believing it to be too powerful to be in the hands of a pirate.
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first force sent was wiped out...by Oxyite alone, after the rest of the crew was taken or slain.
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> A second, stronger force was slain to the man. All 400.
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Perhaps in revenge, perhaps in rebellion, Oxyite then took the ship they used and travelled to the Moon Kingdom, destroying all that got in his way.
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> He was confronted by the Outer Senshi on one of the Moons of Uranus, and captured at the request of Queen Serenity. But the price was high, Sailor Neptune was slain.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The grieving Senshi were unable to remove the blade from him even in defeat. Thus, he was taken securly to the Moon.
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Even invoking the Silver Crystal was not enough to sunder the bond between Oxyite and the sword. For whatever reason, the two seemed to amplify each other and stay together.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Further, auguries showed that the sword would not likely survive Oxyite's death. Unwilling to give up the sword, Queen Serenity resorted to placing him in the Crystal Prison.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The intent was that when a mean was found to take the sword back, he would be extracted and dealt with finally.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The file ends there.
[11:35] * Sailor_Mercury mulls over the information for sometime. The more she learned about the guy the scarier he became.
[11:37] * Sailor_Mercury sighs, deciding to stop there for the night. There would be time tomorrow to go over more of the files, and hopefully they'd be as clear (if not as depressing) as Oxyite's.
[11:37] * Sailor_Mercury turns in for the night.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------------------------
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> After getting a good night's sleep, despite the thread of worry about fair Makoto, Ami begins another day with breakfast and reading files...
[14:07] * Ninja_Ami skips the previously viewed files in favor of the as yet unknown ones.
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next file is a fragment, along with several image files.
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Name :  Pytha
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Age: *corrupted
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sex : Male
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Description: An unknown ali*corrupted data* de against the House of *corrupted* Controls the power of love, hatred, life, and death.
[14:09] * Ninja_Ami views the pictures.
[14:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first is of a normal looking human man, perhaps 30 with brown hair and brown eyes.
[14:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next is of a magical wand, long and silvery.
[14:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> The last is a picture of someone simliar to Sailor Venus. Her long, blonde hair is down to her knees, and her 30something face is filled with beauty.
[14:23] * Ninja_Ami muses over the picture and file for a moment before comtinuing on to the next file.
[14:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next file is too corrupted to make anything useful out of, unfortunely. The rest of them share this problem, a wide berth of corrupted data laying waste to the information.
[14:26] * Ninja_Ami sighs, taking a look back over the information.
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> This covers five criminals, you think. Five out of twelve slots...
[14:29] <Ninja_Ami> After a short time she begins looking for information (pics mostly) about the senshi's past lives, as was requested.
[14:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Amusingly, you find a picture of yourself and another man, both smiling and holding hand, sharing a comfortable seat.
[14:37] * Ninja_Ami studies the picture out of curiousity.
[14:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> A small, fading memory plays out...of laughing with the man, and being happy...
[14:40] * Ninja_Ami looks for some more pictures. Hopefully something just as interesting.
[14:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> A picture of what looks to be Makoto in a bikini is next, a smile and tan marking her features.
[14:49] * Ninja_Ami continues to pursue pictures. Hopefully more of herself.
[14:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> You find another of yourself, this time in a blue evening dress, on the arm of the same man as before.
[14:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> A feeling of happiness remembered warms your body...
[14:54] * Ninja_Ami continues to look through the data bases, hoping to find an article or something that could tell more on who he is and what his relationship was to her previous self.
[14:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> A picture of the man, along with the name 'Soleil' is found.  It certainly rings a bell, as memories of inimacies flood your mind...
[15:01] * Ninja_Ami does a search on Soleil. They had been... close. It was reasonable to believe he must have been some high standing member in society. And if not, even more reson for someone to have written about him, courting the senshi of Mercury.
[15:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> A small tidbit - Princess Mercury and Soleil engaged - is found.
----------------------------
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a quiet car ride home, Ikkuko happily greets her two lost family members.
[11:57] * Usagi-chan enters her home behind her father and brother, a look of sheer exhaustion on her face.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shingo continues to ignore you after the first outburst, obviously angry.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once the greets are over, she looks at you. "Thank you, Usagi."
[11:58] * Usagi-chan falls onto the couch and closes her eyes, still wincing a bit from her burned side.
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Could I have some dinner now, Mom," Shingo asks. "If Usagi didn't eat it all again."
[12:00] * Usagi-chan opens her eyes and shoots a dirty look at her younger brother. "Do NOT start with me, Shingo."
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But you're the one who couldn't even keep us safe," he says with surprising meanness before breaking and running up stairs.
[12:03] * Usagi-chan sighs, then wearily mounts the stairs, following her younger brother up to his room.
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi," Mother says, "don't be too hard on him, okay?"
[12:05] * Usagi-chan simply nods and goes upstairs, entering Shingo's room without another word.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door is locked.
[12:08] <Usagi-chan> "Shingo, we need to talk." Usagi speaks in a level tone.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> You get no response.
[12:11] <Usagi-chan> "What is it you want from me, Shingo?"
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, no response.
[12:13] * Usagi-chan sighs angrily. "Last chance, Shingo-baka. You can either let me in and talk, or I can blow your stupid door in and we'll talk. You decide."
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once again, no response. Almost surreally..."Usagi, don't blow up your brother's door," she calls up from the first floor.
[12:18] * Usagi-chan stalks over to her own room, coming back with a coathanger. She bends the hook straight and uses it to try to unlock Shingo's door.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> After a few false starts, the door clicks open.
[12:19] * Usagi-chan drops the hanger in the hallway and enters, closing the door behind her. The look on her face is stern.
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shingo is lying in his bed, his back turned to you.
[12:21] * Usagi-chan sighs and goes to sit on Shingo's bed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you were in trouble."
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "....."
[12:24] * Usagi-chan grabs her little brother by the shoulder and turns him over roughly. "Dammit, Shingo, look at me! I said I'm sorry, what else do you want from me?"
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shingo sees you, but sees your eyes focus inside, like your talking to someone upstairs.
[12:30] * Usagi-chan's face darkens into a frown. "Of all the times..." She sighs. "I'll be back in a minute, Shingo-kun." Usagi storms out of the room, heading for the phone out in the hall.
[12:31] * Usagi-chan picks it up, dialing Minako's cell phone. "What do you WANT, Minako? Oh, hi, Mrs. Aino, I wasn't expecting you to answer. Is there something Minako wanted? No? All right, thanks, bye." Usagi just barely resists slamming the phone down on the receiver and goes back to her brother's room.
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door is closed again, and locked.
[12:32] * Usagi-chan mutters and picks up the coathanger again, unlocking the door as before.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Just like before, Shingo is ignoring you.
[12:33] * Usagi-chan storms over to the bed and takes Shingo by the shoulders, shaking him. "What do you WANT from me?" Usagi shouts, crying in her anger.
[12:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...go away," he mutters, not looking at you.
[12:39] <Usagi-chan> "I will NOT go away until you tell me what's wrong! If I have to sit here for a month, you're going to tell me!"
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Go away, butt breath," he says, still not looking at you.
[12:42] * Usagi-chan grabs Shingo's chin, forcing him to face her. "I will NOT."
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Go AWAY, you pimple faced ogre!"
[12:43] <Usagi-chan> "I don't care WHAT you call me, I'm not leaving until you start talking!"
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Leave me alone, you ugly little nose hair!" he says again, still refusing to meet your gaze.
[12:46] * Usagi-chan rears back and slaps her younger brother. "You ungrateful little weasel! I busted my rear end to get down there tonight to save you, and this is the thanks I get?"
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> To your surprise, he responds by spitting right in your face. "You aren't Sailor Moon!" he cries, wrenching free and running out of the room.
[12:49] * Usagi-chan wipes the spit off her face and goes after Shingo. "Shingo! Come back here!"
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> By the time you get out of the room, he's already downstairs.
[12:51] * Usagi-chan stomps down the stairs to look for him.
[12:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> He's hiding behind your mother. "Usagi..." she starts.
[12:53] * Usagi-chan stands there fuming for a minute, then finally throws up her hands. "You know what, I don't care. I'm going to bed." She wheels around and heads up the stairs to her own bedroom.
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you storm into your room, Luna takes one look at you and winces.
[12:58] * Usagi-chan collapses into her bed and lets out a scream into her pillow. "God, I needed that."
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's been a rough day," Luna notes.
[13:00] <Usagi-chan> "That doesn't describe the half of it." Usagi grimaces.
[13:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, what exactly happened today before Jadeite?" The Mau asks. "I didn't get the story yet."
[13:03] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Well, let's see. We got a lead on Mako-chan which turned out to be a trap. I almost got cooked by a demon, Rei got cut up really bad, I blew the roof off a building and we ended up having to run away from a fight for the first time, ever."
[13:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...Usagi..." Luna says nicely. "Could you go into details?"
[13:06] <Usagi-chan>  "Rei-chan and I both sensed Mako-chan's aura earlier today, so we teleported over to the building where we felt it. We got up to the top floor and saw three people in there with Mako-chan; two of them disappeared and left some sort of fire demon for us to fight while the other one stayed behind to watch."
[13:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Demon? You mean a youma, don't you," Luna asks, perking up and worried.
[13:07] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No, it didn't turn into dust when we killed it, and it sort of came back the first time. Rei managed to banish it the second time though."
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna frowns, and doesn't respond at first. "No, go on," she finally says. "We'll discuss that later."
[13:09] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, the other guy..." Usagi shudders at the memory. "He had some kind of sword, and I swear I've never seen someone move so fast. He cut up Rei like it was nothing, and batted all the rest of our attacks away without even blinking. I... I did something, managed to almost blow up the room, and that distracted him long enough for us to get away."
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna nods, taking in the knowledge calmly. "Did what, Usagi," she pries.
[13:12] <Usagi-chan> "I don't really know, Luna, I've been trying to figure it out ever since. I just... there was a beam of light that shot out of my hands and hit the guy, and the next thing I know the entire roof was blown off."
[13:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A beam of light...Perhaps it was a new Senshi attack?"
[13:15] <Usagi-chan> "It didn't feel quite the same though, and we always shout something with a senshi attack, right? I didn't say anything - I just did it."
[13:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hum. Maybe more powers are emerging now, like that telepathy?" Luna guesses.
[13:17] * Usagi-chan buries her face in her pillow. "I don't know, Luna... it's just too much all at once. New powers, this new enemy that scares the life out of me, and there's just no time to rest or think."
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes...First your mother, and it's just dominoed from there," the Mau sighs. "It's a bad chain reaction now, and we have to deal with it. But you will, Sailor Moon."
[13:19] * Usagi-chan simply rolls over on her side, turning away from the mooncat.
[13:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If anyone can, it's the teenager who beat Metallia, right?"
[13:20] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, Luna. Sailor Moon can do it." Usagi whispers.
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna jumps playfully on to your side. "Of course you can, Usagi."
[13:20] <Usagi-chan> "I'm just so tired, Luna..."
[13:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I know, Usagi. I am too. I'm worried about Makoto, about your family, about Jadeite..."
[13:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> She sighs.
[13:23] * Usagi-chan smiles weakly and pets Luna. "You're right, Luna. If anyone can take care of all that, Sailor Moon can."
[13:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna rubs up against your hand. "You'll win, Usagi. We'll win."
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Besides, I still need to see you become Sailor Pig," she says, leaping off you, giggling.
[13:25] <Usagi-chan> "All right, that does it, you!" Usagi jumps out of the bed and chases after the cat. "I'll give you Sailor Pig! Who's the one who keeps eating all the leftovers, hmm?"
[13:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm only protecting them from you," Luna says, trying to run and laugh at the same time.
[13:26] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, well if you eat anymore we're going to have to roll you to all the senshi meetings!" Usagi grins.
[13:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Only after we get a forklift for Usagi-Pig," she declares as she ducks under your desk.
[13:28] <Usagi-chan> "I'm in WONDERFUL shape!" Usagi strikes a pose. "No one could POSSIBLY call me fat!"
[13:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Except your bathroom scale," Luna says sagely.
[13:30] <Usagi-chan> "Not as long as I can keep you and Shingo away from it!" Usagi yells.
[13:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next day, Usagi struggles through her day. The talk of the school is about 'Sailor Moon saving the class!' and other things of that nature.
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Miss Haruna seems in a foul mood over something, and sends several people out in the hall for minor infractions. Sadly, Usagi is one of them.
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Being tired for several reasons, Usagi's day just crawled by.
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> But finally....it's time to go home. Usagi does so.
[13:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Just as you sit down on the couch with a bowl of ice cream...
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, someone's here for you," your mother calls from the doorway.
[13:39] * Usagi-chan sighs and sets the ice cream down on the coffee table. "All right Mom, I'll be right there!" Usagi heads to the door to see who it is.
[13:40] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Usagi," Rei waves after taking her shoes off. "You busy?"
[13:40] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Oh hi, Rei-chan! Not really, I was just about to dig into some ice cream."
[13:41] <Rei-chan> "Well, I won't pull you away from that," Rei grins, "I just wanted to talk about something."
[13:41] <Usagi-chan> "Get in here then!" Usagi giggles. "I've always got time to talk."
[13:42] * Rei-chan follows Usagi into the living room, taking a seat on the couch.
[13:43] <Rei-chan> "Usagi..." Rei begins, collecting her thoughts, "You remember quite a bit from your past life, right? On the Moon Kingdom?"
[13:43] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "A fair amount, but not as much as I'd like to. You remember something from back then?"
[13:44] <Rei-chan> "Well... I didn't really remember it myself, because I think the things I saw were things that... the last Sailor Mars, wasn't actually present for," Rei says, fidgeting a little, as talking about her past life tends to make her uncomfortable. "Anyway, I was meditating on the Sacred Fire when I saw a few things."
[13:45] * Usagi-chan nods, starting in on her ice cream as Rei continues her story.
[13:45] * Rei-chan looks up at Usagi, "Does the name Cynthia mean anything to you?"
[13:45] * Usagi-chan looks up, startled. "Actually, it does. Where'd you hear it?"
[13:46] <Rei-chan> "She seemed to be at the centre of my vision... well, her and Pri- er, you. The past you, anyway."
[13:47] * Usagi-chan nods. "I've had a few memories while I was visiting the Moon about her, actually. What did you see?"
[13:50] * Rei-chan takes a moment to try and recall more details from her vision of several days past. "Well... I got the impression you and she were pretty close friends, but had some sort of falling out, but I never really saw what caused it. None of the images were very clear - I could recognise you, but it was impossible to make out her features...."
[13:50] <Rei-chan> "Anyway, at the end, I saw Prin, ah, I mean you, being comforted by Queen Serenity. I think something happened to Cynthia, and the Queen was saying that she would get another chance or something... I only really saw bits and  pieces, so the whole story is hard to make out..." the white-haired miko concludes.
[13:52] <Usagi-chan> "Weird... the only thing I really remember clearly is being in the garden and being slapped by her for some reason, but I don't know why. There are a couple of other things, but that's the one that stands out the most to me."
[13:53] <Rei-chan> "'Dammit Serenity, I thought you were my friend,'?" Rei repeats the phrase, a quesioning lilt in her voice.
[13:54] * Usagi-chan nods. "I don't remember the exact words, but it was something like that, yeah. How weird..."
[13:56] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... I wonder why the Fire showed me all of that. There must have been a reason, but I really can't see how it would be important to us now. Whoever she was, Cynthia isn't around anymore..." Rei then gives Usagi an intent look, "Unless she was reincarnated like us?"
[13:57] * Usagi-chan looks thoughtful. "I suppose she could have been. But even if that's the case, why would she be popping up now? Why not before now? I didn't remember anything about her until just before the prison broke."
[13:58] * Rei-chan suddenly swallows. "Maybe she was in the prison?" she suggests with some trepidation.
[13:59] * Usagi-chan feels her blood run cold. "I guess... I guess she could have been. That would kind of explain why she would need a another chance, wouldn't it?"
[14:00] <Rei-chan> "Maybe... but, what could she have done?" Rei asks, a few outlandish theories of an attempted coup in the Moon Kingdom running through her head.
[14:01] <Usagi-chan> "I really don't know. If what I remember is right, she wasn't much older than I was -- what could she have possibly done to get thrown in prison?"
[14:04] * Rei-chan sighs. "Who knows, Usagi? We're both old enough to do pretty terrible things ourselves..." Rei's expression is briefly haunted, but she quickly shakes it off, "I'm sure if she was highly placed enough to be friends with Princess Serenity, even if she didn't have power herself, she could have gotten her hands on some powerful magic items..." The image of the Silence Glaive flits through Rei's head...
[14:06] * Usagi-chan looks down. "I... suppose you're right." Usagi remains still for a few moments, then pops her head up. "Maybe we should ask Luna about this-her memories of the Moon Kingdom are better than mine are, after all."
[14:06] <Rei-chan> "Good idea!" Rei says, "Where is she?"
[14:07] <Usagi-chan> "Probably upstairs catnapping. I swear, she's turning into one of those fat pampered cats ever since Mom found out she can talk." Usagi walks over to the foot of the stairs and calls up, "Luuuna!!"
[14:07] * Rei-chan sniggers slightly at Usagi's words as she waits for the Mau to respond.
[14:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna comes down the stairs. "What is it, Usagi?"
[14:08] * Usagi-chan picks up the cat. "Rei and I have a question for you about the Moon Kingdom. Do you remember anyone named Cynthia?"
[14:09] <Rei-chan> "She was friends with the Princess, and we think the Queen might have imprisoned her in that crystal prison," Rei offers, trying to jog the cat's notoriously unreliable memory.
[14:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat virtually freezes, frowning deeply. "Now that you mention it...That's the name I've been trying to remember all day."
[14:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm sure of it," she says to her self.
[14:10] * Rei-chan smiles, waiting for Luna to make everything clear.
[14:10] <Usagi-chan> "What is it, Luna?" Usagi looks at the Mau curiously.
[14:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You mentioned that demon last night, Usagi. Something about it brought up a memory, and a name. I think...No, I know that was the name I was trying to remember."
[14:12] * Rei-chan frowns deeply, "Cynthia was involved with demons?"
[14:12] <Usagi-chan> "What does the name Cynthia have to do with demons?"
[14:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm...I don't know for sure, but I remember someone with that name summoning a demon," Luna says.
[14:13] * Usagi-chan looks over at Rei. "This is NOT good."
[14:14] <Rei-chan> "There was a woman there, with the Oxyite and the guy who had Mako-chan..." Rei says, furrowing her brow, "And she left right when the demon was summoned. I assumed the guy did it, but maybe it was her?"
[14:15] <Usagi-chan> A look of total shock washes over Usagi's face. "No..."
[14:15] <Rei-chan> "Usagi?" Rei looks up worriedly.
[14:16] * Usagi-chan has a somewhat glazed look in her eyes as she shakes her head. "Don't..."
[14:16] <Rei-chan> "Don't what, Usagi?" Rei asks, standing up.
[14:17] * Usagi-chan has tears showing in the corners of her eyes. "But you can't keep doing this..." Her eyes still have a faraway look to them.
[14:18] * Rei-chan looks torn between snapping Usagi out of what is distressing her, and letting it run it's course in case she learns anything important.
[14:18] * Usagi-chan falls to her knees. "Cynthia..." The tears are now flowing freely. "Why..."
[14:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi!" Luna cries, rushing to your side.
[14:20] * Usagi-chan blinks several times, as if coming out of a trance. "Huh... Luna?"
[14:20] * Rei-chan kneels, gently shaking Usagi's shoulder. "Usagi, it's alright, they're just memories," she soothes, checking the blonde's eyes for any response.
[14:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What happened, Usagi? Did you see something?"
[14:21] <Rei-chan> "You're okay now?" Rei asks, still sounding concerned.
[14:21] <Usagi-chan> "Rei-chan... it was like I was there all over again..." Usagi shudders. "She... she had the power to summon demons, and she couldn't control it. I tried to stop her, but she just wouldn't listen to me!"
[14:22] * Rei-chan has a worried look as she remembers stories her grandfather had told her. "No one can truly control demons, even if they sometimes like to make the summoner think they have control..."
[14:23] <Usagi-chan> "...she wants revenge against me." Usagi announces with a final shudder.
[14:24] <Rei-chan> "Why? Why does she hate you?"
[14:26] <Usagi-chan> "She was thrown out of the palace because of her power, and she blamed me for it because I wouldn't stop them from doing it."
[14:26] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "She should have listened when you tried to stop her from meddling with forces beyond her control."
[14:28] <Usagi-chan> "I know... but she still blames me for it. Maybe I should have done something, spoken with someone... I just don't know. I don't remember enough." Usagi sighs.
[14:29] <Rei-chan> "Well, at least we know a bit more about one of the people we have to deal with now..." Rei says, "And I suppose I'll have to brush up on my exorcism technique if we're dealing with a demon summoner."
[14:30] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "I guess you're right. Whatever happened in the past, we can't let her run around now."
[14:31] <Rei-chan> "Maybe we can reason with her... The Queen seemed to think she'd get a second chance, so she might not be irredeemable," Rei suggests.
[14:32] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe..." Usagi looks rather depressed.
[14:35] <Rei-chan> "Cheer up, Usagi," Rei says, patting her on the back, "We've gotten through everything else, we'll get through this."
[14:36] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I know you're right, Rei-chan. I just can't help feeling like this was my fault, somehow." Usagi shakes her head.
[14:37] <Rei-chan> "It sounds like you did all you could to help her, but since she wasn't willing to help herself..." Rei shrugs, "She meddled with something she shouldn't, and paid the price."
[14:37] <Rei-chan> ---------------
[14:41] <V-chan> Usagi's communicator rings, interrupting her thoughts.
[14:41] * Usagi-chan blinks in surprise, then draws out the device to answer it. "Hello?"
[14:42] * V-chan waves cautiously at Usagi's face. "Umm, hello?"
[14:43] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, hi, Minako. What's up?" Usagi sounds rather tired.
[14:43] * V-chan bites on her lip. "Listen, I'm sorry about the mess yesterday."
[14:44] <Usagi-chan> "You just had really, REALLY bad timing, Mina-chan." Usagi sighs.
[14:46] <V-chan> "So did Jadeite," Minako says, scowling. "My first meal in the entire day, too!"
[14:46] * V-chan sighs as well. "And that's another reason I called. What are we going to do about him?"
[14:48] <Usagi-chan> "To be honest, V-chan, I'm not sure. He DID kidnap my family and friends, but... I don't know, he almost seems so pathetic now."  
[14:49] <V-chan> "So did that guy with the gun, before he used it." Minako grimaces. "We could've gotten him yesterday, Usagi. Why didn't we?"
[14:50] <Usagi-chan> "What guy with the gun? What are you talking about?" Usagi looks puzzled.
[14:51] <V-chan> "It's, err, a saying?" Minako tries. "Besides, don't change the subject."
[14:53] * Usagi-chan sighs. "You saw how easily he got taken down, Mina-chan. It would be wrong to kill someone when they're defenseless like that."
[14:54] <V-chan> "Everyone could be taken down easily with a surprise attack, Usagi-chan," Minako responds. "I bet that if we all used a planet attack on that guy with the sword after blasting our way into the apartment, we would've won."
[14:56] <Usagi-chan> "And what if it hadn't worked, or they'd used poor Mako-chan as a shield or something? We've only done it once, Minako, and we had the crystal that time to help us."
[14:58] * V-chan shakes her head. "That's not what I meant, Usagi-chan. I said that anyone might be taken by a surprise attack. The shock of you turning into Serenity, Rei-chan appearing there unexpectadly and slapping a ward on his head... all these and who knows what else got him flat-footed." Minako takes a deep breath. "But this tactic would only work once, and we both know it, don't we?"
[15:00] <Usagi-chan> "But that doesn't mean we just go in blasting without thinking!" Usagi cries out, thinking about Cynthia. "Most of these criminals are still people -- I don't want to hurt any of them if it can be helped. I know we may have to -- we have already, actually -- but I don't want bloodshed if I can avoid it."
[15:01] <V-chan> "But what makes them so different from Kunzite and Beryl?" Minako asks, clenching her fists. "What makes them different from Celcia?"
[15:03] <Usagi-chan> "Nothing makes them any different, Mina-chan. If I thought I could have gotten Kunzite or Beryl to listen to me, I would have tried it. The exact same thing goes for Celcia -- we simply never got the chance with any of them." Usagi lowers her eyes. "I don't want people to get killed, Minako."
[15:06] <V-chan> "That's... that's bullshit, Usagi!" Minako exclaims. "We 'never got the chance' because we didn't really try to make one, those times. It was black and white, and the bad guys were going down. So, what now? Rei and I are murderers for getting Kunzite? What changed?"
[15:07] <Usagi-chan> "Then why didn't you kill Rei-chan, Minako?" Usagi asks in a calm voice. "She was serving Metallia just as much as Kunzite or Beryl was at that point."
[15:08] * V-chan gapes. "T-That's... because...." She shakes her head firmly. "Rei-chan didn't get a choice! She didn't become a criminal, she was brainwashed into following Metallia!"
[15:09] * Usagi-chan looks back at the communicator again. "And how do you know that's not the case with some of these criminals, Minako? One of them was one of my best friends on the Moon Kingdom - do you really expect me to walk straight up to her and kill her without a word?"
[15:10] <V-chan> "Your best friend? What -?" Minako shakes her head, not comprehending.
[15:13] * Usagi-chan speaks softly. "It was a memory that came back to me today after Rei-chan came to talk to me about one of her visions. My - Princess Serenity's friend Cynthia, back on the Moon Kingdom, is one of those criminals that escaped."
[15:13] <V-chan> "Cynthia..." Minako repeats quietly.
[15:16] <Usagi-chan> "If it was you... if Rei-chan, or one of the rest of us turned, would you not do everything you could to save them?" Usagi asks quietly.
[15:17] <V-chan> "If they didn't do it by choice," Minako tells Usagi quietly. "Humans have free will, to be either good or evil."
[15:18] <Usagi-chan> "And that's why I want to give them a chance to choose, one last time. If they refuse... there's nothing I can do about that. But I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least give them that much of a chance."
[15:18] <V-chan> "The people we are fighting now... they were criminals, weren't they? Imprisoned by Queen Serenity, who would've purified them, if they were brainwashed by evil against their will?"
[15:19] <Usagi-chan> "And who knows how they've changed in the time since then? I don't know what it would have been like in that prison, but if it's possible that ANY of them changed at all in that time, on their own..."
[15:21] * V-chan is quiet for a while. "So what's our plan, Usagi?" she asks finally. "We ask each new menace for a time-out? Or we try to blast them with purifying attacks, maybe after softening them up first?"
[15:22] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know, V-chan. I know I'm supposed to be the leader and know what to do, but I really don't know. All I know is that I want to give them a chance if I can."
[15:23] * V-chan smirks at the blonde's words. "I don't go for half-measures. If you really want to give everyone a chance, Usagi-chan, I'll make sure you get your chance. We'll all make sure of that."
[15:24] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Thanks, Mina-chan. I don't want to put any of you guys at risk, so don't take any chances if you don't have to."
[15:26] <V-chan> Minako's smirk melts into a genuine smile. "Cuts and scrapes heal, but if you want to fight freely, with a relaxed conscience...."
[15:27] <V-chan> "Speaking of fighting and chances," she says suddenly, "did Jadeite have his and blew it, yesterday?"
[15:29] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know, Mina-chan. Rei-chan said she thought he was touched by Metallia, the same way she was." Usagi sighs. "He might have been brainwashed too, all those years ago... there's no way to know, though."
[15:31] <V-chan> Minako's smile disappears. "Maybe he was brainwashed. Or maybe he accepted Metallia's power willingly, and to 'cure' him, we would be the ones brainwashing him. Damn." She shakes her head. "It doesn't matter, now. What matters is what you want us to do, Usagi, when we meet him next."
[15:31] <Usagi-chan> "...I'm going to try to find some way to contact him, if I can. I want to talk to him."
[15:33] <V-chan> "How does he know about your identity anyway, Usagi-chan?" Minako inquires.
[15:37] <Usagi-chan> "Well, let's see..." Usagi thinks back. "It was the last time we ever fought him; he called us out to the airport. It was just me, Rei-chan, and Ami-chan back then - we hadn't met you or Mako-chan yet. We went to the train station in our regular forms, and he was making the train run so I think he just figured it out from that."
[15:38] * V-chan nods to herself. "So we should transform as soon as possible, not at the actual place." Then she blinks. "Wait a moment. He called you? Like, on the phone?"
[15:40] <Usagi-chan> "No, he made some sort of illusion in the sky, and said he'd burn down all of Tokyo if we didn't show up at the airport."
[15:40] <V-chan> "Could he do it? Burn down all of Tokyo?"
[15:40] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know for sure, Mina-chan. It's possible, I suppose, but I don't really think he's all that strong on his own."
[15:41] * V-chan nods again. "Okay. So let's make our own illusion!"
[15:42] <Usagi-chan> "Wha... how? I can't do anything like that, can you?"
[15:43] <V-chan> "Well... Bruce Wayne just happens to be one of my idols! He's so cool, and the Batcave -" Minako cuts herself off. "Anyway, when the cops need Batman, they just use that large light-thingy that makes a pattern in the sky, and that's how the hero of justice knows he must appear to save the day."
[15:43] * V-chan smiles brightly. "We could do something like that, too, I bet!"
[15:44] <Usagi-chan> "Minako, we'd need a spotlight to do that. Where are we going to get one of those? And what do we put on it to get Jadeite's attention?"
[15:44] <V-chan> "I could get a spotlight," Minako says, smiling. "And we would put dumplings there!"
[15:45] * Usagi-chan blinks. "Dumplings."
[15:45] * V-chan deflates slightly. "Or, we could just go with a boring text message. Or hire one of those advertizement balloons things."
[15:46] * V-chan ponders. "Maybe the classifides? 'Desperately seeking Jadeite'?"
[15:46] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I'll think about it, V-chan. I've got some ideas to talk over with Rei-chan, but if they don't work we can try yours, all right?"
[15:47] <V-chan> "Oh?" Minako perks up. "Which ideas?"
[15:50] <Usagi-chan> "I'm just thinking.... as the princess, I could really get him to pay attention to me. Maybe if Rei can, I don't know, project my image to him or something I could get him to come talk to me. That's why I need to talk with her though -- I don't know if it's possible to do something like that."
[15:52] <V-chan> "Okay!" Minako readily agrees. "It sounds cool. Not as cool as a spotlight, but still cool, because it's Rei-chan -" She blinks. "I'm babbling again."
[15:53] * Usagi-chan smiles. "You wouldn't be our V-chan if you didn't."
[15:55] * V-chan returns Usagi's smile. "And it's nice to have such understanding friends. Sorry again, Usagi-chan."
[15:55] <Usagi-chan> "It's okay, Mina-chan. I was too upset to really try to talk last night anyway." Usagi sighs.
[15:57] <V-chan> "At least you saved me from getting grounded till hell froze over. Or from telling my parents about what I do." Minako shrugs. "Or both."
[15:59] <Usagi-chan> "Just be thankful you don't have a little brother to worry about." Usagi scowls. "Anyway, I'll talk to you later, Mina-chan."
[16:00] <V-chan> "Little kids may be evil, so just have patience with them, Usagi-chan." Minako waves. "Talk to you later."
[16:04] <Usagi-chan> -------------
[16:08] <V-chan> Early in the evening, Minako and Ami gather at Rei's shrine for another exciting journey into the world of biology....
[16:10] <Ninja_Ami> "Ready for another exciting evening exploring the mysteries of life?" Ami asks Minako.
[16:11] <V-chan> "You bet!" Minako replies in a voice so cheerful it must be false.
[16:11] * Rei-chan snorts, as she opens her textbook.
[16:15] <V-chan> "You know, this is as exciting as history," Minako says dejectedly, staring into her open textbook.
[16:15] * Ninja_Ami sets forth into the breech, slaying the demons of ignorance with her rapier intellect! "... And that's the difference between osmosis and diffusion. Any questions?"
[16:15] <Rei-chan> "Wow... you explained it so clearly, I don't have any!" Rei says, obviously awed.
[16:15] <V-chan> "What if I cheat on just this subject?" Minako asks hopefully.
[16:16] * Ninja_Ami pokes Minako. "No cheating."
[16:16] <V-chan> "Right." Minako nods. "No cheating until I get in."
[16:16] * Rei-chan sighs and shakes her head.
[16:16] * Ninja_Ami sighs.
[16:17] * V-chan looks at the two in confusion.
[16:17] <Ninja_Ami> "Anyway, any more information on Makoto?" Ami asks, hope in her voice.
[16:18] * V-chan shakes her head. "No, and I'm more worried now, after... well, after that."
[16:18] * Rei-chan winces, hating to say it, but, "No, haven't sensed a single thing since that last time," she says bitterly.
[16:19] <V-chan> "How about you?" Minako asks Ami. "Any news on your end?"
[16:19] * Ninja_Ami nods. "We'll just keep trying. I... I have some information," Ami hedges.
[16:20] <Rei-chan> "You do?" Rei asks, nudging away her textbook.
[16:20] <Ninja_Ami> "I was hoping to tell everyone once we were all together. We are in deep fu-fu."
[16:20] <V-chan> "Well, that much was kinda obvious after the roof exploded," Minako says.
[16:21] <Rei-chan> "Darn, I was hoping for good news. Oh well, better to know than not. What do you have, Ami-chan?" Rei asks, resting on her elbows.
[16:22] <Ninja_Ami> "A roof is the least of our problem. I've managed to crack the code on several of criminals. Oxyite's file is the only one that's undamaged, but that alone is enough to deal with."
[16:23] <Rei-chan> "Well, let's hear the details. I take it the file never mentioned an easily exploitable weakness?"
[16:23] <Ninja_Ami> "Do they ever?"
[16:23] * Ninja_Ami summons the Mercury Computer, bringing up the files in question.
[16:24] * V-chan examines the files Ami is showing.
[16:26] * Rei-chan looks over as well.
[16:26] <Ninja_Ami> "Let's start with Oxyite."
[16:27] <V-chan> "Might as well." Minako shrugs.
[16:31] <Ninja_Ami> "To sum it up, he used to be some no-name pirate until he got ahold of the Cosmic Sword. They weren't sure even then how it amped his power or why it bonded to him so easily. They sent some an army to retrieve it and he killed them all. They sent a bigger one. He killed all of them as well."
[16:32] <Ninja_Ami> "Cheery guy, Oxyite."
[16:32] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, his aura and the sword's are joined so they were almost indistinguishable until I got close... and when they amplified each other, it was like nothing I'd ever seen..." Rei shudders at the memory of how high his power rose towards the end...
[16:32] <V-chan> "So how was he taken down, then?" Minako asks.
[16:33] <Ninja_Ami> "Anyway, he attacked the Moon Kingdom out of revenge or something after the rest of his pirate friends were killed in the second attack. The four Outer Senshi fought him and Neptune was killed, but they did manage to capture him."
[16:36] <V-chan> "Just three senshi? Without Queen Serenity, or backup?"
[16:36] <Ninja_Ami> "Four senshi. Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto."
[16:37] <V-chan> "Well, Neptune was killed before the rest brought him down, right?"
[16:38] <Ninja_Ami> "Probably." Ami shrugs. "The records don't give detailed acounts."
[16:38] <V-chan> "Any idea if she used some attack that weakened him long enough for the others to take advantage of the situation?"
[16:38] <Ninja_Ami> "Like I said, no details."
[16:38] <Rei-chan> "I'd guess Neptune got a few good blows of her own in before being killed," Rei puts in.
[16:39] <Ninja_Ami> "Anyway, they didn't kill him because they were afraid they'd destroy the sword as well. They were holding him until they could separate the two. Now we get to clean up their mess."
[16:39] * V-chan smiles suddenly. "At least we know we don't need the ginzuishou to defeat him. That's good news, I'd say."
[16:41] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, he's not a world destroying evil goddess like Metallia," Rei says, "But he's still incredibly powerful, and very skilled. Taking him down is going to be anything but easy."
[16:42] <Ninja_Ami> "From all indications the outers were our superiors in just about everyway that counts. You know that weapon Usagi has? The one that feels like death?"
[16:42] <V-chan> "What about it?" Minako asks.
[16:42] * Rei-chan shudders, "Yes..."
[16:43] <Ninja_Ami> "Saturn's weapon. She could destroy worlds, Minako. And she wasn't enough to take him out alone."
[16:43] * Ninja_Ami allows that to sink in.
[16:43] <Rei-chan> "She probably could, but not without killing everyone on the world..." Rei says, before shrugging, "Not that it helps us any."
[16:43] <V-chan> "Destroy worlds? Literally?"
[16:45] <Ninja_Ami> "Very literally. We're dealing with power akin to Serenity with the ginzuishou. Maybe stronger just for pure destructiveness."
[16:46] <Ninja_Ami> "As for the sword, it was a gift from some other kingdom outside the solar system. I don't think I need to tell you how powerful it is."
[16:46] <V-chan> "So Rei-chan's probably right," Minako says, shrugging. "Saturn didn't want to use it fully, and was probably holding back a lot."
[16:46] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I felt it for myself..." Rei says, touching a hand to her stomach.
[16:48] * V-chan gives Rei a worried glance. "Does it still hurt?"
[16:49] * Rei-chan shakes her head, "I've recovered, I was just remembering... he took me down so easily..." Rei says quietly.
[16:49] <Ninja_Ami> "Add to that the power levels I was getting from him when we were fighting and you see where we stand. And there's more." Ami pulls up another file.
[16:50] * V-chan pats Rei's arm. "None of us could come near him, that time."
[16:53] <Ninja_Ami> "This is all the data on Orestes that wasn't corrupted," Ami says, showing them the file. "Look familiar?"
[16:53] * Rei-chan looks over the file, comprehension dawning. "I think that's our boy who kidnapped 'Princess Jupiter'."
[16:54] <V-chan> "I wish we knew more about them," Minako says, frowning. "Say, Ami, could you make me a copy of the info? I'll ask Artemis if any of the names ring a bell."
[16:55] <Rei-chan> "Oh, I have some information about one of the other criminals," Rei suddenly puts in, "You remember that woman who teleported away with Orestes before the demon appeared?"
[16:55] <Ninja_Ami> "No problem. Anyway, yeah, that''s the guy."
[16:55] * Ninja_Ami listens.
[16:56] * V-chan thinks hard, before nodding. "Yeah, there was a woman, wasn't there?"
[16:57] <Rei-chan> "I was talking to Usagi about someone who appeared in a vision I had of the Moon Kingdom, named Cynthia. Luna mentioned she was a friend of Princess Serenity who was involved in demon summoning. She got imprisoned for her trouble, and that's who summoned that annoying demon yesterday."
[16:58] <Ninja_Ami> "A friend of... hm. She could be the Lunarian mentioned," Ami mutters. "There wasn't enough data to be of any real use on file."
[16:58] * V-chan nods to herself. "Cynthia, again...."
[16:58] <Rei-chan> "Hm?" Rei looks at Minako, "You know something, Minako?"
[17:00] <Ninja_Ami> "This just get's worse and worse. The one thing we had going for us was that they weren't working together. Now that that isn't the case any longer..."
[17:01] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... I had been hoping they'd be actively competing with each other, but I guess we can't get that lucky," Rei says despondently. "Still, that's five accounted for so far; Celcia, Orestes, Cynthia, Oxyite, and Jadeite. There were twelve prisoners..."
[17:02] <V-chan> "She's been our friend, I think," Minako says absent-mindedly. "In our past lives. We were all close, back then...."
[17:03] * Rei-chan frowns, "Yeah, she and Princess Serenity were really close. That's why she felt so betrayed that the Princess didn't get her off the hook for what she did..."
[17:04] <V-chan> "What did she do? Just summon demons?"
[17:05] <Ninja_Ami> "If I read this right, she my have been driven insane."
[17:05] <Rei-chan> "She summoned quite a few, and the Princess tried to make her stop. Then she summoned one that she couldn't control..." Rei says, "I don't know the exact details, but things must have been pretty messy. She meddled with forces beyond her control, and paid the price..."
[17:06] <Rei-chan> "Insane?" Rei quirks an eyebrow, "I'm not surprised, really. You'd have to be insane to traffic with demons."
[17:07] <Rei-chan> "I had a vision of the place she summoned that demon from, right after I banished it... it wasn't a very nice place." 'Though still nowhere near as bad as Metallia's mind...'
[17:07] <V-chan> "I've talked with Usagi today," Minako says, her glance resting on Rei, before moving on to Ami. "She wants us to try and talk to every one of the prisoners, before taking them down."
[17:08] <Ninja_Ami> "... I don't know if we can afford to do that."
[17:08] <Rei-chan> "It'd sure be a lot easier if we could solve things peacefully," Rei puts in.
[17:08] <V-chan> "It's not a matter of affording it," Minako says firmly. "That's what our leader wants, and that's what our leader will get, as far as I'm concerned."
[17:09] * Rei-chan frowns slightly at Minako's wording.
[17:10] <Rei-chan> "Do you think we should just attack them without even trying to talk to them?"
[17:10] * Ninja_Ami shakes her head. "Anyway, there are two other files here. One is so fragmented that the only thing I could get from it was that she was draconic, like Herb, and was once a sailor."
[17:11] <Rei-chan> "A renegade Sailor Senshi?" Rei blows out an exasparated breath. "Boy, we've got a real rogues' gallery here..."
[17:11] <V-chan> "I think they are criminals - convicted ones. People who made a conscious choice to go over to evil." Minako shrugs. "But I'm not the one calling the shots."
[17:13] <V-chan> "You think Queen Serenity would've imprisoned a victim of brainwashing?" Minako asks Rei.
[17:13] <Ninja_Ami> "The last is a wizard, and a damned powerful one at that. Had her own castle and everything." Ami brings up the pictures of a middle aged, majestic female with black hair, with just a bit of grey.
[17:14] <Ninja_Ami> She has a simple blue circlet and no other jewelry.
[17:14] * V-chan glances at the pictures.
[17:14] * Ninja_Ami also brings up pictures of the castle.
[17:15] <Ninja_Ami> "She lead a rebellion against the Moon Kingdom and was apparently several centuries old."
[17:15] <Rei-chan> "Wasn't everyone immortal back then?"
[17:16] <Ninja_Ami> "I doubt it. Otherwise these body counts wouldn't be stacking up."
[17:17] <Rei-chan> "Well, ageless, then," Rei shrugs, correcting herself.
[17:17] <Ninja_Ami> "Who knows? I'd guess it was only the people with power who could pull that off, but you're the ones with memories."
[17:18] * Ninja_Ami shrugs. "That's all there is at the moment."
[17:18] <Rei-chan> "I can't remember anything myself, but I do know it's part of how Beryl and Metallia were able to get Earth to attack the Moon," Rei looks uncomfortable as she thinks of exactly how she knows this.
[17:20] * Rei-chan turns to Minako, "I have no idea what motivated Queen Serenity. Maybe she couldn't remove the brainwashing, maybe she just didn't want to. I don't know what things were like back then, I can only deal with the here and now."
[17:20] <Ninja_Ami> "You know, the more I hear about these people the more I think capital punishment is a good idea."
[17:21] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, so nice that the Moon Kingdom's prison survived when it didn't..." Rei says sarcastically.
[17:21] <V-chan> "All the more reason to follow Usagi's lead, then," Minako responds. "Though I really doubt Serenity was a bad person, overall."
[17:24] <Ninja_Ami> "You know what the worst part of this is? The Moon Kingdom is dead, and these people are still trying to kill us for reasons we don't know. I'm Ami Mizuno. The old Sailor Mercury died and I'd be just as happy to leave her that way."
[17:25] * Rei-chan nods, "I can totally relate to that."
[17:25] <V-chan> "Well, to be fair," Minako adds, "some of them are trying to kill everyone, not just us."
[17:25] <Rei-chan> "Very true, at least some of them don't single us out for special treatment," Rei chuckles mirthlessly.
[17:26] <Ninja_Ami> "And some of them I can't even find myself mad at. So someone was a leader in a rebellion? So what? That's a political thing. Why do we have to clean up the mess?"
[17:27] <Rei-chan> "Well, so long as she doesn't try to take over the Earth, she can do what she likes," Rei shrugs. "It's just when they cause trouble that we have to step in. We can't exactly rely on the JSDF," she snorts.
[17:27] <Ninja_Ami> "Why not?"
[17:28] <V-chan> "They are really, really bad against demons."
[17:28] * Rei-chan draws in on herself, "They're not really effective... against people like... us..."
[17:28] <V-chan> "So how are we doing, Ami?" Minako asks suddenly, changing the subject. "If we and the Earth both survive till early January, do we have a shot at Mugen?"
[17:28] <Ninja_Ami> "Funny, I'd think a few 22mm rounds to the head would put down most of our enemies."
[17:29] <Rei-chan> "You'd be amazed how poorly technology fares against powerful magic," Rei says, still looking uncomfortable.
[17:29] <Ninja_Ami> "At Mugen? Um... Let's get back to studying."
[17:30] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, studying..." Rei gives herself a mental shake, "Yeah, I can do that."
[17:30] <V-chan> "Studying!" Minako exclaims, grabbing a textbook. "History, my eternal nemesis, we meet again!"
[17:31] <V-chan> -------------

[11:46] <Halbarad> -----------------
[11:55] <Usagi-chan> Early the next morning, Usagi manages to wake up reasonably close to 5 am and stumbles down to the park, where she's arranged to meet Herb for martial arts training. She shows up in her new gi, looking more than a little groggy, and waves hello to the prince.
[11:58] <Prince_Herb> "Good morning, Usa-chan. How does this morning find you?" Prince_Herb bows
[11:59] <Usagi-chan> "Ugggh.... I still don't know why we have to do this so EARLY." Usagi grumbles. "Even Luna thinks it's too early to get up."
[12:02] * Prince_Herb nods. "Mooncats are like that. We need this length of unbroken training time, though, and it's very difficult to get it in the evening. You'll find it really sets you up for the day, though." Prince_Herb smiles with the smug self-assuredness of someone who was up at four am to swim across a frozen lake, and still be chipper enough to strangle a bear at the other side.
[12:03] * Usagi-chan mutters something incomprehensible under her breath. "All right then, what do I need to do?"
[12:04] <Prince_Herb> "We start with some simple warm-up exercises..."
[12:04] * Prince_Herb demonstrates. "Follow what I do."
[12:15] * Usagi-chan slowly mimics Herb as he shows her the basic forms of t'ai chi. She continues this for a few minutes in silence, then speaks up. "Herb-san? What exactly did you mean by Jadeite wanting death? You mentioned something like that at the warehouse the other day."
[12:18] <Prince_Herb> "Remember, he's been mind-controlled for a good many years. Forced to do many reprehensible acts that ran against his basic character and desire. Mars-hime had a tiny fraction of what Jadeite suffered forced upon her by Metallia, and you saw the effect upon her."
[12:20] <Prince_Herb> "He wants to be punished with oblivion. He needs to be punished by the Queen for his waywardness."
[12:22] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, but we managed to talk Rei-chan out of it. Why wouldn't he be the same? Sure, he might have done a lot of horrible things, but, well, so did Rei-chan and... and Mamoru while they were being controlled. Why wouldn't he deserve the same chance they got?"
[12:24] <Prince_Herb> "You might be able to; you have powers of persuasion not vouchsafed to normal mortals. Maybe you can do something for him. If not, he'll try to force you to kill him. That warehouse business was his chosen death, I think." Prince_Herb says, looking thoughtful.
[12:26] <Usagi-chan> "I don't want to kill him though! It just seems so pointless!" Usagi wobbles a bit as she tries to keep her balance and talk.
[12:32] <Prince_Herb> "What's left for Jadeite? What does he have to live for? If you can find answers to those questions, you might be able to work something out. Maybe you could persuade him to shave his head and become a monk?"
[12:34] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "There's always something to live for. As long as you're alive, there's always something you can do." Usagi looks away. "To be honest, I'm not sure I COULD kill him... I mean, it's one thing if I'm fighting for my life or to protect the rest of you guys. It just feels different if I have a choice of whether to kill someone or not. I don't want to have to make a choice like that."
[12:39] <Prince_Herb> "I know." Herb looks sad. "He will do his best to make you kill him, by straining your compassion to its breaking point. What would you do if he were to kill your brother, or one of your parents, for example?"
[12:40] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes. "I... I don't know. I want to believe he's not so bad as to do something like that, but I just don't know for sure..."
[12:45] <Prince_Herb> "He's a general; he will be willing to accept that sometimes innocent people get hurt or killed during the achievement of a wider aim. It's a professional requirement." Prince_Herb says, knowing that it's one he shares.
[12:47] <Usagi-chan> "But even when the Dark Kingdom was still active, they NEVER tried to kill anyone, at least not intentionally. Not until Metallia came, anyway." Usagi sags a bit. "But what if I'm wrong? I could be putting my family and my friends at risk.... it's too hard to decide!"
[12:55] <Prince_Herb> "I trust your decision to be right, whatever it is. I don't believe that Jadeite is irredeemable, for what that's worth." Herb says. "But you do need to make a decision; it's your duty to your followers and family as leader."
[12:57] <Usagi-chan> "I know, Herb-san. I'm just afraid I'll make the wrong decision. There's just so much riding on what I choose now -- this isn't like failing a test because I decided to hang out at the arcade instead of studying."
[13:03] <Prince_Herb> "Don't let that prevent you from making a decision. That's one of the things that finished off your mother, the Queen, I suspect."
[13:05] * Usagi-chan nods. "I know. I've made my decision, and I'm going to stick to it... I just can't help but wonder if it was the right one." Usagi shakes her head. "Enough about me though - whatever happened with that girl you told me about? What was her name again... Hiroe?"
[13:11] <Prince_Herb> "Nothing happened yet. I've been rather busy with senshi business, you know." Herb says, trying to close off this line of conversation.
[13:13] * Usagi-chan winks at the flustered prince. "You'd better hurry up - you never know if someone else might have their eye on her too."
[13:16] <Prince_Herb> "Bah... Less talk, more practice!"
[13:17] * Usagi-chan simply grins and continues to work her way through the forms with Herb. "Just a little friendly advice..."
[13:19] <Usagi-chan> -----------------
[06:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the revelations of yesterday, the next day's slow start seems almost anticlimactic.
[06:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> A late rising, a nice late breakfast, a bit of TV to wake up to...nothing like a civilised morning.
[06:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your leasurely morning is interrupted, however, by your cell phone ringing...
[06:51] * V-chan blinks, and answers the cell with a simple "Hello?"
[06:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako," Natsuna's voice comes through the phone. "You were busy a few nights ago."
[06:52] <V-chan> "I'm always busy, Natsuna-oneesan!" Minako responds happily.
[06:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Glad to hear it," you can almost see her smile. "Anyway, the man you saved made it, Minako. He'll live and help us put away the gunman."
[06:54] <V-chan> "Great!" Minako smiles as well. "I wish I could help him, but I don't even know first aid."
[06:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You did fine, Minako. But...could you come by my office later today? I think I need to talk to you about something."
[06:56] <V-chan> "Sure," Minako says, confusion written over her face. "I'm free now, actually."
[06:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh...You know, now that I think about it, it's a school day, isn't it?" she asks.
[06:57] * V-chan laughs nervously. "About that...."
[06:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "About that, Minako?
[06:57] <V-chan> "Do I have to talk about it over the phone?" she asks, blushing.
[06:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You aren't cutting class, are you? I'll send a truant officer after you," she jokes.
[06:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No, of course not. We can talk in person," she assures you.
[06:58] * V-chan nods, before realizing that Natsuna can't see her. "Okay. I'll tell you when I see you, then."
[06:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Can we aim for, oh, noon?" she asks.
[06:58] <V-chan> "Cool," Minako says with a shrug.
[06:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay. I'll see you then, Mina," she says, hanging up.
[06:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What's up, Mina," Artemis asks, having quietly watched your conversation from just in the room.
[06:59] * V-chan puts away her cell, wondering what Natsuna wanted. Hearing Artemis's question, she turns towards him and shrugs. "Natsuna-oneesan wanted to meet me."
[07:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh? Does she want anything in particular?"
[07:02] <V-chan> "To talk about," Minako looks around, "that gunman. Remember him?"
[07:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The one who shot you? Like I'd forget that," he remarks.
[07:03] <V-chan> "Hey, he only shot me because I went easy on him," she replies, frowning.
[07:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, regardless..." the Mau shrugs.
[07:03] <V-chan> "Want to come along?" she offers. "Just remember, no talking."
[07:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure," he says. "Just take a bath first, Mina. I don't want to lay on a stinky lap." The impudent Mau grins, sauntering off to the kitchen.
[07:04] * V-chan shakes her fist angrily. "One of these days...."
[07:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> -------
[07:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> After your morning cleaning up, a change of clothes and a barely resisted urge to dunk Artemis in the toilet, you make it to the poilce station.
[07:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> The secretary is expecting you and you are ushered right into Natsuna's office.
[07:07] * V-chan waves at Natsuna cheerfully, smiling.
[07:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You look good, Mina," she says from her seat, smiling. "How is your life going," she says in way of polite talk.
[07:08] * V-chan takes a seat opposite of Natsuna, and sighs. "It has its ups and downs, oneesan."
[07:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh? Did something happen at school," she queries.
[07:08] * V-chan sighs again. "I got kicked out. For being an, umm," she blushes, "witch?"
[07:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> She blinks. Thrice. "Kicked out of school? Witch? Whaaa?" she gasps.
[07:09] * V-chan shrugs. "It's okay, I'm studying hard to get into a better school, oneesan!"
[07:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why would they throw you out of your school for that? How did they even get that idea," she seems both confused and curious at this turn of events.
[07:11] <V-chan> "I only know that it had to be my fault, somehow," Minako says, wincing. "That has to be why Rei-chan and Mom sigh whenever I tell the story."
[07:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei-chan?"
[07:12] * V-chan nods. "Rei-chan."
[07:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is she a friend?" she asks. "Or," smiling, "Another one of your coven?"
[07:13] <V-chan> "She's my girlfriend," Minako says, blushing.
[07:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh. I didn't think you were....that way," Natsuna says, blushing herself. "Is that why..."
[07:14] <V-chan> "It was a catholic school," Minako drawls out. "But it's not like I could change the way I feel, Natsuna-oneesan."
[07:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Catholic school...but the only Catholic school I can think of is T and A academy. How'd you get into there?"
[07:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's rather elite, isn't it?"
[07:15] <V-chan> "I'm not stupid," Minako whines. "I can get into any school I want, if I study."
[07:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course you can," she backpedals. "It's just...ANYWAY. How about we get onto the matter at hand, Minako?"
[07:17] <V-chan> "Umm, okay," Minako says hesitantly. "Is anything wrong?"
[07:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, you see....It's been quiet this week, like you said it would be now," she says, talking about the energy draining incidents.
[07:18] <V-chan> "About that...." Minako sighs. "I was wrong."
[07:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," she sighs as well. "Well, that would explain what's happening in the slums."
[07:19] * V-chan frowns. "What do you mean, oneesan?"
[07:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A few days ago, a police officer found a woman in a coma. It fit the pattern of a drained energy victim. Another was found last night, in the same slum," she says.
[07:20] <V-chan> "How are those two now?" Minako asks.
[07:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Both are recovering slowly. They are expected to live, but...the first one reports that a monster attacked him."
[07:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis meows from your lap, stretching.
[07:21] <V-chan> "Could you describe the monster?" Minako presses on.
[07:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The report was of a humanoid, red skinned woman. That's all we got from him."
[07:22] <V-chan> "Natsuna-oneesan," Minako says in her most serious tone, looking straight at the older woman. "I was wrong, but I was right earlier, too. The attacks from the Dark Kingdom did stop. The new enemy is completely different. They're... stronger. Much stronger."
[07:23] <V-chan> "None of you should try to fight them. Just... evacuate the area, if they appear, okay?" she pleads.
[07:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's a low rent area, Minako. We can try, but..." she shrugs helplessly.
[07:24] <V-chan> "Trust me, it's better to try that, then face an undying honest-to-goodness demon," Minako insists.
[07:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "An undying demon? You have been busy, Sailor V."
[07:26] * V-chan shrugs. "Remember the sudden cold front? Or the blown up penthouse? We've all been busy."
[07:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, indeed. What was that blown up penthouse about? Our teams have no clue what happened, but it looks like someone set off a powerful explosive there. We're half worried it's terrorism, to be honest."
[07:27] * V-chan snorts. "It sounds funny, at first, when you hear that these are space criminals." Her face droops. "That's until they bat you aside like you're nothing."
[07:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What?" she says flatly. "Space criminals?"
[07:28] <V-chan> "Oh yes," Minako says with another snort. "And that blast? It was us. And it didn't even scratch him."
[07:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "....wow. Well, let's hope whatever is the problem in the slum isn't like that."
[07:30] <V-chan> "They're not all that powerful," Minako says, trying to reassure Natsuna. "In fact, I have it on good authority that this guy is the strongest in the bunch."
[07:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope so," she nods.
[07:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis digs his claws into your lap, beginning to knead his claws on your thigh.
[07:31] <V-chan> "Can you tell me everything you know about the goings on in the slums, Oneesan?" Minako asks. "Maybe Sailor V could do something about that."
[07:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You read my mind, Mina. Besides the current goings-on, it's a den of drugs, the poor and prostitution."
[07:32] <V-chan> "Umm." Minako stands up suddenly. "Can I go to the bathroom real quick, Natsuna-oneesan?"
[07:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure. You know where it is, right?"
[07:33] * V-chan nods, and runs off there.
[07:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once inside the quiet bathroom, you find that you're the only person in there.
[07:33] * V-chan checks that no one is around, and then asks Artemis, "What is it?"
[07:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That sounds like a youma," he begins.
[07:34] <V-chan> "The red-skinned woman?" Minako asks, putting two and three together.
[07:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah. But I haven't felt or seen any youma since you guys sent Metallia to that burning pit in the ground."
[07:35] <V-chan> "There is only one person we know of who could summon youma, Artemis," Minako says gravely.
[07:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Exactly. I'm worried about this," he agrees.
[07:37] <V-chan> "Our hands are tied, Artemis," Minako tells him with a sigh. "I can't hurt him after promising Usagi she'd get a chance to talk with him again."
[07:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But if it's just a youma, Minako..." Artemis says.
[07:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis sighs.
[07:38] <V-chan> "You mean treating the symptoms and not the disease?" Minako brightens up. "Cute Nurse Minako-chan could do that, easy!"
[07:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis twitches. "Remind me never to get sick again."
[07:39] <V-chan> "Hey, Usagi-chan and Rei-chan never complained!" she scolds him, dropping the cat on the counter.
[07:40] <V-chan> "Artemis," Minako asks him suddenly, her anger at his words forgotten. "Why couldn't this wait till we finished talking with Natsuna-oneesan?"
[07:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Because," his fur turns red. "I have to use the bathroom, too."
[07:43] * V-chan scowls, and leaves him there, walking outside. "Come back home on your own, Artemis."
[07:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mina!!!!"
[07:43] * V-chan returns to Natsuna's office.
[07:45] <V-chan> "Right, sorry about that," she says in embarrassment, closing the door and returning to her seat. "But I didn't want Artemis to leave a mess in your office, oneesan."
[07:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, no problem. Where is he, anyway?" she says, looking for the cat.
[07:46] <V-chan> "In the bathroom. He's a trained animal."
[07:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...right. Where were we, Mina," she asks, settling back down.
[07:48] <V-chan> "The slums," Minako tells her, "den of crime and prostitution and all that."
[07:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right. So to add to that, we have some sort of life-draining creature running amok as well."
[07:49] <V-chan> "Is there any pattern to its movements?"
[07:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We don't have enough information to make a guess about that," she says.
[07:50] * V-chan frowns. "Just tell me where it attacked, then."
[07:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In the Osuda Apartments," she nods. "Good luck, Sailor V."
[07:51] * V-chan nods. "I'll take care of it, oneesan. And, well, if you ever have a person who's drained really badly, there's something I could do. But I'd rather only use that in real emergencies, okay?"
[07:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure, Minako." she says, going back to paperwork. "I'm sure you'll handle it just fine."
[07:53] <V-chan> "Okay, oneesan!" Minako gives the older woman a bright smile, saluting. "I'm on it!"
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------------
[07:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the meeting, Minako heads to Rei's shrine...
[07:55] * V-chan goes up the stairs to Rei's shrine, looking for the priestess.
[07:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking up the steps, you see Yuuichiro off to the side, strumming an old guitar. His lyrics reach you...
[07:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I had a crush named Rei... But it turns out she was gay... She told me to take a hike....Once I found out she was a dyke..."
[07:58] * V-chan twitches at the lyrics, but goes into the shrine itself, still looking for Rei.
[07:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> You pass by the depressed Yuuichiro, trying your best to ignore the rest of the lyrics.
[07:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, Rei is sitting down, drinking a cup of tea...
[07:59] <V-chan> "Rei-chan!" Minako exclaims, waving.
[07:59] * Rei-chan is frowning. "I really wish he'd stop, but I don't have the heart to yell at him..." she says, referring to Yuuichiro.
[07:59] <Rei-chan> "What's up, Minako?"
[08:00] <V-chan> "I think Sailor R just got her first assignment," Minako says with a smile.
[08:00] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei sets down her cup and looks up, an expression of interest on her face.
[08:02] <V-chan> "Yes," Minako replies. "But first, could you do a fire reading for me really quickly? I really, really want to know whose bracelet this is," she says, holding up her left hand.
[08:03] <Rei-chan> "Sure, if you want," Rei says, standing up, "Come on, let's go to the Shrine."
[08:04] * Rei-chan exits onto the courtyard, heading to the Shrine and speaking as she passes Yuuichiro, "Yuuichiro, can you please stop? People don't come to a Shrine to hear that sort of thing," she tells him, trying not to sound too angry.
[08:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, sorry." he says quietly, bowing his head. Depression rolls off him in waves. "I'll go sing in the park, then," he says, getting up.
[08:05] <Rei-chan> "Yes... I'm sure everyone in the park will just love to hear about my private life," Rei says dryly, a bit of anger beginning to show through. Sniffing, she turns and heads into the Shrine, dismissing him entirely.
[08:07] <V-chan> "I have a sword and I'll use it," Minako tells Yuuichiro, following Rei.
[08:08] <Rei-chan> Kneeling in front of the Sacred Flame, Rei holds out a hand towards Minako. "May I see the bracelet?"
[08:08] * V-chan takes it off, and hands it to Rei.
[08:09] <Rei-chan> Taking deep breaths, Rei holds the bracelet, taking in its aura as she falls into a trance-like state before the Fire, waiting to see what secrets it will reveal.
[08:09] * V-chan observes Rei eagerly.
[08:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei - You fall into your meditation, the world around you fading...
[08:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, you see the silver bracelet spinning in front of you..
[08:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a bit out of focus, like an old film reel.
[08:17] * Rei-chan concentrates to try and bring the vision into focus.
[08:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see the bracelet on what looks to be a woman, but her features and hair are too fuzzy to make out..
[08:18] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+1
[08:18] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 7."
[08:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The image focuses more, with a wreath of blue hair and familiar blue eyes...
[08:19] <Rei-chan> "Ami-chan...?"
[08:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The vision fades away after that, returning you to the real worled.
[08:21] * Rei-chan sags a bit, feeling a little drained, but swiftly recovers. "All I can tell is that it belonged to Sailor Mercury," she tells Minako. "No clue what it did, though..."
[08:22] <V-chan> "Ah." Minako frowns. "Well, if she asks for it...."
[08:22] <V-chan> "What about the sticks you had, Rei-chan?"
[08:23] * Rei-chan hands the bracelet over to the silver-haired girl, "You can give it to Ami next time you see her." She then picks up a small box with a ward on the front of it, "I've got the sticks in here."
[08:23] <V-chan> "It would be fun to know who they belonged to, wouldn't it?"
[08:24] * V-chan puts the bracelet on, in the meanwhile.
[08:24] * Rei-chan disables the ward with an idle thought, the writing fading from the paper as she does so. She opens the box and takes the two ornate sticks out. "I guess I can give it a try." Taking a moment to refocus, she repeats what she did with the bracelet to try and learn more about the sticks.
[08:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:25] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:25] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:25] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[08:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, you fall into the trance of the fire...
[08:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see the sticks...they float in front of you. Despite your best efforts, however, the vision ends quickly, with no more hint on them.
[08:27] <Rei-chan> Returning to the real world, Rei shrugs. "Nope, can't get anything." She stores them away in her subspace pocket, deciding to reseal them later on. "So what were you saying about Sailor R?"
[08:28] <V-chan> "There is a youma draining people at Osuda Apartments, Rei-chan," Minako says, now serious. "The police can't handle it on their own, and that's where Sailors V and R come in."
[08:31] * V-chan smiles suddenly, and takes out a purple mask out of her subspace pocket. "I made you one to match mine!" she chirps.
[08:32] <Rei-chan> "I doubt it would be a youma," Rei says, taking the mask, "They came from Metallia, and I very much doubt any could have survived her destruction. We're more likely dealing with a spirit creature... or perhaps one of Cynthia's demons..." she trails off worriedly.
[08:32] <Rei-chan> "Anyway," Rei says, standing up, "Whatever it is, we can't let it run loose."
[08:33] <V-chan> "Artemis thinks it is," Minako tells her. "And there is someone who could command them...."
[08:34] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei shakes her head, "Youma were basically extensions of Metallia. Unless some other powerful force was protecting a youma while we killed Metallia, none of them could have survived." Rei sounds absolutely certain on this.
[08:35] <V-chan> "We'll find out when we get there, then," Minako allows, not wanting to argue over this.
[08:35] * Rei-chan nods. "Let's go."
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> --------------
[08:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a chilly day, and there is still some snow about from Celcia's rampage. It's not an overly fun day to be out, but duty calls.
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you start to wander, your sensing immediatly picks up a low-grade sense of energy.
[08:39] <Rei-chan> "I can sense something... it's not much yet, though," Rei tells Minako as she starts heading in its direction.
[08:39] * V-chan grabs Rei's arm.
[08:40] <Rei-chan> "Hm?" Rei stops, turning to look at Minako.
[08:40] <V-chan> "Wait a moment, Rei-chan. Shouldn't we transform first?" she whispers.
[08:41] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "It's not that close. We should transform when we get nearer, so we don't cause a fuss with people seeing Sailor Senshi wandering around."
[08:41] <V-chan> "But isn't this how Jadeite found out about your identities?" Minako presses on.
[08:43] * Rei-chan looks around for a moment, "Yeah, you're right. We'll find a quiet place to transform, then make our way across the rooftops so we don't raise any alarm."
[08:43] <Rei-chan> 'Unless anyone looks up...'
[08:44] * V-chan nods, and looks for a discreet place to transform.
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a relatively discreet alley nearby. Trash-filled, but discreet.
[08:45] * Rei-chan sighs. "Oh, the glamour of being a Sailor Senshi..." she mutters, making her way to the alley.
[08:45] * V-chan shrugs, and goes there as well. "You get used to it."
[08:46] <Rei-chan> "Oh, I already have," Rei replies, taking out her pen and saying "Mars Power, Make Up!" once safely away from prying eyes.
[08:47] <Rei-chan> Once transformed, she puts on the purple mask Minako gave her.
[08:47] <V-chan> "Moon Power Transform!" Minako calls out, transforming into Sailor V, the golden chain once more around her waist.
[08:48] <Sailor_R> "Okay, let's go," Rei says, making several leaps off the fire escape to reach the roof of the building they are beside.
[08:48] <V-chan> "Where to now, R-chan?" she asks.
[08:48] * V-chan follows!
[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once on top, you get a good view of the area. Several apartments make up this area, all run-down.
[08:49] <Sailor_R> "It's that way," Rei points in the direction she can feel the energy, before bounding onto the next roof, making her way across the slums towards it.
[08:49] * V-chan follows Rei.
[08:50] <Sailor_R> Stopping on a roof, Rei waits for Minako. "Hold up, I'm getting a feeling something is off here... It might be nothing, but stay on your guard, okay?"
[08:51] <V-chan> "I'm always on my guard!" Minako responds with a smile.
[08:51] * Sailor_R nods, "Good, we're nearly there," she says, resuming her journey.
[08:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hopping further along, you come to a smallish roof, with a simple fire escape down...
[08:52] <V-chan> "What feels off, R-chan?" she asks, looking around as she follows again.
[08:53] <Sailor_R> "This is where the feeling is the strongest," Rei says, focusing intently on the aura of the place, and trying to detect any 'special' individuals within.
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> You do not sense any one individual, but...it's strongest inside the building. 1st floor?
[08:54] * Sailor_R nods, "Okay, I can't get anything really specific, but I think we should head for the first floor." With that, she drops down onto the fire escape, trying the door on the first floor.
[08:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> The fire escape is in serviceable shape, and you get to the ground level.
[08:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the alley you landed in, there is a small service door, ajar.
[08:55] * V-chan takes out her sword, remembering Rei's words.
[08:55] * Sailor_R enters, keeping her senses tightly focused to anticipate any surprises.
[08:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> It seems to be abandoned...dust, bugs and rats are around, and no lights are on in the room. Another door leads to the first floor hallway.
[08:56] <V-chan> "This is creepy," Minako whispers, taking in the scene.
[08:56] * Sailor_R nods, heading to the first floor, and stopping outside one of the doors. "It's coming from in here."
[08:57] <V-chan> "What is? Evil?" Minako asks.
[08:58] * Sailor_R frowns. "It's not specifically 'evil'... just off. It goes against the natural flow..."
[08:58] <V-chan> "Crescent Moon Power Transform!" Minako whispers, holding up her compact. "Change me into a cute pizza delivery girl!"
[08:58] <Sailor_R> "Clever," Rei nods, stepping back and out of sight of the door.
[08:59] * V-chan balances her pizzas on one hand, and knocks on the door with the other.
[08:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> The knock sounds lonely in the silence of the building...no response.
[08:59] * V-chan frowns, and knocks louder. "Umm, pizza delivery?" she asks out loud. "I'll just eat it myself...."
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nothing. You hear not a sound from the room.
[09:00] * Sailor_R sighs, "I'm not sure it'll work. I don't think what's in there eats pizza." With that, she steps forward and tries the door.
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> It doesn't open.
[09:00] * V-chan shrugs, and kicks the door open.
[09:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> To your surprise, the door holds firm against the kick, not budging an inch.
[09:01] * Sailor_R tries to sense if anything supernatural is holding the door shut.
[09:02] * V-chan drops the disguise, and gets her sword again. "V-chan's Striking Blade!" she yells, slashing the door.
[09:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> To your total shock, the blade bounces off the door, not even leaving a scratch.
[09:03] * Sailor_R glowers, before putting her hand against the door, trying to figure out what is holding it closed, and hopefully remove it.
[09:03] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6+2
[09:03] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6+2 and gets 13."
[09:03] <Sailor_R> do-over!
[09:03] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6+2
[09:03] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6+2 and gets 10."
[09:05] * Sailor_R shudders, removing her hand. "It's like a portal... like the one Metallia created, but it doesn't feel evil like that did... just... vast."
[09:06] <V-chan> "Is it a two-way portal?" Minako asks, worried.
[09:07] <Sailor_R> "Yeah... but I can't tell what's on the other side."
[09:07] <V-chan> "Is this the only thing you sensed in the entire area?"
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you talk, the door swings open loudly, the hinges creaking... Total blackness waits beyond the door.
[09:08] * Sailor_R nods, before becoming startled as the door opens. "Is this an invitation?"
[09:10] <V-chan> "Maybe whoever is there could just come here instead? It's too dark inside."
[09:11] <Sailor_R> "I don't think that'll work. We'll have to go in, but we should tell the others first," Rei says, before focusing on Usagi. 'Usagi, me and Minako have found a strange portal in the slums, and we're about to investigate it.'
[09:11] <V-chan> "Let's tell them exactly where it is, then," Minako adds.
[09:12] <Usagi-chan> 'Okay, I'll be there in a few minutes. Anywhere in particular we should meet?'
[14:24] * Sailor_R tells Usagi their location. 'We'll wait for you to arrive before we do anything.'
[14:25] <Usagi-chan> 'I won't be long, I'm at the docks already. See you in a few minutes.'
[14:25] * Sailor_R takes out her communicator. "Okay, Moon is on her way, I'll call Mercury now," she says, forgoing their names in case anyone can hear them through the portal...
[14:26] * Sailor_R takes off her mask.
[14:26] * V-chan sighs. "And I was hoping this to be Sailor R's first mission...."
[14:26] <Sailor_Mars> "That's for fighting crime. This is Sailor Mars' kind of job," she says, indicating the portal.
[14:27] * Sailor_Mars waits for Ami to respond on the communicator.
[14:27] <V-chan> "I know. It's so frustrating!"
[14:27] <Ninja_Ami> "Hello?"
[14:28] * Sailor_Mars tells Ami about the portal and gives their location, asking her to come over as soon as she can.
[14:29] <Ninja_Ami> "Be there as soon as I can." Ami signs out.
[14:29] <V-chan> "Do you want to go inside with Mercury and Moon, when they show up?" Minako asks in the meanwhile.
[14:30] <Sailor_Mars> "It'd be safest to wait," Mars tells V, leaning agains the wall and keeping her senses trained on the portal in case anything changes.
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> -------
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shortly, Sailors Mercury and Moon arrive as backup.
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> The portal stays open the entire time, beckoning...
[14:31] <V-chan> "We've gotten an invitation, it seems," Minako says, pointing at the portal.
[14:31] * Sailor_Moon frowns as she studies the portal in front of them.
[14:31] <Sailor_Mars> "Can you scan the portal with your computer, Mercury?"
[14:34] * Ninja_Ami summons the Visor/computer combo and begins scanning.
[14:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your scan turns up that this is indeed a portal to parts unknown.
[14:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> No evil energy is about, at least.
[14:35] <Sailor_Moon> "I don't like this..." Moon mutters.
[14:35] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, the plan is that some of us need to investigate, but someone needs to stay here and keep the portal open - like Mercury did when I first became Sailor Mars, that time with the buses."
[14:35] <Ninja_Ami> "It's a portal," Ami shrugs. "There is no evil energy there, at any rate," Ami supplies.
[14:35] * V-chan returns both the bracelet and the sword to subspace, and nods. "We might as well go and see what the person on the other end wants."
[14:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, I can't sense anything specifically evil about it either," Mars agrees, "But we still need to be careful."
[14:38] <Sailor_Moon> "As long as someone stays here to make sure we don't get trapped, I don't see a problem with going inside."
[14:38] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, Mercury," Rei turns to the blue haired girl, "You up to it?"
[14:38] <Ninja_Ami> "I'll give it my all."
[14:39] * V-chan glances at Moon and Mars, and takes a step inside.
[14:39] <Sailor_Mars> "Wish us luck," Mars says, heading into the portal.
[14:39] * Ninja_Ami sets the computer to track the three.
[14:39] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath and steps into the portal behind the other two senshi.
[14:39] <Ninja_Ami> "Good luck and Godspeed."
[14:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> As they step through the portal, the darkness flashes for a moment, and then you can see the insides of a dilapated apartment room...nothing out of the ordinary...

[14:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---------
[14:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a flash of light, the darkness vanishes, leaving you in a small, greystone room.
[14:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> No windows are seen, but light comes from a torch on the wall.
[14:42] * Sailor_Mars looks around for any exits.
[14:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a single, wooden door. It's closed.
[14:43] * Sailor_Moon glances at the other two senshi, then goes to try the door.
[14:43] * Sailor_Mars takes in the aura of the place.
[14:43] * V-chan tries to imitate Mars.
[14:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Definitely magical..." Mars mutters, following Moon.
[14:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door opens. A hall way is ahead, with more torches and greystone walls.
[14:44] * Sailor_Moon nods.
[14:44] <V-chan> "Let's go?" Minako asks, following her own advice.
[14:44] <Sailor_Moon> "Wonder where we are..." Moon says as she steps out into the hallway.
[14:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your words echo distantly...
[14:45] <Sailor_Mars> "Only one way to find out," Mars says, walking down the hallway and keeping an eye out for any distinguishing features.
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> At the end of the hallway is another simple wooden door.
[14:46] * V-chan takes out her communicator, and tries to raise Mercury.
[14:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your communicator beeps, but cannot seem to contact Mercury.
[14:46] * Sailor_Moon stays close to Mars, looking around the hallway warily.
[14:47] <V-chan> "Guys, don't expect backup," Minako warns the others, putting the communicator away.
[14:47] * Sailor_Mars nods at Minako's words, a sinking feeling in her stomach.
[14:48] * V-chan tries to summon the bracelet back.
[14:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> It appears.
[14:49] * V-chan nods to herself in satisfaction, and returns it to subspace.
[14:49] * Sailor_Mars opens the door.
[14:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next door leads into a large, open room. On the opposite wall of the room are huge, open, glassless windows. Outside of these is a swirling, grey vastness, unending to your eyes. You feel dizzy looking at it.
[14:51] * V-chan stops looking out of the windows, before she feels sick.
[14:51] * Sailor_Moon takes one look at the windows and turns away from them, looking rather queasy. "I don't think we're in Tokyo anymore, that's for sure..."
[14:51] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head, trying not to look at the window. "I think this is the castle belonging to Starfire Brynswald... it was supposed to be outside of time and space."
[14:51] <Sailor_Moon> "Who?" Moon looks completely lost.
[14:52] <Sailor_Mars> "She was one of the people imprisoned on the Moon. Mercury decoded a few files and showed us yesterday," Mars informs her, "Apparently she led a failed rebellion, and was an exceptionally powerful sorceress."
[14:53] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Great... just what I needed today."
[14:53] <V-chan> "And apparently, you'll get to use your negotiation skills, Sailor Moon!" Minako says happily.
[14:53] * Sailor_Mars shrugs, "She led a rebellion, it didn't say anything about her eating babies. We don't know what kind of person she is."
[14:53] <V-chan> "There's nothing to lead rebellions against now, anyway."
[14:53] <Sailor_Moon> "Let's hope they do some good, V-chan. We won't know until we get to try."
[14:54] * Sailor_Mars nods. "Earth is a poor prize compared to the Moon Kingdom..." she says, before looking around the room, her gaze avoiding the window.
[14:54] <V-chan> "So, umm, Miss Starfire?" Minako calls out. "Is this your place after all?"
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> No response...
[14:55] * V-chan looks around the room for any other exits
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a door on the same wall as the first one, but on the opposite east/west side.
[14:56] * Sailor_Moon tries to look around to see if there's anything different about the various doors in the room.
[14:56] <V-chan> "Well, we might as well go on, right?" Minako asks, moving to open the other door.
[14:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Both the doors are made of wood. Nothing else is notable about them.
[14:56] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, nothing else in this room," Mars says, following V.
[14:56] * Sailor_Moon nods and follows.
[14:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next door leads to a hallway, which leads to a open stairway to above. A few sets of plate armor decorate the the sides of the hallway.
[14:57] * V-chan admires the armor, as she goes down the hallway. "Nice."
[14:58] * Sailor_Mars carefully studies the armour with her psychic senses, remembering all the 'haunted house' movies where it would come to life.
[14:58] * Sailor_Moon follows Venus, still on her guard and rather nervous.
[14:59] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head. 'Nah, that's just stupid,' she thinks, dismissing the armour and moving on.
[14:59] * V-chan goes up the stairs.
[14:59] * Sailor_Moon glances over at Mars. 'What is?'
[14:59] <Sailor_Mars> 'Just remembering those movies where the haunted armour would come to life. Don't worry, I can't sense anything,' Mars reassures her, ascending the stairs.
[15:00] * Sailor_Moon nods. 'I didn't see anything odd about it either... I was thinking the same thing myself, actually.'
[15:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The stairs go on, leading you to a wide open room. A throne is there, with the woman you saw in the file sitting on the throne. But to your shock, a woman in a Sailor outfit is there, with long green hair and a long staff. She looks so familiar...
[15:01] <Sailor_Moon> "Who are you?" Moon addresses the pair.
[15:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It has been a long time, Princess," the mystery Sailor greets you solemnly.
[15:01] * Sailor_Mars enters the room, on her guard, but not wanting to appear hostile. "Another Sailor Senshi?"
[15:02] <Sailor_Moon> "You'll forgive me for not remembering you... my memory's not exactly what it used to be." Moon stares at the green-haired woman, trying to place her.
[15:02] * Sailor_Mars tries to study the auras of both women.
[15:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I am Sailor Pluto," she says, with a small, odd smile on her face. "I am glad you chose to come, Sailors."
[15:03] <Sailor_Mars> "So the others were reincarnated..." Mars whispers, "Why haven't we seen you before?" she asks, more clearly.
[15:04] * V-chan stays off to the side, looking on at Sailor Pluto and the other woman quietly
[15:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I am charged with guarding the gates of Time," she says, looking at Mars. "I do not concern myself with the events of time as a rule. But...the future, ever malleable, sometimes draws me in."
[15:05] <V-chan> "The Gates of Time?" Minako asks.
[15:05] <Sailor_Moon> "Is that why you're here now? Something to do with the future?" Moon asks curiously.
[15:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," the other woman says, getting up from the throne. "Would you care to sojourn to a more comfortable setting?"
[15:06] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't mind," Mars says, looking at Moon and V for their opinions.
[15:06] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath to steady herself and nods. "All right."
[15:07] <V-chan> "Sure." Minako shrugs. "You'll tell us what the Gates of Time are, then?"
[15:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "As you wish," she says, with that mysterious smile.
[15:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The woman at the throne waves her hand, and you feel a small wave of magic engulf you. Suddenly, the large room is replaced by a simpler room, with chairs, tables and the like, and one wall is a window into the greyness.
[15:10] * Sailor_Moon hesitantly takes a seat, making sure to take a chair facing away from the window.
[15:10] * Sailor_Mars takes a seat. 'Usagi, Pluto's aura feels familiar, but the other woman - Starfire, most likely - is blocking me.'
[15:11] * V-chan mirrors Sailor Moon's actions, taking a seat next to Rei.
[15:11] * Sailor_Moon looks up, studying the two women a little more closely this time.
[15:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Pluto and the other woman sit opposite of you, showing no disconcertedness at gazing at grey beyond the window.
[15:13] <V-chan> "So," Minako starts. "Thanks for having us?"
[15:13] <Sailor_Mars> "So, Starfire Brynswald, I presume?" Mars addresses the woman, "Finding things quite a bit different in the solar system since your release?"
[15:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes. I am Starfire Brynswald, who your Queen saw fit to imprison for several thousand years," the regal woman says, without any aggression.
[15:14] <V-chan> "She's not our Queen, really," Minako says, shrugging. "She's kinda dead."
[15:14] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, the last few thousand years she really couldn't release you even if she wanted to," Mars admits.
[15:14] <Sailor_Moon> "Why? Mars said something about a rebellion, but I have no idea what's going on myself."
[15:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Long live the Queen, then," she says, looking at Usagi. "Yes, I had something of a... disagreement with the Queen. I wish to leave it at that and not relive the history," she says.
[15:15] <Sailor_Mars> "I can understand that," Mars nods, "So what exactly are your plans now?"
[15:15] * Sailor_Moon shrugs. "As long as you don't mean any harm to us or the Earth, I'm perfectly willing to let the past stay there."
[15:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Excellent," she says with a smile. "Setsuna, would you like to continue?" She cedes to the green-tressed Sailor of Pluto.
[15:16] * Sailor_Mars gives her attention to Sailor Pluto.
[15:17] * V-chan divides her attention between the pair.
[15:17] * Sailor_Moon turns her tired gaze to the tall senshi.
[15:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes. You see, the future is a strange thing, with it changing as the people in the present write their futures." she begins. "Some futures are more likely than others, and some are less likely. All are written, sometimes altering the future in one almost meaningless action."
[15:19] * Sailor_Moon nods, waiting for Pluto to continue.
[15:19] * Sailor_Mars thinks of some of the visions she's had, which have not come to pass, and thanks her lucky stars.
[15:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In this case, an...unlikely future has come to pass."
[15:20] <Sailor_Moon> "Unlikely?"
[15:20] <Sailor_Mars> "But it's the future, so it hasn't come to pass yet, right?"
[15:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "At first, I thought you would defeat Metallia, but die in the process. But...after you became the Princess again, things altered. It looked like you would all be corrupted by Metallia and fail...but then, you changed the future again by winning." she says plainly.
[15:22] <Sailor_Mars> "Things went up and down quite a bit, there," Mars says, drawing in on herself slightly.
[15:22] <Sailor_Moon> "So... what does that mean? We were supposed to die and things are messed up now because we're not?" Moon asks with a hint of anger.
[15:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Pluto looks at Sailor Moon. "Of course not."
[15:23] <V-chan> "This unlikely future... is it a better one?" Minako asks.
[15:23] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap like that."
[15:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The future merely is. And as it is...your days are numbered." she says, sighing. "Soon, you will be drawn into another battle with three, and be slaughtered. Shattering the Crystal Prison has unleashed several people capable of changing history, and it has begun to show.
[15:24] * Sailor_Moon lowers her head at the mention of the prison's breaking.
[15:24] <Sailor_Mars> "Three... you mean Oxyite, Orestes, and Cynthia, right?"
[15:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Pluto nods to Sailor Mars. "Yes."
[15:25] <V-chan> "You say our days are numbered," Minako tells Pluto. "Why should we believe you, though?"
[15:26] <Sailor_Mars> "I can sometimes see the future," Mars tells Pluto, "And I saw visions of an Earth devastated by Metallia. Your future can be changed just as much as that one." She sounds quite determined on the point.
[15:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Because if you do, you may have a chance of changing the future yet again." she says, nodding to Mars.
[15:27] <V-chan> "Fine, I'm all ears."
[15:28] * Sailor_Moon raises her head again. "If you can help us at all... please, I just want to put a stop to what I started."
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You started quite a bit," the regal woman notes. "Or at least finished it."
[11:35] * Sailor_Moon nods sadly. "I know. I just want to put a stop to this, whatever it takes."
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, but can you? You now lack your Crystal, and are still relatively weak compared to the fully trained Sailors of the past," Pluto says.
[11:36] <V-chan> "Allies would help, then," Minako adds.
[11:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Those Sailors are dead," Mars notes, a bit of annoyance in her voice.
[11:36] * Sailor_Moon looks Pluto straight in the eye as she replies. "I have to be."
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You are strong of spirit, Princess," the green haired Senshi says, with her small, mysterious smile.
[11:38] <Sailor_Moon> "All I can do is try. And I'll keep trying until this is finished, no matter what it takes." Usagi's voice is hard with determination.
[11:41] <V-chan> "You promised you would tell us more, after we exchanged greetings," Minako presses on. "You said you guard the Gates of Time?"
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," she says to both Sailor Moon and Venus. "I guard the Gates of Time," she confirms.
[11:41] <V-chan> "And those are...?"
[11:42] <Sailor_Mars> "Is that why you didn't help us against Metallia? Since you obviously know how difficult that was for us," Mars says. "They must be very important."
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Allow me," the other woman says. "Setsuna is always so closemouthed, even to this day," she smiles. "The Gates of Time guard just that - time. The past, the present, the future. Think of it as an outpost in the great stream of Time."
[11:44] <V-chan> "Like a TV, basically? That shows you all of time, anywhere you want to see?"
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's far more complicated, but in a way you are on the right track," Sailor Pluto says, taking back the conversation. "And normally, I do not interfere with Time, but..."
[11:45] <V-chan> "Great!" Minako nods. "Then you would be able to tell us who the people previously imprisoned are, right?"
[11:46] <Sailor_Mars> "And how to best deal with them," Mars adds.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Information, it is all I can offer," Starfire says, with a note of anger in her voice. "But information we have."
[11:47] <V-chan> "You do us a favor by giving us the information we need, and we'll return one to you later. Isn't that how this works?"
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If you insist on doing it that way, then yes," she says, brushing aside a stray lock of her hair.
[11:48] <Sailor_Moon> "Minako -" Usagi sighs, then turns to the sorceress. "What information can you offer us?"
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "About the escaped criminals, about the items you now cling to from the ruins of the Moon," Pluto declares.
[11:51] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Anything about any of that would really help."
[11:51] <V-chan> "But you want something too, don't you?" Minako asks curiously. "An alliance, friendship... maybe something more?"
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "To be left alone," Starfire says. "After all those lifetimes in the Crystal Prison, I only wish to be left alone from the remnants of the Moon Kingdom."
[11:52] * V-chan shrugs. "If that's your wish, I'll respect it."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Current company excluded," she says quickly, with an amused glance at Sailor Pluto.
[11:53] <Sailor_Moon> "You have my word, as far as that goes." Usagi nods.
[11:55] * V-chan summons the silver bracelet on her left arm. "This belongs to Sailor Mercury, doesn't it?" she asks, raising that arm.
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles, as if she is relieved. "Very well, then. First...Come forth, my servants," she shouts, her voice echoing in the room. In a bright flash, four youma appear. One is a red skinned woman in a oddly cut dress, the next is a human/lamppost hybrid and the other two are twin humanoid youma.
[11:56] * Sailor_Moon starts up out of her chair, immediately on guard at the sight of youma.
[11:56] * Sailor_Mars starts, trying to analyse the aura of these 'youma'.
[11:57] <Sailor_Mars> "Dark Kingdom youma!" Mars cries, getting out of her seat.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Here are four of the dreaded space criminals," she says.
[11:58] * Sailor_Moon eyes the youma cautiously. "What do they do for you?"
[11:58] <Sailor_Mars> 'Usagi, they feel like youma... but their energy is altered. I think they're reliant on Starfire to exist now, rather than Metallia,' Mars sends to Moon.
[11:59] <Sailor_Moon> 'There's something masking their energy patterns, so it's hard for me to tell much about them.' Usagi replies. 'They haven't made a move to attack us yet, at least.'
[11:59] * V-chan leans back in her seat. "Was I right, Sailor Pluto?"
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, that is Sailor Mercury's," she confirms.
[12:01] <V-chan> "Can anyone else use it, too?"
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Perhaps," she says simply.
[12:02] * Sailor_Mars relaxes slightly, but remains standing.
[12:02] * Sailor_Moon slowly relaxes, never taking her eyes off the youma.
[12:03] <V-chan> "What does it do, essentially?" Minako asks, waving the bracelet again.
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Allow me again," the other woman says. "I believe it is a focus for water elementalism and energy, much like a lens for a laser."
[12:05] <Sailor_Mars> "So if she wore it, her control over water would be greater? More focused?" Mars clarifies.
[12:05] <V-chan> "Interesting." Minako pouts suddenly, letting the bracelet fade away into subspace. "Useless to me, though. Guess I'll have to return it after all."
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In time, yes. It requires training and much skill to use properly. In the hands of an amateur, it would be no more than a hunk of metal."
[12:06] * Sailor_Mars frowns at Minako's words, before the two ornate sticks appear in her hands. 'Good thing I took these along, today...' "What about these?" she asks.
[12:06] <V-chan> "What about the other artifacts that were sealed in the same corridor as that bracelet, Miss Starfire?" Minako asks, focusing on her and ignoring Pluto.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Speaking of that," she says, ignoring Mars momentarily, "I believe you have something Setsuna would like."
[12:08] <Sailor_Mars> 'Usagi, if we're asking about the artifacts, I really think you should keep quiet about that polearm you found,' Mars mentally warns their leader.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," Pluto says. "You found a Glaive, correct?"
[12:08] <Sailor_Mars> 'Shit!'
[12:09] <Sailor_Moon> "...yes, I did."
[12:10] * Sailor_Mars discreetly tenses for action.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Would you give it to me," the Senshi asks. "It is not meant for your hands, and until it's time for its owner to come back, it should not be out in the world."
[12:11] <V-chan> "Let's talk about this later?" Minako offers. "There's plenty of ground to cover, first, and no glaives are going anywhere."
[12:11] * Sailor_Moon looks at the green-haired woman. "When the owner comes to claim it, I'll let them have it. Until then, I'll hang on to it myself."
[12:11] <Sailor_Mars> "A weapon like that should be in no one's hands," Mars says firmly, "But I'd trust Sailor Moon with it above anyone else."
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I would insist that you hand it over," Starfire says. "Even now, it saps away your life force. It is not something meant to be borne by you, Sailor Moon."
[12:13] * Sailor_Mars starts in alarm, and turns to examine Moon's aura very closely.
[12:13] <Sailor_Moon> "I have no intention of using it, but I've felt the power from it. I have no intention of taking any sort of risk with it whatsoever."" Usagi replies calmly.
[12:13] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[12:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 13."
[12:13] <Sailor_Mars> do-over!
[12:13] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+4
[12:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+4 and gets 8."
[12:15] * Sailor_Mars gasps. "She's right... It's eating away at you!" she says in alarm. "I'd never have seen it if I didn't know what to look for..."
[12:15] * Sailor_Moon looks at Mars in surprise. "Are you sure?"
[12:16] * Sailor_Mars nods. "I'm dead serious," she says, ashen faced.
[12:16] <V-chan> "Why not just destroy it, then?"
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Because even if you managed to do that, you would be depriving another of a vital tool," Sailor Pluto says, sighing softly.
[12:18] * V-chan concentrates on the blonde, thinking to her, 'Usagi, I think Pluto betrayed our past selves when Metallia attacked. And the red youma-like thing over there drained two people over the past week in the slums. Plus, if the weapon can really destroy planets, as Ami said yesterday....'
[12:18] <Sailor_Mars> "Can we put a seal on it, like the one on the Moon?" Mars asks Pluto, her eyes worriedly turning to Usagi.
[12:18] <Sailor_Moon> "Then I'll return it to the storehouse on the Moon. I'd rather it wasn't in anyone's hands; besides, if it's draining my life force, why wouldn't it do the same to you? You're not the owner any more than I am."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I have methods of averting that," she says, "But I can live with it on the Moon again."
[12:20] * Sailor_Moon nods. "Then I'll return it as soon as we're finished here."
[12:20] <Sailor_Mars> "If we all join forces to put a seal on it, it should be strong enough to keep anyone else taking it..." Mars says, remembering the powerful aura of death that previously protected it, as well as the barriers protecting the other items.
[12:21] * Sailor_Moon turns her thoughts to Minako. 'Let's hear her out first. If it turns out she has been sending these youma to drain people, we'll deal with it. Right now, I want to hear what she has to say.'
[12:21] <V-chan> 'I'm all for it, as long as you don't give that weapon to her.'
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Very well then," Setsuna says, breaking your internal chat session. "You wish to know about who escaped from the Prison?"
[12:22] <Sailor_Moon> 'I don't intend to, and she seems satisfied for me to return it to the Moon Kingdom.'
[12:22] * Sailor_Mars sighs and puts away the sticks. Not like she really cares about them...
[12:22] <V-chan> "And about the rest of the artifacts, yes."
[12:22] <V-chan> 'Take us all with you, when you do, Usagi.'
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes. I see that you have met a few of the escapees already, and even dispatched the first." Pluto notes.
[12:24] <V-chan> "She kinda wanted to kill everyone on Earth, and wouldn't listen to reason," Minako comments. "Are most of them like that?"
[12:24] <V-chan> "Present company excluded, of course."
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Setsuna leans back in her chair a bit. "Some of them are, yes. Celcia was nothing but a petty ice spirit, but a powerful one."
[12:25] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Is Cynthia another?"
[12:25] <Sailor_Mars> "And the rest?" Mars prompts.
[12:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Pluto's face twitches a bit, but her mask remains in place. "Yes," she confirms.
[12:27] <V-chan> "Who was Cynthia?"
[12:28] <Sailor_Moon> "What exactly happened with her back on the Moon? My memories are just so... fuzzy, I don't know exactly what happened other than her blaming me for getting her thrown out of the palace."
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The woman sighs a bit, but goes on. "Cynthia was an orphan of a minor noble Moon family. She was taken in at the palace, where she showed excellent natural aptitude with magic.
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She was raised as a Lady of the Court, and grew up with many noble children, including the Royal Families."
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In time, her main talent came to the fore - summoning demons. Of course, this is suicidal, and was not allowed. So she kept it to herself and her closest friends."
[12:31] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I remember that much at least. She said she could control it."
[12:31] * Sailor_Mars snorts, but says nothing.
[12:31] <V-chan> "Her closest friends... us?"
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pluto takes a breath and continues on. "But, demon summoning not only leaves the summoner at the mercy of the demon, it exposes their soul to the land demons come from. It corrupts all that it sees, including the summoner."
[12:32] <Sailor_Mars> 'She's right, Usagi. I saw the place that demon came from... nowhere near as bad as Metallia, but still pretty nasty,' Mars telepathically informs Moon.
[12:32] * Sailor_Moon nods to both Mars and Pluto.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In time...she was subverted by the demons and her talent became public. Princess Serenity had no choice but to publically denouce her under these circumsances, and soon after...there was an incident."
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Pluto turns away a bit, her face shadowed. "In the end, she was put in the Prison because the Queen wouldn't give up on her, even after all that happened."
[12:34] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "She said it was all my fault... that she'd get revenge on me..."
[12:35] <V-chan> "What was your fault?" Minako turns towards Pluto. "What was the incident?"
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She summoned something that got out of her control."
[12:38] * Sailor_Moon looks over at Mars for a minute.
[12:38] <V-chan> "Was Serenity right? Is there a way to save Cynthia, Pluto?"
[12:39] <Sailor_Mars> 'What is it, Usagi?' Mars prompts Moon, noting her gaze.
[12:39] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. 'Nothing, Rei. Just remembering something.' Moon turns back to the green-haired senshi, waiting for her to respond to Venus' question.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Maybe. Her soul has been badly corrupted already, and if she already summoned another demon..."
[12:44] <Sailor_Moon> "...she's summoned at least one. We fought one when we saw her with the people who had Mako-chan."
[12:44] <Sailor_Mars> "She summoned one before we fought Oxyite," Mars says, thinking that 'fought' isn't really the word to describe what they did...
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," Pluto says. "As it may, you fought Oxyite as well," she grunts.
[12:46] <Sailor_Moon> "Oxyite?" Moon looks puzzled.
[12:46] <V-chan> "He attacked. We tried to defend ourselves."
[12:47] <Sailor_Mars> 'The guy with the sword,' Mars prompts Usagi.
[12:47] * Sailor_Moon turns to a look of recognition, then slight worry. "We... didn't do so well."
[12:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I can relate," she says, running a finger down her arm.
[12:48] <V-chan> "But you won, didn't you?" Minako leans forward. "How?"
[12:48] * Sailor_Mars nods, "Yes, we read how you and three other senshi fought him in the Silver Millenium... I'm sorry... about Sailor Neptune," she says sympathetically.
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I did something I wasn't supposed to," Pluto says. "But it couldn't be helped. He's insanely powerful with his damned sword."
[12:50] <V-chan> "Could you do that something again?"
[12:50] <Sailor_Moon> "So how did you finally stop him? Maybe we can do the same thing to him now."
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I...stopped time," her gaze turns back to your direction, but is locked on the grey storm outside. "And it generally isn't an option."
[12:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Why not?"
[08:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I have resposibilities," she says, evasively.
[08:20] <V-chan> "So it's a matter of won't, not can't?"
[08:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Some things just aren't an option," she says. "Now, did you want to know about Oxyite," she says quietly.
[08:22] <V-chan> "Sure. Like I said before, I'm all ears. I'm sure there are other ways to take him down."
[08:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Starfire cuts in. "Oxyite gets stronger rapidly as he fights, correct?"
[08:26] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I've seen it - his power just keeps building on itself, constantly."
[08:26] * V-chan nods as well. "Which makes sense to try and overwhelm him in the first round... unless we're missing something."
[08:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Indeed. If he has more than a minute or two to go, he's almost unstoppable. You need to put a halt to him before his energy gets out of control," Starfire says.
[08:30] * Sailor_Moon thinks for a minute. "I just wish there was some way for us to surprise him. We might have more of a chance if we could get a drop on him."
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If you could get the drop on him...but so much easier said than performed," she notes.
[08:33] <V-chan> "He parried my sword strike like it was nothing," Minako says thoughtfully, frowning. "Maybe I should stick to normal senshi attacks, instead."
[08:33] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "Tell me about it. We almost never seem to find the bad guys until THEY want us to."
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's the nature of being defenders," the magess comments. "You mostly react instead of attack."
[08:36] <Sailor_Moon> "Yeah, but we can't afford to react this time! He's too strong - even if we get lucky, he's so fast that some of us could really get hurt!"
[08:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Or worse," Sailor Mars murmurs to herself.
[08:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes. Do you have any plan yet, Sailor Moon,"
[08:38] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head. "Not really. What Venus said sounds like the best idea I've heard so far, but I don't know enough about him to know if it'll work or not."
[08:39] <V-chan> "Which is where you could help us. Tell us more about him, not just his powers."
[08:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm afraid I don't even know all that much about him," Pluto says. "He's a former pirate, and seems to be willing to work with Cynthia and Orestes."
[08:42] <Sailor_Moon> "He said he just wanted to get out of here when we met him. I don't understand why though - it's not like there are any other planets with people on them anymore."
[08:43] <V-chan> "Not in the solar system, at least," Minako muses.
[08:43] <V-chan> "Ami said that the sword he stole was from another civilization, so they could still be around," she adds, turning towards Usagi.
[08:44] <Sailor_Moon> "I guess so... Did Ami find more information about him or something?"
[08:45] <V-chan> "Nothing we didn't know already, I'm afraid," Minako replies, shaking her head.
[08:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There are more worlds than just your own," the magess comments.
[08:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But... even with that, would you send him off if all else failed?" Pluto asks. "Would you be willing to let him run along?"
[08:47] <V-chan> "Actually," Minako starts suddenly. "There was something." She focuses on Pluto. "The files said Queen Serenity had been unwilling to harm him, since it would have also destroyed the sword. But if we don't care about the sword surviving, would there be anything we could do?"
[08:47] <Sailor_Moon> "I don't think he can even if he wants to." Usagi sighs. "Even if there are other worlds out there, we don't have any way to get to them on Earth. How would he leave?"
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You could kill him, then, Sailor Venus."
[08:50] <V-chan> "If that's the only way." Minako sighs. "And unless you have any advice for how to deal with Oxyite, I might as well ask you about the other ex-prisoners."
[08:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Perhaps one of the other two offered to teleport him? It may not be out of their range to send him to another world," Pluto says.
[08:51] <Sailor_Moon> "What about the third man? The one that took Jupiter?"
[08:51] <V-chan> "I was going to do that. Before he stabbed Rei-chan, after no provocation. I doubt he's the kind of guy I want to wish on another culture."
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Orestes was a retainer of the House of Jupiter," Pluto starts. "Who went insane and lusted after Princess Jupiter after caring for her as she grew up. He expressed it by trying to kidnap her and seduce her, but was captured just before he could. Princess Jupiter, despite what happened, still couldn't bear to see him executed, and into the Prison he went."
[08:55] <V-chan> "Just how strong is he, to kidnap a senshi?" Minako wonders out loud.
[08:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He's a natural psionic, as well as a minor mage. He was powerful enough to be the main retainer for the Jupiter Royal Line."
[08:58] <V-chan> "A psionic? You mean like those you see in science fiction TV shows?" Minako asks, blinking curiously.
[08:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Like Sailor Mars," she replies, looking at the white-haired Sailor.
[08:59] * Sailor_Moon glances over at Mars.
[08:59] <V-chan> "I thought Rei-chan was psychic," Minako said in confusion.
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's about the same thing," the seated magess says.
[09:01] <Sailor_Moon> "It sounds like the other two are strong then, but Oxyite is still the one we've got to worry about the most." Usagi sighs.
[09:01] * V-chan looked like she wanted to argue, but then shrugged. "Okay," she said, glancing sideways at Rei. "So he can use wards and stuff?"
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No, that's Rei's priestress training. He's more into raw displays of power," she comments.
[09:05] <V-chan> "Of course he is," Minako deadpans. "Look, I know I'm being rude and all that, but pretend for a second I'm really a stupid blonde and please tell us something we could use? Like a weakness? Or a way to locate him and Makoto?"
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If Sailor Mars can get past his shielding and find him, he could be traced. And as a psionic, his mind is a weak point if you can assault it."
[09:08] <Sailor_Moon> "Then we'll do all we can to help her. We've got to find Mako-chan, and soon."
[09:08] <V-chan> Minako's hands clench into fists, and she steals another glance at Rei, staying quiet.
[09:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Further, if he uses magic, that may be easier to trace than his psionics." Starfire comments.
[09:09] * Sailor_Moon nods. "I... might be able to help with that."
[09:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," she says. "And as for Cynthia...every time you banish a demon, she has to summon another. That takes time and energy, and cannot be repeated quickly."
[09:12] <Sailor_Moon> "And the others? I know those three and you aren't the only ones that escaped." Moon says, looking at Starfire.
[09:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Celcia was another, of course, but she's not a factor now. There were a few others, but many of them left the area already of their own power," she comments. "I know at least a few are already out of the Solar System."
[09:14] * Sailor_Moon looks down in shame. "We may not have to deal with them, but I hate being responsible for whatever they do wherever they DO end up."
[09:15] <V-chan> "So we let our problems terrorize the galaxy? Just great," Minako mutters under her breath.
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's not something you should blame yourself for, Sailor Moon. It would have happened sooner or later," Starfire comments, looking away.
[09:15] * Sailor_Moon makes no reply.
[09:16] <V-chan> "Could you tell us a bit about them, anyway? Just in case they decide they want to visit."
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And you have already run into Jadeite again," Pluto asks of Sailor Moon.
[09:17] <Sailor_Moon> "Yeah, twice now. Mars saw him the first time, and then I ran into him just a couple of days ago." Moon sighs.
[09:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "One is a alien who ran afoul of the Kingdom," she comments.
[09:20] * V-chan listens with interest.
[09:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He seems to have come from another galaxy due to a fluke occurance, and was stuck here. Things eventually degenerated, and he ended up in the Prison."
[09:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Another was a space spirit who caused problems for the Kingdom and was unable to be destroyed, so she was imprisoned."
[09:23] <Sailor_Moon> "Space spirit?" Moon looks curious.
[09:23] <V-chan> "And they all left?" Minako perks up. "As long as these were misunderstandings, it's all cool."
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A spirit of space, like a spirit of fire or of wind," Pluto says. "But a destructive one."
[09:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes..." Starfire starts, but grunts suddenly, her face pained.
[09:27] * Sailor_Moon looks up, surprised. "What's wrong?"
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "My p...power is reaching it's limit," she grinds out as Sailor Pluto looks on. "Queen Serenity greatly damaged my flow of m..mana, and it takes energy to keep this palace from becoming ethereal," she gasps. "Energy that I currently lack," she grunts again through a mask of pain. "I can keep it solid for myself, but any more people strain me..."
[09:31] * Sailor_Moon stands quickly. "We should go then. Is there any way we can contact you later?"
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Come back here later, the gate will remain," she says. "Hurry, so I don't dump you in the ether," she gasps. "Just don't get killed until then."
[09:33] <V-chan> "Is that why you took energy from two humans on Earth?" Minako asks tonelessly. "To keep this place from collapsing?"
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "To get your attention and to have enough to talk here," she says. Pluto looks up at this, surprised.
[09:34] * Sailor_Moon frowns. "We'll discuss this later. Just no more draining energy, all right?"
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Go, Sailor Senshi," Pluto says, looking rather harshly at Starfire. "I'll talk to her."
[09:35] <V-chan> "And you know where to find us, Pluto," Minako tells her, before turning to her friends. "Let's get back?"
[09:35] * Sailor_Moon nods and heads for the exit. "I want to talk to you later, Sailor Pluto!" she calls over her shoulder as she heads out.
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> You go out, as the walls of the castle waver. Back at the room you came in at, you see a now open door back to the abandoned apartment...
[09:36] * Sailor_Moon runs through the door quickly, not wanting to get 'dropped into the ether' - whatever that means.
[09:37] * V-chan exits after Mars.
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Outside, you find Sailor Mercury and the real world. You feel oddly grounded to be back here, like stepping off a plane after a long flight.
[09:38] * Sailor_Moon takes a deep breath, winded after her run to the portal. "Well, that was... weird."
[09:38] <Sailor_Mercury> "You're back!" Ami runs up to the other, relief clear on her face.
[09:38] <V-chan> "Ami?" Minako says, leaning back against the wall.
[09:39] <Sailor_Mercury> "I sorry. I couldn't... it closed too fast," she says apologetically.
[09:40] * V-chan materializes the silver bracelet, and tosses it over to the blue-haired senshi, smirking. "Happy early Christmas."
[09:40] <Sailor_Moon> "It's okay, Ami-chan. We got back safe enough." Moon smiles.
[09:40] * Sailor_Mercury catches it. "What do you mean?" she asks Venus.
[09:41] <V-chan> "It amplifies your control over water, if you concentrate on it," Minako explains. "Put it on and give it a try?"
[09:42] * Sailor_Mercury slips the bracelet, curious. "How do you know that?"
[09:42] <V-chan> "I'm just that damn good," Minako deadpans.
[09:42] * Sailor_Moon rolls her eyes and smiles.
[09:43] <V-chan> She brushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and looks over at the others. "We must get to the Moon as soon as possible. Maybe even now, unless Ami has some new info on those encrypted files that we should know."
[09:44] * Sailor_Mercury focuses on her element, pulling water out of the air. She makes a point to not splash her comrades. "I do have some new information. Hold on a moment.
[09:44] * Sailor_Mercury summons the computer, pulling up the files.
[09:45] * V-chan takes a glance around. "Maybe we should get to the shrine, first."

[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> After leaving the apartment building for the shrine, the Senshi regroup...
[09:49] <V-chan> "The first thing we should do is make sure Usagi's life is not endangered," Minako says firmly. "And that means sealing the glaive back on the Moon."
[09:49] * Usagi-chan nods. "I'm hoping the seal on the chest I got it out of is still intact. If it's not, I'll have to try making a new one."
[09:52] <V-chan> "You already made a shield once before, so I'm sure you could do it again," Minako agrees, smiling at the blonde.
[09:53] <Usagi-chan> "I had the crystal that time though... I'm not sure I can do it by myself." Usagi sighs.
[09:53] <V-chan> "You won't be on your own, Usagi!" Minako interjects. "We'll all be there for you!"
[09:56] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Thanks, Mina-chan. I'm sure we'll work something out."
[09:58] <Sailor_Mercury> "I'll come as well," Ami speaks up.
[09:58] * V-chan looks at Rei with unease. "Us three should be enough, then. Right, Usagi?"
[09:59] * Usagi-chan nods, also glancing over at Rei. "I think so. Rei-chan, you can keep an eye on things here while we're gone."
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The miko girl nods silently.
[10:00] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath and nods. "Are we all ready then?"
[10:01] * Sailor_Mercury nods.
[10:01] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes and holds her hands out to the other two senshi.
[10:02] * V-chan thinks of the corridor where the weapons were stored, taking Usagi's and Ami's hands.
[10:02] * Sailor_Mercury takes Usagi's and Venus' hands in her own.
[10:02] * Serenity-hime focuses on the storage hall in the palace. "Sailor Teleport!"
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---------
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> The storage palace appears after you teleport, as quiet as before.
[10:04] * Serenity-hime looks around for a minute, trying to remember which room held the Glaive.
[10:05] * Sailor_Mercury idly fingers the bracelet on her wrist.
[10:06] * Serenity-hime heads for the room near the end of the hallway, having finally recalled which one she was thinking of. "This way, guys."
[10:06] <V-chan> "So, Usagi," Minako says, walking after her friend, "how did you do that shield anyway? I don't think you ever told me."
[10:07] * Sailor_Mercury follows the two.
[10:07] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "I don't know, exactly. I just closed my eyes and focused like Rei-chan told me to, and I saw a light in my mind - I think it was the crystal. I just imagined that light making a dome around the shrine, and that's all I remember."
[10:09] <V-chan> "I can see lights in my mind, if I focus really hard!" Minako says, nodding enthusiastically. "Or when I blank out, too. But I don't think that counts."
[10:10] <Serenity-hime> "It's still kind of hard to remember," Usagi replies as she steps into the room. "I'll just have to try it again, and see if I can do it." She looks towards the chest in the center of the room.
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The chest still has a faint, black glow around it. Another shiver runs down your spine as you look at it.
[10:12] * Serenity-hime takes a deep breath. "Looks like it's still there." Slowly, she reaches out and draws the Silence Glaive out of storage, shuddering slightly as she takes hold of it.
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Glaive is cool to the touch, you notice. It's still unsettling to hold, however.
[10:15] * Sailor_Mercury shivers, recognizing the weapon from the computer database.
[10:15] <Serenity-hime> "Here goes..." Usagi slowly approaches the chest again, the Glaive held out in front of her.
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> The chest almost seems to reach forward, you think to yourself.
[10:17] * Serenity-hime reaches through the shield to open the chest again, then carefully replaces the polearm inside it before closing it again.
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> It closes softly, the barrier in place.
[10:18] * Serenity-hime takes a step back, breathing a sigh of relief.
[10:18] * Sailor_Mercury releases a breath she wasn't aware she had been holding.
[10:19] <V-chan> "Umm, cool?" Minako voices. "Ami, how does the barrier look?"
[10:19] * Serenity-hime studies the barrier as well, having never taken the time to really look at it before.
[10:20] * Sailor_Mercury scans the barrier with the computer.
[10:21] * Serenity-hime shudders slightly. "I can't believe I actually touched that..."
[10:21] <Sailor_Mercury> "It appears to be intact," Ami says finally.
[10:22] <V-chan> "Right. Well, I don't think we actually need to make another shield, then." Minako frowns. "Who knows how they'll mesh together?"
[10:23] * Serenity-hime thinks for a minute. "I might put one around the outside of that one though. I wouldn't want anyone touching that particular one by mistake."
[10:26] <V-chan> "How can I help?" Minako asks, giving the other girl a smile. "If you faint again, Rei-chan will hurt me."
[10:27] * Serenity-hime giggles. "Let me try it by myself first and see what happens." Usagi holds her hands out in front of her, a few inches away from the shield, and closes her eyes.
[10:28] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+2
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[10:28] <Serenity-hime> Do-over!
[10:28] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+2
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+2 and gets 7."
[10:30] * Serenity-hime remembers something about shaping energy. Seizing on the memory, she pictures herself forming energy into a sphere surrounding the other shield.
[10:31] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[10:31] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Light springs for Princess Serenity's hands, lines of light that weave around the outer edge of the death energy. A second coccon of white, shining energy is now over the barrier.
[10:33] * Serenity-hime opens her eyes and smiles, seeing the barrier. "I guess it worked."
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The new barrier sheds a soft, white light that somehow feels like Usagi...
[10:33] * V-chan stares at the barrier in amazement. "Teach me, oh Master of Barriers!" she says with flourish, bowing deeply.
[10:34] * Sailor_Mercury smiles, scanning the barrier.
[10:35] * Serenity-hime giggles. "Sure thing, Mina-chan! Just tell me when you're ready to give it a try."
[10:35] <V-chan> "I'm always ready," Minako replies with a smile.
[10:35] <Serenity-hime> "Okay... what are you going to make a barrier around?"
[10:36] <V-chan> "The door," Minako says with a shrug. "Let's get back into the corridor?"
[10:36] * Serenity-hime nods. "Sounds like a good idea to me." With that, Usagi heads out of the room and back into the hallway.
[10:36] * Sailor_Mercury moves into the hallway.
[10:36] * V-chan leaves the room, closing the door after her.
[10:37] <V-chan> "Okay, what do I do now?" she asks Usagi excitedly.
[10:37] * Serenity-hime smiles. "Hold your hands out close to the door, maybe even touching it. I didn't touch the other shield because I didn't want to make mine right on top of it."
[10:38] * Sailor_Mercury runs a contineous scan on the two, mapping the process for later study.
[10:38] * V-chan places her hands on the door. "Okay. What next?"
[10:39] <Serenity-hime> "Okay, now close your eyes and concentrate. What I did was imagine myself shaping energy into a ball around the other shield, but I expect you could make any shape you wanted to with it."
[10:40] * V-chan follows Usagi's instructions, closing her eyes and concentrating on summoning energy from within her into her arms.
[10:41] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[10:41] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 12."
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel energy form in your hands... but your focus slips, and small slivers of light are all that come forth. You could feel it, maybe, but it didn't happen.
[10:43] * V-chan frowns, and tries concentrating again, putting more of her will into her.
[10:43] * Serenity-hime watches Venus carefully, silently cheering her friend on.
[10:44] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[10:44] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 10."
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, she focuses, but only a few sputters of light come from her hands.
[10:45] <V-chan> "I guess I'm a failure at this, Usagi," Minako whines, looking back over her shoulder.
[10:47] * Serenity-hime smiles. "Don't worry about it, Mina-chan. I'm kind of surprised I got it on my first try; you can always give it another shot later."
[10:47] <Sailor_Mercury> "Don't give up, Minako. You can do it," Ami encourages from the sideline.
[10:48] * V-chan sighs, and returns her mind to the task in front of her, blocking out the outside world as she tries to concentrate her energy in her hands.
[10:48] <Serenity-hime> 'Good luck, V-chan...' Usagi thinks to her friend.
[10:48] <V-chan> roll 2d6+1
[10:48] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 5."
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, with all the will and energy you put into it... threads of light come from your hands and coat the door. A golden barrier is now covering the door, the color of the Venus Chain.
[10:49] * V-chan opens her eyes slowly, and jumps in joy.
[10:49] * Serenity-hime claps her hands in excitement. "You did it, Mina-chan!"
[10:50] * V-chan glomps Usagi. "I couldn't have done it without you, Usagi-chan!"
[10:50] <Sailor_Mercury> "Good job, Minako," Ami smiles.
[10:50] * Serenity-hime returns the hug. "All I did was tell you how to do it, V-chan. You still had to do it yourself."
[10:51] * V-chan flashes a victory sign to Ami.
[10:52] <V-chan> 'Umm, Usagi?' Minako thinks, still hugging her.
[10:52] <Serenity-hime> "Are you all right, Minako? It looked like that took a lot out of you..." Usagi gives her friend a worried look.
[10:53] <V-chan> "Yeah. I guess I'm still new to this." Minako winces. "All the concentration really took its toll."
[10:54] <Serenity-hime> "It's okay. We can probably take our time and rest for a little while now; I don't think there's anything dangerous here at the moment." Usagi looks around for anything out of the ordinary, just to be sure.
[10:55] <Sailor_Mercury> "well, since we're up here already, do you think you can remember the way to a library?" Ami asks Usagi.
[10:55] <V-chan> "Great!" Minako agrees. "Maybe we'll find something here, too. Artemis might like a Christmas present from the Moon," Minako muses.
[10:56] <Serenity-hime> "I can try... I've been wanting to look for one myself anyway." At Minako's words, Usagi recalls something else she wanted to do here on the Moon as well.
[10:58] * Sailor_Mercury stares off for a moment before blinking back to reality.
[10:59] <Sailor_Mercury> "I think... I remember where a library was," she says slowly.
[10:59] * Serenity-hime looks over at Ami in surprise. "You do? Well, go ahead and lead the way then."
[11:00] <Sailor_Mercury> "This way," Ami says, heading off.
[11:01] * Serenity-hime follows Mercury gracefully.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury leads you down ruined halls and abandoned backways of the castle, going deep into the bowels of it. Down two stairways into the basements, you finally arrive a dim, old oaken door.
[11:02] * Serenity-hime looks around as they walk, trying to remember the way they're going.
[11:03] * Sailor_Mercury studies the lock, a dim memory coming to mind. She give the door a good kock above the handle, springing the lock. Slowly, she opens the door.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside is a cramped, sprawling library. Crystalline bookshelves hold numerous tomes... an occasional seat and table breaks up the monotony.
[11:04] * Serenity-hime looks around in awe. "Wow... I don't remember anything like this..."
[11:05] * V-chan barely suppresses a sigh, the word 'Boredom' flashing through her mind briefly.
[11:05] * Serenity-hime covers a giggle as she picks up the stray thought. 'We're stuck here for a while anyway, we might as well spend the time doing something.'
[11:06] * Sailor_Mercury gapes. "Do you know what this is? This is something more valuable than gold, Usagi." Ami wonders about, lost in memories.
[11:07] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "I don't even know if I ever came in here when I was the princess... from what I remember of her, she enjoyed studying about as much as I do." Usagi makes a face.
[11:07] * V-chan doesn't respond, but picks a bookcase randomly and heads to examine it.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> V-chan finds her way to a small bookshelf on the side wall. The books that line this are pink, red and purple, and have hearts and roses across them. They look romantic.
[11:08] * Sailor_Mercury inspects the tomes critically, wondering at how well they lasted the test of time.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Most of them look very old, but intact. Hopefully.
[11:09] * Serenity-hime wanders through the shelves, seeing if she can read any of the titles on the books.
[11:09] * Sailor_Mercury picks one at random, carefully opening the aged pages.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> AS the Princess inspects the books, the titles are in a flowing old script that seems to elude your understanding, like a word on the tip of your tongue.
[11:10] * V-chan takes the pinkest book out, and leafs through it.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury picks up a book, the pages brittle. A flowing script is there, one that is familiar but unreadable to you.
[11:11] * Serenity-hime stops and draws out a book at random, opening it carefully and studying the words within.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The pinkest book is in the same lettering as the others, but there are occasional, sappy pictures of a man and a woman embrancing, on picnics and other romantic getaways.
[11:12] * Sailor_Mercury checks the computer, hoping to find a translation program.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The words are in the same format as the others, and are like well read gibberish to you.
[11:13] * Serenity-hime frowns. 'I feel like I should know this...' Usagi concentrates hard on the words, trying to make any sort of sense out of them at all.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite your efforts, the words make no more sense than they did before. It's maddening... you feel as if you should be reading these.
[11:14] * V-chan puts the book back, and looks at a few more, curious whether there are any with sappy pictures of two girls, instead.
[11:15] * Serenity-hime takes the book over to one of the tables, sitting down before trying to concentrate on it once again. 'Come on, Usagi, you can do this...'
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next book has no pictures, but the third does of a more explicit nature. Not porn, but very close to it. It's like a teaser picture set.
[11:17] * Sailor_Mercury slips the tome into her subspace pocket. She looks around for the front desk, looking to see if the computers down here survived as well as the books.
[11:18] * V-chan blushes, but continues in her quest for alternate Silver Millennium romance books.
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next one is of two women, and totally explicit. You feel a blush...
[11:18] * V-chan blushes, and casts a few glances around, before slipping the book into her subspace pocket.
[11:19] <V-chan> 'Research!' Minako thinks excitedly, and renews her search energetically!
[11:19] * Sailor_Mercury heads to the front-er, back?, desk.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Most of the books are of women and men, and a few of two men...
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> One other is of two women, one of long blonde hair and an ample chest.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The desk is old and rotted, and no computer is in sight, oddly.
[11:21] * V-chan blinks at that one, and leafs through it as well.
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> It has less rawly explicit pictures, but is nice as well.
[11:22] * Sailor_Mercury frowns.
[11:22] * Sailor_Mercury tries to recall the system the books were aranged in.
[11:23] * V-chan grins, despite her blush, at the dark-haired girl also depicted in the book, and pockets it.
[11:25] * Serenity-hime takes a deep breath, still trying to focus her thoughts on the words in front of her.
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> The book is still gibberish to you, despite your efforts.
[11:26] * V-chan has a sudden change of heart and takes one of the books of two men, thinking it'd be the perfect Christmas gift for Artemis.
[11:27] * V-chan also grabs a few more books depicting men and women, both innocent-looking and downright erotic, to help her study better.
[11:27] <Sailor_Mercury> "There's so much stuff here, so much information," Ami says to her companions, a huge grin on her face. "I don't know where to begin."
[11:28] <V-chan> 'The sex ed section,' Minako can't help but think, before clamping both hands over her forehead.
[11:29] <Serenity-hime> "Being able to actually READ it would be a start," Usagi growls in frustration. "I swear I can ALMOST tell what it says, and it's driving me crazy trying to remember."
[11:29] <V-chan> "Yeah, some of these books are driving me crazy, too," Minako echoes Usagi.
[11:29] <Sailor_Mercury> "It is a bit frustrating," Ami agrees.
[11:29] * V-chan nods vigorously to that.
[11:30] <Sailor_Mercury> "Luckily, I have a translator."
[11:30] * Serenity-hime looks up at Ami. "You do?"
[11:30] <V-chan> "Yay!" Minako waves her hands in the air. "I knew I'd be able to read those books!"
[11:31] * Sailor_Mercury holds up the the computer. "Which books? It takes a while to input the characters, but I can at least translate the titles while we're here," Ami offers.
[11:32] * Serenity-hime holds up the book she picked out. "Try this one - I have no idea what it is, I just grabbed it off a shelf at random."
[11:33] * Sailor_Mercury takes the book and inputs the title characters. "I'll need to work on a better translator," Ami mutters.
[11:33] <Serenity-hime> "I'd just be satisfied with being able to read it on my own. I KNOW I can remember..." Usagi mutters.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A study of post 650 SM philsophy, by Miriam DeStylus" is the title.
[11:34] * Serenity-hime groans when the title is revealed to her. "No wonder I can't understand it. I probably couldn't make heads or tails of it if it was in Japanese!"
[11:34] <V-chan> "Ooh! Check Artemis's Christmas present, too!" Minako exclaims, holding out the male bonding book.
[11:34] * Sailor_Mercury blushes beet red.
[11:35] * Serenity-hime gets up to return the book to the shelf, then looks around for a smaller volume on another shelf.
[11:35] <V-chan> "I could always guess at the title," Minako goes on, not noticing the blush, "but I might as well keep the original!"
[11:36] <Sailor_Mercury> "O... Ok," Ami says in a small voice. She quickly inputs the characters, trying not to peek at the pictures.
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The romance of the Prince and the Pauper, by Jamie Woland" is the title.
[11:37] * Serenity-hime returns with a slim, leather-bound volume as Ami is translating. She turns bright red as she sees the illustration on the cover of Minako's book. "What IS that, Minako?"
[11:37] * V-chan nods sagaciously. "Sounds like something Artemis would enjoy."
[11:37] * V-chan makes the book disappear again.
[11:38] * Serenity-hime shakes her head and sighs. "Try this one, Ami-chan." Usagi holds up her new book.
[11:38] <Sailor_Mercury> "The Prince and the Pauper?" Ami mummbles. "It couldn't be..."
[11:39] * Sailor_Mercury takes the newest book, happily getting into the role of translator.
[11:39] * V-chan lets her feet take her to another bookcase, guided by her pure heart thirsting for Silver Millennium tutorials.
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Jusfitications of Power - The morals, philosphy, and ideas of William Lurai"
[11:40] <Serenity-hime> "More philosophy..." Usagi sighs. "Hold on, I'll try again." Usagi disappears into the shelves yet another time.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> You end up at a small bookself off on a corner, Venus. The books here are plain, almost boring.
[11:41] * V-chan frowns, but tries to leaf through a couple.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> They are all of pure text, with no pictures. The text remains unreadable...
[11:42] * V-chan grabs them and walks back to Ami, holding them out before the blue-haired girl.
[11:42] * Serenity-hime comes back again, this time with a book bound in mouldering blue cloth. "Third time's the charm, right?" She holds up the title for inspection.
[11:42] <V-chan> "I have returned!" she announces. "With pictureless books!"
[11:43] * Sailor_Mercury begins on Usagi's book first.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Contemporary Darkness - The inner soul of the inevitable Lunar decay. By Sepi Rira" is the title of Usagi's book.
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Studies of Romance - how to catch YOUR man! by Diana Moonwater" is the title of the first of Minako's books.
[11:45] * Serenity-hime looks thoughtful. "Might hang on to this one..." She slips the book into storage, and on a whim also picks up her second book, storing it away as well. She wanders the shelves for a few minutes before selecting a book from an entirely different section of the library and returning with it.
[11:45] * V-chan both frowns and perks up at the same time.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Fiery love, how to get your dreamboat! by Rachel Pora" is the second book of Minako's.
[11:47] <Serenity-hime> "Got another one, Ami-chan. What's this one called?" Usagi holds up a book with a picture of a smiling woman on the front.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Royal seduction! Marry your way into your life's dream!" by Andanna is the third.
[11:48] * V-chan pockets her second book, and grabs Ami, pulling her towards the section she had been at earlier.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mothering - Your baby and you, by Lura Moi"
[11:49] <Serenity-hime> "Minako, wait!" Usagi runs after the pair. "I need Ami to translate a couple more of these for me!"
[11:50] <V-chan> "This is important, Usagi!" Minako throws over her shoulder, not stopping. "I may have hit the love mine!"
[11:51] * V-chan reaches her intended section, and grabs the largest book, showing it to Ami.
[11:51] <Serenity-hime> "I don't care about that! I think one of these might be kind of important!" Usagi finally catches up to the other two, struggling a bit with the weight of the books she's carrying.
[11:52] <V-chan> "The wisdom of thousands of years may be here to help me, Usagi," Minako says seriously, looking Usagi in the eyes.
[11:53] * Serenity-hime stares right back. "And in case you've forgotten, we've got more to worry about than just getting dates." Usagi holds out a rather large, thick book. "This one sort of jumped out at me when I saw it, Ami-chan. Can you tell me the title?"
[11:54] <V-chan> "I'll share!" Minako offers.
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The history of...Hold on," Ami says, frowning. "One of the characters is giving the computer trouble."
[11:56] * Serenity-hime nods, waiting for Ami to finish.
[11:57] * V-chan wilts visibly, and waits.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The history of the Moon Kingdom, circa 850 - 900"
[11:58] * Serenity-hime looks at the book and smiles. "I have no idea what the dates mean, but this could be really helpful. Sorry to interrupt, Mina-chan, but this one just seemed kind of important." Usagi smiles and takes the book over to a nearby table, opening it and leafing through it slowly.
[11:59] * V-chan thrusts the large book in her arms towards Ami, hoping it would be the Guide to a Being a Perfect Girlfriend or something equally useful.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you read it, the words tease you again, still unreadable.
[12:13] * Serenity-hime scans through the book quickly, looking for any pictures of people or anything similar.
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> There are no pictures, only text.
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Love in the Solar System" is the title of the book.
[12:17] * V-chan blinks. "Ami, could you scan the index or something?" she asks, opening it.
[12:17] * Serenity-hime sighs and closes the book resting her head in her hands for a minute. "I'm going to take a break for a while. I had one other place I wanted to go while I was here, anyway." She stands, slipping the history book into storage.
[12:18] <V-chan> "You'll be alright on your own?" Minako asks at Usagi's words.
[12:18] * Serenity-hime nods. "I think so. There hasn't been anything dangerous here in all the times we've come so far. I shouldn't be long." Usagi smiles and waves as she leaves the library, headed back up to the main levels of the palace.
[12:21] <Sailor_Mercury> "Minako," Ami begins, inputting ther index. "Why do you need all of these books on love anyway? I thought you and Rei..." Another blush lights her cheeks as images from Minako's foraging came to mind.
[12:23] * V-chan smiles. "I'm glad you asked, Ami. Experience is invaluable, and we have thousands of years of experience here, conveniently left here for yours truly to find and make use of." Minako's grins widens. "If this information was put to good use... just imagine the possibilities!"
[12:24] * Sailor_Mercury imagines.
[12:24] * Sailor_Mercury blushes harder.
[12:24] * V-chan gestures at the bookcase behind her. "Who knows what kind of secrets these books hold for my future?"
[12:25] * V-chan opens the large book to the index. "And that's why you need to help me find the right book."
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, there is a simple table of contents, along with a teaser picture.
[12:27] * V-chan peers closer at the teaser picture.
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> The picture is of a woman, hidden by a few artful roses.
[12:31] * V-chan asks Ami to translate a few chapter titles.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Chapter 3 - Loving with your friends Chapter 6 - Love and you" are a few of the titles.
[12:34] * V-chan gives the book a pensive look, before pocketing it with a shrug.
[12:34] * Sailor_Mercury heads off to the back end of the library.
[12:34] <V-chan> "Say, Ami," Minako asks, having thought of something. "Does the translator work the other way?"
[12:35] * V-chan runs up to Ami, falling into her pace
[12:35] <Sailor_Mercury> "Hm?"
[12:35] <V-chan> "If I give you a word or two in Japanese, could you show me how they'd look in the language of our past?"
[12:36] <Sailor_Mercury> "Sure," Ami says. "Which words are you looking for?"
[12:37] <V-chan> "I want to find a cooking book! A recipe for a cake that no one else can do now!"
[12:39] * Sailor_Mercury inputs the characters for food, cake, pastry, dessert, and cookbook and shows the results to Minako. "These should help." Ami points her toward the section they were in as well.
[12:40] * V-chan flashes Ami a smile, and bounces off there to pick a few books with tasty-looking cakes and other desserts.
[12:41] * Sailor_Mercury smiles and continues toward the back. "Now, where was it again? Ah, right. There."
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> The bookshelf you are looking for is solid crystal, and is lined with books.
[12:42] <V-chan> "What are you looking for, Ami?" Minako asks, heading towards her with several cookbooks in her arms.
[12:43] * Sailor_Mercury motions to Minako. "Could you turn around for a few moments?"
[12:44] * V-chan blinks, but shrugs and turns around, the books disappearing into thin air as she does so.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The bookshelf turns in and to the side noisly, revealing a dark, hidden, large chamber.
[12:47] <Sailor_Mercury> "You can turn around now," Ami calls. She scans the interior for security.
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Scanning the interior, you see empty, often tipped-over bookshelves about.
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is no trace of magic, only a bit of dust and age.
[12:48] * V-chan turns around, giggling at the memory of Rei's words.
[12:49] * Sailor_Mercury frowns. "I guess they would take all of them."
[12:49] * Sailor_Mercury explores the interior anyway.
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Besides old shards of crystal from the broken shelves, little is left.
[12:50] * Serenity-hime enters the library once again, smiling. "All finished... Ami-chan? Mina-chan? Where are you guys?"
[12:50] * V-chan keeps on giggling, a distant look in her eyes.
[12:50] <Sailor_Mercury> Hearing Usagi, Ami steps back out of the room. "Usagi, back here."
[12:51] * Serenity-hime heads through the forest of shelves towards the sound of giggling. "What are you guys doing back here?" Seeing the large room behind Ami, she looks at it curiously. "What's in there?"
[12:53] <Sailor_Mercury> "Nothing." Ami says, joining her friends. "Um, Minako?" Ami waves a hand in front of her face.
[12:53] * V-chan frowns, stopping giggling, and adds another name to her personal list of people she really doesn't like.
[12:53] <V-chan> "Yes, Ami?" she asks, snapping out of her daze. "You wanted something?"
[12:53] <Sailor_Mercury> "You zoned out there for a moment."
[12:53] <Serenity-hime> "What WAS in there then?" Usagi walks over to the room's entrance, looking around inside. "More books?"
[12:54] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "Yes, more books. Find what you were looking for?" Ami asks.
[12:54] * V-chan nods at Ami, and tells herself that the guy is probably long since dead while she's alive, so there.
[12:55] * Serenity-hime smiles and nods. "I think so." Usagi holds out her hand, revealing a pair of small golden earrings.
------------------
[08:04] <Anastasia> After your adventures at the Moon and a good night's sleep...it's a free Sunday, December 16th. It's sunny and cold today...not a pirate, criminal or demon in sight. You meet at Rei's temple, to discuss the day's plans.
[08:06] <Anastasia> The Mau are still antsy and concerned over Makoto, and have been talking about it quite a bit.
[08:07] <Rei-chan> "So, did you have any trouble on the Moon yesterday?" Rei asks her friends.
[08:07] * V-chan blushes. "No. The trip was... very educational."
[08:08] * Rei-chan blinks at the blush, "Educational?"
[08:08] * V-chan nods happily.
[08:08] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Nope, not at all. The glaive is back in its box, safe and sound - oh, and you should see what I got for my mom!"
[08:08] <Rei-chan> "What'd you get, Usagi?" Rei asks, deciding to pump Minako for info later. That blush had to mean something...
[08:09] * Usagi-chan brings a pair of golden earrings out of a pocket in her dress. "I found these in the Queen's chambers... I thought it would be cool to give her something from the Moon Kingdom as a Christmas present." Usagi smiles.
[08:10] * Rei-chan peers over at the earrings, "They look nice," she nods approvingly.
[08:11] <Anastasia> "The Queen's chambers, Usagi," Luna perks up, asking.
[08:11] <Usagi-chan> "I figured I could take them over to Naru's mom and get them cleaned up today."
[08:14] * Rei-chan ponders Christmas presents for her friends, since she's never really had to get them for anyone besides Grandpa before...
[08:14] * V-chan glances at Artemis, and smiles.
[08:14] <Usagi-chan> "Want to make a shopping trip out of it? Christmas IS right around the corner, after all." Usagi winks.
[08:14] <V-chan> "Shopping! Yay!" Minako jumps to her feet. "I want!"
[08:15] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'll need to buy a few things," Rei nods, "And it's not like I have any other plans for today."
[08:16] <Usagi-chan> "Then it's settled!" Usagi stands up. "To the shops!"
[08:16] <Anastasia> "We should try and search for Makoto today, too," Luna says.
[08:17] <Rei-chan> "Search where?" Rei asks, standing up, "If I sense anything, I'll let everyone know, but really, we have no clue where to begin."
[08:17] <Prince_Herb> "Not until we have a cool plan to beat Oxy, Luna."
[08:17] <Anastasia> Luna sighs. "I know, Rei...I'm just worried."
[08:18] * Rei-chan gives Luna an understanding look, "We all are, Luna... but there's so little we can really do, right now."
[08:18] * Usagi-chan nods. "We've been looking for her for a week now, and the one time we actually found something we... didn't do so well." Usagi deflates.
[08:19] <Rei-chan> "Not so well at all," Rei agrees, resting a hand over her stomach.
[08:20] * Rei-chan shakes it off, "Anyway, no sense dwelling on that, we were wanting to have fun today, right?"
[08:20] <Anastasia> Luna slumps down onto Usagi's lap and doesn't reply directly.
[08:20] * V-chan grabs her compact, and asks to be dressed in a cute Santa outfit, appearing in a tight-fitting red coat, and a matching Santa hat on top of her head. "Shopping! Christmas! Happiness all around!" she exclaims, jumping in her place with energy. "Planning always goes better with full bags after a day of shopping!"
[08:21] * Rei-chan chuckles slightly at Minako's infectious enthusiasm.
[08:21] * Usagi-chan smiles again. "Mina-chan's right. We need to take a break, and shopping sounds perfect to me!"
[08:24] <Anastasia> ------------
[08:24] <Anastasia> The mall is festooned with red, green and white lights, the sign that Christmas is coming. Shop fronts advertise Christmas sales, people shop around and a general sense of holiday cheer is to be found.
[08:26] * Princess_Herb transforms into her cute girl student outfit before going to shop.
[08:26] * V-chan takes out her shiny credit card, staring at it with tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
[08:26] <Rei-chan> "To the comic shop!" Rei declares, posing dramatically.
[08:26] * Usagi-chan looks around at all the wonderful Christmas displays, her eyes sparkling.
[08:27] <Anastasia> "Free samples," the nearest restaurant advetises as you walk by. "Free samples!"
[08:27] <V-chan> "Can we go to buy a few CDs next, Rei-chan?" Minako asks her.
[08:27] * Usagi-chan fights to keep her mouth from watering as she approaches the restaurant... "Let's get some lunch first..."
[08:27] <Rei-chan> "Sure, we've got all day to shop," Rei responds cheerfully, "I just want to check out the manga first..." she then pauses at Usagi's words, "But lunch isn't a bad idea, either."
[08:28] * V-chan puts the credit card away, giving it a mournful glance, and nods at Usagi without much enthusiasm.
[08:28] <Rei-chan> "What's with the sad look?" Rei asks, sidling up to Minako as she notices her expression.
[08:29] <Usagi-chan> "I'm starving!" Usagi rushes inside the restaurant, and proceeds to order a triple-size bowl of ramen.
[08:29] <V-chan> "I wanted to break in my card," Minako tells Rei. "I never actually got a chance to buy anything with it, yet."
[08:30] <Anastasia> "That will be 1500 yen," the server notes before going to get the food.
[08:30] * Rei-chan waves it off, "Like I said, we've got all day. It'll still be there after lunch. Come on," she grabs Minako's arm and pulls her into the restaurant, ordering a bowl of the soup for herself.
[08:31] * V-chan is pulled along, happy once more. "Will you let me buy you something, Rei-chan?"
[08:31] * Usagi-chan fishes through her wallet and pays for her lunch, noting that she's going to have to be fairly frugal to get gifts for everyone today.
[08:31] <Rei-chan> "Let me buy you something for once," Rei retorts. "What'll you have?"
[08:32] <V-chan> "I'm actually not hungry," Minako responds. "But I'd love for you to get me something cute, later on!"
[08:33] <Usagi-chan> "Oh man, this stuff is great!" Usagi mumbles around a mouthful of noodles.
[08:33] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure I'll find something nice for you," Rei replies, smiling as she waits for her lunch.
[08:33] * V-chan beams back at Rei.
[08:33] <Rei-chan> "Usagi! Don't talk with your mouth full!" Rei reprimands the dumpling head.
[08:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The food for Rei comes, a hot bowl of soup. It smells good...
[08:34] <Usagi-chan> "I can if I want to! You're not my mom, Rei-chan." Usagi finishes her mouthful and sticks her tongue out at the miko.
[08:35] <Princess_Herb> "This *is* good soup." Princess_Herb agrees.   "I've had to put up with Lime and Mint's cooking too long."
[08:35] <Rei-chan> "It's basic table manners!" Rei shoots back, before primly consuming her soup.
[08:35] * V-chan nods at Rei's words.
[08:35] <Usagi-chan> "But I'm hungryyyyy...." Usagi whines. "I don't want to stop eating so I can talk!"
[08:36] <Rei-chan> "Well finish eating before you talk," Rei points out like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm sure we didn't need to know how great the ramen is right at this instant."
[08:37] * Princess_Herb orders soup for herself. "It's too evil to steal the queen's soup, after all."
[08:39] <Usagi-chan> "I'll say it if I want to! Besides, it's not like I don't always talk with my mouth full anyway. What's the big deal?"
[08:40] <Rei-chan> "It's disgusting!" Rei replies hotly, "I don't want to see half eaten food every time you open your mouth!"
[08:41] * Usagi-chan opens her mouth to respond, then breaks out into a fit of the giggles.
[08:41] <V-chan> 'You could look at me instead, then?' Minako thinks hopefully.
[08:42] * Rei-chan looks puzzled, before frowning. "Are you laughing at me?"
[08:43] * Usagi-chan continues giggling, and thinks towards her white-haired friend. 'When was the last time we argued like this, anyway? Seems like it's been forever.'
[08:45] * Rei-chan cracks a smile, "I guess it has been a while... things have been so serious lately we haven't really had much chance to really cut loose on each other," she giggles a little at the absurdity of missing their arguments.
[08:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Excuse me? Ma'am," A man in a suit comes up to your table, asking Usagi.
[08:49] <Usagi-chan> "Hmm? What is it?" Usagi looks up at the waiter, her giggles subsiding a bit.
[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Did you order the triple ramen bowl," he asks politely.
[08:50] * Usagi-chan nods. "Why, is there something wrong?"
[08:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Congratulations, young lady," he says, smiling. Two waitresses behind him send off streamers as he says this. "You're our 100,000th customer!"
[08:52] * Usagi-chan looks up in confusion. "I am?"
[08:52] <Rei-chan> "What does she win?" Rei asks, looking up as well.
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> The man bows. "You have won an all you can eat platter for you and your friends, on the house," he smiles. Behind him, the cute waitresses set off more streamers and poppers, creating quite a scene.
[08:54] <Princess_Herb> "It's a trap to ensure that the queen never leaves the restaurant again."
[08:54] * Rei-chan looks at Usagi. Then looks at the man. Then looks at Usag again, before turning to the man, "Are you planning on closing the restaurant anyway? She'll bankrupt you!" she stage whispers to him.
[08:55] * Usagi-chan has stars in her eyes. "All I can eat..."
[08:55] <Rei-chan> "You poor fool," Rei commiserates with the man.
[08:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes ma'am," he says. "What would you like first, ladies?"
[08:56] * Rei-chan shrugs, "I'll have half of whatever Usagi has..." she then considers her words, "Actually, make it a quarter," 'I doubt I could eat that much...'
[08:56] * Princess_Herb turns to watch Usa-chan's reactions.
[08:56] <Usagi-chan> "I'll start off with another triple-size bowl of ramen!" Usagi turns to glare at Rei for a second. "Make that two..."
[08:56] <V-chan> "I'll watch Rei-chan eat," Minako says with a shrug.
[08:57] * Princess_Herb wonders if Rei-chan has the stay-thin gene that Usagi inherited from who-knows-what ancestor.
[08:57] <Rei-chan> "Forget it," Rei quickly amends, "I'm not that hungry. Just get me a single bowl," she says, before looking at the dessert menu.
[08:58] <V-chan> "It was just a joke, really!" Minako tells Rei, patting her hand. "You can get whatever you want."
[08:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> An hour later...
[08:59] * Usagi-chan leans back in her seat. "I don't think I could eat another bite..."
[08:59] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure the management here have learned a valuable lesson, anyway..." Rei muses.
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The manager is back in a corner, twitching. Not an uncommon reaction of managers after Usagi goes to an all you can eat place.
[09:01] <Princess_Herb> "Where does it all go? Usa-chan's still as thin as a rake, and the pantry's empty..." Princess_Herb wonders if Ami has considered using Usa-chan as a science experiment, but wrote it off due to the excessive cost involved...
[09:01] * V-chan ponders joking about getting something for herself again, but feels too sorry for the manager.
[09:01] * Usagi-chan smiles happily. "You guys ready to hit the stores now?"
[09:02] * V-chan nods, mirroring Usagi's happy smile.
[09:04] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei agrees, getting up.
[09:04] <V-chan> "Manga?" Minako asks, grabbing Rei's hand.
[09:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you leave, you notice the cheery 'Come Again!' isn't said...
[09:05] * Usagi-chan springs to her feet, apparently none the worse for wear for having packed away enough ramen to feed a family of four for a week. "Let's go then!"
[09:05] * Princess_Herb bows and asks if they cater for parties.
[09:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> The manager glances at Usagi again before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, madam."
[09:06] * Rei-chan cheerfully leads her friends to her favourite shop, hoping to find some exciting new titles.
[09:07] * V-chan dashes for the Sailor V titles.
[09:08] * Rei-chan finds a quiet corner of the shop, and is soon happily engrossed in looking through the various manga.
[09:09] * Usagi-chan follows Rei, knowing that her friend's taste in new manga is the best around.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Rei reads, a stockman is putting out a selection of new titles.
[09:10] <Usagi-chan> "Anything look exciting, Rei-chan?" Usagi asks as she scans the titles in front of her.
[09:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> One of them catches your eye - Sailor V and friends, volume 1!
[09:10] * Princess_Herb inspects the range of plushies, wondering if any of them would be suitable presents for cute girl soldiers.
[09:10] <Rei-chan> As she reads one title, Rei lifts her hand up to about the level of the shelf, and doesn't notice the book moving the few inches from the shelf to her hand. She doesn't notice this, simply assuming she is lifting them directly from the shelf.
[09:11] * Usagi-chan catches the movement out of the corner of her eye, and glances over at Rei, puzzled.
[09:12] <Rei-chan> "Nothing too exciting, Usagi," Rei replies, "Love Hina isn't that much fun anymore, but I need to finish off my collection anyway, for the sake of completeness," she says distractedly.
[09:12] * V-chan leafs through Sailor V and friends, volume 1!
[09:13] * Usagi-chan keeps an eye on Rei as she speaks. "Would you mind handing me a copy of volume 10? I haven't seen that one yet."
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's a gimmick title, you see. It has Sailor V crossing over with a few other manga characters, some ripoffs and some not.
[09:14] * Rei-chan gives an affirmative grunt, barely waving at the shelf as the title flies out, brushing against her hand before floating towards Usagi.
[09:14] * Usagi-chan stares in shock, the book slipping from her hand to drop on the floor. "Rei-chan..."
[09:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> The plushie selection is good. A Lum plushie in particular is appealing.
[09:14] * Rei-chan turns a page, grimacing at the antics of Keitaro and Naru.
[09:15] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" she looks up at Usagi.
[09:15] <Usagi-chan> "Just... just get another manga, okay?"
[09:15] * V-chan blinks, and tries to recognize the manga characters.
[09:15] <Rei-chan> "Which one?"
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> A badly done Goku ripoff where she becomes Super V-chan, a Maison Ikkoku rip that's not bad, and a Ranma 1/2 rip that puts V-chan in the place of Akane.
[09:16] <Usagi-chan> "Any one, doesn't matter. Just pick one." Usagi is still looking somewhat shocked.
[09:17] * Rei-chan shrugs, her hand moving to grab the first volume of Great Teacher Onizuka off the shelf.
[09:18] * Usagi-chan reaches out and grabs Rei's hand before she can actually take hold of the manga.
[09:18] * V-chan grins, and gets a copy of it, along with the rest of the Sailor V manga that she doesn't have yet, meaning new releases.
[09:19] * Rei-chan turns to Usagi, "What are you doing?" she asks, even as her fingers twitch and the book flies into her hand.
[09:19] <Usagi-chan> "You just did it again!" Usagi practically shouts, then covers her mouth quickly. "Rei-chan, didn't you see it?" she says in a much quieter tone.
[09:20] <Rei-chan> "What? What did I do?" Rei asks plaintatively, holding up the book, seemingly unaware of how it got there.
[09:20] * Princess_Herb turns to see what's going on, Lum plushie in her hands.
[09:20] * Usagi-chan takes the book from Rei and returns it to the shelf, then takes Rei's hand and moves it back to where it was before, holding it there. "You were like this, right?"
[09:21] <Rei-chan> "Uh... I think so, I wasn't really paying attention," Rei says, frowning in confusion.
[09:21] <Usagi-chan> "Rei-chan, you never moved your hand from there -- I was holding it. How did you get the book?"
[09:22] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei looks even more confused, "I must have moved it... you probably weren't holding it very tightly. What's this all about, Usagi?"
[09:23] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "You did it twice, Rei-chan, I saw it! The book just... sort of jumped into your hand!"
[09:24] * Rei-chan leans closer, looking curiously at Usagi's pupils. "Are you feeling alright, Usagi?"
[09:25] * Usagi-chan glares at Rei. "I feel just fine, Rei." Noting a few curious stares from other shoppers, she switches to conversing mentally. 'I swear, Rei-chan, I saw you do it twice. The book moved without you actually touching it.'
[09:26] * Rei-chan frowns. 'Well, let's test it,' she holds out a hand towards the shelf, willing a volume of Card Captor Sakura to fly into her hand.
[09:26] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-2
[09:27] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-2 and gets 6."
[09:27] <Rei-chan> The book flies down into Rei's surprised hands. 'What the hell?!' she thinks, her mental voice amazed.
[09:28] <Usagi-chan> 'I TOLD you! You did that two times already!' Usagi's mental voice sounds somewhat satisfied.
[09:29] * V-chan decides to buy the entire run of Kimagure Orange Road for Rei, in addition to the new Sailor V titles, and heads towards the counter.
[09:29] * Rei-chan tries to return the book without physically moving, still not fully convinced.
[09:29] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-2
[09:29] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-2 and gets 4."
[09:29] <Rei-chan> The book flies true, returning snugly to it's place on the shelf. 'This is too weird...' the shocked miko thinks.
[09:30] <Usagi-chan> 'That's what I thought.' Usagi nods.
[09:33] * Rei-chan turns to Usagi, and concentrates on making the blonde's purse float slightly away from her.
[09:33] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-2
[09:33] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-2 and gets 5."
[09:34] <Rei-chan> 'Wow... I'm telekinetic!' Rei thinks, seeing the purse float upwards under Usagi's arm.
[09:34] * Usagi-chan tugs at her purse as it starts to draw away from her towards Rei. 'Rei-chan, stop that!'
[09:34] <Rei-chan> 'Sorry,' she says, letting it return, 'But... wow! This is pretty weird...'
[09:36] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a level look. 'Considering the way we're talking about this, I'm not sure WHAT weird is anymore...' She grins.
[09:37] * Rei-chan giggles, "Good point, heh... I guess it's just another of my weird abilities... but I could have some fun with this..." she says, grinning back as she takes her manga over to the counter.
[09:38] * V-chan pays for all the manga she picked up with her shining credit card!
[09:38] * Usagi-chan sends to Rei specifically. 'You should surprise Minako with it sometime...' she giggles.
[09:39] * Rei-chan tries to telekinetically goose Minako.
[09:39] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-2
[09:39] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-2 and gets 3."
[09:39] <Rei-chan> 'Like this?' she asks, waiting to see Minako's reaction.
[09:40] * V-chan jumps into the air, squealing in shock. "Who did it?" she demands to know, looking around.
[09:41] * Usagi-chan bursts out laughing, although she's several feet away from Minako, and clearly innocent.
[09:41] * Rei-chan giggles, approaching Minako, "Who did what?" she asks, not sounding innocent at all.
[09:42] * V-chan narrows her eyes at Usagi, before glomping Rei and bawling. "Someone touched me, Rei-chan!"
[09:42] * Usagi-chan just keeps on laughing, tears running from the corners of her eyes.
[09:42] <Rei-chan> "Like this?" Rei asks, pinching Minako in the exact spot she had just gotten with telekinesis.
[09:44] * V-chan squeals again, and hugs Rei more tightly. "Yes," she whispers into the other girl's ear quietly.
[09:45] <Rei-chan> "How awful that someone could do such a thing!" Rei gasps in mock shock, "If you ever find out who did it, you'll have to punish them." 'Usagi, you better not snitch on me!'
[09:45] <Usagi-chan> 'I would never DREAM of doing such a thing!' Usagi giggles.
[09:45] * V-chan nods into Rei's shoulder. "That was really mean..." she agrees, quietly.
[09:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Excuse me, misses," the owner of the shop says, a man of perhaps 30 with thinning black hair. "Is there a problem? You're causing a bit of a scene, I'm afraid."
[09:47] <V-chan> "There was a pervert here," Minako says accusingly, letting go of Rei and turning to face the man.
[09:47] <Rei-chan> "No problem," Rei grins at the manager, "I was just about to buy these," she holds up her purchases. She then groans, grabbing Minako, "Really, no problem at all!"
[09:47] * Usagi-chan starts giggling again. 'There still is...' she thinks to Rei.
[09:47] <Rei-chan> 'Hush you!'
[09:48] <Princess_Herb> "Please don't worry," Princess_Herb says to the shopkeeper, "whoever it was has gone now."
[09:48] * V-chan sighs. "I know it's hard for perverts to control themselves, but really...."
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," he says, nodding. "Want me to ring those up for you?"
[09:48] * V-chan nods. "Sure!"
[09:48] <Rei-chan> "Yes please," Rei says, cheerfully handing them over.
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> He looks things over. "Does anyone else have anything, I might as well do them in one go."
[09:49] <V-chan> "Can you put what I bought into two bags, afterwards?" Minako asks the man, indicating the Sailor V and KOR manga.
[09:49] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Just looking today."
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Certainly."
[09:50] * Rei-chan hands over enough money to cover her purchases, looking to see if anyone else is getting anything right now.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you get out of the store, you have many purchases now, only your purse is lighter.
[09:53] * V-chan immediately hands Rei the eighteen KOR volumes.
[09:53] <V-chan> "Here, I got it for you!" she says with a smile.
[09:53] <Usagi-chan> "Hmm... I need to hit a bookstore next. I think there's one over this way." Usagi points down one of the corridors of the mall.
[09:53] * Rei-chan stares wide-eyed at the collection, "Ah... didn't we agree I'd buy you something today?"
[09:54] <V-chan> "CDs!" Minako insists. "We said we would go there next!"
[09:54] * V-chan immediately nods at Rei's words. "Sure, you can buy me a disc, it'd be great!"
[09:55] <Rei-chan> "Well, which is nearer, the music or book shop?" Rei asks, "We can go to the closest one, then move on to the next?"
[09:56] <Usagi-chan> "We can always split up for a bit. I'll meet you guys at the music store in a minute, okay?"
[09:56] <Princess_Herb> "The book shop." Princess_Herb says, intrigued by the idea of the Queen actually wanting a book that isn't mostly pictures.

[--:--] * Usagi-chan and Princess_Herb
[09:56] * Princess_Herb nods and follows Usagi-hime.
[09:57] * Usagi-chan waves and brushes her way through the crowds, headed for the bookstore. 'Sure thing, Mina-chan. Have fun!'
[09:58] * Usagi-chan arrives outside the bookstore, and turns to face Herb. "You wait here for a minute, Herb-chan. I'll only be a minute." Usagi smiles and turns around, entering the bookstore.
[09:59] <Princess_Herb> "Wait here? Well, OK..."
[09:59] * Princess_Herb whiles away the minutes looking at the jewellery store windows nearby
[10:01] * Usagi-chan moves through the store quickly, making two selections. She takes the books up to the counter, wincing at the cost, and exits the store a few minutes later, humming to herself happily.
[10:05] * Usagi-chan notices Herb staring at the jewelry display across from the bookstore. "Herb-chan! I'm all done here!"
[10:10] * Princess_Herb turns away reluctantly from the window. "What did you buy, Usa-hime?"
[10:11] * Usagi-chan smiles sweetly. "That's for me to know and you to find out." She taps the older girl on the nose. "Come on, let's go find Mina-chan and Rei-chan!" With that, she bustles off through the crowds again.
[10:12] * Princess_Herb takes one last look at the nifty diving watches and hurries after the Queen.
[10:13] <Princess_Herb> "Usa-chan, I need to think of what to get the others, but I have no idea. I never met a girl until I was eighteen, and I don't really know what they want..." Princess_Herb says, hoping Usa-chan won't pry.
[10:15] <Usagi-chan> "Well..." Usagi thinks. "Ami's always enjoyed studying and stuff, and she's trying to be a doctor, so you might get her something that could help with that. Let's see..."
[10:16] <Usagi-chan> "Mina-chan... she's kind of hard to shop for, but you can't go wrong with jewelry. Just make sure it's not too gaudy or anything. Umm, Rei-chan... Well, she was saying none of her clothes match her new hair, so maybe you could help her replace her wardrobe? I can help you pick stuff out if you want."
[10:19] <Princess_Herb> "But I don't know her sizes, Usa-chan, and I'm sure she'd take it the wrong way if I asked.   Maybe accessories would be better for Rei?"
[10:19] <Usagi-chan> "If you want to do that, it'd work too. She doesn't wear makeup or jewelry all that often though, so it's kind of hard to get that sort of thing for her."
[10:21] <Princess_Herb> "You'll need to help me.   And I'll need to ask someone what to get for you, unless you want the largest plush bunny in Japan." Princess_Herb nods, thinking of the pink 2 metre tall bunny in the shop they passed earlier
[10:22] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I have NO idea where I'd put something like that, Herb-chan." Usagi enters the music store, looking around for Rei and Minako.

[--:--] * V-chan and Rei-chan
[09:56] <V-chan> "Sure, sounds great!" Minako replies, and immediately begins pulling Rei away. 'Thanks, Usagi!' she thinks happily.
[09:57] <Rei-chan> "Well I was wanting to go to both anyway..." Rei mumbles distractedly, allowing herself to be pulled along.
[09:57] * V-chan links her arm with Rei's, and skips towards the shop.
[10:00] <Rei-chan> Entering the shop, Rei looks around for a moment, before heading over to the import section. She pulls out a CD and presents it to Minako. "How about this?" she asks, smirking as she holds up the Bananarama album which includes Venus amongst its tracks.
[10:01] * V-chan blinks. "Never heard of them, Rei-chan." She smiles suddenly. "But I'm sure that if you like it, it must be great!"
[10:03] <Rei-chan> "They're not really my thing, but that song is pretty fun, and it does fit you," Rei replies.
[10:03] <V-chan> Minako's smile grows. "Okay, I'll get it, then!"
[10:05] <Rei-chan> "Well... I was going to buy it for you..." Rei says, feeling increasingly guilty at how much Minako spends on her.
[10:05] * V-chan looks around the store, her eyes wondering until they hit upon a certain disc. She makes a beeline towards it.
[10:05] * Rei-chan follows Minako curiously.
[10:06] <V-chan> "Wow! That's New Future!" she exclaims, grabbing the cd with both hands. "I can't believe it!"
[10:06] <V-chan> "I sang this at the audition, Rei-chan!" she tells the other girl, holding it in front of her.
[10:07] * Rei-chan smiles. "You must have sung it really well."
[10:09] <V-chan> "It wasn't long after I took care of the Dark Agency for good," Minako says, reminiscing. "I really wanted to achieve my dreams and fill everyone's life with joy and song."
[10:10] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure you'll succeed," Rei says, her smile somewhat bittersweet. "Do you want me to buy that CD for you?"
[10:11] <V-chan> "I want you to sing it for me," Minako says in a wistful tone.
[10:12] <Rei-chan> "Sing?" Rei repeats in a small voice.
[10:12] <V-chan> "You have a beautiful voice, Rei-chan," Minako says, tracing Rei's jaw with a finger. "It would mean so much to hear you sing...."
[10:14] <Rei-chan> "Ah... well... I'm really not that good," Rei stammers in reply.
[10:15] <V-chan> "I'll be the judge of that," Minako says, leaning over to whisper, "I'm a really good judge, too...."
[10:16] * Rei-chan sighs. "Maybe... but only for you," she says, a little reluctantly.
[10:16] * V-chan glomps Rei again in happiness.
[10:17] * Rei-chan returns the hug somewhat distractedly, breaking it fairly quickly. "Well, anything else in here you want?"
[10:19] <V-chan> Minako's gaze lingers on Rei, but then she snaps out of it, and shakes her head. "Well, maybe just check on my album. And see what's new. It's been a while since I checked."
[10:20] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei nods, looking around the shop with Minako.

[--:--] * Rejoin
[10:24] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Usagi," Rei waves over to the blonde, "Find what you were looking for?"
[10:24] * Usagi-chan nods happily. "Yup! I just wish it wasn't so expensive..." She makes a face.
[10:25] <V-chan> "Rei-chan's buying me a CD," Minako says proudly, leaning on her slightly.
[10:25] <Rei-chan> "It's not much," Rei says in embarrassment, looking at the bag bulging with KOR manga on her arm.
[10:25] * Princess_Herb is distracted by the pictures of girl singers wearing nearly nothing on the CD inserts.
[10:25] <V-chan> "It's a very important CD," Minako insists.
[10:26] <Usagi-chan> "What is it, Rei-chan? Can I see?"
[10:26] * Rei-chan holds up the CD. "There's a song on it called Venus, I thought it would be a fun thing to get her," she says, blushing slightly.
[10:27] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Awesome! You'll have to let me listen to it sometime, Mina-chan!"
[10:28] <Rei-chan> "Anyway, I guess I'll go pay for it," Rei says, edging away, 'Usagi, distract Minako for me, I need to go get her present,' she asks the blonde.
[10:28] * V-chan shakes her head, smiling. "It's not leaving my hands for a moment, Usagi-chan!"
[10:29] <Usagi-chan> "I didn't mean I'd BORROW it or anything, I just want to hear it!" 'Go for it, Rei-chan.' Usagi replies mentally.
[10:30] <Rei-chan> Rei quickly finds an unnoccupied cashier and buys the CD, before sneaking out of the shop and heading for the nearby jewellery shop.
[10:31] <V-chan> "Well, I guess you can listen to it, then," Minako allows. "Or, better yet, we could all sing it together!"
[10:31] <Usagi-chan> "Are you sure about that, Mina-chan? You've never heard me sing..." Usagi makes a face.
[10:33] <V-chan> "Well, true. I never heard any of you sing," Minako says, somewhat melancholically. "But it's still all good!"
[10:34] <Usagi-chan> "Absolutely! It's the thought that counts, right?" Usagi smiles.
[10:34] <V-chan> "And the heart that supplies the lyrics!"
[10:35] <Usagi-chan> "So what other singers do you like, Mina-chan?"
[10:35] * Rei-chan sneaks back into the music shop, considerably lightened of cash, and rejoins her friends. "Here you go," she hands over the bagged CD to Minako, grinning from ear to ear.
[10:35] * V-chan thinks for a moment, but is interrupted by Rei's arrival. She grabs the present and holds it close to her, smiling ear to ear.
[10:37] <Usagi-chan> 'All done, Rei-chan? You'll have to show me later...' Usagi thinks to her friend as she winks.
[10:38] <Rei-chan> 'Sure thing,' Rei sends back happily, ignoring the fact that she is now nearly destitute, 'I know she'll love it.'
[10:39] <Usagi-chan> "Did we need anything else here? I still need to drop in at Osaka-san's shop for a couple of things."
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "I think I'm done," Rei says.
[10:41] <V-chan> "Are you heading back, then, Rei-chan?" Minako asks.
[10:41] <Princess_Herb> "I haven't even begun," Princess_Herb says.   "Usa-chan will have to help me pick things out, I think."
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "Hmm?" Rei looks at Minako, "I don't really have any plans. Are there still places you want to go?"
[10:42] <V-chan> "I always have places I want to go," Minako replies, before smiling. "But I'm happiest with you!"
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "Uh... right," Rei nods, "So, where to now?"
[10:43] <V-chan> "How about we get some pictures to remember today by?" Minako suggests.
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "Osaka-san's store!" Usagi declares. "Hopefully the stuff I need done won't take too long... or be too expensive." She winces, thinking of her nearly-empty wallet.
[10:44] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei nods. 'I still have enough cash for something like that.'
[10:44] <Usagi-ch

EDITOR'S NOTE: I apologize for the short post here, but my logs were sadly macerated by Peer. If any of the old players still has logs hanging around and can help to fill in some of these holes, contact me by PM. -Halbarad

[10:54] <Princess_Herb> "See you later!" Princess_Herb waves
[10:54] * Rei-chan blushes even more at the blown kiss, before being lost in the crowd as she heads off home.
[10:55] <Usagi-chan> "Okay! Time for Osa-P!" Usagi calls out. "Ready, girls?"
[10:55] <V-chan> "Want to take a picture with me, too, Usagi?" Minako asks suddenly. She smirks. "I'll be good!"
[10:56] <Usagi-chan> "All right... but only if you promise." Usagi grins.
[10:57] <V-chan> "My love for you is strictly platonic," Minako says, laughing, as she enters the booth with Usagi.
[11:00] <Usagi-chan> "You wound me, Mina-chan! Now my love for you will be forever unrequited!" Usagi makes a long face, trying to hide her giggles.
[11:00] * V-chan hugs Usagi with one hand, flashing a victory sign to the camera with the other.
[11:01] * Usagi-chan turns a bright smile to the camera as it flashes.
[11:03] * V-chan collects the pictures, offering half to Usagi, this time.
[11:03] * Princess_Herb peers at the picture
[11:04] <Princess_Herb> "I think this must be a better camera than the one at the passport office.   You both look like pretty girls..."
[11:04] <V-chan> "Gee, thanks," Minako mutters.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> ------------------
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Osa-P is hopping today, a flood of people buying Christmas jewelry and baubles.
[11:06] * V-chan tries to find someone to help her.
[11:07] * Usagi-chan looks around for Osaka-san or Naru.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Naru is around, helping out from the looks of it.
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> She glances up and sees you, waving. "Hi, Usagi," she calls.
[11:08] <V-chan> 'Wasn't she one of the girls kidnapped?' Minako asks Usagi telepathically.
[11:08] * Usagi-chan rushes over to her friend. "Naru-chan! How are you? I was so worried about you after what happened the other day..."
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm fine, Usagi," she smiles. "Nothing like what happ..." she starts. "Yeah, I'm fine."
[11:09] * V-chan nods at the confirmation, and steps up to the pair. "Hi!" she announces brightly. "I'm Minako!"
[11:10] * Usagi-chan gives Naru a worried look. "Are you sure you're all right?" She glances over at Minako. "Sorry, I didn't even think to introduce you guys. Naru-chan, this is Mina-chan. Mina-chan, this is Naru-chan, a really good friend of mine from school."
[11:10] * V-chan waves.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good to meetcha, Minako," Naru smiles and bows politely.
[11:11] * Princess_Herb comes over from the display of diving watches to where the Queen is.
[11:11] <V-chan> "Wow, you work here?" Minako asks excitedly. "It must be cool!"
[11:11] <Usagi-chan> "I'm actually here to buy stuff for once." Usagi giggles. "Is your mom around, or maybe you could help me out?"
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really? Well, sure," she says, smiling at the approaching dragon princess. "Another friend, Usagi?"
[11:13] * V-chan makes a face, before smoothing it over quickly.
[11:13] * Usagi-chan nods. "This is Herb-chan - she's a student at Toudai. Herb-chan, this is my friend Naru-chan!" Usagi smiles.
[11:13] <Princess_Herb> "Hi, Naru-san!" Princess_Herb says and bows
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Herb," she smiles again. "Anyway, let me get Mom," she goes off to the backroom.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Pleased to meet both of you," she calls as she leaves.
[11:14] * V-chan waves at Naru again, as the latter leaves.
[11:14] * Usagi-chan fishes the earrings out of a pocket in her dress as she waits for Naru's mom to arrive.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Naru's mother comes out quickly. "Hello, Usagi. Did you want some rhinestones for Christmas?"
[11:16] <V-chan> "Actually, since I need to get something too, could anyone help me?" Minako asks. "I wouldn't want to interrupt you two."
[11:16] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I might do some looking around at them, but no." She places the two gold earrings on the counter. "I'd like to get these cleaned up and put in a box, if I can."
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> She bends over, looking at the earrings. "Certainly, it shouldn't be a problem in the least," she says.
[11:17] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, and one more thing." Usagi places the drop-shaped glass earring next to the golden ones. "I know it's an earring, but I sort of lost the other one. Could you make it into a necklace, or something like that?"
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> She examines the other earring. "Hm...it's a simple enough piece. I could make a matching earring with some time, if you want to go that far," she offers.
[11:19] <Usagi-chan> "Sure, if that wouldn't cost too much." Usagi blushes. "I'm kind of low on money right now."
[11:20] <V-chan> "You need money, Usagi-chan?" Minako asks. "Why didn't you say so?"
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, then consider it our Christmas present to you," the woman smiles. "Oh, and who are your friends?"
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "Oh! Sorry, I keep forgetting. Osaka-san, this is Mina-chan and Herb-chan. They're some of the friends I've started studying with."
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> She bows. "Welcome to my shop, ladies."
[11:22] * V-chan waves at Naru's mom cheerfully. "Nice to meet you!" she chirps.
[11:22] <Princess_Herb> "I'm teaching Usa-chan t'ai chi to help her acquire a graceful poise." Princess_Herb offers.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Naru's mom laughs softly, her graceful hand over her mouth. "Not a bad idea, madam."
[11:23] * Usagi-chan blushes in embarrassment. "Will it take very long to get those cleaned? I think I might look around a little, if it's not going to be too long."
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I can do it overnight, Usagi, and have Naru give them to you at school tomorrow," she offers. "Is that okay?
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> "That'd be great!" Usagi beams. "Thank you very much, Osaka-san!"
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course, Usagi. Can I help either of you two girls? I think some jewerly would look great on both of you."
[11:25] * V-chan grins. "You could help me!"
[11:27] <Usagi-chan> "I'm just going to look around the store for a little bit, okay?" Usagi smiles and waves to Osaka-san, before moving off to look at the jewelry cases placed around the store.
[11:27] * V-chan nods at Usagi with a smile, before turning her attention fully on Naru's mother.
[11:28] * Princess_Herb leaves V-chan to it and goes to look for something that Usa-chan would like
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a wide selection of fine jewerly, from rings and bracelets to diamonds and rubies.
[11:32] * Princess_Herb is overwhelmed. "Maybe jewellery isn't a good idea..."
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Can I help you," Naru asks, coming from behind.
[11:34] * Usagi-chan stops in front of one particular case, an expression of awe on her face. 'That would be PERFECT...'
[11:35] <Princess_Herb> "I think so.   You're Usa-chan's friend, aren't you?   What should I get her as a present for Christmas?" Princess_Herb asks Naru-chan.   "I don't mean only jewellery, but anything."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Anything? Usagi loves food, boys and clothes," Naru says. "Boy, does she love food."
[11:42] <Princess_Herb> "A container load of Swiss chocolate might be hard to organise, and she might not notice any lesser amount. A cute outfit, though, that might be a good idea." Princess_Herb says, thoughtfully. "But I know less about fashion than anyone I know."
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm. How about a nice dinner, then? She loves going out to eat with her friends," Naru suggests.
[11:44] * Princess_Herb tells Naru about Usagi's prize-winning all-you-can-eat meal earlier.
[11:45] <Princess_Herb> "The waiters might have died from exhaustion if the pantry hadn't've been emptied first."
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> She laughs loudly. "That's our Usagi-chan, alright. If you can manage that bill, she'd love going out to dinner or lunch," Naru says.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In fact," Naru murmurs. "Jewellery and dinner would be even better. Both of those will make her happy for at least a week," she comments.
[11:48] <Princess_Herb> "I don't want her to think it's like some kind of date, though.   If I do take her to dinner, maybe I should bring you along just to reassure her?" Princess_Herb smiles and winks
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Date," she blinks. "As in...you'd take her...on a...date..." she frowns. "You would have think she'd have told her best friend, at least," she murmurs, offended.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "In fact..." she continues on, "Would you excuse me for a moment, please?" Without waiting for an answer, she marches off to Usagi.
[11:51] <Princess_Herb> "Tell her what?" Princess_Herb looks confused
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi!" Naru gets Usagi's attention.
[11:53] * Usagi-chan looks up from the case she's been studying, startled. "Naru-chan? What's the matter?"
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Could we go outside and talk a moment," she says, nabbing your hand and dragging you along to the front door.
[11:54] * Usagi-chan lets out a yelp as she's unceremoniously hauled outside the shop. "Naru-chan, where are we going?"
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, Usagi," she starts to tear up. "Didn't you trust me? Why didn't you tell me," she sniffles, once outside.
[11:55] <Usagi-chan> "Trust you... tell you what?" Usagi asks. 'Please, don't tell me she's figured it out...'
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I mean, hearing it secondhand from your friend Herb..." she cries, obviously hurt. "After all we've been through, Usagi..."
[11:55] <Usagi-chan> "Naru-chan, what do you mean? What did Herb say to you?"
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She told me," she cries, hugging you. "Oh, Usagi..."
[11:56] * Princess_Herb wonders what's going on outside
[11:57] * Usagi-chan blinks in confusion. "Exactly what did Herb tell you?" 'If Herb mentioned something about Sailor Moon, I swear I'm going to kill her...'
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "About how you are special, Usagi. I'm okay with it, but...I just wish you trusted me enough to tell me before," she continues to hug you and cry.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But when she told me, it all made sense," she goes on.
[11:59] * Usagi-chan sits down on a bench outside the store, still confused. "Naru-chan, WHAT DID HERB SAY?" 'He probably called me the queen again or something...' Usagi's mental voice trails off into a mutter.
[11:59] * Princess_Herb thinks through the conversation she just had, and puts two and two together.
[11:59] * Princess_Herb begins to move towards the door.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "About how you are..." she cries for a few more seconds again. "A lesbian."
[12:00] * Usagi-chan freezes for a minute, then bursts out in loud, raucous laughter.
[12:00] * Princess_Herb opens the door just in time to see the touching scene
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi?" she says, sounding hurt.
[12:01] * Usagi-chan subsides into giggling. "What exactly did Herb-chan tell you, Naru-chan?"
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She said she was worried about taking out on a date, or something like that," she says, hurt and confused.
[12:02] * Princess_Herb sidles up to Naru-chan.
[12:02] * Usagi-chan glances up at Herb, still giggling. "I'd better let HIM explain it then." She grins.
[12:02] <Princess_Herb> "Yes, but that's because I'm the one who likes girls, Naru-chan."
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hi...what?" she says, letting hurt go away in the face of confusion.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Herb...him...girls..." she slowly says. "Herb is a crossdresser or something," she asks, totally lost now.
[12:04] <Usagi-chan> "Um... not exactly." Usagi smiles. "Don't worry about it, Naru-chan - I can PROMISE you I'm not a lesbian."
[12:05] <Princess_Herb> "I wouldn't put it that way, quite."   says Herb, and quickly explains the outline of the curse to Naru-chan
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh...oh..." she gasps, hugging Usagi. "I'm so sorry, Usagi-chan," she wails again, at total emotional meltdown.
[12:06] * Usagi-chan smiles and wraps her arms around Naru. "It's okay, Naru-chan. I can understand how you might have gotten confused... it really confused ME at first too."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> She rehugs you, crying harder than before.
[12:06] <Princess_Herb> "Naru-chan...   Why did you want to think Usagi was a lesbian?" Herb asks, her face showing some concern
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> She finally looks up from Usagi, still teary eyed.
[12:09] * Princess_Herb offers her a handkerchief.
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank you," she says, dabbing her eyes. "It's just that Usagi has been distant lately, and always seems to be hiding something," she finally admits. "Maybe we just aren't as close anymore, but..." she trails off.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I thought maybe...that it was because she liked girls," she blushes.
[12:10] * Usagi-chan looks down in shame. "I'm sorry about that, Naru-chan... I really didn't mean for it to happen."
[12:10] * Princess_Herb looks sad.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, Usagi," she gets out, crying yet again into Usagi's shoulder.
[12:12] * Usagi-chan simply sits there, rubbing Naru's back as she holds her. "I'm so sorry, Naru-chan..." Tears form in the corners of Usagi's eyes as well.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> From her position, she says..."It made sense, you know? You're always going on about boys, but you never manage to get a boyfriend besides Umino..."
[12:13] * Usagi-chan freezes up completely as she thinks of Mamoru.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And then you started spending so much time with Ami, and then that strange temple girl..."
[12:14] * Usagi-chan doesn't reply, her arms dropping to her sides limply.
[12:15] * V-chan walks outside, waving at the sight of Usagi. "Mrs. Osaka told me you might be here, so...." Minako trails off, noticing the way Usagi looks. "Hey, is there a problem?"
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "An...Usagi," Naru asks, looking up. "What's wrong?"
[12:15] <Usagi-chan> "It's... nothing, Naru-chan," Usagi replies, sounding extremely distant. "Nothing you need to worry about." A tear runs down Usagi's cheek.
[12:18] <V-chan> "Usagi-chan?" Minako asks, moving closer cautiously.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi-chan?" Is her only reply.
[12:18] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, putting on a plastic smile. "I'm okay, really. You don't need to worry about me."
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> She manages to smile. "Don't lie to me, Usagi-chan. I've known you too long, remember?"
[12:19] * Usagi-chan looks around at her friends, still wearing the same fake smile. "It's really nothing, you guys. I'll be fine."
[12:19] <V-chan> "What happened?" Minako glances at Naru. "Naru-chan, right? Did you confess to her or something?"
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Confess," she looks over to Minako, now totally taken aback, glancing at Usagi and Minako. "You mean...?" she says quietly.
[12:20] * V-chan narrows her eyes briefly at Naru.
[12:21] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Nothing like that, Mina-chan."
[12:21] <V-chan> "Ah, forget I asked." Minako nods at Usagi.
[12:21] <Princess_Herb> "No-one confessed to anything, Minako-san.   It was all a stupid misunderstanding." Herb says, hoping that V-chan won't take things any further.
[12:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," she finally gets out. "Usagi, I think I want to go lay down now. I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay?"
[12:22] <V-chan> "Hey, I got you something!" she says suddenly. "Here!" Minako thrusts a small, wrapped up box to Usagi.
[12:23] <Princess_Herb> "Poor girl." Herb says, watching Naru-chan going back inside
[12:24] <Princess_Herb> "Maybe we should do something to cheer her up as well."
[12:24] * Usagi-chan automatically takes the box from Minako, giving her a small smile. "Thanks, Mina-chan. And Naru-chan, I'm sorry for all the trouble. Really."
[12:24] <Ana-shopping> Naru says something softly as she goes on, but you don't hear it.
[12:25] * V-chan pokes Usagi's shoulder. "Come on, take a look inside!"
[12:26] <Usagi-chan> "I... think I'm just going to head home, you guys. I don't feel like doing any more shopping today."
[12:27] <V-chan> "Did you get all that you wanted?" Minako asks, concerned. "And what's the problem?"
[12:28] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It's nothing, Mina-chan. And I can always come back later." 'Although I doubt I could afford it any more then than I can now.' Usagi thinks with a sigh.
[12:29] <Princess_Herb> "Are you sure you'll be all right? Do you want me to go with you part of the way? Or Minako?"
[12:29] <V-chan> "Is that what's bothering you?" Minako asks, blinking. "I'll help!"
[12:30] * Usagi-chan gives Minako a confused look, not realizing her thoughts had been heard. "Huh?"
[12:30] <V-chan> "Money, right? I remember when I couldn't afford presents and stuff, too."
[12:30] * V-chan nods sadly.
[12:31] <Usagi-chan> "I couldn't ask you to help me like that, Mina-chan. It's okay, I'll find something else that I can afford."
[12:32] <V-chan> "Hey, when I say it's cool, it's cool." Minako pats Usagi's shoulder. "I rarely spend my money, anyway!"
[12:32] <Usagi-chan> "Are you sure? I mean, I would never ask, it's just that it would be perfect for Rei-chan..." Usagi blurts out.
[12:33] <V-chan> "Say no more." Minako grins, and leads Usagi back to Osa-P. "Say no more...."
-------
Another unfortunate gap...
-------
[14:34] * Usagi-chan catches her friend. "Mina-chan, are you all right?"
[14:35] <V-chan> "It worked," Minako whispers. "I concentrated, and it worked. As long as you don't meet him or don't fall in love, I think it should hold, but I'd like to check on you tomorrow." She sighs, staying in Usagi's arms for a moment. "That took a lot more out of me than I expected."
[14:36] * Usagi-chan tightens her grip into a hug. "Thank you, Mina-chan. I really appreciate it."
[14:40] * V-chan returns the hug for a short while, but then sits down on the floor, leaning against Usagi's side slightly.
[14:42] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I really don't deserve friends like all of you guys. You all do so much for me, and all I do is make trouble for all of you..."
[14:44] <V-chan> "Rei-chan is still off-limits," Minako murmurs, nodding off.
[14:44] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Not a problem, Mina-chan, not a problem."
[07:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----------
[07:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "WAKE UP, MINAKO!" With a catscratch and a shout, the last wisps of sleeps fade away from Minako. One annoyed Mooncat is on top of you, trying to wake you up by claw and noise.
[07:18] * V-chan bats Artemis away sleepily, and sits up.
[07:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's about time, Mina! I've been trying for twenty minutes now," the cat grouses.
[07:22] <V-chan> "Do we have anything exciting planned for this morning?" she grouses.
[07:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...It's the moral of it, Mina! It's nearly 10 AM," the cat evades.
[07:24] <V-chan> Biting down a reflex to curse him out, Minako gets up, casting a sad look at her pillow. "Artemis. Out," she says, walking tiredly towards her closet.
[07:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Resisting an comment along the lines of "Nothing I'd want to see anyway,", Artemis goes out of the room.
[07:26] * V-chan gets dressed fairly quickly, following her morning routine.
[07:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> After that, you go into the kitchen for food. Artemis is in there, waiting on top of the kitchen table.
[07:29] <V-chan> "Good timing," Minako says, sitting down at the table. "Look what I have!" she adds, and waves her arms around in a strange pattern, a few cooking books appearing out of thin air to land on the table.
[07:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Mau pokes his nose at the books, looking at the titles. "Minako..." he says softly. "You got these from the Moon?"
[07:32] * V-chan nods excitedly. "Yes, from when we went there to seal off that glaive, again."
[07:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really? Was the library intact?"
[07:34] <V-chan> "I think it was, though Ami seemed upset about something, when one section was empty." Minako shrugs. "Anyway, that's not important right now! Help me read these!" She points at the sprawled cookbooks.
[07:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis opens his mouth to respond, but thinks better of it. Instead, he paces for a moment and then responds.. "Minako...how did you know these are cookbooks?" he asks. "Can you read them?"
[07:37] <V-chan> "Ami could translate them with her computer," Minako explains, before sighing. "But it took a long time to get even the titles and stuff. Besides, she said there might be small inconsistencies in the translation program. I can't cook like that!" She then opens one of the books to show the picture of a large cake. "And I somehow doubt this is the Lunar kama sutra."
[07:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat nods along until the last sentence. "Kama Sutra? No, nevermind," he shakes his head. "Anyhow, if you can't read it..."
[07:40] <V-chan> "But you could! Right?" Minako's eyebrow twitches slightly.
[07:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako..." he starts, but sighs. "I can read them a bit, I think. Maybe enough to get the recipe right."
[07:41] <V-chan> "Good!" Minako nods to herself. "And remember, you owe my parents a lot, too, for letting me keep a pet here."
[07:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis wilts. "Well...um....let's get started, then."
[07:43] <V-chan> "Don't worry!" She flashes him a smile. "What could possibly go wrong?"
[07:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis laughs. "Sure, what could go wrong," he echos. "Anyway," he looks at the page for a bit. "You need a large mixing bowl first."
[07:44] * V-chan nods, and looks around the kitchen for one, before finding it and setting it on the table.
[07:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay, now you need...um, flour...eggs and....cheese," he says.
[07:48] <V-chan> "Lucky!" Minako exclaims, fishing in the fridge for those.
[07:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Now, you put...4 cups of flour in the bowl, and add the eggs," he says, peering at the book.
[07:51] <V-chan> Minako's smile disappears slowly, as she concentrates more and more on mixing the ingredients correctly.
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hmm, Minako. Shouldn't you be wearing an apron," he asks, as he reads the book.
[07:53] <V-chan> "Can't be bothered, for the trial run," she responds absent-mindedly, working.
[07:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sighs. "Okay, next you stir in the cheese," he says.
[07:54] * V-chan stirs with feeling!
[07:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Next, you get...a bit of baking soda and sprinkle that on," he nods.
[07:56] * V-chan follows Artemis's descriptions, consulting with him briefly on how much a bit would be.
[07:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right, right...now, you need to add five drops of vanilla extract."
[08:00] * V-chan panics for a few tense moments, before finding the vanilla extract hidden in one of the kitchen closets, and adds five drops from it to the mix.
[08:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...next you add 2 cups of water and stir it into a batter," he comments.
[08:02] * V-chan measures the two cups, and adds them, continuing stirring.
[08:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> The mixtures slowly resembles a rough batter soon enough.
[08:03] <V-chan> "What next, Artemis?" Minako asks, unable to completely hide her excitement.
[08:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You put it in a cake pan and bake it.":
[08:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> You notice the Mau is sweating...
[08:07] * V-chan gives Artemis a suspicious look. "What's wrong?" she asks, peering closer.
[08:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Gak! No...nothing at all, Mina!"
[08:08] <V-chan> "Right," she deadpans. "Okay! Let's get the batter ready for the oven, then!"
[08:09] <V-chan> Refusing to let her enthusiasm be defeated by Artemis's suspicious behavior, she follows the last set of instructions.
[08:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And set the oven to...350 degrees."
[08:25] * V-chan sets the oven as told, and claps her hands.
[08:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Now we wait 20 minutes for it to cook," he says. "I think I'll take a walk in the meanwhile."
[08:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis leaps off the table and makes for the exit to the living room.
[08:27] <V-chan> "No way!" Minako exclaims, making a grab for Artemis as she runs after him.
[08:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing Minako come after him, the startled cat makes a bolt for it! (Body check to catch him)
[08:28] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:28] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sadly for Artemis, Minako gets him by the tail!
[08:29] * V-chan picks Artemis up by his tail, glaring at him. "What's the rush, Cat?"
[08:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...heheheheh. I just want to take a nice, long walk, Mina," he grins.
[08:30] * V-chan shakes her head firmly. "You can't. You get the honor of tasting our cake first, after all. What happens if you're not back in time?"
[08:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...I give you that honor, Minako. Since you prepared this wonderful dish, you should taste it," he smoothtalks. "I wouldn't presume to take such an  honor for myself."
[08:31] <V-chan> "I insist," she says icily.
[08:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat goes limp and sighs. "Alright, Mina...just put me down, okay?"
[08:32] <V-chan> "You ruined it, didn't you? Made something up just because it's funny to see me try and fail?" she says accusingly, releasing his tail.
[08:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No! I would never do something like that for that reason!"
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> He waves his upside down paws, trying to dissaude you.
[08:34] <V-chan> "All right, then." She smiles, and squats down next to him. "I'm sorry I doubted you. I was just worried since you looked suspicious, but you were probably as tired as I was."
[08:34] <V-chan> "You deserve to taste it first, anyway," she goes on. "Without you, we wouldn't be here now."
[08:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um....yeah..." he blushes and mumbles.
[08:35] <V-chan> "We'll try lots of cakes till Christmas, and when we find the right one, Artemis, we'll bake it for Mom and Dad!"
[08:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis falls on his face. "Great..."
[08:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Twenty minutes later...
[08:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The smell of cooked food wafts from the oven as you remove the cake.
----------------------
Leadup and Battle with Oxyite #2 go here
----------------------
[10:38] * Sailor_Moon steps forward with determination burning in her eyes. Without another word she levels the Lunar Rod at the swordsman, with a single cry. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[10:38] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack collides with his energy, and a fierce battle goes for a moment, but the Moon Energy wins! The attack roars into him, sending him to the edge of the roof on his knees. Blood is coming from a wound on his arm and on his stomach, and he's breathing heavy. But his energy keeps rising despite it...
[10:40] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[10:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 17."
[10:40] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+10
[10:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+10 and gets 12."
[10:40] <V-chan> roll 1d6+12
[10:40] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+12 and gets 15."
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> He gets to his feet, and rushes out again, at Sailor Moon!
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:42] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:42] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[10:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+2 and gets 8."
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> A onslaught of stabs come at Sailor Moon, but she evades!
[10:43] <V-chan> Minako's hair rises, as if picked up by an unseen wind, and she gestures at Oxyite with her sword arm, calling out, "Crescent Beam Shower!"
[10:43] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[10:43] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack goes, but by the time it's reached him, he's already sped off, denting the roof instead of his body.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you go, you can see balls of energy are forming around him in a circle, like the outer ring of his aura, perhaps two feet around him.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Red, floating orbs of pure energy...
[10:45] <Sailor_Mars> Breathing heavily from her last attack, Mars manages to summon forth the will to execute another, even as she wonders how he could have survived their previous onsloaght, she looses forth yet another furious attack with a yelled "Mars Snake Fire!"
[10:46] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[10:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack meets with the orbs of energy, and in a flash, Sailor Mars's attack is absorbed into the balls like nothing, unable to penetrate his explosive, unstable aura.
[10:52] <Sailor_Mars> "His energy is going wild!" Mars yells, "If it gets released, it's going to be huge!"
[10:53] * Sailor_Moon hurls another attack at Oxyite, hoping to drive him off the edge of the roof! "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[10:53] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:53] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[10:53] * V-chan dives towards Rei at her words.
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack doesn't even get close to getting through is expanding aura...it's now at five feet, and shaking visibly.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seven feet..."Sailor Moon!" The voice of Starfire rings out from behind. Turning, you see a small, blue portal nearby. "Hurry!"
[10:55] * Sailor_Mars takes out her Mars Pen, concentrating desperately to form some sort of barrier against the encroaching energy.
[10:55] * Sailor_Moon turns toward the portal, grabbing Minako and Rei by the hands as she dashes for the portal.
[10:56] * Sailor_Mars grunts as she is pulled through, barely holding onto the pen.
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> You rush through the portal as you feel a wave of searing, pure energy pass you...and you black out...

[22:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Away from the disaster, you fly towards Usagi's house...
[22:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> The city is grinding to a halt as you fly, only police and emergency services going as you get closer.
[22:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> You finally land at the Tsukino residence. It's serene and peaceful, the obvious contrast to the rest of the city.
[22:35] <Sailor_Dragon> Sailor_Dragon rings the doorbell
[22:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> You hear shuffling from inside. The door is opened by a tense, worried Ikkuko Tsukino. "Wh..." she start, but she composes her face when she sees you and your burden. "Come in already," she says quickly, motioning you inside.
[22:38] * Sailor_Dragon carries the comatose Makoto-hime inside
[22:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> She leads you into the living room, not even telling you to take your shoes off. "Put her down on the couch, and is Usagi alright?" she asks in one breath.
[22:41] * Sailor_Dragon puts Makoto down on the couch carefully. "Yes, she's OK. I don't know what happened, but she spoke to me on the communicator."
[22:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> She lets out a big breath. "Good. With what's on the TV now..." she comments. The TV is going on about a 'massive explosion in Tokyo'. "
[22:43] * Sailor_Dragon turns to see what's happening on the TV
[22:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The news is on, and they are talking about what you just saw happen - The massive energy burst from Oxyite.
[22:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Of course, they don't know the cause...they are in fact worried about modern terrorism.
[22:47] <Sailor_Dragon> "Nian would want me to go and help rescue people, but I don't know if I can leave Makoto here safely." Sailor_Dragon thinks for a moment, then opens her communicator unit again, trying to contact Moon-hime.
[22:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko looks at Makoto, kneeling and brushing aside her hair from her face. "Was this a Sailor Senshi incident," she asks quietly.
[22:53] <Sailor_Dragon> "I don't know the circumstances, though."
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---------
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> ....light....
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - You slowly return to awakeness, your eyes crusty and blurry.
[10:58] * Usagi-chan sits up slowly, holding a hand to her head. "Oh man... what happened?"
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking around, you are in the main living room of Rei's temple, and Minako and a very bloody Rei are nearby. Your head pounds with a huge headache.
[11:00] <Usagi-chan> "Rei-chan!" Usagi moves to Rei's side as quickly as she can manage, inspecting the priestess' wounds.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> She is wounded at least a dozen times, blood flowing from each one, as well as some burn wounds that you feel on your own body as well.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> A small pool of blood has formed around her, too. She's lost a lot of blood.
[11:01] <Usagi-chan> 'I've got to help Rei-chan...' Usagi struggles to her feet and transforms.
[11:03] * Sailor_Moon pulls out the Lunar Rod and points it towards Rei, putting all the strength she can muster into healing the other girl's wounds. "Moon Healing Escalation!"
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her wounds abate some, but she is still badly injured.
[11:04] * Sailor_Moon pants for a moment, feeling extremely drained. Gathering her strength once again, she sends the magical energy towards Rei once again. "Moon... Healing... Escalation!"
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her wounds seal further, still injured... but much better now.
[11:05] * V-chan wakes up, blurry-eyed.
[11:05] * Sailor_Moon collapses to the floor, utterly exhausted but still conscious.
[11:06] * V-chan looks around, her eyes focusing on the light from Usagi's healing. "Rei-chan!" Minako exclaims, rushing towards the white-haired girl.
[11:07] * V-chan cradles Rei's head gently, looking down at her face.
[11:08] * Sailor_Moon still breathes heavily from her position on the floor. "I think... she'll be... okay now."
[11:08] * Rei-chan slowly comes to consciousness, "Damn..." she mutters, "Stupid idiots..." It is not clear exactly who she is talking about, but there is a fair amount of self-reproach and recrimination in her tone.
[11:08] <Rei-chan> Shaking it off, she looks around. "Huh? What happened?"
[11:08] * V-chan brushes Rei's hair away from her face, crying.
[11:09] <Sailor_Moon> "Starfire... portal..." Usagi manages to gasp out.
[11:09] <Rei-chan> "What about Oxyite?" Rei asks, thinking that she should be in a hell of a lot more pain right now, given how she felt on that rooftop.
[11:11] <Sailor_Moon> "No idea..." Usagi blinks, fighting to keep her eyes open.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you talk, Usagi's communicator goes off.
[11:12] * Sailor_Moon fumbles around for a moment, then finally manages to get it out. "Yes?"
[11:12] * Rei-chan slumps slightly. "If all that energy was released..." she trails off ominously.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usa-chan, I have Makoto," Sailor Dragon says.
[11:13] * Sailor_Moon breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank God... at least we don't have to worry about that anymore."
[11:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> She looks away for a moment, before disconnectioning. There was a fair bit of background noise...
[11:13] * Rei-chan doesn't really know how to respond to Minako's tears, so hugs her gently instead, taking care not to aggrevate her mostly healed injuries.
[11:14] * V-chan keeps on brushing Rei's hair quietly, just staring at it.
[11:14] * Sailor_Moon lets her head fall to the floor with a soft thump, finally giving in to the desire to sleep.
[11:15] <Rei-chan> "Usagi!" Rei cries, unentangling herself from Minako and moving over to check on the blonde.
[11:16] * V-chan doesn't move, keeping on staring downwards.
[11:18] * Usagi-chan seems to be sleeping relatively peacefully, but doesn't respond to any attempts to awaken her.
[11:21] * Rei-chan sighs in relief, before grabbing the TV remote and fumbling with it. "I really hope it doesn't show what I think it'll show," she says, switching to the news channel.
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first television station you turn it to is doing a breaking news story. "According to reports, fifteen minutes ago a massive explosion rocked a posh Tokyo neighborhood. At least a half block is decimated, and the power to much of Tokyo has been reported as disrupted..." she goes on.
[11:21] <Rei-chan> The remote falls from Rei's nerveless fingers as she waits to hear a casualty list.
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Terrorism is being suspected...The JSDF and the USA forces have been mobilized already to help... hospitals bracing for incoming casualties... schools cancelled..."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Residents are encouraged to stay at home for now..." The television goes on.
[11:25] * Rei-chan glances at Minako, before gasping, "Minako! You're covered in blood!" she rushes over to fuss over the other girl before noticing she has no actual bleeding wounds. A glance at her own clothes, and the pool of blood under where she woke up confirms its origin.
[11:25] * V-chan doesn't react to the fussing, either.
[11:27] <Rei-chan> "Minako?" Rei prods gently.
[11:27] <V-chan> "So much blood," Minako mumbles, staring ahead.
[11:28] * Rei-chan looks around, "Yeah... I did get cut up pretty bad. I'm surprised it's healed so well..."
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Are you in here, Rei," Your grandfather's voice comes from outside the room.
[11:30] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei responds unenthusiastically.
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I felt a terrible omen," he says solemnly.
[11:30] <Rei-chan> "You and me both," Rei responds, thinking of both their last battle and the 'dream' she had just awakened from.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is it something you will have to deal with?"
[11:32] <Rei-chan> "I... I hope we already have..." Rei says, "We just had a really major battle. I don't know exactly what happened at the end, but..." she gestures at the news, "Somehow we wound up here when it all went to hell. I don't know if the guy is still alive, though."
[11:32] * V-chan reaches a shaky hand to touch Rei.
[11:33] * Rei-chan puts a reassuring hand over Minako's.
[11:33] <V-chan> "You're alright, aren't you?" she asks, trying to smile.
[11:34] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, "I'm okay..." 'Physically, at least...'
[11:34] <V-chan> "That wasn't real, right?" she continues, still smiling.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see. Are you alright," he asks.
[11:35] <Rei-chan> "We're all okay, Grandpa, just tired," Rei answers. 'I hope I can clean all this blood without him noticing...' She then gives Minako an odd look. "What do you mean 'wasn't real'?"
[11:36] <V-chan> "You weren't dying. The blood must be fake... yes, it's fake! Just like in the Sailor V games!" Minako's voice rises towards the end.
[11:38] * Rei-chan recoils slightly at Minako's almost maddened state. 'Oh boy, and I thought dealing with her was difficult...' "No, Minako. It's real blood, but I'm okay now, see? It's all healed up," she speaks slowly and shows some of her fading pink scars to the other girl.
[11:39] * V-chan shakes her head violently. "No!" she yells. "That can't be real!"
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei?" Your grandfather says, confused at the ruckus inside.
[11:41] <Rei-chan> "Minako, calm down!" Rei says firmly, 'I really can't deal with this right now!' she thinks, even as she tries to retain a semblance of control. "It's not the first time you've seen me wounded, and it won't be the last."
[11:41] <V-chan> A shudder passes through Minako's body. "Not real," she repeats to herself, shaking her head. "Not real...."
[11:42] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, Grandpa, it's nothing big," Rei calls out to her grandfather.
[11:45] <Rei-chan> "Minako, calm down. I'm right here, and it's real," Rei says, grabbing Minako's shoulders. 'Dammit... why does she have to crack now...?' she thinks plaintively.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> ...Finally, "Alright, Rei," he says, doubtfully.
[11:46] <Rei-chan> 'Thank you, grandpa! You're the best!' Rei thinks, glad that at least someone is going along with her way of doing things.
[11:46] <V-chan> "You're here, and it's real?" Minako whispers, really looking at Rei at last.
[11:46] <Rei-chan> "Yes," Rei says, enunciating clearly, "I was hurt, I bled. I'm better now. There is nothing to worry about."
[11:48] * V-chan steps forward and lowers her forehead to Rei's right shoulder, just staying there for a while.
[11:50] * Rei-chan hugs Minako, wincing at getting more blood over her girlfriend.
[11:51] <V-chan> "Why do they always go after you?" she whispers, not moving in Rei's arms.
[11:51] <Rei-chan> "Heh, just lucky I guess," Rei chuckles mirthlessly.
[11:53] <V-chan> "I don't want you going first anymore," Minako whispers, sniffling. "Let someone else open doors, or enter rooms."
[11:54] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "That was a stupid mistake... I knew his energy was rising so I had to do something, I should have considered what he was going to do with all that energy first..."
[11:54] <V-chan> "Promise me you won't do this anymore," Minako asks in a small voice.
[11:56] <Rei-chan> "You know I can't make that promise, Minako," Rei says softly, "I couldn't let others take risks like that for me."
[11:58] <V-chan> "And I can?" She sniffles again. "I don't want to see you covered in blood again, Rei-chan."
[12:04] * Rei-chan sighs, stroking Minako's back. "It can't be helped, Minako. Besides," she manages a weak cocky smile, "I'm tough enough to take it."
[12:05] * V-chan begins crying again, in response.
[12:07] <Rei-chan> 'Guess that didn't work,' Rei thinks glumly. "Please don't cry, Minako. Physical wounds are easy to heal. This time tomorrow I won't even have any scars," she says, adopting a different tack.
[12:09] <V-chan> "If they're easy to heal, why can't someone else take them?" Minako asks, hiccupping.
[12:12] <Rei-chan> "Because I have important people I want to protect," Rei says, relaxing the hug enough that she can look Minako in the eye. "Look at it this way; if I did as you said, and always hid behind everyone else, never willing to put myself on the line for the people I love, would I still be the same Rei Hino you fell in love with?"
[12:14] <V-chan> "But I have important people to protect, too," Minako replies, downcast. "And I never do, no matter how I try. Can't you... share? Take turns with me, at least?"
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "We all do what we can, Minako," Rei replies philosophically. "In any case, what I did today wasn't brave or selfless. It was stupid." She looks away, ashamed, "I admit, when I felt his energy rising, I panicked instead of trying to figure something out."
[12:19] * V-chan clutches Rei suddenly. "It wasn't stupid," she says, shaking her head. "We're all...." She attempts to crack a smile tentatively. "We're all here, and things turned out right in the end, didn't they? We saved Makoto, didn't we?"
[12:21] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, you heard Herb contacting Usagi, right?"
[12:21] <V-chan> "Contacting Usagi?" Minako blinks, and her head tilts slightly. "I-" She frowns. "I don't know."
[12:22] <Rei-chan> "I heard it, just after I woke up and before Usagi fell asleep. He said he has Makoto," Rei says.
[12:23] <V-chan> "Right." Minako laughs, a hysterical edge to it. "The plan worked, then! We got in, grabbed her and got away!"
[12:24] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... it worked..." Rei says, looking at the TV.
[12:56] * V-chan follows Rei's glance. 'That isn't real,' she thinks, looking at the scenes of destruction shown on TV for a few long moments, before tracing Rei's forearm with a finger slowly. 'This is. They'll all return with pink scars, just like Rei-chan....'
[12:58] <Rei-chan> Rei also looks at the TV, bile rising in her throat. "If only we could have somehow contained the blast..." she says sadly.
[12:59] <V-chan> "Oh?" Minako blinks. "I guess they'll have to rebuild all those buildings, and it would be a pain," she mumbles, nodding her head.
[13:01] * Rei-chan snorts. "Buildings can be replaced easily enough..." 'Then again... all the people I killed got replaced as well...' Rei makes an effort to clamp down on that line of thinking.
[13:02] * V-chan nods again. "Everything gets replaced."
[13:02] <Rei-chan> "Everything except lives," Rei says bitterly.
[13:03] <V-chan> "Lives get replaced, too," Minako chirps. "Tomorrow, there wouldn't even be scars!"
[13:05] <Rei-chan> "Gwah!" Rei looks at Minako, totally dumbfounded, "What are you talking about, Minako?!" she points at the TV, "Half a block got wiped off the map!"
[13:06] * V-chan looks back, uncomprehending. "But it will get better," she states, matter-of-factly.
[13:07] <Rei-chan> "I don't think that'll console the families of those who died," Rei says, starting to get really worried by Minako's attitude.
[13:07] <V-chan> "No one died," Minako replies, repeating again, "They all got better."
[13:08] * Rei-chan slowly moves her head to look at the TV, then back to Minako. "I don't think so, Minako."
[13:09] * V-chan smiles. "They always come back," she insists.
[13:11] <Rei-chan> "No, Minako," Rei says slowly. "No they don't."
[13:12] <V-chan> "They don't?" Minako repeats, giving Rei another look lacking comprehension. "Why not?"
[13:15] <Rei-chan> "Because they died. Tomorrow..." Rei chokes a little, "Tomorrow, they'll still be dead. And the living will have to go on without them..." 'Oh, God... why is she doing this to me?'
[13:26] <V-chan> "NO!" Minako yells, her sword flashing into existance in her hand briefly, before she throws it at the TV, running the television set through in a shower of sparks. "NO ONE DIED! THEY ALL GOT BETTER!"
[13:29] * Rei-chan backs away from the crazed girl slightly, "Minako, please," she says, tears beginning to fall down her cheeks, "You're really scaring me..."
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a sound outside, and the door opens. Hearing the ruckus, Grandfather Hino comes into the room, taking in the scene.
[11:47] * V-chan turns to stare at Rei in shock. "Scaring you...?" she asks slowly.
[11:47] * Usagi-chan wakes suddenly at the noise of shattering glass. "Huh... what?" She raises her head and blinks groggily.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> His eyes promply bug out as he sees the wrecked TV. "What is going ON in here?"
[11:48] <Rei-chan> "I can't deal with all this right now!" Rei cries at Minako, ignoring everyone else for now, "Things are bad enough without you flipping out!"
[11:48] <Usagi-chan> "Flipping out..." Usagi looks over at the other two girls, puzzled. "What's going on?"
[11:49] <V-chan> "Things are not bad," Minako says, shaking her head stubbornly. "They just can't be bad."
[11:50] <Rei-chan> "You're still doing it!" Rei says, getting to her feet and pointing at the ruined TV. "Half a block got blown up, and you're acting like it's okay! Well it's NOT okay, Minako! But ignoring it isn't going to help anything!"
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a surprising dignity, he composes himself and walks to Rei and Minako. "Are you two alright," he asks, looking them over.
[11:51] * V-chan trains pleading eyes on Rei's grandfather. "No one died, right?!" she asks him hysterically.
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> His eyes narrow a bit and he looks at Rei, a questioning look.
[11:51] <Usagi-chan> "Half a city block?" Usagi's eyes go wide.
[11:52] <Rei-chan> "It was on the news," Rei says, on the verge of breaking down, "It was the neighbourhood where we fought Oxyite..."
[11:53] * Usagi-chan realizes what must have happened and stands there for a moment, her mind reeling.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Seeing the state Rei is also in, he bunches his shoulders up and sighs. "Usagi, do you know what is going on?" he tries the last of the three girls.
[11:56] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "We... we were in a fight. Rei-chan got cut up pretty bad, but we still managed to beat the guy. A friend helped us get away from... from the explosion."
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," he says. "Rei-chan, how about you come with your grandfather for a bit?" He asks this in his most charming, wheedling voice.
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "Where?" Rei asks in a small voice.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, just to the temple grounds for a moment," he smiles innocently and charmingly.
[11:59] * V-chan holds the side of her head with her left hand, propping herself against a nearby wall with the other.
[11:59] <Rei-chan> While normally this would make Rei suspicious, right now she's too preoccupied to notice. "Okay," she says slowly, throwing a worried look at Minako and Usagi.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, why don't you help Minako lay down," he suggests as he leads Rei out of the room.
[11:59] * Usagi-chan sees the look on Rei's face and shoves her own worries and fears to the back of her mind. She gives the white-haired miko a smile. "We'll be okay, Rei-chan. You just take a little walk, okay?"
[12:00] * Usagi-chan stands up and moves to place an arm around Minako's shoulders. "Come on, Mina-chan. Let's get some rest, we've all had a really rough day."
[12:00] * V-chan doesn't respond, or even acknowledge Usagi.
[12:03] * Usagi-chan takes her friend's hand and manages to lead her to Rei's bedroom, where she lays Minako down on Rei's futon. "It'll all be okay, Mina-chan. I promise."
[12:04] * V-chan covers her eyes with her bloody right sleeve, as she lies there quietly.
[12:06] * Usagi-chan kneels down next to Minako, stroking her hair gently as she murmurs soft words of reassurance.
[12:08] <V-chan> "Usagi?" Minako asks quietly, out of the blue. "They all have to be alive, right?"
[12:09] <Usagi-chan> "They..." Usagi swallows hard. "I'm sure they're all fine, Mina-chan."
[12:10] * V-chan groans, shifting slightly on the futon. "Rei-chan... wouldn't believe me. I don't scare you, too... do I?"
[12:12] <Usagi-chan> "Of course not, Mina-chan," Usagi says, privately wondering exactly what happened during the few minutes she was out. "And Rei-chan's just had a really tough day." Usagi smiles, trying to put a brave face on it.
[12:13] <V-chan> "I'm cuddly," Minako mumbles, "I'm not scary. I don't want to scare Rei-chan...."
[12:14] <Usagi-chan> "Just give her a little time, and get some rest yourself, V-chan. She'll be all right."
[12:16] <V-chan> "I'll be 'right," Minako says, her breathing deepening. "Stay with... Rei-chan instead...."
[12:17] * Usagi-chan nods. "Have a good nap, Mina-chan. I'll come see you in a little while, okay?" Usagi slowly stands up.
[12:17] * V-chan doesn't respond.
----------------
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leading Rei outside, he leads her away from the room, to the temple front steps. No one is around currently, perhaps because of the distaster. "Why don't you sit down, Rei?"
[12:04] * Rei-chan sits down on the steps without a word.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei-chan," he begins, "it went badly, didn't it?"
[12:07] * Rei-chan nods. "We knew he was very strong and skilled... he's managed to hurt me pretty badly both times we fought, but we were winning this time. When I used my attack, it was almost as if," she pauses, then shakes her head, not wanting to go down that train of thought. "Anyway, we were beating him, but then his energy started to go out of control..."
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And..." he prods gently.
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "I..." Rei chokes, "I wanted to do something to stop it, but... I couldn't. I was too slow, and even if I'd been faster, I don't think I'm strong enough... But I had to try!" she says fiercely, before continuing more somberly, "I'm not really sure what happened, but I was jolted off my feet... and, well..." she grimaces, then abruptly finishes, "Then I woke up here."
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> He doesn't respond at first, instead staring at the steps below. "And how is Minako?"
[12:16] * Rei-chan slumps forward, her head in her hands. "I don't know," she cries, "At first she seemed okay, just worried that I was hurt. I tried to reassure her, and I thought it was working, but then I mentioned what I saw on the news and she started acting really strange. She was talking like everyone who died would be replaced... I tried to talk some sense into her, but I think I just made it worse..."
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sighs again. Standing up to his full height, he gently hugs Rei. "You did okay, Rei. You did okay, and Minako will be fine. Gramps promises," he whispers. "You'll be right as rain and I'll be back to looking up her Miko skirt in no time." he smiles, despite himself.
-------
More missing logs... Usagi returns home after the disaster.
-------
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The TV goes on, with full coverage of the disaster. There are reports that the Sailors are helping with the rescue operations...
[10:59] * Usagi-chan groans, and looks to see if there's any indication of which of the senshi is assisting.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is no indication, as reports are vague and incomplete right now. Your mother tends to Makoto as you watch the coverage, having propped her head up with a few pillows and covered her with a blanket.
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Senshi of Jupiter still sleeps, her breathing faint and her aura still tiny.
[11:03] * Usagi-chan sighs and looks over at Makoto, wondering what she can do to help her. Unfortunately, the motion of turning to look at her fellow senshi unbalances her just enough in her lightheaded state, and she crashes to her knees.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi-chan," your mom walks over. "Are you alright, dear? You look exhausted. I can bring a futon down if you want," she offers.
[11:05] * Usagi-chan struggles to her feet. "I'll be okay, Mom... just a bit tired. I need to keep an eye on Mako-chan." Usagi manages to get back to her feet and moves over into an armchair. "I guess... we can call Ami-chan's mom to take a look at her, then I suppose we'd better see about moving her to the shrine."
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah. Is all this..." she motions at the TV, "Is this really what you do all the time?"
[11:11] * Usagi-chan nods. "Sometimes, yeah. Not quite this bad, usually, but we don't get to choose how strong the people we fight are." She sighs.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How strong was it this time," she asks, still looking at the TV.
[11:16] <Usagi-chan> "It was... not the strongest we've ever faced," Usagi replies, thinking of Beryl and Metallia, "but definitely way, way up there. I'm just glad I was able to heal Rei-chan."
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If one of them can do that...it's like your fighting super beings..." she murmurs. "A whole city block..."
[11:20] <Usagi-chan> "He killed a senshi back in the Silver Millenium," Usagi says absently. "We were lucky not to lose anyone this time."
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Killed a Senshi in the...Silver Millenium? What?"
[11:22] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Did I say that out loud? Sorry, was just thinking to myself. The guy we fought today was captured once, back before the Moon Kingdom fell, but he killed one of the senshi of that time when he was brought in."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother bestows you with a blank, confused look. "Usagi...what are you talking about? Moon Kingdom? Silver Millenium?"
[11:25] <Usagi-chan> "I guess I never did get to explain it very well. You remember how I told you I was the princess of the Moon a long, long time ago?"
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "Yes, Usagi, I think so."
[11:28] <Usagi-chan> "Back then was an age of peace and prosperity called the Silver Millenium, when the Moon Kingdom ruled over the rest of the planets in the solar system - aside from Earth, at least. That's where I, and the rest of the senshi, are 'from' - we're all reincarnations of people from that time."
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> She doesn't respond, taking it all in...
[11:34] <Usagi-chan> "Oxyite... and Orestes, the guy who kidnapped Mako-chan, were criminals back then. There was... an accident with their prison on the Moon not too long ago, and they and several others escaped." Usagi sighs.
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How did a prison survive that long, though?" she asks, her voice rather dazed. "If it was so long ago?"
[11:38] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "Magic, I guess. I'd still like to know exactly why it broke though." Usagi lowers her eyes.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother doesn't reply, instead watching the TV...
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> It goes on about the disaster. Early reports are that people are being found alive in the mess, and being taken to hospitals.
[12:00] * Usagi-chan watches for a few more minutes. "Any reports of anyone... dead?" she asks hesitantly.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't think they have said anything conclusive on it yet, Usagi," she replies.
[12:03] * Usagi-chan simply closes her eyes, silently praying that no one was killed. The injuries the TV is announcing are bad enough...
[12:10] <Usagi-chan> "It's my fault..." Usagi whispers. "I shouldn't have pushed it so far..."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> The phone rings. "I'll get that, Usagi," she says, getting up.
[12:18] * Usagi-chan opens her eyes and glances over towards the phone.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi's mother is on the phone for a goodly while...Makoto continues to sleep away.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally, she get's off and goes back to watching the sleeping(?) Makoto.
[10:38] <Usagi-chan> "Who was that, Mom?"
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Your father, Usagi," she replies.
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He's alright, thank goodness," she sighs out. "I was a little worried that he'd somehow be down there."
[10:41] * Usagi-chan looks guilty. "Did you tell him what happened? Do you know when he'll be home?"
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He'll be late today...it's certainly a day for photographers, Usagi..." she murmurs.
[10:45] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I guess it would be." Usagi sighs, then glances over at Makoto. "We should really get someone to take a look at Mako-chan, even if we can't take her to the hospital."
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I wish we could, Usagi, but I'm sure that every doctor is busy today."
[10:58] * Usagi-chan gets up and moves over to the phone, taking out the phone book and looking up the number for Juuban General Hospital. Upon dialing the number, she asks the receptionist if Dr. Mizuno is available.
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The receptionist is obviously highly busy, and you are put on hold four times before finally getting someone.
[10:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Dr. Mizuno? Only if it's an emergency, dear. Things are a zoo down here," the woman on the other end of the line comments.
[10:59] <Usagi-chan> "It really is - tell her it's one of her daughter's friends, and I do have a big emergency."
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright, dear. Give me a number that I can give her?" she asks.
[11:01] * Usagi-chan relays her home phone number, again stressing that she needs to talk to the doctor as soon as possible.
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay, dear. I wouldn't hold your breath, though," she says, then hangs up.
[11:03] * Usagi-chan hangs up the phone with a sigh. "I guess all we can do now is wait. I should probably let Rei-chan know what's going on though." Usagi turns her thoughts towards her white-haired friend. 'Rei-chan?'
[11:05] <Rei-chan> 'What is it, Usagi?' Rei's mental voice replies quickly.
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> 'Nothing urgent, just wanted to let you know I got home okay. Mako-chan looks really weak though. I called Ami's mom, although I don't know when she'll be able to come over and take a look at her. How are you and Mina-chan?'
[11:09] <Rei-chan> Rei's mental sigh is quite audible. 'I think we've got things calmed down for now... I hope. Though I suppose we'd better figure out something to protect Mako-chan before Orestes makes another attempt at kidnapping her, huh?' she asks, not particularly wanting to talk about herself and Minako.
[11:12] * Usagi-chan makes a note of the sigh, but decides not to pursue the matter for the moment. 'If Mizuno-sensei says it's all right, I'd like to move Mako-chan to the shrine; it'll be easier for one of us to keep an eye on her most of the time over there. I'm not sure how well Mom would take it if one of us was in the house all day long.' Unseen by Rei, Usagi grins wryly. 'For now, all we can do is watch her, I guess.'
[11:13] <Rei-chan> 'Yeah, there's plenty room here at the Shrine,' Rei replies, 'Besides, it's not like I have school or anything to keep me from looking after her,' she adds with a rueful smile.
[11:15] <Usagi-chan> 'I wasn't going to say anything, but I thought of the same thing.' Usagi adds with a giggle. 'I'll get in touch with you again once I hear more from Dr. Mizuno, all right?'
[11:15] <Rei-chan> 'Sure, I'm not going anywhere,' Rei answers.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, are you okay," your mother asks. "You're staring at the wall again."
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi? Usagi?" she presses on.
[11:17] * Usagi-chan looks up, startled. "Huh? No, I'm fine, I was just talking to Rei-chan."
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um, maybe I should get that futon, dear," Ikuko says, getting up. "You look tired."
[11:19] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I appreciate it, Mom, but I'll be okay. I need to stay awake to keep an eye on Mako-chan."
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> She looks at your doubtfully, but nods.
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you watch Makoto, the TV goes on about people being dragged alive from the scene of the disaster...
[11:22] * Usagi-chan watches for any reports of confirmed deaths.
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> The reports are 'cautiously optimistic' about total casulaties at this time. Some commentators have noted that due to the time, many were at work or school and avoided the blast.
[11:23] * Usagi-chan smiles to herself a bit. "Never thought I'd be happy for school."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> No reliable numbers of wounded of slain are avaliable this time, though. Word is also passing that many schools have cancelled classes for today and tomorrow, including yours.
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> "Guess Rei-chan's not the only one who'll be out of school to help out." Usagi murmurs to herself, still watching the TV.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> About an hour after calling Dr. Mizuno, your telephone finally rings.
[11:25] * Usagi-chan snaps her head over to look at the phone, then quickly gets up. "I've got it, Mom!" Running over to the phone, she picks it up. "Hello, Tsukino residence."
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is Usagi Tsukino here," a prim, mature female voice asks.
[11:28] <Usagi-chan> "Speaking, who is this?"
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Usagi. This is Dr. Mizuno. You called for me?"
[11:32] <Usagi-chan> "Dr. Mizuno! Thanks for getting back with me, I really need you to come over and take a look at someone if you can." Usagi blurts into the receiver.
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is it Ami," she asks right off the bat, but calmly. "Or another of you girls?"
[11:36] <Usagi-chan> "Ami's fine, it's Mako-chan. She just won't wake up, and there are reasons we can't take her to a hospital. Can you come over and take a look at her, please?"
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, I can. I will be over as soon as possible." She responds. "Also, do you know where Ami is?"
[11:38] <Usagi-chan> "Not right now, but I can call her and have her meet you here if you want me to. She was at school earlier, that's all I know right now."
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do so," she says briskly. "If you excuse me now, Usagi," she hangs up without another word.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Soon after, Dr. Mizuno shows up. She looks over Makoto, and pronouces that she is healthy...but she should wake up any time. Yet... she doesn't stir after the doctor leaves, or all afternoon.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The TV reports that as rescue efforts go on, it looks like it was mostly property damage...only 2 deaths confirmed with many injuries.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Reporters and experts are calling it a small miracle.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> And thus, another day breaks...Thursday, December 20th.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Schools across Tokyo have cancelled classes, including Usagi and Ami's.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> You moved Makoto onto a futon in your room to watch...yet when you finally wake in the morning, Luna says that she hasn't moved an inch all night. Her aura is still barely perceptible.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's like she's in a coma, Usagi," the cat frets, pacing and frowning to herself. "I'm worried about this...or that Orestes may have attacked her mind."
[11:49] * Usagi-chan takes Makoto's hand and strokes it gently. "I just hope she'll be all right, Luna. I just feel so helpless right now - I want to do everything I can for her, but I have no idea what I CAN do." Usagi sighs.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat smiles at that, banishing her frown. "Maybe you can do something, Princess," she says.
[11:51] * Usagi-chan gives Luna a curious look. "Huh? What are you talking about?"
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You still have powers of the bloodline of the Moon Royal Family," she replies. "Perhaps you can help her with those as her leader and Queen."
[11:55] * Usagi-chan frowns. "I guess I could try, but the last time I discovered something new about myself I blew the roof off a building. I'm just worried I might hurt her because I don't know what I'm doing."
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna smiles, but seriously. "I'm certain that you couldn't hurt your own Sailors, Usagi. I know it."
[11:58] <Usagi-chan> "I guess it's worth a try." Usagi takes a deep breath and concentrates.
[11:59] <Serenity-hime> "All right... any ideas, Luna?" Usagi looks over at her feline advisor.
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her voice is formal and respectful now. "Princess, I think you should start by holding Makoto. Perhaps your mere aura will be enough to rouse her?"
[12:01] * Serenity-hime slowly takes Makoto's hand in her own once again, her thoughts focused on helping the lightning senshi by whatever means she can.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Roll 2d6.
[12:02] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[12:02] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:05] * Serenity-hime speaks in a soft voice. "Mako-chan, can you hear me? It's Usagi... I'm here for you, you're safe now."
[12:06] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:06] <Serenity-hime> Do-over!
[12:06] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel Makoto's aura..it's like it's almost dead. Like it was brutalized, drained and butchered.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a dawning realisation, you think that something fundamental was taken from her...
[12:09] * Serenity-hime starts to weep gently. "Oh, Mako-chan... what did he do to you?"
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is no response from the Sailor. "Princess...?" Luna asks cautiously.
[12:12] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "It's horrible, Luna..."
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking a deep, shaky breath, the mau waits for you to continue.
[12:14] <Serenity-hime> "It's... it's like something was sucked right out of her. I'm not sure what it is, but she just feels... it's just awful." Usagi lowers her head.
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh no..." Luna whispers softly. She pads up to Makoto, and gently touches her forehead with her paw. The symbol of Jupiter tries to appear on her forehead, but fades after a second. "Oh, Princess," realisation and horror in Luna's voice.
[12:16] * Serenity-hime doesn't respond, still holding Makoto's hand and stroking it gently as the tears roll down her face.
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna joins you, crying softly herself...
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> ----
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Unlike many of your nightmares, this one starts off with you floating just above your temple and the surrounding white dreamscape... your mind knows that it's a dream, but you feel content to merely watch.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> A blond-haired male temple aide is sweeping the grounds, you see, with no particular hurry or haste.
[11:55] * Rei-chan is reminded of the guy who came to work at the temple right before she became Sailor Mars...
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> He finishes the work, laying the broom down by the steps and vanishing inside...
[11:56] <Rei-chan> Seeing nothing else of note, Rei follows him.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> ...Only to reappear in front of you as you try to follow him inside. Jadeite floats in front of you, his General's outfit his trademark as always. But... his energy is stronger now, far stronger. You feel his supplemented by others...like a jigsaw puzzle.
[11:58] * Rei-chan simply looks at Jadeite unemotionally.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> He smirks wickedly, raising his hands. A blast of red, freezing energy engulfs you...for a moment, you feel your body flashfreezing from the inside out...And then, you are sitting straight up on your bed, wide awake.
[12:00] <Rei-chan> "That was odd..." Rei reflects. Knowing that her dreams are often more than just that, she tries to sense anything amiss, either in herself or in her surroundings.
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel nothing unusual.
[12:01] * Rei-chan sighs, looking at her bedside clock.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's 3:51 A.M.  You are hungry, you note.
[12:02] <Rei-chan> Cursing softly, Rei decides to give in to her stomach's urges. It would probably prevent her from getting any more sleep tonight, but her nightmares often did that themselves.
[12:02] * Rei-chan gets out of bed and puts her house slippers on, heading towards the kitchen.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> You remember that their are some leftovers in the 'fridge.
[12:05] <Rei-chan> Getting the leftovers, Rei also grabs some bread and makes a slightly messy sandwich. Not bothering to turn the light on, she simply leaves the fridge open and eats by the illumination it provides, leaning against the counter. "I wonder if that dream actually meant anything..." she muses, in between bites.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you eat, you have a momentary vision of a red light coming from the refigerator, freezing and chilling, enough to fumble your sandwich.
[12:06] * Rei-chan drops her sandwich, staring at the fridge and holding a hand over her rapidly rising and falling chest. "Okay... either I'm getting really jittery in my old age, or it wasn't a dream..." she says softly, before frowning. "And I'm talking to myself. Damn."
[12:07] * Rei-chan cleans up the remains of her sandwich, tossing it in the bin. Resolutely NOT talking to herself, she decides to go meditate on the Sacred Fire and see if it can provide any answers.
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going to the Sacred Flame, you note it's cold out tonight, below freezing.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk, you almost feel the red energy again coming at you...You jump as you just know that you are about to get reamed!
[12:10] * Rei-chan quickly darts to the side, her transformation pen appearing in her hand as she looks around, using her sixth sense as well.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel nothing but the cold of the night air...
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> And to top it off, the courtyard is empty and quiet.
[12:11] <Rei-chan> Taking some deep, calming breaths, Rei softly calls out, "Phobos, Deimos?"
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two ravens come at your call, making quiet noises.
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "There's something strange in the air tonight," she warns her two friends, "I want you both to be extra vigilant in guarding the temple. Let me know if you sense anything amiss, okay?"
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Squawk!" they cry, flying off at your words to the corners of the temple.
[12:15] * Rei-chan smiles, glad she can depend on those two. Then she continues heading towards the main temple building which houses the Sacred Flame.
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> You go to the flame, its warmth soothing to your body.
[12:17] * Rei-chan relaxes somewhat as she leaves the cold night air, kneeling before the Fire and opening her mind to whatever wisdom it might impart.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, Rei. +1
[12:18] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+1
[12:18] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+1 and gets 8."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your meditations reveal to you the temple grounds...snow is falling, and it looks peaceful...but at second glance, you see that it is black snow. Snow that encases...
[12:19] * Rei-chan frowns, remembering that Jadeite absorbed Celcia's dying life force...
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The vision fades after this, leaving a lingering feeling of cold...
[12:24] * Rei-chan tries to focus on the Fire to tell her where she can find Jadeite, not wanting to just wait for him to attack again before she can deal with him.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> You meditate again...but any concrete visions escape you this time. Only muddied glimpses are seen.
[12:28] <Rei-chan> Shaking her head, Rei resolves not to be as gentle with Jadeite next time she sees him, if only for having her sleep disrupted like this. She heads back to her room, trying to think of some way to occupy herself until morning. Or at least, a more reasonable hour of the morning...
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----

[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's the day after for Minako Aino...waking up late is at least a small comfort...
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The newspaper and TV are full of news about yesterday's incident, you find. So is the resident Mau.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako," he starts, "How are you feeling this morning?" as you eat your breakfast.
[12:33] * V-chan shrugs. "Do I feel the way I look?"
[12:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Umm....anyway, the news is good as it could be about yesterday," he broaches the subject. "Do...you want to hear it?"
[12:35] <V-chan> "I've been told I can't run away from it, so sure," she replies without much enthusiasm.
[12:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well...only 3 dead, total, and many injured but alive. It's terrible, but thank goodness it wasn't higher," he says with a sad optimism. "The majority of the damage was to property, which can be rebuilt."
[12:38] <V-chan> "Is the price right, Artemis?" she asks suddenly. "For rescuing Makoto and hurting Oxyite?"
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat looks away. "I don't know, Minako. I really don't know. But it could have been far worse, too...300 instead of 3 just as easily. I'm thankful for that."
[12:39] <V-chan> "Artemis?"
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Minako?" he replies, looking at her.
[12:40] * V-chan frowns. "Do you know why all the bad guys keep batting my attacks away like in a bad Dragon Ball Z episode?"
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis, unprepared for that response, does what any sane Mau would do. He falls over, surprised and stunned. He quickly regains his footing, however. "Um... maybe beams are easier to deflect than fireballs and bubbles?" he responds.
[12:42] <V-chan> "That's kinda unfair, don't you think?" she presses on. "Why do I get stuck with useless attacks?"
[12:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Your attacks aren't useless, Minako," he says back. "Look at all the youma you dusted with them."
[12:44] <V-chan> "But those were all peons," she counters. "When the going gets up, my usefulness just drops down."
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What about when you beat up Kunzite?" he counters. "Didn't you hurt him pretty bad that last time?"
[12:46] * V-chan winces. "I scratched him with a sword. Then he stabbed Rei-chan. Then I hit him, and she finished him off with a major fireball." Minako shakes her head. "Doesn't sound like it, no."
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You did great there, Mina! And what about all those criminals you catch with your skills?"
[12:48] <V-chan> "Maybe I should stick to crime-fighting, then," she says with a hint of anger in her voice.
[12:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis opens his mouth to respond, but instead takes a deep breath. Composing himself, he smiles nicely. "Mina-chan, you know better than that. You're a damn strong and useful member of the great Sailor Senshi, and one cute girl to boot," he says, pouring on the charm.
[12:50] <V-chan> "I need a plan, next time." Minako clenches her fists. "A plan that doesn't get Rei-chan stabbed."
[12:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You have that sword, don't you," he asks. "Wouldn't a good plan be unlocking a new surprise power to use? Something that would bowl over the enemies?"
[12:53] <V-chan> "My sword!" Minako exclaims suddenly, reaching out to it.
[12:55] <V-chan> Her sword appears in her outstretched arm, and Minako looks over it. "This will work, wouldn't it? The misses against Jadeite and Oxyite when I tried to use it had to be flukes, right?"
[12:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course," The mau smiles.
[12:56] <V-chan> "Alright." Minako nods to herself. "Now that we know the how, what about the who? Any idea on who the next enemy we'll have to fight will be, or about their objectives?"
[12:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Jadeite or Orestes, probably," he says, thinking.
[12:58] <V-chan> "Orestes will go after Makoto, again. Or us, in revenge," Minako muses. "But what could Jadeite want?"
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Power? Revenge? The world? A better suit than that ugly thing he wears?" he rattles off.
[13:01] * V-chan snorts. "Then all I can do is help guard Makoto from Orestes and hope he strikes first," Minako says assertively. "Artemis, you know something? I think I've just found my plan."
[07:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> A little later in the morning, Minako comes to Usagi's house. "Hello, Minako," Ikkuko greets the girl when she opens the door.
[07:29] <V-chan> "Umm, hello." Minako glances at Ikkuko nervously. "I heard on the news that school got cancelled, so I wanted to visit Usagi. Is that okay?"
[07:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles, but it looks forced. "Sure, Minako. She's in her room," she steps back to let you in.
[07:32] * V-chan enters hesitantly, and then makes a beeline towards Usagi's room.
[07:33] * Serenity-hime is seated on the floor in her room next to Makoto's futon, holding the other girl's hand in her lap. She looks up and gives Minako a weak smile as she enters. "Hi, Mina-chan."
[07:34] * V-chan nods in greeting. "How is she?" Minako asks, settling down on the other side of Makoto's futon.
[07:37] * Serenity-hime's smile fades, and she shakes her head. "Not... good. Dr. Mizuno said she looks fine to her, but she won't wake up. And to me, she looks like she's barely hanging on right now."
[07:38] <V-chan> "We'll just have to take care of her till she heals and wakes up, then," Minako says, offering a tentative smile to Usagi.
[07:39] <Serenity-hime> "I just hope she's okay when she wakes up, Mina-chan." Usagi looks pained. 'I just wish I could believe she will be.'
[07:40] <V-chan> Minako's eyes narrow. "There's something more about it beyond how she looks, then?"
[07:42] * Serenity-hime sighs. "Yes and no. You can see yourself she looks okay-a couple of small bruises, no broken bones, stuff like that. But what I can see... it's like someone cut out and took away a part of who she is, and they weren't gentle when they did it."
[07:44] <V-chan> 'Orestes,' Minako thinks, before shaking her head slightly. "Say, would you mind if I spent the night at your place? I won't take much room, I swear!"
[07:45] <Serenity-hime> "I'll have to check with Mom, but it's okay with me... any particular reason?" Usagi looks at Minako curiously.
[07:46] * V-chan steals a glance at Makoto. "Nope, not really," she says in her most sincere voice.
[07:48] <Serenity-hime> "Let me check with Mom then." She sets Makoto's hand aside and stands up. "I'll be right back." Serenity glides out of the room, then unleashes a very un-princess-like shout. "MOM!"
[07:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Usagi?" she calls from down in the kitchen.
[07:53] * Serenity-hime hurries down to the kitchen. "Is it all right if Minako stays over tonight? I think she wants to help me keep an eye on Mako-chan."
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's fine," she calls back, hunched over a hot frying pan.
[07:55] <Serenity-hime> "Thanks, Mom!" Usagi goes over to give her mom a brief hug, then heads back up the stairs to her room before seating herself next to Minako again. "She says it'll be fine, V-chan. Will your parents be okay with it?"
[08:13] <V-chan> "I dunno." Minako shrugs. "I should tell them too, I guess."
[08:14] <Serenity-hime> "The phone's out in the hall if you need to give them a call." Usagi points over her shoulder.
[08:16] <V-chan> "I'll do it later," Minako says, sighing. "They're not home anyway, and I don't want to bother them at work."
[08:17] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "Doesn't bother me, as long as they don't call here demanding to know what I've done with their daughter." Usagi giggles.
[08:19] * V-chan blinks at Usagi. "You think they'll think that?"
[08:20] <Serenity-hime> "Not really, I just thought it'd be funny." Usagi smiles and looks back at Minako.
[08:20] <V-chan> "I bet your mom would find it funny." Minako twitches slightly. "Did I do something to upset her?"
[08:22] * Serenity-hime gives Minako an curious look. "Not that she's mentioned to me... why do you ask?"
[08:23] <V-chan> "She kinda looked at me funny. Though a lot of people do, sometimes, so maybe it's nothing. But she didn't do it the other time I visited, so maybe it's not."
[08:25] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "I doubt it's anything personal, Mina-chan. Mom's had a rough couple of days." Usagi looks down at Makoto. "I think she's finally starting to see what it means that I'm a senshi, and it's certainly anything but glamorous."
[08:26] * V-chan follows Usagi's gaze, and nods sadly.
[08:29] * Serenity-hime sighs. "Sometimes I wish I'd never told them about Sailor Moon and all the rest of it. I thought it would be okay, with Metallia and the Dark Kingdom gone, but now it seems like all they do is worry about me."
[08:31] <V-chan> "I think it's a mistake to bring our families into our other lives," Minako says quietly.
[08:33] <Serenity-hime> "I just don't know, V-chan. Sometimes, like now, I just feel bad for making my parents worry about whether I'm safe or not. Other times, I can't tell you how thankful I am to have someone I can talk to who doesn't expect ANYTHING out of me except to be their daughter."
[08:36] <V-chan> "Yeah, it must be nice," Minako muses. "But not worth having them worry and pl-" She bites down hard on her lower lip to stop talking.
[08:38] * Serenity-hime looks at Minako curiously again, wondering what it was she bit off. "I just don't know, V-chan, and I can't exactly go back and change things now." Usagi sighs. "For better or worse, my family DOES know now."
[08:40] * V-chan nods. "They do. It's funny," she reminisces, "how just a few days ago we were worrying about perverts and giving your brother dojin-drawing tips."
[08:41] * Serenity-hime grins wryly. "Amazing how fast stuff changes sometimes, isn't it? Just this past weekend my biggest worries were having enough money to buy Christmas gifts and whether Herb had somehow tipped Naru off about my identity."
[08:42] <V-chan> "Christmas gifts!" Minako exclaims, her eyes widening. "I completely forgot about those!"
[08:43] * Serenity-hime smiles and points to a pile of packages on her desk. "I got mine wrapped on Monday after school - all except yours. That one's not quite ready yet." Usagi winks.
[08:44] <V-chan> "I ordered mine, but who knows if they'll be ready in time now," she says, downcast.
[08:45] <Serenity-hime> "I'm sure they will be, Mina-chan. What happened with Oxyite isn't the end of the world."
[08:47] <V-chan> "Yeah. Not enough people died, for that," she responds, her mood dropping even farther.
[08:48] * Serenity-hime takes Minako's hand. "Mina-chan..."
[08:52] * Serenity-hime sighs. "Yes, I think it's horrible that three people died. It's my fault they're dead, after all - I should have had us leave Oxyite alone once we'd given Herb enough time to rescue Mako-chan, but I didn't - I thought we could beat him. And because of that, three people are dead." Usagi hangs her head.
[08:53] <V-chan> "There's plenty of blame to share," Minako says bitterly.
[08:55] <Serenity-hime> "No, Minako. I'm supposed to be the leader - I'm the one who's supposed to know when to fight and when to run." Usagi sighs. "And I made the wrong decision this time."
[08:56] <V-chan> "Are we still going to give them a chance, Usagi?" Minako asks, raising her head to look at the blonde. "The rest of those criminals who escaped?"
[08:59] * Serenity-hime sighs. "We're going to try, Mina-chan. I'm not going to move heaven and earth to do it, but everyone deserves a second chance." Usagi sighs. "I don't want any more deaths on my hands, Minako, and if we kill someone who COULD be good, it's the same as if we killed someone who WAS good, at least to me."
[09:02] <V-chan> 'I wonder whether Starfire drained any more people to make that portal,' Minako thinks, when Usagi mentions converted criminals.
[09:04] * Serenity-hime's expression hardens. "If she has, I'm going to have words with her. Pluto didn't seem too pleased with her when she found out about it the first time either." Usagi says grimly. 'Which reminds me, I still need to talk to her...'
[09:06] * V-chan winces at having her thoughts heard, before stating, "I don't like Pluto."
[09:08] <Serenity-hime> "She does seem pretty cold, that's for sure. And I was almost sure she was up to no good when she asked for that glaive. For now, though, I'll believe what she has to say." Usagi sighs.
[09:09] <V-chan> "I still think she betrayed us," Minako presses on. "And it might be just me, but she seemed... familiar with Starfire. A lot. Maybe they're related?" She sighs. "I don't know what I'm saying...."
[09:12] * Serenity-hime nods. "She did seem like she knew Starfire pretty well, but if she's the one from the Silver Millenium then she probably knew her before she was imprisoned or something." Usagi frowns. "I'm not happy that I haven't seen her yet though - I did tell her I still wanted to talk to her."
[09:13] <V-chan> "She has to be the same one," Minako says with a scowl marring her features. "She certainly didn't die with the rest of us."
[09:14] <Serenity-hime> "That's part of why I want to talk with her. I want to know exactly what happened back then."
[09:14] <V-chan> "With our lives, it's difficult to believe sometimes that when most people die, it's for good," Minako says suddenly. "Isn't it?"
[09:16] * Serenity-hime thinks for a moment. "Sort of, I guess. I mean, people definitely die when they die, but we're proof that you can come back." Usagi sighs. "But how many thousands of years did it take for us to get reborn, Mina-chan? And was it natural, or was it something that happened because of what the Queen did with the crystal?"
[09:17] <V-chan> "It was probably the crystal," Minako replies. "Remember what happened right after Metallia?"
[09:18] * Serenity-hime nods. "Yeah... I was pretty shocked to see everything back in one piece, although I won't say I wasn't happy about it."
[09:18] * V-chan nods. "Rei-chan was happy about that the most."
[09:19] * Serenity-hime doesn't reply to that, simply looking thoughtful.
[09:22] <V-chan> "Have you talked to her today?" Minako asks in a casual tone of voice.
[09:23] <Serenity-hime> "Not yet. I was thinking about calling her over later this afternoon, if she wasn't busy with her studying."
[09:24] <V-chan> "Ah." Minako nods to herself.
[09:25] * Serenity-hime looks over at Minako. "To be honest, I'm kind of surprised you're not over at the shrine yourself. You guys have been spending a lot of time studying together for Mugen, right?"
[09:25] * V-chan nods again, looking away.
[09:26] * Serenity-hime notices Minako look away. "Is... something wrong?"
[09:27] <V-chan> "I don't know. Am I doing something wrong?" Minako says out loud, talking more to herself than to Usagi.
[09:27] <Serenity-hime> "What happened?" Usagi asks quietly.
[09:28] <V-chan> "Maybe she's still scared after all?" Minako muses.
[09:29] <Serenity-hime> "Scared of what?" Usagi asks, although at this point she's not sure she'll get an answer.
[09:30] <V-chan> "Of me," Minako says dejectedly.
[09:31] <Serenity-hime> "Why would she be scared of you, Mina-chan? I could tell you were both upset yesterday, but I still don't really know what happened."
[09:35] <V-chan> "My memory's kinda fuzzy on that." Minako sighs. "But I remember hugging her afterwards, and I apologized, and some time later she told me to go home."
[09:35] <Serenity-hime> "She probably just wanted some time by herself, Mina-chan. I'm sure it's nothing against you at all." Usagi smiles.
[09:38] <V-chan> "I don't want time by myself!" Minako blurts out. "I mean - I - I don't want to stay home, alone with Artemis...."
[09:41] * Serenity-hime sighs. "Rei-chan DOES like having time by herself, Mina-chan. She always has for as long as I've known her. I know you... really like her, but it's probably better if you don't spend ALL your free time with her."
[09:42] <V-chan> "Why wouldn't she want to spend more time with me?" Minako asks in a hurt voice.
[09:43] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "It's not you, Mina-chan! I'm sure she loves spending time with you. But she also loves having time by herself, too."
[09:45] * V-chan doesn't respond, looking unconvinced and miserable at the same time.
[09:47] * Serenity-hime sighs. "Mina-chan, it's not that she doesn't like you. She just... she just likes private time, that's all. She wouldn't want to spend that time with me, or her Grandpa, or anyone else either."
[09:49] <V-chan> "Am I intruding on your private time, too?" she asks in a small voice.
[09:51] * Serenity-hime smiles. "Of course not! If I didn't want you here right now, I'd have asked you to leave. I haven't done that, have I?"
[09:52] <V-chan> "I haven't been here long enough," Minako mutters under her breath.
[09:54] <Serenity-hime> "I heard that." Usagi sticks out her tongue. "If I need some time by myself, I'll probably take a walk or something. And if I do, I PROMISE it doesn't mean I don't like you. It just means I want some time for myself."
[09:56] <V-chan> "I used to do stuff on my own before," Minako says, smiling slightly at Usagi's antics. "But it just feels wrong now, when there are more important things to worry about. And I have a lot more free time now, too...."
[09:59] * Serenity-hime sighs. "I know there are important things to worry about... believe me, the thought is NEVER far from my mind. But I can't let that stop me from living my life, either. I'll do everything I can to take care of the big problems when I can, but when there's nothing else I can do, I might as well go shopping, or hit the arcade, or something like that. It doesn't do anything to solve the problem, but then nothing else I could do at that point would either."
[10:01] <V-chan> "I'll go back to it, then," Minako says, nodding to herself. "As soon as we take care of Orestes, I'll take my old life back."
[10:02] * Serenity-hime smiles. "That's the spirit! Enjoy your time while you can, but be ready." Usagi nods in emphasis.
[10:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi-chan," your mother calls. "There is some big press conference on TV about yesterday! Did you want to see it?"
[10:12] * Serenity-hime looks up. "Okay, Mom, I'll be there in a second!" Usagi stands, and turns to Minako. "You want to go watch it?"
[10:12] <V-chan> "Sure," Minako replies with a shrug.
[10:13] * Serenity-hime leads Minako down the stairs into the living room before settling in on the couch to watch the TV.
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your mother glances up, a comment on her lips. One that dies as soon as she sees you, staring.
[10:17] * Serenity-hime looks over at her mother, noticing the odd stare. "What's wrong, Mom?"
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, where did you get that dress," she gasps. "It's beautiful."
[10:21] * Serenity-hime looks down at herself, as if noticing the dress for the first time, then looks over at Minako. "Don't tell me I've been like this all this time!"
[10:21] <V-chan> "What's wrong with that?" Minako asks. "You look great."
[10:22] * Serenity-hime giggles. "I completely forgot I was the princess-I changed earlier to try to help Mako-chan, and I guess I forgot about it."
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You mean..." your mother says.
[10:25] * Serenity-hime stands. "Princess Venus, if you would be so kind as to present me..." Usagi smiles.
[10:26] <V-chan> "Of course!" Minako smiles at Ikkuko. "Mrs. Tsukino, meet Princess Serenity!"
[10:26] * Serenity-hime drops a small curtsey to her mother.
[10:28] <V-chan> "I thought you told them everything, though, Usagi," Minako comments, looking at the blonde.
[10:28] <Serenity-hime> "I did, Mom's just never actually seen me like this before." Usagi tells Minako.
[10:30] <V-chan> "Ah. I guess she didn't see any of us in uniform, either."
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's certainly a shock," she says. As she says this, you hear what sounds like screams and ruckus coming from the TV. It looks like the conference room is in some sort of turmoil.
[10:31] * Serenity-hime looks over at the TV, startled by the noise coming from it.
[10:31] * V-chan follows Usagi's look.
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> On the screen is a small, green room that looks to be used for press conferences. There is no one at the podium, but you can hear shouts and crashes in the background...
[10:32] <Serenity-hime> "What in the world..." Usagi says under her breath. "Where are all the people?"
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is another crash, then high pitched, feminine laughter.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The laugh is crazy and loud, like the sound of a madwoman.
[10:33] <V-chan> "You don't think...." Minako trails off, looking at Usagi in shock.
[10:33] * Serenity-hime frowns, not replying to Minako as she continues to stare at the TV.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking in front of the camera, Orestes wears a huge, demented grin. "Hello, Tokyo! Hellllloooooo, Sailors! Oh yes, you took something from me, yes you did!"
[10:35] * Serenity-hime grits her teeth. "Nothing you didn't take first, you jerk," she mutters.
[10:35] * V-chan grabs her transformation pen tightly.
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> He giggles to himself for a moment before continuing. "But I took something, too. Something you nearly SQUANDERED," he shouts suddenly, his voice going to the high end of the spectrum. "SOMEONE YOU RUINED! YOU TURNED HER INTO A PEASANT BITCH! YES YOU DID!"
[10:37] * Serenity-hime is visibly seething now. "WE ruined her? Excuse me, I don't remember ripping half her soul away from her!" Usagi shouts.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> He takes a breath, smiling more serenely. "But don't you worry, I took what was left of her nobility for myself, yes I did. Something that would rot away in this MOCKERY of Princess Jupiter!"
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Lighting begins to crackle around the armored man and his slim figure. "Yes, now I will lead the House of Jupiter as the last true noble of the line! Starting with revenge for your murder of Princess Jupiter!"
[10:39] <V-chan> "Do we go there or do we stay to protect Makoto, Usagi?" Minako asks urgently.
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> "We've got to go." Usagi looks grim as death. "I don't think he cares about Makoto at this point, but..." She thinks for a moment.
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> He grins again, madly. "We have decided that only one fate is worthy of his miserable rock. It's time for Hell on Earth, peasants! BURN YOU WILL, YES YOU WILL!" he laughs, his body shaking with gales of amusement.
[10:41] * Usagi-chan fishes in her subspace pocket for a moment, then pulls out her communicator. "Mom, take this. If ANYTHING unusual shows up here, you press this button, right here." Usagi points out the "emergency call" button. "We'll hear that and come running, okay?"
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's time, girls! Time to DIE, yes it is!"
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> The air around him begins to shimmer. "Soon girls, time to die!" he roars insanely. "It's the end for you!"
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright, Usagi," she gets out as she watches in pure horror.
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "It'll be the end for someone, but it's not going to be me." Usagi growls. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[10:44] * V-chan jumps to her feet, holding her right hand high. "Venus Power! Make UP!"
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The view from the room finally fades to a technical difficulties sign.
[10:45] <Sailor_Moon> "Venus, call the others and tell them we're headed for the TV station." Moon snaps out, then turns to her mother one last time. "Remember, if you hear or see anything at all, don't hesitate to call us, okay?" She gives her mother a smile.
[10:48] * V-chan calls Ami with the communicator.
[10:49] * Ninja_Ami answers. "What's the problem?"
[10:49] <V-chan> "Have you seen the press conference just now?" Minako asks.
[10:50] * Ninja_Ami nods. "I was just about to call you."
[10:52] <V-chan> "Usagi and I are headed there. Wanna call Herb?"
[10:54] * Ninja_Ami nods once more. "We'll meet you there."
[10:54] * V-chan nods herself, and closes the communicator. "It's all been taken care of, Usagi," she says.
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Come back safely, okay Usagi," your mother chimes in.
[10:57] * Sailor_Moon nods, and reaches out to Rei with her mind. 'Rei-chan, we've got trouble. Orestes showed up at a press conference about the incident yesterday, and he's calling us out. We're all headed down to the TV station.'
[13:22] <Rei-chan> Rei's mental voice comes through to Usagi, 'I know, I'm watching it right now,' she seethes. 'I'll meet you guys there,' she finishes curtly.
[13:27] <V-chan> Minako's cell phone appears in her hand as she rushes to the television station with Usagi, and she presses Natsuna's number on the speed dial.
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> After several rings, it's finally picked up. "Natsuna," she replies crisply.
[13:31] <V-chan> "It's me, oneesan," Minako says into the cell. "You saw... that, right?"
[13:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, I saw it. I was a block away," she comments. "And things really ARE going to hell. The entire station is surrounded by lightning now. A friend of yours?"
[13:33] * V-chan snorts. "The person he stole those powers from was a friend. Is!" She shakes her head. "We're on the way, so please try to get people away from the area. I've got an idea I want to try, but I don't know if it'll work...."
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm trying, but I don't think anyone in there can get out, because we can't get in." she says, then shouting something to someone off the phone.
[13:36] <V-chan> "Take care of everyone in the surrounding area, then," Minako says, before adding whimsically, "And just take care, oneesan."
[13:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good luck, Mina. Stay safe," she gets out before ending the call.
[14:20] * Ninja_Ami calls Herb on the communicator. 'Come on, pick up!'
[14:22] * Princess_Herb answers after a little while "Hi, what's up?"
[14:23] <Ninja_Ami> "Did you see the news?"
[14:24] <Princess_Herb> "No, I've been out looking for a dragon slayer all day. Is it something important?"
[14:25] <Ninja_Ami> "Orestes has taken over over a news station and is calling us out. Usagi and Minako are already headed over there. I'm on my way as well."
[14:26] <Princess_Herb> "All right. Tell me where it is and I'll be on my way too. Unless you want me to do something different, that is?" Princess_Herb asks
[14:28] * Ninja_Ami tells him the location of the television station.
[14:28] <Ninja_Ami> "Hurry!"
[14:28] <Princess_Herb> "I'm on my way!"
[14:29] * Ninja_Ami cuts off the communicator, dashing toward the station.
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> -----------
[14:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you approach the TV station, the streets are in turmoil. People are fleeing the area, and police going in while trying to get everyone else out. A ring of dark clouds is over a few block radius of the station...dark, thick, lightning bearing clouds.
[14:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Senshi manage to meet a block away, amid the chaos of police and fleeing people. Seeing the station, you can see it is a simple two story building...but...lightning bolts crash down from above around it, making any crossing foolhardy.
[14:36] <Sailor_Mars> "I probably don't need to say it," Mars notes as she meets the others, "But I'm getting a bad feeling from this..."
[14:36] * Sailor_Moon jumps at the earsplitting crashes of thunder. "You can say that again..." Moon trembles.
[14:37] <V-chan> "Isn't there some way we could block that energy?" Minako asks, looking at Usagi and Rei.
[14:38] <Sailor_Mercury> "Hm. Hold a moment."
[14:40] * Sailor_Mercury summons the Mercury computer and looks toward the building, scanning the area for sewers or the like that could grant them access without getting shot.
[14:40] * Sailor_Moon doesn't reply, just standing there muttering to herself. "It's only thunder, it's only thunder..."
[14:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Don't worry, Sailor Moon," Mars consoles their fearless leader, "Once we're inside you can punish the bad man making all the thunder."
[14:41] * V-chan pats the blonde's shoulder, thinking to her, 'You're not alone, Usagi-chan." Hearing Rei, she nods at her.
[14:46] * Sailor_Mercury goes back to the others.
[14:46] <Sailor_Mercury> "Ok. It looks like there are several sewers we can use to get into the station's basement."
[14:47] * V-chan can barely conceal her joy at the prospect of crawling through sewage.
[14:47] <Sailor_Dragon> "The things we have to do in the service of the Queen..." Sailor_Dragon says, looking distinctly unhappy with the idea
[14:47] <Sailor_Mercury> "They should provide cover so we don't get hit by the lightning. The question is, do we all take one or split up?"
[14:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> An ear splitting bolt of lighting crashes down, drowning out all conversation for a moment.
[14:48] <V-chan> "You're the only one with the map," Minako replies, once the noise is back to manageable levels.
[14:48] * Sailor_Moon shrieks and cowers down on the ground.
[14:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Getting underground is better than risking this lightning..." Mars says, glancing at Moon. "Who knew Mako-chan was so powerful?"
[14:48] * Sailor_Mercury grits her teeth.
[14:49] <Sailor_Mercury> "What? What about Makoto?"
[14:49] * Sailor_Dragon picks up Moon-hime and hugs her to calm her down. "It's OK; We're going underground, no storms there."
[14:49] <Sailor_Mars> "Orestes stole her powers," Mars tells Mercury, her expression grim.
[14:51] * Sailor_Moon takes a few deep breaths. "I'll be okay, really." She tenses again as another thunderclap splits the air. "Just the sooner we get away from the thunder, the better."
[14:53] <V-chan> "Which way?" Minako asks Ami.
[14:55] * Sailor_Mercury nods. "I... see. Let's get moving. The entrance in over here." Mercury leads the others to a manhole, the lid thankfully ajar. Pulling the cover off Mercury takes a few deep breaths before climbing down quickly.
[14:55] * Sailor_Moon is the first to follow Mercury. ANYTHING is better than staying out next to that thunderstorm.
[14:56] * Sailor_Dragon flies down after her beloved Queen.
[14:57] * V-chan glances at Rei in hesitation, before summoning her sword and following the others.
[14:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The stench of raw sewage assails your nose, only acts of will prevent the Sailors from decorating the floor with vomit. It's a small waterway of disgusting quality, but it's passable...
[14:58] * Sailor_Moon pinches her nose. "Oh God, this smells AWFUL!"
[14:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's also rather dark, with only a bit of light from above.
[14:59] * Sailor_Mars follows the others
[14:59] * Sailor_Mercury produces her pen. "Henshin to Emegency worker!"
[15:00] * Emergency_Worker_Murcury shines her light around.
[15:01] * Emergency_Worker_Mercury makes room for the others to follow. "This way."
[15:01] * Sailor_Moon follows Mercury, still holding her nose and trying to stop gagging.
[15:03] * Sailor_Mars continues following
[15:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking along, the stench of sewers is soon competing with another spell - the smell of hot urine and burning shit. Going further, you find the access ladder...but the wall is covered with straight red lines, glowing in the darkness.
[15:04] * Sailor_Mars examines the glowing lines carefully
[15:04] * Sailor_Moon also examines the glowing lines, trying to figure out what they are.
[15:06] * Emergency_Worker_Mercury scans said lines.
[15:06] <Sailor_Moon> "I don't think these are dangerous or anything, but I don't like them." Moon points to the lines on the wall. "They feel... wrong."
[15:08] <Sailor_Mars> "I think those lines are some sort of warning system... they won't hurt us, but we won't be able to surprise anyone by going in that way..." Mars says.
[10:42] <Sailor_Dragon> "Can we circumvent them?" Sailor_Dragon asks
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you discuss the lines, the smell of burning fecal matter grows in intensity. Your stomachs churn and twist and this disgusting smell that is wafting in...
[10:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Ugh... I don't know... maybe," Mars says, holding her fingers over her nose and sticking a ward on the wall over the lines to try and neutralise whatever it is they do.
[10:44] <Sailor_Moon> "I just say we go!" Moon covers her mouth. "I don't know if I can take staying down here any more!" She reaches for the ladder.
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The lines fade a bit, the angry red glow down to a minimal level.
[10:45] <Sailor_Mars> "Good enough, lets go!" Mars says, following Moon up the ladder.
[10:45] * Worker_Mercury follows Mars up the ladder.
[10:46] * V-chan brings up the rear.
[10:46] * Sailor_Dragon follows.
[10:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The latter has a plate above it that must be moved, but the iron plate is surprisingly light and moves without problem. Coming up, you find yourself in a small, dark room. A few dusty boxes litter the ground, and the smell of shit is stronger in here. A single green painted door is ahead.
[10:48] * Sailor_Mars opens the door, wanting to get the hell away from the smell.
[10:48] <Sailor_Moon> "Ugh, it smells WORSE in here!" Moon covers her nose and mouth, quickly following Mars.
[10:49] * Sailor_Dragon follows them out of the room, glad to have a chance to find clearer air.
[10:50] * Worker_Mercury flashes the light around, being careful of her movements.
[10:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door opens into a hallway. To the left is another door at the end, with a sign that says "Stairs" with an arrow pointing up. To the right...it looks like there was a wall here, but instead the wall has been gouged out. A downward-sloping passage below is present, dark and foreboding. The smell is as strong in here as it was in the last room, and there is no light save for Mercury's.
[10:50] * V-chan comes up to Mercury. "Can your computer find anyone? The people who used to work here, or any of the criminals?"
[10:51] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense which way would lead them to Orestes. Or Cynthia, for that matter...
[10:52] * Worker_Mercury runs a scan for both.
[10:52] * Sailor_Moon looks between the stairs and the passage, trying to figure out which would be the better route to take.
[10:52] * V-chan takes off the red ribbon that still collects her hair in senshi guise, and uses it as a makeshift mask, covering the lower part of her face.
[10:52] * Sailor_Dragon quietly touches Sailor_Moon on the shoulder and asks: "What's our plan when we fight them?"
[10:53] <Sailor_Mars> "I think we should go down... I can sense one of Cynthia's demons that way. Only this one seems a lot more powerful than the last one..."
[10:53] <Sailor_Moon> "Great..." Moon's heart sinks. "I don't know yet, Herb-chan. It's too hard to say without knowing what they're doing just yet."
[10:54] <V-chan> "Shouldn't we find Orestes first?" Minako asks.
[10:54] <Worker_Mercury> "I can't get any definite readings. The evil in this place is too strong. And it's coming from there," Mercury says, pointing toward the cave-like portal.
[10:54] * Sailor_Moon looks over at the portal for anything unusual she might be able to see.
[10:55] <Sailor_Mars> "I can't sense anything except from the evil below. It's strong enough to mask anything else," Mars tells Minako. "I think Orestes will be near that, anyway."
[10:55] <Sailor_Dragon> "I'm just worried that they'll ambush us, and we won't have time to make any plan at all." Herb says, giving the queen an imploring look.
[10:56] * Sailor_Moon nods in agreement. "It's... big, whatever it is." Moon looks over at Dragon. "We'll just have to stay on our toes then." She glances around at the others. "Let's try to keep this quiet until we've got a better idea of what's going on."
[10:56] * Sailor_Mars starts to head down the slope, doing her best to ignore the smell.
[10:56] * V-chan sighs, and runs up to Rei, falling into step.
[10:57] * Sailor_Moon follows Mars, straining her senses to try to pick up anything beyond the evil she can detect.
[10:57] * Worker_Mercury moves to the front, being the only one with light.
[10:58] * Sailor_Dragon drops down and follows up as rearguard, watching out for ambushers from behind.
[11:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> The path is mostly straight ahead with a downward slope. For a minute or so, you proceed down until it takes a gentle turn. Turning the corner, you see what looks to be a brown, spiked humanoid of perhas six feet of height standing over a body.
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> It turns to you, with reddish eyes and an ugly, rage filled expression.
[11:02] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[11:02] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 10."
[11:03] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[11:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[11:03] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[11:03] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[11:03] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[11:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 12."
[11:04] <Worker_Mercury> roll 1d6+6
[11:04] * Musk-bot --> "Worker_Mercury rolls 1d6+6 and gets 12."
[11:06] * V-chan mumbles what might've been a speech under her mask, and charges at the demon, slashing diagonally upwards when she gets close enough.
[11:06] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[11:06] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:07] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blade soars through the demon's throat and head, sending it down in a spray of blood and ripped flesh.
[11:08] * Sailor_Mars steps closer, looking at the body the demon had been standing over before it died.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a gurgle, it lands on the floor and is quite visibly dead.
[11:08] * V-chan examines the body as well.
[11:08] * Sailor_Moon keeps an eye on the demon, remembering what happened with the last one they fought.
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The body is naked and grey, covered with bloody claw marks. The gender and age are indeterminate, and it reeks rather badly.
[11:09] * V-chan stands up, and marches over to the dead demon, stabbing it angrily.
[11:10] * Sailor_Mars sighs, wishing there was something she could do. "Come on. We have to stop them before more people die," she says, before continuing onwards.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The flesh of the demon parts easily to your blade, spreading more red blood on the floor.
[11:10] * V-chan takes a page from Mercury's book, and asks the compact for a flashlight, before following Rei.
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you go downward, you note the smell is slowly weakening, much to your relief.
[11:11] * Sailor_Moon follows Mars, giving one last sorrowful glance back at the crumpled body of the human before moving on.
[11:11] * Worker_Mercury glances at Venus and steps away from her. Shining in the darkness, she continues forward.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking on, you notice small droplets of some liquid oozing from the walls...
[11:12] * Sailor_Mars glances at the liquid, but keeps most of her attention focused forwards.
[11:13] * Worker_Mercury scans the walls, hoping the cave isn't going to fall in.
[11:13] <V-chan> "What do you think that is?" Minako asks Rei, nodding at the liquid-oozing walls.
[11:14] * Sailor_Moon glances at the walls as Minako asks her question.
[11:14] <Sailor_Mars> "Some sort of slime. I wouldn't touch it," Mars warns Venus.
[11:15] * V-chan nods seriously.
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Forging onward, the slope evens out and the passage opens up into a larger, carved earth chamber. The chamber itself, however, is a charnel room. Strings of arms, torsos, legs, feet, ears and other grisly tokens hang from ropes on the ceiling, dripping blood onto the floor. In the middle of this stands a large demon. It has horns on its humanoid body's head, and pink skin on its bare, musclebound torso. It's lower half are goat legs, furry and brown. You get a sense of wrongness, of evil from the creature, feeling it easily for the abomination that it is.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> It seems to be waiting for you, and lets out a deep roar of rage and malice when it sees you!
[11:19] <Worker_Mercury> roll 1d6+9
[11:19] * Musk-bot --> "Worker_Mercury rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[11:19] <Sailor_Mars> Mar's fingers twitch, wanting nothing more than to burn the entire hellish scene to ash. Instead she settles for releasing a gout of flame from her hand which resolves into a fiery sword!
[11:19] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[11:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[11:19] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[11:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 16."
[11:19] * V-chan points her sword at the demon. "Your time has come."
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[11:19] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[11:19] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[11:19] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[11:19] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 13."
[11:20] <Sailor_Mars> With a cry of rage, Sailor Mars dashes forward, swinging her flaming sword in a vicious diagonal slash at the demon's chest!
[11:21] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blade relucatantly cuts through a bit of the demon's torso, having difficulty piercing its skin.
[11:22] * Sailor_Mars takes a few steps to the side as she completes her slash, annoyed at the ineffectiveness of her attack.
[11:23] * Sailor_Moon decides to test the creature's defenses against magic before unleashing her full power. Removing the golden circlet from her brow, she lets it form into a glowing disc and hurls it! "Moon Tiara Action!"
[11:23] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[11:23] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:23] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack slams into the monster's chest! It pushes inward, drawing some blood...but is then repelled, only having done some of its damage. Green blood does now flow from a gash on it's chest, however.
[11:25] * V-chan dashes forward, swinging her massive sword horizontally at the side of the creature's foot.
[11:25] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[11:25] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your blade manages to cut a ways into its flesh, causing it to hobble and screech in pain before balancing itself.
[11:26] * Worker_Mercury crosses her arms, an orb of light condensing in front of her. Dashing forward she throws open her arms, releasing the deluge! "Shabon Spray Freezing!"
[11:26] <Worker_Mercury> roll 2d6
[11:26] * Musk-bot --> "Worker_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:27] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ice forms around the creature, patches of flash frozen flesh visible on its pink hide!
[11:30] * Sailor_Dragon flies forward and unleashes a potentially devastating low kick at the monster's badly damaged foot, hoping to break a bone or two and send the beast toplling over as well.
[11:30] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> As he does so, it stands firm and faces Sailor Dragon! It hurls its claw at him, as if throwing something. Sure enough, a blob of glowing green matter flies out at Sailor Dragon as his kick hits home!
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:32] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:32] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:32] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> The kick causes a crunch to be heard from the creature's foot! However, as it hits home, so does the glob of energy, grazing Sailor Dragon's leg!
[11:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The demon roars in pain as his foot is broken, clearly in pain.
[11:35] * Sailor_Dragon grimaces.
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Having fun with your preview of tomorrow's Earth, yes you are?" the voice of Orestes echoes in the room as you battle the monster.
[11:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Go to hell, Orestes. Or better yet, let us send you there!" Mars yells defiantly.
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm afraid your lovely city is the only thing going to Hell," he laughs. "Yes it is, because you are the peasants who RUINED MY JUPITER!" his voice roars. "Even now, the portal opens above while you waste time here, yes it does!"
[11:38] <Sailor_Moon> "You're the bastard who ripped her soul to shreds, Orestes! If anyone's ruined Jupiter, it's you!" Moon shouts.
[11:38] <Sailor_Mars> "Great, another portal of evil... lovely," Mars growls. "Well, we'll make sure to send you through it before we close it!"
[11:39] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[11:39] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[11:40] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 13."
[11:40] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[11:40] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 13."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[11:44] * V-chan repeats her earlier charge with a loud battle cry, swinging the sword as she had previously.
[11:44] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[11:44] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> The swipe misses the demon entirely, only cutting the air.
[11:45] * Sailor_Moon decides to take the battle to the enemy, preferring to save her strength for Orestes. Rushing up to the beast, she fiercely drives one booted heel into the monster's injured foot!
[11:45] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[11:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:47] <Sailor_Dragon> Sailor_Dragon takes the opportunity to strike at the other foot, hoping finally to send the creature onto its back
[11:47] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[11:47] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Sailor Dragon misses, Sailor Moon's boot cracks into the demon's foot again, causing another stagger, but the tankish thing stays afloat.
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> It roars again, flinging another glowing green ball, this time at Sailor Moon!
[11:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:48] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[11:49] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[11:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The projectile slams head on into Usagi's stomach, sending her to a knee! (40 damage)
[11:50] * Sailor_Moon grits her teeth and lets out a small cry of pain.
[11:51] <Sailor_Mars> "Damn you!" Mars cries, seeing Moon hurt. Making an acrobatic leap she tries to stab her flaming sword into the hellish creature's ugly face!
[11:51] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[11:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blade finally penetrates, going deeply into its monstrous face! With a final whimper the creature almost falls apart, into three chunks. Torso, upper body, legs.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Blood spreads on the floor around it, a vile green substance.
[11:52] * V-chan runs over to Usagi, checking up on her.
[11:52] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense if the corpse will attempt to reform like that fire demon...
[11:53] * Sailor_Moon slowly struggles to her feet, although she is a bit wobbly.
[11:53] * V-chan winces upon seeing the damage up close.
[11:53] <Sailor_Mars> "It's staying dead," Mars says, turning to their leader. "How are you feeling, Sailor Moon?"
[11:54] * Sailor_Moon holds one arm against her burned stomach and smiles weakly. "I've felt better, but I'll live. No time to rest up though-we've got to stop Cynthia and Orestes!"
[11:54] * V-chan nods. "We've got to hurry!"
[11:55] * V-chan takes point, heading for the stairs.
[11:55] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense where the portal is being formed.
[11:55] <Sailor_Mars> Keeping her sword as a light source, Mars dashes back the way they came. "It's on the second floor... or the roof. Whatever, we have to hurry!"
[11:56] * Sailor_Moon follows Mars as quickly as she can manage.
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you backtrack up the stairs, you are stopped halfway by a barrier. A wooden wall fills the hallway, with only a slightly raised skull as a feature. It's dead center in the wall, like a switch...
[11:57] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense anything untoward about the barrier as she approaches.
[11:58] <Sailor_Mars> In no mood for wasting time, Mars tries to slash the wood apart with her sword of righteous flame!
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> The wood cuts, but it looks to be at least a few feet thick...Several slashes at least will be needed.
[11:59] * V-chan aids Rei with her own sword.
[11:59] * Sailor_Mars continues hacking away.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> After maybe a minute of hacking, you've cleared a passageway past this.
[11:59] * Sailor_Mars starts running once more.
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ahead, you see three of the brown, spiked creatures from before, waiting and ready for you. They are a bit past the barrier.
[12:00] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[12:01] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[12:01] <Sailor_Mars> "Damn Imps. We don't have time to waste on these!" Mars complains, moving to attack the rightmost.
[12:01] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[12:01] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[12:01] <V-chan> roll 1d6+10
[12:01] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[12:01] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:01] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 16."
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:01] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:01] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[12:01] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[12:06] * Sailor_Dragon flies forward, and wincing slightly, because of her damaged leg. kicks at the chest of the centre creature
[12:06] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Dragon's foot collides with the creature's brown-hided chest, causing it to go down with a crunch of bone! Despite this, however, it slowly begins to get up...
[12:10] * V-chan rushes into the opening after Herb, trying to swing her sword and bring it on the head of the leftmost demon.
[12:10] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:10] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blow is wide, not damaging anything.
[12:11] * Sailor_Mars makes a wide horizontal slash with her flamesword at the rightmost demon.
[12:11] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:11] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The slash cuts the monster in two, reducing it to a corpse! But as she slashes, the one still standing throws a red fireball, much as the demon before did.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> It soars at Sailor Venus, with malicious intent!
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:12] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:13] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:13] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Venus easily avoids the attack, however, making the thing just look bad.
[12:14] * Sailor_Moon removes her tiara, taking careful aim before letting the magical disc fly once again. "Moon Tiara Action!"
[12:14] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The tiara flies out, clipping both of the creatures and relieving them of living!
[12:16] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, that's them dealt with. Come on, we can't let them delay us any longer!" Mars encourages her friends, before running forwards once more.
[12:16] * V-chan presses on ahead.
[12:17] * Sailor_Dragon pats Sailor_Moon on the back and smiles "Good shot, Sailor_Moon!"
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> You continue on back to the hallway without incident. Nothing else appears to challenge you...
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> The smell that plauged this area before is gone, thankfully.
[12:18] * Sailor_Mars opens the door to head up the stairs!
[12:18] * V-chan puts her ribbon-cum-mask away, then.
[12:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> The stairs lead upward. At the first floor, there is a sign that says "Second floor and roof above..."
[12:20] * Sailor_Moon looks at the sign grimly, and looks around carefully.
[12:21] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense if the portal is actually on the second floor or the roof.
[12:21] <Sailor_Mars> "It's the roof," Mars says grimly, before heading upwards.
[12:23] * Sailor_Moon nods and follows, still a bit slower than usual because of her injury.
[12:23] * V-chan hangs back with Usagi.
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going up the stairs, you pass the second floor...and at the door to the roof, you find that the door is overlaid with the image of a smirking satyr, with glowing blue eyes.
[12:24] * Sailor_Mars kicks the door open!
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> The door flies open, the image of the satyr disrupted...
[12:24] * Sailor_Mars emerges onto the roof, looking around.
[12:25] * V-chan follows Rei, staying slightly ahead of Usagi.
[12:26] * Sailor_Moon moves wide as she emerges onto the roof, to get a better look at the scene.

[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> On the roof, a sight indeed awaits you. You are on the inside of the lightning strikes, and you can see them raining down to the street. The center of the roof has been turned into a pentagram, with a red-tressed, horned woman standing in the center. Her loose black robe hurls in the grip of an unseen breeze. Besides her are two of the huge pink goat legged demons from before. Above her is Orestes, floating twenty or so feet up and grinning madly. "You made it, yes you did! Welcome to your Hell, Sailors!"
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> As he greets you, a verse of something the woman is chanting is heard, roaring with the energy of the storm and some other unseen force. "Let my soul be a breaking blade for you; sever your binds!"
[12:29] * Sailor_Dragon slowly follows the Moon Princess.
[12:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Lighting crackles and jumps around the armored villian above. "All of you will pay for what you did to Jupiter! No mercy for the damned!" he grins.
[12:30] * Rei-chan considers pointing out that they didn't do anything, but gets the feeling it wouldn't help anything...
[12:30] <Sailor_Moon> "If that's what you want, that's what you'll get." Moon growls.
[12:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Demons of the inferno! Come to me and ravage the one known as Serenity! Abide by my binds and take blood in my name!" the woman declares, another verse in her chanting.
[12:32] <Sailor_Moon> "Cynthia! Stop this, please! What do you hope to gain from all this?" Moon shouts to the woman.
[12:32] * Sailor_Mars looks at the horned woman, an evil grin on her face as she thinks of a certain way to show those who consort with demons the error of their foolish ways...
[12:32] * V-chan comes closer to Usagi, holding her sword ready in case she needs to defend the blonde.
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's too late for her, yes it is," Orestes taunts you. "Even now, her soul is a playtoy for those of the abyss, yes it is!"
[12:34] <V-chan> "And you're still crazy, yes you are!" Minako yells at Orestes.
[12:34] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense the link between Cynthia and the demons, putting the finishing touches on her plan in her head.
[12:34] * Sailor_Moon slowly turns to face Orestes. "And yours can join it, you bastard! I know what you did to Mako-chan, and there is no way in HELL I'm letting you get away with it!" Moon yells.
[12:34] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 13."
[12:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[12:34] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[12:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 16."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[12:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[12:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[12:35] <V-chan> roll 1d6+12
[12:35] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+12 and gets 16."
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two tall demons roar and fling their balls of green acid out, at Sailor Moon and Venus respectively!
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[12:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:38] <V-chan> Deciding to try and deal with Orestes first, Minako calls out "Crescent Beam SHOWER!" and sends many golden beams of death flying at Orestes from her outstretched left arm.
[12:38] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:39] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:39] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[12:39] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[12:39] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[12:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[12:40] * Sailor_Moon glares up at the green-armored lunatic. "I won't let you hurt my friends! Moon Princess Hallation!"
[12:40] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[12:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the balls of acid fly wide, Orestes skillfully flits out of the path of the Cresent Beam Shower, only to be reamed by Sailor Moon's Hallation!
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack causes him much pain, and blood is trickling down his forehead now.
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> His armor is a bit mangled by that as well, but otherwise fine.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> He laughs. "That was nothing! Nothing, yes it was! But prepare yourself! In the name of Guardian Jupiter, I call upon the lightning of the planet! Jupiter Thunder Shot!"
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> He raises his hands, a huge ball of lightning forming. He then throws it with both hands straight at Sailor Mars!
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[12:44] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ball of energy impacts on Sailor Mars, crackling with power! It engulfs her in the ball, shocking her to her very core! (109 damage. Ouchies.)
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mars jerks in the ball, thrown around by the lighting! Finally, it fades, leaving a critically injured Mars.
[12:54] * Sailor_Dragon screams out "Soaring Dragon Spirit!" trying to compete with the thunderstorm in volume, and sends a plume of super-heated ki into Orestes as she rises into the air.
[12:54] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[12:54] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[12:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[12:54] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[12:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack slams into the villain! He shudders and falls to the ground when the attack hits, trying weakly to get up.
[12:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "ARRRRRRRGHHH! You....you..." he gasps.
[12:59] <Sailor_Mars> Although her muscles are mostly locked up, and she has trouble moving, Mars still holds fast to her original plan. Holding up an ofuda, she chants, "Rin, pyo, to, sha, kai, jin, retsu, sai, zen..." the ward turns rigid in her hand, and she throws it at Cynthia with a cry of "Akuryo Miwaku!"
[12:59] <Sailor_Mars> OOC: This ward is charged to break Cynthia's connection with the demons, and make her seem like a very appealing target to demons/evil spirits and suchlike.
[12:59] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[12:59] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:00] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ward is flung forward, racing to Cynthia! She looks up, seeing it at the last moment, her energy trying to stop it...but she fails, it slaps onto her robe! She screams, the ward paining her!
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Guys!" Mercury shouts over the din of battle. "She's started some chain reaction! Something's happening!"
[13:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The ward is slowing it down a bit, but it's still coming!"
[13:03] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[13:03] <V-chan> roll 1d6+16
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 1d6+16 and gets 21."
[13:03] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[13:03] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[13:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:03] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[13:04] * V-chan stares unblinkingly as Rei's body is engulfed in electricity and drops to the ground unceremoniously, as Herb and Mars use their attacks, Orestes is thrown to the ground and a ward is flung at Cynthia. Golden energy begins gathering around her, concentrating in her left palm. With a cry of utter rage, Minako thrusts her hand skywards, all of that energy released in that instant to strike at her enemies.
[13:05] <V-chan> roll 2d6+3
[13:05] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 13."
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:08] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:08] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:08] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The attack lances through Orestes, drawing blood and a whimper as it bores through him! The beams ravage the other two demons and Cynthia as well...But Orestes is quite fatally wounded.
[13:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> For a moment, lighting crackles around him, then it begins to dim, the lightning storm around the building coming to an abrupt silence...
[13:17] * Sailor_Moon whirls around, looking for the portal. She comes to face a location, then closes her eyes, deep in concentration. A flash fills the area, and Princess Serenity stands on the roof.
[13:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "SERENITY!" Cynthia wails in pain. "BETRAYER!" she shouts.
[13:18] * Serenity-hime places her hands in front of her, attempting to form a barrier of energy around the portal she can sense before her. She does her best to ignore the cries of the woman behind her as she works.
[13:18] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[13:18] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[13:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> A glowing, small circle of light appears behind Cynthia, perhaps the size of a basketball.
[13:21] <Sailor_Mars> The Mars Pen appears in Rei's hands, as she clenches her stiff fingers around it, focusing on lending her power to Serenity to try and seal the barrier.
[13:24] * Sailor_Dragon goes over to stand in front of Serenity-hime so that any attackers will have to go through her.
[13:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two demons advance on Cynthia! She stands, not flincing from them for a moment. With an shriek, she lets out a wave of black energy, propelling the demos into the air and to the street below. She falls to her knees after this, clearly winded.
[13:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> The portal feels weaker under your barrier after Cynthia falls, you note, shrinking a bit.
[13:27] * V-chan rushes forward, golden energy covering her blade as she swings it at Cynthia.
[13:28] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:28] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[13:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a snarl, she manages to raise her hand, a bit of black mist surrounding her. The swing is lost in this, missing her and giving her a moment to scamper back, trying to reach her feet.
[13:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Raising her Mercury Pen, Sailor Mercury now aids Sailor Moon's barrier.
[13:32] * Serenity-hime focuses all her energy, as well as that of her friends, into shrinking the barrier she has created, trying to crush the portal inside!
[13:32] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[13:32] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> With your combined wills, you feel the portal shrink and collapse! A sound like air being sucked away is heard as white light flies forth from the portal, blinding you all.
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> When the light clears, the sense of evil is gone entirely, as well as the pentagram that was on the roof. Cynthia lays near where she was, not moving.
[13:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sunshine streams down now, a welcome relief.
[13:34] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[13:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[13:34] <Sailor_Mars> Exhilarated by their triumph, and her continued survival, Sailor Mars feels some strength return to her much abused body!
[13:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> From where Orestes lies, a large green sphere of energy is floating away, towards the west...
[13:35] * Serenity-hime closes her eyes, then snaps her head up quickly! Reaching out towards the floating energy, the concentrates, trying to draw it back towards herself!
[13:35] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[13:35] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel another force moving it, engaging in a tug of war! The globe of energy jerks back and forth for a moment...but then it flies to Usagi, the other contact broken.
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ball comes to rest in front of Usagi, perhaps a foot away.
[13:37] * Serenity-hime places her hands on the orb, taking it into her grasp.
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> It floats just above the roof surface, hovering gently.
[13:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Taking it, it feels warm in your hand. It glows white for a moment, before rising up and soaring in the direction of Usagi's house.
[13:38] <Sailor_Mars> On tired legs, Mars staggers over towards Cynthia, checking to see if she still lives.
[13:38] * V-chan begins gathering energy in her left palm again.
[13:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> The demonic woman is lying there, breathing shallowly. Her energy is very low, but stable for the moment.
[13:39] * Serenity-hime tracks the course of the energy carefully, her attention almost completely focused on it.
[13:39] <Sailor_Mars> "Bitch," Mars breathes, hunching down over her. "That's what you get for messing with forces beyond your power."
[13:39] * Sailor_Dragon is fascinated by the ball of power and watches it intently
[13:41] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[13:41] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:42] <Sailor_Mars> "Well," Mars continues, "I have ways of making sure you'll never summon another demon again. It might hurt a bit, or maybe even a lot. Who knows, I've never done it myself before, so I might screw up and kill you..." she trails off, still grinning nastily.
[13:42] <V-chan> Ferocious golden beams erupt from between Minako's fingers, as she makes a fist, headed towards Orestes's body and Cynthia's supine form.
[13:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> The beams cut through Orestes's body without resistance, further shredding his remains. The second part of the attack cuts through Cynthia, blood flowing as they penetrate her arms, legs, body...
[13:44] * Sailor_Mars jerks away in surprise, looking up at the direction the attack came from. "What the?!"
[13:45] * V-chan glances around the roof impassively, before a shudder passes through her body.
[13:46] <Sailor_Mars> "Venus?!" Mars looks between her girlfriend and Cynthia's body in shock.
[13:46] * V-chan turns towards Rei's voice, as if in a daze.
[13:47] * Serenity-hime tears her gaze away from the ball at the commotion behind her. She gasps as she catches sight of Rei's bloodied face. "What happened?"
[13:47] <Sailor_Mars> "What are you doing?!" Mars asks, her voice utterly shocked, "We had already won! She was completely helpless!"
[13:47] * Sailor_Dragon turns to see what's happening.
[13:49] <Serenity-hime> "Cynthia!" Serenity runs to the injured woman's side and kneels next to her.
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mercury looks up from her computer. "The energy is gone comple..." she stops when she sees the scene of Minako and Rei.
[13:51] <Sailor_Mars> "Well?!" Mars insists, seeing no response from Minako, her voice having an edge of pleading as she demands some sort of explanation.
[13:52] * Serenity-hime picks up the dying woman's hand, ignoring the other girls on the roof. "It's all right, Cynthia... I'm here now."
[13:52] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[13:52] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[13:54] <V-chan> Minako's sword disappears, and her disguise fades away, as she drops to the roof's surface.
[13:54] * Serenity-hime sits up suddenly. "Cynthia... can you hear me?"
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Slowly, her eyes open. "S..serenity...
[13:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> she croaks tiredly, blood coming from her mouth when it opens.
[13:55] * Serenity-hime squeezes her hand. "I'm so sorry, Cynthia... I never wanted this to happen." Tears roll down the princess' cheeks.
[13:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "..you got your chance again...I saw it..." she murmurs, her eyes going low but still open a bit.
[13:57] * Sailor_Mars takes a faltering step towards the silver-haired girl. "Minako, talk to me!"
[13:57] <Serenity-hime> "...MY chance... what?" Serenity looks confused. "What are you talking about?"
[13:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "..heh...heh..." she manages. "We...I saw...her...."
[13:59] <Sailor_Mars> Even though her pained muscles protest, Mars hurries over to Minako, who now seems to be unconscious, and kneels down beside her. "Dammit... what the hell just happened?" she asks no one in particular, her voice filled with worry.
[13:59] <Serenity-hime> "What... who?" The princess' bewilderment is plain.
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Promise me, okay?" she sighs weakly.
[14:01] <Serenity-hime> "Promise... what?" Serenity shakes her head, as if to try to clear it.
[14:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...don't...be...like me. I felt your power...be a good Queen, Serenity..." she sighs, her eyes closing as she goes limp.
[14:03] <Serenity-hime> "Cynthia!" Serenity shouts, the tears streaming down her face. "I promise..." she whispers, too low for any of the others to hear.
[14:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---------
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the fallout continues, you hear the wail of sirens in the distance...
[10:13] * Serenity-hime closes Cynthia's eyes, then releases her hand and stands up to look around at her friends.
[10:13] * Sailor_Mars is still staring at the comatose Minako, pained shock all too visible on her face.
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mercury walks up to Sailor Moon and lays a hand on her shoulder. "Usagi," she says gently, "We need to go. The police are coming."
[10:16] * Serenity-hime nods and relaxes slightly.
[10:16] <Sailor_Moon> "Are you all right, Rei-chan? That thunder thing looked like it hit you pretty hard..."
[10:18] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm okay..." Mars says softly, standing up on pained legs and lifting Minako over her shoulder. "I suppose we should get out of here..." she sounds slightly distant, as if she's not entirely there.
[10:19] * Sailor_Moon sighs. "We can take her to my house... she was planning on staying with me for today anyway." Moon moves up to place a hand on Mars' shoulder. "You sure you're all right? You don't look so good..."
[10:20] <Sailor_Mars> "I'll... I'll be okay..." Mars answers, "My injury doesn't hurt that badly..." she says with a pained expression.
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sirens wail again, this time closer. The calvary is coming.
[10:21] * Sailor_Moon notices the sirens at last. "We'd better get moving. We don't need the police coming to ask questions." Moon sighs and lets her transformation slip away.
[10:21] * Sailor_Mars follows suit.
[10:22] <Sailor_Dragon> "All right..." Herb slips back into her civilian form
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Can we manage a roofjump instead of going down?" Ami asks, looking around.
[10:23] <Princess_Herb> "It's a long way, but I can carry you down, if you like." Herb offers
[10:23] * Rei-chan walks over to the edge of the roof and judges the distance, wondering if she can make it while carrying Minako.
[10:23] * Usagi-chan glances over at Rei, carrying Minako's limp form. "I wouldn't want to risk it like this, Ami-chan."
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami nods and detransforms.
[10:24] <Rei-chan> "Okay, let's go," Rei says, heading towards the door.
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> You go down the stairs...all feeling of evil and foul smells are gone.
[10:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going out, you are intercepted by a swarm of police officers and medical workers. A few from the herd rush you aside and check you over. They check you over, giving you some treatments for the injuries you can't hide. (10 HP recovered) The police give you a once over, but you manage to slip away before it becomes a complete circus.
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's well past noon when you finally navigate you way back to Usagi's house.
[10:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko warmly greets you, hugging Usagi.
[10:29] * Usagi-chan returns her mother's hug. "Everything's okay, Mom. We took care of them." Usagi smiles weakly.
[10:30] <Rei-chan> 'Oh boy did we take care of them...' Rei recalls Minako's execution of Cynthia...
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The TV said that there were 'unexplained disturbances' again, before they got some hazy pictures of you girls fighting something," she says.
[10:31] * Usagi-chan turns to Rei. "Why don't you take Minako up to my room... she can use my bed until she wakes up, I guess. I hope she's all right - did any of you see what hit her?"
[10:31] <Rei-chan> "She wasn't hit. She just fainted," Rei says, taking the girl upstairs.
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Is Minako okay," Usagi's mother asks, quickly walking up with Rei, checking over the carried girl.
[10:32] <Rei-chan> "I'm not sure..." Rei says worriedly, pausing as Ikkuko nears her.
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She looks exhausted," the other woman notes.
[10:33] * Usagi-chan follows along behind her mother and her friend, trying to stay out of the way until Rei can get Minako settled into bed.
[10:33] * Princess_Herb stays downstairs with Ami
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "I don't really know what happened with her..." Rei says sadly, resuming her trek up the stairs and laying the girl on Usagi's bed once she reaches the blonde's room.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going into Usagi's room, you set Minako up on Usagi's bed. To the side, Makoto looks to be sleeping peacefully on a futon, her cheeks rosy red.
[10:34] * Usagi-chan gives Makoto a close examination as she enters the room.
[10:35] * Rei-chan slumps into a seating position, putting her face in her hands.
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Downstairs, Ami heads to the living room couch and sits down.
[10:36] * Usagi-chan notices Rei's collapse and moves to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Rei-chan! Are you all right?"
[10:37] <Rei-chan> "No... I'm not..." Rei sniffs.
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko silently watches the scene, pulling out a tissue from her dress pocket when Rei sniffs, offering it to her.
[10:38] * Rei-chan silently accepts the tissue, blowing her nose.
[10:38] * Usagi-chan sits down next to Rei, putting one arm around her shoulders. "What happened?"
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "You saw," Rei says, her voice cracking. "You saw what Minako did."
[10:40] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No, I was watching Mako-chan's energy... what did she do?" Usagi looks puzzled.
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "I didn't like Cynthia... but she was totally helpless. I was just sort of venting some stuff at her, then Minako just shot her! It wasn't during a life and death fight, it wasn't the heat of the moment... it was just cold blooded murder!" Rei's voice escalates into a near shriek at the end.
[10:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ikkuko gasps, glancing at the sleeping form of Minako.
[10:43] * Usagi-chan also looks up at Minako in shock. "...why?" she manages to gasp out.
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "I don't know!" Rei nearly sobs, "I tried to ask her, but she just stared at me, then fainted..."
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking around Usagi, Ikkuko sits down on the edge of the bed and gently strokes Minako's hair. "Such a vibrant girl...what did you do?" she whispers.
[10:45] * Usagi-chan concentrates on Minako intently, thinking towards the girl on the bed. 'Mina-chan, can you hear me at all?'
[10:48] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "She can't hear me, or she's not responding. I guess we'll have to wait until she wakes up." Usagi lets out a deep sigh.
[10:48] * Rei-chan shudders, anticipating the conversation they'll have...
[10:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She looks like she'll be out for at least a bit longer," Ikkuko declares. "Maybe the rest of the day."
[10:50] * Usagi-chan nods and stands, wincing a bit at the burn on her stomach. "Come on, Rei-chan. Let's get cleaned up and let Minako get some rest." She offers her hand to the white-haired miko.
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei says, using Usagi's offered hand to pull herself to her feet.
[10:52] * Usagi-chan digs in her closet for a minute before bringing out a well-used first aid kit.
[10:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm running a hospital now," Ikkuko chuckles as Usagi gets the first aid kit out. "It's nothing major, right Usagi?"
[10:53] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I've had worse, and it'll be gone in the morning, I'm sure. I just seem to have a skill at getting burned lately." The odangoed blonde makes a face.
[10:54] <Rei-chan> "Well, I haven't been electrocuted in a while..." Rei grimaces. "I'd say it makes a nice change from getting stabbed if it didn't hurt so much." She sighs, "At least there's no blood, this time."
[10:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do you need any help with that," your mother asks.
[10:56] <Usagi-chan> "I think we'll be okay, Mom, but thanks." Usagi gives her mother a smile. She turns back to Rei. "Are you SURE you're okay after that? To tell the truth, I was kind of surprised you even managed to stand up after that..." A worried look is on her face.
[10:56] * Rei-chan waves it off, "It'll take more than a lame attack like that to keep me down," she boasts.
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> After bandaging their wounds as best they can, V-chan stirs...
[10:59] * Usagi-chan turns her head at the sound of movement from her bed. "Mina-chan!"
[10:59] <V-chan> "REI!" Minako yells, sitting up suddenly.
[10:59] * V-chan glances around wildly.
[10:59] * Rei-chan draws in on herself slightly as she notices this, not looking forward to this at all.
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "I'm here, Minako."
[11:00] <V-chan> Minako's eyes find Rei, and she gives her a confused look. "But... you're... are we dead?"
[11:01] <Rei-chan> "No. We're not dead," Rei says, trying to push down her nervousness.
[11:01] <V-chan> "Where are we?" Minako looks around more slowly this time. "Usagi's room...?"
[11:01] <Rei-chan> "Why did you do it, Minako?" Rei asks, in a reasonable imitation of calmness.
[11:02] * Usagi-chan simply listens, waiting to hear Minako's explanation.
[11:03] <V-chan> "Do what, Rei-chan?" Minako asks, before shaking her head. "Never mind. Are you alright? Did we win?" She laughs then. "Of course we won, since we're here."
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glancing at all three in the room, Ikkuko quietly excuses herself.
[11:03] <Rei-chan> "Yes, of course we had won. Cynthia was utterly helpless, Minako, so why did you do it?" Rei asks, her voice a mix of impatience and desperation for any sort of reasonable explanation.
[11:05] <V-chan> "Cynthia?" Minako's expression becomes confused. "The demon-summoning girl? Helpless?"
[11:05] * Rei-chan sighs exasperatedly. "You killed her in cold blood, Minako!"
[11:06] * V-chan just sits on Usagi's bed, staring at Rei for a long while. "What did you say?"
[11:06] <Rei-chan> "You murdered her! The fighting was over, and we had won, so why did you do it, Minako?" Rei asks pleadingly.
[11:07] * Usagi-chan looks at Minako sadly, still saying nothing.
[11:08] <V-chan> "Is Rei-chan okay, Usagi-chan?" Minako asks the blonde, turning to look at her.
[11:08] <Rei-chan> "What the hell?!" Rei blurts out, surprised and annoyed at Minako's lack of caring.
[11:08] * Usagi-chan nods. "She's a little weak, but we all are after a fight like that." Usagi never turns her gaze away from Minako. "Did you kill Cynthia, Minako?"
[11:09] * V-chan shakes her head. "I'm sorry I got taken out so easily, Usagi-chan. I wish I could've helped you more on the roof."
[11:10] <Usagi-chan> "Taken out? What are you talking about?" Usagi clearly looks puzzled.
[11:10] <Rei-chan> "You helped plenty, when we were still fighting, but why didn't you stop?!" Rei demands.
[11:10] * V-chan looks between Usagi and Rei, even more confused than previously.
[11:12] <Usagi-chan> "No one ever touched you, Mina-chan." Usagi shakes her head slightly.
[11:14] <V-chan> "They... didn't?" Minako blinks. "But... but they must have!"
[11:15] <Rei-chan> "Do you feel injured?" Rei asks, keeping her tone carefully neutral.
[11:15] <V-chan> "Just tired," Minako says, shaking her head. She lies back on the bed. "But I'm okay."
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "Okay?!" Rei nearly shrieks, "You just murdered someone! Don't you feel anything?!"
[11:19] <V-chan> "I don't kill people, Rei-chan," Minako replies in a hurt voice.
[11:25] <Usagi-chan> "Then what happened back there, Minako? Cynthia is dead now, I KNOW that much. Rei-chan said she was only helpless when she got to her. If you didn't kill her, do you know what happened?"
[11:25] <Rei-chan> "We've all killed, Minako. But doing it in battle and doing it in cold blood are very different things," Rei says, trying to keep her cool.
[11:29] <V-chan> "I-" Minako opens her mouth and closes it, saying nothing for a while. "Well, if you consider the generals, I guess... but we stopped with that when Usagi-chan said we should try to talk with them and help them first, instead." She glances at Usagi. "And why would I know what happened to Cynthia?"
[11:29] <Rei-chan> "You killed her, Minako! I was right over her when you did it!" Rei suddenly yells, her patience at an end.
[11:30] * V-chan shrinks back from Rei.
[11:31] * Rei-chan suddenly deflates. "Just tell me, why?" she pleads.
[11:33] <V-chan> 'Help me, Usagi-chan!' Minako pleads mentally. 'What should I say? What does Rei-chan want to hear?'
[11:34] * Usagi-chan turns a level, but not cold, look to Minako. 'The truth, Minako -- the same thing I want to hear. What happened back on that roof?'
[11:35] <V-chan> "I didn't do anything!" Minako yells, putting her hands over her ears. "I don't know what you want from me!"
[11:37] <Usagi-chan> 'Then start at the beginning and tell us what you remember happening, all right?' Usagi says mentally, a bit more kindly.
[11:38] * Rei-chan just looks at Minako sadly, before lowering her gaze.
[11:38] <V-chan> 'We... we came to the TV station,' Minako replies mentally, sobbing. 'And we fought two demons, and then three more.'
[11:39] <Usagi-chan> 'What do you remember happening after we got to the roof? You and I were fighting Orestes, remember?'
[11:40] <V-chan> 'He was going to kill everyone in the city with demons and lightning bolts. We attacked him.' Minako's breathing becomes labored. 'He shot Rei-chan... he was going to kill her, too....'
[11:41] <Usagi-chan> 'And then?' Usagi's voice is patient.
[11:42] * Rei-chan looks up and glances between Minako and Usagi, frowning.
[11:42] <V-chan> 'And then someone hit me.' Minako sighs. 'There was so much light, and it hurt....'
[11:43] <V-chan> 'I'm glad Rei-chan's okay,' she adds hurriedly, with a healthy dose of relief. 'I guess she wasn't hit as bad as I thought after all.'
[11:43] * Usagi-chan turns her attention to Rei for a moment. 'I'm talking to her right now - fill you in in a second.' Going back to Minako, she sighs. 'No one hit you, Mina-chan. I could see everything at that point, and no one even attacked you after Rei-chan got hit.'
[11:45] <V-chan> "If you say so..." Minako says slowly, out loud.
[11:45] <Rei-chan> "Well?" Rei interjects impatiently.
[11:46] <Usagi-chan> "You don't remember anything after that?" Usagi asks quietly.
[11:46] * V-chan gathers herself even further, retreating towards the headboard.
[11:46] <Rei-chan> "After what?"
[11:47] * Usagi-chan speaks to Rei mentally without turning her head. 'She says she got hit right after Orestes attacked you, but I never saw anything come near her. You got up and took care of Cynthia, and then I had to take care of the portal.'
[11:47] <V-chan> "Someone called my name," Minako adds quietly. "I think. And then -" She cuts herself abruptly, looking away.
[11:48] <Usagi-chan> "And then what?"
[11:48] * Rei-chan looks down, bunching up the fabric of her skirt. "It's because of me, isn't it?" she asks quietly.
[11:49] <V-chan> "I don't want to talk about it," she mumbles.
[11:49] <Rei-chan> "I got hurt, and then you... you lost control. And now you can't even remember..." Rei says, her voice pained.
[11:50] <V-chan> "Did I do something bad?" Minako asks in a small voice.
[11:51] <Rei-chan> "I was right... back then, when I said I'd only hurt you... I didn't mean it like this, but it's true, isn't it?" Rei asks, staring at the floor as tears begin to gather in her eyes.
[11:55] <Rei-chan> "I..." Rei swallows, hating herself for what she must do, but knowing it has to be done, for Minako's sake. "If I make you act like this, I think we should break up..."
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "Because of me... you weren't yourself, and you killed someone. If... if I wasn't your girlfriend, I don't think you'd have done that..." Rei says, choking slightly on her words.
[11:58] <V-chan> "You don't mean that, do you, Rei-chan?" Minako asks, staring at Rei in shock. "Anything... anything but that."
[11:58] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, knowing how difficult this moment must be for both her friends.
[11:59] * Rei-chan sniffs. "I don't want to be the cause if you... for you doing something you'll regret," she says, barely keeping herself from bursting into tears.
[12:02] * V-chan moves towards Rei, getting off the bed. "Please, Rei-chan... please don't do this...." She tries to smile. "Meeting you... it's one of the few things I'll never regret."
[12:04] * Rei-chan shakes her head sadly, her eyes tightly shut. "I love you, Minako," she sniffs, "And that's why I can't stand to be the one making you suffer. It's best for a..." she remembers what Minako said about Kotono and sniffs loudly, "For a clean break."
[12:07] <V-chan> "But you're the one who makes all the suffering go away!" Minako yells, tears appearing in her eyes.
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "No I'm not!" Rei denies vehemently, "I can see it now, what happened today will keep happening as long as I'm in danger, and I won't... can't let it continue. Maybe you don't care about Cynthia, she was evil anyway, but what about next time?!" Rei yells, before shaking her head sadly. "I won't be responsible for it, Minako."
[12:13] <V-chan> Minako's eyes dim. "I do care," she says quietly. "And I understand, Rei." She draws to her full height, and heads towards the door.
[12:14] * Rei-chan watches Minako go, feeling her insides twist with the knowledge that a few words could make things better, and return them to normal. But she knows that they can't continue on the way they did, not after what happened...
[12:17] * Usagi-chan looks up at Rei, pain visible in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rei-chan."
[12:18] <Rei-chan> "Not as sorry as I am," Rei says before breaking down in great heaving sobs at rejecting what was probably the best thing in her life.
[12:20] * Usagi-chan gets up and puts her arms around Rei. "Just get it out, Rei-chan... just let it go."
[12:21] <Rei-chan> "It's not fair!" Rei gets out between sobs, "I loved her, and she loved me!" She turns pleading eyes to her friend, "Why can't love be enough? It shouldn't hurt like this..."
[12:23] <Usagi-chan> "I know, Rei-chan, I know." Usagi closes her eyes, tears starting to flow. "Believe me, I know it all too well."
[12:25] * Rei-chan clings on to Usagi like a lost soul, continuing to cry her heart out.
[12:26] * Usagi-chan simply holds Rei in her arms, giving her support to the grieving priestess.
-------
[12:16] * V-chan goes downstairs, and spotting Ami, drops her transformation pen and watch communicator at the other girl's feet without a word, heading outside.
[12:17] <Anastasia> "Minako?" Ami says, confused.
[12:17] <V-chan> "Find someone better," Minako says, leaving Usagi's house.
[12:19] * Princess_Herb looks around in some confusion. "What just happened?"
[12:20] <Anastasia> "I...don't know," Ami admits.
[12:24] * Princess_Herb looks to see how Ami is reacting to all of this
[12:24] <Anastasia> Ami shakes her head, picking up Minako's communicator and pen.
[12:11] <Anastasia> ------------
[12:11] <Anastasia> A bit later, Rei has begun to compose herself after the fight with Minako...
[12:16] * Rei-chan rubs at her eyes, still sniffling a bit. "I suppose I should go home, now..." she says a bit uncertainly.
[12:16] * Usagi-chan rubs Rei's back gently. "You going to be okay? I can walk you home if you want."
[12:18] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei says, shaking her head, "I've put you out enough, I can make it on my own..."
[12:19] <Usagi-chan> "You haven't put me out at all, Rei-chan. I don't mind, but if you're sure, that's okay too." Usagi smiles.
[12:22] <Rei-chan> "That's nice of you to say," Rei says with a wan smile, "But, really, I'll be alright. I know I had to do this, I just wish it didn't hurt so much right now." Rei's lower lip trembles a bit, but she restrains herself from crying again.
[12:23] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I know, Rei-chan. It's not easy to let go." Usagi closes her eyes for a moment. "It'll get better though, I promise. I'd head home and get some rest if I were you - it's been a long day all around."
[12:25] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I still feel a bit stiff from getting electrocuted earlier. I think I'll just go to sleep when I get home," Rei says, mentally adding 'Or hit Gramps' sake stash...'
[12:25] * Usagi-chan frowns. "Sleep, not sake."
[12:26] * Rei-chan frowns as well. "Damn telepathy, I didn't say that out loud for a reason..."
[12:26] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, it comes in handy sometimes." Usagi grins.
[12:28] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, just wait until everyone starts calling you the creepy psychic girl," Rei warns, before sighing. "Anyway, I suppose I really should get going. To sleep."
[12:29] * Usagi-chan nods and stands, helping the miko to her feet as well before giving her one last hug. "Take care of yourself, Rei-chan. Call me if you need anything."
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "I'll be okay, I'm just worried about Minako..." Rei frets, before sighing again. "Oh, well... things'll seem better in the morning, that's what Gramps usually says." With that, she exits the bedroom and slowly makes her way down the stairs.
[12:34] <Anastasia> Going downstairs, Rei sees Ami and Herb sitting on the downstairs couch. On the table, however...is Minako's pen and a communicator.
[12:35] <Ami> "Rei, what happened?" Ami asks, rising from her seat.
[12:35] * Usagi-chan looks very surprised when she sees the pen and communicator, but decides not to draw Rei's attention to them.
[12:35] * Rei-chan almost looks like she might start to cry again, but keeps it bottled in. "Minako and I broke up," she tells Ami, sadly.
[12:36] <Ami> "Oh... Oh, Rei," Ami mutters, looking back and forth between her and Minako's belongings. "I'm so sorry."
[12:38] * Usagi-chan shakes her head at Ami violently, trying to get her to stop looking at the pen without drawing Rei's attention.
[12:39] * Rei-chan looks at the pen, and gets a horrible sinking feeling. "Please tell me she hasn't done what I think she's done?" she asks, her voice almost pleading.
[12:39] * Ami looks away, unable to meet Rei's gaze. "I'm sorry, Rei."
[12:39] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I'll take care of it, Rei-chan. You just go home and get some rest."
[12:41] * Ami shuffles around restlessly, moving to let the miko go.
[12:42] <Rei-chan> "Dammit!" Rei swears, "Why does it have to be like this? Things are hard enough without..." The white-haired girl then shakes her head. "Forget, just forget it. I'm too wound up to deal with this right now..."
[12:43] * Usagi-chan nods. "You just take it easy, Rei-chan. Get your mind off of it for a while."
[12:44] <Rei-chan> "Easier said than done..." Rei remarks bitterly. "I'll talk to you guys in the morning." With that, she heads out the front door of the Tsukino house and makes her way back home.
[12:45] <Usagi-chan> As the door closes behind Rei, Usagi turns to Ami, clearly unhappy. "What happened?"
[12:46] <Ami> "I don't know. She just..." Ami waves at the items. "And then left. Didn't say a word. What happened up there, Usagi?"
[12:46] <Usagi-chan> "You know what happened to Cynthia, right?" Usagi frowns.
[12:47] * Ami just nods, her mind focusing on that... event.
[12:49] <Usagi-chan> "We tried to get her to explain why she did it." Usagi sighs. "She apparently can't remember anything past the point where Rei got hit, including attacking Cynthia like that. This isn't the first time she's... reacted badly when Rei's been hurt, either. Rei felt like them being together was causing too many problems for Minako, so she broke things off."
[12:50] <Ami> "And Minako left," Ami sums it up.
[12:51] * Ami sighs, not having heard about any other time Minako 'lost it' before.
[12:52] * Usagi-chan nods solemnly. "And now I'm going after her." She picks up the pen and communicator. "I know she's hurting right now, but this is too much."
[12:54] <Ami> "Are you... Are you sure you'll be alright? She didn't look happy," Ami says, glancing toward the door. "She could hurt you, Usagi."
[12:55] <Usagi-chan> "I don't think so, Ami-chan. She didn't even know what she was doing earlier. I don't honestly believe she'd ever hurt me, intentionally or otherwise."
[12:56] <Ami> "She might not know what she is doing now, Usagi. Can you tell me, one hundred percent, that she won't go berserk on you as well?"
[12:58] <Usagi-chan> "No. But I believe in her - even with all that's happened, she's still my friend." Usagi says.
[15:05] * Ami puts her hand on Usagi's shoulder, looking deeply into her eyes. "Then I'm coming with you."
[15:07] * Usagi-chan nods. "If you insist. I'm not sure where she will have gone though... let me try to contact her." Usagi concentrates, focusing on Minako. 'Mina-chan, can you hear me? Where are you?'
-------
Small gap here. Usagi and Ami to go Artemis for help in finding Minako...
-------
[13:07] <Ami> "It's Minako," Ami says, poking Usagi for attention.
[13:08] <Ami> "I think Usagi can explain it better than I can."
[13:08] * Usagi-chan manages to calm down after a few moments, although she still looks rather upset.
[13:10] <Usagi-chan> "It's... Rei broke up with her just after we got back from the fight. She lost control and killed Cynthia, after we'd already taken her down. When we tried to get her to explain, she said she couldn't remember and then Rei said it was better if they both broke up."
[13:11] <Usagi-chan> "Minako took off shortly after that and left her pen and communicator here, and I haven't heard from her since." Usagi sighs. "Ami and I already went to check her house, but she wasn't there either."
[13:12] <Ami> "Usagi said she felt you coming this way, so we waited for you to show up," Ami adds helpfully.
[09:27] <Usagi-chan> "I was hoping you might have some idea of where she went, Artemis." Usagi looks at the white cat.
[09:34] <Anastasia> Artemis takes all of that in grimly, his expression locking into a stoic stoneface shortly into it.
[09:35] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I was going to go out looking for her, but there's no way I can now, looking like this." Usagi makes a face and points to the mark on her forehead.
[09:38] <Ami> "We haven't had any luck with magical means of finding her, Artemis. You know her best; where would she go?"
[13:09] <Anastasia> "She's probably off at Natsuna's or Ooshige's," the cat says. "She took it that badly, I assume?"
[13:10] <Ami> "She left her pen and communicator."
[13:10] <Usagi-chan> "Well, yeah. I don't think she dropped her pen and communicator here accidentally." Usagi frowns.
[13:12] <Anastasia> Artemis drops his mask, sighing and frowning. "Yeah...doesn't surprise me. She had so much riding on this relationship..."
[13:12] * Usagi-chan nods. "I was kind of shocked when Rei did it, but I kind of agree with why she did it," she says quietly.
[13:13] * Ami glances at Mrs. Tsukino, forgotten for the moment.
[13:16] <Anastasia> "Yeah," Artemis repeats to no one in particular.
[13:16] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, do you and Luna think you could find her for me? I still want to talk to her about what happened, but I can't contact her myself and like I said, I don't think going out right now is a very good idea."
[13:17] <Anastasia> Mrs. Tsukino watches silently as you and the cats go on. "I could find her, sure," Artemis says. "How long ago did this happen?"
[13:18] <Usagi-chan> "I guess it would have been a couple of hours or so, maybe a little more. I'm not sure how much time I spent with Rei-chan."
[13:20] <Anastasia> "That means she's been at where ever she wanted to go," the Mau says. "Yes, let's go," there is a hint of worry in his voice.
[13:21] <Usagi-chan> "Good luck, Artemis." Usagi sighs sadly. 'Mina-chan, where ARE you?' Usagi's mental voice is full of worry.
[13:27] <Anastasia> ...You hear no voice responding.
[13:28] * Usagi-chan shakes her head sadly. "Looks like it's up to you and Luna, Artemis. She's still not answering me."
[13:30] <Anastasia> "I hope she didn't do something stupid," the white cat murmurs, before shaking his head.
[13:33] <Usagi-chan> ----------
-------
Another missing log. Usagi dreams of Cynthia, and receives two gifts - a pair of earrings and a glowing crescent moon on her forehead.
-------
[21:22] <Anastasia> Ami, Luna and Artemis soon depart, off to find Minako while Usagi deals with her new feature.
[21:23] <Anastasia> "Well, Usagi..." Your Mom starts, grasping for words. "It's at least pretty."
[21:27] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I guess so... but I look like some kind of freak now." Tears shine in the corners of her eyes.
[21:28] <Anastasia> "It's not that bad, dear." she tries. "You aren't a seven armed mutant freak now, Usagi, or a tentacled monster from your Sailor V game..." she laughs a bit, trying to cheer you up.
[21:30] * Usagi-chan smiles a little. "I guess it COULD be worse. Still, though, how am I going to ever go out of the house again now? I can't go walking around on the street like this." She rubs at the mark absently.
[21:31] <Anastasia> Ikuko frowns, thinking. "Maybe a headband...if you don't mind looking like an aerobics teacher..."
[21:31] * Usagi-chan makes a face. "Ugh... talk about a fashion nightmare. I guess it's better than nothing though."
[21:32] <Anastasia> "You could... change your hair?" she ventures forth.
[21:33] <Usagi-chan> "How? Tie one of my tails around my forehead?"
[21:33] <Anastasia> She blinks. "That could work, dear. Or get really long bangs."
[21:35] * Usagi-chan wraps both pigtails around her head and giggles. "I could start a new trend!"
[21:36] <Anastasia> "You'll look like an idol singer that way," she smiles, giggling along with you.
[21:37] * Usagi-chan lets go of her hair and smiles. "I'll work something out, I guess." She looks in the small handmirror again. "I guess it does look kind of pretty though."
[21:39] <Anastasia> "It does, Usagi," your mother agrees.
[21:40] <Usagi-chan> "To be honest, this is the first time I've ever seen it myself." Usagi admits. "The other girls have told me it shows up when I'm the princess, but I've never bothered to look in a mirror then to see what it really looks like."
[21:42] <Anastasia> She nods.
[21:44] * Usagi-chan hands the mirror back to her mother. "I think I'm going to go take care of Mako-chan now, since I can't really do much of anything else." Usagi recalls the 'oddness' in the thunder senshi's aura. "I just hope I can do whatever she needs to be done." She frowns slightly.
[21:44] <Anastasia> "Good luck, Usagi," she nods again. "You'll do fine."
[21:45] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Thanks, Mom. It'd probably be a good idea not to disturb me until I'm finished though - I'll let you know when I'm through, okay?" Usagi stands and heads for the stairs up to her room.
[21:46] <Anastasia> On the futon in your room, Makoto lays as always. More color and energy has returned to her, but something is still wrong, still off in her aura.
[21:47] * Usagi-chan sits down next to Makoto crosslegged, carefully examining every detail of Makoto's aura to try to figure out what's wrong with it.
[21:48] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +2
[21:48] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+2
[21:48] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 13."
[21:48] <Anastasia> You focus your sight on her aura...and find nothing that seems to illuminate the puzzle.
[21:50] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath and attempts to gather her focus, searching Jupiter's energy once again to try to determine the problem with it.
[21:50] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+3
[21:50] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 5."
[21:51] <Anastasia> Peering into the mists of energy and spirit that surround Makoto, you see the problem. Remnants of Orestes cling to Makoto's energy, making it fit imperfectly.
[21:53] * Usagi-chan tightens her focus further, unknowingly slipping into the guise of Princess Serenity as she does so.
[21:53] * Serenity-hime attempts to gently tease the fragments of Orestes' energy away from Makoto, working very carefully and gently to try to prevent any further damage to Makoto.
[21:54] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+5
[21:54] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+5 and gets 11."
[21:55] <Anastasia> Gently, you tease a thread of the black/green energy away, dissolving once it leaves Makoto's aura...
[21:55] <Anastasia> The next two smaller ones go without any more trouble, but it leaves two more...two that are deeply embedded and entwined, quite difficult to reach.
[22:01] * Serenity-hime sweats slightly. Ever so gently, she reaches for the first of the two intertwined threads, trying to pull it away from Jupiter.
[22:01] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+6
[22:01] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+6 and gets 12."
[22:01] <Serenity-hime> OOC: Reroll!
[22:01] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+6
[22:01] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+6 and gets 12."
[22:02] <Anastasia> You pluck at it...to your dismay, it slips your grasp, ringing Makoto's very being like a bell...
[22:02] * Serenity-hime gasps slightly, reaching out to still the vibration in Jupiter's soul quickly.
[22:03] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6
[22:03] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[22:03] <Anastasia> The vibrations and disruptions stop, but the thread is no closer to being removed.
[22:04] * Serenity-hime opens her eyes and sits back, breathing somewhat heavily. She carefully wipes a thin layer of sweat off her brow.
[22:06] <Anastasia> Makoto squirms slightly on her futon, her face contorted.
[22:08] * Serenity-hime runs her hand through Makoto's hair. "I'm sorry..." she whispers. "I don't think I can get it right now, Mako-chan." Serenity takes another deep breath.
[22:11] <Anastasia> Makoto continues to move a bit, sweat trickling down her face. She looks to be in pain.
[22:11] * Serenity-hime searches the girl's soul again, quickly looking for anything she might pulled out of place.
[22:13] <Anastasia> You feel distress and pain from your mistake...along with the threads that are still there.
[22:17] * Serenity-hime continues to stroke the brunette's hair gently, attempting to soothe her pain in the only way she can think of.
[22:19] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+1
[22:19] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+1 and gets 5."
[22:20] <Anastasia> You feel the girl's tempest slowly subside...her spirit becoming calm again.
[22:21] * Serenity-hime sighs in relief. "I think I may have to leave the rest there, Mako-chan. It's just too hard to reach without hurting you."
[22:22] <Anastasia> ---

[07:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> After leaving Usagi's house, Rei returns home to cry and heal...
[07:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Several hours pass as the Sailor of Mars rests and mopes. Yuuichiro gets one look at you and takes his guitar and song far elsewhere. Gramps gives you a sad look but keeps his distance as well.
[07:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's getting on in the late afternoon when Rei finally feels better, at least in body.
[07:15] * Rei-chan thinks over the events of the day... how she had broken Minako's heart... and the girl had now seemingly given up as a Sailor Senshi... "Minako, you idiot..." she mumbles sadly.
[07:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sitting on the front porch, Phobos and Deimos flock to the heartbroken Senshi, squawking softly and almost calmingly.
[07:18] * Rei-chan idly pets her ravens, her eye landing on a Sailor V manga inside her room. This just makes her feel even worse, remembering how she had once idolised Sailor V, and now was responsible for destroying her.
[07:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Lifting off from your shoulder, Deimos flutters into the open window to your room, picking up the Sailor V manga with its claws and bringing it back to you. He lays it at your feet before returning to your shoulder...
[07:19] <Rei-chan> Remembering how Minako had often talked about how important it was to fight crime as well as supernatural menaces, Rei looks out over the darkening city outside the Shrine. There would be no sailor suited protector of the oppressed tonight...
[07:21] <Rei-chan> "Unless..." Rei muses. Minako may have given up, but she had not. Going into her room and picking up the purple mask Minako had given her, Rei nods. "I had hoped we'd do this together, Minako..." she laments softly, "But I'll protect the people if you won't."
[07:21] <Rei-chan> "Mars Power, Make Up!" the miko cries, holding up her transformation pen, before donning the mask.
[07:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two ravens take flight as Rei becomes Sailor Mars once again.
[07:23] <Sailor_R> "Watch over the Shrine for me," she tells her ravens, before heading off into the city to fight crime... somehow. She didn't really know how Minako did it, but assumed she'd probably stumble on some nefarious deeds in action or something...
[07:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[07:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rei wanders through the city. It's still somewhat quiet due to the incident, the wail of sirens fading to an uncomfortable calm over the blighted city of Tokyo.
[07:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Most of the people who ARE out at this duskish hour are keeping to themselves, ignoring the Sailor Suited girl as either a loon or a cosplayer, either to be avoided.
[07:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the sun sets and the gloom of night spreads, Rei finds herself near the docks of Tokyo...
[07:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her breath comes out in white waves from her mouth, the temperature still cold for Tokyo. Whatever Celcia did, it seems to still be lingering.
[07:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The docks and warehouses are mostly empty at this point, boats idling in harbor and workers off to home and bar.
[07:29] * Sailor_R thinks that this is nowhere near as exciting as the adventures Minako often talked about...
[07:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going down an alley, you catch the sound of two voices arguing ahead. "...care about that," a deep, malicious male voice growls. "I want the money, bitch."
[07:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Can't you hold it another day?" another voice comments from the shadows ahead, frightful and desperate.
[07:30] * Sailor_R slowly approaches, keeping to the shadows until she can get a better idea of what's happening.
[07:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The female voice is nothing short of terrified. AS you approach, a scruffy looking man in a suit is talking down to a scantily clad woman. The man is big in frame and quite menacing, towering over the short woman.
[07:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The dull thud of his hand meeting her face is heard. "Spare me, bitch," he grates out. "If you don't have my money..."
[07:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The woman tumbles to her knees, tears running down her make up'ed face.
[07:32] <Sailor_R> "Didn't your mother ever tell you it was rude to hit a lady?" Rei's voice calls out as she emerges from the shadows.
[07:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The hell?" he says, turning to look at Sailor R. "One of your dress up hoes, Suuki?" he asks the cowering woman. "She's not a bad piece of meat."
[07:34] * Sailor_R twitches. "And she also should have told you it's a bad idea to play with fire," she says, holding up a hand which is suddenly surrounded in a bright corona of flame.
[07:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> He takes a step back as your first explodes into a minature star of flame. "Too many fucking freaks around here now," he mutters. "One more day, Suuki. One more day," he repeats, backpedaling away.
[07:36] <Sailor_R> "Don't be in such a hurry to leave," Rei says, calling forth a wall of flame right behind him. "I think you should apologise first, for your rudeness."
[07:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> He grunts in surprise as the wall appears behind him. Turning, he draws a nasty looking knife, at least a foot long. "I think it's time to cut the freak popluation, then," he growls, his voice on par with a creepy youma's.
[07:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[07:37] <Sailor_R> roll 1d6+10
[07:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[07:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[07:37] <Sailor_R> roll 1d6+10
[07:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 1d6+10 and gets 11."
[07:38] * Sailor_R focuses on her recently discovered telekinetic abilities, trying to yank the knife from his hand and catch it herself.
[07:38] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6-2
[07:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6-2 and gets 7."
[07:39] <Sailor_R> OOC: Do-over
[07:39] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6-2
[07:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6-2 and gets 5."
[07:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> The knife flies from his hand, and clatters a bit low, scraping down on the pavement before darting up to your hand!
[07:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Fuck!" With a cry, he takes a swing at Sailor R!
[07:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[07:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[07:41] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6
[07:41] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[07:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blow is well aimed, but Sailor R is too fast for the man! His shot meets nothing but empty space!
[07:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[07:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[07:43] <Sailor_R> Letting the heat from her flaming hand warp the metal, Rei drops the now useless blade and dismisses the flames, ready to press her attack!
[07:43] <Sailor_R> roll 1d6+10
[07:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[07:44] * Sailor_R lashes out with a blow to the gut, aiming to wind the stupid looking pimp.
[07:44] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6
[07:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[07:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[07:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[07:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> The punch slams into his stomach, causing him to stagger in pain! The breath exits from his body in a whoosh as the blow wreaks havoc on him.
[07:46] <Sailor_R> "Ready to give that apology?" Rei asks with a cocky smirk.
[07:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "BITCH!" he shouts in pain, taking another, this time desperate swing at the Sailor Suited girl.
[07:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[07:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[07:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> But his blow is far and wide a miss, not coming close to Sailor R!
[07:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[07:47] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[07:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[07:47] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[07:48] <Sailor_R> roll 1d6+10
[07:48] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[07:49] <Sailor_R> "Wrong answer," Rei says tightly, pulling him forward by his shirt as she trips him, before digging her high heeled foot into his back!
[07:49] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6
[07:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[07:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[07:49] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[07:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> He goes down to Sailor R, crying out as he is taken down.
[07:50] * Sailor_R looks to see if the hooker is still here or has taken the opportunity to run off.
[07:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl is long gone, being no idiot.
[07:51] <Sailor_R> "Well, looks like you only have to apologise to me then, for wasting my time," Rei says, digging her heel in a bit more.
[07:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Urgh..." he murmurs from his position as street decoration.
[07:52] <Sailor_R> "Pathetic," Rei mutters, before punching the back of his head with just enough force to knock him out.
[07:52] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6
[07:52] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[07:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blow hits home, sending the man to a land of dreams and blackness.
[07:55] <Sailor_R> "Now what do I do?" the sailor suited defender of fire and passion muses. She doubted the police could help, unless that Suuki girl tried to press charges, which was pretty darned unlikely. If she took him to the police station, he'd be back out again tomorrow...
[07:56] <Sailor_R> Shrugging, Rei searches the man for his wallet and any valuables.
[07:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> On him, you find a wallet with a few thousand yen and no ID, a gold chain in his back pocket and a pack of cigarettes.
[07:59] * Sailor_R tosses the lot onto the fire she had set to keep him escaping earlier, letting it burn merrily.
[08:00] <Sailor_R> "Well, so much for fighting crime..." she says, before trying to sense if any supernatural evil is afoot tonight.
[08:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> You sense nothing unusual in that regard, the city is quiet.
[08:02] <Sailor_R> "Oh well. Better hope I don't see you again," Rei says, giving the pimp a disdainful glance as she lets the fire disperse before continuing her patrol around Tokyo.
[08:04] * Sailor_R feels vaguely unsatisfied. Beating up a pimp is hardly the kind of Earth-shattering good deed she had expected. More likely than not, he'd be back to beating up his hookers tomorrow...
[08:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you wander the docks, night falls...
[08:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> A chill breeze runs off the water as the docks darken...it seems to be mostly quiet now.
[08:09] * Sailor_R sighs, deciding to leave the area, taking a long route back to the Shrine in the hope that she'd run into something interesting before calling it a night.
[08:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> The trip home is quiet enough... almost.
[08:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going down a quiet backstreet, you see a old lady walking down as a small, quick man dashes past her, grabbing her purse!
[08:13] * Sailor_R gives chase!
[08:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[08:14] <Sailor_R> roll 2d6
[08:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_R rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> The purse grabber is stunnigly fast, making haste and leaving the running Sailor R behind after a half block.
[08:16] * Sailor_R swears, deciding that she's had enough and heading home, feeling not at all happy with how she handled herself tonight.
[08:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, my purse...my grandchildren's birthday presents..." the old lady murmurs, wiping a tear away as you leave.
[08:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> And thus, Rei returns home after a night of battling human crime.
[08:20] * Rei-chan goes to bed, hoping tomorrow will turn out better than today had been.
[08:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[08:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ami, Luna and Artemis depart Usagi's house, bound for Minako. (Hopefully.)
[08:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, Artemis, where to?" Luna asks as you stand outside Usagi's house.
[08:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ooshige's," the mau responds. "She's Minako's manager for singing," he says.
[08:26] <Ami> "Singing?"
[08:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako is an idol singer in her spare time," the mau says as you walk along. "Have you heard of Full Moon?"
[08:28] <Ami> "No," Ami says, a bit surprised it never came up.
[08:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, Minako...nevermind. Anyway, let's go," he says.
[08:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis walks along, seeming not to want to go into it right now.
[08:31] * Ami follows, not questioning.
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going onward, Artemis leads you towards the Tokyo Bay area.
[08:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> In a decent neighboorhood, Artemis leads you to an apartment building. "This is it, third floor," he says as you enter.
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leading you into the elevator, Artemis takes you and Luna to the third floor. "Apartment 305," he says, going down the hallway.
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minako.
[08:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> After talking to Ooshige and resting a bit, she ordered out a late lunch, commenting that she was hungry.
[08:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> You happen to be in the living room while she's back in her room when the doorbell rings...
[08:37] <V-chan> "Oneesan, someone's at the door!" Minako calls out to Ooshige.
[08:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Could you get it, Minako?" she calls. "I'm changing clothes right now."
[08:39] <V-chan> Shrugging, Minako answers the door. "Yes?" she says, opening it.
[08:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Standing at the door are Ami, Luna and Artemis.
[08:40] * V-chan gasps. "Artemis, you traitor!" she says accusingly, trying to close the door.
[08:40] * Ami puts her foot in the door. "Wait, Minako!"
[08:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako...we need to talk," the white cat says firmly.
[08:41] <V-chan> "I've talked enough for today, thanks," she replies coldly.
[08:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So...you're just going to turn tail and run," he asks. "Just like that?"
[08:46] <V-chan> "They don't want me!" she yells. "You weren't there!"
[08:48] <Ami> "What are you talking about, Minako? Who doesn't want you?"
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako, stop that. You know better, and I know you know better," he says, not flinching.
[08:48] <V-chan> "None of you! I already left, what more could you want?!"
[08:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What's going on out there, Mina," Ooshige calls out from her room. "Is something wrong?"
[08:50] <Ami> "What do you mean 'none of you'?" Ami persists.
[08:50] <V-chan> "N-Nothing's wrong, Oneesan," Minako calls back. "It'll be over soon, really!"
[08:51] <V-chan> "Rei-chan... Usagi-chan." Minako sniffs. "And you never liked me anyway!"
[08:53] <Ami> "Usagi doesn't want you anymore? Are you crazy? She and I have been busting our butts to try to track you down!"
[08:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako, of course we want you," Luna comments.
[08:54] <V-chan> "Yes, I'm crazy! I'm a crazy killer girl!" Minako laughs. "What you want are my powers, but they're gone, so you're out of luck!"
[08:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako," Ooshige asks, coming from her room. "What's going on here?"
[08:56] * V-chan just looks at Ooshige in fright, not sure how to respond.
[08:56] <Ami> "What they, we, want is you, Minako. Think for a moment, would you?"
[08:57] <V-chan> "That's a lie! A lie!" Minako snaps at Ami.
[08:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really, Minako?" Artemis asks, a bit harshly.
[08:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Kill..." Osige starts, coming to a stop when she sees Artemis talk.
[08:58] <Ami> "What's a lie, Minako? Is it that hard to believe that you aren't being abandoned? That someone cares for you?"
[08:59] * V-chan doesn't reply.
[09:01] <Ami> "Usagi is worried sick. And what about your parents? Have you even called to tell them you're alright?"
[09:01] <V-chan> "I'm not alright," she says quietly.
[09:02] <Ami> "And you think running away from everyone is going to just make it all better? I've got news for you, it doesn't work that way."
[09:05] * V-chan shakes her head. "I don't know what to do."
[09:06] <Ami> "Minako, can we come in?" Ami asks quietly, happy that the shouting has ended. "We just want to talk. As your... friends."
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The cat..." Ooshige murmurs, shaking her head. "Yes, come in," she nods. "Artemis can talk?" she asks Minako.
[09:07] * V-chan walks away from the door, going to sit on the sofa.
[09:07] <V-chan> "He's an alien cat. They talk," she tells Ooshige.
[09:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good to finally meet you," Artemis says as he comes in.
[09:08] * Ami enters with the cats, flexing her foot. "Sorry about this," she says a bit shyly to Minako's manager.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Right," she says, sitting on the sofa next to Minako.
[09:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside the apartment living room is a glass table, chairs and a few couches. It's nice enough, and has a good bay view window.
[09:11] <V-chan> "I have... only one thing left, now. I don't want to lose it too," Minako speaks, not looking at the guests. "Are you going to take it away as well?"
[09:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Before the others can speak, Artemis jumps on the table and does the cat equivalent of a bitch slap, claw free. "Stop that, Minako."
[09:12] * V-chan doesn't say anything else.
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "As I said, I know you know better than this, dammit."
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> He spits out the words, a fair bit of anger in them.
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Stop drowning your self in pity and get a grip."
[09:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ooshige looks on at this, taken aback at how Artemis acts.
[09:14] <V-chan> "Shut up," she tells him quietly. "Whose fault do you think this is? I could've lived a perfectly normal life if you hadn't come along."
[09:14] <Ami> "Minako," Ami sighs. "You know that isn't true."
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And now you blame me," he comments. "Brillant."
[09:15] * Ami takes a seat opposite Minako and her manager.
[09:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do you really think turning me into a scapegoat will do anything for you, Minako? Really?"
[09:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis is fired up, energy in his words.
[09:16] <V-chan> "Tell me who to blame, then!" she says angrily. "I can't blame myself, I can't blame you... it has to be someone's fault!"
[09:16] <Ami> "I'd say it was your own, myself."
[09:17] * V-chan laughs at Ami's words. "Thanks."
[09:17] * Ami stares at Minako calmly.
[09:17] <Ami> "No one made you run away from us, from your family, Minako."
[09:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's your fault, Minako." he says without fanfare. "Quite frankly, you killed Cynthia, wrecked your relationship with Rei and got thrown out of school."
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Now that we have that taken care of, how about you start dealing with that instead of wallowing in pity?"
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ooshige is staring at the cat in pure shock, grasping for words.
[09:18] <V-chan> "I never wanted any of that to happen..." she says dejectedly.
[09:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course not, but they happened. So it's time to clean up and move on, or spend the rest of your life bitching and angsting about it."
[09:20] <V-chan> "Move on to where?!" she exclaims. "I can't take these things back!"
[09:20] <Ami> "Of course you can't. What's happened has happened and neither you nor I can change that."
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You still have your life, Minako. You can't take them back, but you can amend and continue onward."
[09:21] <Ami> "However, that doesn't mean you just give up. You learn from them. You grow. You don't make the same mistake again."
[09:22] <Ami> 'Especially the 'killing' one,' Ami does not say.
[09:24] <V-chan> "I can't just forget about them, Artemis," Minako says, tears appearing in her eyes. "Rei and Cynthia... I can't move on! What would you do in my place?"
[09:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Without pause, he replies. "I'd realised I'd fucked up, but it's not the end of the world. It's not cause to throw what good is in my life away and act like a runaway child."
[09:26] <Ami> 'Go Artemis!' Ami holds her gaze but in her mind a Mau just got his wings.
[09:26] <V-chan> "So if I kicked you out, you'd be okay with that?!" she exclaims. "You'll just move on, and go to live with Luna?"
[09:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If need be," he says. "I could still survive, and maybe I'd even be able to patch things up with you later."
[09:29] <V-chan> "I'm not like you, Artemis," she says finally. "I'm not like you."
[09:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Then run away. Stay and whimper and whine about your life. I really don't care anymore." He turns to Ami. "Ready to go?"
[09:30] * Ami coughs delicately.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If you change your mind, I'll be around, Mina. If not...well, I'm sure that you'll do okay as a singer. Angst pop is all the rage, isn't it?"
[09:31] <V-chan> "And I'm sure you'll find another person to take you in. Who wouldn't want a talking cat, right?" she snaps back at him.
[09:32] <Ami> "You're avoiding the issue."
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If need be," he says. Hopping off the table, he address Ami. "Let's go."
[09:32] <V-chan> "And what is the issue, Ami?"
[09:33] <V-chan> "You," she says, pointing at the blue-haired girl. "You want me to go back? You want to say you're my friend?"
[09:34] <Ami> "I want you to come back because I value Usagi's friendship. And Rei's as well. Do you?"
[09:35] <V-chan> "Rei-chan doesn't want me there anymore."
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Whispering, Luna talks to Ami. "Let's go," she says, looking over to Artemis.
[09:37] * Ami snorts. "She cares enough about you to know when to let you go. Yes, so your relationship is finished, so what? You're all of fourteen years old! Life goes on."
[09:38] <Ami> "I should know. My mother is living proof of that."
[09:41] <V-chan> "You can't understand. Not if you never loved someone. All you can do is analyze others." Minako bites on her lip. "But it's different."
[09:41] <Ami> 'With love like that I thank all the gods in heaven I'm single,' Ami does not say.
[09:43] <Ami> "Minako, the choice is your own. We've tried to extend a hand, to help you through this. But I'm tired. The next move is yours." Ami rises, bowing to the manager. "Sorry to disturb you like this."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ye..yes," she manages.
[09:44] * V-chan doesn't follow them to the door, remaining seated.
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the cats and Ami leave, going down the elevator...
[09:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "ArteMIS," Luna gasps at the cat. "Don't you think you were a little harsh on her?"
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She needed it," he shrugs. "And I'm sick of it anyway." he stares at the elevator door. "If she wants to do it like this...I'm done with it."
[09:52] * Ami sighs.
[09:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Are you serious, Artemis?" Luna asks.
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Deadly."
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh...Minako..." Luna sighs as the elevator reaches the ground floor.
[09:57] <Ami> "Let's go back to your place, Luna. I'm tired."
[09:57] <Ami> Ami heads to the door.
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi - After trying to purify Makoto, you return to the living room. After a short chat and some overdue lunch, the Mau and Ami return.
[10:01] * Usagi-chan looks up at the group, the unspoken question written all over her face.
[10:02] <Ami> "We found her." Ami's voice is tired.
[10:02] <Usagi-chan> "And?" Usagi's voice sounds somewhat hopeful.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not so good," is Luna's comment.
[10:04] * Usagi-chan sighs. "She's still not responding to me either. I tried again a few minutes ago, after I finished working on Mako-chan. I was hoping it was just because she was busy talking to you."
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not surprising," Artemis comments.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan leans back in her armchair, leaning her head back to stare at the ceiling. "This has NOT been one of my better days."
[10:08] <Ami> "You aren't the only one," Ami says, taking a seat.
[10:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'll third that," Artemis comments.
[10:09] <Ami> "So Artemis, going back to the Aino's tonight?" Ami pulls out the Mercury computer.
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Maybe," he sighs. "I just want to relax right now and worry about that later."
[10:11] <Usagi-chan> "I've done what I could for Makoto." Usagi says. "I think part of Orestes' energy is still trapped inside her. I managed to get some of it out, but there are a couple of bits that are just buried inside her too deep. I can't get them out without hurting Mako-chan."
[10:11] * Ami brings up the Lunar translation program and pulls one of the children's books from her subspace pocket. Finding the marked page she begins translating once more, the stress of the day melting away.
[10:14] <Ami> "I see. I could take a look," Ami offers, laying the book down.
[10:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna sighs. "Another thing..."
[10:15] * Usagi-chan glances down at the book before turning to look at Luna. "Hmm?"
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Just...another thing on top of all of this," she sighs.
[10:16] <Usagi-chan> "You can check her out if you want to, Ami-chan. Maybe you can figure out something I might have missed." Usagi sighs.
[10:17] * Ami nods, leaving the book on the table. She heads toward Usagi's room.
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto lays on her futon, her face more vital than it has been.
[10:20] <Prince_Herb> Meanwhile down below, Prince_Herb rings the Tsukino doorbell
[10:21] <Usagi-chan> "MOM! Someone's at the door!" Usagi heads into the kitchen, so as not to be visible to whoever's at the door.
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay,"...."Hello, Herb," she smiles. "It's okay, Usagi."
[10:21] * Prince_Herb bows "Hello, Mrs Tsukino."
[10:22] * Usagi-chan comes back into the living room. "Oh, hi Herb!" Usagi smiles.
[10:23] * Prince_Herb removes his shoes and comes inside. "Hello, your highness."
[10:24] <Prince_Herb> "Is there any news?" Prince_Herb asks.
[10:25] * Usagi-chan hangs her head. "You don't have to call me that, Herb-kun. No, nothing new, other than that Mako-chan is starting to look a lot better." She looks back at the Musk prince, her moon glowing faintly.
[10:28] <Prince_Herb> "What happened to Sailor V? I was meaning to ask about that, but I never had the opportunity until now."
[10:29] <Usagi-chan> "It's... Rei-chan broke up with her, and now we can't get her to talk to any of us." Usagi sighs. "Ami went with the cats to see her, and she wasn't willing to listen to them."
[10:32] <Prince_Herb> "Why did she break up with her?"
[10:33] <Usagi-chan> "It's... kind of a long story. I guess the easiest way to put it is that Minako was just too attached to Rei."
[10:37] <Prince_Herb> Prince_Herb sighs. "I wish I could help, but that's not an area I have any knowledge about."
[10:38] * Usagi-chan smiles. "It's okay, Herb-kun. I'm sure we'll manage to straighten it out soon enough."
[10:40] <Prince_Herb> "I have every faith in you, Usa-chan."
[10:41] <Prince_Herb> "That leaves us two down if there's an emergency, though. Maybe three if Rei needs time to herself. I need to find Ryuu quickly before the evil Sailor D turns up as well, so I may be out of the city."
[10:44] * Usagi-chan nods. "I understand. I think we'll be all right for a while if you need to leave for a bit."
[10:46] <Prince_Herb> "Hopefully it won't come to that. I need to keep training you and now I know what to get you for Christmas, I'll be sure to be here for that!"
[10:48] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Well, I'm hoping to have a party here for Christmas, if I can get everyone to come. I still need to check with Mom to make sure it's okay, but I'm hoping she says yes."
[10:50] <Prince_Herb> "I'm sure she will. She's a good sort. Now I have to work out what the others should receive. I'm not going to flaunt my wealth, just look for fitting things."
[10:52] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I can't wait to see what you're getting me! I already got you something, I just have to get it wrapped, along with everyone else's stuff." Usagi looks thoughtful.
[10:52] <Prince_Herb> "I'd better go now; I have some coursework that needs to be finished up, so I'll see you tomorrow for t'ai chi practice.   By the way, I like the new look; it's very you."
[10:53] * Prince_Herb smiles and takes his leave of the Tsukino abode.
[10:54] * Usagi-chan grins wryly. "See you later, Herb!" She waves as he leaves.
Meanwhile...
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you look over Makoto, she turns for a moment and her eyes slowly open...
[10:34] <Ami> "Mako-chan?" Ami says, hesitant.
[10:36] <Makoto> "Ami? What's going on?" Makoto asks weakly, her mind a bit fuzzy at the moment.
[10:37] * Ami opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. Her eyes water.
[10:42] <Makoto> "Hey...why are you crying?" Makoto says with a small smile, as she tries to grab Ami's hand in a squeeze, trying to instinctively calm her friend despite her fuzzy mind.
[10:44] <Ami> "Oh Mako-chan, you're awake!" Ami feels a weight she hadn't known she was carrying disappear.
[10:46] <Ami> Snapping back into doctor mode she wipes her tears away a brings up the Mercury Computer, scanning her friend. "How do you feel?"
[10:49] <Makoto> "Awake?" Makoto asks briefly with confusion, her mind still not back on track. Then Ami's question hits her and her smile weakens. 'Orestes,' she thinks, trying to recall but not quite hitting on the details. Her face scrunches up in thought before remembering the question. She tries to make her smile more real for her friend's sake. "I'm...fine, Ami-chan."
[10:51] <Ami> "Hm. Usagi was right. There is a bit left," Ami mummers, looking at the computer. She looks up suddenly. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? I'll go get you something to eat, ok?"
[10:53] <Makoto> Makoto's stomach rumbles, and the tall girl blushes slightly, not knowing how long it had been since her stomach had any food. "Something to eat would be good, please," Makoto says.
[10:54] <Ami> "Ok, you stay right there. I'll bring something up." Ami jumps to her feat, joy in her heart, and rushes out the door.
[10:54] * Makoto nods as her friend departs before scrunching up her face, trying to recollect what happened.
[10:55] <Makoto> "Orestes..." she whispers the name of the man who'd kidnapped her, as if hoping his name would resurface what happened.
[10:55] * Ami rushes down the stairs, headed for the kitchen.
[10:55] * Usagi-chan whirls around as Ami comes charging through the living room like a freight train. "Ami?"
[10:56] <Ami> "Mako-chan's awake! And hungry," Ami calls, passing Usagi.
[10:57] * Ami slides to a stop in the kitchen, popping open the refrigerator.
[10:58] * Usagi-chan doesn't waste even a second as she runs up the stairs and into her room, looking for Makoto. "Mako-chan!"
[11:01] * Makoto is startled out of her thoughts as her princess bursts into the room. She sits up, tightly gripping at her chest. "Ack!" she says in her surprise.
[11:02] <Makoto> "Usagi-chan, you startled me!" Makoto exclaims.
[11:02] <Usagi-chan> A huge grin spreads across Usagi's face as she rushes over to Makoto's futon, giving her a giant hug. "Mako-chan, you're finally awake!"
[11:03] * Ami grabs juice, whatever looks soft enough to easily eat, and some utensils and heads back up to the room.
[11:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you do so, you see Artemis and Luna following upstairs, eager to see the awoken Senshi.
[11:04] <Makoto> Makoto's face softens from her startled look at the blonde's hug and she raises her other hand to stroke Usagi's hair from behind. "I'm sorry I made you guys worry..." she says softly.
[11:05] * Usagi-chan rises from the hug, tears running down her cheeks as she smiles. "I'm just so glad you're all right... Are you feeling all right?" Usagi gives the other girl a careful look as she examines her aura once again.
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Makoto!" Luna and Artemis cry as one as they bound into the room.
[11:06] * Ami follows the cats in. "I've got food!"
[11:07] <Makoto> "I'm fine, guys!" she exclaims embarrasedly, before the light show gets to her. She blinks as she finally notices the glowing crescent moon. "Wha...What happened to Usagi?!" Makoto asks with shock, ignoring Ami's statement.
[11:07] * Usagi-chan looks up towards her forehead. "Long, long story." She grimaces slightly, remembering some of what was said to lead her to this point.
[11:09] <Ami> "Oh, that? Nothing really."
[11:09] * Ami sets up the foodstuffs.
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How do you feel, Mako-chan," Artemis asks, sniffing the air around her.
[11:11] <Makoto> "I'm... fine, Artemis. Just a bit tired and hungry," Makoto says, trying to keep her thoughts focused on her friends and the food as she starts to eat.
[11:13] <Ami> "You have no idea how happy we are to see you," Ami gushes.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," Luna nods. "It's been a rough few weeks."
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Jadeite...Oxyite...Orestes...Cynthia..." the cat catalogues the names. "It's been a ride."
[11:17] * Makoto blinks. "Weeks?!?" Makoto asks with shock. She hadn't realized...no wonder they'd been so worried. She bites her lips lightly.
[11:17] <Ami> "Explaing all of that can wait for the moment, though."
[11:18] * Usagi-chan nods. "It's just wonderful to have you back, Mako-chan." Usagi smiles.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes," Artemis says. "Finally something good to happen."
[11:20] <Makoto> "...Yeah," Makoto mutters, still biting her lower lip. "I'm sorry I worried you guys so much..."
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you go on, you hear a polite knock on the door. "What's all the ruckus up here?" Usagi's mom asks, looking in.
[11:21] * Usagi-chan looks around and smiles. "Mako-chan is finally awake, Mom!"
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank God," she smiles. Walking in, she looks at Makoto. "How do you feel, Makoto?"
[11:27] <Makoto> "I'm fine, Mrs. Tsukino," Makoto says, though a bit confused. "Uh...why am I here?" she blurts out, wondering if she'd been gone for weeks, why she was in Usagi's house.
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi brought you here after they beat up your kidnappers," Mrs. Tsukino supplies.
[11:28] * Makoto blushes at the thought. She was supposed to protect the princess, not the other way around!
[11:28] * Usagi-chan nods. "You've been staying here for a couple of days now. We only just managed to get you back from Orestes and Oxyite."
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We were worried about you. It looked like you wouldn't wake up at first," Luna comments.
[11:36] * Makoto blinks in surprise as Usagi just casually mentions the two names in front of her mother, and then Luna... 'Whaa...?' she thinks with confusion.
[11:40] <Usagi-chan> "Don't worry about it, everything is fine now. We've... taken care of the ones who kidnapped you." Usagi looks a bit uncomfortable as she recalls Cynthia.
[11:42] * Makoto cautiously asks, "So...was it my imagination or did Luna just speak in front of Mrs. Tsukino?"
[11:42] <Ami> "Oh, Usagi! Don't you think we should call Rei and tell her the good news?"
[11:43] * Usagi-chan giggles. "No, you're not imagining things. Mom knows all about the senshi now."
[11:44] * Usagi-chan turns to Ami. "Good idea, hold on a minute and I'll tell her." 'Rei-chan, Mako-chan is awake finally! We're over at my house talking right now, if you want to come see her.'
[11:44] <Makoto> "...Oh," Makoto says, a bit uncomfortably. She was a bit confused as to the concept of sharing their secret, although in part, it was related that she had no one to share hers with.
[11:45] * Usagi-chan waits for a few minutes. 'Rei-chan, are you awake?'
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi gets no response.
[11:48] * Makoto turns to look at Usagi in confusion as she hears the blonde's voice in her head. 'I must be more messed up than I thought, I'm hearing Usagi call Rei in my head,' Makoto thinks with a small grimace.
[11:49] * Usagi-chan turns to Makoto, her eyes widening in surprise. 'You can hear me too?'
[11:52] * Makoto raises her eyebrows as Usagi turns to look at her and the thought comes in. 'Uh, if I'm not imagining things, then yes?' Makoto thinks, feeling a bit silly about thinking what she just thought.
[11:54] * Usagi-chan grins and hugs Makoto again. 'This is great! And no, you're not imagining things.' She giggles. 'I found out that I can talk with Rei-chan and Mina-chan with my mind while you were gone, and I guess I can talk to you too.'
[11:54] <Makoto> 'Oh...' Makoto thinks, somewhat flustered. 'What about Ami-chan and Herb?'
[11:55] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. 'Neither one of them can hear me, and I can't hear them either. I don't know why not though.'
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis looks at Luna. "Makoto too, eh?"
[12:05] * Usagi-chan hears Artemis and nods. "Looks that way."
[12:08] * Makoto looks at the cats, and thinks a bit depressedly over how much she's missed.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> A bit later, Makoto and Usagi are downstairs on the living room couches, snacks and tea in hand. Usagi's mom has left to pick up Shingo from school finally, and the Mau are talking in Usagi's room with Ami.
[12:14] <Usagi-chan> "What was the last thing you can remember, Mako-chan? We first noticed you missing a day or so after we defeated Metallia. Do you remember the snowstorm at all?"
[12:17] * Makoto bites her lower lip, a bit uncomfortable with talking about Orestes, even if she still felt fuzzy on some of the details. This being Usagi asking though, Makoto gives a weak nod. "I remember the storm. I'd gone to get some shopping done before it got really bad..."
[12:18] * Makoto pauses, trying to figure out how to tell what she was sure on.
[12:21] <Makoto> "Then Orestes happened, and I was whisked away," Makoto says with a frown. "Whisked away like a princess, I bet he'd think, but I didn't feel like anything other than some weak, pathetic girl."
[12:22] <Makoto> Makoto grabs her shoulders, her eyes closed. "It's not a pretty feeling to feel helpless like that..." she whispers.
[12:23] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Usagi looks down in shame. "I'm sorry all this happened to you, Mako-chan. If I'd just been more careful, we wouldn't have had to deal with ANY of this."
[12:25] <Makoto> "Hey, it's not like it's your fault, Usagi-chan," Makoto says with a small smile. "If it's anyone's fault, it's mine for not being able to protect myself. Hell, what sort of protector am I if I need to get saved by the one I want to protect most?"
[12:25] <Usagi-chan> "It IS my fault, Mako-chan. I... was the one who let Orestes out of the prison on the Moon." Usagi turns her head, unable to look Makoto in the eye.
[12:29] <Makoto> "Hey, hey, I don't blame you. He's the sort of person who would have gotten out on his own, I think. He just got out a little early, right?" Makoto says, feeling uncomfortable about Usagi blaming herself. She knew it was her -own- fault for being so weak. She would never think to blame someone as kind as Usagi.
[12:31] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I still don't know for sure, to be honest. But I was there when he did break out. I'd gone back to the Moon - alone - to talk to Queen Serenity again. We talked for a few minutes, then she died right in front of me." Usagi takes a deep breath. "Luna and I were exploring the ruins of the palace when we stumbled onto the prison and a bunch of criminals escaped from it - including Orestes."
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "We've been trying to take care of them - and find you - pretty much ever since then."
[12:36] <Makoto> "You didn't know what you were doing, Usagi-chan. I did know, back when Jupiter put him there. I should have known what to expect, and I still got my ass handed to me," Makoto says.
[12:37] * Usagi-chan nods slightly, although she can't help blaming herself somewhat still. "There's been a lot happen while you were gone... some of which you've already seen, like me being telepathic and the fact that my family knows about the senshi."
[12:41] <Usagi-chan> "As near as we can tell, there were about a dozen or so criminals that escaped." She closes her eyes and concentrates as she tries to remember all the names. "Let's see... Jadeite, Orestes, Oxyite, Cynthia..." A slight shiver runs through her at that name. "Celcia? I think. Pytha was another one, and Starfire and her youma. And there's a corrupted Sailor Dragon running around somewhere too, I think."
[12:46] * Usagi-chan sighs a bit as she continues her tale. "Celcia was the first one we had to deal with. She was the one behind the snowstorm, actually - we ended up fighting her at the mall, and WOW was it cold. Rei-chan and Ami-chan managed to get us through it all right though." Usagi smiles.
[12:48] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, and I almost forgot! I have something for you from the Moon." Usagi reaches into her subspace pocket with both hands, grimacing a bit with the strain as she draws the lightning-marked mace out and lays it carefully on the table in front of the couch. "We found quite a few things on the Moon, actually; that's part of why I was exploring up there in the first place."
[13:52] <Makoto> Glad to move away from the conversation on Orestes and his escape, Makoto asks somewhat interestedly, "Oh? What other things did you find?"
[13:55] <Usagi-chan> "Let's see... I found a sword for Venus right before the prison break." Usagi looks a bit uncomfortable for a moment, then continues. "We went back as a group the next day and found a bracelet for Ami, a pair of sticks that I THINK belong to Rei, and that mace." A rather grim expression comes over Usagi's face as she continues. "And a very powerful weapon, some kind of spear-like thing. I think Ami-chan said it was called a glaive."
[14:01] * Makoto ponders on that for a second, before asking, "So assuming this glaive isn't yours or one of the prisoners', does that mean there's more people from the millenium out there somewhere?"
[14:03] * Usagi-chan nods. "There's at least one more senshi out there, maybe more. One of the prisoners that escaped was a sorceress named Starfire, and she and Sailor Pluto met us to talk shortly after the first time we tried to rescue you." Usagi looks slightly embarrassed as she remembers how badly that 'rescue attempt' really went.
[14:08] <Makoto> "So does this glaive belong to this Sailor Pluto?" Makoto asks, somehow a bit surprised at the idea of more senshi.
[14:13] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No, but she did tell us that it was eating away at my life force. Rei-chan saw the same thing, so we ended up putting it back on the Moon and sealing it away again." Usagi makes a mental note to go check on the seals as soon as possible, given that Minako has apparently abandoned her powers.
[14:18] <Makoto> "It was what?!" Makoto exclaims with worry. "You're okay with it away, though, right?"
[14:19] <Usagi-chan> "Of course, I'm fine!"  Usagi smiles. "I never even noticed anything while I had it, and Rei-chan says I'm back to normal ever since we put it back."
[14:20] <Makoto> "Oh that's good," Makoto says with a sigh of relief.
[14:22] <Usagi-chan> "Starfire helped us get away when we did finally get you away from Orestes. I haven't heard from Pluto again, but I did tell her I wanted to talk to her again. There just hasn't been time to track her down since then."
[14:23] <Makoto> "But if she's a senshi, why would you need to track her down?"
[14:26] <Usagi-chan> "She... seems to know quite a bit about us. More than I'd like for someone I've never met before. She said she guards the Gates of Time, and I also want to know more about that... but that's not really important right now, I guess."
[14:32] * Makoto decides to take Usagi's word for it and doesn't ask more about Pluto. Nodding, she then asks instead, "So can you explain the crescent moon then? I thought that only popped up when you were Serenity..." while pointing at the facial feature.
[14:34] * Usagi-chan looks up towards the mark again. "That happened just today, actually. Let me start at the beginning, though." Usagi clears her throat, then glances around for a moment. Picking up a newspaper that her father left laying on the table, she hands it to Makoto, the front page showing a devastated apartment building.
[14:36] <Usagi-chan> "That's what we did yesterday. Or should I say, what Oxyite did yesterday. Rei-chan picked up your aura yesterday morning, and so we gathered at that building where Oxyite was guarding you. Herb flew up and got you out while Rei, Minako and I acted as a distraction for Oxyite. Rei got hurt pretty bad in the fight, but we did manage to beat him. Unfortunately, when he died, he did THAT." Usagi points to the newspaper.
[14:39] <Usagi-chan> "Starfire managed to get the three of us out through some kind of portal, and we got you settled in here at my house once we cleaned ourselves up a bit. Then Orestes showed up on TV this morning, saying he'd bring 'hell on earth' for our having taken you back. We went down to the TV station and fought him and Cynthia - I don't know if you remember her at all, several of us remember her from the Moon."
[14:40] <Makoto> The name sounded familiar, but like much of what'd happened, it was all still fuzzy for Makoto. She didn't think much on it, and continued to listen to Usagi's story.
[14:41] <Usagi-chan> "We managed to beat Orestes and take Cynthia down, but she... was injured after she was helpless. She died right there on the roof of the TV station, as I was talking to her, and shortly after we got back I fell asleep and dreamed I heard her voice, telling me to take these earrings." Usagi touches the silver ornaments, making them tinkle. "When I woke up, I had the earrings - and the moon marking on my forehead."
[14:46] * Usagi-chan sighs. "It's going to be a pain trying to keep it covered whenever I leave the house. I don't think they allow hats at school."
[14:48] * Makoto pales as she thinks of school. "Oh no...you said I was sleeping for weeks, right?" Makoto asks, nervously.
[14:49] * Usagi-chan nods. "I think it's been about three weeks or so, something like that."
[14:51] * Makoto groans. "Dealing with that hag, Suzuki, is going to suck so badly..."
[14:52] * Usagi-chan grimaces. "That's your advisor, right?"
[14:53] <Makoto> "Yeah. She thinks I'm in a gang and into marijuana..." Makoto mutters as she lowers her head into her hands.
[14:55] * Usagi-chan gives Makoto a reassuring smile. "I'm sure we'll come up with something to tell her. Maybe Mom can help us out with that or something." She giggles as she remembers something. "And to tell the truth, my parents were afraid I was in a gang too, after we were missing for two days after fighting Metallia."
[14:57] * Makoto groans, "Yeah, but it's not like I can just go up to Ms. Suzuki and say, 'I'm sorry for missing classes, but I was in a coma after getting attacked by a psychopath obsessed with my past incarnation.'"
[14:58] * Makoto pauses. "Then again...nah, even without the mention of Jupiter, she still wouldn't buy it..." she says, groaning at the last part.
[14:58] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe not, but we could say you were in an accident and couldn't come in for three weeks. I can probably get Mom to vouch for you too, I bet that would help!" Usagi smiles.
[14:59] <Makoto> "I somehow imagine her to say that your mother is the gang leader and you're another pothead..."
[15:00] * Usagi-chan grumbles. "From what I've heard about old Suzuki, you're probably right. I'm sure we can think of something though."
[15:01] <Makoto> "You mean like move to a new school?" Makoto asks hopefully.
[15:02] <Usagi-chan> "I hope not! Everyone's been changing schools lately, it seems like... first Minako transferred to T*A, then both she and Rei got kicked out and now they're trying out for Mugen."
[15:06] <Makoto> "Wait, Minako and Rei got kicked out? Why? Did Artemis do something stupid again?" Makoto asks, surprised.
[15:08] <Usagi-chan> "Actually, from what I understand it was mostly Minako." Usagi makes a wry face. "Apparently there was some kind of fight in the principal's office over Rei and Minako having a relationship, and things got out of hand. Rei actually set the principal's desk on fire accidentally." Usagi has to hide a smile at that.
[15:09] <Makoto> Makoto's mouth opens wide, resembling a fish out of water. "Wait, back up! Back up! What's this about Rei and Minako in a relationship?" she asks, her surprise increasing exponentially.
[15:11] <Usagi-chan> "Don't you remember? Right before Metallia, how close they were? Minako actually confessed to Rei - that time when you found me in the Crown by myself and I wouldn't tell you what my secret was, that was what it was about. Rei and Minako were an item for almost the entire time you were, uh, 'away'."
[15:14] <Makoto> "I knew they were hanging out together more, but nobody ever said anything about a relationship..." Makoto says, still surprised at just how much she'd missed even before her impromptu away session.
[15:15] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, they were pretty close." Usagi says rather quietly.
[15:15] <Usagi-chan> 'A bit too close, in Minako's case.'
[15:19] <Makoto> "Wait, what do you mean too close?" Makoto asks, hearing Usagi's voice in her head.
[15:21] <Usagi-chan> "Huh?" Usagi realizes that Makoto picked up on her thought and sighs. "I STILL haven't gotten used to clamping down on my stray thoughts. But yeah, she's been way too attached to Rei-chan. Rei's been hurt pretty badly twice now, and both times Minako's lost it in one way or another. And you don't want to know how suspicious she was of Rei a while back."
[15:22] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Rei broke up with her just a few hours ago. She ran off and none of us have been able to talk to her since - she's not responding to my thoughts, and she wouldn't talk to Ami-chan and the cats when they went to see her a while ago."
[15:23] <Makoto> "Oh..." Makoto says softly. "And how's Minako taking this?"
[15:27] <Usagi-chan> "Minako is who I was talking about. If you mean how REI is taking this, pretty hard. She felt like there was nothing else she could do, that their relationship was just hurting Minako."
[15:30] <Makoto> "Oh, I thought you'd said Rei had been the one who ran off..." Makoto states sheepishly.
[15:30] * Makoto shakes her head. "Still, I guess we're not the only ones with problems to deal with."
[15:31] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah. I think Rei will be okay, but I'm worried about Minako. I hope she decides to talk to me soon." Usagi sighs.
[15:39] * Makoto nods and pats Usagi. "Don't worry, things will work out somehow."
[15:40] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I know they will. Tell you what, why don't you get a bit more rest? Or better yet, BOTH of us get some? It's been a really long day."

[15:36] <Usagi-chan> ---------
[15:38] <Rei-chan> The next morning, Rei is busy waging the never-ending battle against leaves and other deritrus in the Temple courtyard, armed with her trusty brush.
[15:39] <Rei-chan> Her heart really isn't in the chores after yesterday, so she mostly just pushes the leaves around a little bit, but gets little done.
[15:39] * Usagi-chan comes up the steps to the shrine, a tired but genuinely happy smile on her face. "Morning, Rei-chan!" She waves to the miko.
[15:41] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei pauses, leaning on the broom as she looks up at the new arrival. "Good morning, Usagi," she greets her friend sedately, privately wondering just what the dumpling head is so happy about. 'And why the hell is she wearing that stupid looking headband?'
[15:41] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a level look. "Yes, I know the headband is stupid looking, but unfortunately it's not optional."
[15:42] <Rei-chan> "I was being polite by not saying anything, but since you brought it up..." Rei says in an equally level tone.
[15:43] * Usagi-chan sighs and heads for the temple. "I guess I'd better show you... come on, let's get inside. I don't want to take the headband off where anyone else can see me."
[15:44] * Rei-chan shrugs, following Usagi inside and leaving her broom on the porch.
[15:44] * Usagi-chan plops down in the central room of the temple, whipping the headband off with a flourish to reveal the glowing crescent moon it was concealing. "Voila..." she says dryly.
[15:46] <Rei-chan> "Doesn't that normally only show up when you're in your fancy Princess clothes?" Rei says, peering closely at the mark, and not really seeming all that perturbed.
[15:46] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah. Do you see me in a long white gown right now?" Usagi frowns.
[15:48] <Rei-chan> "No..." Rei says, sitting down in front of Usagi. "So what happened?"
[15:49] <Usagi-chan> "I had a dream yesterday, a little while after you left." Usagi says. "I heard Cynthia's voice in it, and she told me to take some earrings that were in a flower in my dream. When I woke up, I had the earrings on - these earrings, actually - and this crescent mark had showed up on my forehead."
[15:51] <Rei-chan> "I'd say that thing with the earrings sounds weird if I hadn't seen Luna make wands and stuff appear out of thin air... but why do you have that mark on your head?" the miko looks thoughtful. "Maybe you've changed into your 'Princess' form without meaning to, and without the dress that normally appears. Have you tried changing back?"
[15:52] <Usagi-chan> "I've changed to and from the princess since then, and it didn't change anything. The mark won't go away." Usagi shakes her head. "Mom said I should change my hair to cover it, and I probably will once I figure out a decent-looking way to do it. For now, though, I'm stuck wearing this tacky headband." Usagi makes a face.
[15:55] <Rei-chan> "I'm not so sure..." Rei says, still sounding thoughtful, and glad for this puzzle to take her mind off other things. "It could be argued that the mark has always been there, but has just been hidden until now. Maybe if you can figure out how it was hidden in the first place, you could replicate the effect?" 'Besides, as her friend, I shouldn't let her wear that headband for another minute...' she thinks.
[15:57] <Usagi-chan> "I heard that, and I appreciate the concern." Usagi says dryly. "But it's not like I'm going to be wearing it forever, and I can live with being a fashion disaster for a day or two. I might be able to figure out how to hide it eventually, but Luna said she doesn't know of any way to do it with what I have available now." Usagi sighs.
[15:58] * Rei-chan sighs as well. "It's a pity you don't have the Crystal any more..." she then perks up, "But what about the disguise pen?"
[15:59] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I didn't try it, but I did ask Luna. She said it can't hold a disguise for more than a few hours at a time - it was never meant to make permanent changes."
[16:00] * Rei-chan stares at the crescent Moon on Usagi's head for a long minute. "If it didn't glow you could probably cover it with makeup," she says eventually, clearly tapped for ideas.
[16:01] <Usagi-chan> "I think the hair thing will work out the best, but I need to find a way to do it that doesn't end up with me looking like Yuuichiro." She grins.
[16:01] * Rei-chan winces. "Not a pretty mental image..."
[16:02] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, did you have anything planned for today? I was hoping you might be able to help me out with something." Usagi asks tentatively.
[16:03] <Rei-chan> "No, I didn't have any plans. Why?"
[16:04] <Usagi-chan> "I know you don't like it there, but I could use your help with something... on the Moon."
[16:05] <Rei-chan> To her credit, Rei barely flinches at the thought of going back to the place where she was violently mindraped. "What do you need me for on the Moon?" she asks levelly.
[16:07] <Usagi-chan> "I want to check on the seals we put around the glaive that we put back up there," she says, not adding that the main reason for checking is Minako's apparent abandonment of her senshi powers. "And if anything's funny about it, I'd like you to put another seal on it. I can show you how to do it if we need to."
[16:09] * Rei-chan looks thoughtful for a moment, before nodding. "Yeah, I'd really not want to think about what that weapon could do in the wrong hands... You want to go now?"
[16:09] <Usagi-chan> "If it's okay with you, sure." Usagi nods. "Is there anything you need to do before we leave? We'll probably be up there for a while."
[16:10] <Rei-chan> "No, I'm fine to go now," she says, before taking out her transformation pen with a call of "Mars Power, Make Up!"
[16:11] * Usagi-chan nods again, closing her eyes as she changes into the form of the princess.
[16:12] * Sailor_Mars takes Serenity's hands. "You can lead us," she offers, concentrating her energy for the teleport.
[16:12] <Serenity-hime> "All right." She closes her eyes, focusing on the hallway of the artifacts. "Sailor Teleport!" With a flash, the pair vanish!
[16:12] <Serenity-hime> ----------
[16:17] <Serenity-hime> Serenity and Sailor Mars reappear in the ruined palace gardens on the Moon. Serenity looks around for a few minutes to get her bearings, then leads Rei on the short walk to the storage hall. When the two arrive, they find the silent hallway as Serenity had last seen it, with a golden barrier blocking the door to the Silence Glaive's room.
[16:18] * Sailor_Mars draws in a short breath, feeling Minako's energy from the golden barrier.
[16:20] * Serenity-hime walks over to the doorway, examining Minako's shield carefully. "Looks like it's still holding well enough." She reaches through the barrier, opening the door to look at the two globe-shaped barriers within.
[16:22] <Serenity-hime> "I was hoping we could get you inside to put another shield around the chest itself, but I don't think you could get through the door."
[16:23] * Sailor_Mars sighs. "Putting a barrier on the door itself is really pointless..."
[16:24] * Serenity-hime grins wryly. "She had a hard time putting it up in the first place, actually. We could probably knock down the wall to get inside if we really had to, I suppose."
[16:25] <Sailor_Mars> Gesturing for Serenity to move away, Sailor Mars raises her hands and concentrates briefly, before a cry of "Fire Soul!" heralds the release of a spiralling fireball at the wall next to the door.
[16:25] <Sailor_Mars> With a cloud of dust and smoke, a fairly large chunk of the wall collapses into rubble.
[16:26] * Serenity-hime giggles. "I didn't mean you HAD to knock down the wall, you know. Oh well, let's go see what we can do." She gestures to Rei as she steps through the hole left by the fireball.
[16:26] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, let's make a barrier that forms a rather more effective deterrent," Mars says, clambering through the unobstructed passage she just created.
[16:28] * Serenity-hime examines her own white barrier once inside the room, checking to make sure that it's still holding strong. It seems to be fully intact, though.
[16:28] * Sailor_Mars breathes a little heavily inside the room, feeling rather drained from both the teleport and the attack. "Right... lets see what we have here," she says, examining the two other barriers with her spiritual senses.
[16:29] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay... I think I can do this," she says, settling down crosslegged on the ground and beginning to concentrate. "You want me to put a barrier around the other two, right?"
[16:30] <Serenity-hime> "If you can, yes. Do you think you know how to do it? I can explain it if you want."
[16:32] * Sailor_Mars gives Serenity a level look, "Usagi, don't you remember when I tried to tell you how to make the barrier around the Shrine that one time? I know what I'm doing," she says slightly peevishly.
[16:33] * Serenity-hime holds up her hands in mock surrender. "Okay, I believe you! No need to snap at me."
[16:35] <Sailor_Mars> The Mars Pen appearing in her hands, Mars begins to concentrate deeply on both her spiritual powers and her mastery over flame, creating a permanent barrier like the flame one in the other artifact room, but invoking her spiritual powers so it will be even more effective at resisting supernatural attacks.
[16:35] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[16:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[16:36] <Sailor_Mars> After a moment, the barrier begins to slowly form, a dark red amorphous blob, which over the course of several minutes firms into a perfect sphere of shifting shades of red outside of the white barrier.
[16:36] * Serenity-hime nods in satisfaction as the dull red energy springs into shape, surrounding her own shield. "Looks good, Rei-chan!"
[16:36] * Sailor_Mars dismisses the pen and stands up. "Yes, it's better than the other flame barrier I defeated last time we were here," she says with some pride.
[16:37] <Serenity-hime> "Thanks for your help." Serenity smiles. "Now, you want to hit the library while we're up here? It seems to be the place in the best shape of anywhere I've seen in the palace so far; we should be fairly comfortable in there while we rest for a bit."
[16:38] <Sailor_Mars> Wiping some sweat from her brow, Mars nods, "Sure. It'll be a while before I feel up to doing another teleport, I'm afraid."
[16:39] * Serenity-hime nods. "I could do another one now, but only if I had you to help me." Serenity steps out through the hole in the wall. "Come on, let's go sit down for a while."
[16:41] * Sailor_Mars follows, brooding slightly over what Serenity just said. 'It's ironic that the one I'm supposed to protect is so much more powerful than me...' she thinks with some melancholy.
[16:42] <Serenity-hime> "Hey, just because I've got a bit more energy than you do doesn't mean I don't need - or want - your help, Rei-chan." Serenity says as she begins to lead the pair through the ruins towards the library.
[16:45] * Sailor_Mars blushes, "Darn telepathy," she mumbles, before speaking up louder, "Yeah, well you still have a long way to go before you can manage without my help either," she says, hiding her embarassment with anger, "You're still a klutz, after all!"
[16:47] * Serenity-hime fumes. "Thanks for the reminder. I'll be sure to blame you for not helping me the next time I trip over something." She turns to stick her tongue out at the white-haired miko.
[16:49] <Sailor_Mars> Hiding a smile now that she's back on more comfortable territory, Mars replies, "I can't always coddle you or you'll never learn!" Then for effect, she sticks her own tongue out with an extra-obnoxious "Biidah!"
[16:51] * Serenity-hime huffs and turns back to the front, concentrating on the route to the library deep within the palace. The hallways darken slowly as the two descend further inside the palace.
[16:53] <Sailor_Mars> Unconsciously, Mars draws closer to Serenity as the darkness looms, her eyes furtively darting towards the shadows as she remembers her first trip here. 'Metallia is gone, Metallia is gone, Metallia is gone. The shadows won't hurt you, there is nothing else here,' she repeats a litany in her head, trying to keep her composure.
[16:54] * Serenity-hime quietly takes Rei's hand as the two continue their trip towards the library. 'It's all right, Rei-chan. There's nothing here to be afraid of.'
[16:55] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm not afraid!" Rei snaps, but doesn't let go of Serenity's hand.
[16:56] * Serenity-hime doesn't reply, simply giving Rei's hand a light squeeze. A few moments later she comes to a stop in front of the library door, opening it with her free hand. "Here we are."
[16:57] * Sailor_Mars enters the library with Serenity, feeling a semi-familiar stirring in the back of her mind, but ruthlessly quashing it as she looks around.
[16:59] * Serenity-hime nods as she looks around the dimly-lit room. "Big surprise, looks about the same as the last time I was here. Lots of books and quite a few comfortable chairs."
[16:59] <Sailor_Mars> "Any of the books worth reading?" Mars asks, drawing closer to the nearest bookcase.
[17:01] <Serenity-hime> "Probably... if you could actually read any of them." Serenity makes a face. "Stupid Lunar writing."
[17:02] * Sailor_Mars snorts, "Considering that all our senshi attack and transformation phrases are in English, I'd have almost thought that was the language they used back then."
[17:04] <Serenity-hime> "That is kind of weird, now that you mention it." Serenity looks thoughtful. "Maybe it's not the actual words, but what we mean by them?"
[17:05] * Sailor_Mars blushes, "If it weren't for the fact that my attack looks like a snake, I'd have probably had to check a dictionary to figure out 'Mars Snake Fire'... the words just seem to come instinctively."
[17:05] * Serenity-hime giggles. "I still DO need to check a dictionary for mine. What the heck does 'hallation' mean anyway?"
[17:06] <Sailor_Mars> "I did look that one up," Rei admits, feeling a bit more at ease now, "It means a spreading halo of light, but it's usually used to refer to photographs."
[17:07] <Serenity-hime> "Photographs? So I'm taking pictures of the youma?" Serenity looks confused. "How does that hurt them?"
[17:08] <Sailor_Mars> "Not actual photographs, but the effect you sometimes get in them where light surrounds an object even if it didn't look like that in real life. It does kinda fit what your attack looks like..." Rei explains patiently.
[17:11] <Serenity-hime> "At least most of the other attacks make sense. I mean 'Fire Soul' is more of a fireball, but 'soul' fits you pretty well because of all your miko training and stuff." Serenity smiles.
[17:11] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah... but I wonder if my past self called her attack the same thing. I don't think she was a very spiritual person. At least not as much as I am..." Rei muses thoughtfully.
[17:11] <Serenity-hime> "I've got a few memories of her, actually. She does remind me a lot of you in some ways, although you're right -- she wasn't really that devout or anything back in the Silver Millenium."
[17:12] * Sailor_Mars runs a hand through her hair in a stressed gesture. "Yeah... I can't actually remember anything myself, but... I know she exists inside of me. And I hate to admit it, but I do see a lot of myself in her. Maybe that's one of the reasons I have trouble accepting her..." the white-haired girl trails off glumly.
[17:12] * Serenity-hime takes Rei's hand. "I can tell you that she wasn't a bad person, Rei-chan. She was pretty serious, and DEFINITELY stubborn," she grins, "but of course we don't know anyone else like that, do we?"
[17:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, she's arrogant, bitchy, and sanctimonious..." Rei mutters, half to herself. "Though I suppose at least she's not completely insane..."
[17:13] * Serenity-hime covers a smile. "I suppose you could say those things about her, although that's really being too hard on her. She WAS pretty single-minded about some things, and I DEFINITELY remember her chewing me out more than a few times when I tried to sneak out of the palace by myself. But she was also one of the closest friends I had." Serenity smiles brightly.
[17:14] <Serenity-hime> "She was always there to listen to me and comfort me whenever anything went wrong, and you should have seen some of the stunts we pulled at a few stuffy imperial functions." Serenity giggles at a particular memory. "I swore I'd never forget the look on the Jovian ambassador's face, and I was right."
[17:15] * Sailor_Mars starts to tense up a little, eyeing the other girl oddly. "Usagi...? Or are you... Serenity, now?"
[17:15] <Serenity-hime> "I'm both, Rei-chan. I always was." Serenity nods. "Being Serenity doesn't make me any less Usagi, and being Usagi doesn't diminish the fact that I'm Serenity, either. Yes, I can remember you setting a stuffy diplomat's toupee on fire a few thousand years ago..." Serenity giggles again. "But I can also remember going to that manga convention with you a couple of months ago, when we both got to laugh at those horrible cosplayers."
[17:15] * Sailor_Mars averts her eyes, her expression sad. "That's like what she said... she said you had accepted it, and it hadn't done you any harm..."
[17:15] * Serenity-hime gives Rei's hand a squeeze. "And it hasn't, Rei-chan. Not all of my memories are good, it's true, but I wouldn't trade them for the world. There was so much that we did and enjoyed back then... just the same way we do now." Serenity falls silent for a moment. "Just after I came back with my mom, when you guys had gotten Mamoru back from the Dark Kingdom, I made myself a promise. I told myself that I wasn't going to run away from being Sailor Moon or the Princess anymore -- you remember how I said I just wanted to be a normal girl, back in the Starlight Tower?"
[17:16] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah..." Rei says softly, recalling her own reaction to Usagi's words that time...
[17:16] <Serenity-hime> "I realized, while Mom was in the hospital, that thinking that was holding me back." Serenity looks down at her lap. "I'm not normal, no matter how much I'd like to be. I realized then that I could either keep fighting to be 'normal' again, and keep letting everyone down because I didn't want to be what I was supposed to be, or I could accept the fact that I wasn't normal, and do the best damn job of being unusual that I could."
[17:17] <Sailor_Mars> "She said that, too..." Rei says, her expression pained. "She said I was holding myself back..." She suddenly looks up to meet Usagi's eyes. "She said if I had accepted her, we would have been able to beat Oxyite before he released all that energy. And I know she's right..."
[17:18] * Serenity-hime snorts and raps Rei on the top of the head lightly. "If you're in there, PRINCESS Rei, I'll tell you that you're still just as cocky and overconfident as ever." She shakes her head, then looks back at Rei. "It feels like she's standing behind you, looking over your shoulder sometimes, right?"
[17:18] * Sailor_Mars nods slowly. "I keep her bottled up, that's why I don't have memories like the rest of you. But I can feel her, sometimes... It was only after the fight with Oxyite that I had that... well, it wasn't quite a dream, but I saw her, and we talked..."
[17:18] <Sailor_Mars> "I thought I was being noble and strong, to deny her and fight on my own terms as Rei Hino... but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe if I accepted her, she'd actually have less influence on me than she does with me exerting so much willpower to actually fight her..."
[17:18] * Serenity-hime smiles and stands up. "Let me show you something." She draws Rei to her feet as well, then moves around behind Rei, placing her hands on the white-haired miko's hips.
[17:18] <Serenity-hime> "What do you think would happen if you ran away from me right now, and I didn't let go of you?"
[17:19] <Sailor_Mars> "Uh... we'd both fall over?" Rei replies, not really understanding what her friend is getting at.
[17:19] <Serenity-hime> "Yeah, or you'd end up dragging me all over the room." Serenity giggles. "Now, what would happen if someone tried to push you backwards while I was holding you like this?"
[17:19] <Sailor_Mars> "I'd get squashed between you and the other person?" Rei offers.
[17:19] <Serenity-hime> "They'd have to push BOTH of us down instead of just you." Serenity moves around to face Rei. "Your past is the same way, Rei-chan. It can either hold you back or it can support you, just like if I was standing behind you and holding you. It's just up to you to decide which it's going to be." Serenity smiles.
[17:19] * Sailor_Mars looks at Serenity in wonder for a moment, before smiling faintly. "When did you get to be so wise?"
[17:19] * Serenity-hime hugs her friend warmly. "Who said I was wise? All I did was show you something you already knew inside. I don't know how you relate to her - for me, I sometimes feel like I can 'talk' to Serenity in my head - but spend a little time with her. And if she starts getting too snooty with you, just tell her that I DO know exactly what happened the night before Duke Alvaretti left for Saturn, and that I'll tell you about it if she isn't nice."
[17:20] * Serenity-hime gives Rei an uncharacteristically evil grin.
[17:20] <Sailor_Mars> "Um... I'm not really sure what that means, but I'm sure I won't like it when I find out..." Rei says, blushing for some reason. "Anyway... maybe you're right. Accepting her might not make me any less the person I am..." Unbidden, the image of her Dark Kingdom incarnation floats to the top of Rei's head. 'And even if it does... maybe it's for the best...'
[17:20] * Serenity-hime smiles gently. "It won't make you any less who you are, Rei-chan. Serenity never tries to take over Usagi, although she does give me advice sometimes - not all of it good." She makes a long face. "I know Princess Rei won't be QUITE the same - she can be really overbearing, rude, and bossy sometimes - but I can tell you she never, ever went against me when I made it clear that my mind was made up. She was the most loyal person I knew back in the Moon Kingdom... and like I said, you're a lot like her."
[17:21] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, I can be overbearing, rude, and bossy right back to her, then, right?" Rei smirks, a trace of her usual cockiness showing through.
[17:21] <Serenity-hime> "Absolutely! You let her know who's boss! But that doesn't mean you tell her to shut up all the time, either. Just give her a fair hearing, and if you're sure that your way is right, tell her so. If she's anything like what I remember, she'll grumble a lot but she will do everything she can to help you do it your own way."
[17:21] * Sailor_Mars sighs. "From the sounds of it, she certainly beats my other option hands down..."
[17:24] * Serenity-hime gives Rei an odd look. "Other option? What other option?"
[17:24] <Sailor_Mars> "Ah..." Rei wrings her hands slightly, "Did I say that out loud?"
[17:25] * Serenity-hime nods. "What other option are you talking... about..." Serenity suddenly catches on, just as she finishes her question.
[17:25] * Sailor_Mars notes Serenity's look and sighs deeply, looking far older than her fourteen years. "Yeah... you do remember how I said I still wasn't my old self after what happened with Metallia? Well, that part of me is fully intact, and locked away in the same place I keep my past life..."
[17:25] <Serenity-hime> "I... had a hunch. When I thought of what else you could mean, I remembered Mamoru saying almost the same thing." Serenity shakes her head. "If... if you don't mind my asking, what is she like?"
[17:25] * Sailor_Mars gives a mirthless chuckle. "She's not half as scary as I remember being when I was her. In a way, she's kinda pathetic. She's still hung up on 'Metallia-sama', but with Metallia dead, she's very alone. She has pretty much the same influence on me as my past life - in other words, none. But she showed up after Oxyite when my past life was talking to me..."
[17:25] <Serenity-hime> "What did SHE have to say?" Serenity asks quietly.
[17:25] <Sailor_Mars> "Oh, she and my past life really don't like each other..." Rei says ruefully. "But then, I don't like either of them. I don't really think she actually knows what she wants - she doesn't have 'Metallia-sama' telling her what to do, after all, but she wants me to accept her, and return to acting like she did. Just the same as Past Mars wants me to accept her and start acting like she did..."
[17:25] * Sailor_Mars rubs her temples, sighing once more. "It's a regular funhouse in my head, alright..."
[17:25] * Serenity-hime leans over and gives her friend a tight hug. "I don't know if it's the same thing or not, but maybe you should accept her too. Obviously you're not going to go out and BECOME her again, but you know you can accept Mars of the past without letting her take charge. Why would your dark side be any different?"
[17:26] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't know..." Rei says, "I mean, with Past Mars, accepting her means I get all of her memories, right? But with that other me... I can already remember everything I did when I was her, and exactly how it felt." She shivers, "I don't want to go back to feeling like that, thinking that everyone hates me and the only way to cope is to make everyone suffer in return..."
[17:26] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "It's not quite like that, Rei-chan, at least not with the past. I can remember people deferring to me everywhere I went when I was Serenity, so much so that I took it completely for granted. I'll admit, I was pretty stuck-up back then, and I didn't even realize it. But accepting Serenity as part of me hasn't changed who I am - it's only changed what I remember."
[17:26] * Serenity-hime draws herself up haughtily. "Now, if I need to I can bring out that part of myself and remind everyone that I AM a princess..." She relaxes and smiles. "But when I don't want to be that way, I don't have to be."
[17:26] <Sailor_Mars> "But I can already remember!" Rei insists, "I think she wants me to be like that again... maybe even if Metallia is dead, she still wants to finish what she started..." Rei tilts her head down, unable to look at her friend. "She really hates you more than anyone else. I think she'd give anything to be able to..." the white haired girl chokes slightly, "Kill you..."
[17:27] * Serenity-hime lifts Rei's chin with a finger, smiling gently as she looks the miko in the eyes. "And I know that you, Rei Hino, and that you, Princess Rei Aresion, would BOTH would give their lives in place of mine."
[17:27] * Sailor_Mars tilts her head slightly to the side, blushing. "We would..." she says softly. "In a heartbeat."
[17:27] <Serenity-hime> "And I - we would do the same for you, Rei-chan, just as easily. Are you really afraid that you'd actually try to kill me?"
[17:27] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't know..." Rei shrugs helplessly, "I remember when Metallia kept telling me to, somehow I never actually went for a killing strike," her expression turns slightly mischevious as she adds, "Even though you were leaving yourself wide open." She shakes her head, "But still, even if I can resist it, I don't want to have those kind of feelings."
[17:28] * Serenity-hime looks down, a smile playing around her lips. "Mind if I make a confession? I've had feelings like that myself, although a little different."
[17:28] <Sailor_Mars> "What?" Rei asks, looking at Serenity in alarm.
[17:28] <Serenity-hime> "Not about killing you - well, not specifically." Serenity looks up at Rei, a bit sadly. "Do you remember when I used the silver crystal to make that shield over Tokyo?"
[17:28] * Sailor_Mars nods slowly.
[17:28] <Serenity-hime> "After I woke up that day, I did a lot of thinking, and not all of it good. When I heard from you and Ami-chan about just how huge that shield was, I wondered if there wasn't anything I couldn't do with the ginzuishou. If I'd wanted to, I could have taken over the world, and don't think for a minute I didn't consider the idea for a little while."
[17:28] <Serenity-hime> "It would have been so easy - just use the crystal to sway the people into accepting me as ruler; I'd put a stop to all the wars, and have the whole world turn its strength against Metallia. Once she was defeated, it could be the beginning of an entirely new Silver Millenium." Serenity still wears the same sad smile.
[17:28] * Sailor_Mars bites back her instinctive response to the thought of Usagi running the world, and instead takes a moment to digest those words. Eventually, she responds, "I suppose I can understand... the Ginzuishou had infinite power. And you know what they say about power and corruption?" Rei's expression matches Serenity's, "Perhaps it's for the best that it's gone..."
[17:28] * Serenity-hime nods. "In the end, I did realize that it wasn't worth the cost. God only knows what that much use of the Ginzuishou would have done to me in the end. I realized in the end that no matter how good my intentions were, I could never force my will on other people. The ends never justify the means." Serenity sighs. "It was a hard decision to make though, I can tell you." She looks up at Rei. "Does that make me an evil person?"
[17:29] <Sailor_Mars> "Choosing not to take the easy way to force your will on the entire world?" Rei shakes her head, "That's not evil at all." Her expression becomes distant, as she contemplates, "There is a lot of evil in the world - beyond the kind of things we deal with, and you could have removed them. But... the cost would be to high. I think it's better to continue fighting, to inspire people and show them that there are better ways, so that when they choose to do good, they really mean it from their hearts. I think that's the way to make a better world for everyone."
[17:29] * Serenity-hime smiles. "Which is why you're such a great inspiration to me, Rei-chan."
[17:29] * Sailor_Mars blushes. "I know now that I could never lead us as well as you do. But I'll always do my best to support and... inspire, you," she says, an embarrassed flush on her face.
[17:30] <Serenity-hime> "As long as you just be yourself, you won't even have to try to support or inspire me. Who do you think it was who showed me just what a lot of determination could do for you? I'd never have come this far if not for you, Rei-chan."
[17:30] <Sailor_Mars> 'Okay, this is getting way too mushy...' Rei thinks, before quickly blurting out "Oh, shall I give you the dirt from under my fingernail?"
[17:30] <Sailor_Mars> OOC: The fingernail dirt is a metaphor for hard work, just so you know. Rei used this line on Usagi in the ep where she first used her Fire Soul Bird attack, and it seems appropriate here, too ^_^
[17:31] * Serenity-hime grins, ignoring Rei's verbal comments. "So I'm getting too mushy, huh?"
[17:31] * Sailor_Mars sighs. "Can't put a thing past you, anymore, huh?"
[17:31] * Serenity-hime giggles. "Nope! Although it's still weird hearing your thoughts, especially when I can tell you don't mean for me to." Serenity sticks her tongue out just a bit.
[17:31] <Sailor_Mars> "I think I'm getting the hang of preventing you from reading my thoughts except when I want you to, but it's hard to 'think' like that, and I slip up from time to time..." the miko shrugs.
[17:31] <Serenity-hime> "It gets even weirder when I think of myself as being psychic, but that's really the closest thing to it." Serenity sighs. "It's something completely new to me in BOTH lives; Serenity never had to deal with anything like that either."
[17:32] <Sailor_Mars> "I quite like being psychic myself," Rei says, "Even if it does make me known as 'that creepy girl at the Shrine who talks to birds and has strange powers', I'm comfortable with it. And I personally like how it lets me one-up Past Mars. She never had any psychic abilities - or at least if she did they were dormant."
[17:32] <Serenity-hime> "Thank the stars for that! She was a holy terror as it was - I don't think I could have taken her if she was a mind-reader on top of it." Serenity giggles.
[17:32] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, I bet she would have rubbed everyone's noses in it..." Rei grumbles.
[17:32] * Serenity-hime grins. "The thing that made her bearable was the fact that if she EVER messed up, she would get SO horrendously embarrassed. I've never seen someone do a better impression of a tomato."
[17:32] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah... don't know anyone who does that..." Rei replies, blushing.
[17:32] * Serenity-hime giggles. "I'll never forget the time her mother came to visit the Moon for an official state visit with my mother. We had to be there to greet her when she came off the ship, and of course it was this big fancy solemn moment, right?"
[17:33] <Sailor_Mars> "Right..." Rei nods slowly, still not really comfortable with talking about stuff like this.
[17:33] <Serenity-hime> "Anyway, Princess Rei burst out in the biggest sneezing fit I've ever seen in my life, right as the Queen was being presented. I swear, it must have lasted a full minute, and by the time she was done, every single member of the court was staring at her. She went red as a beet, started demanding to know what we were all looking at, and stormed off. About that time the entire group of us just about died laughing, her mother included."
[17:33] <Serenity-hime> "I couldn't get her to come out of her rooms for a week." Serenity giggles.
[17:34] <Sailor_Mars> "That sounds like something I'd do, alright..." Rei says thoughtfully, before getting an alarmed expression, "I mean, something she'd do!" she quickly amends.
[17:34] <Serenity-hime> "Something you'd BOTH do." Serenity smiles. "And to tell the truth - and she never got told it back then - I found out later that Minako had put sneezing powder in her hair and made sure she bumped into Rei a few times right before the ceremony."
[10:34] * Sailor_Mars suddenly looks pensive. "So 'Minako' and 'Rei' back then didn't get along?" she asks, not at all liking what that implies about the recent end of their relationship.
[10:35] <Serenity-hime> "Oh no, it wasn't anything like that at all. We were all really good friends back then - Minako was just the devil herself when it came to practical jokes. She got every last one of us at one point or another." Serenity makes a face. "I can recall at least three separate times where she sneaked fire peppers into my dinner."
[10:37] * Sailor_Mars snorts, still looking rather unhappy. "Minako never really seemed like the practical joker type to me..."
[10:38] * Serenity-hime sighs. "I probably shouldn't even have mentioned her... I just didn't think about it."
[10:39] <Sailor_Mars> "That's alright," Rei says, sitting heavily in a nearby chair. "I'd nearly went a full half hour without thinking about her. I guess I was due..."
[10:40] * Serenity-hime hangs her head, mentally berating herself. 'Stupid dumpling head! The whole idea of bringing Rei-chan up here was for something to help her get her mind off of Minako!'
[10:43] * Sailor_Mars laughs slighty on overhearing Usagi's thought, though there is little true mirth in it. "So putting a seal on that glaive was just an excuse? Pretty clever, I have to admit..."
[10:44] <Sailor_Mars> "But it wouldn't have worked. We'll be up here for a few more hours with nothing to do... I doubt I could remain distracted for that long..." she adds, ruefully.
[10:44] <Serenity-hime> "Well, no, not JUST an excuse. I did want to make sure it was okay, but I'll admit I wasn't THAT worried about it."
[10:47] <Sailor_Mars> "So what made you decide the Moon was the best place to keep me occupied?" Rei asks, the barest hint of curiousity in her voice.
[10:48] * Serenity-hime blushes slightly. "To be honest, I'd thought about asking you up here since before... what happened yesterday. It's the only place I could think of where Minako couldn't butt in uninvited." Serenity looks away somewhat guiltily.
[10:52] * Sailor_Mars looks at her friend curiously. "Huh? What did you want to talk to me about that you didn't want Minako around for?" while thinking, 'she's probably right, though... Minako and I have practically been joined at the hip since we got together... maybe if I'd kept more distance she wouldn't have...' Rei cuts the thought off disgustedly, not wanting to get bogged down in 'what ifs'.
[10:54] <Serenity-hime> "Nothing THAT special... it just seems like ever since you and Minako had gotten together I could never find time to spend alone with you. I kind of missed it. I mean, I didn't want to come between you and her or anything, but it just seemed like everywhere you went she was two steps behind you." Serenity blurts out.
[10:57] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, I'm sure to have lots of time to myself now," Rei comments sardonically.
[10:57] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head. "I don't know... did I do the right thing, Usagi? Seeing what Minako did to Cynthia really scared me. Her eyes were just totally dead... and then I find out she went nuts because I got hurt?" She sighs heavily. "I couldn't let it continue...
[10:57] <Sailor_Mars> "I know Minako is a good person. But you're right. She's too dependant on me. I mean, I lead a dangerous life, I get hurt all the time. But I accept that... I don't want Minako to become a murderer for me," she trails off, her eyes shining slightly with unshed tears in the dim light of the library.
[11:00] <Serenity-hime> "I..." Serenity hesitates, not entirely sure what to say. "I think she probably was too attached to you, you're right. To be honest, I don't know what I would have done if I was in your position." She gives a short laugh. "So much for me being wise, right? Lasted all of half an hour."
[11:02] * Sailor_Mars draws her feet up onto the chair, resting her head on her knees. "I just wish I knew what to do to make things better... but I don't think there's anything I can do. I'm too close to the problem." She suddenly gives a bitter laugh, "Hell, I am the problem."
[11:05] <Serenity-hime> "No you're not! It's not your fault, Rei-chan!" Serenity says with some heat. "You couldn't have known what Minako was going to do, and I certainly can't blame you for wanting to put some distance between yourself and Minako after what happened with Cynthia."
[11:10] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah... but it isn't just that Rei and Minako broke up. Sailor Mars forced Sailor Venus to leave the sailor senshi... maybe she does need time to get herself sorted out before she gets into another fight, in case it happens again..." Rei shakes her head. "But at the same time, I know how important being Sailor Venus and Sailor V is to her."
[11:10] <Sailor_Mars> "Hell, I used to idolise Sailor V, and now I've forced her into quitting,"  she finishes, her voice tinged with self-loathing.
[11:14] * Serenity-hime sets her mouth in a line. "No. You are NOT responsible for what she chooses to do as a senshi or as Sailor V, Rei. If she wants to set those aside, that's her choice. That's what I had to realize when Mamoru got taken; just because things aren't always going the way you want them doesn't mean you can just abandon your responsibilities."
[11:44] * Sailor_Mars frowns, not at all liking the comparison of Minako with Mamoru. "I think maybe it's for the best, at least right now. Given how often I get attacked, it's best if Minako isn't subjected to that, at least until she learns a bit of control... I just hope we can get her back before too long." Rei chokes a little.
[11:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Even if she's not my girlfriend, I want her to be my friend, but after what she said when I rejected Kotono, I don't know if it'll happen..."
[11:47] <Serenity-hime> "It'll happen, Rei-chan, I'm sure of it. Minako just needs some time to settle down, I expect." Serenity smiles gently.
[11:48] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah," Rei agrees glumly, not sounding all that convinced.
[11:50] <Serenity-hime> "Just give it time." Serenity nods, and pauses for a few moments to try to think of something else to discuss. "I wonder how Mako-chan is doing today... I hope she slept okay last night. I know the light from my crescent moon kept ME awake all night."
[11:51] <Sailor_Mars> "Has Mako-chan recovered any?" Rei asks, perking up slightly.
[11:52] <Serenity-hime> "Oh yes! She woke up yesterday afternoon, a little while after the marking showed up." Serenity smiles. "We had a long talk, and I filled her in on a lot of what's been happening while she was gone."
[11:53] <Sailor_Mars> "And you didn't tell me?!" Rei asks incredulously, practically leaping from her seat, before stumbling slightly. "Damn..." she raises a hand to her head, "And it's going to be a few hours before I'll be rested enough to do another teleport..."
[17:39] <Serenity-hime> "She should be fine! Mom will take good care of her, and we can just teleport straight back to my house if you want to go see her."
[17:41] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm not doubting your mother's ability to look after her," Rei retorts, "I just..." the miko paces restlessly as she speaks, "I just want to see her for myself. You're sure she's okay now?"
[17:43] <Serenity-hime> "I'm positive!" Serenity falls silent for a moment, a look of mild concentration on her face. "Looks like she's still asleep - she's not answering me right now."
[17:44] * Sailor_Mars relaxes a bit. "I'm just glad she's okay. When you talked to her yesterday, did she say anything about what happened to her when she was captured?"
[17:46] <Serenity-hime> "She said her memory's kind of fuzzy right now in general, and I'm not surprised. She seemed pretty uncomfortable about Orestes, but I didn't really ask her much about what happened to her." Serenity looks down. "There are still pieces of Orestes' energy trapped inside her."
[17:47] <Sailor_Mars> "What?!" Rei cries in alarm, "Orestes was totally crazy! There's no telling what effect that could have on Mako-chan!"
[17:49] <Serenity-hime> "I know! I tried to get them out, but there were two pieces buried WAY down inside her - I couldn't get to them without hurting Mako-chan, so I left them there for now."
[17:52] * Sailor_Mars runs a hand through her hair. "Yeah... fumbling around in her head could easily do a lot more harm than good..." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "I can give it a shot myself. Maybe if we both work together we can do it?" 'Usagi has a lot more power than me, I could probably help her fine-tune it a bit...'
[17:55] <Serenity-hime> "It's worth a try, I guess. I was able to get most of the energy off, but when I tried to get one of those last two pieces I sort of 'snagged' something inside Mako-chan and it looked like it really hurt her a lot." Serenity hangs her head, ashamed. "We'll need to ask Mako-chan first just to be sure."
[17:56] <Sailor_Mars> "Of course!" Rei nods quickly, "I'd never do something like that without her permission!"
[17:58] * Serenity-hime nods quietly. 'I'm just glad Rei never actually saw her BEFORE she got her powers back...'
[17:59] <Sailor_Mars> "Was she really that bad?" Rei asks quietly.
[18:01] * Serenity-hime takes a deep sigh. "Yeah, she was. It looked like someone hacked away part of her with a butcher knife." She closes her eyes, shivering a bit at the memory.
[18:04] * Sailor_Mars takes a few moments to digest that, before speaking up. "It's amazing how tightly bound our powers are to our souls, isn't it?" she sounds almost melancholic as she speaks, her gaze wandering around the library, but not really seeing. "We're given such awesome power, but take it away, and we can't even function as normal humans..."
[18:06] <Serenity-hime> "I guess we can't, unless Orestes took something else besides just Mako-chan's powers." Serenity shakes her head. "I don't think she ever would have woken up if we hadn't gotten that power back to her though." She shakes her head with a small smile. "It's kind of funny... I don't know how you 'see' all of us with your training and such, but whatever it is I can see with, each of us is so bright compared to normal people."
[18:07] <Serenity-hime> "I'm not even sure how much power is really there, to tell the truth."
[18:12] <Sailor_Mars> "I don't 'see' auras, at least, not like how I think you do," Rei says with a smile, "I can just sort of sense them. I can't really describe it in comparison to any other senses, it's something totally different. But I think you're right about our powers.
[18:12] <Sailor_Mars> "I know I can learn to master the power I have with more skill as I learn - and maybe if I accept what my past life tells me. But beyond that, I can feel even more sleeping below the surface. Sometimes," she says with a pensive look, "Sometimes I can feel it, when I'm especially emotional. It's out of reach... but I know it won't be that way forever."
[18:24] <Serenity-hime> "I'm sure we've all got new things to master with time." Serenity smiles. 'I just wish there was more time to do it in.' "Auras look pretty cool most of the time, although to tell the truth it's starting to become a pain. I just wish there was some way for me to 'turn it off'. EVERYONE is starting to show up with a visible aura now." She makes a face.
[18:26] * Sailor_Mars nods. "I can see how that would be annoying. I did tell you it would be a good idea to figure out how to turn those abilities off from time to time. I just wish I could tell you how to do it..." she trails off, a little annoyed at not having anything really constructive to offer.
[18:28] * Serenity-hime sighs. "It's okay, it's just something I guess I'll have to learn to deal with. It IS kind of fun sometimes though - that time we went to the mall together was really cool. All those hundreds of people walking around, glowing in every color you can think of..." Serenity smiles at the memory.
[18:30] <Sailor_Mars> Smiling slightly at Usagi's description, Rei speaks up. "Well, maybe once you remember how to read them, some of these books could help you figure it out?" she offers, gesturing to the bookshelves.
[18:32] <Serenity-hime> "I'm hoping at least one of them can. I normally HATE studying, but there's so much in here that could help us out... I have to admit, I was kind of excited when Ami found this place."
[18:34] * Sailor_Mars suddenly blinks, a startled look on her face. "Hey, doesn't Ami's computer tell her stuff in Japanese? If it's from the Silver Millenium, shouldn't it all be in the same language as these books?"
[18:35] <Serenity-hime> "Hey, I never thought about that. I guess it SHOULD be, but I've seen her computer before - it DOES display everything in Japanese, even if it doesn't make any sense to me." Serenity sticks out her tongue a bit. "I wonder why it's different." She gets up and walks over to one of the bookshelves, scanning the spine labels on the books.
[18:37] <Sailor_Mars> "Did Japanese even exist as a language on Earth back in the days of the Moon Kingdom?" Rei asks, still stuck on this minor, but niggling point.
[18:40] <Serenity-hime> "I have no idea. I still have no idea how many thousands of years old this place is, or how long ago the Moon Kingdom fell. I wonder if Endymion's kingdom on Earth appears in any history books or anything..." Serenity looks thoughtful.
[18:41] <Sailor_Mars> "I bet Sailor Pluto would know," Rei suggests.
[18:43] * Serenity-hime frowns. "Yeah, I'll bet she would. I STILL want to talk to her, but I have no idea where to find her."
[18:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Did you ever ask Luna about her?"
[18:49] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "I mentioned her to Luna, of course, but she seemed as surprised as I was to hear about her."
[18:51] * Sailor_Mars sighs. "I really wish she'd given us some way of contacting her... I suppose I wouldn't go to much trouble just to answer these little questions, but I'm sure she could still help us out in other ways."
[18:53] * Serenity-hime nods. "And there ARE a few things that aren't so little that I want to talk to her about." Serenity looks rather serious.
[18:55] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm sure we haven't seen the last of her. We'll just have to make sure we have long enough to have a proper talk, next time..."
[18:57] <Serenity-hime> "That's for sure. I wonder why she never came to see us before then though - or why she hasn't shown up since." Serenity frowns.
[19:00] <Sailor_Mars> "She did say that she can't leave her position guarding the Gates of Time, and I can see why it would be so important to guard something that allows travel through time. But even if she can't leave, just being able to communicate with her would be enough, I bet she could tell us all sorts of useful information," Rei says, mirroring her friend's frown.
[19:03] <Serenity-hime> "I wonder where these gates actually ARE. If we knew that, we could probably go to talk to her without her having to leave." Serenity looks thoughtful. "Do you think they might be here on the Moon somewhere?"
[19:04] <Sailor_Mars> "They'd have to be well hidden to keep the Dark Kingdom from ever finding them... maybe they're in a seperate space like you said Queen Serenity was in?" Rei suggests after a moments thought.
[19:08] <Serenity-hime> "I'm still not really sure WHAT Queen Serenity was in, to tell the truth. I suppose it could be something like that, but if it is, there's no way we'd ever find her unless she wanted us to find her, or unless we knew exactly where we were going to start with - like I did when I teleported up here to talk to her with Luna."
[19:10] * Sailor_Mars looks around the library. "And I doubt the 'oh-so-secret' Gates of Time will be mentioned in the library. I think unless one of us actually remembers going to visit Sailor Pluto in the past, we're stuck waiting for her to come to us..."
[19:13] <Serenity-hime> "They might have been mentioned in some of the books in the room Ami found, but it looks like Beryl cleaned it out a long time ago." Serenity thinks for a minute. "Starfire DID say the portal to her castle would still be around; maybe I should ask her if she knows how to contact Pluto."
[19:14] <Sailor_Mars> "I'm sure she does. Those two seemed to get along pretty well..." Rei muses thoughtfully.
[19:17] * Serenity-hime nods, and heads back to one of the deep-cushioned chairs. "There's not a lot we can do about any of it right now though. I don't know about you, but I think I'm going to take a nap for a little while - we've got a bit of a wait before we can teleport back home."
[19:19] <Sailor_Mars> "Uh, okay..." Rei says hesitantly, looking around a bit before clamping down on her nervousness. "I suppose we really should have brought some food up here as well, huh?" she offers with a slightly strained chuckle.
[19:20] * Serenity-hime giggles. "Yeah, I'm going to be STARVED when we get back home. I'll have to remember to bring a lunch with me the next time I come up."
[19:22] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, I guess we've learned a lesson," Rei gives a lopsided smile before leaning against a nearby bookshelf. "You just take a nap if you like, I won't go anywhere," her reassuring words belayed by her thoughts; 'No way I'm crazy enough to sleep here!'
[19:30] <Serenity-hime> "You wake me up if you need ANYTHING, Rei-chan." 'Even if it's just someone to talk to.' Serenity gives Rei a smile.
[19:36] <Sailor_Mars> "Heh, don't worry about me, I'll be fine," Rei says, giving Serenity what she hopes is a reassuring look.
[19:37] <Serenity-hime> "I mean it, Rei. Either way, wake me up in a few hours." Serenity nods and closes her eyes, leaning back in the chair as she quickly dozes off to sleep, the moon on her forehead glowing dimly.
[19:40] * Sailor_Mars glances around nervously, maintaining her fake relaxed, but actually rather tense posture for a little while longer. Eventually, she straightens before going to sit in a chair opposite Serenity's one. Rather more comfortable, she nonetheless keeps on the watch for any all powerful evil beings that would seek to violently mindrape her. Again.

[17:46] <Sailor_Mars> Watching her friend slumber so peacefully, Rei is almost fooled into thinking the Moon is safe, but soon shelves that notion. "Stupid Dumpling Head," she mumbles huffily, "Of course she can fall asleep anywhere..."
[17:48] <Sailor_Mars> The time passes by, with Rei assuming a variety of positions as she shifts around in her seat, maintaining a constant state of readiness in case of the inevitable attack by nasty evil things.
[17:48] <Sailor_Mars> Getting bored of that, she makes a brief survey of the books in the nearby shelves, though keeping Usagi in her line of sight at all times. But the titles all read as gibberish to her...
[17:49] * Sailor_Mars considers playing with her telekinetic abilities to rearrange the library, but remembers how draining that can be, so puts the notion aside.
[17:50] <Sailor_Mars> Feeling a little tense, the senshi of fire and passion decides to do some stretches, before proceeding with a few simple martial arts kata she knows.
[17:51] * Serenity-hime gasps loudly, starting halfway up out of her seat as her eyes snap open wide. She breathes heavily for a few moments as she tries to get her bearings, before looking around for Rei.
[17:52] * Sailor_Mars notices the movement and pauses mid-kick, slowly lowering her leg and giving Usagi a concerned look. "You okay?" she asks, moving closer.
[17:53] * Serenity-hime blinks several times as she gets her breath. "Yeah... yeah, I'll be fine." Serenity shakes her head slightly. "Just a stupid nightmare again."
[17:55] <Sailor_Mars> "Want to talk about it?" Rei asks, settling back in the seat opposite Serenity.
[17:56] <Serenity-hime> "No, that's okay. I'm used to this one." Serenity gives the fire senshi a wan smile. "At least I don't wake up screaming anymore."
[17:58] * Sailor_Mars arches an eyebrow. "Used to it? You've been having the same nightmare, repeated?" 'She's already able to see auras, can she be getting prophetic visions as well?'
[18:01] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "This one is hardly prophetic. It varies a bit from time to time, but the basic idea is that I start out on the Moon and release the prisoners again. What happens from there changes between individual dreams, but it's never a happy ending." Serenity sighs.
[18:04] <Sailor_Mars> "Ah, well at least you're not dreaming of something that actually happened, right?" Rei offers consolingly. 'Funny that we both have nightmares centred on the Moon, yet she chose to come here so we could spend time together...' she thinks to herself.
[18:05] * Serenity-hime looks over at Rei. "You still have nightmares about what happened here too, huh?" She sighs. "I can think of a lot better things to have in common."
[18:08] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, though on the plus side, I've gotten much better control over my psychic abilities lately. I used to have the most horrible prophetic nightmares, they were far too confusing to ever make sense of, but still had me waking up in a cold sweat and filled with dread nearly every night." She sighs heavily, "If I still had to deal with those in addition to flashbacks, I'd never get any sleep at all."
[18:12] <Serenity-hime> "I just hope mine get under control soon. Right after it happened, I'd usually wake up in the middle of the night and never be able to get back to sleep - I was absolutely exhausted there for about a week and a half. I still get them fairly often now, but I can fall asleep again afterwards. I just hope they stop COMING sometime soon." Serenity looks over at Rei curiously. "Flashbacks? To the time when.... when Metallia had you?"
[18:15] * Sailor_Mars nods in response to Usagi's question, but chooses not to elaborate further, instead saying, "Well, we've nearly dealt with all the prisoners, I'm sure once we put it behind us, your subconscious will let go of the dreams. I remember how you acted right after they all escaped - but since then you've just bottled it all up so you could deal with the crisis at hand, right?"
[18:17] * Serenity-hime nods glumly. "I still think it's my fault, but sitting around trying to place the blame isn't going to get them taken care of any faster. Getting rid of them - one way or another - is more important than whose fault it is they escaped."
[18:19] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, dealing with the present is more important than worrying about the past," Rei agrees.
[18:20] * Serenity-hime stands up from her chair and stretches. "Hope you weren't too bored while I was asleep... there's not a whole lot to do up here, that's for sure."
[18:21] * Sailor_Mars shrugs. "I suppose I kept myself occupied..."
[18:24] * Serenity-hime glances around the library. "It's at least nice to have one room up here to use that isn't completely ruined." She sighs. "Some princess I am... the only thing I rule over is a cold, half-destroyed palace on the Moon."
[18:26] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, I could heat the place up," Rei offers, "But there's really no point, is there?" She stands up and makes a show of looking around, before settling her gaze on Serenity. "The Moon Kingdom is dead, and we have lives on Earth to deal with."
[18:28] <Serenity-hime> "Yeah..." Serenity says absently as she stares into the middle distance, deep in thought.
[18:30] <Sailor_Mars> "Penny for your thoughts?" Rei prods, sensing Usagi doesn't quite agree...
[18:31] * Serenity-hime shakes her head slightly. "Some queen..." she mutters, barely loud enough for Rei to hear.
[18:31] <Sailor_Mars> "What about a Queen?"
[18:32] <Serenity-hime> "Nothing... just something Cynthia said." Serenity replies, still not looking at Rei.
[18:34] <Sailor_Mars> "What did she say?" Rei asks, keeping her tone patient even as she thinks 'Geez, just spit it out, Dumpling Head!'
[18:37] * Serenity-hime sighs testily. "She had me promise her that I'd be a good queen. But I don't even know of WHAT! I mean, there's nothing here to be ruler of, and there's certainly nowhere I could be a queen on Earth, but she said something about having seen me as Queen." Serenity sighs. "It's been bugging me for a while now."
[18:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, you could fix up the Moon and live as Queen here, but even if everything was restored, so what?" Rei asks, "You still wouldn't have any actual subjects. Amd you already said you could have used the Crystal to take over the Earth, but didn't. Do you actually want to be Queen of anything?"
[18:46] <Serenity-hime> "I don't know! It was hard enough just accepting the fact that I was a princess, even if it was of a dead kingdom. Now I'm supposed to be queen... I mean, the old queen gave me the responsibility for the kingdom, Cynthia told me to be a good queen, even Luna seems like she expects me to step up any day now and start ruling something." Serenity rests her head in her hands. "It feels like I'm being pushed into being queen whether I want to or not."
[18:53] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi, you have all the time in the world to decide what you want from your life - you're only fourteen!" Rei says with some exasparation. "You want to be Queen, you figure out a long term plan for it. If not, plan for something else. But whichever, you have plenty of time to figure it out, and you can always ask me or the other girls for advice when you need it."
[18:57] <Serenity-hime> "That's just it! I feel like I DON'T have any time to figure it out - one thing or another is pushing me into it whether I want to or not! I mean, now I'm even starting to look like the Moon Princess ALL the time, not just when I'm like this." Serenity uses her hands to indicate her dress. "Even I seem to be pushing myself that way, and I don't know what to do about it!"
[19:02] * Sailor_Mars sighs, running a hand through her hair. "So what? Queen; it's just a title! That;" she gestures at Serenity's clothes, "It's just a dress! You're Queen of the Moon, whoop de doo! It's when you decide you want to do something about being Queen that we have to worry about what will happen. So just answer me, do you have any plans for what to do as Queen? Has Luna, or Cynthia, or the last Queen explained your 'royal duties'?
[19:04] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "The only thing Mother told me was to take care of the kingdom." She sighs heavily, then points to the moon glowing on her forehead. "What about this, then? It's not just a title, Rei-chan... why did it show up now, and what does it really mean? And I don't expect you to have an answer, but it's just one more thing I have to worry about now."
[19:11] <Sailor_Mars> "Kingdom? It's all ruins!" Rei cries in frustration, "And as for that," she gestures at Serenity's forehead, then closes her eyes, concentrating intently. After a moment, her tiara seems to dissolve, and the symbol of Mars flares to glowing red life on her forehead and she opens her eyes.
[19:11] <Sailor_Mars> "It could just as easily be a symbol of your position as Sailor Moon as anything else. Maybe it showed up permanently because you're more intertwined with your powers than the rest of us. Or maybe not. I don't have answers, but I'll be damned if I watch you beat yourself up because a bunch of people who can't see the real you keep dumping this crap on you!"
[19:19] <Serenity-hime> "I'm just scared, Rei-chan..." Serenity whispers. "Sometimes I'm not even sure who the real me IS anymore. Everyone seems to think I have some great destiny to step into - but I just don't know what to do about it, myself. I mean, this time last year the most I had to worry about was passing my midterms, not that I really cared about them back then either. Now it feels like I'm carrying this giant weight around all the time, and I'm getting so tired of it..." She hangs her head, and tears begin to run down her cheeks.
[19:26] <Sailor_Mars> "It's the weight of duty, Usagi," Rei says gently, moving beside her friend and putting an arm around the shorter girl. "With our power, we have a responsibility to protect the Earth. I might not know anything about this Queen stuff, but I know all about my duty as a Sailor Soldier. And I can promise you that i'll always be beside you to help carry that weight."
[19:28] * Serenity-hime smiles over at the white-haired senshi. "Thanks, Rei-chan. I don't know what I'd do without you sometimes."
[19:31] <Sailor_Mars> "Probably find someone else to bum manga off and annoy all day!" Rei suggests teasingly.
[19:32] * Serenity-hime giggles. "Nah, I'd still have to track you down and get greasy fingerprints all over your prized limited editions." Serenity grins.
[19:34] * Sailor_Mars gives Serenity a particularly serious and intent stare. "Some things you just don't joke about, Usagi," she says, shaking her head slowly. She then ruins the effect by giggling.
[19:36] * Serenity-hime breaks into a fit of the giggles just as Rei does, then perks up! "Hey! I wonder..." She quickly gets out of her seat and starts looking around at the library shelves.
[19:37] <Sailor_Mars> "Huh?" Rei follows Serenity curiously. 'Did they have manga back in the Moon Kingdom? And would it be in the royal library?' she wonders, surmising as to what her friend is looking for.
[19:38] <Serenity-hime> "I remember them having something like it back then; it wasn't EXACTLY the same as your manga, but it's very similar. And I don't see why they wouldn't keep a few of them here; I mean, Ami-chan found children's books here before."
[19:40] * Sailor_Mars feels her interest in the library perk up as she follows Serenity around the bookshelves.
[19:43] * Serenity-hime glances at the various shelves, her eyes flickering with recognition as she finally finds what she's looking for. Withdrawing a rather large green-bound volume from the shelf, she takes it over to one of the tables and opens it, revealing what appears to be a full-color graphic novel in Lunar script. "I knew they had some of them down here!" Serenity beams.
[19:43] <Sailor_Mars> "Cool!" Rei enthuses, looking at the pictures. Noting the script, she says, "Hey, shouldn't Luna be able to translate this stuff easily enough?"
[19:44] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "She can't read it any more than I can. Ami-chan can translate it with her computer, but it takes a long time to do it. She was going to work on learning the Lunar language, and I think I'm going to try to learn it with her if I can."
[19:46] <Sailor_Mars> "What?" Rei gives Usagi a very skeptical look. "Wasn't Luna the chief advisor to the Queen back then? And she can't even read the language?"
[19:48] <Serenity-hime> "She says she can't remember a word of it - she was going to study it with me and Ami."
[19:49] <Sailor_Mars> "I know her memories were scrambled a bit at first, but she said she got them all back towards the end of the war with the Dark Kingdom... useless cat..." the miko grumbles.
[19:50] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "I thought I had most of mine back before, but I still get a lot every time I come up here. Maybe it's the same for Luna."
[19:51] <Sailor_Mars> "I guess..." Rei says noncommitally.
[19:52] <Serenity-hime> "You want to hang onto this?" Serenity holds up the book. "If I do manage to learn the language I can translate it for you later."
[19:53] <Sailor_Mars> "Sure. Even if I can't read it, the artwork is pretty good," Rei says, accepting it.
[19:55] <Serenity-hime> "Come on, maybe we can find a few more. I can't read much right now, but I think I can make out what kind of book something is." Serenity leads the way back into the shelves.
[19:56] * Sailor_Mars follows.
[19:56] <Serenity-hime> --------
[19:57] <Serenity-hime> Several hours later, the two girls have discovered a small number of 'Moon manga', most of which are in similar condition to the first one Serenity found.
[19:58] * Serenity-hime sits down at the nearest table with a happy sigh. "Now THAT's the kind of reading I want to do up here!" She smiles. "But I'm just about ready to get back home, if you are."
[19:58] <Sailor_Mars> "I can just about manage a teleport now, I think," Rei nods. "Want to just go straight to your house?"
[19:59] * Serenity-hime nods. "I think that'll be good - we can just go straight to see Mako-chan." She smiles.
[20:00] <Sailor_Mars> "Right then," Rei says, her books safely stored in subspace as she takes Serenity's hands and begins concentrating for the teleport.
[20:01] * Serenity-hime holds Rei's hands firmly as she concentrates on her own home back in Tokyo. "Sailor Teleport!" she calls out, and in a flash the two disappear, reappearing a few moments later in Shingo's bedroom.
[20:04] * Sailor_Mars feels a little lightheaded from the exertion, and reverts to her civilian form.
[20:05] * Serenity-hime sees Rei's transformation dissipate, and lets her own appearance return to normal.
[20:06] <Rei-chan> "Is Mako-chan still in your room, Usagi?"
[20:06] <Usagi-chan> "Probably. She was up and around even yesterday, but I doubt Mom will have let her go home on her own just yet. She'll be around here somewhere."
[20:07] <Rei-chan> "Well, let's find her," Rei says, exiting the youngest Tsukino's room.
[12:24] * Usagi-chan leaves Shingo's room just behind Rei, heading for her own room across the hall. "Mako-chan, are you in here?"
[12:25] <Makoto> "Yeah, I'm in here, Usagi-chan," Makoto calls out.
[12:25] * Rei-chan quickly follows behind Usagi, eager to see her recovered friend.
[12:26] * Usagi-chan steps into the room. "How are you feeling today? Still fuzzy?"
[12:27] <Rei-chan> "You gave us quite a scare, Mako-chan," Rei waves a reproving finger as she enters, though a smile tugs at her lips.
[12:27] * Makoto shakes her head as she gets off the futon she was resting in, "I'm alright Usagi-chan."
[12:31] * Makoto gives a small laugh at Rei-chan. "You all keep saying that. Don't worry, it's not something I'd like to make a habit of doing either..."
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "It's good to have you back," Rei says warmly, taking a seat on the floor next to the futon and sighing. "You sure missed a crazy couple of weeks..."
[12:33] * Makoto sighs. "That," she says with a small pause, "is something that I've also been hearing a lot."
[12:34] * Makoto begins to think of some of the stuff Usagi had said, including the bits about Rei and Minako.
[12:34] <Makoto> "A crazy couple of weeks indeed..." she mutters under her breath.
[12:34] <Usagi-chan> "I'm just hoping we're going to have a break for a few days..." Usagi sighs.
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, Usagi said she told you pretty much everything that happened," Rei gestures to the blonde, thinking, 'Did she mention that I got expelled?'
[12:36] * Usagi-chan nods to Rei. 'I think I did. Why, did you not want me to?'
[12:37] * Rei-chan winces. "Ah, yeah... you're not the only one of us who got expelled from school now, at least," she says lamely to Makoto, thinking to Usagi, 'Nah, not like I could have kept it secret.'
[12:39] * Makoto blinks and screeches, "Wait.... I got EXPELLED?!? Usagi made it sound like I'd still have to deal with my school advisor over the time I missed!"
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "Ah..." Rei is taken aback by the reaction, "No, I got expelled. I was talking about what happened before you started at Juuban Junior High..."
[12:40] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "As far as I know you're still enrolled at Juuban - I haven't heard any rumors about you being kicked out, although I've missed more than a few days myself in the last month." Usagi sighs.
[12:44] * Makoto gives a deep breath of relief at Usagi's statement before glaring at Rei. "I was -not- expelled. Those were just rumors, and thank you very much for scaring a couple of years of my li... oh great, that still means I have to deal with Mrs. Suzuki. I'm beginning to think getting expelled would have been better..."
[12:45] <Rei-chan> "You weren't?" Rei blinks. "Why didn't you say so? Not that I ever held it against you or anything," she hastily adds. "If you want a tip, though, try not to set Mrs Suzuki's desk on fire," she sighs, "Trust me, that never helps."
[12:47] <Makoto> "...You set your advisor's desk on fire?"
[12:48] * Rei-chan blushes. "Not my advisor... the headmaster's."
[12:48] * Makoto just stares at Rei.
[12:57] <Rei-chan> "I didn't mean it!" Rei insists, floundering slightly at Makoto's stare. "I mean, I didn't know I could do that when I'm not Sailor Mars... I was just sort of thinking that it might shut him up if his desk were to spontaneously ignite." She pantomines a 'whoosh' gesture of flames going up. "And it did..."
[12:57] * Usagi-chan covers a smile. 'I wish I could have seen that...'
[12:58] * Makoto nods with Usagi, starting to see the humor in the event, a faint grin adorning her face.
[12:59] * Rei-chan crosses her arms huffily. "It wasn't funny," she says sternly.
[13:00] * Usagi-chan starts to giggle. "Aw, come on, Rei-chan! I'd LOVE to set the principal's desk on fire when I get sent to the office!"
[13:00] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, you say that now, and it is cool to think about, I admit," Rei concedes, "But when it actually happens, you'll be singing a different tune!"
[13:01] * Usagi-chan imagines blowing up the principal's office like she did with the apartment building and grimaces.
[13:12] <Makoto> "Yeah, well, I sincerely doubt I'd be able to set something on fire," Makoto says. "You're the firebug, not me."
[13:13] <Rei-chan> "True, but you could certainly give someone a nasty shock..." Rei says, recalling the power Orestes was throwing around yesterday. Especially the blast that had hit her...
[13:17] <Makoto> "I suppose..." Makoto says with a shrug. "Anyhow, I'll deal with Mrs. Suzuki when I have to. Hopefully minus the shocks."
[13:18] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, best thing to do is just nod your head and let them tire themselves out yelling," Rei suggests, wishing Minako had figured out that basic concept herself...
[13:20] <Makoto> "Heh, that's what I tried to do the first time I met Mrs. Suzuki," Makoto says sheepishly. "She's not the sort you can just do that with though. She's very... infuriating."
[13:21] <Usagi-chan> "I've never met her myself, but I've heard rumors about her." Usagi shudders.
[13:22] <Makoto> "Hmmph, surprised you never have with your tardy records. I would have expected her to call you up to tell you to stop getting stoned before class so you'd arrive on time and do well in classes," Makoto says with a half joking, half annoyed tone.
[13:23] <Rei-chan> "Stoned?" Rei quirks an eyebrow.
[13:23] <Makoto> "That's what she said I was out doing when I missed classes," Makoto says with a frown.
[13:24] <Usagi-chan> "I just hope I never DO have to meet her." Usagi mutters. "Miss H is bad enough when she's in a bad mood."
[13:24] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "Well, look on the bright side, at least you weren't called a lesbian witch..."
[13:25] * Makoto quirks an eyebrow back at Rei. "Lesbian Witch?"
[13:26] * Rei-chan coughs. "You know about me and Minako, right? Well, we had an argument at school, which is what we had to see the headmaster for in the first place. Things got out of hand, and then after the desk caught fire he was yelling for security to come and remove the 'lesbian witches'..."
[13:30] <Makoto> "So now you're stuck looking for a new school, huh?" Makoto says with sympathy.
[13:42] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, me and Minako are both trying to get into Mugen Gakuen. It's a pretty tough school to get into, but it's an escalator system like T*A, so I won't need to worry about high school entrance exams once I'm in." 'I think I'll have to make sure Minako and I aren't in the same class when we go there, though...'
[13:43] * Usagi-chan grimaces as she picks up on the stray thought. Given the current situation between the two, having Rei and Minako in the same class would be a recipe for disaster.
[13:44] <Makoto> "Well, I just hope I don't have to be looking out for a new school after Mrs. Suzuki gets through with me. I think my only option would be going back to my old school if that happened. No way I could get into a place like Mugen Gakuen," Makoto mutters.
[13:45] <Rei-chan> "Well, you could always ask Ami-chan to help with studying," Rei suggests, "But yeah, lets hope it doesn't come to that in the first place."
[13:47] * Makoto groans. "I'm going to have to see Ami anyhow. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm going to have to catch up like crazy."
[13:49] <Usagi-chan> "You and me both. I swear, I must have missed half my classes in the past month and a half, between the Dark Kingdom and these guys." Usagi grumbles. "Why can't they just attack after school lets out?"
[13:49] <Rei-chan> "We could form a study group!" Rei says cheerfully. 'I sure can't study with Minako anymore...'
[13:51] <Usagi-chan> "That would be awesome!" Usagi beams. "It's a lot more fun when you can study with other people."
[13:52] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei agrees, "And we have the smartest girl in all Japan to help us!"
[13:53] <Makoto> "Yup. It's got to be an amazing amount of work to not only fight with us but still keep her grades as high as she does."
[13:54] <Usagi-chan> "I have no idea where she finds the time..." Usagi shakes her head. "I can barely keep up with my homework when we DON'T have to do any fighting."
[13:55] <Rei-chan> "I used to be a model student..." Rei groans.
[13:59] <Rei-chan> "Oh well," Rei perks up, "Being a good Sailor Senshi is more important than school, anyway, right?"
[13:59] <Makoto> 'If you read less manga and played less video games you'd probably have more time,' Makoto thought but didn't say, thinking that she wasn't one to speak with her grades in a similar state to Usagi's.
[14:00] * Usagi-chan frowns at Makoto. "I've barely had time for any of that for ages... I wish I DID still have time for manga and games. I haven't been to the arcade in weeks."
[14:00] <Rei-chan> "There's always time for manga," Rei nods sagely.
[14:03] * Makoto blushes, having forgotten about that whole telepathic thing somehow. She was going to have to get used to it better.
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> Earlier that afternoon...
[09:48] * V-chan puts away her math textbook, not able to really concentrate on it, and sneaks out of Ooshige's apartment, trying to sense where Artemis would be through their link.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sighing, you find only frustration when you try and sense the stray Mau.
[09:55] * V-chan decides to try it again after getting near Usagi's house, in case he went there with Luna.
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting closer to Usagi's house, you can almost feel Artemis inside...it's an odd feeling, like being close to someone you know in spirit.
[10:02] * V-chan is undecided on what to do, not feeling overly welcome to show up at Usagi's doorstep, but needing to talk to Artemis nonetheless. Finally, she decides to use her Mooncat disguise, and climb the tree next to Usagi's window to peer inside.
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> Climbing up the tree, you can peer into Usagi's room. Artemis and Luna are talking in there, but you can't hear what they are saying.
[10:03] * Mineko tries to see whether anyone else is in the room, either awake or sleeping.
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> You don't have a perfect view, but you don't see anyone else.
[10:05] * Mineko leaps onto the windowsill, and taps on the glass to gain Artemis's and Luna's attention.
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two cats hear it, and look towards Mineko. Luna takes one glance at her and sighs, while Artemis straightens up a bit.
[10:07] * Mineko beckons Artemis closer.
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Leaping up, Artemis lands on the inside window still.
[10:10] * Mineko asks, "Got a few minutes to spare for an old partner, Artemis?"
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis reaches up, flipping the window latch and then pushing the window open. "Sure."
[10:11] * Mineko nods, and jumps back on the tree. "It would be rude of me to come in uninvited," she says.
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The white cat follows, jumping up with feline grace. Behind him, Luna closes the window..
[10:12] * Mineko finds a nice tree branch that would hold her weight as a human, and settles there, shifting back to Minako.
[10:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So, you wanted to talk, Minako," he asks, his voice neutral.
[10:14] * V-chan nods. "We've been through a lot together, right?" she says wistfully.
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," he agrees. "The Dark Agency and onward..."
[10:17] <V-chan> "I'm going away for a while on Christmas," she says suddenly. "Mom's taking us on a small vacation for a couple of weeks."
[10:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh?" he asks. "What about your entrance exams for school?"
[10:18] <V-chan> "We're getting back just in time for them, of course," Minako replies. "And I'm still studying. Or trying to." She shrugs. "It's kinda hard, right now."
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis nods.
[10:19] <V-chan> "I really did kill someone. In cold blood." She leans back against the tree's trunk. "Hard to believe Sailor Venus would do something like that...."
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis is silent, letting Minako go on.
[10:21] <V-chan> "Between that and Rei-chan, when you left me, it didn't even hurt as much as it should've."
[10:25] <V-chan> "But still... even though I'm a bad person, I still disagree with you, Artemis." Minako laughs quietly. "I don't think people should be abandoned by their partners. I don't think sacrifices are necessary. Because, maybe, if we all work together... just maybe, those sacrifices won't be necessary." She smiles, closing her eyes. "That's what I believe in, Artemis. That's what I want my partner to believe in."
[10:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis takes it in, punctuating the end of your comments with a sigh. "You...never understood a bit of it, did you? Did you even try?"
[10:31] <V-chan> "I tried as much as I could on my own," Minako replies. "Maybe that's as far as I can go. Getting past bad things that happen to you and others is one thing. But accepting them is another."
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis is mute again, not answering Minako.
[10:35] * V-chan glances up at the sky. "I wonder if Usagi will still want me to be on the team with her...."
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She does," Artemis says quietly. "You know she can't be mad at you."
[10:36] <V-chan> "I'm not afraid of her anger," Minako replies, matching his quiet tone. "It's the disappointment that was in her eyes, that time...."
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She'll forgive you."
[10:40] <V-chan> "Then that's one." Minako nods to herself. "I hope I'll get Rei-chan's forgiveness, too. Some day."
[10:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis hmms. "I think, in time, you will. Rei... she still cares about you deeply."
[10:44] * V-chan is silent, looking away. "So where do we go from here, Cat?" she asks finally.
[10:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Where do you want to go, Mina?" he asks back.
[10:51] <V-chan> "I'm not all that smart, so I have lots of problems that others probably wouldn't." She shrugs. "That's life, though, right? But still, it's like I told you. The three people that died when we rescued Makoto... it's sad it happened. It's sad, but I can still fight after that." She shakes her head. "But I can't think that if she got kindapped again, three people would be an acceptable price to get her back. I won't aim for that."
[10:53] <V-chan> "I think I'm supposed to be a guardian, not a soldier. Or, maybe it's just because I'm too weak to think otherwise." Minako pauses. "Is this way of thinking really wrong, Artemis?"
[11:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cat takes a decently long while to respond, introverted in his own meanderings. "Minako... you do what you want on this. I've said my piece, and you can make your own choice. You know where I stand."
[11:08] <V-chan> "You said I had to move on, and I'm doing that much." Minako laughs quietly again. "Or trying to." She looks at Artemis. "But are you moving ahead by my side, or following your own path?"
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm moving on the path that goes ahead of us," he shrugs.
[11:14] <V-chan> "We're leaving on the 25th," Minako tells him. "My folks and I. We have a place for one more." She leaps down from the tree, calling out, "I'll see you when I'll see you, Artemis!" and running back to Ooshige's.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Later that evening, after dinner...
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, school was also cancelled for today," Ikkuko calls up from the living room.
[11:22] <Usagi-chan> "Wow, they're really taking these attacks seriously." Usagi sighs. "I wish we'd managed to keep Oxyite from destroying that building somehow though."
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> A few minutes pass, Usagi going back to her 'studying', still badly behind from her various school abscenes...
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Usagi, you have a visitor," Ikkuko calls up.
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> "Who is it?" Usagi calls back down the stairs.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's one of Shingo's friends. She wants to talk to you," she calls back. "Get down here."
[11:25] <Usagi-chan> "Give me just a minute!" Usagi grabs her headband and puts it on before heading down the stairs to see what's going on.
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> A young girl of Shingo's age is sitting with Ikkuko, smiling politely and waiting.
[11:28] <Usagi-chan> "Hi there, Mika!" Usagi smiles cheerfully. "What's up?"
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hi, Usagi," she says nicely. "Well...I've been talking to Shingo a lot lately," she says, getting right to business.
[11:29] <Usagi-chan> "Oh?" Usagi looks interested. "What about?"
[11:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> She frowns. "About a girl who runs around by moonlight," she says, struggling over the big word.
[11:30] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I... see. What has he said about her?"
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Shingo-chan is mad about her," she says. "He's mad about something she did,"
[11:31] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes. "Did he say what it was she did that's got him so upset?"
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He says that she be... betrayed him," she tries to use the right word. "He's really sad."
[11:33] * Usagi-chan rests her face in her hands for a minute, then looks back at Mika. "Did he say anything else besides that?"
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He said that she sucks and she's a boogerbrain," she smiles a bit.
[11:34] * Usagi-chan makes a face. "Why am I not surprised?"
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, and he said that she needs to stop popping her zits in the bathroom sink. It's gross."
[11:36] <Usagi-chan> "Hey!" Usagi blurts out, then covers her mouth with her hand. With a sigh she turns to Mika. "So I guess he told you, huh?"
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mika giggles lightly. "He slipped up a few times when he was yelling," she admits.
[11:38] <Usagi-chan> "I guess it's okay that you know, as long as you don't tell anyone else, okay?" Usagi smiles.
[11:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I didn't," she smiles warmly.
[11:40] <Usagi-chan> "So do YOU believe it then? Shingo refuses to even LOOK at me now."
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You do look like her," she says. "Those silly pigtails."
[11:42] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Yeah, there aren't too many people out there that wear their hair like this." Usagi smiles as she plays with one of her pigtails. "When I first started I figured the odangos would be a dead giveaway, but no one ever noticed it."
[11:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she laughs.
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I should go, though. It's late," Mika gets up. "I hope you and Shingo-chan stop fighting."
[11:46] <Usagi-chan> "Me too, Mika-chan... me too."
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going back up to her room, Usagi finds Artemis and Luna laying on the bed, both looking concerned.
[11:48] * Usagi-chan plops down on her desk chair, pulling off the hated headband and sighing. "Stupid Shingo..."
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Something wrong, Usagi," Luna asks tiredly. "Problems all over tonight."
[11:49] <Usagi-chan> "Huh? Oh, nothing new. Looks like Shingo's friend Mika knows about Sailor Moon though." She looks over at the concerned cats. "Why, what's up with you two?"
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna sighs. "He's telling people now? Can't keep his mouth shut..."
[11:51] <Usagi-chan> "He didn't do it on purpose, apparently. He was yelling about me and Mika figured it out."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," Luna relaxes a bit. "Still...Anyway, talk to the other furball." Luna lays back down, going to sleep.
[11:53] * Usagi-chan turns to Artemis. "What's up, furball?"
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako dropped by," he says simply.
[11:55] * Usagi-chan sighs. "What did she have to say?"
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Stuff," he grunts. "She's going on vacation after Christmas, though."
[11:58] <Usagi-chan> "Nice of her to at least let me know." Usagi grumbles. "Did she say how long she'd be gone?"
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Until just before she has to take her entrance exams."
[12:00] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, rubbing her temples gently. "And she still won't talk to me... Where did this all go wrong, Artemis?"
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis bows his head. "I don't know anymore," he says.
[12:04] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I should have stopped her from leaving, or something... There has to be something I could have done to stop this before it blew up."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," he agrees. "But... If anyone, it should have been me, too."
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> A bit later, Usagi continues to study...
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> The cats leave soon after, off to do something.
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking up, Usagi could swear she heard someone step behind her...
[12:10] * Usagi-chan turns in her chair to see if someone is behind her.
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nothing...but you could have sworn you heard someone... what's this?
[12:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> On your bed sits a single red rose, wrapped in white cloth.
[12:11] * Usagi-chan lets out a deep sigh as she picks up the rose, smelling it to be sure it's what she thinks it is.
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The fragrance is familiar... it's of Tuxedo Kamen, and that little something special of his magic...
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Picking it up, you see there is writing on the cloth.
[12:12] * Usagi-chan reads what is written on the cloth.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Unwrapping the cloth from the rose, you are able to read it.
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "My love...I will see you again soon. Until then, be well and be in my heart."
[12:14] * Usagi-chan sets the rose down on her desk gently. "Yeah, but WHICH love?" she mutters to herself.
[09:11] <Usagi-chan> --------
[12:17] <Editor's_Note> The next day...
[12:18] * V-chan wakes up early, and after a quick transformation into her blonde self, she puts on the dress she bought during that day of shopping with everyone, gathers a few things she wanted to take with her and heads towards Rei's shrine.
[12:21] <Rei-chan> At the Shrine, Rei is sitting quietly in her room, still contemplating some of the things she talked about with Usagi the day before.
[12:21] * V-chan reaches the shrine's steps, and heads up.
[12:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Reaching the temple proper, Minako almost runs into Yuuichiro. "Oh, excuse m..." he starts, until he sees it's Minako.
[12:24] <V-chan> "Are Rei or her grandfather around?" Minako asks him.
[12:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei's in her room," he replies rather coldly.
[12:25] <V-chan> "I see." Minako nods, and heads inside.
[12:27] * V-chan knocks on Rei's door, having reached it.
[12:27] <Rei-chan> "Come in," Rei says absently, staring into space from her position seated on the bed.
[12:28] * V-chan takes a deep breath, and heads inside. "Hi, Rei-chan," she says quietly.
[12:29] <Rei-chan> "Ah!" Rei starts slightly, "Minako, you're blonde again," she comments inanely, her brain taking a moment to catch up with her mouth.
[12:29] <V-chan> "I... wanted to be myself, again," Minako replies. "May I come in, please?"
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "Ah, sure..." Rei says hesitantly, drawing in on herself slightly. "Take a seat," she gestures to the chair beside her desk.
[12:33] * V-chan closes the door behind her, and sits down on the proffered chair. "I couldn't really understand, at first. That I killed someone for real. It sounded so ridiculous, really," Minako says melancholically.
[12:34] <Rei-chan> "It didn't look ridiculous..." Rei says in a small voice.
[12:35] <V-chan> "I still don't remember." Minako sighs. "But it has to be true. It's all true."
[12:37] * Rei-chan nods slowly. "That's why I can't let things carry on as before, Minako. I can't let you become a killer over me."
[12:39] <V-chan> "I was so weak, and I wanted to be stronger. You told me I was all right as I was, but I wanted more... I wanted the power to protect everyone." She shakes her head, sniffling. "I didn't think this would happen in the end!"
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "Power...?" Rei repeats, a horrible sinking feeling beginning to develop in the pit of her stomach. Tensing slightly, she tries to discern any foreign influences in Minako's aura.
[12:44] <Rei-chan> "What power are you talking about?" Rei prompts, relaxing just a bit at what she observes.
[12:44] <V-chan> "I knew there was more I could do! I could feel I wasn't using everything I had! There just had to be a way to use more, to do more...." Minako begins crying. "It was supposed to protect Usagi-chan, and my parents, and you, and everyone... and no one would die, if only I was stronger...."
[12:45] <Rei-chan> "I don't understand," Rei says, confused, "What power could make you do... that?"
[12:49] <V-chan> "The power of Venus! There was so much of it, and I was using only a fraction.... I thought, if only I could get more... if only...." Minako shakes her head. "She told me I wasn't meant for it. That it was too much for me to handle, and that I lost control over all that power.... I'm sorry! I wish I could take it back!"
[12:54] * Rei-chan thinks back to what she told Usagi yesterday, about the power of Mars she could feel sleeping within her own soul, and the power her past life had claimed she was holding back by her refusal to accept.
[12:54] <Rei-chan> "Minako..." she says gently, "What I saw, it wasn't an uncontrolled release of power. You were very deliberate in what you did."
[12:55] * V-chan shakes her head. "I don't know... that's what she told me...."
[12:56] <Rei-chan> "She? Do you mean... your past life?" Rei asks with some curiosity. "I thought you had already regained your memories from back then?"
[12:57] <V-chan> "Some memories," Minako says. "Not all of them. But... but she said each time I used more power, and remembered more, she regained a bit of herself. Until I got the sword."
[12:59] <Rei-chan> "Regained a bit of herself?" Rei repeats with rising alarm. 'That's exactly the opposite of what my past life said would happen if I accepted her!'
[13:00] <V-chan> "I just... I wanted to apologize, Rei-chan." Minako sniffles again. "I'm sorry for what I did."
[13:04] <Rei-chan> "I know you are, Minako," Rei says, resisting the urge to go over and comfort the blonde, "But you understand why I had to do this? I can't risk something like this happening again, so," she chokes slightly, but forges on, "so we need to have some distance."
[13:08] <V-chan> "I never lied to you, Rei-chan," Minako responds sadly. "So I can't say that. I don't know if I understand. Artemis tells me I'm always understanding things the wrong way, even though I try my best." She sighs. "But I can't force you to do something you don't want to. And if being with someone like me is something you think is wrong, all I can do is... is give you distance."
[13:10] <V-chan> "My powers are messed up, now," Minako continues, with another sigh. "In a bad way. She said I needed to retrain myself, or... or bad things would happen. I already told Natsuna-oneesan that Sailor V... Sailor V needed a leave of absence. For a month. Until I learn control again."
[13:12] * Rei-chan sighs. "I wish I could be the one to help you learn that control, but I know I'd do more harm than good..." she says, her voice pained.
[13:14] * V-chan looks away. "Once I leave... once I leave your shrine today, is that it? You'll... you'll never speak to me again? And stay away?"
[13:18] * Rei-chan feels her heart clench. "No, that's not it. We still have to fight together as Sailor Senshi. And..." she looks away, her eyes welling with tears. "I know you'll probably hate me for this - I remember what you said about Kotono." She turns back to look at Minako with a determined expression. "But I can't help it if it's the truth. I do want us to be friends, even if... even if it takes a while for us to get back there."
[13:19] * V-chan stands up, facing the miko. "Rei-chan... I know it's selfish, and that I shouldn't even be thinking about this, after what I did...." Minako balls her fists. "I know it's wrong, but I can't stop!" A CD appears in her right hand, and she holds it out to the other girl. "Please listen to this!"
[13:21] <V-chan> "You'll understand if you do. You'll understand, why I can never be just your friend." Minako smiles sadly. "I started writing this before I met Kotono. And recently, I was able to finish this song." She pauses, before saying quietly, "It's my confession, Rei-chan. It's how I'll always feel about you."
[13:26] * Rei-chan feels her resolve start to waver, but then recalls Minako's soulless, dead eyes on the rooftop that day. 'I can't do it, I just can't!' she thinks, even as she accepts the CD. She stares at it, but doesn't really see anything. Eventually, she speaks. "Always is a long time, Minako."
[13:29] <V-chan> "I can't explain it well, Rei-chan," Minako says, her eyes shining with tears again. "If I try to speak, I'm always klutzy with words, and I'll say something stupid, or offensive, or just get me into trouble...." She points at the disc of Eternal Snow, holding her left hand over her heart. "But when I sing... it's different, Rei-chan. I can finally say all that I've always wanted to say, but couldn't. But the feelings... the feelings are mine."
[13:37] <Rei-chan> "I love you, Minako. But... I can see now that love can be destructive. It can make you do things that hurt yourself and others." She shakes her head. "And in the end, it isn't enough. I might be a coward, and I might hate myself for this, but deep down I know I'm doing the right thing. Maybe one day you will understand..." she sighs, "Or maybe not."
[13:38] <V-chan> "I won't ask for more, if you'll give me your friendship. And I won't try to take advantage of you, or manipulate you," Minako says, crying in earnest now. "But I'll never forget, Rei-chan! What's here-" She pats her chest. "-it won't change. I know it's selfish, Rei-chan, but all I want is to be in love with you."
[13:40] <V-chan> "Love can't be wrong. I don't believe that." Minako shakes her head, sending her tears flying. "No, it's how people who are in love act. Usagi-chan tried to tell me, but I didn't really understand. I thought I did, but it was too little, too late." She pauses, and adds quietly, "I'm sorry for that, too."
[13:44] <Rei-chan> "Stop apologising, Minako," Rei says softly, feeling lower than she has since right after Metallia's control over her was broken. "I'm the one who should be doing that, here."
[13:46] <V-chan> "Artemis was right," Minako whispers, covering her face with her hands as she cries. "I got us kicked out of school, lost control and killed a person, and then lost you. All by myself. All my fault." She sniffles, lowering her head. "How can I ever apologize enough?"
[13:49] * Rei-chan silently gets up from the bed and moves to gently embrace Minako. "Minako... how did you feel when I told you you had killed Cynthia?" she asks gently, not even bothering to dignify the petty issue of school expulsion with a response.
[13:50] <V-chan> "I didn't believe you," Minako responds, crying in Rei's arms. "You or Usagi-chan. It had to be a joke. A bad joke."
[13:52] <Rei-chan> "But when you realised we were telling the truth, how did you feel knowing that you had killed an unconscious and defenceless woman, even knowing that she was our enemy?" Rei prompts further, hoping she can make Minako understand why she's doing this.
[13:57] <V-chan> "I- I didn't want to believe it. It was hard, because you two looked so serious, but it just couldn't be true!" Minako shivers. "But the look in Usagi-chan's eyes.... I.... Taking a life, a defenseless life... it hurt so much, when I finally realized. I thought no one would want me, because I didn't want me."
[13:59] * Rei-chan nods understandingly, soothingly rubbing the other girl's back and feeling a guilty pleasure at the close contact with Minako. "How do you think you'd feel if it happened again?"
[14:00] <V-chan> "It'll never happen again," Minako says in a shaky voice. "Never. Never ever. I'll die first. It's not... it's not the kind of strength I want. It's not."
[14:04] <Rei-chan> "You can't say never, Minako. What if that strength is the only way you can protect someone you love?" Rei leans back slightly to give the blonde an intent look.
[14:06] <V-chan> "I want... I want to believe there is another kind of strength out there, Rei-chan," Minako says, her eyes getting a faraway look. "A true strength, that allows you to protect those you love without sarcificing others. It must exist, and I'll find it."
[14:12] <Rei-chan> "Maybe there is, and maybe you'll find it," Rei says noncommittally, wondering why Minako would need it since she already seems powerful enough, "But you can't know for sure. And I can't risk you going berserk again. You felt horrible after killing Cynthia, and you'll still feel horrible if you do it again. But eventually," Rei's eyes begin to unfocus as she recalls her own experiences, "Eventually you'll get used to it."
[14:12] * Rei-chan shakes her head vehemently. "I never want to see you get used to it, Minako."
[14:15] <V-chan> "You...." Minako looks at Rei, fishing for words helplessly. "You think I can't find it? That I'll just kill, again and again?" Her head drops again. "I-- I can't say anything, after what I did... but you're wrong, Rei-chan. I'm not going to be that kind of person."
[14:18] * V-chan grasps Rei's shoulders suddenly. "Please, trust me, Rei-chan!"
[14:19] <Rei-chan> "Minako, I get hurt, badly, an awful lot. I lied to Usagi when I said I was fine that day - Orestes came closer to killing me than anyone ever has before, even if the damage was all internal. If my being hurt is the trigger for making you... lose control," 'And I'm damn sure it is,' "then it's better if we're apart."
[14:21] <V-chan> "And if you're right, and I can't get better?" Minako asks her tearfully. "And if Usagi gets hurt badly? Or Makoto? Do I leave them, too? Do I leave all the people I care about?"
[14:25] <Rei-chan> "Do you think Usagi or Makoto would thank you for murdering for them?" Rei asks sternly, firming her resolve.
[14:26] <V-chan> "Trust me," Minako repeats. "Just put your faith in this. On me." She forces herself to look into Rei's eyes. "I'll find another way to fight, a way that doesn't hurt others when I have someone important to protect."
[14:35] * Rei-chan feels her resolve cracking. "I..." she looks away herself. "I want to believe in you. But... I can't take the risk!" she suddenly exclaims, tearfully. "Even if we're both miserable, it's better than if anyone dies!"
[14:39] <V-chan> "All I can do is give you my word, Rei-chan. My word that I won't lose control again. That no one would die from this again. My word, and I'm asking you to accept it, since it's all I have." Minako takes one hand off Rei's shoulder, and gently guides Rei's head to face her again. "Can't my word be enough? Can't you believe it, Rei-chan? Believe me?"
[14:48] <Rei-chan> After what seems like an eternity of inner turmoil, Rei responds. "No..." she says, her voice hoarse with emotion. "I can't, Minako. Not on this. I know you, and I know what you'd be willing to do for me. If my life is at stake, I know you'd throw away that promise to save me. And I can't live with that." Rei now looks almost completely drained from the effort of getting that out.
[14:51] <V-chan> Minako's hands let go of Rei, dropping listlessly. "My promises to you... when I promise something to you, Rei-chan..." she whispers. "It's important to me. Precious. Not just words. Because... because you're special to me. But if you can't believe me-" She chokes up. "You can't even believe me, after what I did...."
[14:57] * Rei-chan wants to hug Minako, tell her it'll be okay and they can work things out, that together they can overcome any obstacle... but instead she just hangs her head and stares at the ground, feeling a part of herself dying...
[15:00] <V-chan> "I'm leaving for a while on Christmas," Minako says in a quiet tone of voice. "I'm going to find that strength I was talking about on my own. If you find it in your heart to trust me again, Rei-chan, please come and tell me. You'll know how to find me."
[15:00] * V-chan materializes two wrapped up packages, one in purple and another in pink, setting them on Rei's desk.
[15:06] <Rei-chan> "I... I hope you find what you're looking for..." Rei sniffs, unable to continue speaking for fear of betraying herself.
[15:08] <V-chan> "I already have, once," Minako says sadly. "I - Rei-chan - is it even okay to still call you that?"
[15:09] <Rei-chan> "What else would you call me?" Rei looks up at Minako through red rimmed eyes, cringing at the thought of being addressed as 'Hino-san' or some such by the girl she loves.
[15:10] * V-chan just looks at Rei for a long while, not saying anything, feeling a deep sadness at ruining the most important thing in her life with her own two hands.
[15:12] <V-chan> "Rei-chan," Minako says finally. "I got something for you and Usagi-chan, when I bought this dress. I thought they'd look good on you, and Usagi's fit with her other present, so...." The blonde shakes her head. "This is something I wanted to give my two friends. Could you give Usagi-chan hers for me, please?"
[15:17] * Rei-chan nods slowly, then, seeming to come to an internal decision, she reaches towards the desk and opens the drawer, pulling out a small box, wrapped in green Christmas themed paper and tied with a red bow. "I bought this for you..." she says, offering it towards the other girl. The tag on it reads 'To my Angel, love Rei.' "If you don't want it, I understand..." she finishes weakly.
[15:20] * V-chan accepts the present, holding it to her chest for a moment. "My real present to you was that CD," she tells Rei. "That, and something else. But- " She winces. " -I knew you wouldn't accept the second part. There go my plans." She tries to smile. "I'll have to cancel the restaurant, and all the-- it's not important, now."
[15:22] <Rei-chan> "Those things... never were..." Rei says quietly, thinking how all she ever wanted was to be loved, and now she is pushing that away...
[15:26] <V-chan> Minako takes a deep breath, looking away and thinking of the red ribbon she intended to give Rei.... "I love you now, Rei-chan," she finally says, as she begins moving towards the door. "And I'll love you when I return. And after that." She opens the door, and pauses in the doorway. "I'll find it. You'll see, Rei-chan. It's out there, and I'll find it. I won't give up, until I do."
[15:30] <V-chan> With a hurried "I'm sorry," Minako runs off.
[15:31] * Rei-chan watches Minako leave without a word, filled with depression, but also a tiny glimmer of hope at Minako's declaration that she would find a way and return. "I believe that you will, Minako..." she says softly.
[15:32] <V-chan> ---
[09:12] * Usagi-chan walks up the long staircase to the Hikawa Shrine carrying a solitary red rose in a bud vase. She nods to Yuuichiro, who is still sweeping the grounds, and heads inside to find Rei. Finding the miko's bedroom door closed, she knocks on it gently.
[09:13] <Rei-chan> Taking a moment to sit up from where she was lying face down on her bed, Rei calls, "Who is it?"
[09:14] <Usagi-chan> "It's Usagi." Usagi calls out in a rather subdued tone. "Mind if I come in?"
[09:15] <Rei-chan> "No, come in," Rei replies, swivelling so she's sitting on the bed with her feet on the ground beside it.
[09:17] * Usagi-chan slides open the door and comes in, still carrying the rose. Upon seeing the other girl's face, she gives a short, humorless chuckle. "You look about like I feel."
[09:18] <Rei-chan> "Oh, it's been a rough day. Minako stopped by..." Rei notices the rose, and her expression, if anything, becomes more depressed. "So Mamoru-san is back as well, I take it?"
[09:20] * Usagi-chan sits down cross-legged on the floor, setting the vase down beside her. "Yeah, it's from him." She leans back on her hands and sighs, looking over at Rei. "Why does love have to be so damn complicated?"
[09:21] <Rei-chan> "Because the universe doesn't want us to be happy?" Rei suggests morosely. "So, do you want to go first, or shall I?"
[09:21] <Usagi-chan> "You go ahead, there's not all that much to tell on my end." Usagi sighs.
[09:25] * Rei-chan grunts slightly as she shifts her position, getting ready to begin. "Well, I'm not really all that sure, but from what Minako said, it seems like she was tapping into some sort of power from her past life, and it made her go nuts. She said she wouldn't do it again, but..." Rei sighs loudly, "Words are cheap. I can't take the risk of it happening again..."
[09:26] <Usagi-chan> "Power from her past life?" Usagi looks rather puzzled. "My memories certainly aren't perfect, but I sure don't remember you guys being all that much more powerful back then than you are now."
[09:27] <Rei-chan> "I don't know. To me it seems like the problem is in her head, not with any power she might be using. But..." she sighs again, "Hell, what do I know about any of this?"
[09:28] <Usagi-chan> "About as much as any of us do, I guess - not much." She sighs. "She say anything else?"
[09:29] <Rei-chan> "She said she'd go away, to find a better way of fighting without losing control again..." Rei adds. "She didn't say where, but she's leaving the day after tomorrow." Rei gestures to the untouched packages on her desk. "She left us Christmas presents," she adds listlessly.
[09:32] * Usagi-chan gets a rather angry look. "So nice of her to tell me about it. This is the second time I've heard about this trip secondhand."
[09:32] <Rei-chan> "Second time?"
[09:34] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, she apparently came to see Artemis last night while I was eating dinner. He told me the same thing after I got back up to my room, that she was apparently leaving on a trip with her family for a while."
[09:36] * Rei-chan sighs. "Well, wherever she's going, I hope she can get herself sorted out. It seems we finally get one sailor senshi back, and another one has to vanish..." She puts her head in her hands, mumbling, "God, I hate this..." before looking up again. "So what about Mamoru-san?"
[09:38] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Like I said, there's not a lot to say. I was trying to catch up on my homework after I talked to Artemis, and I thought I heard someone in the room behind me. When I looked around, this..." She holds up the rose. "...was on my bed, with a note wrapped around it." Usagi pulls the cloth out of her pocket and hands it to Rei.
[09:41] <Rei-chan> Sparing a quick glance at the note, Rei then returns her full attention to Usagi. "He snuck in and out of your room to leave this note, while you were actually in the room? I don't think you need me to tell you that's majorly creepy."
[09:43] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "I'm just wondering WHO his 'love' actually is. I don't know why, but I've got a sinking feeling that he's not referring to Usagi Tsukino there."
[09:44] <Rei-chan> "Great, just what you need. Yet another person pressuring you to be 'Serenity'..." Rei growls. "I dunno, this whole thing rubs me the wrong way... what if Mamoru... Endymion, starts treating you like how Orestes treated Mako-chan?"
[09:45] <Usagi-chan> "I won't sit still for that." Usagi growls. "If it IS Endymion, I doubt he'll try to do anything like kidnapping me; he was just head-over-heels in love with me, not completely obsessed with me like Orestes was with Mako-chan."
[09:47] <Rei-chan> "There's a very fine line between love and obsession..." Rei muses, her mind wandering slightly before she refocuses on Usagi. "Anyway, I'm just saying that Mamoru-san might not be completely trustworthy any more."
[09:49] <Usagi-chan> "Believe me, I'm considering that thought." Usagi rubs her temples. "The whole thing just gives me a headache, and that's on TOP of everything else I've got to deal with right now. Why couldn't he just have stayed in Hawaii a little longer?" she complains.
[09:50] <Rei-chan> "He was probably just enjoying his vacation long enough for us to deal with most of the escaped Lunar criminals..." Rei says bitterly. "Well, if he does act up, he won't get far." 'I kicked his ass before, and I'll do it again!' the miko thinks savagely.
[09:52] * Usagi-chan has to cover a smile as she picks up Rei's stray thought. "I'm hoping it won't come to that, Rei-chan." She looks around shiftily for a moment before thinking to the white-haired shrine maiden. 'But if it does, I'm rooting for you, not him.' She grins wickedly.
[09:53] <Rei-chan> "Heh, thanks, Usagi," Rei manages a genuine smile at the show of support.
[09:55] <Usagi-chan> "At least there aren't very many of those criminals left to deal with. Jadeite's one of the last few, and there are just a couple more other than him, I think."
[09:56] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, and from Ami's computer files, as well as what Starfire and Pluto told us, we've already dealt with the worst of them," Rei agrees.
[09:57] <Usagi-chan> "God, I hope so. I don't know if I could manage another Orestes or Oxyite." Usagi sighs. "I'm just glad we didn't lose anyone fighting those two."
[09:58] * Rei-chan winces. "Yeah, most of us got through those fights without any trouble..."
[10:00] <Usagi-chan> "I just hope there are no more attacks for a while. Even if the rest are easier, both Herb and Minako are gone, and I don't think Mako-chan is going to be in any shape to help us out for a while." Usagi sighs.
[10:02] <Rei-chan> "What happened to Herb?" Rei asks curiously.
[10:06] <Usagi-chan> "He said he had to go talk to someone to get ready for the Sailor Dragon that escaped. He wasn't sure how long he was going to be gone though."
[10:07] * Rei-chan snorts. "We'll probably have dealt with the other Sailor Dragon before he returns..."
[10:09] <Usagi-chan> "I hope not. I just want a break - I mean, in the past four days we've had to defeat three of the strongest criminals, one right after another. I just want to make it to Christmas in peace and have a party."
[10:11] <Rei-chan> "Three days to go... think we can make it?" Rei asks teasingly.
[10:13] <Usagi-chan> "If we don't, whoever interrupts us is going to get one hell of an earful, I can tell you that much." Usagi nods. "Oh, and while I'm thinking about the party, do you think you could come?"
[10:14] <Rei-chan> "Sure, you're actually having a party at your house?"
[10:15] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Yeah, Mom said I could have a party on Christmas as long as I helped clean things up afterward. I thought it might be cool to have all the senshi and their families over - I mean, except for Minako's parents, they all know about what we do now. You think Gramps would like to come?"
[10:18] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'm sure he'd be up for it," Rei nods. "I'll ask him later. And you're right, a party would be fun. God knows we need some way to relax after what we've been dealing with lately..."
[10:19] <Usagi-c