No witty title! GM's at her wit's end!
Or, it took me over an hour to track down and edit this beats. Bleh.
> "Aaaaah!" Well, that wasn't the reply you were expecting from your dear mother. Sitting in the kitchen, she's already taken a liking to your cat the morning after, petting him away as he rubs up, purring quite loudly. "Ami, he's adorable," she smiles. "Where did you get him," she asks, putting aside her half eaten breakfast.
<Ami-chan> "Remember how I told you I'd be tutoring someone at school?" Ami asks as she watches her mother pet Artemis. "Her name's Usagi, and we talked a while after studying. Seemed she was looking for a home for Artemis, so I was kinda wondering..."
* Ami-chan leaves the unspoken question hanging, hoping her mother would have no problems with keeping the white feline since she liked him so.
> She nods once, with another smile as she rises. Pausing once to pet him, "Sure, Ami," she nods. "That's fine...he's so cute...choo!" she sneezes lightly a moment later. "Anyway, I'm off for work. I'll bring home cat supplies tonight. Bye," she nods, going off.
<Ami-chan> "Well...that was easier than I thought," Ami muses as she stares at her mother depart.
> Once she's out, Artemis just nods. "Yeah," he agrees. "Ami," he goes on. "Let's talk on the way to school," he suggests, hopping onto your shoulders easily enough. "I'm sure you'll have some questions, anyway."
* Ami-chan nods as she grabs her schoolbag before exiting out of the apartment.
> As you head out, "So..." he asks as you go out, leaving it open as he's a nice neck warmer on your trip to school.
<Ami-chan> "So...what is it that I do as Sailor Mercury exactly?" Ami starts off with a simple enough question.
> "Along with Sailor Moon and the other Senshi, you're going to be protecting the world from the enemy," he explains. "They're attacking and using innocent people as pawns of their plans - you were one of them yesterday."
* Ami-chan nods, even though her memories of the event were kind of fuzzy. "Do we know what they want?"
> "We're...not entirely sure of that yet...we can't remember everything," he admits. "We just know that we have to stop them. With what they're doing, I know it's the right thing."
> Another nod, as you head down the street. It's quiet, with the normal assortment of schoolgirls going to classes. "You'll see after school," he promises. "Like Sailor Moon's Tiara, you'll have a way of fighting them."
* Ami-san tries to think of other things to ask but doesn't have any questions that are that important right now. "Well, is there anything else you think I should know?" she asks finally, hoping Artemis might be able to bring up something she might have missed.
> He begins to speak as you approach a corner. Ahead of you is a tall, black haired man, whom stops as he turns and stumbles back a step. "Hey, watch where you're going," he complains to someone just out of sight.
<Usagi-san> "Ah, I'm sorry!" a recently familiar voice cries from around the corner. "I wasn't paying attention."
<Ami-san> "Excuse me," Ami states politely as she passes the man to greet her most recent friend. "Hello, Usagi-chan," Ami says warmly as the blonde comes into view.
> "I...you again," the man stops, blinking. His green T-shirt, with a strange EARTH printed over the pocket, is rather attention getting to you. "Oh yeah, I saw you at the Crown a few days ago."
* Usagi-san is just picking up her discarded schoolbag, looking slightly annoyed, but brightens on seeing her new friend/fellow senshi. "Hi, Ami-chan!" she waves.
<Usagi-san> "Oh, wait," the blonde turns back to the young man, "Oh, you're Motoki's friend - Mamoru-san, right?"
> "Yeah," he says, eyeing the both of you. "Watch where you're going," he says, slightly annoyed.
<Usagi-san> "You too!" the blonde replies lightly, stepping around him and falling in step with Ami. "Come on, Ami-chan, I'll walk you to school."
* Ami-san nods, silently noting the exchange, as she follows Usagi towards school. "So someone you know, huh?" she asks after a while.
> As the two walk away, Mamoru shakes his head. "That girl..."
<Usagi-san> "Not really," the blonde shakes her head. "Friend of a friend kind of thing."
> Artemis nods, meowing once to Usagi. "Morning," he says. "Luna didn't keep you up with her loneliness since I wasn't there, did she?"
<Usagi-san> "She fell asleep even before I did," Usagi replies brightly, her tone becoming more wistful. "And is still sleeping now... I wish I was a cat..." she trail off, covering a yawn with her hand.
<Ami-san> "But then you'd have to eat catfood, Usagi-chan," Ami points out.
<Usagi-san> "Yeah..." she idly kicks a convenient rock. "That's the bad thing I thought of, too."
> "It's not so bad," Artemis points out, as you get closer to school. With that, he hops off. "Have a good day, you two," he smiles. "I'm off to see if I can find the rest of the Senshi."
<Usagi-san> "Good luck!" Usagi calls cheerfully, heading inside.
> ---
> "Yes, sir," Sitting in a dimly lit room, with a great throne chair in front of a desk - a vast thing, seeming to take up most of the room - the green haired man rests his body in a chair. On the throne is a blonde man, in a strange grey uinform. His voice is quiet, as, "Another failure, Kensuke," he asks, a touch of menace in his voice.
> "Yes, sir," he bows his head a moment, expression carefully neutral. "Sailor Moon proved to have an ally, one whom is quite powerful. A man in a tuxedo throwing roses, sir."
> "Hmph...another one? I perhaps expected Sailor Moon," the blonde man says quietly, to the clear, calm breaking surprise of this underling. Gently drumming his fingers on his great chair, "But who is that other man...? No matter. Proceed with the next plan."
> "Yes, sir," Kensuke rises, bowing once and schooling his expression again.
> "Do not fail me again, Colonel," the man on the throne says again, a sudden bit of dark sharpness. Gulping, "Yes, sir."
> ---
> That evening...
> Mother finally gets home, even a little early. ?You had just gotten home yourself, Artemis not around at the moment. Of course, before you can even change out of your school uniform, "Ami, why don't you come with me for the cat shopping," she suggests.
* Ami-san notes that her mother might be more excited about a little extra house company than herself with some amusement as she drops her schoolbag. "Sure, mom."
> And out the door you go! AS you head to the car, "There's this pet store that I pass on the way to work every day," she notes. "I thought we'd try them first."
<Ami-san> "That sounds fine to me, mom," Ami says. "What's it called?"
> "Cutey Friend," she replies, as she gets in and turns the key to the engine. Driving along, "Ami, how are your grades doing," she asks automatically.
<Ami-san> 'Yetch,' Ami thinks about the store's name as she responds to her mom's question. "I'm doing fine, mom. My math teacher actually said I have a 104 average when introducing me to Usagi-chan."
> "That's wonderful," she nods approvingly. "Keep it up and you'll get into a good school, Ami." So noting, the trip goes on. On arriving, you see a fairly big, warehouse type store. Cutey Friend is the big sign, with the r in friend half hanging off.
<Ami-san> "I was expecting something...cuter, given the name," Ami idly notes to her mom as she steps out of the car. "And smaller too."
> "These warehouse stores are the trend lately," she agrees. "I've heard it's nicer inside," she adds a moment later, as you go through the parking lot.
<Ami-san> "I'd imagine so, if they're doing so well. Either that, or really low prices for buying in bulk," Ami guesses.
> As you enter, you find a nice decor -bright, cheery and full of animal themes. The sales clerks around wear cat ears, even, and it seems to allow pets - some dogs and cats have come in with their owners. Rows of goods stretch back, a paw print theme embedded in.
<Ami-san> "Should have brought Artemis with us," the blue haired girl muses. "Let him pick his loot."
> As you walk in, "...Excuse me," a deep - surprisingly so - female voice accosts you. A rather tall girl with strikingly long black hair comes up, wearing the cat ears and white pants/blouse ofa sales clerk. "....Can I help you?" she asks.
<Ami-san> "We just got a cat, and wanted to buy some food and things for him," Ami explains. "Can you lead us to the cat section, please?"
> "....kitty...." she murmurs a moment, eyes going glassy, before quickly nodding and leading you on silently.
> Into the cat section you go, first to the kitty litter boxes and bags. Getting a small box is easy enough, and the litter - wow, they make a lot of brands of these. "Mmmm...which one do you like," mother asks, eyeing all of them.
> The girl pauses a moment, before smiling oddly. "...this one," she says, picking one up from the biggest pile - a dark red bag of the stuff. "...This is the best," she nods, virtually thrusting it into your mother's arms.
<Ami-san> "I don't know, shouldn't we browse a bit more?" Ami asks her mom. She wanted something that she felt Artemis could appreciate, since he was supposedly helping her and Usagi-chan along with Luna.
> "I guess this is fine..." she says, shruggin and putting it into the cart she brought along. "What about food and a waterbowl?"
* Ami-san frowns slightly peeved at how her mom just ignored her. "Mom, she doesn't even know what Artemis looks like, how would she know what's perfect for him?"
> Nodding once, "We'll take more care with the food. I don't think the kitty litter matters much," she points out.
<Ami-san> "I suppose," Ami gives ground grudgingly. 'Well, I hope Artemis feels the same...'
> Over to the food asile you go - again, your salesclerk goes, "...This is the best," she nods, taking a few cans and putting them into your cart. "...These are really the best you can get."
* Ami-san picks up one of the cans to look at what's in them, with some curiosity.
> It's cans of cat food. The brand is the 'Cutey Friend' brand, the in house stuff. "...It's really the best food. You're cat will be better after having it," she insists, a slightly odd glint in her eye.
<Ami-san> 'I thought only car salesmen got glints in the eyes when making a sale,' Ami thinks. "I don't know much about cat food, mom, so I guess we should buy it. I'll look online for more on cats if Artemis doesn't like it," she says as she puts the canned food back in the cart.
> "...Good, this way," she directs you out at that, Mother nodding. "We can always buy more,"s he agrees as you head to the front again. As you do...gah! It looks like two dogs are having a loud barking contest, both looking rather annoyed with each other. Almost...rabid looking.
<Ami-san> "...Is something wrong with those dogs?" Ami asks the saleswoman, a bit put off by the dogs.
> On leashes, their owners struggle to keep them back. "...Dogfight," your clerk notes, seemingly not interested. Continuing on, "Just ignore it."
<Ami-san> "Is it okay to allow it in the store though? What if they get loose?" Ami continues asking, a bit worried.
> "...It's fine," she says, as it goes on and you're lead to checkout. By the time you're through, it's settled down, for now.
<Ami-san> "We got everything we needed, right mom?" Ami asks her mother as they leave the checkout lane.
> A nod, as you get the bags and head out. "We're good, Ami. Let's go."
<Ami-san> "They really should have better security in there," Ami notes with some worry as they exit. "Those dogs could have hurt someone if their owners hadn't had such a good hold on them."
> She nods. "If one of them had gotten out...oh well," she notes, as you head into the car. As you do...
> From the roof, a green hair man stands above and views the area. "Such a perfect idea. Pets are a wonderful way to do this, and there is no way that Sailor Moon will realise it until it's too late!"
> ---
> On arriving, you haul the goodies upstairs to your house. Artemis isn't around when your mother begins to set up the cat box and litter in the far corner of the kitchen, but...as she does..."Meow," Artemis trots in, closer to you than the cat box. He hops onto your lap, lying down rather heavily.
<Ami-chan> "Hello, Artemis," Ami greets as she scratches Artemis under his chin. "Did you miss us?"
> "Busy day," he whispers, just before mother turns. "Here, Artemis," she smiles. "I just put the cat litter in, so it's ready!" At this, he slowly rises, making a good show of it; going over and sniffing.
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
> He seems to pause a moment, head perking up. "Meow...?" he seems to say aloud, as if slightly offput.
<Ami-chan> "Don't like it, Artemis?" Ami asks.
> "Go on, Artemis," mother bids him. "We got it just for you."
> He hesitates, before finally slowly stepping in, sniffing.
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
> He comes out a little later, glancing around once. With that, he hightails it outta the room, in full cat spaz style.
> "I guess he didn't like it," mother notes after staring at the fleeing feline.
<Ami-chan> "I'll hunt online tonight for ideas, I guess, mom," Ami offers. "We should probably be able to exchange most of what we bought since it's not opened and we still have the receipt."
> She nods. "I guess we'll try the food tonight, since I don't feel like going back. But...yes, refund the rest of it."
<Ami-chan> "Well, hopefully he'll like the food. If not, I guess I can call Usagi-chan and ask her what she'd been feeding him."
> With agreement of a nod, "Why don't you go see how he's doing, Ami? He really took off. I'll go call for dinner in the meantime."
* Ami-chan nods as she goes to her room. "Hey Artemis, you in here?" she calls as she enters.
> You get a meow back, a rather agitated one.
> He's on your bed, in a defensive position and hissing.
* Ami-chan closes the door behind her for some privacy, as she walks towards Artemis. "Alright, what's the matter Artemis? I didn't think you'd be -that- picky..." she asks.
> A loud cat hiss from Artemis, as his back bristles as you approach.
<Ami-chan> A bit surprised, Ami stops and frowns. "...Artemis?" she asks cautiously.
> A louder hiss, bits of spit flying from his mouth as his claws dig into your bed.
<Ami-chan> Frowning again, she reopens the door, and quickly exits and closes it behind her. 'Okay, I'm gonna go call Usagi-chan and Luna, something's wrong with Artemis.'
<Ami-chan> "Mom, I'm going to use the phone and call Usagi to ask about Artemis," she calls out as she goes to the phone.
> "Okay," she says, just having put the phone down herself.
<Ami-chan> Checking that the number she's dialing is correct, Ami calls up Usagi's house.
> "Hello, Tsukino residence," a nice female voice answers. It's Usagi's mother, you think.
<Ami-chan> "Hello, Mrs. Tsukino. This is Ami, we met the other day," Ami greets politely. "Can I talk to Usagi-chan, please?"
> "Usagi? Hold on....USAGI, PHONE!" So calling to her daughter - quite loudly -, "She'll be here in a moment."
<Ami-chan> "Uhm, thank you..." Ami says, rubbing her ear and holding the phone a little bit away from her head.
<Usagi> Indeed a moment passes before Usagi's voice chirps on the other end of the phone. "Hello?"
<Ami-chan> "Usagi-chan? This is Ami," Ami says. "I'm sorry, but can you and Luna come by my house tonight? I think something's wrong with Artemis..."
<Usagi> "Is he sick?" Usagi asks, sounding worried.
<Ami-chan> Ami replies likewise worriedly. "I...don't know, but he was hissing at us after we came back from the store and won't talk to me. He's locked in my room right now..."
<Usagi> "Huh..." the blonde falls silent for a moment. "Okay, I'll go ta- get Luna. We'll be over in a bit, okay?"
<Ami-chan> "Thanks, Usagi-chan," Ami replies in relief before hanging up.
<Ami-chan> "Mom, since Artemis is acting a bit weird, Usagi-chan said she was going to come over, is that alright?" Ami asks her mother.
> "That's fine," she calls back from the kitchen. "She can stay for dinner if she wants, too."
<Ami-chan> "Thanks," Ami replies as she goes to the front door, putting on her shoes. "I'll wait for her outside, okay?"
> "Just don't put your homework off too long," she calls back as you go out.
<Ami-chan> "I won't."
> It's not too long for Usagi to show, Luna in tow. The black cat is trotting aside Usagi, seemingly concerned. "What's wrong with Artemis," she asks quickly, her high pitched voice worries and carrying in the cool air.
> From here, Usagi can see the apartment Ami livese in. Not a shabby place at all, actually.
* Usagi briefly takes a moment to examine the building, before paying attention to Ami after Luna's question.
<Ami-chan> "Like I told Usagi over the phone, I'm not really sure," Ami says. "But he won't talk, and is acting almost...feral, I guess is the best word. Come on, I'll show you."
* Usagi gives Luna a worried look before following Ami inside.
> Nodding quickly, Luna hurries along mutely. Her face is clearly worried as you go on...
<Ami-chan> "Mom, Usagi-chan is here. She came with her cat, Luna, too by the way," Ami says as she enters her home, taking off her shoes at the entrance.
> Coming from the kitchen, she smiles to Usagi. "Usagi, is it? Welcome to our home," she nods.
<Usagi> "Hello," Usagi smiles, bowing after she slips off her shoes. "Thanks for having me over."
> "It's no problem," she nods, hands behind her back as she bows once. "Ami hasn't brought many friends over lately."
<Ami-chan> "Mom!" Ami says a bit red. "Please don't say things like that..."
* Usagi looks slightly put out at the awkward scene developing. "Anyway!" she adds quickly, "I heard Artemis is acting up. Hopefully Luna here will be able to get him under control," she laughs a little nervously, picking said black cat up.
> "Sorry," she blushes lightly. "So, Usagi," she turns. "Please go on," she agrees. "Artemis is such a nice cat..."
<Usagi> "Okay, come on, Ami-chan!" the blonde takes Ami's hands and leads her two steps into the house before pausing in confusion. "Um... where?"
<Ami-chan> "Err, follow me, Usagi-chan," Ami says trying not to think about her mother might interpret Usagi's explanation of Luna bringing Artemis under control.
* Usagi remains blissfully ignorant, although her smiles does slip a little. She is worried, after all.
* Ami-chan quickly leads the blonde and Luna to her room, where the door is locked. "Careful when going in, alright?"
* Usagi nods seriously, before grinning down at her cat. "You first!" she says, opening the door and holding Luna out in front of her as she enters.
> "Gah," Luna complains softly, but holds her piece. Inside..."He's asleep," Luna mutters, surprised, as the cat dozes on Ami's bed.
<Ami-chan> "Really?" Ami asks, likewise surprised.
<Usagi> "Huh?" Usagi sets Luna down. "Maybe he wore himself out or something?" she walks over and promptly pokes his nose. "Artemis?"
> A slight stirring, as you feel his nose is warm.
> "You've got to be kidding..." Luna snorts, walking up. "He's ASLEEP?"
<Usagi> "Out like a light," the blonde pronounces.
> "That mangy stray..." Luna mutters still, hopping up besides him and growing quite annoyed. "Artemis," she gives him a smack of her paw. "Artemis!"
<Ami-chan> "That's kind of strange," Ami notes. "He wasn't acting remotely tired when I had to lock him in, and that was only a little while ago..."
<Usagi> "Too much exertion in a short period must have worn him out," Usagi nods sagely.
> "Artemis!" Luna mutters again, this time claws joining her paw whap! (Arty takes 1 damage). This gets his attention as long cut marks appear across his face. "Uh....Luna, whazzat for," he murmurs, eyes barely open.
* Usagi looks down. "Geez, Luna, not so rough. He looks like he's had a hard day."
<Ami-chan> "Artemis? Are you alright?" Ami asks worriedly. "You were acting strange after mom and I came back..."
> "Oh...Ami? Luna?" he mutters, very slowly rising. "Quiet....my head hurts..." he complains.
<Usagi> "What's wrong?" Usagi asks quietly.
> "Headache," Artemis complains. "Guh...what happened?"
* Usagi shrugs, glancing between Ami and Artemis.
<Ami-chan> "You reacted really badly to the stuff that mom and I bought, you were hissing and staying away from us and acting very strange."
> "Stuff," he asks, groaning as he rises up. "What stuff?"
<Ami-chan> "Well, you were really antsy about the kitty litter, I suppose," Ami says.
> "Uhh...kitty litter," Artemis mutters, Luna blinking. "Kitty litter," she repeats. "Ami,w hat are you talking about?"
* Usagi remains silent, looking a little bit lost.
<Ami-chan> "Well, mom and I went shopping for some stuff for Artemis, like food and kitty litter."
> "And Artemis acted like this after using it," she asks, suddenly looking up.
<Usagi> "Didn't like the kitty litter?" Usagi frowns. "Fussy cat..." she mutters before glancing at Luna, "What kind does mom get you? Neither of you complained about that."
> "Usagi..." Luna begins, shaking her head. "Nevermind that right now. I thought I felt something odd when we got here, but I figured it was nothing. But it may be what they bought. Ami, could you take me to it?"
<Ami-chan> "Sure, Luna," Ami says with some surprise as she goes to where they left the stuff. "Right this way."
> Artemis goes wide eyed at that last phrase of Luna's, "Do you think it was..." he begins, shaking his head.
<Usagi> "Wait..." Usagi holds up a hand, "You got some new product..." one finger extends, "It made you feel aggressive," another goes up, "And now you can't really remember?" Abruptly she shoots to her feet and thumps a fist in her now open palm. "It's the enemy!"
<Ami-chan> "The enemy?" Ami asks. "You mean what you guys have been saying we have to fight?"
> "Exactly, Usagi," Luna nods as you go out. "Lead the way, Ami."
<Usagi> "It's like what happened to Unazuki-chan and you, Ami-chan," Usagi nods excitedly.
<Ami-chan> "If you say so," Ami says, as she shows them the bags of pet stuff.
> It's in the kitchen, Luna quickly going grim. She turns and nods once, quietly, "How did you miss that, Artemis," she murmurs to the white cat, trailing behind the others slowly.
<Usagi> "Maybe he really had to go?" Usagi suggests in his defence.
<Ami-chan> "So it is evil kitty litter?" Ami asks curiously.
<Usagi> "Yep. It drains your energy and turns you into a slave of the enemy," Usagi explains to Ami. "Pretty clever of them to try and enslave housepets, this time, I guess."
> "I must have not been paying attention," he admits, hanging his head. "I feel it now, and from the cat food as well. Where did you buy it, Ami?"
<Ami-chan> "Some place called Cutey Friends," Ami says with a frown. "I can show you guys where it is, but..."
<Usagi> "But?" Usagi looks a little worried.
<Ami-chan> "...I still haven't done my homework," Ami says depressedly.
> "Ami..." Artemis says, picking himself up from his split second fall, "I think the enemy and all the pets in Tokyo are more important than your homework."
* Usagi nods quickly and sternly. 'Anything's more important!'
* Ami-chan frowns. "I suppose you're right. How do we get past my mother though? She's expecting us to stay for dinner, and I'm supposed to do my homework afterwards..."
<Usagi> "We can stay for dinner and then you can say you'll do the homework at my house?" Usagi suggests.
<Ami-chan> "Well, I am supposed to tutor you," Ami muses. "Could also say that I'm getting some of the cat food at your place while I'm at it."
<Usagi> "Sure, that too," Usagi nods easily. "Now, about dinner?" she smiles disarmingly.
> Luna and Artemis exchange a glance, then, "Alright, but let's hurry after that," Artemis nods. "The sooner we stop them, the better."
> After a nice meal, it's time to go. Ami's mother wishes the two fo them off, like they're going off for nothing special at all...
<Usagi> As they walk, Usagi produces her disguise pen and twirls it along her fingers. "What to disguise myself as, this time, though...?" she wonders aloud.
<Ami-chan> "What do you mean, Usagi-chan?" Ami asks curiously.
<Usagi> "Well, this magic pen lets me disguise myself. It's a good way to catch the enemy by surprise... I think..." she frowns. "Actually, I think I did better the first time when I didn't use it... but I think it's cool, anyway!"
<Ami-chan> "Do I have one of those as well, Luna? Artemis?" Ami asks of the cats walking besides them.
> "It's a tool for Usagi," Artemis shakes his head. "It's suited to her...I think...and we'll have something different for you."
<Usagi> "Like what?" the blonde asks curiously, her mind still half on puzzling over the correct disguise.
> As you head down the dusky streets, the street lights just now coming on, "It's something special, like your pen," Luna nods.
<Usagi> "Maybe a vet?" Usagi muses, tapping the pen against her cheek.
<Ami-chan> "When do I get it then," Ami asks curiously. "I'd think any tool could come in more handy now than later."
> "It may come in handy when we get there, actually," Artemis nods. "Come on."
<Usagi> "Maybe I should just change into Sailor Moon beforehand and bust in like I did at the school...?" Usagi continues her thoughtful musing as she walks along with Ami and the cats.
<Usagi> "'Kay," the blonde agrees brightly. "Be nice if we could just scare them away without having to fight, though..."
<Ami-chan> "It would be nice to be resolve situations without the need for violence," Ami agrees, not liking to fight herself.
> Leaidng the group along, it's not too terribly far to the store. On getting close, you see there are still some cars there, and a trickling of people going in and out still. "I wish we could," Luna agrees. "But as long as the enemy wants to attack the people of Tokyo, we have to fight."
* Usagi nods. "I hate violence. But being an energy drained slave of those guys would be worse, I guess."
<Ami-chan> "Yes, last time I awoke with pain in my face besides the grogginess," Ami says. "They don't treat their slaves very well."
* Usagi giggles nervously and glances at Luna.
> Luna looks away, her black fur face turning slightly red. "Ahem...yes, they'll do whatever it takes," she adds weakly, staring ahead.
<Usagi> "So, anyone got a plan besides charge in and attack the first person to turn into a monster? Or that green haired guy, I guess..." Usagi asks, looking over at the store.
<Ami-chan> "Sorry Usagi, this is my first day on the superhero job, so I'm still unsure about what -I- do," Ami replies apoligetically.
<Usagi> "When you transform you can throw your tiara at things and they turn to dust," Usagi offers. "Well, the first one did right away. The others took a couple of hits..." she frowns, glancing down at the cats. "What's up with that?"
> Artemis and Luna nod, "We'll go in and assess the situation, since it's a pet store and it's still open," Luna offers. "Well..." Artemis begins, before Luna coughs. "Wait here - go sit on that bench over there," Luna offers, a nice little sidewalk bench that happens to be close at hand. "If we don't come back in a half hour, you might want to come in after us. Okay, Usagi?"
<Usagi> "'Kay," Usagi nods. "Try not to get turned evil or drained of energy, alright?" she offers encouragingly.
> Luna nods, giving Artemis a glance. "We will," he says, slightly grumbling as they go off.
* Usagi goes over to sit down on the bench. "Don't worry, Ami-chan," she tells her friend reassuringly. "It's pretty scary, but not really that hard. I mean, if I can do it, anyone can!"
<Ami-chan> "I hope so, Usagi-chan," Ami says as she joins her blonde friend at the bench. "Even though I've acclimated to the whole talking cats and magical girl thing, I don't know how well I can adjust to monsters still..."
<Usagi> "Well, I've beaten three of them - although Tuxedo Kamen helped me with the last two. I bet with the two of us and him, this one will be a snap," Usagi declares confidently.
* Ami-chan blinks. "Tuxedo Kamen?" Ami questions curiously.
<Usagi> "He's a handsome man who mysteriously appears to protect me," Usagi informs her friend, going a little bit starry eyed. "I don't actually know anything about him, though..."
<Ami-chan> "Why not?" Ami asks.
<Usagi> "He only appears briefly to help me, then vanishes," the blonde explains. "I only found out he was called Tuxedo Kamen at that last fight, and I don't know his real name. I suppose he doesn't know anything about me besides me being Sailor Moon, actually..." she purses her lips thoughtfully, before her previously starry-eyed expression returns, "He's really handsome, though!"
<Ami-chan> "I'll have to take your word for it right now, I suppose," Ami states.
<Usagi> "We might see him today," Usagi offers, glancing over at the pet store. "Wonder what those cats are actually doing in there...?"
<Ami-chan> "I don't know. How long has it been?" Ami states as she checks her watch.
<Ami-chan> "Hmm...roughly ten minutes," Ami mentions.
> roll 2d6
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
* Queen_Serenity --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
<Usagi> "They said half an hour, we've got time left," Usagi states, before sighing. "Not like I had any plans, tonight."
<Ami-chan> "I didn't have anything to do besides homework myself," Ami agrees.
<Usagi> "Bleah," Usagi sticks her tongue out. "Don't remind me about homework..."
<Ami-chan> "You shouldn't think so badly of homework, Usagi-chan," Ami admonishes lightly. "It challenges your mind so that you can be certain that you comprehend the subject fully and thus succeed in your educational development."
* Usagi stares at Ami blankly for a long moment. "It's boring and hard, though," she eventually pronounces.
* Ami-chan sighs and shakes her head. "Oh, Usagi-chan..."
* Usagi laughs and pats Ami on the back. "It's like they say, everyone's different!"
<Ami-chan> "True enough," Ami concedes.
> As you chatter away happily, "Usagi! Ami!" Artemis dashes out, huffing as he comes to a stop at you feet. Notably, Luna isn't following him.
<Usagi> "Artemis?" Usagi stands up. "Where's Luna?"
> "That green haired man saw us," he shakes his head. "I got away, but Luna..." he trails off. "We have to go save her!"
<Usagi> "Right!" Usagi clenches her fist, quickly looking for a place to transform out of sight.
> The Cutey Friend is looking to be just closing as you rise, seeing around that there is a little public bathroom nearby.
<Usagi> "Come on, Ami-chan," Usagi leads the other girl towards said bathroom.
<Ami-chan> "We'll save her, Artemis!" Ami promises as she follows Usagi to the bathroom.
> Waiting outside, ARtemis nods. "Hurry!"
* Usagi enters the bathroom, and assuming it is empty, produces her transformation pen and cries out "Moon Prism Power, Make Up!" before quickly exiting and waiting for Ami.
* Usagi is now known as Sailor_Moon
* Anastasia is now known as Sailor_Anastasia
* Ami-chan follows Usagi's steps similarly as she pulls out her transformation pen, and raising it above her head, cries out "Mercury Power, Make Up!" allowing the transformation to come over her before exiting the bathroom as well.
* Ami-chan is now known as Sailor_Mercury
<Sailor_Moon> "Let's go!" Sailor Moon declares once Mercury emerges, taking off at a run towards the pet store!
<Sailor_Mercury> "So I just throw my tiara at the bad guy, right?" Ami asks one last time as she follows after Usagi.
> Artemis follows as best he can, his breath regained. "I'll explain it, Ami," he offers. "You have something different. When I tell you...listen, okay?"
* Sailor_Mercury blinks but nods, unsure why she can't be told now.
> As you head along, you see the doors have been closed, the shop's lights turning off even as you approach. Artemis stops near the doors, frowning. "Ami," he ndos.
* Sailor_Moon notes the locked state of the door and frowns, taking off her tiara and glancing questioningly at Artemis.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Yes?" Mercury asks as she waits besides Sailor Moon.
> He nods once. "Touch your right earring stud," he nods. "That will trigger your visor," he nods once.
* Retrieving #dunes modes...
* Sailor_Mercury blinks and does as suggested by the white feline.
> There is a soft shimmer around Ami's eyes, then a flash of light. Little blue bubbles form around her face, covering her eyes. Brightly, then seem to gather together, forming a green visor over her eyes. Each end wraps to her ears, small antenne poking up from both ends. Ami sees a world of figures appear in her now green tinted vision, a heads up display.
* Sailor_Moon gasps a little at Ami's new gadget, but remains silent, waiting for someone to come up with a plan better than her 'waste the door with her tiara' one.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Interesting," Mercury notes as she tries to figure out the data popping up in the visor.
> "Your visor will analyse whatever you view in it," he explains. "Try looking around for a weak spot in the wall, or another entrance."
* Sailor_Mercury nods as she looks at the building, trying to find the weakest spot in the structure, starting with the door itself.
> You scan. Your visor provides you with a wealth of information - the doors are reasonably solid, as are the walls - heavy concrete. Yet...it does detect a back door or two.
* Sailor_Moon begins to fidget impatiently.
<Sailor_Mercury> "The visor is detecting two possible entrances, U...Sailor Moon," Mercury notes, feeling a bit awkward about calling her name something other than her real name. Pointing in the directions she asks, "Which one do you want to try and go through?"
<Sailor_Moon> "Which one's nearest?" Usagi asks, replacing the tiara on her head. "Or, which one's closest to the bad guy?"
<Sailor_Mercury> "Hold on," Ami replies as she tries to locate the bad guy.
> "Whichever," Artemis says, fidgeting herself. "I'm worried about Luna." Ami - scanning...hm. The bad guy's inside there somewhere, at least two of them. Somewhere in the middleish area.
<Sailor_Moon> "Right, the closest. Lead the way, Mercury," Usagi requests.
* Sailor_Mercury nods as she heads towards the entry point closest to the two bad guys.
> It's halfway down the west side, a small little fire escape sort of door. Coming to it, you find that it's unlocked.
* Sailor_Moon opens the door and quickly heads into the main store, looking around for Luna or their enemy.
* Sailor_Mercury follows as Usagi quickly takes the lead once they enter the warehouse.
> It goes right into the warehouse, without and muss or fuss. The lights are dim, making it hard to see. Walking in...the door slams shut behind you, a bonerattling slam!
* Sailor_Moon jumps slightly. "Guess we're expected..." she mutters nervously, pressing onwards.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Apparently so," Mercury says with a grim nod as she continues to scan with her visor, trying to get anything useful out of the device while following closely behind the more experienced blonde.
> Artemis keeps low, looking around. "The enemy is close," he says quietly. "I feel the enemy, but...it's stronger, this time," he adds.
<Sailor_Moon> "Heh," Usagi turns to give Ami a nervous grin, "Guess it's a good thing there's two of us, this time, then. Right?"
<Sailor_Mercury> "Would be better if there were more of us," Ami mutters, likewise feeling nervous.
> "We won't lose," Artemis assures you, as you head down a row of darkened items. Ahead...is that a light you see, near the front of the store?
* Sailor_Moon picks up the pace, eager to put an end to this. It's clear the enemy expects them, which is an uncomfortable feeling compared to her previous surprise attacks on them.
> Heading to the front...the light on is a single row of lights over the checkout lanes. Atop the middle one(6) is the man before, his green hair complimenting a serious expression as he waits. His greenish fatigues and white sirt are strangely odd, almost like something from a war movie.
<Sailor_Moon> Approaching, Sailor Moon strikes a righteous pose! "Pets are our cute friends, and I won't allow you to use them for evil! Whatever your plan, Sailor Moon will stop it! In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"
> He claps once, ungloved hands rising up to brush aside a stray bit of hair from his angular face. "Welcome, Sailor Moon," he says quietly. "You brought an ally?"
* Sailor_Mercury is momentarily surprised at the speech from Usagi, but deciding it's a magical girl thing, she also strikes a righteous pose. "That's right! I, Sailor Mercury, will aid Sailor Moon in preventing you from subjecting these animals to harm for un-scientific reasons!"
> "Unscientific?" he snorts, as if amused. Quietly, he shakes his head. "Our commander has given us orders to kill you," he says, hopping down to the floor. "So let's begin!" he calls easily.
* Sailor_Moon takes off her tiara, hoping her knees aren't shaking too much. This seems a lot more serious than last time...
> OOC - Initiative. Ami, we'll coordinate your turn.
> roll 1d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
<Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+6 and gets 8."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."
> Bad guy>Mercury>Usagi
> He closes his eyes, seeming to draw him on himself. "Gather..." he murmurs, as the outlines of his body shimmer! From it spring forth a legion of images, six other Kensuke's surrounding you. Opening them, "Pyschic body splitting," he says, a serious yet taunting smile on his face. Each speaks at the same time, the echo of the voices deafening.
> "Guh," Artemis shrinks back, turning to Ami. "Quickly, we need time," he says. "Call out Mercury Shabon Spray and your body will do the rest!" he says, glancing around at the sudden swarm.
* Sailor_Mercury nods, trusting Artemis' advice as she instinctively moves her body while calling out the words Artemis mentioned. "Mercury Shabon Spray!"
> Your body goes forward, as your arms cross. Bubbles surround and gather you as your arms open, a stream of them going all around! The words you call echo as the bubbles fly and pop, cold mist surrounding everything! You can see through it find, however, as can Usagi.
* Sailor_Moon looks around worriedly, before shrugging. One is as good as the other. With a cry of "Moon Tiara Action!" she attacks one of the Kensuke-clones!
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
<Sailor_Moon> OOC: strike my action.
> "Mist..." the clones mutter, shivering a moment. "Annoying girl..." he mutters. OOC - Go, Usagi.
* Sailor_Moon looks around worriedly, unsure where she should attack. Suddenly, inspiration strikes! Leaning over, she grabs a large bag of kitty litter. "Duck, Mercury!" she calls, shredding it open and spinning around to release a spray of the stuff at all the clones! 'If they're fakes, it should go right through them,' the blonde thinks to herself.
* Sailor_Mercury quickly ducks as Sailor Moon unleashes her devastating attack of...kitty litter!
> OOC - Hm. Make a ACV check for reference.
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
> Kitty litter flies aboud and all over, the clones raising their arms to bat it away! In the mess, you are a bit too dizzy to see if it goes through any of them, however. OOC - Initiative.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 13."
> roll 1d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
<Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+6 and gets 11."
> Ami>Baddie>Usagi.
> "Ami," Artemis calls, standing amid a small mess of cat litter, "Use your visor! Concentrate on which one is the real target!"
* Sailor_Mercury nods as she uses the visor to quickly check all the figures to locate the real opponent.
> OOC - Mind check.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
> The data comes quickly, the visor analysing everything from wind patterns to how the kitty litter reacted when it flew out! It's...it's...you can't tell between two of them! The one near Usagi, and one near the checkout lanes!
<Sailor_Mercury> "I've narrowed it down to two of them, Sailor Moon!" Mercury shouts to her partner. "Watch out for the one near you and the one in the checkout lanes!"
* Sailor_Moon steps away from the one near her, quickly glancing between him and the other indicated by Ami.
> You can't tell any immediate difference, as the clones begin to move. Each extends their hands forward, as, "Sailor Moon! Die!" he calls, arcing red laser beams coming from his hands!
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
> Sailor Moon vailantly dashes around, avoiding the first wave of lasers by half slipping to the ground and springing up! Yet as she does, one gets her in the leg! OW! That burns! (22 damage)
<Sailor_Moon> "Aaah!" the blonde cries, tumbling to the ground painfully. Tears blur her eyes as she struggles upwards, stumbling quite badly when she puts too much weight on her injured leg. Gritting her teeth, she takes off her tiara and glares at the nearby clone Ami indicated was possibly the genuine target.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Are you okay, Usagi-chan?!?" Ami asks quickly at her friend's cry, forgetting to call her by her secret identity in the worry.
> The clones smile slightly, as their hands show more laser beams forming!
<Sailor_Moon> "Moon Tiara..." Usagi rears back, before spinning on her good leg and throwing it at the clone near the checkout with a cry of "Action!"
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
> No good! It flies in the mist, missing by a hair! Artemis grows at this, sighing. "Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury," he calls, hustling over. "You're going to nee dto combine your powers!"
> OOC - Initiative.
> roll 1d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
<Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+6 and gets 9."
* Ami is now known as Makoto
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."
> OOC - Ami, Usagi, Bad guy.
<Sailor_Mercury> "We need to find out which one's the real one first!" Mercury disagrees as she tries to scan the enemies with her visor again.
> OOC - Mind check again.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
> It's the one near Usagi, the one that's gathering in it's power even more!
<Sailor_Mercury> "I won't let you hurt my friends again! Sailor Moon, aim for the one that's closest to you! He's the real one!" Mercury shouts to the blonde as she points towards the real enemy.
<Sailor_Moon> Usagi's eyes widen as she realises she attacked the wrong one anyway. Turning back to the first target, she cries out "Moon Tiara Action!" as she launches her attack!
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
> The tiara flies out, going right for him! His hands move up a minute as the tiara gets him pretty good! He cries out, the images fading as he flies back into a rack of kitty litter, bags falling over his body!
<Sailor_Mercury> "Alright, Sailor Moon!" Mercury cheers.
<Sailor_Moon> "Don't underestimate us!" Usagi says with some triumph in her voice, still heavily favouring her good leg.
> "Ugh..." he mutters, slowly rising in pain. "Damn girls..." he whispers. As he does, "Way to go, Sailors," Artemis calls. "Now where's Luna?"
<Sailor_Mercury> "There were two enemies registering in the visor, Artemis!" Mercury warns. "The other enemy must have her!"
> OOC - Initiative.
<Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+6 and gets 7."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 13."
> roll 1d5
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d5 and gets 3."
> roll 1d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
> OOC - Ami, baddie, Usagi.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Sailor Moon, let's try what Artemis suggested now that we know where he is!" Mercury suggests as she holds off on her action for the moment.
> Artemis nods. "Attack together, focus!" he calls. "Get him while he's down!"
> "Urgh.." he mutters, red lights forming in his hands. "For the honor of the Jade unit!" he cries, laser flying from his hands as he springs up! They arc at Sailor Mercury, looking to cook her!
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
> The laser beams race out, Ami's instinctive leap impressive yet not enough as her side is dinged by one of the lasers! (33 damage)
<Sailor_Moon> "Mercury!" Usagi cries, swiftly moving closer to her wounded friend, hoping she's still able to fight. They need to do something about this guy, quick!
<Sailor_Mercury> Like Usagi with her leg, Mercury feels the agonizing pain burn into the side of her body, and she lets loose a scream. "ARGHH!!!!"
> "Mercury!" Artemis races over. "Come on, now!" he calls. "Focus, before he gets another shot off!"
* Sailor_Mercury nods as she bites her lips. "I'll be okay for now, Sailor Moon. Let's combine our attack!"
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6-2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6-2 and gets 9."
> Sailor Moon's tiara and the bubbles fly together! For a moment, they seem to mesh...fall apart, as if not strong enough to stay together! It throws the tiara off, missing him completely! AS it does, he smiles, looking to aim, then...
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
> A rose skids across his hands, the stem making a cut as it lands in front of Kensuke! Landing besides you is Tuxedo Kamen, an unconcious Luna in his hands. "Are you alright, Sailor Moon," he asks.
<Sailor_Moon> "Luna!" Usagi cries, staggering from her injury and pure exhaustion. "Nevermind me, we still have to beat that man!"
> He scowls darkly, his anger rising, as...a pale skinned woman with cat fur over her nude body and cat ears leaps to Kensuke's side. He looks at her, scowling. "You let the cat get away?" he asks, angry. "Urgh!"
<Sailor_Mercury> 'So that's Tuxedo Kamen...' Mercury thinks with some admiration for the timely rescuer.
> Shaking his head and clearly angry, "Ugh!" he says again, calm ruined as he takes the arm of the youma, both vanishing.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Oh thank god," Mercury mutters as she slides down, her bravado quickly vanishing as do the two enemies, holding tightly to her pained side. "Ughh."
<Sailor_Moon> "Hey!" Usagi cries, stepping forward as they vanish, before sagging once more. Probably for the best... "Ahh, Mercury!" she quickly turns to inspect her wounded friend.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Sorry, Sailor Moon...guess I'm not much of an ally, huh?" Mercury mumbles as she looks up to thank their rescuer for the much needed rescue.
> As you do, Tuxedo Kamen gently puts Luna aside, before leaping up and away. As he does, "We will meet again, Sailors! Be strong until then!" His words are like fire, energizing you. (10 HP regained.)
<Sailor_Moon> "You were great, Ami-chan!" Usagi cries, hugging her friend tightly. She manages a brave smile up at Tuxedo Kamen, but her attention remains mostly focused on Ami. "I wouldn't have been able to do anything without you, this time."
> Artemis races over to Luna, ignoring the other two as he tends to her.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Thanks, Usagi-chan," Ami says as she detransforms, slightly cheered up by her friend, and somehow feeling her wound isn't hurting quite as much.
* Sailor_Mercury is now known as Ami-chan
* Sailor_Moon also detransforms, taking the time to examine her own leg in addition to Ami's wound.
* Sailor_Moon is now known as Usagi
> It's not really that bad - it stings, but you should be fine.
> With any luck, it won't even leave a serious mark. It is kinda sore right now, though.
<Ami-chan> Seeing Usagi look at her leg, Ami remembers she wasn't the only one hurt and asks, "How's the leg?" while she still holds her sore side.
* Usagi tentatively touches her leg, hissing a little while putting some more weight on it. "It's not so bad," she smiles at Ami, wiping away her tears. "What about you?"
<Ami-chan> "Hurts like hell, and I'm really glad that we had a handsome knight in metaphorical shining armor come to our rescue," Ami notes with a wince. "Doesn't hurt -quite- as much as when it hits at the very least."
* Usagi looks a little bit lost at some of the terms Ami uses, but nonetheless nods. "I'm sorry you had to start like this. My first fight was scary, but really easy..." she shakes her head, before glancing over at the cats. "How's Luna?"
> The cat in question is just rising, dazed but alright. "I'm fine, Usagi," Luna says. "How are you?"
<Usagi> "I'm okay..." Usagi sniffs. "At least we stopped their plan, even if they all got away..."
* Ami-chan smiles at that statement. Usagi seemed to be the sort to always look at the bright side of things.
> "They're stronger that I thought they'd be," Artemis says. "We need to work on this, and find the other Sailors," he comments.
<Usagi> "That'd be nice," the blonde agrees, stepping away from Ami and sighing a little. "And after all that, I guess now we go back home to our homework and stuff..." she makes a face.
* Ami-chan winces at that reminder. She honestly didn't feel like doing homework at the moment herself. As relaxing as she found it, she just wanted to sleep right now. "Right..." she says, not entirely too happy-sounding. "Homework."
> Artemis nods. "Let's go home and do that, we're done here," he nods.
<Usagi> "I'll walk you home, Ami-chan," Usagi offers, scooping Luna up in her arms.
<Ami-chan> "Can't go home yet, Usagi-chan," Ami reminds her friend, still nursing her side, if not breathing too heavily now. "We were supposed to stop at your place for some things for Artemis, remember?"
<Usagi> "Oh, right," Usagi nods. "Sure, we can do that." She stops a moment to lean on the counter with her free hand, before heading to the door they entered by.
* Ami-chan follows after the blonde quietly for a bit before asking, "So...how do you explain injuries to the family?" she asks with some worry about what to say to her mother.
* Usagi stops cold. "I... uh..." she turns around and giggles a bit. "I haven't really been injured, before..."
<Ami-chan> "...Oh," Ami says quietly, wondering if she somehow slowed down her more experienced friend despite the earlier reassurances to the contrary.
<Usagi> "Hmmm..." Usagi looks down at her leg, shifting Luna onto her shoulder before attempting to pull her sock up enough to cover the wound.
> It's not hard to do, and the mark isn't big enough to be hard to hide.
* Usagi nods in satisfaction, before turning to Ami. "Yours shouldn't be too hard to keep hidden under any clothes," she offers. "I guess we're okay."
* Ami-chan nods, still walking quietly besides Usagi.
> Luna nods. "You should heal up fine - you're young, strong girls."
<Ami-chan> "Not strong enough..." Ami mutters under her breath.
<Usagi> "We'll do better, next time," Usagi promises her friend. "He just caught us by surprise with that splitting trick."
<Ami-chan> "Yes, and my own little trick didn't seem to do much to surprise him on the other hand," Ami points out. "I don't think he was even blinded or anything by the fog."
<Usagi> "Hey, you did really well, Ami-chan!" Usagi insists. "I don't want to think what could have happened if I was on my own. Maybe we didn't completely beat them, but we made them run away. And I bet next time we'll do even better!"
* Ami-chan sighs. "I hope so," Ami replies. "But given how he didn't seem to have much trouble with my Shabon Spray and how well our powers combined, I'm really limited in what I can do to help out."
<Usagi> "You told me which one was real, didn't you?" Usagi asks. "Maybe you can use that visor to find other ways for us to get an advantage, or something. I don't know - you're really smart, Ami-chan. I bet you can figure something great out!"
<Ami-chan> "I hope so. I really want to help you out there somehow, Usagi-chan. I don't want a friend to get hurt if I can help it," she says with a small sigh.
<Ami-chan> "Especially not a friend like you."
<Usagi> "Don't worry, Ami-chan," Usagi puts her hand on Ami's shoulder. "It's like I said earlier - everyone's different! You just need to find the best way you can fight - it's not easy to adjust to all of this, after all."
* Ami-chan slowly starts to smile. "You did say that."
[20:56] * Usagi giggles. "I might be a bit slow, but I guess I'm not an idiot, am I?"
[20:57] * Ami-chan shakes her head. "You're neither slow or an idiot, Usagi-chan. Trust me."
[20:59] <Usagi> "Aww, thanks, Ami-chan!" Usagi grins. "Maybe one day my teachers'll see that, too."
[20:59] <Ami-chan> "Well, how about we help them see it sooner? We can work on the homework together like we planned to..." Ami offers, now feeling cheery enough to work on homework again.
[21:01] <Usagi> "Eh..." Usagi sweatdrops a little, before resuming her smile. "Sure, Ami-chan!" Might as well get it done, after all. And a genius's help is not to be sniffed at.
[21:01] * Ami-chan pauses before asking, "Out of curiosity, why did we have to pose and give a speech?"
[21:03] <Usagi> "Huh?" Usagi stops, frowning cutely in thought. "It just... feels right. The first time I was really scared, but when I heard them talk about enslaving the school, something just... burst out, I guess." She shrugs easily, "I guess it helps make me feel more in control of things."
[21:05] <Ami-chan> "I did feel less nervous after my speech, I suppose," Ami mused before adding. "Though mostly I think I was distracted from nervousness thinking something along the lines of 'Did I just say what I think I said?'"
[21:08] * Usagi giggles. "There's no room for shyness when fighting the forces of evil. I suppose you could practice, but I just let whatever I'm thinking come out my mouth." She blushes, "Mama says I do that too much, anyway..."
[21:09] <Ami-chan> "Well, your speech made a lot more sense than mine did, anyway," Ami notes.
[21:09] <Ami-chan> "I think I condoned scientific experiments on animals in mine..."
[21:10] * Usagi sweats a little. "Ah..." she glances down at the two cats. "Maybe a little forethought is better, sometimes..."
[21:11] <Ami-chan> "Probably," Ami agrees.
[21:12] <Usagi> "Well, as they say," Usagi begins, before switching into badly accented English "Tomorrow iz anozha day!"
[21:15] * Ami-chan snorts at the accent but smiles. "Here iz to anozha day!" Ami says in the same badly accented English.
[21:20] <Usagi> --------