Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

Just after the press conference and associated matters.

[15:51] <@Sailor_Pluto> ---Arc 2 go!---
[15:54] <@Sailor_Pluto> The evening passes in a rush of good chatter, good food and good times. As the evening rolls on Serenity finds herself in a very good mood. A wineglass is in hand, the Queen having sipped down a few as she spends long, long minutes lost in thought. She sits in the living room, Takeshi the only other person in there at the moment.
[15:55] * +Takeshi smiles, having enjoyed good company and good food at dinner as he relaxes in an armchair, a glass of iced tea from dinner his companion.
[15:58] <@Sailor_Pluto> Long are Serenity's supposed thoughts, looking at the wall as she thinks. "...Nephrite," Serenity's call is just a gentle beckoning, faraway and peaceful.
[16:04] <+Takeshi> "Hmm?" Takeshi is a bit startled out of his own thoughts. "Yes?"
[16:07] <@Sailor_Pluto> "How often do you wonder - why? Why did it happen, all of it?" Her voice is faraway like a star shining down on the Earth, lost in it's own worries.
[16:09] * +Takeshi blows out a long breath at that, leaning back in his chair. "Often, I have to admit," Takeshi replies after a few moments. "Honestly? All of it seems so pointless now, having heard what I have. Metallia died for it, Zoicite and then Jadeite ended up dead for it - hell, even I died for it, even if I was brought back. And what did it really gain ANYONE?"
[16:13] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Nothing at all. That's the greatest tragedy of all, is it not?" Long is Serenity's look out, sipping down more ruby red wine. "There is no easy answer here - all we could do is put Jadeite to rest and save what exists now."
[16:14] * +Takeshi closes his eyes at that, leaning back in his chair. His voice is somewhat distant when he finally speaks. "Yeah, I guess that's all that could be done," he says, setting his tea on a coaster as he leans back in the chair. "At least it sounds like Gaia's a decent enough place now."
[16:18] <@Sailor_Pluto> "It's a world at peace, one that I know Jun will allow to grow tall, and that my daughter will encourage with every breath she has left in herl ife." Long doe sthe Queen speak, her words thoughtfully spoken. "If there is a victory, the world of Gaia is it."
[16:19] <+Takeshi> "Mmm... I'd like to see it someday," Takeshi muses, then chuckles. "Especially since it seems that's where I was supposed to end up."
[16:21] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Perhaps fate knew you would be more useful here. If you ahd been born on Gaia...who knows?" Serenity is dim and silent over that, sipping again. "Yes, when this is over, let us go to Gaia. There are many matters there, and I know Jun would wish tos ee you."
[16:23] <+Takeshi> "Yeah - I'll be honest, he's the main reason I want to see Gaia. Mostly surprised to know he's still around, even if he's got a few thousand years on me at this point." He grins wryly at that. "But yeah - after hearing about Jadeite, I can't help but wonder if... if there would have been something I could do for him, if I'd been there."
[16:29] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Over 10,000 years," Serenity absently corrects, but, "No. His fate was ...his fate was his fate.  Perhaps it could change, perhaps not, but endless ruminations on what may have been will only lead into paralysation."
[16:31] <+Takeshi> "Yeah, I know," Takeshi sighs. "For good or ill, what's happened has happened - no amount of 'what ifs' or 'could have beens' is going to change it."
[16:39] <@Sailor_Pluto> "So we make the best of the current time and life." Now Serenity smiles, faintly, "I had a dream a few nights ago. Jun, if nothing else, has learned a lot in his time. It was brief, but Jun knows you're here now. He said he'd send a letter soon, and perhaps more help."
[16:41] <+Takeshi> "Heh, I'd imagine he has," Takeshi chuckles. "Sending a letter, huh?" His voice trails off a bit at that, wondering what Kunzite would have to say to him after all these years apart. Where would he even START?
[16:45] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Yes, and I may request help in particular. Of allt hat are left, I'm not sure Jun can afford to come to Earth, but Balder...I would like to see how he's grown, too." Serenity leans back as she thinks, smiling. "Very much so.
[16:47] <+Takeshi> "Mmm," Takeshi says, still somewhat lost in thought himself. The arrival of someone he's never met before doesn't mean all THAT much to him, but a letter from Kunzite is something else entirely.
[16:49] <@Sailor_Pluto> "You'd relate to him - a force beyond his reckoning turned him into a monster," Serenity murmurs, thinking. "The two of you may understand each other entirely too well."
[16:50] <+Takeshi> "Really," Takeshi says, raising an eyebrow. "Jadeite, I'm assuming, since he's from Gaia?"
[16:51] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Yes. When Balder was a child, Jadeite captured him and his mother, Princess Serenity. While my daughter was locked into a cage of darkness, my grandson was taken and molded, twisted, abused by him. INto...he was the only other one that wore a uniform like his or yours."
[16:53] * +Takeshi sighs a bit at that. "Half starting to wonder if I shouldn't burn the damn thing and try to come up with something else," he mutters, barely on the edge of hearing, a slight scowl on his face.
[16:53] <@Sailor_Pluto> "The uniform doesn't matter, it is thec haracter of the man that wears it." Serenity gently comments, putting aside her wineglass and reaching out to gently touch Takeshi's shoulder. "Is it not?"
[16:56] <+Takeshi> "Yes, that's true," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "It's just... before Metallia, it was something I could be proud of. Now, after the sack of the Moon Kingdom and everything I keep hearing about Jadeite, I almost feel ashamed to wear it."
[16:58] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Takeshi...then make deeds that make you proud to wear it again," Serenity's words are simple and to the point, her smile soothing.
[17:02] * +Takeshi leans his forehead on his hand. "I know, it's just... bah, I don't even know WHAT I think anymore, my head's so turned around lately. Feels like I want to go in about six different directions at once."
[17:05] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Heh...I understand too well." Serenity soothes again, giong back and leaning on the couch, falling into giggles. "Excuse me, I think that last half glass was too much."
[17:07] <+Takeshi> "It's all right," Takeshi says, leaning back in the chair again. "Just wish I could decide what I need to do the most right now."
[17:08] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Live. Live, Takeshi, live, live, live, live. As long as you are alive you can improve, change and simply...live." Serenity finishes that with a smile, long and pleasing as she blinks. "But yes, I fear I should go to bed now."
[17:10] <+Takeshi> "I'll leave you to your rest then, Serenity," Takeshi says, rising. "I should be ready to move in by next weekend, if that's all right."
[17:11] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Come here in a day or two so we can set it up," A giggle from the Queen as she rises, slowly hobbling to bed. She's ab it unsteady
[17:12] <+Takeshi> "Do you need any help?" Takeshi says, pausing as he sees the monarch unsteady on her feet.
[17:12] <@Sailor_Pluto> "I'm fine...I just have not drank in a long time, but today seemed very fitting." To the steps she goes, making long, wobbling moves towards them.
[17:13] <+Takeshi> "If you're sure," Takeshi says somewhat doubtfully, waiting to make sure she makes it up the stairs before he goes.
[17:14] <@Sailor_Pluto> roll 2d6-4
[17:14] * +Hatbot --> "Sailor_Pluto rolls 2d6-4 and gets 4." [2d6=6, 2]
[17:15] <@Sailor_Pluto> Serenity just makes it up the stairs, safely getting to her room.
[17:17] * +Takeshi shakes his head a bit, his steps rather heavy as he leaves the house and heads for home.

This likewise happens just after the government conference

[22:12] <Sailor_Pluto> After dinner Usagi is taken upstairs by Rei as the others get dessert - but the miko was adamant in it. In the bathroom they go, a place of privacy. Rei sits on the edge of the empty tub, "So, Usagi," she begins, clearing her throat.
[22:13] * Usagi smiles innocently at the other girl. "Feeling better after some time to think things over, Rei-chan?" she asks sweetly, herself sitting on the toilet with the lid down over it.
[22:14] <Sailor_Pluto> "Yeah...so...what about you first?" Rei arches an eyebrow, "How'd you end up on all this?"
[22:14] <Sailor_Pluto> She sounds calm and in control, just a hair nervous but masking it almost entirely. She idly kciks her feet, claning against the side of the tub.
[22:16] <Usagi> "Oooh," the blonde grins. "Want me to go first so you'll know if it's safe to speak of your forbidden feelings?" she teases, before giggling. "It's funny, really. Right after that scene on Saturday, the first thing my dad did was set me up on a blind date with a girl the next day. One of your T*A schoolmates, shockingly enough," she begins, sounding quite relaxed and chipper.
[22:17] <Sailor_Pluto> "Heh...figures," Rei roll sher eyes, a relieved snort coming out. "Who was it, anyway, and keep going." Rei waves her hand, motioning for Usagi to hurry up. "Did you tell her?"
[22:25] <Usagi> "Girl called Chitose. Turned out she had a crush on Michiru, if you can believe it," the blonde smiles. "Anyway, talking to her kinda helped me put things in perspective, and now... it's like a big weight off," she shrugs happily. "I'd like to make out with you, and do other stuff," so admitting blandly, she continues, "But it's no longer this exciting forbidden pleasure, y'know?"
[22:25] <Usagi> "Now that I just appreciate that I would enjoy it, it's far less of a big deal. I don't know if I'm really bi, since you're the only girl I've really thought of this way - I've had a dream or two about others since then, but nothing I'd really consider when I'm awake - it's just... I'm comfortable," she concludes at last.
[22:25] <Usagi> "I know we could have a lot of fun together, Rei-chan, but... I can control myself, because I know it would just be senseless for us to get together." Giving the other girl a coquettish smile, "If you wanted to, I could go for it, but it'd just be a bit of fun, nothing more. It's not something I could devote myself to fully."
[22:29] <Sailor_Pluto> "So...you're admitting you're bi," Rei says after closing her eyes, a little tense. "Usagi-chan, just...tell me, okay? Say I need to know it like that one way or another."
[22:29] <Sailor_Pluto> Her hands tighten on thet ub, knuckles going white.
[22:32] <Usagi> "I might be a little bi," the blonde shrugs. "But honestly? I can't see myself ever acting on it. I don't *want* to get together with a girl, even if the idea doesn't seem as bad as it once did. I just can't see myself in that sort of relationship."
[22:32] <Sailor_Pluto> "Thanks," Rei smiles, exhaling massively, "Alright, just let me talk...and I'm gonna owe you an apology, too." There's a pause as Rei begins...(More)
[22:33] * Usagi falls silent, listening attentively to her friend.
[22:34] <Sailor_Pluto> "I've never been so worked up in my life. I...Idon't know. Usagi...I guess I can tell you this. You're my best friend now, just you get it. The others don't, you do. It shook me up so bad! If nothing else, I've always been so pretty, and the men, I can just wrap them around my finger with a little teasing. I...I'm the best of us at that. I'm the cutest, and I have every guy I want. All this here shot that in the foot. I've never
[22:35] <Sailor_Pluto> I've never wanted a girl! Lesbians are either mannish or those girls who can't get a guy or just weird. I'm not that...! I know I'm not, but I couldn't deny what I felt, either!" (More)
[22:35] * Usagi frowns slightly at Rei's assertation of being the cutest, but doesn't interrupt.
[22:36] <Sailor_Pluto> Rei is looking down during this entire speech at first, only slowly raising her head as she continues. "I just...I'd talk to you or Kotono normally about this, but you're in the same boat I am, and Kotono...just no. Not this. So...I told Hotaru everything. I needed to tell someone it, just to be there. I found out...well, she's gay too, first off, but like that's a shock. Secondly, she finally got it through my head. Hotaru's pre
[22:37] <Sailor_Pluto>  Hotaru's pretty...okay, she's weird relatively, but she's not some stupid ugly girl who can't get a man. We talked about it a lot, and she finally got me to understand that." (More)
[22:37] * Usagi starts to twitch. "YOU TOLD HER?!" she cries, horrified. The bit about Hotaru being gay just doesn't register at all, since really... yeah, who didn't know that?
[22:38] <Sailor_Pluto> "She just about killed me, but she made a point. She's not that, even if she's...hell, she's a dyke." Rei shrugs at the course words, an unsteady smile. "So maybe...I feel like that. It tempts me, Usagi, but if she can be that way and not be-hey!" REi blushes hotly, "I said I'm sorry, but I just had to tell someone or I'd have gone crazy!"
[22:39] <Usagi> "Well, geez, why don't you go make out with her if you're so eager to blab all our secrets like that!" the blonde huffs. "God, you even said not to tell her or Kotono especially, and then you go and do that?"
[22:40] <Sailor_Pluto> "Look, I was confused! Kotono I stand by, but Hotaru..." Rei shrugs, "I'm sorry. ...and don't make me repeat that. It's hard enough apologizing twice," Rei grumbles. "Anyway...look, since I got interrupted, I did kiss her once. You know what? It wasn't so bad."
[22:42] * Usagi pauses, eyeing Rei for a long moment. Such an obvious question... "But wasn't it 'not so bad' kissing me?" she temporises rather than directly asking who was better.
[22:43] <Sailor_Pluto> "No shit. It means I'm gay and straight," Rei just shrugs, blushing but defeated. "I'm into both, at least sort of. Guess Temptation pulled all the temptation out, or whatever. That's where I stand now. If you wanna do something, I'm willing to try, but damn it, I want a date. I'm not letting some blonde girl take advantage of me." A faint little smile from Rei, paling now. (More
[22:43] <Sailor_Pluto> )
[22:44] <Sailor_Pluto> "If I'm going with a girl or a guy? I'm gonna be treated right. That includes you, Hotaru, Makoto - say, would you believe Hotaru's into girls and they're not doing it? I'm not sure I buy t hat, but whatever - or another of you?
[22:44] <Sailor_Pluto> OOC - Ack.
[22:45] <Sailor_Pluto> "If I'm going with a girl or a guy? I'm gonna be treated right. That includes you, Hotaru, Makoto - say, would you believe Hotaru's into girls and they're not doing it? I'm not sure I buy t hat, but whatever - or another of you? Rei-chan is gonna be taken care of right." With that she exhales, "So...yeah, I guess."
[22:47] * Usagi shrugs. "Like I said, I can't see myself in a relationship with a girl," she admits, not getting sidetracked by Hotaru's love life or lack thereof. "I'm kind of too annoyed with you for telling her to want to make out with you right now, anyway," she adds with a pout.
[22:48] <Sailor_Pluto> "Sorry." Rei admits one last time, wincing. "But...yeah. I guess I'll be okay with it now, but like hell if I'm going to tell anyone else. Speaking of...I need to talk to Hotaru and you some more - I was going to invite you two to walk home with me." Rei leaves that open ended, "I just kinda wanna talk about things, and well...Hotaru's the other one that knows now."
[22:49] * Usagi gives Rei a suspicious look. "If you want to do lesbian stuff with Hotaru, that's your business - aside from hoping Makoto doesn't kill you, I'll be happy to stay out of it."
[22:50] <Sailor_Pluto> "Hey! I'm not even dating her." Rei puts her hands on her hips, glaring back. "I just want to talk! I'm not even sure I'm going to date her! Heck, I'm looking for a male date next unless something works out here, since I'd still dearly like to reinforce that!" Now her tongue is stuck out at Usagi, too!
[22:51] <Sailor_Pluto> "Oh, speaking of!" Rei smirks a little, "Going to have fun with Takeshi? I heard."
[22:52] * Usagi pauses, caught off guard by that. "It's nothing serious... he's just... he doesn't know many other people," she temporises, distracted from their previous topic.
[22:52] <Sailor_Pluto> "So hey, we're still both dating men. You beat me to him, actually," A little smirk at that again, "So. I'm going to have to scavenge out, since Asher may as well have Pluto's Bitch written on him at this rate."
[22:54] <Usagi> "No kidding," the blonde nods slowly. "Still, Takeshi... he's nice, but he's not really my type. And honestly, I'd rather not be dating someone mixed up in all the senshi stuff - more's the pity for you as well, I guess," she sticks out her tongue back at Rei.
[22:55] <Sailor_Pluto> "Bah," Rei crosses her arms, smirking, "So, let's see! WE find out that Uasgi's a little bi, Hotaru's finally officially gay, and I'm gay and straight. Lovely." Rei stands up and stretches, "I am serious about that walk - I'd just like to talk to both of you about things."
[22:57] <Usagi> "And then we can maybe go to the flowershop and admire the lilies?" the blonde retorts, sighing. "I still can't believe you told her, of all people..."
[22:58] <Sailor_Pluto> "Sure, why theh ell not?" REi even laughs a bit, but sighs. "She's my friend, and I guess I knew she'd get it in her own way. Yeah, I eman, we've all know she's a lesbian for how long now? I felt like I needed to talk to someone that was that."
[22:59] <Usagi> "You were just hoping she'd hit on you, weren't you?" the blonde accuses. "I bet you didn't even have to suggest kissing her, yourself."
[23:00] <Sailor_Pluto> "Oh come on! I was not! She came onto me like her boyfriend onto her face!" Rei sticks her tongue out again, "As I said, we both know how gay she is! She's just the best talk to-er about this because of that!"
[23:00] <Sailor_Pluto> "I mean, if you're that desperate...I can get naked," Rei smirks at Usagi, idly coming forward and poking at ehr chest.
[23:02] <Usagi> "And nothing at all to do with the fact that you just love to hear someone going on about how desirable you are - now it doesn't even matter if it's a guy or a girl, does it?" accuses Usagi with a smirk of her own, standing firm against the poking.
[23:03] <Sailor_Pluto> "Oh really! You're the one who didn't need Temptation to say you wanted to do things with me? I have to admit it's flattering with how much she's into me...and all of us. She did say she'd break up with Yoshi if any of us wanted her." Smirking back and poking again, "So, Usagi-chan!"
[23:06] * Usagi sniffs haughtily. "Sure, I'd do things with you," she admits, turning her head a moment before abruptly whirling on Rei, jabbing her chest with her own index finger, "But there'd be no love, there! I'd just use you for the fun of it!" she crows, laughing merrily.
[23:07] <Sailor_Pluto> A pause as Rei thinks, "You know, she'd probably make out with you if you asked now, no strings attached." Rei pokes again, scowling. "Since you're frigid except when you get a nice woman to rev you up, hm?..." Rei grins, going to the door, opening it and calling, "Hotaru-chan, come up here!"
[23:09] <Usagi> "Not interested," the blonde replies, frowning a bit and stepping away from Rei. She's comfortable teasing Rei like this, but not anyone else.
[23:09] <Sailor_Pluto> Rei turns after calling, smirking. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe I watn to watch you and her do that, huh?" Hands on her hips again, Rei glares back playfully. "C'mon, relax. You'realmost sounding like normal again."
[23:11] <Usagi> "That's kinda the point I was getting at, earlier," Usagi looks upwards in a tired gesture. "Just because I'm okay with it doesn't mean I want to revel in it."
[23:12] <Sailor_Pluto> "Hold that a mometn!" REi calls back out, closing the door. "I don't, but...what better way to kill it than joke about it, or find out it's for us. Besides...look, you're my friend adn Hotaru's my friend. Both of you understand this, so..."
[23:14] <Usagi> "Just so long as I don't have to listen to ten minutes of 'I sleep with Makoto! But we're not really a couple, tee hee!'" Usagi replies wearily, briefly mimicking Hotaru's voice except for the silly giggle at the end which is really something Hotaru would never do.
[23:15] <Sailor_Pluto> "That's on my agenda, with twenty doses of 'JUST FUCK HER ALREADY!'" Rei giggles at the end as well, mimicking Usagi mimicking Hotaru.
[23:18] <Usagi> "Oh, if only they would..." Usagi sighs softly, leaning against the wall. "Oh, well. If you want to walk her home, we could get going? Or are we going to make people wonder even more as the three of us hog the bathroom?"
[23:18] <Sailor_Pluto> "To be honest...I'll never understand what's going on in there if they aren't. I mean, damn, you see them kissing and hugging each other and claiming they aren't doing it?" Rei rolls her eyes. "Yeah, let's take this outside." Out Rei goes, and...soon enough the three are indeed walking in the evening scape! "So, Hotaru!" Rei beigns abruptly once you head away from Serenity's
[23:19] <Sailor_Pluto> .
[23:20] <Hotaru-chan> "...Yes?" Hotaru asks softly, glancing from Usagi to Rei, focusing on Rei with a neutrally soft expression. Prepare to be rejected.
[23:22] <Sailor_Pluto> "So!" Rei takes a breath, looking to Usagi and then Hotaru. "We were both wondering - why aren't you doing Makoto regular again," she chirps lightly.
[23:22] <Sailor_Pluto> OOC - Gah.
[23:23] <Sailor_Pluto> "So!" Rei takes a breath, looking to Usagi and then Hotaru. "We were both wondering - why aren't you doing Makoto regular again," she chirps lightly. Turning her head back to Usagi and then to Hotaru once more, "Since well...look, we both understand and we know you understand now."
[23:23] * Usagi rolls her eyes. "Always the mistress of tact and subtlty, eh, Rei-chan?" she asks wearily. Oh, well, doesn't Hotaru always go on about how she gets off on Yoshi's bluntness? This'll probably make her even wilder about Rei...
[23:25] <Hotaru-chan> "Um..." Hotaru sweatdrops, her cheeks lighting up like Rei's uniform. "Because we like being close friends?" she offers, shaking her head a moment. "Just...-I- don't know if she's bi or not, and we like being able to relax with each other as friends."
[23:26] <Usagi> "Friends that can never take their hands off each other," Usagi notes blandly. Eh, no need to beat around the bush after that, she supposes.
[23:26] <Sailor_Pluto> "Look, after talking it over with Usagi, I think we both agree - Just do Makoto already. Kami, just do it!" Rei rolls her eyes, nodding to Usagi even as she glares back lightly.
[23:26] <Sailor_Pluto> "That said!" REi nods a second later, "So, yeah, I'm gay and straight, and Usagi's a bit bi but not strongly. So...yeah."
[23:28] <Usagi> "So glad we cleared that up," the blonde sighs, shaking her head. Deadpan as she goes on, "Really, it's like a huge weight off my shoulders."
[23:29] <Hotaru-chan> "...Ah?" Hotaru nearly trips, a loud yelp of totally stunned surprise as she stumbles into a lamp. Several deep breaths are taken, turning around to look at Rei and Usagi. "...Right. Um...how'bout I play it safe and just stay friends with her for now if you don't mind?" she offers weakly. "Jeez..."
[23:30] <Usagi> "You won't get anywhere if you play it safe - one of you has to make the first move!" Usagi encourages, a bit more lively. "Or you could just hope Temptation catches the two of you alone, if that's what it'll take."
[23:32] * Hotaru-chan rolls her eyes. "Yeah, sure," she sighs, straightening herself to walk alongside Rei and Usagi. "If she wants me..." Hotaru just shrugs. "I'm content where I am, though."
[23:33] <Sailor_Pluto> "It's just annoying that you cling to her but won't seal the deal. I mean, hell...what if I wanted to date you," Rei asks bluntly, "Do you think I'm gonna while you're there?"
[23:33] <Usagi> "Well, I guess you two do basically act like lovers, even if you don't admit it or go all the way," Usagi admits thoughtfully. "If that's what makes you happy..."
[23:34] * Hotaru-chan focuses on Rei a bit more sharply, violet eyes curious and probing. "Think you're going to what, Rei-chan?"
[23:35] <Usagi> "She means she wouldn't date you while you're 'sleeping with Mako-chan'," Usagi explains. "You can't have your cake and eat it, Hotaru-chan."
[23:35] <Sailor_Pluto> ":If I was gonna date you in theory," Rei tosses her head back as you walk along, starting to come to the main paths and more people in the twilight, "I wouldn't date you like that. Pretty much. You're all but having sex with Mako as it is, so...yeah."
[23:39] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru actually pauses, chewing on her lip nervously as she follows along, violet eyes rather distant. "I'd have to ask what you feel would be over the line," she admits softly, a little nervously. "I don't...really know where to draw the line with any of us six, unless they tell me or show me."
[23:45] <Sailor_Pluto> "Mmm." Rei ponders that as she walks, looking to Usagi. "I don't know - what do you think?"
[23:46] <Usagi> "Wouldn't it be easier to just hook up with Makoto than work out how much you can still play around with her while you're supposed to be with someone else?" Usagi asks the obvious question. "It seems dishonest, otherwise."
[23:48] <Hotaru-chan> "...I'm not 'playing around' with her," Hotaru growls softly, a knife like glare shot Usagi's way. "I like to be close to my friends. As far as the senshi go, I just don't have feelings on HOW close. Rei can tell you aaallll about the last time she and I fought over that.""
[23:49] <Sailor_Pluto> "oh. That's what you meant," Rei sighs, "That. Alright, in that case?"
[23:49] <Sailor_Pluto> "If you want to hug me, touch me and all of that you're gonna have to date me. Treat me right, you know," Rei raises an eyebrow to Hotaru, "What about you, Usa-chan?"
[23:51] <Usagi> "Uh... I don't really want to date another girl," Usagi temporises, waving her hands in a placating gesture towards Hotaru. "All I can say is, if I was dating someone and they acted towards someone else the way you act around Mako-chan? I'd dump them in a heartbeat."
[23:53] <Sailor_Pluto> "Yeah, look. Hotaru - If I date someone I don't stand for them to play around. It's that simple." Rei smiles a little, "That's something you have to accept if you are really interested in me, or heck, if you have some crazy scheme to get into Usagi's panties."
[23:54] <Sailor_Pluto> "For Kami's sake you two kiss often. That's just...what if Yoshi was kissing his best friend?" Rei asks, addign that on.
[00:00] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blinks a few times, shaking her head and laughing softly. "You two just...don't get it, at all," she murmurs, hands sliding onto her hips. "This isn't...mah, if Rei-chan says 'I want this, but I'll only be happy if it includes this, this, and this', I'll do my best to make Rei-chan as happy as I can."
[00:00] <Hotaru-chan> "It's just...it's not a matter of what -I- want, it's about what my friends want, and if one of them has a desire to be my girlfriend, then that becomes yet more important. I won't pretend to know what level of toning down will make Rei-chan happy, I gave up trying to understand fully what makes Rei happy a long time ago other than 'What Rei asks for, she wants'."
[00:00] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru takes a deep breath, a slight shiver. "It just...it's like prioritizing. If Rei wanted to date me, I'd want to know what would make her UNhappy, and then avoid it like the plague, while trying to make everyone else as happy as I can without breaking that in spirit."
[00:00] <Hotaru-chan> "And yes, this makes me an utter doormat to most of you, but...things as they are or how they're being suggested are so much better than how they were I just can't bring myself to care that I'm at everyone else's mercies."
[00:02] <Hotaru-chan> "If it came down to that much of a conflict in practice, maybe I'd give in and, as you put it 'Just go fuck Mako-chan'," Hotaru snorts.
[00:04] <Usagi> "It might be best to just get it out in the open," Usagi opines innocently. "Makoto's obviously as crazy about you as you are about her. I really can't see how it could fail."
[00:06] <Sailor_Pluto> "Ditto. You two are soulmates ro close to it," Rei nods emphatically.
[00:12] <Hotaru-chan> "...You two are so incredibly clueless about her," Hotaru sighs, hugging herself. "She wouldn't be happy with that. She'd be unsure, insecure...god knows what else, you've never seen her really crumble down," Hotaru winces sharply. "I simply...can't right now. I'd enjoy it, but I don't think she'd take it very well so off the bat," she sighs.
[00:12] <Hotaru-chan> "And that, in the end, is why I really don't do anything - not only does she not express interest past just being close friends, but I don't think she'd be happy with it as is."
[00:14] * Usagi shrugs. "Call me clueless, then. All I know is you two are closer than any 'friends' have any right to be," she concludes. "I guess I could be wrong about Makoto, like I was wrong about y- oh, wait..." she trails off, smiling knowingly.
[00:14] <Sailor_Pluto> "Point for Usagi," Rei matches that smile, "YUou're right, I'm not close to Makoto, but dammit, I can't believe that she would be unhappy with you. I mean...no, I can't believe that for half a second."
[00:15] <Sailor_Pluto> A long shake of her head, "Besides, you're my friend and so is she. Maybe I want you two to be happy together like you seem to be drawn towards?"
[00:17] <Hotaru-chan> "I don't see you cleaning up her emotional breakdowns, actually, I tend to see you on the other side of the fence," Hotaru remarks sharply, her tone flat and searing. "I don't think she can handle it, the uncertainties...she isn't even sure if I'm in a phase or not. I'm not putting her through the wringer of wondering if I'll wake up the next day and want to go find Yoshi."
[00:19] <Sailor_Pluto> "Then why not have someone else bring it up and ask? Get to the heart of what she wants," Rei proposes, thoughtful.
[00:20] * Usagi sighs. "Forget it, then. Obviously you're happy just having her for platonic hugs and kisses while you fantasise about Rei or Yoshi or whomever. But did you ever consider that she might be happier to be in a real relationship with the person who - from everything I've seen - is the single most important thing in her life?" she presses.
[00:23] <Hotaru-chan> "I DID consider it, I could've pressed it the night I admitted to her that I was bisexual, but seeing her, listening to her, and knowing her, I just don't think she'd be able to accept it right now," Hotaru sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I'm happy with what makes her happy, and I don't think turning lesbian on her right now is going to do that as well as being her friend."
[00:27] <Sailor_Pluto> Rei rolls her eyes, "If you say so. I just don't understand it. I think you're really making something out of nothing, Hotaru."
[00:28] <Usagi> "What about later?" Usagi asks, "Is it ever going to be time, or are you two just going to stay in this limbo of 'almost lovers but not quite' for the rest of your lives? I think it's sad that you're not willing to take a risk over something that could make both of you really happy."
[00:29] <Sailor_Pluto> "Exactly. You and Makoto...come on. The gay jokes didn't come from nowhere," Rei adds in, quietly.
[00:31] <Hotaru-chan> "A while form now?" Hotaru shrugs. "You've never listened to Mako-chan's paranoia, Rei. You think I'm making something out of nothing? You'd explode listening to her on a bad day" she sighs, shaking her head. "If she could really accept I was permanently gay, sure, then it could work out maybe. Just not until I can clear all our doubts."
[00:31] <Hotaru-chan> *from now
[00:33] <Usagi> "If she can't accept it, then she really can't know you very well. Two years is not a phase, Hotaru," Usagi states flatly.
[00:33] <Usagi> "And really, if you've got some plan to convince her you're gay that doesn't involve confessing to her while still leaving the option open of getting together with her later, I'd love to hear it. What, would you hook up with Rei for a year just to make sure Makoto knows you're serious about being gay, then dump her for Makoto?"
[00:35] <Hotaru-chan> "She didn't know I was bisexual until after I told you and Rei," Hotaru returns just as flatly. "She thought of it as just friends too...and good GOD NO," she snaps, nearly snarling on the last point as she turns on Usagi, livid and practically glowing violet.
[00:37] <Sailor_Pluto> "I don't think you'd do that, but...oh come on. You've been sowing this for two years. You're full of bullshit," Rei sighs long and hard, as ou walk through Tokyo, a heated conversation letting you forget most else.
[00:37] <Sailor_Pluto> "Friends don't kiss, hug and sleep together," she adds as a casual appendix.
[00:37] * Usagi seems unaffected by Hotaru's ire, keeping her calm demeanour as they stroll along. "Well, what? Really, I can't see any other solution besides... keeping things as they are. And that's not a solution at all, is it?" she replies plainly.
[00:44] <Hotaru-chan> "Sowing WHAT? Makoto's wanted the same thing for two years, unflinching, and without bump - she wants a friend. She's had countless opportunities to just take me if she wanted to, I admitted to her that I'd even thought about her sexually, and you know what she said? That it didn't change a thing,"
[00:44] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just sighs softly in tiredness. "It's what she herself has indicated she wants. I'm not going to cross the line she's drawn, much as I don't cross the line Rei drew two years ago."
[00:46] <Sailor_Pluto> "Sowing being so close to Makoto that you're de facto lovers," Rei elaborates on further, throwing her arms up into the air. "I was serious - you and her are an item even if you want to deny it, and you know it. There are friends, and you two are so far past it that it's...just...stupid!"
[00:47] <Usagi> "Then she's just as much in denial as you are," the blonde shakes her head wearily. "Rei's right - friends don't do half the things you two do. But y'know what, I tried - if you're both so insistent on living in your happy halfway house without taking any risks of making it something greater, go ahead!" she goes on, voice rising as it gains feeling and passion, before she looks down.
[00:47] <Usagi> "But I feel sorry for the both of you that you can't even take the chance when it would obviously make both of you so happy."
[00:47] <Sailor_Pluto> "It's like you'v been working on this but you're all like now, 'Oh hey I don' twant this! Why don't I date another one of us instead?'" Rei lightly raises her voice, a bit of sarcasm dripping off each letter. "I like you Hotaru, but Kami t hat's just...just...Usagi, what's the word?"
[00:48] <Sailor_Pluto> "No wait, I have it. Unbelieveable. Utterly unbelievable," Rei finishes with aplomb.
[00:48] <Usagi> "I was going to go with greedy," the rabbit supplies.
[00:49] <Sailor_Pluto> "No, just...Not greedy. I think it's more just unbelievable." Rei crosses her arms back over her chest, head shaking. "You two are the living SOURCE of 99% of our gay jokes! It's like Usagi's Mom and Dad suddenly dating teenagers out of the blue! It makes no sense!"
[00:58] <Hotaru-chan> "Then you just don't know us so well," Hotaru looks sadly at Usagi and Rei, shaking her head. "We're idiots, yes, we're unbelieveable, yes, we're broken, cracked, paranoid, paralyzed idiots that can't or won't control their own lives, much less decide for themselves if they can be with each other permanently. And that's more than my quota of self-pity for the week."
[00:58] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs, collecting herself slowly. "If you think Makoto and I are such a hot item that need to jump into bed and solve all our problems, then just don't date me. Call it Makoto's territory and step around it if you want. I think even with just this argument I'm proving I'm not ready for her, but y'know, that doesn't seem to be my judgement to make anymore."
[01:03] <Usagi> "Hotaru-chan, anyone who sees you and Makoto together for any length of time will learn to step around," Usagi shakes her head, sighing. "Has Yoshi even met her, out of interest?"
[01:04] <Sailor_Pluto> Reis norts another time, sighing as well. "I can't believe this argument, by the by," she mutters to herself, walking along.
[01:06] <Hotaru-chan> "Yoshi's got enough suspicions about my professional life without meeting my coworkers," Hotaru answers dryly, rubbing at her eyes and following. "I stopped believing it was happening about time you kissed me, Rei."
[01:06] <Usagi> "It was your idea," Usagi gives the taller dark-haired girl a wan smile. "Funnily enough, I really didn't expect so much resistance."
[01:10] <Sailor_Pluto> "Ditto. It's just...yeah. Unbeilevable,' Rei settles ont hat again.
[01:14] <Hotaru-chan> "That I love her too much to trap her into a relationship for fear of hurting me by saying no while she shakes her own head apart wondering when I'll leave her, die, or lose interest like everyone else in her life? I don't know what to say," Hotaru murmurs, her entire posture slumped and tired. "I don't believe everyone thinks we should screw each other so fiercely."
[01:14] <Sailor_Pluto> "Let's take a strawpoll sometime...but I'm going home." Rei gose to the corner, waving, "See ya guys." With a shake of her head she departs, heading on away.
[01:15] <Usagi> "It's not so much about the screwing as just being honest about your feelings," Usagi sighs as they reach the intersection. "And this is where I head off as well... later," she waves tiredly, heading down her own street.

Still more after the conference!

[18:26] <Kotono> Oh, coming home! Resting, relaxing - not!  It's a mess! Mom's on the phone, talking rapidly with someone, Dad and Shingo are glued to the TV!
[18:27] <Usagi> "Oh, good, I don't need to tell you to turn on the TV," Usagi notes brightly as she enters, putting the weirdness of her and Rei's conversation with Hotaru out of mind.
[19:08] <Kotono> "You're on TV," Dad says, mixed shock and awe together. He points at it, a replay of your discussion with the Prime Minister Yoshimori showing.
[19:08] <Kotono> Mom peeks out, gabbing on the phone. "Usagi, you'er back!" she calls, hand on the phone.
[19:10] <Usagi> "Do I look good?" the blonde asks, smiling as she leans over the back of the couch to watch with her family.
[19:17] <Kotono> Usagi does, as she shakes hands with the Prime Minister. "Yes, and you've been over the news all day! Everyone's going insane about this," Dad adds, as the TV goes on and on and on.
[19:17] <Kotono> "Usagi, ahve you seen Hotaru," Mom calls out, "I'm on the phone with Reiko-chan."
[19:21] <Usagi> "Huh? Yeah, I was just walking her home," Usagi supplies to her mother. Kinda wishes she hadn't, mind you, but so it goes. "Anyway, there's kinda good news and bad news about all this," she gestures at the television, pausing just a moment to appreciate the scene. Look at her, all smiling for the cameras and shaking hands with the Prime Minister! Who could have ever guessed that would be Usagi Tsukino?
[19:26] <Kotono> "Her mother's worried about her," Ikkuko frowns darkly at that, but goes back to talking on the phone. Dad nods as you watch, clasping his daughter on the shoulder.
[19:26] <Kotono> "I never thought you'd be shaking hands with the Prime Minister!"
[19:27] <Usagi> "Well, she's not the one who's had her identity unmasked by the government, so her mother doesn't need to worry," Usagi deadpans, before smiling innocently at her family. "At least they don't want to arrest or dissect me, though!"
[19:29] <Kotono> "Usagi?!" Mom jerks her head right back in, phoen cord straining as her eyes bug out. "They know who you are?!"
[19:29] <Kotono> "Does this mean you'll be a secret agent?" Shingo follows up with, whistling.
[19:30] * Usagi nods meekly. "They figured it out from when I stopped that riot at the expo without being transformed," she admits. "They don't know about anyone else, but they'll probably figure it out just by seeing who I hang out with. So, um... if any government people call, you'll know why at, least?"
[19:31] <Kotono> "Oh Usagi..." Mother sighs and goes back tothe phone.
[19:32] <Kotono> "Got it," Dad says, patting his daughter again. "They're going absolutely crazy about it. If people find out who you are..."
[19:33] <Usagi> "I didn't do any magic! They shouldn't have figured it out!" the blonde protests indignantly. "I was only acting as a concerned citizen, not a magical girl!"
[19:33] <Kotono> "They're the government elected by the people. That just proves we didn't elect idiots." Dad nods again at this, "I don't know how magic works - could they have some of their own?"
[19:34] <Usagi> "I dunno about magic, but did you see how they had pictures of Gaia?" Usagi asks, perking up. "How cool is that?! Who imagined we'd have that kind of technology?"
[19:37] <Kotono> "That was Gaia?" Mom ducks in yet again, "That big tower? That was it?"
[19:37] <Kotono> "That was awesome!" Shingo nods, grinning to his sister, "That'sw ehre you went to save the day last time?"
[19:39] <Usagi> "Yeah," the blonde nods. "Right at the very top of that huge tower was where Jadeite's office was - where we broke in to rescue Serenity's daughter," she explains for her attentive family. "You should've seen the explosion, there..."
[19:43] <Kotono> "They do good repairs, then," Mom notes, giving into the phone cord and falling back.
[19:43] <Kotono> "Woooow!" Dad's jaw hangs open, looking at his daughter with even more respect.
[19:46] <Usagi> "Yeah, Jadeite pretty much blew the roof - literally - when he found us there," Usagi smiles blithely as if it's nothing at all for her. Walking around to the front of the couch, she sits down next to her little brother.
[19:46] <Usagi> "And that's basically today's big news. It was pretty cool, really - after that," she gestures towards the TV showing herself addressing the cameras, "We had a meeting with just the Prime Minister and told him stuff about the new enemy, and he said that they'd contact us through me in the future."
[19:49] <Kotono> "Oh, so we should be expecting calls?" Dad asks as the TV goes to commercial.
[19:49] <Kotono> "Oh, Usagi! Naru's on the other line," Mom calls back.
[19:50] <Usagi> "Oooh!" Usagi bounces up off the couch and starts into the hallway to join her mother. "Can I talk to her or are you busy with Hotaru's mom?" she asks.
[19:51] <Kotono> "Here," Mom holds out the phone, "I just finished with her, go ahead."
[19:52] * Usagi accepts the handset and leans on the bannister. "Hi, Naru-chan?"
[19:53] <Kotono> "Ohmygod! Usagi, did you...of course you did, you were there! That was incredible! I know it had been starting again, but I didn't expect that to happen!" Naru's voice is excited, hyper, heady.
[19:54] <Usagi> "I know! Who'd have expected the government to actually come out and ask for help like that? It's a huge surprise!" Usagi nods rapidly. "What'd you think of me on TV? Did I look good?" she adds hopefully, seeking praise.
[20:00] <Kotono> "You looked perfect! I just don't believe it! You're like a superidol now!" Naru squeals at the end of it, excited. "You, Makoto Kino, Ami even if she's in Germany and those other girls at T*A!"
[20:01] * Usagi beams happily at the praise before one little niggling memory surfaces. "Yeah... not bad for the girl you compared to Lassie a few years ago, huh?" she enquires smugly.
[20:03] <Kotono> "...You still remember that! I'm soooo sorry!" Naru blurts this out, blushign, "You're even getting a new boyfriend by the sounds of it, so things are perfect! You're soooo lucky!"
[20:05] <Usagi> "It only just came to me now," Usagi giggles merrily, waving it aside, "You're forgiven! Wait - new boyfriend?" she pauses on that.
[20:06] <Kotono> "You know, Eiryo! The guy you're hanging around with so much now! You've been spending lunches with him!" Naru giggles at this, nodding. "
[20:06] <Kotono> "I know you haven't told me yet, but I know how it looks!"
[20:07] <Usagi> "We're just friends, that's all," Usagi insists. "Really!"
[20:10] <Kotono> "Oh don't lie, Usagi!" Naru laughs, "You can hang out with another girl and not be dating them, but a cutie like that?" Naru prods, "You're seriously not dating him?"
[20:11] <Usagi> "Well..." the blonde blushes, "He did ask me out on Sunday," she's forced to admit, "But really, it's not like that! He just doesn't know many other people!"
[20:13] <Kotono> "Ooooh-ho! It's not liket hat my foot! H ow is he," Naru purrs into the phone, but as she does, a beep. Call waiting AGAIN?
[20:16] <Usagi> "Uh, hang on a second - call waiting," Usagi tells Naru, before switching to the other line - saved! "Hello?"
[20:18] <Kotono> "Usagi?" Oh, another one - it's Mamoru. "I saw the TV," he says simply, by way of explination.
[20:20] <Usagi> "Oh, hi, Mamoru - can you hang on a second? I need to get rid of Naru." With that, she switches back to the first line, "Sorry, Naru-chan, I'll call you back in a minute? I've got Mamoru on the other line." Switching once again! "Okay, I'm back. Uh, yeah, we were all watching it at Serenity's so we decided to take them up on their invitation," she explains.
[20:21] <Kotono> "Oka-" Naru is cruelly cuto ff, denied a circuit to Usagi! Instead Mamoru is there, "I meant stop by, but stuff came up," A little bit of disgust even now carries in his voice, too.  "Sorry. How're things going now?"
[20:23] <Usagi> "Oh, well, we told the Prime Minister a bit about what's going on - and it turns out they know who I am because of when I stopped that riot at the expo," the blonde admits. "What've you been up to?"
[20:25] <Kotono> "Ugh. Is that going to be safe?" Mamoru follows up instead, voice clearly worried. "But I'm fine. Settling back in, getting my car up to date, been meaning to spend some more time with Makoto after we broke up a robbery at my apartment."
[20:30] <Usagi> "If you can't trust your own government, who can you trust? I pay taxes like everyone else!" Usagi retorts quickly. "But you were robbed? Did you stop them before they got anything?" she adds, focusing on the second part.
[20:32] <Kotono> "Yeah, Makoto did. They got there about two minutes before I got home by pure chance - Makoto and Serenity, I mean. She noticed the door was open and found him. Terrified him half to death. Said he wasn't going to cross a Juuban Angel." Mamoru's voice lightens a bit, "He's in jail, and I filled out a report. It's his first offense from what they said, so...who knows?"
[20:33] <Usagi> "What are the odds, though?" the blonde shakes her head a bit. "Two years of it being abandoned and nobody touches it, then the minute you get back...?" she snaps her fingers.
[20:33] <Kotono> "Same odds as the Juuban Angels all being born in the same city?" Oh, that's a good deadpan, right to the point. "It might be, it might not be, but either way I'm fine and it was stopped. If he was motivated by anything he didn't show any signs of it."
[20:37] * Usagi nods, curling the phone cord around her fingers. "Anyway, that's basically it. When the government wants to speak to us again, they'll be in contact through me."
[20:39] <Kotono> "Good to know. But yeah...I really hope they're trustworthy. After Gaia...meh." Mamoru sounds less than thrilled, "I trust Jun, and I'm not sure I'd want him knowing who we are if he was ruling here instead."
[20:41] <Usagi> "It's not what I would've chosen to do," the blonde admits, "But we can only deal with it and move on. Anyway, talk to you later? I should get back to Naru-chan."
[20:42] <Kotono> "Alright. I'll see you later...Usagi-chan." Mamoru tries to raise his voice, cheerier has he hangs up.
[20:42] * Usagi hangs up herself before promptly picking the phone up again and dialing Naru's house.
[20:47] <Kotono> Two rings before Naru picks it up! "Usagi?" Naru asks right out, then with an eeek and a, "Sorry Mom!", Naru then speaks, "Osaka household."
[20:48] <Usagi> "You're lucky it's me!" the blonde announces her presence cheerfully. "Where were we, before?"
[20:52] <Kotono> "We were talking about your boytoy!" Naru chirps and blushes, "You're just so lucky, too! All of you are drop dead gorgeous now!"
[20:54] <Usagi> "Hey, I've always been pretty!" Usagi protests. "But so are you, Naru-chan! You could probably date Takeshi if you like him so much!"
[20:59] <Kotono> "Oh, yeah right..." Naru sighs dramatically, going on in a high falsetto. "I'm nothing compared to my magical friend Usagi now! I should just go date a nice ugly girl who would be grateful for the attention!"
[21:01] <Usagi> "I'm sure you could get a pretty girl if you tried hard enough!" Usagi teases, deciding that sympathy isn't the way forward, right now.
[21:02] <Kotono> "Proposing a date," Naru archly inquires, laughing after, "I know, I know -" Oh, another beep? Usagi's popular after bein gon TV!
[21:02] <Usagi> "Oh, not again!" Usagi complains. "Sorry, Naru-chan, another call - I'll be right back!" she promises before switching. "Hello?"
[21:04] <Kotono> "Hello, Usagi?" To your great surprise it's Ami's mother. "Are all of you alright? I've been trying to get in touch, but no one's home at Hotaru's yet."
[21:06] <Usagi> "Oh! Hi, Dr Mizuno! Mrs Tomoe was just on the phone a minute ago, so I thought she'd be home - do you want to talk to Mama?" Usagi answers rapidly, getting a bit frazzled by all the rapid phone switching.
[21:07] <Kotono> "No, no. I just wnat to make sure all ofy ou are fine. I saw the news today." Clicking her tongue after, "How far does it go now?"
[21:08] <Usagi> "Well, Ami-chan shouldn't have any trouble while she's in Germany, at least?" the blonde offers. "The government figured out who I am, so I guess we'll have to see how things go."
[21:10] <Kotono> "Alright. I needed to know - you're safe and all that? I'll call Ami-chan tonight." Chikako seems serene about that, relaxed now.
[21:11] <Usagi> "Oh, yes, we're all fine," Usagi nods earnestly. "Don't you worry about us, Dr Mizuno - we'll keep Tokyo safe!"
[21:15] <Kotono> "I certainly hope so. I have enough to do with peacetime for healing. Be careful, Usagi." Past that it's only a click, Ami's Mom getting back to her life.
[21:17] <Usagi> That done, Usagi switches back to Naru! "Sorry, Naru-chan, that was Ami's mom. Anyway, where were we... Oh, yeah! You were trying to ask me out on date, weren't you?" she chirps.
[21:18] <Kotono> "Stuff it," Naru cheerily replies, "Anyway, it was just too cool!"
[21:20] <Usagi> "Wasn't it?" Usagi giggles. "I wonder how many boys tomorrow will be fantasising over the beautiful and heroic Sailor Moon...?" she sighs happily, swooning against the wall.
[21:21] <Kotono> Now Naru's giggle turns even to naughiness, the next part whispered, "Your image'll be making a lot of boys happy tonight?"
[21:23] * Usagi giggles, scandalised but amused. "I guess it's flattering... y'know, that was probably broadcast over the whole world." She fans her face a bit with her hand, "I think I feel a bit faint..."
[21:25] <Kotono> "That's just too much!" Naru agrees, "I have to just..ooooooooh! Usagi-chan, I'll talk to you later, I just had a great idea!" With that Naru hangs up - and moments later the phone starts to ring.
[21:28] * Usagi eyes the reciever oddly for a moment, wondering what mischief her friend has in mi- Good God, does it ever stop?! Usagi's hand lashes out, picking up the phone before it even completes one ring. "Hello?" yet in spite of it all, she still sounds polite and personable!
[21:29] <Kotono> "Hello, is this the Tsukino household?" This voice you don't know, sounding professional and appealing.
[21:30] <Usagi> "It is, Usagi speaking," Usagi responds. Probably a salesperson, but a part of her can't help wonder if it's a government contact...
[21:32] <Kotono> "Hello Usagi. I'd like to interest you in our new, interest free service. We now authorize loans based on your incoming paycheck for those times where you nee dmoney but you can't wait 'till payday!"
[21:33] <Usagi> "Sorry, we already have a... that," the blonde replies, her first impulse turning out to be the correct one!
[21:35] <Kotono> "But we offer new adjustable ratew, Miss Tsukino, and I'm sure you'll be interested. You see, we offer a flat rate of 17 percent interest per week after the first week is over!"
[21:35] <Usagi> "Yeah, the one we have is better," Usagi lies before hanging up and then fleeing back to the living room. Someone else can get it the next time it rings!
[21:39] <Kotono> Luna's sitting in Mom's lap now, talking to allt hree, "...careful, but I'm sure Usagi will handle it. Oh, Usagi!" Luna smiles, "I saw."
[21:40] <Usagi> "What'd you think?" the blonde asks, taking an armchair now that the couch is full.
[21:41] <Kotono> "That all of you are amazingly photogenic, and you have a lot of responsibility to live up to," Luna nods solemnly, "Don't let everyone down."
[21:42] * Usagi beams at the photogenic part, before nodding to the second. "Haven't so far, right?"
[21:44] <Kotono> "You haven't," Shingo nods the quickest, smiling ear to ear. "So you ever now, right?":
[21:45] <Usagi> "You guys can count on me!" the blonde swears earnestly, gesturing at herself.

Sunday comes, and with it a hot date! Well, maybe...

[12:04] <@Usagi> ---------
[12:09] <@Usagi> And so, Sunday arrives, Usagi Tsukino departing her house in the late afternoon to meet Takeshi for their date. It's a short bus ride to the cinema before the blonde steps off in the already dimming Autumn twilight, attired in a pale blue dress that reaches past her knees and with a white woolen pullover on to ward off the chill.
[12:09] <@Usagi> A pair of matching blue ribbons around the base of her pigtails and a little makeup are the only differences from how she'd usually look outside of school, the girl peering around for Takeshi as she checks the time - she's a few minutes late, but that's a girl's prerogative!
[12:11] * @Takeshi is waiting near the entrance to the theater, looking... rather different. His formerly shoulder-length wavy hair has been cropped much closer, the young man looking as solemn as usual as he keeps an eye out for Usagi - although it doesn't seem that he's spotted her just yet.
[12:12] * @Usagi sure has trouble spotting Takeshi, having been counting on recognising his hair to pick him out! It takes another minute before she happens to wander close enough to actually recognise the boy, starting in surprise. "Takeshi! Ah! You cut your hair!" she observes intelligently.
[12:15] <@Takeshi> "Oh, hey," Takeshi says, a bit startled at having been surprised - he'd been expecting Usagi from the other way, although in hindsight he probably shouldn't have expected her from a particular direction at all. "Yeah... Hotaru said she thought I'd look better with short hair, and after I thought about it I figured 'why the hell not?'" He chuckles a bit. "Start a new year with a new look."
[12:16] <@Usagi> "It looks nice," Usagi smiles nicely, inwardly wondering a bit. Surely he can't be trying to impress Hotaru, can he? "We're still a few months from new year, though," she adds in a gently chiding tone.
[12:18] * @Takeshi chuckles. "The normal new year, yeah. Birthday today, though, so it's sort of a new year for me. Maybe a new start, too." He smiles a bit at that.
[12:19] * @Usagi takes a step back, looking stricken. "It's your birthday?!" she cries, mortified. "Why didn't you say anything! We could have had a party or I at least could have gotten a present!"
[12:20] <@Takeshi> "Eh, it's never been a big deal for me - don't worry about it. Just another day, as far as it goes," Takeshi shrugs. "Just thought of the timing when I got my haircut yesterday."
[12:22] <@Usagi> "That's sad..." the blonde looks downcast for a moment, but resolves not to dwell on it. "Um, anyway, should we go get our tickets?"
[12:23] <@Takeshi> "Sure, sounds good," Takeshi replies easily. "Picked out what you want to go see, yet?"
[12:26] * @Usagi nods brightly. "Jurassic Park!" she informs him as they head inside.
[12:29] <@Takeshi> "Sounds good," Takeshi says with a chuckle, heading up to the box office to get tickets for the next showing.
[12:31] <@Usagi> As Takeshi handles the transaction at the kiosk, Usagi glances around a moment before tapping his shoulder. "Can you wait here for a minute? I have to use the ladies room," she excuses herself before hurrying off.
[12:31] <@Takeshi> "No problem, I'll get in line for some popcorn after I get the tickets," Takeshi nods.
[12:33] * @Usagi is already gone!
[12:35] * @Takeshi simply shakes his head and does as indicated, getting two tickets for the next show in about half an hour before heading inside the theater to wait in the concessions line. It'll be a few minutes here at least, it seems.
[12:37] <@Usagi> roll 2d6
[12:37] * +Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 10." [2d6=6, 4]
[12:37] <@Usagi> A few minutes pass, and still no sign of Usagi. Maybe she ate something bad?
[12:38] * @Takeshi gets through the concession line, having purchased the largest tub of popcorn and a couple of sodas. Purchases in hand as best he can manage, he steps out into a clear space in the theater, looking around for the blonde and wondering what's taking so long. "Hope she's feeling okay..."
[12:40] <@Usagi> roll 2d6
[12:40] * +Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 6." [2d6=5, 1]
[12:41] <@Usagi> It's another minute or two before Usagi returns, hands clasped behind her back and looking vaguely embarrassed. "Oooh, you got snacks!" she beams appreciatively as she catches sight of Takeshi.
[12:42] <@Takeshi> "Yeah, said I was going to - guess you didn't hear me," Takeshi says, offering one of the sodas to Usagi -  his hands are rather full trying to juggle everything at the moment. "Think the theater's over on the left side," he says, nodding in that direction.
[12:44] <@Usagi> "Eh heh..." Usagi chuckles a bit lamely at how full his hands are. "Happy birthday?" she tries, bringing her hands around and presenting a small plush monkey holding a banana to him. It looks cute, if somewhat cheap.
[12:46] * @Takeshi chuckles. "Thanks, but it's really not that big a deal," Takeshi says, taking the monkey in his one free hand. "I appreciate the thought, though."
[12:47] <@Usagi> "Couldn't just not get you anything..." the blonde murmurs, abashed as she accepts the soda and starts towards the theater itself.
[12:50] <@Takeshi> "Heh," Takeshi answers as the two step inside the theater, letting Usagi choose the seats as he continues the slight juggling act of keeping a plush monkey, a large tub of popcorn, and a soda from meeting each other or the floor too closely.
[12:52] <@Usagi> Spotting Takeshi having trouble, Usagi offers her free hand, "Here, I'll take the popcorn," she offers, before leading Takeshi to a pair of aisle seats near the middle. She hates sitting at the front since it strains her neck, but she sure doesn't want to encourage any wrong ideas about the back!
[12:54] <@Takeshi> "Thanks, running out of hands here," Takeshi says, taking his seat on the aisle itself. "Didn't know if you wanted candy or what you'd like, so figured I'd just stick with popcorn for now."
[12:55] <@Usagi> "It's fine," Usagi smiles, putting the tub in the armrest between them and grabbing a handful to munch on. "I saw an advert for this movie the other day - it's amazing how lifelike the dinosaurs look!" she goes on conversationally.
[12:59] <@Takeshi> "Yeah, I overheard a couple of people at school talking about it," Takeshi agrees. "Don't watch much TV, though, so I haven't seen much about it other than posters at the theater. Hope it's as good as it sounded, though."
[13:02] * @Usagi nods, taking a drink of her soda. "Guess you do work a lot, don't you? With that and school and your martial arts practice, there wouldn't be much time for TV."
[13:04] <@Takeshi> "Yeah - mostly work, though. Had a lot of different jobs, but I usually try to get as many hours as I can get away with no matter what I'm doing. Usually pretty wiped out by the time I get home, though, so I just read for an hour or so and then go to bed."
[13:05] <@Usagi> "Oh. What do you like to read?" Usagi asks as the commercials and previews roll on.
[13:07] <@Takeshi> "Little bit of everything, really - regular novels, mystery, some sci-fi, that kind of stuff. Some non-fiction stuff too, mostly about astronomy." He nods towards the movie screen, still showing ads before the previews start. "Even read a couple of books by the guy who did Jurassic Park, although I haven't read that one itself."
[13:09] <@Usagi> "Any good?" Usagi enquires curiously. "Naoko-chan said they cut out a lot of this book for the movie," she adds offhandedly.
[13:10] <@Takeshi> "Yeah, they're really good," Takeshi says with a nod. "There's one called 'The Andromeda Strain' about a virus from space that kills everyone in this little Western town where the satellite that picked it up came down, and they take it to a research lab and try to figure out what it is."
[13:13] <@Usagi> "Oooh," Usagi nods in return. "Do they?"
[13:15] <@Takeshi> "Yeah - except that at the end it mutates and escapes from the lab, but it's not harmful to humans. Then." He grins. "He kind of makes it sound like it'll mutate again and who knows what it'll do from that point, but the book ends right after that."
[13:17] <@Usagi> "Always got to leave room for a sequel..." the blonde nods knowingly to herself, turning her attention back to the screen and grabbing another handful of popcorn.
[13:18] * @Takeshi chuckles. "Yeah, guess so," Takeshi agrees. "Heard they made a movie about that one a long time ago, but I've never seen it myself."
[13:21] <@Usagi> "Probably never got dubbed," Usagi observes.
[13:26] <@Takeshi> "Probably," Takeshi nods. "Never really went looking for it, though."
[13:29] <@Usagi> At this, the lights dim, Usagi promptly shutting up as the movie starts up... and half an hour later, the effects laden extravaganza ends, the 'good' characters escaping and the 'bad' characters getting eaten. And some heavy handed message about life finding a way. "Ahh... that was pretty good," Usagi smiles, stretching at the end, her simplistic desires for excitement and special effects satisfied.
[13:30] <@Takeshi> "Yeah, not too bad," Takeshi agrees, arching his back as the credits roll. He doesn't seem inclined to get up just yet as the credits roll, letting the main mass of people move out of the theater before he gets up and heads for the exit.
[13:32] * @Usagi naturally has to wait on Takeshi since he has the aisle seat, but she gets up and follows once he does. "So, what's the plan for dinner, then?" she chirps as they stroll outside, the sky now completely dark.
[13:33] <@Takeshi> "You can make the call on that," Takeshi offers. "I'm the one that asked for your time, so the least I can do is let you pick where to go."
[13:38] <@Usagi> "Ah," the blonde stops short, not having been prepared for that. Well... that makes it easier, in a way. She can avoid somewhere classy and hopefully avoid any expectations of this being more than a friendly outing? "Let's go to Noibe's?" she suggests, "It's a sushi bar and grill not far from here. They're pretty good."
[13:39] <@Takeshi> "Sure, sounds fine," Takeshi says. "Lead the way, I still don't know Juuban all THAT well yet. Getting there, but... yeah."
[13:42] <@Usagi> "You'll get the hang of it," Usagi encourages, giving Takeshi a pat on the back before they start into the streets of Juuban, not as active as Shibuya or Akihabara, perhaps, but still fairly crowded with people, including a few in the same line of work as Usagi. The blonde makes a point of stopping to accept flyers and say hello to all the poor souls dispensing them as the pair stroll along.
[13:44] * @Takeshi remains fairly quiet as they walk, simply glancing over at Usagi and chuckling as she takes the time to greet her fellow workers. After passing the third of these, he finally pipes up. "I don't think I've ever met anyone as... hmm. Open and friendly as you, Usagi," Takeshi finally settles on.
[13:48] <@Usagi> "Oh, well..." the blonde blushes a bit, "It's kind of a depressing job at times, so it's nice to have people actually recognise you as a person." She glances down at a flyer advertising a golf sale in her hand and giggles. "Not like I'm getting much use out of these, mind..."
[13:49] <@Takeshi> "Yeah, I don't see you as much of a golf fanatic," Takeshi says with a chuckle. "Not that I'm much of one, either, to be fair, but yeah. But... thanks for taking time out to spend the evening with me. I really do appreciate it."
[13:53] <@Usagi> "We're friends, aren't we?" Usagi smiles up at the brown haired boy. "Besides, it'd be really sad if you were alone on your birthday..." she adds more thoughtfully.
[13:59] <@Takeshi> "Eh, wouldn't really be that big a deal," Takeshi says with a shrug. "Hardly the first time if it was, and you didn't even know before you said yes anyway." He looks ahead somewhat absently, an open smile on his face. "Just... you're easy to talk to, and I feel like I can relax more with you than with anyone else I've met so far. Even Serenity seems to be mostly interested in the past, as far as I'm concerned, and... while it sometimes helps to talk
[14:01] <@Takeshi> while it sometimes helps to talk about it a little, I'm starting to think it's just for the best if I let go of it completely."
[14:04] <@Usagi> "Mmm... it's a bit hard for her, since she doesn't really have many other people she can talk about it with," Usagi notes sympathetically. "She's adjusted to twentieth century Tokyo, but I know she misses what she once had. She hasn't had the same sort of clean slate you and the other girls had by being born again."
[14:06] <@Takeshi> "I kind of gathered that, yeah," Takeshi nods. "It's just... awkward, since the only time we ever crossed paths isn't something that either one of us really wants to talk about much, and for good reason." He sighs a bit. "It's even worse since almost all of my PLEASANT memories of back then involve Jadeite, and I seriously doubt she or any of the rest of you really want to hear much about him, either."
[14:09] <@Usagi> "Mmm..." Usagi bites on her lip a little, before noticing the signage of their destination. "Oh, hey, here we are!" she blurts out, leading Takeshi into the bar. "I dunno... From all Jun told me, he really was a good man, once. Just... that's not what any of us got to see," she resumes the conversation as if it hadn't been interrupted.
[14:12] <@Takeshi> "Nice place," Takeshi says as the two step inside, looking around to see what they need to do to seat themselves. "But yeah, he was a really cool guy way back when - used to hang out a lot, when we weren't training. Remembering those times helped a lot."
[14:15] <@Usagi> While there is a bar with a few people sitting along it eating sushi and drinking sake while the news plays on a big TV over the grill, Usagi has a quick word with a waitress before the pair have a booth to themselves, the blonde ignoring the menu for a moment as she talks, "If you want to talk I don't mind listening," she offers, looking down. "It's important to remember he wasn't just a monster, even if those thoughts make it easier."
[14:18] <@Takeshi> "It's okay," Takeshi says quietly, shaking his head. "If it makes you uncomfortable I can just keep quiet about it, not like it's something you need to have dredged up for you I'm sure. Keeping silent isn't going to kill me."
[14:22] <@Usagi> "Mmm..." the blonde purses her lips a moment, before nodding and studying her menu. "It's still not fair to condemn him completely for the last few centuries, since he lived for thousands of years as a good man," she admits.
[14:25] * @Takeshi shakes his head. "I can't really claim to know what it is he turned into, but it must have been pretty... vile, given some of the reactions I've seen," Takeshi says with a sigh. "More so after getting to know you and Serenity - I can't imagine you'd have taken that harsh a... solution, if there was any other possibility left."
[14:28] * @Usagi peers over the top of her menu at Takeshi for a long moment. "A lot of the time there's no choice as to what solution you have in a serious fight, unless you don't mind dying," she observes with uncommon seriousness. "Having said that? There's only two people... if people is even the right word, I've ever calmly thought about outside of the battle and come to that conclusion for."
[14:32] * @Takeshi snorts. "Jadeite didn't sound like someone you'd just run into on the spur of the moment, if he was in control of as much as he was, so I figured there had to be some thought about that before you actually ran into him," Takeshi says, opening his own menu. "Same as I heard in the meeting last week - you're interested in saving any of the new enemies that can be saved, if possible. Yeah, the possible part is a big hinge, but it'll make a diffe
[14:33] <@Takeshi> it'll make a difference in how you treat a fight when it comes down to it."
[14:35] <@Usagi> "You'd be surprised," the blonde remarks. "He wanted us dead just as badly - most of the time we did what we could to slow him down and counted ourselves lucky to escape alive." Shaking her head slowly, she blows out a long breath. "Anyway, I can hope with these new ones, but... well, I dunno. Need to learn what makes them tick, first." Settling on her dish, she looks up and adds, "You decided yet, by the way?" while gesturing at the menu.
[14:39] <@Takeshi> "Grilled salmon, I think," Takeshi says, having decided rather quickly after scanning for only a few moments, folding the menu up and placing it on the table. "My treat, so get whatever you like."
[14:40] <@Usagi> "Pork ramen for me," Usagi decides, flagging down a waitress to take their orders.
[14:47] * @Takeshi gives his order to the waitress as she arrives, ordering iced tea to go with it before letting the blonde place her own order before the waitress departs. "Wish I knew what made them tick myself - this whole 'recruitment' angle really bugs me for some reason."
[14:49] <@Usagi> "I still hope we'll be able to recruit one of them and find out more ourselves," Usagi smiles hopefully. "I remember getting Nior on our side really answered so many questions, back then."
[14:52] <@Takeshi> "Yeah, that'd certainly make our life a lot simpler. All that stuff Asher found is a big step in the right direction, but there are still too many holes there to really draw any solid conclusions from it." He blows out a long breath. "Been thinking about trying to take another look at their world, but no idea how well it'll work - the first time I tried it I got bounced pretty hard."
[14:55] <@Usagi> "If at first you don't succeed," Usagi smiles, shrugging a moment. "Anyway, let's not talk about that stuff when we're meant to be relaxing?" she suggests before changing the subject. "How's working for Mrs Tomoe?"
[14:58] <@Takeshi> "Fair enough," Takeshi agrees, smiling a bit. "It's not too bad when she's not in a bad mood, but if she is? Wow. I might take hits like a brick wall does, but I STILL don't want to be on her bad side. She was about ready to fry Hotaru on the spot earlier this week, I think - everyone in the office was treading lightly around her all day."
[15:03] <@Usagi> "Yeah, but she's nice enough if you can keep on her good side," Usagi smiles. "What about the rest of the workplace - is it any fun or is it just a big mega stressed corporate type place?"
[15:05] <@Takeshi> "Seems pretty laid-back, actually," Takeshi says. "Reiko-san's totally focused on her work, but some of the other folks there seem pretty easygoing. Haven't seen a lot, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the office politics in there are a lot less fun, though.
[15:05] <@Takeshi> ""
[15:07] <@Usagi> "Oh? Had any hints of that?" the blonde enquires as their plates are set down. "Ooh, that was fast! Thanks!" she beams at the waitress before starting on her ramen.
[15:09] <@Takeshi> "Just some really minor stuff, but... heh. Being one of the 'quiet' ones you learn how to watch people, and so yeah - wouldn't surprise me at all."
[15:12] <@Usagi> "Well, good luck," Usagi smiles as she takes a break from slurping her ramen. "At least my job's got no pressure like that. I hardly ever even see my boss or co-workers."
[15:15] <@Takeshi> "Yeah, I wouldn't think it'd be much fun to stand out there and pass out those flyers - from what I've seen, a lot of people act like the people handing them out aren't even there. Not something I'd enjoy much, I know that for sure." Takeshi shakes his head.
[15:19] <@Usagi> "It's not that bad," the blonde shrugs. "It'll be worse as the weather gets colder, but... it's kinda nice just watching the world go by. And I don't really get ignored *that* much. It's all about engaging people - if you just stand there with a flyer in your hand, of course you'll get ignored. But you can't be too pushy either - it's all about balance," she concludes, nodding smugly.
[15:21] <@Takeshi> "I shall bow to your superior expertise in dealing with people then," Takeshi says wryly, with a mock bow of his shoulders to the blonde rabbit as he works on his salmon. "I did have one question, though, if you don't mind answering. It's maybe a little personal, but nothing earth-shattering."
[15:22] <@Usagi> "Hm?" Usagi raises an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
[15:24] <@Takeshi> "What's your family like?" Takeshi says simply, giving Usagi a rather... odd look. There's a lot mixed in there - pain,  hopefulness, regret - although his face itself remains with the same slight smile he wore before he asked.
[15:26] <@Usagi> "Huh," Usagi pauses a bit, not having expected that. "I guess it's pretty normal?" she concludes. "There's me, my little brother - he's in junior high. Papa works as a photographer, Mama looks after the house... we all get along fairly well, so it's... it's normal, I guess," she repeats, shrugging.
[15:29] <@Takeshi> "Just curious," Takeshi says, the moment passing quickly enough. "I... kind of like hearing about normal families, a bit," he says haltingly after a moment, then shakes his head, turning back to his food. "Sorry, didn't mean to intrude."
[15:32] <@Usagi> "Mmm... Well, I don't mind," the blonde shakes her head. "It's just there's really not a lot to say unless you ask a specific question - to me they're just 'family' and that's that. I don't really think about it much." She cocks her head, giving him a wan smile, "You probably think I'm taking them for granted, right?"
[15:35] * @Takeshi shakes his head quickly. "It's not so much that, really, it's just... well, I can't say I don't KNOW about families, since I've been in more different ones than I can count and heard about a lot more besides. Just that almost all of them have really, badly been screwed up. I've only been in one where I was really happy, and even that one ended. It's... nice to get reminders, every now and then, that they're not all like that."
[15:39] <@Usagi> "Heh, me and Hotaru are the only ones with what you'd call traditional families in the group... well, I don't know what Asher's situation is," she admits, "But considering the hell Reiko and Hotaru put each other through, I'm not sure if they escape the 'screwed up' definition." Pausing to slurp up some more ramen, she continues, "Well, my family's a happy one, mostly. We sometimes argue, but it's normally in good fun with no real hurt feeling
[15:40] <@Usagi> feelings."
[15:44] * @Takeshi snorts. "Even with what I've seen of Hotaru's mom and how the two of them get along, that's still better than a lot of the other shit I've seen out there - er, pardon my language there," Takeshi says, taking a quick bite of his salmon to hide a slightly embarrassed look. "Not that I can really claim to judge very well on that, but..." He shakes his head. "It's kind of weird right now, especially - I'm moving into Serenity's house next weekend
[15:46] <@Takeshi>  This will be the first - well, I guess more the second - time I'll have gotten myself a real home. Kind of a weird feeling."
[15:48] <@Usagi> "Wow, got that set up already?" Usagi asks, ignoring the profanity. Sadly, she hears far worse out of her sweet and girlish friends on a consistent basis. "That was fast. How'd your current foster parents take it?"
[15:51] <@Takeshi> "Haven't really talked with them about it," Takeshi shakes his head. "We've talked maybe three times since I moved in, so I doubt they're going to be too bothered by it." He snorts a bit. "Probably glad in the end to get a headcase off their hands."
[15:52] * @Usagi frowns a bit. "Why would they even bother if they're like that? I always thought you'd have to be really nice to become a foster parent..."
[15:55] <@Takeshi> "Hah!" Takeshi barks a short laugh. "Maybe when they first get started they are, but a lot of them are pretty uncaring - they get a stipend from the government for taking in foster kids, and I've been in one or two houses that aren't much more than orphanages themselves - pack as many kids into a house as you can to get the biggest payoff," Takeshi shakes his head. "Some of them are even abusive of the kids they take in, as if the kids didn't come OU
[15:56] <@Takeshi> the kids didn't come OUT of situations like that to begin with in a lot of cases."
[15:57] * @Usagi flinches, looking away. "Oh... I had no idea..." she admits numbly.
[15:58] <@Takeshi> "I've been kind of lucky on that count," Takeshi says, sighing a bit. "Only been in one home where the dad was abusive, and that was after I learned about Nephrite, so I was already starting to get a pretty thick skin. Did what I could to shield the other two that were there, but... yeah. It's not pretty at all."
[16:01] <@Usagi> "It wouldn't be... couldn't you go to a teacher or the police?" the blonde asks quietly, at least recalling those information films they'd sometimes show in school about dealing with these situations.
[16:04] <@Takeshi> "Honestly? You could, but then what? You get pulled out of the home again and sent to another, and who knows what you end up in next? Might be better, might be worse. Know of a fair number of kids that just flat run away to escape the system - their odds are probably a lot worse, but it beats staying where they were." He chuckles. "I'm running away myself, although I'm taking the legal route."
[16:08] <@Usagi> "I guess..." Usagi agrees slowly, pushing away her nearly empty plate, appetite now lost. "I couldn't really imagine what it's like. How did you deal with the one," she hesitates slightly, "The one where you were abused?"
[16:22] <@Takeshi> "That one? Honestly, it wasn't all that bad," Takeshi replies, his own meal finished as well. "Not for me at least. Like I said, I'd already started to get some of Nephrite's abilities back, so taking a few belts with a strap didn't really affect me much. I was more worried about the other two that were there at the same time - one little girl who was about eight, and a boy who was ten. The old man didn't spare it on any of us,
[16:22] <@Takeshi> but I did what I could to take it for them whenever I could. Didn't last in that one very long - I get the feeling the old man didn't like being stood up to like that, so he turned the wheels and got me transferred on again."
[16:24] <@Usagi> "So the other two are still there?" Usagi asks weakly. This conversation sure took a turn for the heartbreaking...
[16:24] <@Takeshi> "Hard to say," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "They were there when I left, but that was about three years ago - no telling where they are now."
[16:26] <@Usagi> "Guess not..." the blonde sighs softly. "I hope they're okay..."
[16:27] <@Takeshi> "Same," Takeshi says. "Just so you know, though, it's not ALL that bad - yeah, there are ugly spots, but those are less common. Most of it's just what I'm in right now - they just don't care much. A few, like the Takadas, really do care and want to help. Just sucks that it's all a crapshoot as to where and who you end up with."
[16:29] * @Usagi nods slowly, taking a moment to come out of her funk before she takes the opening presented. "The Takadas?" she prompts, hoping for a more pleasant discussion.
[16:30] <@Takeshi> "Yeah - remember that I said this was my second time getting a home?" Takeshi smiles a bit. "They were the first. Got taken in by them when I was eight, stayed with them almost a year and a half. They were actually planning on adopting me, but things didn't work out that way."
[16:31] <@Usagi> Oh, God, this is going to go sour again, isn't it? "What happened?" the blonde asks, morbidly curious.
[16:35] <@Takeshi> "Sayuri - that was 'mom' - her parents were in a car wreck up in Hokkaido where they lived. Her dad was kind of in bad shape before that and didn't make it, and her mom was pretty badly hurt. They ended up bringing Sayuri's mom in to live with them, and unfortunately that put the squeeze on their finances a little too much - couldn't take care of both her and me at the same time, so they ended up having to let me go," Takeshi says a bit wistfully. "It was a friendly parting on both sides - I couldn't really blame them, and they didn't want to see me go - so we kept up with letters for about a year after that. THAT ran into a brick wall when my dreams started, though - lost touch then and never picked it back up again."
[16:36] <@Takeshi> Takeshi says a bit wistfully. "It was a friendly parting on both sides - I couldn't really blame them, and they didn't want to see me go - so we kept up with letters for about a year after that. THAT ran into a brick wall when my dreams started, though - lost touch then and never picked it back up again."
[16:37] * @Usagi resists the impulse to cringe. It's just one thing after another! "Have you thought about maybe trying to resume contact with them?" she suggests supportively. "I bet they'd be surprised and pleased to hear from you again if it's been a while."
[16:38] <@Takeshi> "I did once I got my head back together, but by that point they'd moved and I didn't have a chance to find out where," Takeshi says with a shrug. "It's been almost ten years now, so I don't even know if they even remember me at this point."
[16:40] <@Usagi> Oh, it's a hard fight not to bang her head on the table! "I guess if they didn't leave a forwarding address then there's nothing you can do..." she admits weakly.
[16:46] <@Takeshi> "I wasn't exactly staying in one place myself for very long," Takeshi says with a slight frown. "Maybe I could look into it now, but up to this point there's no guarantee they'd be able to reach ME at the right address, either."
[16:49] <@Usagi> "If it's important to you then that's what you should do," Usagi states succinctly. "But since you don't seem to have many happy memories, I think it'd be sad to let this one slip away."
[16:51] <@Takeshi> "Might be something to do after I move into Serenity's place," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "Sorry, I really doubt you wanted me to drag you into that whole mess. Some 'first date', huh?" He smirks at that.
[16:55] <@Usagi> "Uh, yeah... about that..." Usagi looks slightly uncomfortable. She'd been hoping to keep this casual! "Listen, Takeshi, you're a nice guy, but I'm not really looking for a relationship. I mean, it's just... it complicates things too much, considering what we, ah... do."
[16:57] <@Takeshi> "Bah, you didn't even have to say it," Takeshi says dismissively. "I'm not under any illusions of you being interested in me romantically, so don't even worry about it. Was Hotaru's suggestion in the first place, and I figured it'd at least be a chance to spend some time with a friend, if nothing else. That's all."
[16:57] <@Usagi> "Hotaru suggested it?" Usagi blinks in surprise. "Wow, never saw that coming..." shaking her head, "Anyway, yeah - friends is good," she smiles.
[16:59] <@Takeshi> "If you even want to do that much with a basket case like myself, after tonight," Takeshi says with a self-deprecating smirk. "Plenty of other folks you could spend your time with that have a lot fewer problems, after all."
[17:02] <@Usagi> "It's alright," Usagi waves the matter aside. "I admit, I kinda got more than I bargained for, just now, but you're not bad company."
[17:04] <@Takeshi> "Heh," Takeshi chuckles. "I figure it's not worth whitewashing what happened, but it's not worth stewing over either. Neither one of them does me any favors - I got dealt a crappy hand to start with, but I might as well do the best with it that I can."

Sunday evening, after Takeshi's 'date'.

[21:41] <@Anastasia> ---Arc 2 go!---
[21:42] <@Anastasia> Takeshi has time Sunday night - the perfect time. His room is secure, his chances to call on the stars flawless. It's time for him to do as he does, to see if he can divine more.
[21:44] * @Takeshi changes, feeling rather relaxed after his talk with Usagi that evening - even if most of it wasn't pretty, it was nice to at least get a lot of that out in the open air for the first time. "All right, guys, let's see what you're up to," he murmurs.
[21:46] <@General_Nephrite> As he feels rather calm at the moment, Nephrite decides to remain in that vein - perhaps some of the 'gentler' constellations will show him things that the more direct ones couldn't. "I call upon the power of the stars..." he intones quietly. "Aquarius, the bearer of water! Let your flowing streams lead me to the being known as Death, to see what he's doing now!"
[21:47] <@Anastasia> OOC - Soul check +1
[21:47] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6+1 burning 10 EP
[21:47] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6+1 burning 10 EP and gets 10." [2d6=3, 6]
[21:48] <@Anastasia> Nephrite feels a tad chilled, but nothing else of note happens.
[21:49] <@General_Nephrite> Undaunted - it wasn't easy the last time, either - Nephrite makes his supplication again. "I call upon the power of the stars... Gemini, the twin brothers! Let your concerted efforts show me Death, the one I seek!"
[21:50] <@Anastasia> OOC - Soul check +1
[21:50] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6+1 burning 10 EP
[21:50] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6+1 burning 10 EP and gets 12." [2d6=5, 6]
[21:50] <@Anastasia> The stars swirla round Nephrite, but his command comes to nothing! Only a chilly funeral wind blows in his rooms, the power of the twins brought to nothing!
[21:51] * @General_Nephrite frowns and shakes his head, giving it one more try. "I call upon the power of the stars..." he mutters, a little less mellow this time. "Virgo, the pure virgin! Let your pure heart show the way to the place where Death is now!"
[21:53] <@Anastasia> OOC - Soul check +1
[21:53] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6+1 burning 20 EP
[21:53] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6+1 burning 20 EP and gets 13." [2d6=6, 6]
[21:55] <@Anastasia> Ugh! Nephrite is chilled to the bone, a frosted wind ripping into him! (2 points of damage.) The backlash of freezingness is heavy, like something horrible is touched.
[21:56] * @General_Nephrite grits his teeth, shivering slightly at the bone-deep cold. "Got to break through this..." he mutters, putting his will behind the efforts of the stars!
[21:57] <@Anastasia> OOC - Soul check +3 . G'luck!"
[21:57] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6+3 burning 10 EP
[21:57] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6+3 burning 10 EP and gets 9." [2d6=4, 2]
[21:57] <@Anastasia> Close! Nephrite gets a glimpse, the barest glimpse. It's so..so...empty. Forsaken, and then he is in his room. Missed, but only a glance of something no human normally ever sees.
[22:00] * @General_Nephrite shivers, charcoal grey slipping away as he returns to his own normal form. "Dammit," he mutters. "Too damned hard to break through that stupid resistance." With a tired sigh he flops down on his bed, his eyes closing quickly. "What the hell is wrong with me lately?" he asks no one in particular. "Can't seem to get anything to go right."

This happens friday night, after the argument on the way home from Serenity's.

[16:53:38] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[16:54:06] <Kotono> So Hotaru takes her time - lost in her own whirlwind of thoughts, eventually teleporting to Rei's bedroom door. No one is around, only a solitude ofs ilence, but you can see the light is on in there.
[16:56:53] <Hotaru-chan> Keep breathing, Hotaru thinks to herself, staring at the door as the cold, creeping hand of confusion, anxiety, regret circles around her. It feels monumentous to bring her hand up, and at the smae time pitifully weak as she lets it fall on the door twice. Is she....well it's not like...should...oh SHUT UP. ...You sound like her.
[16:59:30] <Kotono> The knocks are weak little things, best used by a scared child to request Mommy to come and save her? Are they heard as such by Rei? Another mystery to one day be solved, as, "I told you I don't want do it tonight, Grandfather! Please, I'll help you with it tomorrow."
[17:01:26] <Hotaru-chan> "Your kouhai would like to talk to you, though," Hotaru's voice is softer than she wants it to be, hesitating and trembling an instant. That sounded...would you please shut up?
[17:02:12] <Kotono> "...Hey, Hotaru." There a pause before Rei calls out, sounding a bit snippy but confident, "Yeah, c'mon in. Door's open."
[17:05:46] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru swallows, two breaths that seem like far too long a pause in her mind before she opens the door, stepping inside and closing it behind her.Her shoulders are slumped, amethyst eyes muted from their previous glow as she looks towards Rei.
[17:06:43] <Kotono> Rei's sitting on her bed, wearing unflattering clothes - a superbaggy sweatshirt with the word 'Delicious' on the front and matching gray sweat pants. She's on her bed, hair down and loose. Lying straigh down the middle, head pillow resting. "Yeah?" Rei cranes her head towards Hotaru.
[17:09:50] <Hotaru-chan> "Just...sorry," Hotaru murmurs softly, hugging herself and looking straight at Rei, her expression fragile and torn. "All this..." she murmurs, pausing to breathe, looking down before going back up to Rei's eyes and resuming. "I...with all the talking, I pinned hopes on you..." she admits, blush coloring the otherwise pallid tone of her cheeks.
[17:09:51] <Hotaru-chan> "And...yeah, I flipped out a lot more than I should've...sorry," she offers, broken looking almost before Rei.
[17:10:35] <Kotono> Rei looksa way, up to the ceiling, "You know, before any of that? Why the sudden about face?" Rei asks bluntly.
[17:11:22] <Hotaru-chan> "On what?" Hotaru asks, pulling herself together a bit, enough to look up to Rei.
[17:11:44] <Kotono> "All of it," Rei stays where she is, waiting. "You're whistling a different tune than you were not too long ago."
[17:15:52] <Hotaru-chan> "Being left alone..." Hotaru shakes her head. "I guess I always try to dominate by will, but just...if there's no one around you, all the will doesn't matter, and all that will just pushes anyone else farther away," she murmurs softly, a shakier, deeper breath drawn. "You just...left, that's been my worst fear for years and you just...did it, and I couldn't blame you at all. Even if it was just leaving the argument."
[17:17:31] <Kotono> "So in short you realised you were being a drama queen over something really stupid?" Rei gets right to things, looking at her. "Hotaru, you know full well you and Makoto are desperately in love. If you don't your blinder than a bat."
[17:26:57] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's smile is wry and a little broken still as she leans back against the doorframe. "Okay, we may very well be. But...just because that's true, doesn't really make us right for each other right now," Hotaru shrugs a bit, her smile weak. "Just...mah, I don't want to work myself up again, but..." she sighs a little.
[17:26:57] <Hotaru-chan> "And slap me, please, if you really think I'm being horribly stupid, I can barely keep track of my feelings between you and talking about her," Hotaru gripes softly. "I just...don't WANT Mako-chan to be more than a friend right now."
[17:29:12] <Kotono> "So realising that made you more shaken than a milkshake?" Rei presses even more, sitting up on her bed now and brushing back her hair. "What about that back there?"
[17:32:32] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru gives Rei a wry smile. "To return the favor of bluntness..." she snickers. "Rei-chan! Rei-chan! Rei-chan!" she chants, smiling wryly across. "No Rei-chan? REI-CHAN! I've been in love with you for about as long as I've been in love with Makoto, you're just...not as indulging. So I panicked like a complete idiot."
[17:33:40] <Kotono> "Stop saying tha twith a smile. It would be nice to see you keep regret on your face for more than three seconds." Harshness flows into Rei's words, looking away to the wall. "Yeah...you're pretty and hell, if I was ...oh wait, I am gay." Rei wince s alittle, "And if you weren't with Makoto I'd be tempted...oh, and if you hadn't made yet another drama storm."
[17:41:03] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's expression crumbles in moments, a softly deeper sighs, not very loud, more noticeable by the movement of her arms over her bust. "I guess that's what I expected in the back of my head," she agrees quietly, looking away and blinking back at tears, failing in that respect and pushing them away.
[17:41:03] <Hotaru-chan> "I just...I don't know, I keep wanting to put the happy face back on to hide from it...and that's really stupid of me when I say it and hear it," she murmurs with a weak, pained laugh. "But...I dunno, THIS, this...is why I don't want to be with Makoto right now. I'd just...well, I'd just get to be more and more like this, wouldn't I?" she answers, face crackign a little.
[17:41:03] <Hotaru-chan> "There's alter...but later is later, and I don't know what will be going on then, for either of us. So is it just hopeless? Or am I being an idiot again? God I don't know..."
[17:41:38] <Hotaru-chan> *later
[17:43:20] <Kotono> "You're at least showing you aren't some remorseless bitch," Rei lightly observes, yet her voice is heavy with...with...Hotaru isn't sure. It's just heavy with something, weighed. "Nice to see you aren't an uncaring little Beast Lord in human clothing, hm? Just smile and snicker it away, that's you?" Now Rei looks dead on at Hotaru, eye to eye. "You're not quite so bad when you're not trying to be too cheerful like that. You know, if you s
[17:44:31] <Kotono> You know, if you start crying...it might even show the regret it would be nice to see!" Rei smiels at that, a bitter and vicious little smirk, but her eyes soften to mismatch.
[17:52:15] <Hotaru-chan> The words hit like Hatred's mace, weighted and crushing, burning hotter than even Rei's temper would as that silken, purring, beautiful voice hammers viciously and mercileslly. The tears come before Rei can even summon them, walls of feeling and violet beaten to rubble too low in the ground to stop the flood.
[17:52:15] <Hotaru-chan> Rei's desire for her pain only makes them come faster, another knife buried in her, another hook sunk in, of the sorts she can't stand, that just keep burning deeper and deeper as Hotaru can't even locate the breath to respond.
[17:54:10] <Kotono> "Good." Rei's eyes show a moment of pain but she looks away, "Why can't you do that like a normal girl instead of just being...so damn vicious? Dramatic? Hurtful?  For God's sake, Makoto even game me a 1-2 punch about that years ago but you still haven't gotten it, have you?"
[17:54:35] <Kotono> Going on a moment later, voice still strong, "I think all we want to see is H otaru Tomoe, our friend, not Hotaru Tomoe, bitchlordess."
[17:55:34] <Kotono> *gave
[18:05:42] <Hotaru-chan> The first affirmation cuts Hotaru's feet out from under her, the crushed and beaten yet perfectly intact sneshi of saturn sliding down to the floor in front of Rei's door, almost huddling away from the miko's assault. "I'm sorry," she finally manages, voice just a pained, desperate whimper. "I'm sorry...please," she gasps, not quite sobbing, but trembling and strugglign even for the composure to speak.
[18:07:54] <Kotono> "Don't apologise. Hotaru, the proof's in the actions, not in the apologies. It's accepted, conditional you do better." The look on Rei's face shows some pain indeed, but the flicker of emotion is mercilessly quashed.  "Stop resisting it, too. Just sob your eyes out if that's what you feel like - let yourself go."
[18:12:32] <Hotaru-chan> It's the final reprimand and relent, freedom its own sort of pain as Hotaru's entire reality collapses, crumbling into a screaming blaze of anguish that tears at her throat, drawing her inwards and tighter with each moment, collapsing in a ball of sobbing, fiery pain that is all which exists in any direction for the Princess of Saturn.
[18:13:43] <Kotono> Rei watches this with a growing detached calmness, arms crosses as Hotaru sobs her eyes out. She waits for the storm to pass, waiting and waiting for Hotaru to pull herself up.
[18:17:48] <Hotaru-chan> It lasts for a time that Hotaru herself can't truly comprehend, but in her nearly exhausted state, she does reach a point where her body refuses, the tears stop coming, leaving only the shudder of lancing pain, burning welts like red coals  inscribed across her soul, memories and even passing thoughts bringing each new torturous instant, even if her phsyical body shows none of the abuses.
[18:19:59] <Kotono> Finally Rei comes over, looking the quieter girl over. "Go take a bath - bathroom's down the hall, you know where it is. Clean yourself up."
[18:25:17] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru looks up, eyes red rimmed from tears, pale skin streaked as she sniffles softly. "She just nods, not trusting herself to spak yet  as she drags herself up, and off at Rei's direction.
[18:26:41] <Hotaru-chan> *She
[18:29:43] <Kotono> "Towels are in the closet, and I'll be in here when you're done." So Rei goes back to her bed, letting Hotaru do her thing. OOC - Feel free to do your thing in there as you wish and then come back.
[18:33:23] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru goes about a quick bath, achingly tired body and mind moving through the motions and eventually finishing cleaning herself up. So it's with a still severely shaken expression that she returns to Rei's room, digging in her satchel almost aimlessly as she sits again, near the door. "Thank you," she offers, soft and quiet, honest and worn down if still grateful.
[18:34:23] <Kotono> "Come in," Rei replies with that, sitting in oen of her beanbag chairs. She gestures at her bed or at a chair near her, vague and easy.
[18:38:35] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru follows the command, almost collapsing into one of the chairs. She pauses in her digging, biting her lip and shoving the satchell away, taking a deep breath. "Thanks," she repeats softly, shaking her head.
[18:43:12] <Kotono> "Thank me when it works," Rei leans back, poofy and well covered by her sweatsuit. Blowing at one long bang over her lips, "It had better."
[18:47:49] <Hotaru-chan> "I didn't...just, the bath..." Hotaru explains haltingly, face coloring slightly as she curls her legs up to herself. Rubbing the pale, bare limbs, she sighs softly. Better to not disturb the small moment she has here.
[18:52:40] <Kotono> "Hm?" Rei inquires, looking on without mercy at the moment, "What didn't?"
[18:54:34] <Hotaru-chan> "I just meant...for the bath, not..." Hotaru gestures vaguely, her expression a touch fearful as she looks at Rei. "Thanks for letting me clean up."
[18:55:26] <Kotono> "You're welcome." Rei ponders, slowly looking away to Hotaru, eyes lidded shut. "What's going on in your head now, Hotaru?"
[18:59:06] <Hotaru-chan> "Wishing I wasn't about to hurt my boyfriend kind of badly, figuring that no matter what, I kind of have to," Hotaru murmurs quietly, watching Rei, voice subdued. "Mmmm...the next part sounds stupidly dramatic," she admits softly, glancing out to the windows. "But...wishing it didn't feel like I went in and carved a chunk of my own heart out alienating you. Or that I had half a chance with you?"
[19:03:29] <Kotono> "As long as you're in love with Makoto? Not gonna happen. I'm not giong to be some toy or runner up prize while you snuggle with her. That said!" Rei goes on, lidden eyes turning to face Hotaru now. "Then do better.'
[19:06:49] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru quirks her head at Rei, resting her ear on her knees as she looks across at the miko. "You think you'd be less than everything?" she challenges softly, very softly. "I might as well say...I can't go out with Makoto, because I love you."
[19:08:39] <Kotono> "Please." Rei fiercly rolls her eyes, sarcasm flowing over like a waterfall. "You probably mean well there, but I'm not going to be second in anyone's heart, no matter how prettily they say it. You're so far gone for Makoto...there's no doubt at all."
[19:15:55] <Hotaru-chan> "It's not..." Hotaru sighs in sheer and honest frustration, hugging her knees. "It bugs me more that you -believe- that than not..." she sighs again, chewing on her lip ad taking a deep breath. "IIf Usagi had any point I needed to lsiten to its that...whoever you take dedicate yourself entirely," she murmurs, tryng to still her heart. "Would you believe me if I said you wouldn't be?"
[19:16:35] <Hotaru-chan> *take, dedicate
[19:16:47] <Kotono> "If Usagi had a point?" Rei raises her eyebrow, but doesn't comment past that. "Go on."
[19:26:34] <Hotaru-chan> "She asked me...did Yoshi know about Makoto? The answer is no. Yoshi doesn't know about anyone he didn't meet the first time around...and...she had that point, but it was bigger than she intended, I think. I don't...I like him, I might, maybe, love him. I'm betraying him though...so often, so constantly. He doesn't know who I am...he only very indirectly knows anything about -why- I'm me.
[19:26:34] <Hotaru-chan> Even just...a little glance at you if I'm feeling like -that-, waking up with Makoto, it all feels...like I'm stabbing him behind his back. And he...no one deserves that,"
[19:26:34] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head firmly, a smile tugging at her lips, but quickly crushed for a softer expression of tentative openness. "And I understand, after all that meandering...that's why you don't want to consider me, because you think I'd be doing just that with Makoto, right?"
[19:28:53] <Kotono> Rei's smile is one of faint relief, words coming quickly. "That's exactly it. I know you can't let Makoto go, and that rules anything out. Don't even try to lie about it Hotaru - we both know that you can't."
[19:39:27] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head with a soft sigh. "I don't think I'd...I'm NOT lying, I hope...I'd face the same thing with Makoto and you," she murmurs, looking a touch more frustrated and forlorn at Rei. "I FEEL like you're equal -that- way. And I might just be arguing, but...that's how I feel right now."
[19:40:18] <Kotono> "Then let me ask you something simple - can you entirely let Makoto go - and can she be alright with that?" Rei raises an eyebrow, "Can she? At all?"
[19:49:42] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru takes a deep breath, her body relaxing a little. "Can she...that's...the possible stumbling block," she agrees softly, shaking her head. "And is...could we still be friends?" she asks, her expressing twisting slightly. "I know, kissing isn't friends," she murmurs, dryly. "I just...I'm lost here, I don't do anything with her I haven't -wanted- without romantic feelings with you. I don't want to just rush it and have regrets."
[19:51:51] <Kotono> "Then think it over. If you can sincerely say you're over Makoto and done there, and prove it? We'll see. Otherwise, I'm not going to abuse myself getting into as hitty relationship while your'e still mooning over her." Rei idly cracks her knuckles at that, "If you do love me...you're going to be mine. All mine, I don't share. Ever." The last is said with as linky smile, hungry. "I guess that goes for my women affairs now, too."
[19:54:49] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru returns the expression with a slight smile that lasts for a moment. "I know...I'm just...'friends' is still kind of a new thing, so I don't know where to go, and since...well, you're the person deepest into this, I guess your opinion matters the most right now?" she asks gently. "I'd like advice, because...it's a choice, and I don't know where the line is," she admits helplessly.
[19:55:05] <Hotaru-chan> (More)
[19:56:10] <Hotaru-chan> "I just..." Hotaru suddenly snorts, shaking her head. "I want and want and want...and I don't -know- where to stop, and it's hurting people, like Yoshi, and I don't want to keep doing that."
[19:59:31] <Hotaru-chan> "So I guess, even just outside this 'maybe if you choose me' mess, I want your help, Rei?" Hotaru asks, looking back at the miko. "Makoto and I aren't in control...but I think it's better for us if we were, and chose where to go from there. Even if it's too much for her, and necessity dictates how I choose between equals, it would be better that way."
[21:46:31] <Anastasia> "Then get control. If you're stringing him alone, let that poor boy go." Rei shrugs a little, "No one deserves to be dicked around with like that, do they? "
[21:49:04] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru stumbles a little. "I know that part..." she murmurs, shaking her head. "I meant about Makoto and I...I don't know what the border between friendship and relationship is," she sighs, shaking her head. "Was hugging Kotono when Asher first tried to run off from her and she figured out she'd done it -again- weirdly romantic in some way? I mean...I dunno."
[21:51:54] <Anastasia> The sigh from Rei is like someone long suffering, "You mean you have no idea of interpersonal relationships and relative personal space?"
[21:54:20] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blushes. "You experienced it first hand..." she points out softly. "I like to be in physical contact...and I mean, I get the difference between 'going out' and just friends, but..." Hotaru shrugs. "Everyone I call my close friends, I also love to my best estimate."
[21:58:53] <Anastasia> "...oi." Rei rubs at her temple, voice low. "Alright, quick and dirty - you can touch friends a bit, talk to thiem, maybe hug another girl if you're close. Holding hands, kissing, sleeping together? Gay, gay, gay. No touching with another boy unless you're about to put an orifice against his thing or his mouth."
[22:08:43] <Hotaru-chan> "Holding hands?" Hotaru sweatdrops at that one, shaking her head a little. "That just seems...I dunno, I guess in some situations just touching shoulders or something would be more appropriate..." she hesitatnly agrees. "I guess holding hands with Yoshi was a kind of oddly big thing, but...wait, we slept together on Gaia, when we had a lot of beds..." Hotaru points out. "I know, I know...just..." she snickers, eyeing Rei.
[22:12:23] <Anastasia> "Shut it," Rei agrees with a streak of vicious cheer, clearing her throat. "From there, just wing it - you should get the idea pretty soon."
[22:18:46] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sticks out her tongue a moment, shaking her head. "I think I get it..." she agrees, a more softly contented and focused expression rather than the amused one. "Mah...I'll talk to her, we'll see how things turn out," she murmurs, playing with a lock of hair. "Just...Yoshi and Mom to deal with, honestly."
[22:20:21] <Anastasia> "Good luck, then," Rei nods at those words, "...what are you waiting for? They're not going to wait for you forever, are they?"
[22:21:18] <Hotaru-chan> "I like being in your bedroom, especially when it involves looking at you, late at night, when I'm still slightly wet," Hotaru remarks plainly, smirking softly at Rei.
[22:21:42] <Anastasia> "....oi." Rei rubs her temples again, sighing. "Right."
[22:22:29] <Hotaru-chan> "...Sorry, but it was an opportunity," Hotaru murmurs, blushing and standing. "Does not teasing you come with the package?" she asks, a little dryly.
[22:26:22] <Anastasia> "Timing...but just go ahead. Talk toyou in a few?" Rei says, getting upa s well. "Think i'm gonna crash early.
[22:26:23] <Anastasia> "
[22:29:48] <Hotaru-chan> "I suppose I'm supposed to refrain from hugging you..." Hotaru sighs, a little theatrically. "But yeah, cya in class probably..." she nods, getting her satchel and slipping the thigh high stockings that help (or are supposed to help) ward off the chill. "Wish me luck surviving 'Hi mom! I'm bi! And I'm trying to figure out which girl I'm spending the rest of my life with!'"
[22:29:48] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snorts, going to Rei's door. Unless she's interrupted. Which would be really, really nice.
[22:33:16] <Anastasia> Rei just watches, a little smile as Hotaru goes. "Good luck." It's alls he says, getting up and plopping down onto her bed.
[22:34:46] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru wiggles her hips at Rei, snickering softly before departing. It's going to be a walk home in her current state!

This happens the same night as the press conference, though much later.

[22:36:30] <Anastasia> ----
[22:39:31] <Anastasia> It's dark and chilly when Hotaru finally gets home. Mom and Dad's cars are both here, looming in promise of what awaits Hotaru...
[22:45:32] <Hotaru-chan> Deep breaths. Really. You just survived worse. Much worse. You won that! You'll live, somehow. So Hotaru goes, into her home. "I'm home," she calls softly, closing the door behind her. She's either about to face the maw of hell, or something possibly even more frightening.
[22:47:28] <Anastasia> It's not the former. Mother comes out from the living room, eyes flashing in anger. Raw, ungiving anger, face like a stone carved out of granite with oynx rills atop. "You," she says wearily, distant. "So nice of you to come home after being on TV. There's food in the refridgerator if you'r ehungry." WIth that Mom storms off, heading upstairs.
[22:52:09] <Hotaru-chan> Yes, like another bejeweled knife of black and violet. Was it something in their hair? "...Mom..." Hotaru sighs, confidence crumbling again as she drops her satchel, moving after her mother up the stairs. "Mom...this is just...I feel stupid tryign to even offer it, but I'm sory," she murmurs, a long and deep breath.
[23:01:27] <Anastasia> "Why bother? You make yourself clear - you're dancing around on TV with the Prime Minister, anyway," This is added casually, Mom at least stopping but still with her back to you.
[23:15:57] <Hotaru-chan> "Make myself clear at -what-?" Hotaru asks, hurt sounding as she stops behind her mother. "Just...mom, the thing with Yoshi HURT, and the rest of this.." she gestures, just tired sounding. "I'm just...sorry. The Prime Minister was a surprise, we had meetings, arguments...all sorts of stuff afterwards."
[23:17:46] <Anastasia> "That you're clearly past us," Mother starts to walk again, harsh and brutal. "I'm sure you'll be busy with your other things."
[23:21:01] <Hotaru-chan> "Then why did I come back?" Hotaru asks softly, following her mother up at a set pace. "Why would I bother coming back at a time I know you'll be awake, just so I could talk to you, if I was moving past?"
[23:24:44] <Anastasia> "Roll around init," Mom answers tensely, upstairs now and heading for her room.
[23:28:18] <Hotaru-chan> "Then I guess you don't care that I'm breaking up with Yoshi?" Hotaru asks sadly, still following her mother. "You don't care at all that I came back home because I actually missed my family after just two days?" she adds, hugging herself. "Or to really sit down and talk to you about the one thing I've been hiding?"
[23:33:00] <Anastasia> Mom stops at her door, the words reaching her at last. "Why?""
[23:36:00] <Hotaru-chan> "Because of the secret..." Hotaru murmurs, chewing on her lip. "You're not going to stop being angry until I tell you though, so..." Hotaru takes a deep breath. "...This might not be a surprise, but...I'm pretty positive I'm bisexual."
[23:45:30] <Anastasia> "Oh, so you're going to go boink Makoto instead," Reiko says dryly, sighing. "Shock."
[23:51:37] <Hotaru-chan> "Actually, no. I'm not sure," Hotaru murmurs, her expression shakier. "It could be Rei, it could be Makoto, none of us are really..." Hotaru lets out a long breath. "Just...I don't know, okay! I hate all this viciousness and I hate all the screaming, and I wish we could stop, and I wish you'd help me with it!" Hotaru finally bursts out, pain echoing in her voice as she tears out, eyes beginning to wet for the second time tonight.
[23:57:13] <Kochan> "Why...don't you want to just run around as you like," Mom's voice catches as she speaks, pained as well. "That's all you want to do, isn't it?"
[00:01:39] <Hotaru-chan> "No!" Hotaru snaps, will and iron behind that one word as she begins to pick up some anger. "I wanted to try and be HAPPY, and I WAS with my boyfriend that respected what I did and didn't want to do, didn't hdie things from me, and...and it's jsut pointless now," she sighs, leaning against a wall. "I jsut...I just want everyone around me as happy as I can make them, but I can't just destroy myself in the process!"
[00:07:55] <Kochan> "You're too good at tearing...things up." Mom's voice catches again midway, her last few words strangled and achingly weak. Her shoulders slump, defeated. "Destroy...sometimes I wonder if you live upt o your title too much."
[00:10:59] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru takes the opportunity presented, her own body nearly acheing between exhaustion and emotional collapse after collapse, hugging onto her mother's waste and slumping into her. "Yeah, I think there's a club.,.." she sighs, shuddering slightly.
[00:10:59] <Hotaru-chan> "Sorry, I just...we had to save somebody, and Death put a bomb inside them, and I'm just...nearly falling asleep here after breaking down at Rei's and arguing with her and Usagi..." she murmrus, weak voiced and desperate as she holds onto her mother, tightly clinging.
[00:14:07] <Hotaru-chan> *waist @_@
[00:20:05] <Kochan> Hotaru's hands around Mom's waist are taken, clasped into her. You feel her shoulders shake a few times, tiredly. "...stop it, damn you. You're tearing us apart!"
[00:25:00] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm trying!" Hotaru snaps, voice softer and tired, sighing and leaning into her mother's back. "Rei and I talked about it a lot...god we kept talking and talking..." she grumbles, closing her eyes. "I dunno...can you live with your daughter being forever attached to a girl?"
[00:31:41] <Kochan> "I don't know." It's all Reiko says, turning around to Hotaru and enfolding her.
[00:36:11] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs softly, hugging her mother tightly, nearly collapsing in her parent's hold, warmth and comfort rarely felt wrapping around her. "I don't...there isn't anyone that can even compete with them...it's hard to even think about them competeing with each other, and I still have to figure out..." Hotaru sighs. "Poor Yoshi."
[22:48:32] <Kotono> "At least you're actually thinking about him," Reiko says quietly, "Do you ever...when youd o all that? Think of anyone else?
[22:48:32] <Kotono> "
[22:54:58] <Hotaru-chan> "We don't do much at all," Hotaru gripes softly. "Not when I'm with him; alone..." her voice begins to get edgey, blushing.
[22:55:42] <Kotono> "...I didn't mean...that." Reiko stutters over that, utterly thrown off. "I meant...like your..like a few days ago, when we fought."
[22:57:26] <Hotaru-chan> "...I'm utterly confused," Hotaru admits, shaking her head sharply.
[22:58:29] <Kotono> "I mean..." Reiko breathes again, "Do you ever think that you're hurting someone else or anything past you like that?"
[23:04:56] <Hotaru-chan> "Not until I calm down," Hotaru sighs softly, closing her eyes and relaxing again. "It's just...reflex, mostly. Begins to hurt more afterwards."
[23:09:26] <Kotono> Mom closes her eyes, tears starting to leak out, "...try it...do you want to see your mother crying?"
[23:12:35] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head a bit, sighing softly as her arms tighten around her parent. "Just...sorry," she murmurs, biting her lip. "At least you don't have to worry about me getting pregnant?"
[23:15:10] <Kotono> "Hah." There's no humor in that voice, only rattled and weak.
[23:18:38] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru takes a deep breath, offering a very dry smile up to her mother. "Mah...just out of curiosuity, did you have any inkling...?"
[23:21:23] <Kotono> "Yes, I knew...you don't hide it well..." Mother says quietly, eyes still closed. "Even when you're striking out.:
[23:23:51] <Hotaru-chan> "Mrgh," Hotaru grumps softly, quieting and enjoying the embrace. "Think I need to tell dad before it blindisdes him?" she asks softly.
[23:30:12] <Kotono> "Not right now, just...I'm serious, Hotaru." Mother murmurs again after that.
[23:32:37] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru takes a deep breath, sighing quietly. "I know," she murmurs, glancing up at her mother. "You could stand to make it a little easier, too," she points out softly, resting against her mother. "But I know."
[23:38:13] <Kotono> "Mmm." Mother goes quiet after that, slowly patting Hotaru.
[23:42:51] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru settles as well, for now at least just enjoying the contact she so rarely gets with her mother. She can ask who she preffers later.

This happens the Saturday after the press conference.

[10:24:59] <Kowork> ---Arc 2 go!---
[10:26:33] <Kowork> Saturday comes up and running, and after school a phone number and phone is had at home, should Hotaru wish to do it.
[10:41:19] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs softly, eyeing the phone. Really, the longer she lets this go on... If you like him, do it. So she blows at ehr bangs, picking up the phone and calling Yoshi's number. Please don't be his mom...
[10:41:56] <Kotono> Three rings before, "Hello?" It's a woman, too, same older one as before. That sounds like his Mom, alright.
[10:46:45] <Hotaru-chan> Figures. "Ah...is Yoshi there?" Hotaru asks, a little nervously. She's going to...well, she probably SHOULD, shouldn't she? Yeah, probably.
[10:47:44] <Kotono> "He's on a da-Yoshi!" His mother calls, faint sounds of protests heard on the other end of the line. A few pauses and shuffled noises, and then, "Hello?" Yoshi's voice comes over the other line.
[10:51:27] <Hotaru-chan> If only. But using that wouldn't be entirely honest to him either, would it? "Hi," she greets softly, chewing on her lip. "How're you? Besides being the victim of your mother..."
[10:52:40] <Kotono> "I'm fine. Just got home." Yoshi sounds relaxed, easy. "I was going to call - do you want to go out tonight?"
[10:56:18] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm..." Hotaru hedges a moment. "Actually, I needed to talk to you about something...when would be best for you?" she asks quietly. Breathe, he won't explode over the phone, even if he probably has good reason to even by NOW.
[10:56:43] <Kotono> "I'm good now," Yoshi goes on, a little more serious already. "Is something wrong? Right?"
[10:58:55] <Hotaru-chan> Maybe you're just being paranoid. Are Rei-chans available in shoulder mounted whispery models? "Um..." Hotaru sighs. "Wrong, I guess. But...well, where do you want to meet?"
[10:59:48] <Kotono> "I can come over to your house," Yoshi gets right down to it, "That fine?"
[11:02:18] <Hotaru-chan> "Sure, if you'd rather," Hotaru agrees quietly, a small sigh given.
[11:03:16] <Kotono> "...I'll be over," There is decided uneasiness there as he hangs up, leaving Hotaru some time to prepare and wait. (Go ahead and set yourself up if you like.)
[11:07:18] <Hotaru-chan> No makeup, no...maybe she's overthinking what her appearance will give off, but it's the occupation of an idle and fretting mind. Leading him on would be...ugh. So she waits on the couch, jeans and a black sweater worn. Okay, it's nothing like Rei's very aptly decorated sweatshirt, but who knows.
[11:09:19] <Kotono> After about 20 minutes the door is knocked on, steady and slow knocks revealing that someone is finally here.
[11:13:42] <Hotaru-chan> Up, don't rush, rush, oh screw you. ...No, don't go there. Deep breaths, calming, sort of. Nervous...and what reason to not be? She's about to break up with him after only two weeks because...because she was selfish and wanted way too much. A long deflating sigh there, opening the door, looking out.
[11:14:46] <Kotono> Yoshi's waiting, still wearing his school uniform. His hands are in his pockets, face careful, "Hi. Can I come in?" He asks poltiely, looking Hotaru over very carefully.
[11:16:37] <Hotaru-chan> "Yeah," Hotaru murmurs gently, stepping back to let Yoshi in. She offers a nervous, almost shy half-smile as she does, one that doesn't quite reach her eyes and is slowly disappearing in the wake of ehr own thoughts.
[11:17:01] <Kotono> "It's about what was on the news lately," he goes on, looking at Hotaru dead on. "Isn't it?"
[11:17:13] <Kotono> Yoshi heads inside, stopping just inside once the doori s closed.
[11:18:08] <Hotaru-chan> "...Partly," Hotaru admits, blinking sharply. "Only very partly. Though I guess I gave enough hints," she admits, breaking out of that pseudo-melancholy with sheer surprise.
[11:18:58] <Kotono> "Yeah. I didn't know what it was, but it wasn't...it wasn't normal. Something I don't understand in the least, and when I saw you on the TV, I knew."
[11:19:21] <Kotono> Yoshi leans against the wall, thoughtful. "I really don't know...just...hell. How far does it go, and how much have you been not telling me?"
[11:24:44] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head a little, leaning against the opposite wall. "What you saw is mostly it, minus the flavor...it's not like I'm 'really' Saturn, even if she makes up a lot of what I am...mah. If you want to know alls, want to sit down?"
[11:26:25] <Kotono> Yoshi follows to the living room, "Mind if I get a drink? Think I'll need one," he asks, pausing and looknig kitchenward.
[11:27:57] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head, relaxing slightly. "What do you want?" she asks softly, her expression more serious, though softly so.
[11:32:09] <Kotono> "Soda." Yoshi heads into the kitchen, "I can get it myself."
[11:33:39] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru quirks her head, biting back a small retort. Well, she should've expected him to be angry...she didn't expect him to put all THAT together, though. So she sits and waits for her...well, he's not technically her ex again, yet, but he might see it coming already.
[11:35:25] <Kotono> He comes back with a red and white can of Coke, sitting on the couch. "So..what's going on, why, and how is it going to affect us? Leaving me," he says, a sad little look for a moment. "I really like you, but you have something a lot bigger going on, don't you?"
[11:39:16] <Hotaru-chan> "This is so round about it's frightening..." Hotaru murmurs lightly, sitting next to Yoshi, but not leaning into him, instead turning to look at him. "The war never really affected Us too much, I mean..." her expression twists a little. "Last Saturday? I was too tired to do much because I'd just had my ribs shattered and used enough destructive energy to take out a city block," she sighs, shaking her head. (More)
[11:42:15] <Hotaru-chan> "I...yeah, I hid about half of my whole world from you...and I'm sorry," Hotaru sighs, looking directly at Yoshi. "It's not the worst yet, but I'm sorry."
[11:44:17] <Kotono> "Go on...it's accepted," Yoshi smiles ever so faintly. "When I saw you, I knew...I just knew that something was going to happen. You're a part of something way past all of this."
[11:49:27] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles very slightly, leaning over to kiss Yoshi softly on the cheek. "Thanks. It'd be so much easier and less...painful if it was just the war. For both of us, I'm guessing," she murmurs, chewing on her lip. "But...jsut to put what's about to come in perspective...I'm bisexual. I like both girls and guys, and I've been that way...I don't know, since a year ago? Year and a half?"
[11:51:43] <Kotono> "...I'm getting dumped for another of those cute girls on TV?" Yoshi asks outright, blowing out a breath. "My worst idea last night - I wondered if since you just didn't want to go that far but everything else was okay, and..."
[12:01:36] <Hotaru-chan> "...The sex part has nothing to do with them," Hotaru insists, blushing furiously. "Please don't overthink this...even if that's what I've been doing all afternoon," she snorts, sighing. "In very blunt terms, kind of, yes. I'm not WITH one of them, but...Rei just turned out to be bi, and I've been in love with her since before I met you."
[12:01:36] <Hotaru-chan> Another deep breath, Hotaru continuing on as she looks down. "She and Usagi think Makoto - the tall one - and I have been a couple for years even if we think we're friends...and we haven't been doing anything like -that-, we're just...okay, we'd look like a couple from the outside," she admits, quietly eeking that out.
[12:01:36] <Hotaru-chan> "Just...I love you, Yoshi, but it's not...fair, honest, a LOT of things, to lead you on if my feelings are so obviously set on them," Hotaru sighs. "I'm sorry, really just...sorry," she slumps, shoulders dropping a bit.
[12:03:41] <Kotono> ""You'
[12:05:04] <Kotono> "You're right, it's not fair. ...but thank you for at least telling me and being honest about it." Yoshi sighs, tiredly, "I wondered if I loved you. Thank you for that, Hotaru. I'm curious about the rest...but maybe another time? Get back together to talk down the line, but not right now." Yoshi silently drains his soda, putting the can down on a coaster. "Thanks for the good times again."
[12:05:17] <Kotono> His face is stony and quiet, voice carefully moderated.
[12:15:28] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's returning expression is shakily held together, nodding a bit. "Whenever you feel like it," she agrees softly, leaning into the couch. sideways to watch him. "Just...sorry doesn't feel like enough, to be dumping this on you, but...I don't know that there's anything else I can offer."
[12:16:25] <Kotono> "Your virginity?" Yoshi says, a bit flippantly. "I know, just...yeah. Later." Yoshi turns, a sad, tired and hurt smile, but a smile nonetheless as he goes out, gently closing the door behind him.
[12:20:28] <Hotaru-chan> "...You tempt me," Hotaru sighs quietly once Yoshi's gone, falling over onto the couch and hugging a pillow. The least she could do, she supposes.
[12:20:44] <Hotaru-chan> ---

Saturday go!

> ---Arc 2 go!---
> The weekend passes in a restful blurry wake for Makoto Kino. But during her period of rest, an obligation comes ringing - telephone wise, no less. Disturbing Iori as he sleeps on the counter, disturbing Makoto in her apartment.
<Makoto> "Argh..." Makoto pouts as she lifts herself up from her repose, imitating her kitten as he napped, Makoto sighs as she rolls to her feet, standing up on the couch and walk off, and into the kitchen to answer the phone. "Hello?"
> "Hey." It's Uncle Taka, sounding good. "I just got a special offer, and it's one you're going to want to come down here for," he elaborates slightly.
<Makoto> "I...What?" Makoto blink-blinks. "Special offer? We're taking another trip out to the Rural parts of Tokyo?"
> "No. Nior and Serenity - they want to use my dojo for something related to your other side." There's a pause there, sounds of conversation just distantly heard. "Nior wants you here first."
<Makoto> "Oh. Uh, Okay..." Makoto blinks, wondering what's going on -this- time. "I guess I'll be down in a half hour." Makoto shakes her head and laughs uncertainly. "Sorry, this is just a surprise-I was napping. See you there?" She asks more brightly.
> "I will," Taka agrees, the phone calle nding. OOC - Do you want to describe an outfit or anything as you arrive, Mako?
<Makoto> OOC-I guess? I've been slacking off with the clothes parts.
> OOC - Knock yerself out then!~
<Makoto> Off to the Dojo! It's hard to decide what to wear...Casual is definitely the order of the day, but...well, with everyone there, she should make some attempt at being presentable, so, after some dithering, Makoto pulls on some clean jeans, a clingy pink t-shirt with 'Angel' written across her breasts, a denim bolero jacket, and pink and white hi-top sneakers as she heads out on the town to see what's going on at the dojo...
> The dojo is quiet today - only Uncle Taka, Nior and her Majesty await just inside. The latter is smiling, a plain but complimentary white housedress worn. But it's not her that speaks firs,t indeed, it's the least likely. "I need your help, Makoto," Nior speaks.
> Uncle Taka smiles a bit, gi rumpled, as if he's been sparring. "Nior wants to use our dojo to help train all of you - he says ...well, he didn't say, but the impression is that he knows that he should help you. But he wants your help."
* Makoto smiles and waves in greeting to the three adults, blinking and pulling up short at that. "My help? I'll help if I can, but I don't know how much use I can be in training the others-" She demurs. "Only Hotaru's really shown interest in learning to fight..."
> "I've fought several of you now..." Nior begins, standing...well, he barely needs to stand to loom over Makoto, wearing a simple gray T-shirt and pants. Working clothes, really. "Serenity and Jun have both asked me to help ensure that those of you that focus on martial arts recieve strong, coordinated training. We're going to rent out Taka's dojo, but I need an assisstant teacher."
<Makoto> "Oh." Makoto looks up at Nior, bobbing her head in a shy nod. "Sure. I'll do whatever I can."
> "This isn't a light responsibility," Queen Serenity adds, quietly. "With a new threat we need to be at our strongest possible. I need you to be strong and capable for this, Makoto."
> OOC - Gah.
> "This isn't a light responsibility," Queen Serenity adds, quietly. "With a new threat we need to be at our strongest possible. I need you to be strong and capable for this, Makoto." Serenity gently smiles at her, caring and peaceful despite her weighted words. "I have confidence in you, but it is not a light task to be undertaken. A good teacher is nary an easy accomplishment, and requires work and dedication."
<Makoto> "I understand." Makoto nods and smiles cheerfully. "I'm not sure what I can do to assist Nior yet, but when we figure it out, I'll give it my all, just like the dojo's regular students."
> "Thank you," Serenity bows and smiles to her.
> "Very much so...the rent they're offering..." A snort from Uncle Taka. "This Jun fellow is rich, leader of a world or not. He's sending over pure gems and salable minerals just liket hat?"
> "That said," Serenity coughs a little bit, "I need you to be ablet o work with everyone, train everyone, bring out more in them and yourself. You understand what it is to be a teacher...but lives are on the line, and perhaps very much more."
<Makoto> Makoto boggles. "He paid you in gold and diamonds?" She shakes her head at Taka and laughs a little. *Well, at least we won't go broke-Geez...* "I -do- understand what a teacher needs to do, Serenity-sama." She adds, in response to the Queen. "It's just...Like I said, only Hotaru's shown an interest in bettering her physical skills. I think I might be of some use to the boys-" A shadow flits briefly across her face, but clears almost insta
> "I saw them, but they're going to have them converted and then pay me. I don't need those, just the money." Taka does laugh at that, even nearly blushing. "Something they called unicorn's teardrops, too. I think it's some white gemstone, but I'm not an expert."
> "Hotaru and the boys are the ones I'm thinking of. Usagi is not a fighter, nor is Kotono much. Rei may be..mmmm." Serenity nods thoughtfully, "If you would call them for me? Takeshi first, I wish to talk to him about other matters as well."
<Makoto> *almost instantly. "It's the others I'm uncertain about."
* Makoto tries not to let her eyes pop out of her head, nodding to her Uncle, and giving him a curious look. He's a handsome man, he must have saved ONE or two, just in case...That reminds her, it's about time he dated again-but no, probing for another time. "Call...him?" Makoto grimaces lightly, but doesn't complain, nodding and fishing her communicator from her jacket. "Hotaru, Asher and Takeshi only?"
> "For now," Serenity nods, "We'll see from there. Is something the matter?" So the Queen presses on, a nice and curious smile on her face
> .
<Makoto> "Not at all." Makoto lies, somewhat effectively as she retreats a little. "I'll be right back."
> "Go ahead," Serenity allows, smiling all the time. "If there is anything you wish to tell me...?"
<Makoto> "...Nope, I'm fine." Makoto assures hastily, scurrying just outside the doors for relative privacy, and takes a few deep breaths, focusing on schooling herself as much as possible. Picking a fight at this particular moment in time would be disasterous. *You don't have to like him, but you DO have to give him the benefit of the doubt, Makoto. Calm...* Finally, after settling her nerves, Makoto hits the button for...Venus. Yes, That.  
* Takeshi answers after about half a minute, looking rather... different. Notably with hair cropped much closer than the shoulder-length appearance Makoto saw him with last. "Sorry, took me a minute to dig this out of my bag. What's up?"
* Makoto blinks a little, glad of the haircut-It does look nice, but more importantly, it's distracting. "Oh...Uh, Hi. Serenity's gathering some of us at the dojo. Training's beginning in earnest. Can you make it?"
<Takeshi> "Not a problem. When?" Takeshi answers, a slight smile on his face.
<Makoto> "Now." Makoto replies. Not unkindly, but there's an oddly curt note in her voice.
<Hal-lunch> "On my way, then," Takeshi replies simply, clicking off the communicator.
* Makoto leans into the open doorway. "Takeshi's on his way, Serenity-sama. Do you want to wait on the others until you talk to him?" she calls into the open dojo.
> "Mmm, I think so, thinking on it," Serenity nods. "Thank you, Makoto. We'll start with him for now."
<Makoto> "Alright." Makoto nods, entering the dojo, schooling her expression. *I gave my word, so I have to make this work. Oh well. If he behaves, I certainly can.*
> "There is a letter for him...All the ones still on Gaia send their regards, b y the way," Serenity adds in, "Balder said that he's happy not to struggle through another letter, doubly so with his 'Mother's ancient writing style'."
* Makoto laughs softly. "He does sound like he's lightening up, even if he's back to being a bit bratty." Makoto grins approvingly.
> "He's changed from what I've heard. For the better," Serenity smiles proudly, "I don't know if he'll be able to visit soon, but...yes. Hope for the future."
<Makoto> "I think he didn't need to change much." Makoto agrees. "He's always been a good man, he just needed polishing." the ponytailed girl leans back against the wall and sighs a little.
> "Hm?" Serenity asks quietly, as the time flows by. She comes over to Makoto, "I would wish to hear the continuation of your thoughts, if you would?"
<Makoto> "What, about Balder?" Makoto blinks, cocking her head to the side curiously, her ponytail sliding over her shoulder with the motion. "There really isn't much more..."
> "I see." Serenityconsiders a moment, before letting it go and going back. It isn't long until Takeshi gets here...Serenity awaits him, asmile to him. "How do you find yourself this day?" Nior has gone in back with Taka a moment, leaving it to just the women.
<Takeshi> "Actually, pretty well," Takeshi says with a slight smile, giving Serenity a quick nod as she greets him. "Although feeling the breeze on the back of my neck again is going to take some getting used to," he says with a chuckle.
* Makoto waves politely as Takeshi gets in, but leaves the talking to Serenity for the moment.
> "Go first, Makoto," Serenity demurs, "You are the assisstant teacherhere, I merely watch."
* Makoto blinks at that. "Oh. Well, if we're getting right down to things, shouldn't we have Nior here?" Makoto wonders. "I have a good idea of Eiryo-kun's style already, and Nior might have different ideas than I do."
> Nior returns a moment later, "Hm?" he quietly asks, entering in.
* Takeshi blinks at the appearance of Nior, giving the giant a bow. "Good to see you again, Nior," he says, then smiles slightly. "Hopefully our business today won't end up with me stuck three inches into the mud this time."
* Makoto gives Nior an amused look. "Is making senshi-shaped craters a new hobby?" She quips, then casts a glance over to the teenage boy. "Did you have ideas on how to start, Nior? I'll follow your lead..."
> "Simply fight first - no holding back within the bounds of safety..." Nior crosses his arms, looking them over. "None of us are normal humans. Display that in your combat practice."
* Takeshi shrugs. "Been doing quite a bit of sparring lately, but I guess a bit more won't hurt," Takeshi says, looking to Makoto for confirmation.
<Makoto> "Powers on, beat the tar out of each other." Makoto nods, taking out her pen. "Works for me. Should we involve our other forms, or just use what we can in Civilian form?"
> "Normal, but use all the powers you can," Nior says after another moment. "Transformed later."
<Takeshi> "Fair enough," Takeshi says, slipping off his shoes and stepping out into the open portion of the dojo to wait for Makoto.
<Makoto> "Gotcha." Makoto nods, putting her pen away and slipping off her jacket, and dropping it in the corner, walking out into the middle of the floor and bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet, causing interesting bouncing in other places, too. The tall girl takes up a stance, then smiles a little. "I know, I know...Attack you." She gives Takeshi a cold smile. "Or are you ready to make the first move?"
<Takeshi> "I can if you want, but I prefer to play to my strengths," Takeshi says with a shrug. "If you'd rather me come at you first, it can happen."
<Makoto> "Ah, consistency." Makoto replies dryly, taking the initiative and launching an attack!
<Takeshi> roll 2d6 for general ACV
<Reikobot> Takeshi rolled : 2d6 for general ACV --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
<Takeshi> roll 2d6 for general DCV
<Reikobot> Takeshi rolled : 2d6 for general DCV --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
<Makoto> roll 2d6 For General ACV
<Reikobot> Makoto rolled : 2d6 For General ACV --> [ 2d6=3 ]{3}
<Makoto> roll 2d6 for general DCV
<Reikobot> Makoto rolled : 2d6 for general DCV --> [ 2d6=12 ]{12}
<Makoto> Mayhem ensues! Unlike the previous fights, both go at it in earnest, and the sounds of violence echo through the dojo! Takeshi's performance is solid as his elemental affinity-and it needs to be, as Makoto rains down a shocking amount of violence onto his person! His shots are fewer in number, but they count, as Makoto's dodging is just not up to her usual standards, and Takeshi's final (More)
<Makoto> blow heralds a sickeningly wet crack of ribs, and Makoto collapses like a marrionette with her strings cut.
* Takeshi straightens up, panting - a bit concerned by the sound of that last hit, too. "You okay, Makoto?" he says, offering a hand to the brunette to help her to her feet.
> "Finished," Nior calls quietly, Serenity watching on in concern, but concern well moderated.
* Makoto shakes off Takeshi's hand, curling around her injured side, breathing shallowly as stabs of pain echo up her side. "My turn....hahhhh....to have an off day." She gasps.
> "It's good for these that you heal fast," Queen Serenity adds in quietly, coming over with Nior. Nior offers Takeshi a ahnd, Serenity doing the same for Makoto.
<Takeshi> "Thanks," Takeshi says to Nior, rubbing his own side a bit - Makoto landed some pretty solid hits there herself. "Little rough, but not too bad."
> "It is somewhat...barbaric, but warriors learn by doing such acts." The Queen gently clicks her tongue, "Let's get you lying down and with ice, Makoto. You as well, Takeshi. There is a locker room in back?"
<Makoto> Makoto nods reluctantly, finally managing the pain sandblasting her nerves enough to accept the help from Serenity, though not straighting up fully. "Definitely broken." She mumbles. "Need to practice defense more."
<Makoto> "Yeah...Through the rear hall.." She adds, grimacing.
> "I see this idea is not ill spent, then," Serenity agrees as she helps Makoto along. With help the two are lead back, a locker room with a few benches. Taka is there with icepacks and heatpacks already prepared, as well as aspirin.
> "You beat the hell out of teach other," he opines as he passes the needed goods out, "Strip down as far as modesty allows the two of you - you both need these for awhile."
<Takeshi> "I'm okay," Takeshi says dismissively. "Bit more worried about Makoto - that last hit sounded pretty bad."
> "Don't overdo it," Serenity gently chides, "There's nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, too." Taka already has an ice pack ready, heading for Makoto.
<Makoto> "..." *Oh, whatever.* Makoto dismisses any other thoughts and begins fumbling with her t-shirt.
> Once it's done TAka applies the ice, "Brace," he murmurs, ribs soothes and frozen!
* Takeshi shakes his head, accepting one of the icepacks for his side. "Mmm," is all he says in reply, keeping an eye on Makoto as she receives treatment. 'Didn't mean to hit her QUITE that hard...'
> "The both of you are entirely too tough..." Serenity murmurs, looking them over as she gets aspirin and passing it around. "Don't push yourself too hard, rest and take care of your bodies, too." So she says, passing out cups of water and the happy little pills.
* Makoto hisses softly as they ice hits her side, the ugly black and purple mark contrasting even more sharply with the snow white bra as the skin around it reddens in response to the cold.
<Takeshi> "Heh," Takeshi chuckles a bit, rubbing his arm where Makoto landed a rather solid hit. "It's about all I'm good at, so I might as well push and make it better still," he says quietly.
> "Just be cautious - within reason." Serenity chides as packs and medicine is given out. "This is a good start - I want all of you to be well trained and prepared...and Takeshi." Serenity pauses, going into her inner pocket and taking out a folded piece of paper. "This is for you."
<Takeshi> "Hmm?" Takeshi takes the piece of paper, unfolding it to take a look at it.
> The handwriting is flowing and elegant - someone who knows all too well how to write skillfully. It beings simply, a little letter. (PM)
* Takeshi closes his eyes for a few moments, the handwriting very familiar - if a hand he hasn't seen in this lifetime. "Yeah, I know," he says quietly. "If nothing else, I think I'm sure of that now."
* Retrieving #evildunes modes...
> "Yes..." Serenity shakes her head, but doesn't press. Instead, "Good work both of you. Rest up and be prepared." With a bow she goes, Nior starting to go. He stops at Makoto, clasping her shoulder once. Then he turns to Takeshi, nodding to him before following Serenity out.
* Makoto smiles up at Nior apologetically as he leaves, and sets her mind to simply breathing slowly, waiting for the sparkles to ebb.
* Takeshi stands to go as well, pausing before he goes. "Sorry - didn't mean to hit quite that hard," he offers. "Anything I can get for you?"
<Makoto> "Ah...It's fine." Makoto wheezes. "It's not like I've never had my ribs cracked before. Go on."
<Takeshi> "Take it easy then," Takeshi says, giving Makoto a small wave as he heads out of the locker room.
<Makoto> "See you." Makoto frowns at his back as he leaves, sighing and turning her attention back to the ceiling...

Occurs the day after the government conference

[21:17] <Hotaru-chan> Saturday evening comes, the end of the school week and rest finally. Usagi cna find time to relax... Or not! The telephone rings, ominously cheery. With her parents and Shingo upstairs, the duty of answering falls on a blonde's slender shoulders!
[21:19] <Usagi> Hah, rest? With the way the phone was ringing off the hook yesterday, Usagi isn't so sure... Breezing into the hallway, Usagi sweeps up the phone and brings it to her ear. "Hello?"
[21:20] <Hotaru-chan> "Hey...Usagi?" It's Hotaru's voice, tinged with nerves and a bit of hesitation, Hotaru curling the phone cord around her finger.
[21:21] <Usagi> "Hi, Hotaru. What's up?" the blonde asks lightly, curling the cord around her fingers and leaning on the bannister.
[21:23] <Hotaru-chan> "I..." There's a pause, Hotaru taking a deep breath. "Ah...bleh, I hate the telephone. Can we meet somewhere to talk?" the Princess of Saturn asks, somewhat calmer on that.
[21:24] <Usagi> "Sure," Usagi chirps. "Anywhere in particular?"
[21:27] <Hotaru-chan> There's a faintly audible exhale. "That park near your house where we fought Nior and the posessed cats?"
[21:30] * Usagi is glad she only knows of one park near her house, since she really can't remember that specific battle! "Okay, see you in half an hour, then?" she asks, allowing time for Hotaru to get there from her house. "Meet by the takoyaki stand?" she suggests.
[21:36] <Hotaru-chan> "Sure,thanks," Hotaru agrees, some relief there. So they part, to meet again in an isoalted place on a quiet night. OOC - Set yourself up entering the park?
[21:38] <Usagi> It's about twenty minutes later when Usagi arrives, deciding to grab something to eat while she waits and dressed in a white turtleneck and purple knee length skirt with black stockings underneath, having decided the weather is just passable enough to skip on her coat.
[21:42] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru arrives about five minutes later, black coat over blue skirt and black stocking in the weather, her hands stuffed in her pockets as she enters the park. Zeroing in the only set of odangos in the whole place isn't horribly difficult, and so she locates Usagi in short. "Hey," she greets, smiling a little as she comes over to the blonde Lunar princess.
[21:44] <Usagi> "Hi, Hotaru-chan," Usagi returns the greeting, patting the bench next to her as she pops a Takoyaki into her mouth before wordlessly offering one to the other girl as she chews with a contented expression as the hot food wards off the cold.
[21:49] <Hotaru-chan> "No thanks," Hotaru replies softly, smiling and sitting next to Usagi, just breathing a moment. "So this is where I confess my undying love and devotion, but I'm not that crazy, and that's the emtnal distraction for the night," Hotaru sickers quietly. "Just...sorry about blowing up last night, and thanks for pointing a few things out," she offers as she turns to the rabbit.
[21:51] <Usagi> Swallowing her treat, Usagi blinks. "Wow, so it actually did sink in after all? Better late than never, I guess," she smiles. "So what're you gonna do, now?"
[21:55] <Hotaru-chan> "It sank in minutes after you and Rei left," Hotaru murmurs, shaking her head. "I broke up with Yoshi this afternoon...I spent a lot of time talking to Rei last night afterwards, actually," she sighs, humming quietly. "And...well, now, I have to figure out, between Makoto and Rei, who I can settle it to 'just friends' with, and who I want to pursue..." she admits, biting her lip. "Only way to be fair to either of them."
[21:56] * Usagi stares at Hotaru for a long moment. "You're kidding, right?" she asks dumbly.
[21:57] <Hotaru-chan> "...Hah?" Hotaru asks, quirking her head at Usagi, and looking rather nervous now. "What about?"
[21:58] <Usagi> "Hotaru-chan... do you think Rei-chan *wants* you to pursue her?" she asks slowly, tone gentle but carrying a slight edge of disbelief.
[22:03] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blink blinks. "She seemed completely fine with the idea when I said I had the same feelings romantically for her as I do Makoto..." she answers slowly, blushing. "Just...as long as it was clear who was a friend and who was more, she didn't object past that."
[22:04] <Usagi> "Oh..." Usagi deflates a bit, looking rather stunned. "She... wow," the blonde shakes her head. "I had no idea..." Guess you never can tell with some people...
[22:07] <Hotaru-chan> "Is something wrong?" Hotaru asks, nervously turning more of her body towards Uasgi, looking at the blonde curiously and shakenly.
[22:07] <Usagi> "Just, ah... I never saw that coming," she admits plainly, rubbing the back of her head.
[22:08] <Hotaru-chan> "...Me or Rei?" Hotaru asks after a moment, with a slight embarrassed snicker. "Or both, I guess...that was all together kind of outside our expectations..."
[22:12] <Usagi> "Well, I guess hearing you talk about 'deciding' is pretty weird as well, just... yeah. Never figured Rei would be interested," the blonde shrugs, honestly quite lost, now.
[22:15] <Hotaru-chan> "Neither did I," Hotaru agrees, shaking her head a bit. "Just...yeah, I didn't expect that much either, honestly. Rei-chan being Rei-chan, and the mess I made being as vast as it was."
[22:17] <Usagi> "Still..." Usagi peers at Hotaru intently, deciding to focus on something she can deal with rather than Rei's complete unpredictability. "What do you mean by decide? You don't already know?"
[22:26] <Hotaru-chan> Hotarus hakes her head. "Rei-chan...the only reason I don't act around her the way I act around Makoto is she doesn't want me to," she admits, shrugging with a slight blush. "Thinking about them romantically...they're...I can't really compare them, they're something of a par to each other, so it comes down to a bevy of unkowns and worries to be talked about and decided on."
[22:26] <Hotaru-chan> "Would it be even more unfair to simmer down my relationship, whatever it is, with Makoto? Would that hurt Her too much, and thus decide it? In talking about it, will I find I can't stand the idea myself?"
[22:26] <Hotaru-chan> "I just...don't know which way to go. Makoto worries me, but I know even just as friends she won't keep me out like Rei does, Rei is...Rei, alluring, forbidden, and absolutely wonderful ina   good mood," Hotaru hums, shrugging. "So I need to talk to them, to figure out where I can draw my own lines, and see where there's are in the end...and decide on who."
[22:32] * Usagi shrugs. "I wish I could give you advice, but, ah... Makoto and I aren't that close, and it now seems I have absolutely no clue what goes on in Rei's head, so, uh... good luck?" the blonde replies dazedly. "I guess I still stand by what I said about you and Makoto yesterday, if nothing else."
[22:36] <Hotaru-chan> "The 'you're a couple, you just don't have sex'?" Hotaru hazards, relaxing slightly and closing her eyes.
[22:39] <Usagi> "Pretty much," the blonde nods. "Honestly, it amazes me to hear you even consider anyone else considering you've done everything but stick your fingers inside each other over the past few years," she concludes bluntly, before adding in a perhaps misguided attempt at lightness, "As far as I know."
[22:41] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru gives Usagi a sideways glance. "We've never inspected each other's tonsils...I think I've kissed Rei more seriously," she shakes her head. "Still, I get the idea," she admits, sighing softly.
[22:42] <Hotaru-chan> "And it's perfectly accurate, I guess..." Hotaru nods, looking up to the sky. "Just...mah, it doesn't matter what we thought then, we are where we are."
[22:44] * Usagi shrugs again. "I'm just a neutral observer, but that's what I see when I look at you two - a couple in denial." Her expression turns a bit more flat, "And really, Hotaru, the denial gets a bit tiring the fiftieth time you hear 'I slept with Makoto last night!' regardless of whether you tired yourselves out before falling asleep."
[22:50] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru winces. "Sorry," she takes that with a blush, her face composing neutrally. "ANything else that grinds you the wrong way?" she asks, honest and soft interest there, with a slight tinge of fear.
[22:55] <Usagi> "It's really just the way you guys constantly act so lovey dovey," Usagi admits, deciding there's no harm in getting it off her chest. "It reminds me of when I was in junior high and seeing people constantly holding hands, trading 'shy' little smiles, sitting in each other's laps, whispering and giggling to each other when you're trying to talk to them..."
[22:55] <Usagi> "Really, you guys are a totally stereotypical new couple when you get right down to it. I guess I hope that if you made it official you might at least calm down around everyone else if you're getting more fun in private."
[23:03] <Hotaru-chan> "...Maybe we should start cooing," Hotaru remarks lightly after that, shaking her head after that. "Sorry, but...yeah, I can see that," she hums, expression twisting a bit. "Well, one way or another, your hope will probably come true? Or people will start yelling at us to just get a room, but at least you'll be able to yell it out?"
[23:06] <Usagi> "Exactly," the blonde smiles sweetly in reply.
[23:10] <Hotaru-chan> "...I'm vaguely afraid I hit a nerve somewhere by accident," Hotaru admits, looking back at Usagi a bit nervously, if smiling slightly. "Sorry, I'm just nervous and kind of...I dunno," she gestures, sighing.
[23:14] <Usagi> "Let's just say you and Makoto have not made things easy for me over the years," Usagi concludes, idly brushing some crumbs off her skirt. "Can't fault you for being in love, but you should at least be honest about it instead of pretending it's less than it is."
[23:24] <Hotaru-chan> "Mm, yeah, sorry," Hotaru sighs, leaning against the back of the bench. "Well, things should settle more in the next couple of weeks or so," she offers finally, a shakey smile. "Just...sorry about all this."
[23:27] <Usagi> "Just don't make the wrong decision, please?" the blonde requests earnestly. "There's too much at stake for all of us for romantic drama between ourselves to screw us over. I learned that lesson myself, even if it was an amicable breakup."
[23:33] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nods, hugging her knees as she looks at Usagi. "Serenity stressed that earlier...I know. Whatever I choose, it's permanent," she agrees softly, shaking her head. "Or...well, no, that doesn't matter," she shakes her head. "Mmm."
[23:35] * Usagi winces, a little strained laugh coming out. "Staying in a relationship you're not happy with could be even worse in our line of work. If it doesn't work it doesn't work - just try and take the choice that minimises those chances?" How it could even be called a choice she's not sure, but she's not psychic, after all!
[23:39] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blinks, shaking her head. "Erk, I was...talking in context of what I didn't say, but yeah, forcing it would be worse," she agrees, nodding.
[23:40] <Usagi> "Context of what you didn't say?" the blonde repeats dumbly.
[23:43] <Hotaru-chan> "I...when I was talking to Serenity, we talked about what I still needed to figure out, and one think on my mind is if Rei was tyhinking of this permanently," Hotaru shrugs. "I've always been sort of 'take what I can get' with Rei-chan, so...I wanted to know if I should keep that, so I don't have a breakdown if she broke up with me, or assume it was complete and forever. Serenity said to let all that go."
[23:43] <Hotaru-chan> *thing on my mind
[23:43] <Hotaru-chan> *thinking, sigh
[23:48] * Usagi shrugs. "Nothing useful I could say about Rei's feelings, sorry," she apologises. "I guess I would say she dates a lot but doesn't seem too big on long term relationships, but if she's seriously interested in you then I guess anything I say is probably completely wrong." It's still somewhat vexing to find out she's so clueless about that...
[23:53] <Hotaru-chan> "And anything I might think for that matter," Hotaru agrees softly, shaking her head. "Just...gah, who knows, I haven't talked to either about it all any more yet, so we'll see," Hotaru sighs, leaning over to hug Usagi. "Anything else you want to get off your chest while I'm managing to be non-psychotic?" she invites, smiling wryly.
[23:55] <Usagi> "I think we're good," the blonde replies, patting Hotaru's shoulder. "What prompted the change in attitude, anyway?" she asks curiously.
[00:01] <Hotaru-chan> "Watching you and Rei just give up and walk off," Hotaru murmurs softly, sighing and releasing Usagi to stand back. "With a slight dose of 'I just failed miserably'."
[00:03] <Usagi> "You didn't convince either of us at all," Usagi shakes her head, smiling a little. "Although to be fair, that really was where our streets turned off."
[00:04] <Hotaru-chan> "I've accomplished everything I could've hoped for by now though, so that's that," Hotaru agrees, smiling a bit back. "And we could've stood on the corner and screamed until someone called the police. Maybe we'd even end up in a brawl."
[00:06] <Usagi> "You were being amazingly stubborn," Usagi admits as she rises up from the bench as well, leaning over a moment to discard her now empty Takoyaki box in the litterbin. "Honestly, I didn't understand it at all - especially since you're now admitting we basically nailed it on the head."
[00:11] <Hotaru-chan> "Given a week of hoping 'Rei-chan might be gay!' and one painfully wonderful if incredibly brief kiss, and yeah, I'll turn myself into a bullet train," she sighs. "So...yeah, sorry, was only letting myself think about one thing."
[00:13] <Usagi> "Yeah, she is pretty good at that," Usagi admits reluctantly. "Oh, well, at least we cleared the air. I kinda need to get ready for work, though - think I'll need my coat tonight, after all."
[00:15] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm also very, very biased," Hotaru nods, blowing at an errant lock of hair. "Anyway, see you sometime that is probably sooner than we wish it was because it happened to be due to combat!"
[00:16] <Usagi> "They do like to have stuff happen on the weekend," the blonde smiles thinly, waving as she strolls off back to home.

Occurs the day after the press conference, after Hotaru breaks up with Yoshi.

[12:51:15] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[12:51:57] <Kotono> That afternoon comes. Amid the chill gales of fall's dying breaths Hotaru walks. Serenity's house is never close enough yet not far, a strangeness striking Hotaru as she goes. How many times has she tread this path, how many times can she could the steps? It's all the same on this walk, the variety of seasons meaningless spice to it.
[12:56:58] <Hotaru-chan> Strange it is, but maybe not surprising? The house is far from normal, all its inhabitants having some sort of magic to them for better or good. She looks around, pulling her jacket a little tighter around herself. It's cold! And no one's here to warm her up. That's a pang of guilt and worry, Yoshi floating back into her mind, and all that she just did to him. Ugh. So she continues on her way to Serenity's, though.
[13:03:38] <Kotono> It's just so...there is a chilling sameness to it. A lack of variety by the time you get there - Saturn feels muzzy. She feels muzzy and bland, shaken and the same. The door looms ahead of her...this is the same as well, is it not?"
[13:10:56] <Hotaru-chan> But what's wrong with that? Hotaru asks herself, going to the door, knocking lightly. What could possibly be wrong with consistency, similarity, her life being more...settled?
[13:12:36] <Kotono> So Saturn knocks on the door. It is answered by Janna, smiling warmly. "Hey, kiddo," she smirks a bit, "C'mon in."
[13:13:34] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles softly to Janna. Maybe it's time to invoke the triplets? "Hi, thanks," she greets, stepping in. "How've you been?" she asks the former youma turned military attache.
[13:15:26] <Kotono> "Busy, busy, busy. With that news story...but anyway! Serenity's just out at the corner for something, should be back in a couple of minutes. Nior's asleep. Looking for either?"
[13:16:27] <Hotaru-chan> "Mostly Serenity, but this isn't much more than a social call," Hotaru answers softly, smiling at Janna. "Though, you...I could use your advice on something," she admits, blushing.
[13:19:04] <Kotono> "Sure, just a sec. Sit on down," Janna passes by the living room, right into the kitchen. The TV is on - it's more stuff about the Sailor Senshi. Mostly rehash of the press conference at the moment.
[13:20:08] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru watches attentively, trying to pick anything new up. Who knows. But so she lsitens and watches, waiting patiently for Janna.
[13:29:09] <Kotono> Nothing too new - it's just gossip right now. "There are even fangroups for the Juuban Angels, and we hope to have information from them soon..."
[13:29:52] <Hotaru-chan> They're beloved fans deem to make an appearance? Hotaru shakes her head, curling up on the couch and waiting. There isn't much else to do other than to mull.
[13:31:30] <Kotono> "Hey there!" Janna comes back a few later, a pot of tea and some fresh french fries(?!) in a bowl. She nibbles on one, kicking back. "Youk now..I don't even have to diet lately since Nior's running me through the wringer," she mutters.
[13:33:50] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru pats Janna's shoulder, smiling and hugging her knees. "There there, at least you get to enjoy food like those of us that burn calories through spiritual exercise?" she jests lightly, her smile waining a bit. "Anything else happening? Besides Nior making us all feel out of shape."
[13:34:54] <Kotono> "I swear he's a freak now." Janna shoves a few fries down, salted but without anything else like soys auce. "He's been training more and more since he's found a reason or whatever. I mean, damn, I'm down to being in great shape, but I'm still no super fighter." A few c homps, "I've been eating like 3000 calories a day on training days and I'm still not gaining weight. I swear..."
[13:37:08] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers very quietly, nodding to Janna. "Well that's a plus, hm? Maybe you'll match Jun's svelte figure?" she teases gently, reaching over to prod Janna's ribs. "I swear he's not human, looking like that after thousands of years..." she sighs, gripelike.
[13:38:23] <Kotono> "OW!" Janna winces, "CAREFUL! I don't heal like you, either." She shoots Hotaru a dirty look, wincing again and rubbing her side.
[13:39:11] <Kotono> "This is sadly true," Serenity annouces, entering with a few bags ni her arms. She smiles to both as she goes past, heading to the kitchen.
[13:39:48] <Hotaru-chan> "Sorry," Hotaru apologizes quickly, blushing. "...Mah, guess questions have to wait," she snickers, getting up and following after Serenity to help out with whatever.
[13:45:07] <Kotono> It's a few bags of thing - noodles, milk, cheese, soy sauce, some meat, that sort of thing. As things are put away, "How do you find yourself, Saturn," Serenity asks, quietly working.
[13:48:08] <Hotaru-chan> "Saddened, relieved, guilty, settled," Hotaru states it in not so many words, working away methodically and precisely beside Serenity. "I overstepped with Rei and Usagi last night...had a long talk with Rei afterwards, should call Usagi and apologize and thank her..." she hums quietly, looking up and about. "Nothing...I won't dismiss it as 'unserious', but I...don't think, and I hope I didn't hurt them, just...arguing impulsively."
[13:49:37] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Serenity puts things on the counter, getting a pot out as well. "Would you cut the carrots up for me," she says with a warm smile, scooting aside to give Hotaru counter space. That feeling is gone, utterly smashed, as Hotaru looks at Serenity. The world is very much..not the same. "I see. What happened?"
[13:53:55] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nods, smiling softly back at Serenity as the world brightens again, setting up the carrots, and selecting a knife, beginning to chop carefully. "Rei found a conclusion, I'd...admittedly, I'd been putting hopes there, but Usagi brought something up, and Rei agreed with her...would you think Makoto and I romantic couple from watching us?"
[13:58:40] <Kotono> "My honest opinion?" Queen Serenity pauses in her work, before washing the beef and getting it into a pan. "You two love each other very much. There is much caring between both of you."
[14:02:00] <Hotaru-chan> "The question is if it's platonic or not," Hotaru agrees quietly, focusing on the carrots for a distraction. "With my hopes romantically built and pinned on Rei over her crisis though....I flipped out, and argued far, far more than I should've, if at all," she sighs, shoulders slumping a little. "There were a few other things thrown in...mah, they just gave up and went home, and that kind of smacked me."
[14:06:43] <Kotono> "I see." Serenity gets the food cooking, Janna ducking in a moment to get a can of soda - not even diet! She just smiles and waves, a pause until she's out. "That is something I cannot answer, as I do not fully know your heart. But...such would not surprise me, Hotaru. The both of you care for each other more than I think you may understand."
[14:16:04] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles a little, shaking her head. "That was just the beginning," she murmurs, turning to lean on the counter. "After a bit, I went after Rei...well, because I'd flipped out, and..." Hotaru just shakes her head. "I guess most of it doesn't bear repeating, just that it went...well," she offers, her expression a mix of emotions, palette of Hotaru's feelings on the surface and vulnerable.
[14:16:04] <Hotaru-chan> "I love Makoto, both as my closest friend, and as a...partner, but I share an equal feeling for Rei in my heart, or such is my...instinct," she murmurs.
[14:16:04] <Hotaru-chan> "Rei, rightly, feels I should make a definitive choice to the current standing of my relationship with Makoto, and one path or the other determines if I can pursue Rei. Which is the right thing, and I'm really starting to ramble, aren't I?" she confesses, shaking her head. "Sorry, I'm just unloading in every direction today," she apologizes, going back to the carrots.
[14:17:03] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[14:17:04] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 6." [2d6=3, 3]
[14:17:16] <Kotono> "Keep talking. Spill your heart out," Serenity stops to touch Makoto's head gently, a soothing peace flowing into her. "Just keep going and let it all spill out."
[14:17:36] <Kotono> *Hotaru's
[14:22:46] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru lets out a long breath, chopping away, hands precise and quick with their moviements of the blade. "So...I love them both, I honestly can't have them both, completely, obviously," she snorts, knife flashing. "It brought up something else thoug...well, that I was dating a boy up until a few hours ago," her voice softens, nearing a slight whimper.
[14:22:46] <Hotaru-chan> "And I...we got sidetracked when he figured out I was Saturn, but...I had to admit to him, that I couldn't...not with both Rei and Makoto staring me in the face about it, that's just not fair to him," she sighs, pausing again to take afew deep breaths. "And I got back together with him for only...two, three weeks? After we'd dated a few months two years ago, just...ugh. Poor Yoshi."
[14:24:10] <Kotono> "Then at elast you let him go." Serenity nods slowly, meat simmering over a nice burner, the smell stirring your stomach. "What of him?"
[14:29:03] <Hotaru-chan> "He picked up the basic part of it...he wasn't happy, in the least. Not that he should've been," Hotaru sighs, looking up to the ceiling, then down at the finished and chopped carrots, laying the knife aside. "He kept a lid on it, mostly, which is...weird for him," she slumps on that thought. She msut've really stabbed him to get Yoshi to clam. "He said maybe we'd talk about it all again later. Very later," she sighs.
[14:31:30] <Kotono> "Mmm.I see. Then to the other point..mmm. Makoto again, is it not?" Serenity flips the chopped and washed meat in the pan, a deft movement of her wrist. "You love her...as a partner, as a..a lover." Serenity turns to her, "I do not doubt this in the ibt, even if I do not know your heart?"
[14:34:02] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes ehr ehad. "That's not in doubt, no," Hotaru admits softly. "Just that...it feels as if I hold those same feelings for Rei when confronted with her, and it would be just as unfair to either of them to not put one to rest for however long before I pursue any one."
[14:35:26] <Kotono> "I don't think you need to pursue Makoto," Serenity notes candidly, a little smile as she uses a fork to plunk a tiny bite of meato ut from the cooking pan. Thoughtfully chewing it down and swallowing, "You care very much about both...but Rei is strong. Even if she cares about you the same, she is very strong. What of Makoto? What if you walked away from her?"
[14:39:37] <Hotaru-chan> "Which is the other pressing concern of the balance," Hotaru nods weakly, a drawn pause as she considers. "Rei recognized that, as well...and so I do need to speak with Makoto, and find how she would take such...I cannot think it entirely positive for her, no. But her severity may determine the issue more concisely."
[14:40:26] <Kotono> "Yes. Take a bit, and when you are ready - go to her," Serenity smiles as she takes the food off th stove, getting what Hotaru has made and starting to gently fry it as well. "When are you going to see her?"
[14:43:00] <Hotaru-chan> "Tomorrow, mayhaps," Hotaru murmurs softly. "Or after work next week...rushing such would be...ill concieved," she shakes her head. "Such a...complexity," she blows at her bangs, just lightly watching Serenity.
[14:44:07] <Kotono> "A day or two will not hurt if you need it. I bid you not to wait too long to not hurt yourself or others, but do not rush unprepared. If you truly love them, this could be a decision that..." As the veggies sizzle, Serenity merely smiles. "I need not tell you how important it is."
[14:52:28] <Hotaru-chan> "No," Hotaru agrees, a very slight, shaken smile in return. "I realize that import...and also why I have to speak with Rei again more seriously...I do not...I don't want to feel as if it is a permanent arrangement if in the future, she desires children, and other things I can't provide," Hotaru's smile is weakened further, shaking her head. "It's a concern, perhaps a foundless one, I guess."
[14:53:57] <Kotono> "If you love her...children will find a way. If nothing else, many orphans yearn for lovning mothers," Serenity add with her own little smile at Hotaru.
[14:57:11] <Hotaru-chan> "I am paranoid," Hotaru agrees softly, snorting and hugging herself.. "Mmm...a ghost I guess that is, one I'd like lain to rest or known on my shoulder. I've learned to take what I might have without ire from Rei, or I try to do such...and never expect more, I'd just like to know if I should keep thinking as such, from her."
[14:59:30] <Kotono> WIth a flourish Serenity finishes, mixing it all together and getting plates out. "Mmm. Take her gift to you, Hotaru, and apply it." It's all she says, "Do you want some?"
[15:04:08] <Hotaru-chan> "Please," Hoptaru nods a bit, blinking and taking a breath. "And it seems the week for me to be misunderstanding," she murmurs, quirking her head at Serenity. "'Gift'?" she inquires nervously.
[15:05:04] <Kotono> "She said that she...gave you the gift of forgiveness, trying to drill things 'into your thick skull' and Makoto." The bowls are made, Serenity heading back to the living room.
[15:06:43] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru helps with the bowls, following with a still -slightly- bewildered look. "You mean to say that I should let our past be our past?" she asks more curiously.
[15:09:33] <Kotono> Stopping jus tinsid ethe living room, "I said that Rei said that she forgave you - in her own words, of course. "So let the past be and work on a better future, hm?"
[15:13:07] <Hotaru-chan> "If I MUST be so reasonable..." Hotaru does manage a slight snicker at the 'in her own words'. ""This si the better outcome of talking, I guess, rather than leaving it in my head," she murmurs, sighing slightly. "Still, much to be seen."
[15:14:23] <Kotono> "Indeed." So Serenity leads on, a meal to be had...OOC - Cut here, work looms.
[15:14:32] <Hotaru-chan> ---

This occurs the Sunday after the press conference.

[13:33:45] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[13:35:27] <Kotono> The morning of Sunday is interrupted as Makoto stirs. The insistant beep beep of her communicator is certainly an issue!
[13:39:26] * Makoto is most decidedly and assuredly still in bed! Lifting her head, unbound chestnut hair still tousled from happy sleep, Makoto fumbles beside her bed for her communicator, sleepily stabbing at the on switch...and then accidently dropping it, giving whoever's calling a close look at her cleavage! "Gah...dammt...H'lo?" Makoto mumbles, yawning as she retrieves it.
[13:40:09] <Kotono> "Sis..." Kotono looks like hell! Bags are under her eyes, she looks like she's been crying, and she's waxen pale. Her hand shakes a tiny bit, a decidely sickly tone to herwords.
[13:41:09] <Makoto> This is plenty to jar Makoto awake, sleep banished instantly as the brunette sits bolt upright in bed. "Kochan? What's wrong? Where...What???"
[13:46:33] <Kotono> "Daddy came home last night...he was kinda out of it, and...and..." sne sniffles, "That was bad and I had a vision too!" That's just thrown out there, Kotono looking shaken and teary.
[13:49:03] <Makoto> "Oh...Oh." Makoto rubs her eyes. "Do you want to come here? Or I can come to you." Makoto yawns, then winces. "Sorry, sis. That wasn't for you. C'mon over here, and I'll make some coffee, and we can talk."
[13:50:20] <Kotono> "'kay...Sis...Daddy.. It was gray everywhere! He was happy...no, he wasn't, but hewas falling into it and smiling and and and...he was so pale and weak! He was barely there, and...!"
[13:50:30] <Kotono> Kotono just rambles on even more, whimpering.
[13:52:40] <Makoto> "Oh, Sis..." Makoto winces. "Sit tight, I'm coming to you." Makoto urges, crawling out of bed and fumbling for a robe. Time to abuse the trick Hotaru taught her...Closing her eyes as she slips the robe on tightly, Makoto envisions Kotono's bedroom, and the gates...and leaves.
[13:57:11] <Kotono> So Makoto blinks on over! Kotono's bedroom is kind of a wreck - Kotono lies on her bed, balled up tisses around her. There's a strange smell in the air, too. Kotono's lying straight back, sniffling.
[13:59:15] * Makoto heads straight for the bed and gathers the blonde girl up in a hug, sniffing the air. "What happened to your room, Sis?"
[14:00:04] <Kotono>  The answer is found on the other side of her bed - a can of beer's been left there. "D-daddy brought home some drinks, and I guess...maybe I thought one would help, but it just made me feel weird..." Kotono sniffles again.
[14:02:45] <Makoto> "Drinks?" Makoto echoes, startled. "Mmm...Help what?" she asks softly, seating herself on the bed and gently pulling Kotono to lean against her as she strokes the cornsilk locks. "Start from the beginning, 'kay? And go slow...I might have questions if I don't understand."
[14:04:18] <Kotono> "Okay." Kotono sniffles, "I was just going to call Uasgi-chan since I haven't gotten to talk to her in awhile, right? But Daddy came home just before that, and...he's lost some weight, too. He doesn't look very good, though, and he wouldn't even answer me. He just had a few drinks, and...and..."
[14:06:42] * Makoto flinches a little, heat building in her eyes, only quenched with force of will. "How was he acting?" She asks, her voice wavering slightly as she tries to get it under control, a lump forming in her throat.
[14:07:35] <Kotono> "He...he got kinda drunk...he started talking then." Kotono rasps, licking her lips. "He said ...he said..." A shiver all through Kotono, "D...Death. It was coming for him and he was so happy! Then...then I got that vision and..."
[14:10:06] <Makoto> "..." Makoto shudders, grimacing-it's worse than she'd thought, as a stab of sympathy burns through her for Kotono's father. "Tell me about the vision." Makoto keeps on hugging Kotono and stroking her hair, trying to keep the blonde girl settled.
[14:11:00] <Kotono> "..okay," Kotono clings to Makoto, whimpering and crying. "It was...it was all gray! No color anywhere! He was...Daddy looked horrible! He was reachingo ut and he was so happy! I...I couldn't catch up with him no matter what I did!"
[14:14:43] <Makoto> "Kochan?" Makoto asks, very, very softly. "I need you to think back on last night carefully. "Do you think your dad was talking about 'the' Death? The one with a capital D? The one that came up with those inhumans?"
[14:15:38] <Kotono> "I...I..." Kotonof reezes up, "I didn' see anyone, but...but he said it really strongly." A tense hugging to Makoto, "I...no, no, no! That's a lie, isn't it, Sis?"
[14:19:32] <Makoto> "I Don't know." Makoto hugs Kotono tightly. "I'm probably wrong...I hope I'm wrong. But your vision makes me worried." She admits. "But wrong or not...your dad needs help. Is there anyone you can call that he'd listen to?"
[14:20:13] <Kotono> "...Momma's gone..." Kotono just starts to cry again, softly. "He just gives me money now..." Kotono looks to her dresser, a lump of yen sitting there.
[14:24:24] <Makoto> "He's that bad, huh?" Makoto sighs and almost tears up, hugging the smaller girl tightly. "I know it hurts, Kochan. More than I can probably imagine. But you need to be strong. If he's in trouble, or even just depressed, you can still fight for him. I'll help you however I can, ok?" The brunette smiles sadly at the blonde girl, pulling Kotono away to wipe her eyes gently. "C'mon now. I know it hurts, but now's the time for action, Sis.
[14:25:24] <Kotono> "..he's gone. He got drunk and..said he had a business meeting...again...on a Sunday..." Kotono just shakes her head limply. "H-he's not in his room...Sis."
[14:28:08] <Makoto> "Good. That means we have a little time." Makoto replies. "C'mon Kochan. Take deep breaths. What we need to do now is talk to someone who can help. I think you should get dressed and go talk to Serenity-sama. Give me the address where your dad works, and I'll go keep an eye on him for you until you can see if you have a better idea what happened last night, 'k?"
[14:30:01] <Kotono> "...I don't know..." Kotono shakes her head, "I've never been and he never talks about it..." YEt anotehr sniffle, the blonde looking more downcast. "Just...can I just stay here for awhile, huh? I just...don't go away yet, okay, Sis? Please?"
[14:32:09] <Makoto> Makoto hedges and nods. "Okay. I'll stick to you like glue, Sis. I promise." Makoto assures the girl gently. "We'll get through this. No matter what. You're not alone, Kochan. Even if it feels like it, you never will be."
[14:33:54] <Kotono> "Oh...Sis...Asher said that sort of, too..." She looks up with a teary smile, "I even called him by mistake...but....I didn't want him to see me like this, you know?" Nuzzling into her sister's side, "Just...he should be back in a few days knowing him, okay?"
[14:34:05] <Kotono> "Dad'll be back in a few days and then...then...maybe even Hot-chan can..."
[14:37:12] <Makoto> "Yeah." Makoto smiles back, stroking Kotono's hair. "Hotaru-chan, and we can get everyone to help." She nods decisively. "By the time he gets back, we'll be ready."
[14:38:46] <Kotono> "Okay...just today...don't go away anywhere?" Kotono clings.."No...but...I'll be okay." She wipes her eyes, "I...I'm gonna go somewhere private, okay, Sis? I...I wanna go see Momma."
[14:40:11] <Makoto> "Okay." Makoto nods. "Want me to wait here for you, or come with?" She offers gently. "Whatever you want, today."
[14:42:36] <Kotono> "..." Kotono looks away, thoughtful. "I...maybe one day we'll go see each other's...parents, but...Sis." Kotono gently wipes her eyes, "I know...I keep telling myself I have to be able to go alone sometimes, too? Okay?"
[14:44:40] <Makoto> "That's fine." Makoto smiles. "I understand. But I wanted you to know I'm there if you need me." She soothes, patting Kotono's back gently. "I don't want to leave anything to chance if you might not think to ask."
[14:47:41] <Kotono> "Thanks, Sis. I'll talk to you tomorrow or something?" Kotono says, standing up. "I...See you soon?" shes ays, before vanishing herself.
[14:52:38] * Makoto waves as Kotono disappears, looking worried, and beginning to straighten up Kotono's room. Spending awhile on the task, ordering it without reorganizing, Makoto tries to make Kotono's room as much a haven for her distraught little sister as she can, before leaving a note on the bed Telling Kotono that she'll bring a meal over a little later, and winking out, heading back home...
[14:54:28] <Kotono> ---

Monday, at school.

[13:45] <@Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[13:46] <@Kotono> Aaah, school Monday morning. The weekend is behind her, completely behind her. Coming to school Usagi yawns and stretches - but there is a good thing! Naru meets up with her halfway, waving and smiling. "Usagi-chan!" she calls. Not the first attention getting thing, either. Everyone walking to school is talking about THEM - the Sailor Senshi.
[13:48] * @Usagi walks through the corridors of Juuban smile with a serene smile on her lips and a pleasant greeting for everyone she knows - she's only human, and it *is* gratifying to be the focus of so much attention. "Good morning, Naru-chan!" she chirps brightly to her oldest friend as they encounter one another.
[13:50] <@Kotono> Hey!" Naru's smile is wide, but she stops and poitns at a poster, "Before everything else, you see that?" She asks. On the wall is a promotinoal poster 'Free scholarships to qualified students. Any grade level eligible. Meeting today after school, room 6-D. "I'm thinking about that..mmm. They're all over the place today."
[13:50] <@Usagi> "Scholarships?" Usagi raises an eyebrow, stepping closer to the poster. "Isn't it a bit early for us to be worrying about university?"
[13:52] <@Kotono> "Well, look at it." Naru smiles, reading, "Full scholarships to deserving students." There's some more text after that, too, but Naru doesn't botehr to read it off. "It's out of the blue, but it wouldn't hurt to think ahead. Besides, it beats working after school with Mom."
[13:55] <@Usagi> "I guess, but... don't you have to be like Ami-chan smart to get a scholarship? Or some sort of really gifted athlete?" Usagi mulls that over, recalling her performance at the last sports festival. "I guess I could maybe get one if I seriously tried, but... that'd mean I'd have to compete and stuff."
[13:55] <@Kotono> "Well, it's worth a shot," Naru laughs at that, rubbing the back of her head. "I like the diea fo free money. Even if some old lady's giving it," she adds.
[13:56] <@Usagi> "Guess it couldn't hurt to have a look," Usagi agrees, peering over the poster to try and see which university it applies to.
[13:58] <@Kotono> No university is listed - the beneficiary seems to be one Haruna Ichiro. "Couldn't hurt!" Naru agrees, turning away. "Anyway, how is it for...Sailor Moon?" Naru leans in to wihisper, a sprightly giggle after.
[14:00] <@Usagi> "Shh!" Usagi hushes her friend. "Not a good idea to talk about it in school, now that everyone's wondering about her," she cautions.
[14:01] <@Kotono> "Sorry, sorry," Naru smirks back, turning away from the poster. "Well, I could start calling you Lassie again?"
[14:02] * @Usagi crosses her arms and gives Naru a *look*.
[14:02] <@Kotono> Naru gives Usagi a *smile*! "Sit? Shake!?" Naru reaches out, grabbing an odango to shake!
[14:04] <@Usagi> "I'm tempted to bite you, if nothing else," the blonde returns poutily, ducking her head away from Naru's grabby hands!
[14:06] <@Kotono> Naru leans in, whispering hotly into Usagi's ear. "OH! So that's how it goes! Well, if my best friend Usagi is...I suppose...oh no, it would be too shameful!" Putting a hand onto her forehead as she looks up, "I just can't!"
[14:09] <@Usagi> "Oooh, so biting's what gets you hot, huh, Naru-chan?" Usagi returns evilly, leaning in just as close and matching her friend's hot whisper. "I'll have to remember that for when you're feeling less uptight." To accent her words, she gives the other schoolgirl a light swat on the hip.
[14:10] <@Kotono> Naru yelps, returning the favor! "Oh, so Usagi's like that,": she whispers back, a little louder. A few people can see this display in the halls of Juuban High, including one Takeshi Eiryo as he heads to class.
[14:11] * +Takeshi simply raises an eyebrow as he approaches the girls. "Morning, Usagi," he says with a nod.
[14:11] <@Usagi> "Oh!" Usagi quickly retreats from Naru, assuming a very prim straight-backed pose with her hands clasped demurely before her. "Good morning, Takeshi," she nods back, smiling pleasantly.
[14:12] <@Kotono> "Eiryo," Naru smiles nicely to him, blushing horribly but saying nothing else.
[14:12] <@Kotono> Behind the girls is a poster, something about free scholarships.
[14:13] <+Takeshi> "Don't let me interrupt your conversation, it looked like you two were enjoying it," Takeshi says with a slight smirk, glancing over the poster briefly.
[14:14] <@Kotono> Free scholarships, meeting after school in room 6-D about it.
[14:14] <@Usagi> "I think we were done," Usagi nods briskly, shooting Naru a very brief glare that's more for show than anything else before she starts walking on to class.
[14:14] * +Takeshi simply chuckles, shaking his head as he follows behind Usagi.
[14:16] <@Kotono> "Let's go!" Naru picks up her pace, heading along to class as well. "How's it going, you two?"
[14:18] <@Usagi> "Did you know yesterday was Takeshi-kun's birthday, Naru-chan?" Usagi blithely informs her friend as they head into class. Classmates should know these things, after all, and it gives them something random to talk about.
[14:20] <@Kotono> The classroom is mostly full, class beginning in a few. "Oh, happy birthday! More reason to hav efun yesterday?"
[14:21] * +Takeshi chuckles. "I had a good time, yeah," Takeshi says with a smile. "Usagi's a good listener."
[14:22] <@Kotono> "Her best talent is her mouth, though!" Naru smiles back, chipper as she bows and goes to sit.
[14:23] * @Usagi eyes Naru. "Something didn't feel quite right about that..." she mutters suspiciously.
[14:24] <+Takeshi> "I think I just won't ask," Takeshi says, raising an eyebrow.
[14:24] <@Kotono> ""Coming from your mouth, that's shockign!" Naru giggles again, sitting down and getting her books out.
[14:25] <@Usagi> "The polite thing to do is pretend you never heard," the blonde informs Takeshi with a slight frown, idly whapping Naru on the back of the head before she goes to sit at her own desk.
[14:27] <@Kotono> "Hey!" Naru rubs her head, as you can overhear conversation - Sailors this and wow that! In fact, you might be the only ones not talking about it! "Sorry, I won't embarrass you front of your boyfriend again," Naru chirps, just a hair too loudly.
[14:27] <+Takeshi> "Sounds like a plan to m... eh?" Takeshi stops cold at that. "Boyfriend?" That earns a blink.
[14:30] * @Usagi sighs. "We're just friends," she reiterates across the room from her own desk as she digs out her books, getting really tired of this conversation.
[14:31] <@Kotono> "Okay." Naru smiles and lets it drop, getting to her own books.
[14:32] * +Takeshi shakes his head and heads to the back of the room and his own seat, pulling out his own books with a snort.
[14:34] <@Kotono> So class begins! Your homeroom teacher looks over her notes, nodding as she clears her throat. "Attention - I'm sure most of you saw the posters today?"
[14:34] <@Kotono> A few students nod, paying proper attention now.
[14:35] * @Usagi does much the same!
[14:35] * +Takeshi does as well, looking up at the teacher.
[14:35] <@Kotono> "The Haruna Ichiro fund was..m.mm. According to this it's all very sudden, but she wishes to meet with interested students today. If you're interested in those scholarships, it's room 6-D afterschool."
[14:38] * +Takeshi nods, privately wondering what's up to make this so sudden. Either way, a scholarship is nothing to sneeze at, so he might as well turn up and see what they're looking for.
[13:07] <@Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[13:08] <@Kotono> So classes end! Naru stretches out and trots over to Usagi, relaxing in the freedom of the day. "Going to come take a peek with me, Usa-chan," Naru asks in easy conversation, as Takeshi also rises and stirs himself. Finally, school's done for the day.
[13:09] * +Takeshi stretches a bit, stiff from sitting most of the afternoon. He packs his books into his bag, wondering whether it'll be worth the time to check out this scholarship thing.
[13:10] <@Usagi> "Eh, don't think I'll bother," the blonde replies to her friend as she gathers her books and rises. "Like anyone would give me a scholarship, anyway," she adds with a self deprecating eyeroll.
[13:11] <@Kotono> "Oh, come on! It'll be fun to see how badly we miss," Naru laughs, patting Usagi's arm. "I thought you wanted to go with Eiryo, anyway?" A raised eyebrow there, the other girl amused.
[13:13] <@Usagi> Usagi's eyeroll is now more irritated. "Naru, just stop it," she requests, keeping her voice down as she hefts her bag, about to depart. "He's not even my type."
[13:15] <@Kotono> "Alright, alright," Naru drops the smile, "You're just so touchy about it! Anyway, wanna come or not," she asks, "I am curious about all that, after all."
[13:18] <@Usagi> "Because you won't shut up about it," the blonde fires back. "Anyway, there's no point," she goes on, glad to change the subject, "I'll leave the scholarships to the people that actually have a chance of getting them."
[13:18] <@Kotono> "Alright...Eiryo?" Naru raises her voice as people file out, "I'm going to that scholarship thing. Did you want to come?"
[13:19] * @Usagi heads on out herself. "See you tomorrow!" she waves to Naru as she departs.
[13:20] * +Takeshi glances over at Naru. "Hmm? Yeah, I figured I'd poke my head in at least. Got work after school today, though, so if it's too packed I'll have to pass on it."
[13:21] <@Kotono> "Well, at least we can go together," Naru offers with a smile, starting to walk and swishing her schoolbag with her. "Shall we?"
[13:21] <+Takeshi> "Sure," Takeshi replies easily, slipping his bookbag over his arm as he heads out of the classroom behind Naru.
[13:24] <@Kotono> So out you go! SEveral students are going in the same direction, but it's not a hugely long walk. "Getting along with Usagi," she asks innocently, "You're kind of quiet otehrwise."
[13:25] <+Takeshi> "Yeah, we talk a bit at lunch," Takeshi agrees. "She's one of the easiest people to talk to I think I've ever met."
[13:26] <@Kotono> "Usagi's just really nice." Naru smiles as you head along, "It's nice to really meet you, Takeshi. You don't mind?" The question that follows is with a little shy smile of her own.
[13:28] <+Takeshi> "Nah, it's no big deal," the dark-haired boy says dismissively. "Like I said, I don't know if I'll even be able to stay long enough to talk to them - with all the posters and the teachers talking about it, I'd be surprised if half the school isn't in 6-D by the time we get there."
[13:31] <@Kotono> Indeed, you're there! About sixty people aer inside, as you also note a Sailor Senshi and a knight sitting int he rear.

[11:04:07] <Kowork> ---Arc 2 go!---
[11:05:11] <Kowork> Aaaaah! Laaaaaate! This is what Makoto Kino realises as she slowly eats breakfast on Monday morning. Sure, it's a lazy morning of hearing the TV go on about the Sailor Senshi and gnawing down breakfast, but the time got away from her. If she doesn't hurry, she is going to be late with a capital L! Not like it bothers your other housemate, Iori snoozing on the couch peacefully.
[11:08:59] * Makoto grumbles to herself as she finishes pulling on her thigh high stockings to go under her school skirt to ward off the winter chill, hopping a little and sticking out her tongue at Iori. "Showoff." She growls goodnaturedly as the stockings are on to her satisfaction, and bolts for the door, grabbing her satchel and slipping on her shoes as she flees. "I think I liked it better before we suddenly got famous..." Makoto mumbles, locking the
[11:10:17] <Makoto> Makoto mumbles, locking the apartment door behind her and sprinting for the stairs. Catchup time!
[11:11:23] <Kowork> So Makoto sprints out! It's a beautiful morning, racing on outside! As you pass through the main gates you pass Mamoru, smiling easily as he yawns, holding a bag of breakfast fast food in one hand. "Hey?" he says as Makoto races by.
[11:12:32] * Makoto slows down to wave at Mamoru, flashing him a sunny smile. "Hey! Nice to finally see you around!"
[11:15:36] <Kotono> "Hi. Want one," Mamoru holds up his bag agreeably - McDonalds! - as Makoto slows. "But you're going to be late, aren't you?"
[11:18:06] <Makoto> "Nah, I run fast." Makoto grins cheerfully, examining the Mcdonalds carefully. It has zero value as food, but it sure smells good. "I would, but I'd never be able to eat and run at the same time. Thanks, though." Makoto demurs, smiling. "You don't have anything on the go in the mornings?"
[11:20:18] <Kotono> "Not really - haven't gotten a job or back to school yet." MAmoru just shrugs a little smiling as he goes to lean on the outside wall.
[11:21:59] <Makoto> "Bah, showoff." Makoto sticks out her tongue, then examines the watchface on the inside of her wrist. "Mmm, I better get going if I don't want to sprint all the way. See you around soon?"
[11:24:49] <Kotono> "See you soon," Mamoru smiles easily, laughing at that. His longer hair moves a bit, down to his shoulders. He's gained some cut and well defined muscle mass, a black T-shirt showing it off this morning. "Good luck."
[11:26:35] <Makoto> "I'll need it." Makoto smirks, turning and fleeing, ponytail trailing like the tail of a comet as she flees toward school! Might as well get it over with!
[11:38:42] <Kotono> Makoto races and runs! Past the Crown and teh shopping area she goes, hauling her fine ass as fast as it'll go! But it all nearly comes to an end in a moment! THere's a blur from an alley, a boy nearly running right into her! Asher is only able to stop in his furious sprint by the sharpest reaction possible, finishing his momentum a mere inch from MAkoto's face and side, coming up just in time!
[11:38:59] <Kotono> The impact is avoided, but Makoto suddenly has a very quickly stopped young man in her face!
[11:40:12] <Asher> "Ghghgwhatthe --" Asher nearly ducks into a roll, but manages to bring himself to a screeching still as his mind registers the face for a moment, then freezes him outright. "Makoto-san? Sorry about that!"
[11:41:20] <Makoto> "Whoa!" Makoto exclaims, skidding to a stop-really skidding, girl's loafers aren't meant for that sort of abuse-as she also stops, recognition of the boy seldom met but often in the background dawning. "It's no problem." She replies, shaking her head. "Late, huh?"
[11:42:16] <Asher> "I think we're both going to be at this rate," Asher bites out quickly. "See you at school, ne?" He flashes a brief grin and then arrows his way into the same sprint again, taking off with furious determination! Might as well make the best out of it!
[11:43:43] <Makoto> "Heh." is all Makoto replies with as she resumes her own headlong dash, racing Asher to school for fun!
[11:44:35] <Kotono> OOC - Heh, both of youb ody check if you're gonna race <_<
[11:49:40] <Asher> roll 2d6
[11:49:40] * Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=1, 4]
[11:50:50] <Makoto> roll 2d6
[11:50:51] * Hatbot --> "Makoto rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=2, 5]
[11:52:17] <Kotono> So they race and run! Makoto is ever so slightly faster and by the end she's through the gates first, just as you can see the last students filing in! Asher and Makoto might manage to make it in yet!
[11:53:48] <Makoto> "Hah!" Makoto crows delightedly, seeing she may just make it yet, and pouring on all the speed she can muster to get through the gates before they close...
[11:53:50] <Asher> Asher's heaving out of breath at this point, having spent waaaaay more energy into this haul than really was healthy but stumbles into the gate anyway, glad at least that they made it before the bell rings! He staggers his way to the appropriate hallway, feeling lightheaded.
[11:54:12] <Asher> And happily letting Mako take the lead. He's spent, at this point.
[11:57:25] <Makoto> Makoto is still rather energetic, disappearing into the school and far ahead, breathing hard, but enjoying the chance to stretch her legs.
[11:57:39] <Kotono> So Makoto races on while Asher falls behind! Makoto juuuuuust dashes into class as the bell rings! Asher's a little behind her, getting a look from the teacher as he heads in. "Just making it in, you two," he inquires.
[11:58:29] <Asher> Asher would have some kind of expression of embarassment if his cheeks weren't already flushed red. He grimly takes his seat in silence, calming down the screaming lungs and subsequently drops his backpack. Oi.
[11:59:36] <Makoto> Makoto slows and give the teacher her best smile. "Living dangerously today, sir!" She chirps, heading to her seat. *Maybe Hotaru's right. I -could- be addicted to adrenaline.*
[12:00:34] <Kotono> "Alright, but you two are off the hook today." Shaking his head at both, "As Miss Kino and Mr. Shinsei recover from racing to class today and getting all sweaty? I'm sure all of you have seen the posters around today?"
[12:01:32] * Makoto perks up a little as she takes her seat, listening intently as she fishes out her books, and the paper she practices with when class is too dull. *Posters?*
[12:01:47] <Asher> Posters. What posters. Asher jogs his memory for the remembering of such things and doesn't find any. Not like he's been PAYING GREAT ATTENTION to academia at all, though.
[12:02:19] <Kotono> The class nods, looking attentively and perfectly bored. About the same, really, as always! "According to this, the Haruna Ichiro Fund is going to be looking for scholarship applications and will be giving them away today after school in room 6-D." A pause as he reads, "The notice is sudden, isn't it?"
[12:02:48] <Kotono> "Oh, those posters up all over the place this morning," One boy yawns and nods. "Sounds like easy money for the brainheads, teach."
[12:03:08] * Makoto sits bolt upright at the mention of the name, her eyes widening. *It couldn't...could it?*
[12:05:15] <Asher> Haruna? Asher's head also snaps to attention at that, the conversation having all but passed in his memory. Now it came back into the forefront of his head with startling alacrity. His eyes go from the teacher to the back of Mako's figure. What was the link here, again...?
[12:06:20] * Makoto is leaning forward intently, her frame far more tense than usual for classtime, staring at the teacher intently as he spills details.
[12:09:03] <Kotono> "Mmm. According to this, the tagline is 'A chance to make a impact on the world'. So if you're interested, it's today in room 6-D right after school."
[12:09:19] <Kotono> "Hey, free scholarships?"A nother girl adds curiously, aloud. "That's worth trying out!"
[12:10:02] * Makoto just stares-Attaching Gramma's name to a scholarship seems so odd...definitely need to go look at what's up.
[12:10:15] <Asher> Collecting his breath, Asher wearily raises a hand for a question. "What are the primary qualifications for the scholarship?"
[12:12:56] <Kotono> "Oh, Mr. Shinsei..mmm." The teacher pushesu p his glasses as he reads. "According to this, 'making an impact on the coming world'. Take that forw hat you will."
[12:13:42] * Makoto shifts uncomfortably.
[12:15:18] <Asher> "I... see." Asher leaves it at that, narrowing his eyes as he looks down at his notebook.
[12:16:25] <Kotono> "IF that's all we'll begin..." The teacher goes on, lessons starting! OOC - Are either of you going to act on this before the end of school in any way?
[12:17:17] <Asher> OOC - I'm probably going to talk to Mako during lunch.
[12:17:32] <Makoto> OOC-Probably not. All I'll do is make up my mind to go see.
[12:18:09] <Kotono> OOC - Okay. I can set you two up talking since Asher's going ask you. We'll go from there.
[12:18:27] <Makoto> OOC= 'k
[12:18:46] <Kotono> So lunch comes. A time of very raw hunger, students getting up or sitting down to eat, plenty of chacnes to rise or not or to find someone. Even if Asher is hungry enough to kill a horse now...
[12:19:36] <Asher> ...satisfying unanswered questions still takes priority, much to his stomach's protest. Asher stands up from his desk, bringing his books to order, but at some of the students file away from the classroom, he points his voice towards Makoto. "Makoto-san, do you know this Haruna by any chance?"
[12:21:29] * Makoto gets up to go find some nice place outside, pausing as Asher speaks to her, startled slightly since the boy initiates so little contact. "Ah...Hai." She nods, hestitating as she tries to figure out how to explain their relationship so that he could understand.
[12:23:13] <Asher> "There was a Haruna that dropped by the bookstore I work at a few days back," Asher explains patiently, seeming to note Makoto's cues and bringing up his backpack himself. The classroom was just not really to his tastes, anyway. He nods to her, staying behind against his desk and letting her take the lead.
[12:24:07] <Kotono> Students pass around as you get out. You can note several posters about this scholarship now that you aren't racing dead to class. About the same message as the others, really.
[12:25:16] <Makoto> Makoto chews on her bottom lip as she fishes out her bento and a sheaf of papers and index cards, all blank, starting to walk and taking a deep breath as Asher accompanies her, beginning to speak.
[12:25:30] <Asher> "Anyway," Asher continues, keeping his voice low and following at a respectful distance from her, "She was the first visitor that I knew which Mokou-san seemed to know. My employer." He pauses for a moment, shaking his head. "And their conversation... I don't really eavesdrop, but it was odd. And she mentioned you."
[12:27:20] <Makoto> "Well...Yes." Makoto nods uncertainly. "My...Mama and Papa died a long time ago. When I was about four years old. Gramma was my babysitter before the crash, and after...well, she sort of...shared me with Uncle Taka and Auntie Fuuko. I don't have any biological family, but I call her my Gramma."
[12:30:11] <Asher> Asher only gives a bit of a nod at this. No need to prolong the story with condolences or words of sympathy that she'd probably heard endless times. His eyes remain riveted at a nearby wall with a poster before addressing her again. "Well, Mokou-san and Haruna-san seemed to be ... old friends, I guess would be the best way to put it. And they kept talking about you, and your 'friends', and how special you and they were. She knows, I imagine?
[12:32:12] <Makoto> "Yes." Makoto nods. "If anything happened to go wrong-I couldn't stand the thought of anyone precious to me getting caught in the crossfire accidentally because I hadn't told them enough." Makoto agrees, leading the boy outside the school and into the sunshine.
[12:33:40] <Asher> Asher takes a deep sigh at that. "I should really get around to doing myself instead of putting it off," he admits glumly. "In any case, though. I ... guess the rest of the conversation wasn't really that important. There'd been something between them in the past, and Haruna-san was asking Mokou-san to move on from it. And they both implied to each other about their ages... about a new generation..." He pauses, trying to not make this sound
[12:34:08] <Asher> trying to not make this sound uncomfortable. "Maybe she's just looking out for us... for you, with this scholarship?"
[12:35:52] <Kotono> The halls of Juuban High are noisy as you walk along. There are outside places that are quieter, but right now lots of happy teenagers are going and gabbing about.
[12:36:18] * Makoto gives Asher a sidelong, thoughtful look. "Maybe." She allows, doubtfully. "Gramma has been...different lately. Though, The name might be a co-incidence. I can't imagine She's the only Haruna Ichiro in Japan. Or even Tokyo, for that matter.
[12:36:21] <Makoto> "
[12:37:20] <Asher> "Could be." Asher looks at Makoto with his own doubt on his face. "But she specifically mentioned a Makoto. And her friends. And she was around the right age... she actually looked pretty well, too. Mokou-san made a comment about that."
[12:42:53] * Makoto laughs softly. "No, no. I meant on the poster, Asher-kun. I wouldn't be surprised if Gramma was friends with your boss. It's this scholarship thing that's odd to me."
[12:45:23] <Asher> "...ohhh." Well, that should've been blaringly obvious. Asher feels his cheeks flush up in embarassment - again! It'd been a swell set of days so far. "Yeah, I guess that's possible," he admits a bit meekly. "Guess we'll just have to see. I.. should really grab some lunch before I starve myself. You going to go to the meeting?"
[12:47:07] <Makoto> "Yeah." Makoto nods and smiles at him. "It might be Gramma, might not, but I'm curious what's going on, so I'll go have a look." Makoto shrugs. "Wanna come?"
[12:49:17] <Asher> A shrug in return. Why not, the look said? But his stomach growls incessantly and the expression replaces itself with a pained one, holding up a hand to excuse himself with a slight smile. "I'll see you there, then, just going to make a quick run at a snack or something."
[12:51:15] <Makoto> "I'm gonna go sit under the trees." Makoto nods agreeably. "Come see me, if you have time later. I've been meaning to ask you about Sis-er, Kotono."
[12:51:58] <Asher> "So you can plot against me more?" Asher throws back this glare as he goes, but the look is friendly, not hostile, as he takes off to the cafeteria!
[12:54:51] * Makoto blinks, cocking her head curiously as Asher goes off, a puzzled look on her face. *He seemed fine, though that was a funnily defensive reply.* "Actually, I just worry about her." Makoto calls as he heads off, shaking her head. *These new people take getting used to...*
[13:07:55] <Kotono> So lunch comes and goes! Finally afterschool comes! Some people are even talking about going to 6-D, people rising and getting ready. It's a bit of a walk but nothing too big for either Asher or Makoto if they wish to go.
[13:09:46] * Makoto gathers up her books and papers and stuffs them away, and heads for the classroom door, pausing there to look back at Asher questioningly before departing the room.
[13:13:38] <Asher> Asher follows closely behind without a word, just seeming impassive for the time being and bringing his own belongings. He glances at a few of the posters on their way to the room, but doesn't make a comment on it, having been his general quiet self throughout class.
[13:14:25] <Makoto> Makoto seems perfectly content to go without talking-in this case, her mind is more occupied with what this little mystery is all about, anyway...
[13:17:27] <Kotono> So Asher and Makoto head along! The room is a large one - about the size of three or four normal classrooms, and it's filling up quickly! At least fourty people are already here, chatting and reading as they wait. On a whiteboard is written 'Seat yourselves, we'll begin shortly.'
[13:18:04] <Kotono> A man in a dark suit leans back against the far wall, buzz cut blue hair and a gaunt face looking out. He checks his watch occasionally, a golden trinket.
[13:18:33] <Asher> Yeah, uh, guess he'll do just that, letting Mako choose the seat out first as he glances about. Asher instinctively glances at his own watch, getting used to the silly thing.
[13:20:34] <Makoto> Makoto frowns a little. She doesn't really expect to be awarded a scholarship-she's curious about other things. Best to stay unobtrusive, and sit near the back. Matching actions to thoughts, Makoto heads to the emptiest desks near the back corner of the room where everything can be observed.
[13:21:38] <Asher> Asher quietly takes a desk near Makoto, bringing out his notebook out of habit. Heck, the things they were asking for on this scholarship seemed far too vague, anyway. Might as well make some sense of it while they were here.
[13:24:15] <Makoto> Makoto smiles at Asher, and fishes a pack of...are those playing cards? from her school satchel, just idly fiddling with them as she waits.
[13:25:45] <Kotono> About five minutes pass - more people are coming in. The man up front smiles a bit as he looks around at no one in particular. His black eyes do brush over Makoto's a moment and Asher's, but he's just doing the rounds, it seems.
[13:27:18] <Asher> He seems out of place, anyway, although anyone rich enough to fund a scholarship would probably be able to hire someone like him, Asher supposes. Gnawing on the tip of his pen idly, he writes down some chicken scratch, mostly tapping the pen on the notebook and waiting.
[13:27:44] <Makoto> Makoto, pretending to be immersed in the cards, watches the man, wondering if her grandmother knows him. Taking a card from the deck, Makoto tries to feel the deceased wood within the card, and make it harden, idly practising.
[13:29:01] <Kotono> OOc - Soul check, Mako, while we wait. <_<
[13:30:54] <Makoto> roll 2d6
[13:30:56] * Hatbot --> "Makoto rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=5, 3]
[13:31:30] <Kotono> The card and wood harded stiffly to Makoto's power. It's a solid projectile ready to slice or penetrate now.
[13:32:28] * Makoto smiles to herself and taps the card lightly on the desk before looking at it. *Huh. Queen of Spades. I wonder if that means anything?*
[13:34:54] * Takeshi steps into the room, glancing around at the fairly large crowd gathered. "...yeah, about what I expected," he says to Naru, shaking his head. "Unless this is just some kind of general announcement, there's no way I've got the time to wait while they talk to everyone here."
[13:37:10] <Kotono> Naru smiles, looking about and evne waving to Makoto. "Well, I'm going to talk to Makoto - I haven't seen her in awhile. Figure it's worth a shot anwyay." There's a man in a dark suit with buzz cut blue hair against the side wall up front, watching and waiting. His eyes idly look Naru and Takeshi over, but don't seem to find anything that interesting with them.
[13:38:14] * Takeshi notes both Asher and Makoto in the crowd as well, but doesn't do anything to draw their attention in particular, simply heading out of the room and on to home - he'll need to get changed before work, after all.
[13:38:49] <Makoto> Makoto looks up from her playtime to smile and wave back at Naru, raising an eyebrow at the boy by her side, and simply watching him leave.
[13:41:25] <Asher> Asher, too, is preoccupied in his own thoughts, seemingly, although he does look around every once in a while and wonder idly when the meeting is going to start.
[13:45:06] <Kotono> As Naru coems to sit next to Makoto, "Hey," she smiles, just as the man clears his throat. "Mrs. Ichiro will be in here momentarily."
[13:46:05] <Makoto> "Hi." Makoto smiles. "Here to get a jump on university?" she asks starting a little and looking to the front as Her Gramma's name is mentioned.
[13:47:54] <Kotono> "Something like that - mostly just curious." Naru smiles winsomely, settling in. "Guess it's starting?"
[13:49:01] <Asher> Asher throws a glance over to see Naru. Does he recognize her?
[13:49:41] <Kotono> Not offhand, really. The sort you've probably seen at school once or twice but little more. A bit cute, though.
[13:50:19] <Makoto> "I guess so..." Makoto murmurs in a thoughtful tone. "Asher-kun, this is Naru-chan." She interjects hastily, before things begin. "Usagi-chan's friend. She...uh, knows."
[13:53:49] <Asher> Asher inclines his head with a gracious nod, smiling but saying little. "Good to have confidants around, at least."
[13:55:07] <Makoto> Makoto smiles. "Serious, silent type." Makoto confides to Naru in a discreet whisper, glancing at the front as she does.  
[13:55:48] <Kotono> "Oh!" Naru looks Asher over once again, curiously, as...Gramma enters. Haruna Ichiro, wearing a demure white dress and walking in on high heels. A different look, face full of eager vitality. "Hello, everyone," she says in her most friendly voice, a glance at the man in the suit before she goes on.
[13:56:26] * Makoto gasps, very softly. "It is her..." she mumbles, shocked. *What is going on?*
[13:57:45] <Asher> Yep. It is her. Asher fixates his gaze on Haruna, although for some reason he keeps one eye half-trained on the man in the business suit - not hard, given how much he stands out of place here.
[14:00:13] <Kotono> "Everyone, I'll get to the point." She sounds confident and strong, yet as loving as Makoto remembers. "When you get older you realise that when you were young, you had the best chances in your life. All your potential is in the here and now to bloom, and I want to aid those of you with the vision to make good lives."
[14:02:34] * Makoto only is partly concentrating on the words, more taken aback by the change in the maternal older woman-not a trace of illness shows, and she looks younger than ever...
[14:03:56] <Kotono> Naru nods, watching on as Haruna speaks.
[14:04:39] <Kotono> Her hair is even a bit grayer and less white, her steps firm. "You never know how much time you have left," she goes on, "The old know that most of all. That's why - 5 scholarships. It's part of the money my departed husband left me. I only want to see it go to people who can ensure a good future for themselves and others."
[14:06:59] <Kotono> Students talk amid themselves at this, quiet whisperings. "Five? Not as many as I'd hoped, but maybe we'll have as hot?" Naru asks quietly.
[14:08:23] * Makoto ponders that, momentary jealousy fading as she examines the concept-knowing Gramma certainly doesn't entitle her to her money, and there are lots of kids like Ami-chan who could make it. "I dunno about me-I kinda struggle without Ami-chan to tutor me. Hotaru-chan's all that keeps me above failing." Makoto admits. "But Usagi says you're pretty bright, Naru-chan. I bet you've got a shot." She agrees warmly.
[14:10:16] <Kotono> "I might," Naru blushes, "If Ami was here she'd get all 5 without trying, though!"
[14:10:58] <Asher> Asher looks mildly surprised, but more at internal thoughts than anything else. Why had there been so much exposure to this particularl scholarshipprogram if Haruna-san was only planning to give out five scholarships? The standard programs ran a lot more than that. He crosses his arms, pen tapping, waiting to hear more.
[14:10:59] <Kotono> "Now..." Gramma smiles out, Haruna looking around. "No essay, no quiz. I'm going to ask each and every one of you why you want this and why you're going for it." A pause as Haruna settles on Makoto and then Asher, seeming to smile to both. "You there -" A point at Asher, "Could you start?"
[14:11:06] <Asher> ...oh, well, shit,.
[14:11:20] <Kotono> The man in the suit looks to Aser at this, smiling. Not really a pleasant smile, but there doesn't seem to be much to it.
[14:12:46] <Asher> Asher's face screws up in consternation before collecting the brainfreeze that hits and straightening out his thoughts. Ah, hell hell hell. This was the last thing he wanted to be dealing with. Quizzes and essays were so much better. Taking a deep breath and a covert glance to Makoto, he begins slowly.
[14:14:18] * Makoto stiffens slightly as They're picked, and she has doubts about the randomness. Hastily, Makoto tries to throw together an answer that doesn't sound indifferent while Asher speaks. It'd be bad form to disdain it, even if she's convinced she's not getting it.
[14:15:23] <Asher> "Well..." The pause is quickly killed as Asher presses on, drawing from memory the words he'd used from essays before on similar topics. "Like everyone, I'm sure, I want to make it to college. Not just for the education and the employment prospects, even though these are important in society." A slow breath, trying to gain momentum. "There are a lot of people out there with dreams and goals, with things they really, really want. Well, to be
[14:18:00] <Asher> completely honest, I'm not one of them." The brutal honesty of this statement makes himself even feel a little awkward. But it'd worked before, and no need to resort to lying. "I feel like stepping ahead to college is the way for me to find some direction. I may not know exactly what I want to do yet, or how I'm going to go about doing it, but I do know that I -want- to find something to fit that. Something to strive for. It's so easy for a
[14:19:45] <Asher> "And direction in life's more important than anything else, because no matter how good you are or how hard you work, what does it matter if you can't see something come out of it in the end? Right now it's still early and I still have time to figure that all out. But before I can even do that, I want the opportunity to do so - more than anything else." He catches his breath again, this part of his words not entirely comfortable. "There are..
[14:20:18] <Asher> OOC - Just strike that last one, reformatting that.
[14:21:20] <Asher> "It's so easy for a lot of people, but not for me. And direction in life's more important than anything else, because no matter how good you are or how hard you work, what does it matter if you can't see something come out of it in the end? Right now it's still early and I still have time to figure that all out. But before I can even do that, I want the opportunity to do so -"
[14:21:30] <Asher> "- more than anything else." He catches his breath again, this part of his words not entirely comfortable. "There are... restraints on everyone. We all have our situations that can sometimes hold us back from doing what we aim for. And I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask for help in that regard, to find out that direction I'm looking for," he finishes up with a brief smile.
[14:24:03] <Asher> Restraining the urge to take a shuddering breath, Asher takes his seat back down, eyes wanting to look down but focusing themselves on Haruna. Words be damned, it'd be no good if he couldn't even put up a proper polite posture.
[14:26:44] <Kotono> Naruna smiles at the end, nodding to Asher. "Well said, young man." But it's not Haruna that speaks! It's the gentleman in a suit, watching him as he sits back down. HE even smiles as well - but it's not a nice smile. There's something dimly predatory about it, or perhaps animalistic.
[14:27:27] <Kotono> "Thank you," Haruna smiles, "Oh, and your name before we're done?" She picks up a clipboard, pen at teh ready.
[14:27:48] * Makoto frowns a little at the man in the suit, her eyes narrowing.
[14:27:50] <Asher> Oh. Really. This chills Asher to some extent, hiding it with a semi-embarassed smile but more looking out of the corner of his eye at the man. What the hell were the dynamics here? "Asher Shinsei, ma'am," he calls out instinctively.
[14:33:25] <Kotono> "Thank you, I liked your speech. You read a lot," she asks, looking now to MAkoto and pointing. "Aaah...we know each other so would you go next, Makoto dear?"
[14:38:58] * Makoto colors instantly, standing and nodding with a nervous smile, her face hot. "I don't have anything as grand to say as Asher-kun. All I know is that people I respect and care about expect big things from me, and I don't want to disappoint any of them." She murmurs, dropping her eyes a little bit as she's the brief focal point of attention. "My parents especially." She adds quietly, reddening more and sitting down.
[14:42:48] <Kotono> "Not too bad," Naru murmurs to both as they're done, nodding.
[14:43:26] <Kotono> "Mmmm, very nice, dear." Haruna smiles as the eyes of the entire room are on Makoto. The man in thes uit smiles silkly at Makoto at her words, speaking up, "Your parents passed?" he asks.
[14:44:32] <Makoto> "...yes." Makoto grinds out, unhappily. She didn't go out of her way to advertise that, but now a whole lot of people know...
[14:45:27] <Kotono> "So they're peacefully asleep, but you want to impress them anyway? A common motivation," he notes, looking right on at Makoto.
[14:46:05] <Asher> Asher turns to look with a somewhat not-too-friendly glare at the man. This definitely was not something that sat well in his book, especially to a fello friend.
[14:47:48] <Makoto> "..." Makoto's eyes narrow at the man. "I don't understand much-but I can tell you don't understand." Makoto replies with forced calm. "It's not a literal desire."
[14:48:30] <Kotono> "Mmmm." But  any further words by him are cut off, Haruna's eyes flashing shame and apology. "That's enough...next," she asks, as a boy just behind you is called on.
[14:49:40] <Asher> Downcasting his gaze again, Asher bites on his lower lip, staying quiet again.
[14:49:49] * Makoto smiles weakly at Gramma, containing emotion-badly, but managing-the pain is not so raw as it once was, but still the callous picking at an old wound hurt.
[14:57:23] <Kotono> So the next boy goes on. The suited man watches Makoto a little more, but soon turns his attention to the next speech and the next. Most of them are pretty plain, giving Makoto and Asher time to think.
[14:59:22] <Asher> Time to think, indeed. Asher is seated deep back in a somewhat relaxed posture, mostly drowning out the words of the students and continuing to keep a lingering gaze on the man and Haruna out of the corner of his eye, his arms crossed. He turns whenever either looks toward their direction to avoid discretion, glancing at Makoto occasionally but otherwise offering no comment.
[14:59:54] * Makoto doesn't bother to think, spacing out and concentrating on breathing in spaces-later tonight, she'll let it hurt. For now, though...no one is allowed to watch her bleed, especially not figuratively, where she's not so tough.
[15:04:59] <Kotono> So it goes on. For about an hour, Naru even going. When it's done..."Mmmm..." Haruna clears her throat, pausing a moment to put a hand to her chest. "Those wer eall good."
[15:06:40] * Makoto fixes her attention on Gramma curiously as she speaks, wondering again if any clues will be given.
[15:11:01] <Kotono> "I'll get back to all of you soon, thank you," Haruna bows, the figure in a suit smiling to all and going out before her, holding the door open.
[15:12:17] <Asher> Asher stands up at that quietly, gathering his stuff and packing up the notebook, which in the end turns out to have not required that much note-taking after all. Snagging Reclaimer, and holding it over his shoulder, he glances at Makoto in askance.
[15:13:56] * Makoto sighs a little, giving a rather disquieted look at the door and standing up and pursing her lips. "Well, I guess I can just ask her-" Makoto mumbles, wishing she'd thought to do that instead of coming to the meeting itself.
[15:15:10] <Kotono> As they go, you also can note the man checking his watch again, before following Haruna out...
[15:15:26] <Asher> A brief nod as he steps across from her, heading for the door himself. He speaks up in a quieter, but more urgent tone. "And who is that man? He really... just struck me the wrong way..."
[15:17:15] <Makoto> "Yeah-I'll call her and ask tonight." Makoto nods. *This is all too disconcerting. I'd hoped it was nothing...but this is...really odd.*
[15:19:02] <Asher> "Alright," Asher acknowledges, stepping towards the doorframe and giving a brief smile, and a side glance at Naru. "If anything comes up, just give me a heads up at school or on the phone. I'll see you tomorrow?"
[15:19:21] <Kotono> Naru smiles as well, lingering but waving to both as they go.
[15:20:52] <Makoto> "Yeah." Makoto gives him a smile enough to acknowledge before turning to Naru, and waving. "See you soon, I hope." She gives the auburn haired girl a wry smile.
[15:21:25] <Makoto> With that, the tall girl turns and goes her own way, feeling more alone than she has in a long time...
[15:23:21] <Kotono> ----

This happens monday-ish, the week after the press conference.

[13:44:01] <Kotono> On getting home from school, Hotaru finds Mom at home - she's in the living room, carrying a box in her arms and still dressed in her work clothes. "Move," she grunts as she walks by Hotaru, her load seemingly heavy.
[13:45:09] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru slips to the side quickly, getting out of the way of her parent. "Want any help?" she asks, blinking a little at the box. What could this be?
[13:49:12] <Kotono> "Yeah," Reiko stops and looks back, "Other box is in the kitchen, it's lighter. Just food in there - office potluck tonight." She pauses a moment, and almost idly, "Want to come? It's informal and your Dad'll be there too."
[13:54:21] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blinks once or twice, nodding. "Sure?" she snickers a little, shaking her head. "I was about to ask if you minded me showing up at work as a helper more often..." she murmurs, beginning to move towards the kitchen. No reason to press, she guesses.
[13:59:03] <Kotono> "We'll see," Mom goes out to the car, waiting on Hotaru to join her perhaps?
[13:59:49] * Hotaru-chan shakes her head a little, going for the next box and to go join her mother. Something not to push too hard.
[14:02:03] <Kotono> The passenger door is open, the boxes put in the back. "Come on, I'll drive you there." Reiko offers, waiting.
[14:04:43] <Hotaru-chan> "Thanks," Hotaru offers softly, glancing at her uniform. "Informal?" she asks curiously, wondering at that point.
[14:05:11] <Kotono> "Casual and with family." Reiko smiles just a little bit, starting to drive. There's a pause after, "Takeshi'll probably bet here...and speaking of?"
[14:07:18] <Hotaru-chan> "Speaking of?" Hotaru asks, glancing over at her mother and smiling a bit. Takeshi...nice to hang out with, but...safely distant? Hardly baseless.
[14:11:51] <Kotono> "Hotaru, I'm tired of all this," Mom goes on without preamble, eyes on the road but yet not really paying attention.
[14:17:31] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shifts to lean into the door a little and turn, looking more driectly at her mother. "Mmm?" she asks softly, biting her lip. "The fighting?" she hazards.
[14:20:44] <Kotono> "I want a daughter...I want a real daughter. Not someone I hate." Reiko sounds tired, hurt all over again. Her hands weakly clutch the steering wheel, driving going on automatic. "
[14:26:07] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru takes a soft and deep breath, her arms folding over each other as she watches her mother. "How?" she asks softly, chewing on her lip. "I just...well, I don't know," she admits, shaking her head. "I'm still...I just don't know anything else, and I -agree-, so...how can we?"
[14:32:58] <Kotono> Reiko drives through the light idly, nearly running a yellow as she goes on, looking entirely at Hotaru. "I want to love you," Reiko says, sounding tired and even scared. "Ever since you've gotten distant it's never been like that again, has it?"
[14:36:54] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs a little, closing her eyes. "It hasn't been like before that, no," she sighs quietly. "Well, before I discovered magic," she nods, her legs beginning to pull up to herself, and then letting them go.
[14:39:12] <Kotono> "I want it to be like that...Hotaru..." Mother slowly lets a tear escape her eyes, "I want my daughter."
[14:39:41] <Kotono> Coming to another yellow light Mom drives on, face mostly downcast. "I want her...not this Saturn I see more and more."
[14:43:30] <Hotaru-chan> "Park, before you hit something," Hotaru suggests softly, reaching over to touch her mother's arm, sighing as she moves over in her her seat, closer and brushign Reiko's arm, burshing across it. "I wish I knew the line between them...or that there wasn't one, just...I want to talk, but stop the car first?"
[14:43:39] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[14:43:40] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 5." [2d6=4, 1]
[14:44:11] <Kotono> Reiko begins to react, but the SLAM of metal on metal disturbs everything! The intersection becomes a rough meeting, Hotaru slammed roughly into her door!
[14:44:53] <Kotono> The world spins around as the car is knocked back, Mother's cry one of agony and wind knocked from her!
[14:45:32] * Hotaru-chan curses under her breath, pain and shock ignored as she focuses sharply on what's around her, violence becoming the question, suddenly overruled by the sound of her mother's voice, and tearing her attention that way.
[14:46:30] <Kotono> It takes a few moments to steady - Mom's door is pushing in a good ways! Her eyes are squeezed shut, airbag popping around her! "Aaaaaaah!" Reiko cries, as ou see another compact car has side impacted you dead on via Reiko's side.  There is a sickening crack as she moves, from her midsection.
[14:46:49] <Kotono> All around you horns blare after a moment of silence, your own head hurting on th side - you feel something warm trickling down.
[14:48:59] <Hotaru-chan> "Stay still," Hotaru hisses sharply at her parent, unbuckling herself and getting out, hand into her henshin pen. "Saturn Power, Make Up," she growls, moving around to her mother's side of the car. She'll have to cut the door away.
[14:51:56] <Kotono> "Htoaru...help..now.." Mom feebly reaches out, blood coming from her mouth in a coughing spurt.
[14:52:33] <Kotono> The intersection is busy, a few people watching on as Sailor Saturn appears. Cars stop at the intersection, but at least not to omany people are around.
[14:54:12] <Sailor_Saturn> It's a lash of pure destruction, her will tearing out at metal and anything with finite energies, delicately, carefully avoiding any living beings as she lashes out with her entire spirit at the front end of the other car and door of her mother's, shivering in a mix of panic, rage, and anguish at the...she can't even think about it, tears breaking out on their own.
[14:58:12] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check -2
[14:58:32] <Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6-2
[14:58:34] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 2d6-2 and gets 0." [2d6=1, 1]
[14:59:17] <Sailor_Saturn> roll 1d6
[14:59:18] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 1d6 and gets 4." [1d6=4]
[14:59:27] <Kotono> The metal around Reiko merely vanishes into nothingness! The entire door and side of the car is vaporised, , giving you full access to her!
[15:01:57] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru doesn't hesitate, going to her mother with her energy already switching forms. She hugs her parent loosely, letting all the energy she can manage flood into Reiko. "You can't, you can't..." she whimpers, tears streaming down her cheeks as her whole universe narrows down to just her parent.
[15:03:18] <Kotono> Blood flows from Reiko's mouth, staning Hotaru's fuku as healing light enters her! You feel weakness in her ribs, but you also feel her breath. "I'm...not going to die...Hotaru-chan," Mom manages to get out breathlessly. "Ribs...screaming. Leg...think my leg's broken.."
[15:07:21] <Sailor_Saturn> "And I'm making sure of that," Hotaru hisses softly, her senses flickering down, checking Reiko's entire form for injuries and intrusions. THe leg break might've been shock, or there might be something that needs cutting away. "Your ribs might be in your lungs, too," she whispers, voice cracking on that realization.
[15:11:20] <Kotono> "Barely breathe..." Mom agrees weakly to that, as Hotaru's healing light happens.
[15:12:25] <Kotono> "Hey!" A man runs from the street corner, traffic stopped. Nior is there, covering the ground quickly with his huge frame. He approaches rapidly! OOC - soul check.
[15:12:36] <Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6
[15:12:37] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 2d6 and gets 4." [2d6=1, 3]
[15:13:54] <Sailor_Saturn> "Try not to speak," Hotaru whispers, just flooding more and more of her energy into her parent.
[15:16:10] <Kotono> You can tell - there's a lot of damage and brekaing, things destroyed within Reiko, even as you heal her. "Mmm..."
[15:16:38] <Kotono> Nior trots up from the corner, others watching thes pectacle. "Saturn," he says under his breath, looking on impassively at Reiko. "Do you need an ambulance?"
[15:17:25] <Sailor_Saturn> "God..." Hotaru nearly whimpers, jsut keeping her hold on her mother. "I'll be fixing mom, check the other car, call one for them," she offers Nior, not even looking up as she tries to do this faster, faster. She can't do it fast ENOUGH.
[15:19:38] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[15:19:38] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 3." [2d6=1, 2]
[15:20:53] <Kotono> Energy pours into mother as Nior races off! You see Janna at the streetcorner, arleady moving herself. Bags of groceries are dropped as she races to a payphone! "Keep...going.." Mom's voice is a little better. (20 EP of healing so far.)
[15:22:54] <Sailor_Saturn> "Just...wait, don't hurt yourself by moving..." Hotaru insists, voice shaking with emotion as she holds her mother, glowing brightly with white-violet energy around both as she tries to mend her mother's body.
[15:30:25] <Kotono> Reiko's body does mend to her ministrations, bones and blood replenished! "It's one of the Sailor Senshi!" You hear a voice call dimly, as Reiko opens her eyes. "Hey...hotaru-chan..." she whispers.
[15:36:07] <Sailor_Saturn> "Hm?" Hotaru sks softly, calming very slightly, if not particularly looking any better for the tear streaks and shaking in her body, as she flagrantly releases energy.
[15:40:16] <Kotono> "...thank you..." she murmurs, face slowly recoloring as her body knits itself back up.
[15:41:38] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru blinks at that, a little struck and shaking her head. "Just try to relax yourself, mom..." she whispers, sighing and kissing Reiko's hair. "Love you."
[15:46:18] <Kotono> "Love you..." Mother closes her eyes, going restful and silent against Hotaru, as her body continues to heal. Hotaru can hear the wail of sirens in the distance...
[15:48:35] <Sailor_Saturn> At least she won't have to run this time. So Hotaru stays with her mother, awaiting sirens and personnel, and eltting her magic work. At least she hasn't been teleporting or anything.
[15:58:47] <Kotono> Hotaru heals most of her mother's wounds during this time. Her breathing is steady nwo, even as the sirens approach. People gather on the streets, calls about the Sailor Senshi echoing throughout!
[16:01:58] <Sailor_Saturn> Her most...admittedly selfishly pressing concern over for the moment, Hotaru releases her mother, standing. "I have to...well, go do my job, now," she offers, turning to look for the occupants of the other car.
[16:10:42] <Kotono> Nior is there - there's one person out of it, the front smashed but said person looking unhurt. The ambulance is just pulling up now, rushing out.
[16:15:15] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru slumps against the cleared frame of her mother's car, glancing back at Reiko to make sure she's alright. "Guess that's it..." she breathes, closing her eyes for an instant. "Anyone else injured?" she asks, opening again to look around.
[21:35:03] <Kotono> Hotaru doesn't see anyone else that is hurt. Only a whole lot of onlookers now! Janna's back amid the crowd, looking on in worry! Medics come, racing to Reiko and checking her out. "Amazing..." one murmurs, looking to Saturn as you get a lot of respect and attention.
[21:38:51] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru really wishes she DIDN'T get the attention. Actually, it could be damned near impossible to walk away from this unidentified. Eegh. "It's just..." she waves her hand a little. "My second job," she sighs, slumping down to sit against the back seat, her mother close enough for now. So maybe she's a little paranoid for her mother's safety. Everyone else would be too.
[21:42:56] <Kotono> OOC - The back seat of your mom's car to be clear?
[21:43:13] <Sailor_Saturn> OOC - Yeah.
[21:43:43] <Sailor_Saturn> OOC - Sitting with my legs out the side, since I pretty much sheared that whole side off. >_>;
[21:44:34] <Kotono> As Mother is taken away on a stretcher, one grizzled old medic stops, "You saved that woman's life, didn't you," he asks, in utter awe.
[21:47:49] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru's jaw clenches a little, shivering. "Her ribs punctured her lungs...probably," she struggles out taking a deep, almost shuddering breath and rubbing at her face. Hell, it could be put together just by witnesses, but she might as well try to not be TOO obvious, though her eyes track Reiko carefully. "She might've survived without me. Who knows," she sighs, leaning against the exposed frame.
[21:50:40] <Kotono> They're fast and good - having her on a breathing pump quickly, hauling her into the back. AT least  a hundred people have gathered to watch now, flocking together.
[21:50:58] <Kotono> "Thanks. Glad we don't have another DOA," he says gruffly, tipping a worn cap he wears before rushing back off.
[21:51:52] <Sailor_Saturn> "Hey!" Hotaru calls after the man, standing up. "What hospital are you taking her to?" she asks, suddenly aware that dad would likely strangle her for that information. If she didn't strangle herself first.
[21:55:02] <Kotono> "...Tokyo General," he calls back, ambulence up and out! The people are still staring, in utter shock.
[21:57:24] <Sailor_Saturn> ...Well, unfortunately for them, or maybe her, they're going to get a few more shocks. She can't detransform in the middle of the crowd, certainly, so she spreads her wings with a flare of energy, black and violet energy pulling her into the sky.
[22:03:30] <Kotono> Taking to the air Saturn hears the cries of Juuban Angel and Sailor Senshi below her, but the skies are safe and aloft.
[22:07:00] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru sighs, shaking her head. Tell dad, or follow mom? Does she even know where exactly her father is? No. Clear answer, then. So Hotaru heads in the direction of Tokyo general, where she should be able to detransform, and wait for Reiko. Who knows, maybe there'll be a Mizuno there. That thought, though, is a faint whisper in the back of her mind, Reiko more directly occupying most of it.
[22:10:28] <Kotono> OOC - Detransform and head inside to aska bout Reiko Tomoe?
[22:10:49] <Sailor_Saturn> OOC - Yeah.
[22:12:54] <Kotono> This takes about a half hour. On arriving and getting in you find out she's being admitted in 'serious but very stable' condition. You'll have to wait awhile in the lobby to be called up, though.
[22:14:00] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru sits down to wait, relaxing into the chair. She feels more exhausted than she should, honestly. Not so much the energy drain, but just...her mom. Why did it have to happen like this?
[22:15:39] <Kotono> The chairs are soft and warm, at least. It's a small lobby, stuffed soft chairs and magazines, along with a TV showing reruns of old US shows.
[22:16:42] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nearly melts. Or rather, just tries to, drained and strung out feeling, not perhaps unnatural for the current situation. She needed to talk to her, at least, and maybe check for other injuries.
[22:20:06] <Kotono> "Hey." It's a single word spoken kindly. It's the sort of word that gets attention, hope, love. It's also not a voice Hotaru's heard in quite some time. Chikako Mizuno sits next to Hotaru, gravely smiling at her.
[22:20:13] <Kotono> "Saw your Mom coming in - she's going to be fine."
[22:21:40] <Hotaru-chan> "I know, I wouldn't have let the paramedics touch her if she wasn't going to be," Hotaru offers softly back, glancing up to look at the blue haired doctor. "Thanks, though," she adds, sighing and taking a deep breath. "How've you been?" she asks, looking up to the mother of Mercury.
[22:25:24] <Kotono> ""Busy." Chikako merely shrugs, patting Hotaru's arm. "Knowing how fast I told them to get her room ready, you should be called up any minute. She has cracked ribs and a small leg fracture - I'm guessing she was a lot worse off before you got to her."
[22:30:24] <Hotaru-chan> "Punctured lungs, I didn't pay close enough attention to the leg with what else was going on," Hotaru murmur softly, slumping a bit. "All because she was getting upset over me...ugh."
[22:42:49] <Anastasia> "Don't." Chikako smiles at Hotaru, patting her -but stopping as a page comes, "Will MIss Hotaru Tomoe come to room 534?"
[22:44:19] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru makes a face, but smiles at Chikako. "My various offers still stand, if you need help here or at home with anything," she assuresgiving Chikako a loose hug before she ahs to depart.
[22:54:05] <Anastasia> Chikako just smiles and lets Hotaru go. Up to the fifth floor she goes - a quiet place of rooms and nurses, room 534 ahead. IN it you find Mom, connected to machines and scanned, but awake. Awake and waiting, bandaged and blanketed.
[22:56:55] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just shakes her head a little, pulling up a chair next to her mother. "How's it feel?" she asks quietly, reaching out and touching her mother's hand to let her senses move in, trying to find any remaining injuries.
[23:05:05] <Anastasia> "Hurts," Reiko smiles faintly. "Thanks..." OOC - Soul check -1.
[23:05:16] <Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6-1
[23:05:17] * Hatbot --> "Hotaru-chan rolls 2d6-1 and gets 2." [2d6=1, 2]
[23:12:01] <Anastasia> You don't notice any major injuries, but there is some black around her leg and it's also in a soft cast and brace.
[23:14:56] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru offers a bit of a smile, her hand moving down to touch her mother's knee, letting more energy go. "I could do less for my mom?" she asks softly, shaking her head. "Scared me senseless..." she sighs softly.
[23:25:46] <Anastasia> "Hurt me more," Reiko laughs weakly, sighing as the healing engulfs her broken leg. "Stupid...but we made it."
[23:32:33] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just flashes her mother a weak smile, leaning over to hug Reiko, letting the energy keep flowing, but take its own courses. "We made it," she agrees, sighing.
[23:35:40] <Anastasia> "...does your Dad know yet," Mom asks suddenly, shifting.
[23:37:40] <Hotaru-chan> "I didn't have a clue where he was to call him, and he doesn't have a pager," Hotaru shakes her head, drawing back a bit. "So no."
[23:40:10] <Anastasia> "He's probably at work...just call him there..." Mom shakes her head, "GEt Souichi here."
[23:41:08] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm," Hotaru agree,s looking for a phone to use.
[23:43:07] <Anastasia> There's a phone on a table by the bed.
[23:43:45] <Hotaru-chan> Picked up, Hotaru dialing her dad's work number.
[23:49:17] <Anastasia> "Hello?" Young and female sounding - secratary?
[23:49:44] <Hotaru-chan> One hopes. "Is Souichi Tomoe in?" Hotaru asks politely.
[12:12:14] <Kotono> "Yes he is. Please hold." About a minute of elevator music lulls Hotaru, until at last there is a pickup. "Tomoe," Dad's voice is on the end, businesslike and sounding busy.
[12:13:27] <Hotaru-chan> "Dad, I've got good news and I've got bad news. Which do you want first?" Hotaru asks, a little tense-nervous in her voice.
[12:14:09] <Kotono> "...I'm a grandfather now?" Dad asks with a slight chuckle. "You're getting shotgunned married in the bad news?"
[12:16:46] <Hotaru-chan> "...No, that subject is for later," Hotaru answers, blushing and wincing. Well, she HAD been tempted... "The good news! Mom is totally safe and okay and--now--relatively uninjured. The bad news, we were in a car crash."
[12:19:56] <Kotono> "What happened?" Dad's voice focuses marvelously, demanding niformation in tone quickly! "Where is she?"
[12:21:35] <Hotaru-chan> "Tokyo General Hospital, room 534, I'm in the room with her," Hotaru provides with relative calm. "The other car hit her door straight on, but I was in the car, so...creaky ribs and a bit of a leg fracure are all that's left, those'll probably be gone by the time you get here, okay?"
[12:22:25] <Kotono> "I'll be there in a half hour." Click. Dad's done, phone call over in a few tense words.
[12:23:57] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru just shakes her head, hanging the phone up and going back to her mother's bedside. "Dad'll be here in a half hour," she offers, smiling wryly as shye takes her mother's hand, offering more of her energy to remove the injuries.
[12:26:52] <Kotono> As Mother heals to your touch, "Good...mmm." Reiko closes her eyes tiredly, "They put morphine in my IV...I'm not going to be up much longer anyway."
[12:28:20] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head, just sighing softly and holding her mother's hand. "Just rest, hm? You could probably use it after all that," she murmurs, watching Reiko.
[12:29:06] <Kotono> "Yes." Mom agrees, and soon enough, she indeed falls asleep under her own injuries and medical drugging.
[12:30:19] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles a bit, waiting until the injuries are completely gone in her senses to let up with her magic, and then just waiting. Dad'll be here pretty soon, and things are better with mom, at least.
[12:31:34] <Kotono> This takes another 10 EP to mop up. Once it's done Hotaru falls into her chair - it's not comfortable, but she does feel rather tired on reflection.
[12:32:46] <Hotaru-chan> She curls her legs up to herself, just sighing qietly. It'll be a bit. So she just rests and watches, quietly vigil over her mother.
[12:34:57] <Kotono> A nurse comes to check on Reiko during this, but otherwise it's quiet. Not untilDad comes in, suit and tie a mess as he rushes over to Reiko. He looks down in rapt concern, stroking her face as he kneels at her side
[12:36:25] <Hotaru-chan> "All the injuries are done for," Hotaru provides softly from where she sits, smiling weakly. "I checked her magically."
[12:37:40] <Kotono> "Reiko..." Dad closes his eyes as he looks onto her, and then, "Good work, Hotaru-chan."
[12:39:12] <Hotaru-chan> "Mom's mom," Hotaru shakes her head, taking a deep rbeath. "Thanks, though," she sighs quietly, rubbing at her face.
[12:41:03] <Kotono> Dad leans ni to kiss Mom's cheek, and thenafter turns to Hotaru. "I can watch her - you look like you need a nap or some coffee."
[12:45:15] <Hotaru-chan> "Just stress, I'll live. We weren't arguing, but...same general topic when it hit," Hotaru murmurs, shaking her head. "Mom started crying, and couldn't keep her eyes on the road..." she just sighs. "I asked her to park, and that's about exactly when we got hit."
[12:49:11] <Kotono> "Go ahead and rest a bit. I'll have to leave soon to pick up Hideo. You'll need to watch your mother when I do." Dad gets on the opposite side of the bed, getting another chair and holding Reiko's hand.
[12:50:20] <Hotaru-chan> "Alright," Hotaru yawns, pulling a second chair up to ease curling in them, closing her eyes. "If anyone shows up, wake me," she offers softly, before giving in to the urge to rest.

This happens Monday after school, while Makoto's grandmother gives her scholarship presentation

[19:43] <Kotono> The Hikawa Shrine is peaceful and busy today. When Usagi arrives she finds the place bustling, Rei's Grandfather helping people while the miko mans the charm stand.
[19:44] * Usagi gives Rei's grandfather a little wave as she reaches the top of the stairs, before making her way to the charm stand. "How's business, Rei-chan?" she chirps brightly, leaning on the counter.
[19:46] <Kotono> Quite busy - Rei flashes a smile as she gives an old lady a health charm, four more in line behind her. "Gimme a few," she says quickly, putting on a nice smile as she serves the next young man. "Love charm, I'm guessing?"
[19:47] * Usagi nods and drifts to the side of the stand while Rei does her work, not wanting to disturb actual paying customers.
[19:52] <Kotono> This takes about a good wtenty minutes. Here Rei is completely different - friendly and warm, smilling and suggestive. Ever so lightly flirting - even with one of the cute girls now, too! - and generally just being a fun saleswoman. When she finally gets a break, Rei wipes her forehead off. "Hey, Usa-chan." she says, the wind cool and brisk. "What's up?"
[19:54] * Usagi smirks a bit at Rei flirting with another girl, although it falls away as she remembers a certain other girl interested in the miko. "I talked to Hotaru-chan on Saturday," she begins without preamble.
[19:56] <Kotono> "Yeah?" Rei raises an eyebrow, rearrainging some charms as she works. "Did any of it sink in?"
[19:56] * Usagi coughs. "She said that you told her you'd date her if she dumped Makoto."
[20:01] <Kotono> "Oh, that?" Rei refastens a few more charms out, then starts slowly drawing a new one - this one to good fortune in business. "I told her I'd be interested if she can sort all that out. Big if...since they're pretty much smitten," Rei shrugs a little. "If she can sincerely do that, I'd be willing to give it a shot. If." Rei turn sto Usagi, smiling like a hungry cat in the cream. "To be honest, I expect this'll finally have those two get to
[20:03] <Kotono> "To be honest, I expect this'll finally have those two get together already."
[20:07] <Usagi> "I'd hope so, but..." the blonde shakes her head before giving Rei a serious look, "Don't you feel like you're sticking your head in a bear trap by coming between them? Hotaru-chan was going on about how you're mysterious and alluring to her, so I worry she might screw things up with Makoto just because she doesn't appreciate how good she has it, there."
[20:07] <Usagi> "And how do you think Mako-chan'll take it? You and her already don't get along that well, and considering how Hotaru *still* has a grudge against Mamoru and Balder... I really think you're making a big mistake putting yourself anywhere near that situation, Rei-chan!" she insists earnestly.
[20:08] <Kotono> "Oh yeah. I don't disagree. I'll accept if only if I'm sure both of them are goo with it. If not?" Rei shrugs, "It's not good for me and it's not fair to Makoto." A pause as another charm seeker comes, another cute girl. She even flirts back with Rei as the sale goes, both laughing at each other and having a good old time. Ironically it's someone from a school you don't know - Shibakoen, you think.
[20:12] * Usagi pipes down until the transaction is complete, shaking her head and smiling a little at the display. "You must be getting a lot of practice flirting with girls at this, at least..." she observes amusedly.
[20:12] <Usagi> "Anyway," she resumes their original discussion, "I just think it's a really bad idea to get mixed up between those two. Hotaru-chan's tempted, and it could be a huge mess if she tries to get some fun with you before she and Mako-chan settle down."
[20:14] <Kotono> "May as well," Rei just smirks to the first part, but let's it go down and away for now.
[20:15] <Kotono> "I know. I don't want drama. If I don't sincerely believe both of them aren't good with it? Not gonna happen." Rei smiles back at Usagi, idly reaching out and brushing her hand over the rabbit's side. "All flirting and joking past? Hotaru likes me a lot. Hotaru loves Makoto. Makoto probably loves Hotaru. I'm not expecting like to win out over love."
[20:18] <Usagi> "What about lust, though?" Usagi asks, giving the miko a fairly smouldering look through half-lidded eyes as she leans into the other girl's wandering hand.
[20:20] <Kotono> "Mmm, point. I have to admit...Mako's smashing, but I'm...perfect." Rei bats her eyeslashes back at the rabbit, tossing her lovely black hair. "I do think true love'll triumph...besides, I bet you couldn't stand losing your chance with me, hm?"
[20:22] * Usagi lightens her expression. "I had my chance, Rei-chan - back when you suggested we go on a date," she reminds her friend amusedly. "But let's be honest. I love you like an annoying friend, not a romantic prospect. Fun as it would be," she reaches down to clasp Rei's hand in both of her own, "You would still just be a meaningless roll in the hay, for me," she concludes, batting her eyelashes innocently.
[20:23] <Kotono> "Slut," Rei smirks back, "You just want that, hm?" But she's laughign, slowly withdrawing her hand. "But anyway...we'll see. If I can believe that Hotaru and Makoto are both happy with that and can break it off, I'llt ry Hotaru. Otherwise, no way."
[20:26] <Usagi> "If I wanted that, Rei-chan... well, I'm pretty sure we'd have done it already," Usagi concludes brightly, leaning on the counter. "But anyway, I guess I just wanted to warn you, since what Hotaru said had me worried - I didn't think you were stupid enough to get yourself mixed up in their epic love story."
[20:32] <Kotono> "We'll see," Rei smiles fondly, and then slams her hand into her palm. "OH! If it turns into the ballad of the stunning black haired Senshi, wanna be the blonde haired sandwhich filling," Rei smirks at Usagi.
[20:40] <Usagi> "Pass," the blonde returns flatly, before giving the other girl a teasing smile, "But if I ever hook up with Kotono, I know just who we'll want to be the filling between the blonde bread!"
[20:42] <Kotono> "Heh!" Rei snorts sarcastically, "I think you'll be doubleteaming that Asher if that happened. ....bad image." Rei quickly shakes her head, as a few more people come in line. "Hold on a few."
[20:43] * Usagi nods pleasantly, used to the breaks in their conversation as Rei is forced to tend to her customers.
[20:47] <Kotono> Abotu ten minutes pass, three more charms sold. "So anyway...mmm. You know, now t hat I'm accepting it it's not so bad. Both sexes are just smitten by me anyway, hm?"
[20:50] * Usagi sighs. "Your ego's gotten twice as big as well, I see..." she shakes her head wearily. "But I know what you mean, it's kinda liberating, isn't it?" she smiles. "I'm still not sure about ever actually getting in a relationship with a girl, but flirting is fun no matter which sex you're doing it with."
[20:51] <Kotono> "Yeah. All that joking, all that tension - it's gone." Rei grins, proudly displaying herself to any that might walk by. "As long as I remember that, it's not quite so bad."
[20:54] * Usagi nods brightly. "Or if it is a joke, at least it's one we're in on. Mmm... Have you actually outright told anyone?" she asks, turning more contemplative.
[20:58] <Kotono> "Nope. Besides Hotaru." Rei amends after a second, "If I seriously get into it with a girl I'll start telling people. Untilt hen?" Rei merely shrugs. "You?"
[20:59] <Usagi> "Same," she nods. "Papa knows, and that Chitose girl I went on a date with, but they kinda couldn't be helped since *someone*," she gives Rei a brief pouty glare, "Started yelling about us making out in the bathroom. I guess I don't want to make an issue of it since a lot of people will make it out to be something huge, which it really isn't unless I start properly dating another girl."
[21:02] <Kotono> "Yeah. So...yeah." Rei nods at that, having the dignity to blush. Instead she just looks away, thinking a moment. "Wanna tkae a bath after this," she suggests suddenly, brightly.
[21:03] <Usagi> "Sure," Usagi smiles flirtatiously. "We're both mature girls, we can still take baths together without... accidents. Right?"
[21:04] <Kotono> "Oh, accidents? Well, I learned to stop those at three. But if you're going to pee the tub?" Rei smirks back viciously.
[21:04] * Usagi sighs. "Only if that's what you're into, Rei-chan... only if that's what you're into..." she shakes her head wearily, a distressed hand going to her forehead.
[21:08] <Kotono> "I'm touched," Rei snickers at that, proddign the rabbit's ribs with her finger - but stopping as a few more charmseekers come.
[21:08] * Usagi knows the drill, once more making space at the counter while Rei plays the flirty shrine maiden.
[21:15] <Kotono> Another ten minutes! When it finishes Rei smiles, putting a CLOSED sign out. "Well, wanna," she casually asks.
[21:16] <Usagi> "Sure," Usagi agrees brightly. "I won't misbehave if you won't!"
[21:20] <Kotono> So soon Rei leads Usagi to the bath, chatting as they go through the halls. "Whew...it's getting colder, and I officially hate winter now," Rei comments frankly.
[21:21] <Usagi> "Really must suck for you, especially," Usagi agrees sympathetically as they head into the house. "Still only Autumn, now, though. But I always feel bad for you and Ami-chan when the weather's extreme in one way or the other..."
[21:29] <Kotono> "Yeah," Rei stops at the bathroom door, opening it up for Usagi and waiting for her to enter. "Winter really, really sucks now. I used to like it when its nowed, but now? Brr!"
[21:32] * Usagi enters the bathroom and begins to casually disrobe out of her school uniform. "Really is a shame for you guys," she agrees. "At least you do better in Summer, no matter how stupidly hot it gets, but it can't make up for being miserable the other half of the year."
[21:38] <Kotono> "Exactly. Rei disrobes, bra and panties soon following. Once naked she turns to Usagi, beaming from ear to ear. "The forbidden fruit," she quips.
[21:42] * Usagi is soon equally naked, and not entirely unaffected by the sight of Rei's body - memories of their makeout sessions and the other fun uses Rei put her mouth to are still fairly fresh in mind. "Not really forbidden, anymore," she murmurs, stepping closer and gently brushing her fingertips over the miko's belly as she passes before going to rinse herself prior to bathing. "Just... I like you as a friend more than a girlfriend," she concludes.
[21:47] <Usagi> she concludes.
[21:55] <Kotono> Rei even mock shivers at that, reaching up to stroke Usagi's hair. "Mmm. Pretty much," Rei says, going to rinse herself, splashing Usagi a bit. "I mean, yeah, we could get to it right here and now, but...mm, control?"
[21:58] * Usagi nods as she takes out her odangoes and bundles up her hair in a towel before she starts washing the rest of herself. "Exactly. It'd be fun, but... well, let's face it, if we started doing it without actually becoming a proper couple, we'd be even worse than Makoto and Hotaru."
[21:59] <Kotono> "Heh, envious of them," Rei drawls as she wets her hair, not tying it back int he least. "It's been Mako and Htoaru this, Hotaru and Makoto that."
[22:02] <Usagi> "It was you that first suggested we tell Hotaru to make a move," Usagi returns. "And I meant what I said about feeling sorry for them since they won't even be honest about what they are." Shaking her head, the blonde shifts around behind Rei. "Mmm, anyway, nevermind them. Want me to wash your back?" she offers, determined to prove they can have a normal bath together without giving into hormones.
[22:10] <Kotono> "Sure," Rei presents her smooth, creamy flesh to Usagi, waiting as she holds her hair forward and out of the way.
[22:13] * Usagi works a lather of soap into her hands and starts massaging them into her friend's back, concentrating on the simple routine she's carried out many times in the past without ever feeling the odd urge to let those same hands wander where they shouldn't. "By the way," she pipes up, making conversation as a distraction, "Did you know yesterday was Takeshi's birthday?"
[18:13] <Kotono> "Not offhand," Rei relaxes as her back is cleaned, "Have fun with that, by the way?"
[18:14] <Usagi> "He's nice, but not my type," Usagi shakes her head as she works her fingers into Rei's back. "Bit too tightly wound for my liking."
[18:15] <Kotono> "MMmmm. You like 'em softer and silkier." Rei sighs in contentment, muscles relaxing under Usagi's expert touch. "He's cute but if you're not interested..mmmmm."
[18:17] <Usagi> "Boy's got issues," Usagi summarises neatly, working the shower nozzle over Rei's back to rinse off the soap before she turns around. "Now do me?" she asks, expecting Rei to return the favour.
[18:21] <Kotono> "I'll always do you," Rei snickers meanly, starting to rub Usagi's back with a bar of soap. As suds form all over her, "Yeah, the entire Metallia thing. Reminds me that we're lucky not to remember."
[18:23] <Usagi> "Not just that," the blonde shakes her head. "His life in Japan hasn't been a picnic, either. I think we'll both be better off sticking with just friends," she decides, sighing softly as she leans forward and lets Rei wash her.
[18:24] <Kotono> "Is that a sigh of regret?" Rei follows up, getting a bucket of icy cold water and splasing it to clean Usagi's back. She smirks just a tiny bit at that, "Or just sadness in general?"
[18:25] <Usagi> "It was more of a 'you're good with your hands' sigh," Usagi returns, turning to briefly stick her tongue out at Rei now that she's rinsed off and getting up so she can climb into the tub.
[18:26] <Kotono> Rei joins Usagi, sticking her own tongue out as well. So she slides into the hot water, sighing herself in contentment. "Mmm...not hot enough," Rei mutters.
[18:26] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[18:26] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 11." [2d6=6, 5]
[18:26] <Kotono> Sadly, it doesn't get any hotter, Rei cracking an eye open. "Dammit."
[18:28] <Usagi> "Feels just right to me," Usagi smiles blissfully as she settles in with the water up to her neckline. "So... you thinking of going for Takeshi, yourself?" she asks idly, sitting opposite her friend in the water.
[18:30] <Kotono> "I'm going to wait for Hotaru to sort herself out a bit more," Rei  begins with that, still scowling at the water but not pressing it. "No need to risk ragging him into that. But I probably will at some point - he's cute and at worst it's still a free dinner or lunch."
[18:33] * Usagi nods, idly nudging her toes against Rei's calf. "Don't want to get him lumped in with Mamoru and Balder on the Hotaru deathwish list?" she teases.
[18:36] <Kotono> "Har." Rei lightly kicks Usagi back, leaning against the side of the tub. "She's not that bad usually. Just...yeah." A soft snort as Rei crosses her arms, strangely thoughtful at that. "To be honest I'm amazed she claims her boyfriend got her off. I didn't think she was wired that way even dating."
[18:39] <Usagi> "I dunno," the blonde shrugs. "It's a physical response, even if you're not mentally into it. Besides, at worst you can close your eyes and think of someone else," she affirms, lazily stretching herself out.
[18:39] <Kotono> "Like with boys now," Rei needles back, lightly pushing Usagi's footw ith her own. "But yeah, I guess. She's saying she's bi, but..." Rei holds a hand out, letting it wobble side to side.
[18:43] * Usagi nods agreeably as she continues to play footsie with Rei. "I've never met any of her boyfriends - well, I think I saw Yoshi once back when they first met - but yeah, she's never seemed that into guys. I guess if she is bi she's like the opposite of me, since I'm only a little bit into girls?" she suggests.
[18:44] <Kotono> "Probably." Rei idly kicks back, sinking up to her lower lip into water of warmth. "...you know, I just had a scary thought semi related to that."
[18:46] <Usagi> "What's that?" the blonde asks curiously, sitting up a bit to make room for Rei as she slides downwards, the water now only just reaching her bust which bobs around slightly at the movement.
[18:47] <Kotono> "Let's see now.  You, me, Makoto, Hotaru. I'm half dreading someone making a Sailor girl sex sleepover joke...and more concerned since I half wonder if we'd go for it. Especially Hotaru if I asked." Idly blowing a few bubbles on top of the water, "Bleh. You know, it was a lot easier to make casual slutty lesbian jokes when before all this."
[18:49] * Usagi nods, frowning a bit. "Yeah... I think I could resist it. Honestly, you're the only one I'd really consider doing it with, but..." she shrugs, "Already decided not to go down that route." She does favour Rei with a brief inviting smile, "Even if the 'friends with benefits' idea tempted me for a while."
[18:54] <Kotono> "...I guess. I'm almost tempted - if Hotaru and Makoto wanted to I might seriously consider it just to do it. Go all the way with the forbiddenf ruit, yeah?" But at that Rei smirks a tiny bit, bucking up. "Maybe invite her Majesty as well?"
[18:57] * Usagi blushes, noticable even against the way her skin is heated by the bathwater. "I don't think I'd want to do that," she shakes her head embarrassedly. "Considering how just making out..." she blushes even more, "Well, making out plus some... sucking," she hefts her right breast meaningfully, "Messed us up, I don't want to think about how I'd look at everyone else after that."
[18:58] <Kotono> Rei turns into a cherry in the water, redding all over. "Into a group of lesbian friedns that share? Oi." Rei rubs her forehead and hides all the way into the water, body covered. "What about..." her smirk returns rapidly, "Serenity-saaamaaa~?"
[18:59] * Usagi sinks herself into the water up to her chin, mortified. "Remember how I mentioned I'd only thought about one other girl beside you, and that was in a dream?"
[19:03] <Kotono> "Jackpot!" Rei rises up in the tub, revealing everything to her bellybutton up! "I figured it had to be her unless you had a thing for Ami-chan or someone else."
[19:05] <Usagi> "You can't ever tell her!" Usagi pleads earnestly, sitting up herself to mirror Rei's movement. "It's not like I'm romantically in love with her or anything, but she'd never look at me the same way if she knew I even thought about her that way!"
[19:06] <Kotono> "It's fine," Rei smiles just a tiny bit, holding a hand out. "I wouldn't - she is Serenity, after all." Rei smiles back fondly at Usagi, "You just have good taste, I suppose."
[19:09] * Usagi smiles back in open relief. "Yeah, I guess. She is the nicest person I've ever known, and... well, yeah, I can't think of anyone better looking. Just... well, ruining my friendship with her by doing anything stupid would be way worse than having my way with you," her smiles turns a touch catty, "Since I know you wouldn't say no."
[19:14] <Kotono> "Just like Hotaru and Makoto don't want to ruin their perfect friendship by putting it inside of each other," Rei smirks back viciously at Usagi, splashing her.
[19:16] <Usagi> "Ouch," Usagi gasps, putting a hand over her chest. "You wound me, Miss Hino." Splashing Rei back, she pouts slightly. "It's a bit different, though - she thinks of me like her daughter. Imagine how weirded out she'd be if I came onto her? Plus I think she has a thing for her boss, anyway - she always blushes when she talks about him."
[19:17] <Kotono> "Incest is best, put your mother to the test," Rei singsongs back as she resplashes, shaking her head. "So save her from a mere boss and make her your own! It's your destiny!"
[19:19] <Usagi> "Ugh, you're far too into that stuff..." Usagi makes a face. "Anyway, I've had it with destiny after it ruined things with Mamoru," she waves her hand dismissively, incidentally sending an arc of water at the miko.
[19:20] <Kotono> Rei is splashed, blinking as she's wetted by Usagi! "Oh, stop making excuses and just sleep with Serenity, Usagi!" Rei carols, standing and walking over to Usagi's side. She slides an arm around the blonde, smirking to her. "It's not fair that you try to seduce me while your heart lies with Serenity-saaamaaaa~!"
[19:21] <Usagi> "Please, Rei!" Usagi gives the other girl a light shove, squishing a hand somewhere soft. "One messed up dream does not love make!"
[19:22] <Kotono> Rei shivers at that as her softness is pressed, creeping back. "But Usagi-saaamaaa!" Rei blushes, "Every motion you make with her shows how much you love her! I just can't let myself be your woman on the side while you chase after her!" Shaking her black, raveny locks around, "It's just improper!"
[19:24] <Usagi> "Whoever said you were the woman on my side, anyway?!" the blonde cries, quickly pulling her hand back from its suspicious placement. "Besides, I'm not going to waste my time on you while you're still mooning over Hotaru and Takeshi!"
[19:28] <Kotono> "Bah!" Rei pokes forward, giving Usagi's own softness a probe! "Then just go have sex with Serenity then!" She smirks, before sitting back down.
[19:29] <Usagi> "That's your answer to everything!" Usagi retorts indignantly.
[19:30] <Kotono> "It's a good one," Rei just chuckles, "Or are you going to mix my virginity with this bath, hmmmm?"
[19:31] * Usagi glares at Rei, moving her leg to trail her big toe up the other girl's inner thigh. "You mean you still have it?" she asks disbelievingly.
[19:36] <Kotono> Rei scoots back just a bit, smirking. "Like I'd give it away in the backseat of a car. Please."
[19:36] <Usagi> "That's what they have love hotels for, Rei-chan," Usagi smirks back, her foot retreating. "Just checking, though - it's hard to tell with you."
[19:38] <Kotono> Rei just splashes Usagi one more time, before getting up and out of the tub. "Mmm. It's hard to tell if you want me to bend over right here..." Rei gets on her hands and knees, looking back with a dirty smirk again, "And wait for you to come onto me here or not." She doesn't give Usagi time to react, getting back up and getting her towels.
[19:40] * Usagi follows Rei out of the bathtub. "I'd be lying if I said the thought of making you scream didn't have some appeal," she admits. "But let's face it - you'd be insufferable if you thought you'd seduced me, so I think I'll resist the urge."
[19:42] <Kotono> "Good, good," Rei dries herself off quickly, peeking out into the hall. "Gramps is out, so it's okay to c'mon. Wanna borrow some of my clothes?" Rei trots out of the bathroom naked, hhair bound up and body loosely and barely covered bya nother towel.
[19:44] * Usagi wraps another towel around her own torso after drying, collecting up her school uniform and following Rei to her room. "I'll stick with my uniform," she demurs. "Unless you've got some fetish gear you want to see me in," she adds teasingly.
[19:46] <Kotono> "As if," Rei trots to ehr room, dropping the towels once inside and going to the closet. "Since you're not so lucky to have a smashing wardrobe like mine, I though you'd like to pretend."
[19:48] <Kotono> "As if," Rei trots to ehr room, dropping the towels once inside and going to the closet. "Since you're not so lucky to have a smashing wardrobe like mine, I though you'd like to pretend."
[19:48] * Usagi laughs in a quite openly condescending way into the back of her hand as they enter the bedroom. "Rei-chan, you're talking to the girl with an effectively infinite wardrobe. But even leaving that aside, I like my actual clothes, anyway - some of us don't feel the need to let it all hang out, y'know?"
[19:52] <Kotono> "Oh really," Rei smirks and turns back, closing her closet behind her. Not a scrap on her still, "Well, when you're this good, it's unfair to let clothing hold back your radiance, hm?"
[19:55] <Usagi> "I meant more the fact that the clothes you do wear generally don't leave much to the imagination," Usagi replies, letting her towel fall away and freeing her hair, a toss of her head sending waves of silky gold cascading down her back. "I guess I can appreciate the eye candy better you provide now, at least," she adds with a perky smile.
[19:56] <Kotono> "Can't you," Rei smiles, coming over to Usagi. She passes by, swatting her rear viciously before lying on her bed. "You know, I'm all warm and comfy from the bath. Think I'm just going to curl up for a nap under the blankets now."
[20:00] <Usagi> "Have fun with that," Usagi returns brightly, leaning over to deliver a somewhat vicious flick onto one of the other girl's nipples before she retreats and begins to dress herself once more.
[20:01] <Kotono> "OW! Dammit, Usagi!" Rei whimpers painfully, raising her arms to cover her bosom. "That hurt!"
[20:03] <Usagi> "How do you think my bottom feels?!" the blonde retorts, turning to wriggle her abused posterior at the miko, a red handprint showing quite clearly against her creamy flesh. "But..." she turns around, a teasing smile on her lips as she twirls her just picked up underwear around a finger, "If you ask me nicely I'll make it feel better?" she offers.
[20:04] <Kotono> "Hmph," Rei turns her head away, dropping her arms. "Make it feel better, Usagi-saaamaaa~!" Rei smirks, bowing her head down and just barely not snickering.
[20:08] <Usagi> "Well, since you asked *so* nicely..." Usagi relents, leaning over Rei and gently cupping the underside of her just flicked breast with her fingers, thumb resting against the side of her nipple. She does blush quite noticably, breath catching both at how this could be taken, and how part of her wants to take it this way.
[20:08] <Usagi> Nonetheless, she can't back out now - therefore she focuses on the other girl, using a mixture of her purifying aura and ability to rejuvenate others in order to perk up Rei's abused nipple, hand glowing with a soft golden light as her energy transfers.
[20:09] <Kotono> OOC - Um, soul check? <_<
[20:09] <Usagi> roll 2d6
[20:09] * Hatbot --> "Usagi rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=3, 6]
[20:10] <Kotono> The light soothes the injury, rejuvenating Rei! This causes her to blush and hide under her sheets, only her head out now! "Gee, thanks..." Rei blushes, flushed heavily. "Um...yeah.
[20:10] <Kotono> ":
[20:12] * Usagi blushes scarlet, hand drawing back. "I wasn't lying when I said I had magic fingers..." she squeaks, deciding to now focus on getting dressed and getting out of there!
[20:14] <Kotono> "..yeah," Rei squeaks out, "Yeah, talk to you later, Usa-chan? Short nap would be good."
[20:15] <Usagi> "Sweet dreams?" Usagi offers as she hurriedly garbs herself, fleeing out the door as soon as she has her blouse on and tying the neckscarf as she goes!
[20:16] <Kotono> "...dreams...yeah..." Rei calls as Usagi flees out! As she heads out into the hallway, she nearly runs into Grandfather Hino, heading towards Rei's room.
[20:16] <Kotono> "Usagi?" he asks curiously, standing asidef or her.
[20:18] <Usagi> "Oh, hi, Mr Hino!" Usagi blurts out, just barely stopping herself from running into the old man. "Rei-chan's taking a nap, so you might want to leave her for a bit," she suggests. "Bye!" with that and a quick parting wave, the blonde flees onwards to pick up her shoes and bookbag at the entrance and then head for home!
[20:20] <Kotono> "Alright..." Grandfather Hino watches Usagi go, before shrugging and going back the way he came.

Monday night.

[21:31] <@Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[21:32] <@Kotono> Evening comes. Dinner is filling but not that good, a perfect medium not to keep Takeshi eating too long. So now he's back i his room again, another chance to view the stars...
[21:33] * @Takeshi takes a minute or two to center himself this time before starting, running through a few breathing techniques from his martial arts training to try to improve his focus before changing into the form of the ancient general of Earth.
[21:36] * @General_Nephrite closes his eyes, still trying to maintain that inner calm as he begins to delve into the mystic forces that allow him to see beyond himself. "I call upon the power of the stars... Taurus, the Bull of great strength! Let your horns lead the way to the being known as Death!"
[21:36] <@Kotono> OOC - El soul-o checko.
[21:37] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6 burning 20 EP
[21:37] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 burning 20 EP and gets 7." [2d6=6, 1]
[21:39] <@Kotono> In a haze Nephrite feels the chills - deep chills. You see a great throne of skulls, alone on a great black floor. Here Death sits, face hidden and hooded. He looks out into the abyss, thoughtful. All around past this island swirls infinte gray, enthralling and emptying. OOC - Soul check +1, Takeshi.
[21:39] <@Kotono> roll 2d6 something else
[21:39] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 something else and gets 9." [2d6=6, 3]
[21:39] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6+1
[21:39] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6+1 and gets 5." [2d6=3, 1]
[21:40] <@Kotono> Takeshi averts his eyes from that part of it! He feels so empty, so lifeless so...so...repeated after looking at it, but his will triumphs! Death merely looks out at it, but from behind his throne vicious red eyes gleam! "...mmmm?" Death murmurs, hidden gaze FELT as he slightly looks up. "...aaaah. Do you see well, inhuman," he murmurs, almost sounding bored.  "Come. It wouldn't be a difficult matter for you to come here and see with your own
[21:41] <@Kotono> "Come. It wouldn't be a difficult matter for you to come here and see with your own eyes directly." A pallid white hand extends out, "Did you think you could spy on me unaware in my own domain?"
[21:43] * @General_Nephrite is rather surprised at having been noticed, but he conceals his shock quickly. Since Death can see him where most can't, perhaps he can actually communicate this way. "I'll pass, thanks - flies don't wander into the spider's web on purpose," he says dryly.
[21:43] <@Kotono> roll 2d6
[21:43] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=6, 3]
[21:44] <@Kotono> OOC - Soul check again.
[21:44] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[21:44] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=4, 5]
[21:45] <@Kotono> "Come..." Another voice invites, one you can't define. It speaks with no characteristics, almost flowing and limpid. To this Death chuckles, red eyes again gleaming from behind his throne.
[21:45] <@Kotono> "We'll both wait for you here if you want," Death invites, "Come and see the solution to your very humanity. It's all around me!"
[21:47] <@General_Nephrite> "I like my humanity right where it is," Nephrite says levelly. "I've gone without it before, and I don't care to repeat the experience."
[21:49] <@Kotono> "As you wish," Death merely chuckles again. "Do you wish to come and slay the horrible monster you look at? OR shall I come to you now?" At that Death stands, hand against the fabric of his hood, as if to push it back.
[21:50] * @General_Nephrite doesn't bat an eyelash as Death raises his hand to his hood. "Why are you doing this?" he says simply. "What is it that you hope to gain from all this?"
[21:51] <@Kotono> roll 2d6
[21:51] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=1, 6]
[21:51] <@Kotono> OOC - Soul check.
[21:51] <@General_Nephrite> roll 2d6
[21:51] * +Hatbot --> "General_Nephrite rolls 2d6 and gets 11." [2d6=5, 6]
[21:52] <@Kotono> The vision shatters like stained glass! Nephrite reels, blinking away stars! As they flicker into nothingness with Taurus, you find a figure sitting on your bed. Death is there, casually looking on with his black, hidden by shadow eyes. "What do you hope to gain by resisting what you are?"
[21:56] <@General_Nephrite> "Resisting it?" Nephrite turns to look at Death, grey-clad arms folded across his chest. "I know full well what I am - I might have resisted it when I first learned of it, but that's long in the past."
[21:57] <@Kotono> "Then you know this world isn't yours." Death chuckles coldly, offering his hand again. "You'll husk away the mere human side you possess in our world. This is the world of humans, you are merely...an outcast from it. All of them reject you."
[21:59] <@General_Nephrite> "No more than they reject each other," the once general replies. "I sure as hell can't deny that I'm an outcast, yeah - but that doesn't have anything to do with this," he gestures at the uniform. "There are plenty of normal humans just as shunned as I am, if not worse."
[22:02] <@Kotono> "Mmmm." Death looks on at Takeshi, carefully tilting his head a bit. "I've touched you once before, Nephrite..." he murmurs. "I had forgotten. What was it that brought you back...but it doesn't matter, does it? An inhuman deed has you living again."
[22:04] <@General_Nephrite> "It doesn't matter here, no," Takeshi agrees. "For whatever reason, I'm back again. And not interested in losing my humanity in the slightest."
[22:07] <@Kotono> "That is the problem...humans fear. They fear losing themselves, they fear change, they fear...death." Death himself stands, sounding amused. "I come for every human being to put them to sleep and peace. For an inhuman...I offer reality as it is."
[22:09] <@General_Nephrite> "You offer YOUR brand of reality," Nephrite corrects, eyes narrowing slightly. "I've seen yours - and I'll stick with what I've got now. Beats your idea of reality."
[22:11] <@Kotono> "As you wish." Death says, "I may be merciful when I do not have to fight you. The others will rip you apart unless you k ill them first."
[22:12] <@General_Nephrite> "Good luck to 'em, then," Nephrite says with a smirk. "I may have run into you once already, but that doesn't mean I'm easy to get rid of."
[22:14] <@Kotono> "Then...pass a message onto Sailor Moon for me," Death merely begins to fade into the shadows of Takeshi's room.
[22:14] <@General_Nephrite> "Done," Takeshi says, watching as Death makes his own way out. "That being?"
[22:16] <@Kotono> "I respect that she wears a trinket of the higest degree of death and power. It may not be a part of our battle here, but...the others may not be so inclined as well. Hold it tight, Sailor Moon. One that proved worthy of something worthy to be called the 'Eye of Death.'"
[22:17] * @General_Nephrite raises an eyebrow at that. "She'll get the message," he says, then hesitates. "Why bother to offer that, though?"
[22:19] <@Kotono> Death is gone now, but his voice lingers. With it comes a chill blast, freezing Nephrite's soul. "I respect someone only a thought away from being an incarnation of Death on par with myself. Her inhuman side..mmm, mmm, hmm..."
[22:20] * @General_Nephrite feels a chill run down his spine at that, and not simply from the blast of vapor from Death's departure, either. "Bloody hell," he says, sounding more than a bit shaken as he lets Nephrite slip away.
[22:27] * @Takeshi runs a hand through his hair nervously, pacing back and forth in his room as he thinks over the 'message' he was given to deliver. A few minutes of this, and he heads over to his bag, rooting through it roughly until he locates his communicator. With the orange-tinted device in his hand, he stares at the button for the Moon, wondering... then finally, he shoves it into his pocket.
[22:28] <@Takeshi> "No sense in getting HER worked up over it," he mutters. With a sigh, he heads out of his room, pausing only briefly to grab a jacket before heading out of the house - he needs to clear his thoughts after that, as he can already feel them starting to circle each other like a pack of sharks.
[22:39] <@Takeshi> [22:20] * @General_Nephrite feels a chill run down his spine at that, and not simply from the blast of vapor from Death's departure, either. "Bloody hell," he says, sounding more than a bit shaken as he lets Nephrite slip away.
[22:39] <@Takeshi> [22:27] * @Takeshi runs a hand through his hair nervously, pacing back and forth in his room as he thinks over the 'message' he was given to deliver. A few minutes of this, and he heads over to his bag, rooting through it roughly until he locates his communicator. With the orange-tinted device in his hand, he stares at the button for the Moon, wondering... then finally, he shoves it into his pocket.
[22:39] <@Takeshi> [22:28] <@Takeshi> "No sense in getting HER worked up over it," he mutters. With a sigh, he heads out of his room, pausing only briefly to grab a jacket before heading out of the house - he needs to clear his thoughts after that, as he can already feel them starting to circle each other like a pack of sharks.
[22:40] <@Anastasia> It's a cloudy night, rainclouds again rolling in. It's been a damp fall with no signs of letting up - by late it'll probably be raining for most the night. But not yet, instead chilly wind blowing. Yet it barely holds a candle to Nephrite's inner chill that lingers. So he walks...a sense of sameness settling over him, a stagnation.
[22:44] * @Takeshi feels a slight sense of complacency steal in... until his thoughts catch up with him. How the hell are things the same now? Sure, they might be in the same situation as before, but... realizing now exactly what it is that Death and his kin want to do to them is so far from being the 'same' that it's not even funny.
[22:46] <@Anastasia> roll 2d6
[22:46] * +Hatbot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8." [2d6=6, 2]
[22:46] <@Anastasia> The feeling yet persists for a little while as Takeshi walks, only fading as he makes good time through the streets of Juuban. NIght comes and with that the peace of eveningtime, the bustle of the day over.
[22:48] * @Takeshi frowns at the persistence of the thought - something weird about that. Something to pursue at another time, maybe. Hunching his shoulders a bit against the encroaching chill of the late November evening, he continues on his way, heading into the largest of Juuban's parks.
[22:55] <@Anastasia> The park is a peaceful place as well. Night's dance continues in all it's glory, the moon ascending in the sky, occasionally peeking out from behind the clouds. A few raindrops probe out tentatively, falling in scouts and drips.
[22:59] * @Takeshi finds a spot under a bare-limbed elm, the naked branches offering scant protection from the scattered raindrops as he stares up at the fleeting glimpses of the quarter moon in the sky above - and as he looks up at it this night, he can't help but notice that while the Moon does indeed give off its pure silver light, half is shrouded in near-total darkness, as well. With a slight shudder he turns up the collar
[22:59] <@Takeshi> of his coat, looking for shelter from the rain for a few minutes - while it's cold and wet, he really doesn't feel like heading home just yet.
[23:08] <@Anastasia> There's a few benches with covering in the park, those would work. They're empty, most everyone inside on this cool, rainy evening.
[23:12] * @Takeshi takes a seat, blowing out a long breath as his mind continues to turn. With head bowed, he thinks over each of the senshi he's met so far - if that's what Usagi would become, what of the rest? What of himself? Clasping his hands behind his neck, he's forced to wonder. Is the 'magical' part of all of them truly that horrific? Or is it something else - a dark side of each of them, perhaps, that's not related to the magic?
[23:14] <@Anastasia> The rain begins to fall around Takeshi as he ponders, slowly crying gales of moisture that strike out from the sky. The pitterpatter of droplets soothes him, , bringing a chillingness to merely sitting down.
[23:16] <@Takeshi> Another chill runs down his spine as his thoughts turn to Serenity. If such a kind soul as Usagi would become a new incarnation of Death, what would one such as Serenity become? ...probably their 'Lightbringer', if the pattern holds. One suited to bring their abyss of nothingness to the world - it'd certainly fit.
[23:20] <@Anastasia> The rain picks up even more, a howling wind gusting and pelting Takeshi even in his cover. Cold drops that spread bonechills, swirling about in the air.
[23:22] * @Takeshi shivers violently, and not just from the bitterly cold rain. Drawing his coat around him tightly, he hurries from the shelter of the bench, seeking Serenity's home. He needs to talk, to say SOMETHING about this, to someone. And as an added plus, it's a little closer than his home is, to boot.
[23:32] <@Anastasia> As Takeshi picks up his pace the rain falls harder, faster. It's a cloudy rainstorm as Takeshi walks, soaking and soon soaked by the steady rainfall. As you arrive at Serenity's, you find two figures in the rain. Nior stonily ignores it as Janna is at his side, doing pushups. "I'm sorry already," Janna groans, "I called you a musclebound ox of a commanding officer FONDLY and I only ate three servings tonight!" Janna complains loudly, sendin
[23:34] <@Anastasia> Janna complains loudly, sending annoyes glares up at Nior, who just ignores them.
[23:35] * @Takeshi does a doubletake as he arrives in the yard. "What the hell? And I thought *I* was crazy for being out in this..."
[23:37] <@Anastasia> Janna looks up, dripping water, "I don't complain too much since I don't think it's possible to gain weight when I'm being trained by Nior," Janna quips, shaking her hair as she goes through a few more. If nothing else, she's knocking out those pushups at a decent clip now.
[23:37] <@Anastasia> "She doesn't mind at all," Nior adds quietly, looking down at Janna.
[23:38] <@Takeshi> "Is Serenity in?" Takeshi asks, standing in the lee of the house to get at least SOME shelter from the wind and rain. "Was hoping to talk to her."
[23:41] <@Anastasia> Janna finally stops, huffing air in and out before sitting on the wet grass. "Yeah, she's upstairs.  Go on, Nior's losing his edge if he thinks he can beat me with just pushups these-..." JANNA STOPS COLD. She winces and looks up at Nior, giggling, "Nevermind that?"
[23:41] <@Anastasia> Nior does indeed not mind it, giving Takeshi a glance once and twice. "In her room," he adds pointedly.
[23:43] <@Takeshi> "Thanks," he says, shaking his head a bit at Janna. "Good luck with the training, looks like you might be at it a while longer," he quips, heading into the house and removing his sodden coat and shoes before heading up the stairs in search of Serenity.
[10:07] <@Kotono> There is indeed warmth here, warmth and peace. The smell of sukiyaki lingers in the air, tickling Nephrite's nose as he heads upstairs. Serenity's door is closed, but you can hear music from the other side. Classical music, pretty and elegant.
[10:10] * +Takeshi raps on the door with his knuckles. "Serenity?"
[10:13] <@Kotono> No answer for a few seconds, only then does a voice carry over the music. "Yes?" Serenity asks with a yawn, sleepy sounding.
[10:14] <+Takeshi> "Oh... sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," Takeshi says, hesitating.
[10:16] <@Kotono> "It's fine. I'll be downstairs in a few minutes!" Serenity calls, another heavy yawn in her voice.
[10:17] <+Takeshi> "All right," Takeshi answers, heading downstairs - now feeling a bit guilty for disturbing the monarch.
[10:21] <@Kotono> So only about five minutes of waiting does Serenity come down, wrapped in a bathrobe and coming to sit ont he couch. "Takeshi," she smiles, hair loose and flowing behind her.
[10:24] <+Takeshi> "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," the young man apologizes, still standing himself - still rather clearly out of sorts. "I... needed to talk to someone, and this seemed like the best place to come."
[10:29] <@Kotono> "Then go on," Serenity pats the couch's cusion, looking on at the troubled young man.
[10:31] <+Takeshi> "I tried to take another look at the inhumans' world - at Death, this time," Takeshi explains, running his hand through his hair. "I did manage to get through this time, but... he spotted me there, right off the bat. Kept inviting me to see the place for myself, but I'm not QUITE that stupid."
[10:33] <+Takeshi> "There was another... presence, there with him, but I don't know who or what it was - just a glimpse of red eyes behind Death's throne. He finally broke my vision and showed up in my room, and we talked a bit further. He recognized the fact that I'd died before, and gave me a message for Usagi - to hang onto the Silver Crystal, as some of the others might try to take it."
[10:39] <@Kotono> "I see." It's allo Serenity says for a time, closing her marvelous eyes as she ponders what all that means. She purses her lips, pausing heavily indeed.
[10:40] * +Takeshi takes a deep breath, slowly steadying himself as he gets the words out. "He also referred to the Crystal as the 'Eye of Death', and mentioned that Usagi herself was only 'a breath away' from becoming an incarnation of Death on a level with himself. I honestly don't know WHAT the hell to make of that, but it freaks me out."
[10:46] <@Kotono> "I see." The Queen repeats herself as she ponders, long and very thoughtful indeed. "Was there anything else said, Takeshi?"
[10:49] <+Takeshi> "Only that he wanted me to join them in 'living in reality'. Told him I didn't like his brand of reality, even though he tried to talk me over by bringing up the fact that I'm an outcast." Takeshi shakes his head. "He also mentioned that he in particular might be merciful if he didn't have to fight us, but that the others would try to kill us outright."
[10:52] <@Kotono> "Mmm. This is troubling...but you are safe," Serenity looks at him now, viewing the general up and down.
[10:54] <+Takeshi> "Safe, just a bit fried," Takeshi says. "He didn't seem interested in a fight, just talking."
[11:08] <@Kotono> "Good. It's very good that you're safe." Serenity smiles to Takeshi, before closing her eyes again.
[11:16] * +Takeshi sighs. "Half of the problem is wondering WHY he told me all that, and it's getting me stuck in the whole layers of deception trap - you know, if someone tells you something, they expect you to react a certain way to it, and that might help them, so you don't say it, but then they might be expecting you not to for that reason and so on. It's stupid, but easy to fall into."
[11:18] <@Kotono> "A mind game," Serenity finishes that thought with her own tired look, "Yes, I'm familiarw ith the concept. The shockwaves of the information cause as much damage as the information itself."
[11:20] <+Takeshi> "Yeah - and I'm thinking that's as much why he said all that as anything. The warning about the Crystal isn't bad, but I doubt it's really needed - with as powerful as it is, I can't see Usagi being careless enough with it to let it fall into their hands short of the most dire circumstances. The rest of it, though..." He takes another deep breath. "Sorry, that's kind of why I came by. Just sitting and thinking
[11:20] <+Takeshi> about it myself wasn't doing much more than getting me totally worked up."
[11:23] <@Kotono> "Indeed," Serenity says quietly, "Very indeed. Well done." With a small smile Serenity looks up at Takeshi, but then stops. "How do you feel now?"
[11:25] <+Takeshi> "Better," Takeshi agrees, sighing a bit. "Still kind of shaken up, but at least my head's not running a hundred miles an hour now."
[11:26] <@Kotono> The way Serenity reaches out is simple - she puts an arm around Takeshi, a soothing murmur from her. (More)
[11:26] <@Kotono> roll 2d6
[11:26] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 7." [2d6=5, 2]
[11:26] <@Kotono> Takeshi feels peace and serenity flow through his body, calming. "Good. They give us information so easily, but yet..."
[11:29] * +Takeshi feels the tension melt away under Serenity's ministrations, almost visibly relaxing. "Yeah, it's weird. It's like they're holding all the cards, so they don't mind giving us hints here and there - but if they were that far ahead of the game, why haven't they accomplished what they're after, yet?"
[11:32] <@Kotono> "There is one chip they don't have, the Ace of Spades; the Lightbringer. Even with every other card they can't win without it." Now the Queen is long and thoughtful, "Regardless of...who it is, as long as they don't have that they'll keep coming."
[11:34] <+Takeshi> "And that thought occurred to me as well - along Asher's line of thought, actually. If Sailor Moon would be the next avatar of Death, what might you yourself become?" Takeshi closes his eyes. "It's only a guess, but if that pattern holds - those with the most humanity falling the farthest if they do fall - it could very well fit."
[11:36] <@Kotono> "...Asher came to much the same idea and conclusion," Serenity says very softly, quietly. "It is possible, it may not be or it may be; our plans should not change in any event."
[11:37] <+Takeshi> "I agree," Takeshi says, opening his eyes again. "That's the other possibility of why they're feeding us all this information - not just to toss us a bone, as it were, but to use us to accomplish what they're after. If we do make a solid determination of who the Lightbringer is, and then move to protect that person, they know exactly who to go after. I'd be shocked if they didn't know exactly who each of us was by now."
[11:41] <@Kotono> "If I am...we must be careful. If they see me and I am..." Now Serenity looks downcast a moment, but then smiles with a solid, sad determination. "There are steps we can take to stay hidden at worst."
[11:44] <+Takeshi> "It certainly can't hurt for now, at least," Takeshi agrees. "Although again, I'd avoid making any obvious moves in that direction - they may have given us a fair amount of information about themselves, but we DON'T know how much they know about us. And better to be overly careful than careless there."
[11:49] <@Kotono> "Yes." Serenity closes her eyes as she thinks, "When you have a moment, tell Usagi of what Death told you about her."
[11:51] <+Takeshi> "I was planning on doing it tomorrow at school," Takeshi agrees. "Didn't seem to be a lot of sense in giving her something to worry about at this hour."
[11:51] <@Kotono> "Fair enough." Serenity pulls Takeshi in, resting him against her shoulder. "For yourself...close your eyes, Takeshi?"
[11:52] * +Takeshi complies, a bit puzzled as to why, however.
[11:52] <@Kotono> roll 2d6
[11:52] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=5, 4]
[11:53] <@Kotono> The feeling of peace adn calm that flows into Takeshi is transfixing. His entire body rests as if touched by the hand of a Goddess, soothed. "Just rest for a little while."
[11:54] <+Takeshi> "Mmmm..." Takeshi says, most of his thoughts for good and ill leaving him at that. He simply sinks down onto the couch. "I can do that," he murmurs.
[11:55] <@Kotono> "Mmmm." Serenity speaks softly - Takeshi isn't sure of what - but conciousness seems to slip away like an unwanted trouble.
[11:56] * +Takeshi doesn't fight it at all, simply letting slumber's embrace take him for a time.
[11:57] <@Kotono> ----

Tuesday, at school.

[12:37] <+Takeshi> ---- Arc 2 stuff go! ----
[12:40] <+Takeshi> And so Tuesday arrives at school. Usagi is actually on time to class for the day, although Takeshi isn't - or almost isn't. Just a minute or so before the bell rings he enters the classroom, looking a bit red in the face. He barely stops as he comes into the room, although he does take a route past the blonde's desk to let her know that he wants to talk with her at lunchtime.
[12:41] <@Usagi> "Huh?" Usagi looks up at Takeshi's interruption to her pre-class preperation, nodding in reply. "Okay, sure," she agrees, wondering what that's about.
[12:42] * +Takeshi nods. "Thanks," he says a bit breathlessly, heading back to the rear of the room and his own desk. And so the morning passes, nothing of note aside from an unscheduled pop quiz in history - and then lunchtime arrives, Takeshi heading over to Usagi's desk fairly quickly to wait for her.
[12:45] * @Usagi looks a bit unsettled at Takeshi suddenly looming over her before she's even gotten her lunchbox out, the blonde still proceeding to take out her food before looking up at the brown-haired boy. "So, ah, what's up?" she asks.
[12:47] <+Takeshi> "Sorry, still a bit edgy," Takeshi says, taking a seat - no lunch, Usagi notes. "I have a message that I'm supposed to pass on to you - spoke with Death last night," he says, lowering his voice as they're still in the classroom.
[12:48] * @Usagi winces. So not the time or place! Picking up her still unopened lunchbox, the blonde carefully gets up. "Let's go get some fresh air?" she suggests, putting on a smile.
[12:49] * +Takeshi nods, acquiescing to the wisdom of the maneuver. "Lead the way," he offers.
[12:52] * @Usagi puts on her coat before leading Takeshi out of the classroom and then up to the roof. Not so many people up there today with the weather starting to turn cold, making it easy enough for the two of them to have a degree of privacy to converse in. "You spoke to Death, and he had a message for me?" the blonde asks without preamble once they're out of earshot of fellow students, leaning against the wire fence surrounding the rooftop.
[12:53] <+Takeshi> "Specifically for you, yes," Takehi says, his hands in his pockets as the chill breeze blows. "Namely to keep an eye on the Silver Crystal - he said some of the others might try to take it from you. Called it the 'Eye of Death'."
[12:55] <@Usagi> Usagi's breath catches in her throat as the artifact is named, though her expression shows some confusion at the second description. "So they know about it..." she murmurs, looking rather unhappy. "I'd hoped it wouldn't have to be an issue at all in this mess, but if they've even got their own name for it..." she sighs, shaking her head. "It doesn't make a difference. I'll protect it from them just the same as from anyone else."
[12:58] <+Takeshi> "I figured you would," Takeshi says, starting to pace slowly. "Wasn't all of it, but the rest wasn't something he specifically told me to tell you - but Serenity thought I should let you know about it." He stops, looking away from Usagi for the moment. "He also said that you were a breath away from becoming an avatar of Death on a level with himself - seemed very 'impressed' with your inhuman side."
[13:02] * @Usagi blinks, before frowning sadly. "He thinks he's got it all figured out, doesn't he?" she remarks unhappily. "I guess if I put my mind to it I could kill a whole lot of people," she admits, drawing in on herself and hugging her arms around her petite wintercoat clad form, not really looking especially murderous it has to be said. "But so could any of us, really. And I wouldn't call myself 'a breath away' from snapping.""
[13:04] <+Takeshi> "They do seem to have an awful lot figured out," Takeshi says, still looking out across the rooftops. "They're throwing us hints and warnings like they don't have a care in the world - so what do they know that we don't? Why be so confident that they can do all this for us?"
[13:07] <@Usagi> "I don't know..." Usagi sighs softly, shaking her head. "Mmm... them knowing about the Silver Crystal worries me the most now, actually." She looks up at Takeshi, "You were around back then - you know what it is, right?" she asks uncertainly, at least knowing its never come up since her meeting him.
[13:09] <+Takeshi> "I know roughly what it is, yeah. She -" the word is given a dark emphasis "- wanted it, and gave the four of us enough information to know what it was and what it could do. Obviously I never saw it myself, but yeah - I know what it is."
[13:11] * @Usagi nods slowly. "I never wanted to use it again after Gaia, but if nothing else... well, it would have been an ace in the hole if things went bad against this new enemy. But having them knowing about it, and going so far as to call it that..." she shivers, "I'll have to talk to Serenity, I think."
[13:12] <+Takeshi> "Probably not a bad idea, no," Takeshi says, sighing a bit as he turns back to the blonde. "I had a talk with her myself last night, after I spoke with Death - my head was just running a hundred miles an hour, needed to get my thoughts out to nail them down a bit."
[13:16] <@Usagi> "At least you didn't have to fight him - right?" Usagi checks, recalling what happened last time one of them spoke to Death.
[13:18] <+Takeshi> "No, he didn't seem interested in fighting at all - just trying to talk me over to their side," Takeshi shakes his head. "I was trying to spy on him, except that he spotted me right off the bat. Tried to use the fact that I'm an outcast to get me to join them, but I wasn't about to buy that crap. Then he came from his throne to my room, and that's where he gave me the message for you."
[13:23] <@Usagi> "Hmm..." the blonde bits her lip thoughtfully. "Guess he'll talk my ear off even more next time I meet him myself. Lucky me..." she deadpans.
[13:27] <+Takeshi> "That does bring up another point that I mentioned to Serenity last night," Takeshi says, taking a deep breath. "As things look right now, we should act as though they know exactly who each and every one of us is. It's not a guarantee that they do, but it's hardly a stretch - if the government could find out who you were, how much easier would it be for them, who can spot 'inhumans' at a glance? (more)
[13:28] <+Takeshi> It'd go a long way towards explaining the confidence we're seeing out of them, at least. And even if they don't, the extra caution sure as hell isn't going to hurt."
[13:30] <@Usagi> "Yeah, but what can you do about it?" Usagi asks, shrugging. "Can't guard yourself and your loved ones every minute of every day. Best we can do is be careful."
[13:32] <+Takeshi> "Yeah, I know - like I said, it's more something to keep in mind than anything else. Just that alone cuts down on the effect of any surprise they might get out of catching any of us alone." The young man shakes his head a bit. "Heh, kind of sucks. Thin line between awareness and paranoia sometimes, have to stay on top of it to make sure I'm not getting unreasonable."
[13:34] <@Usagi> "All we can do is be careful," the blonde reiterates. "Until we stop them from threatening us, by whatever means, there's no other way to completely get rid of the risk, Takeshi."
[13:37] * +Takeshi simply nods in reply. "I know, don't mean to preach or anything," he says, turning away from Usagi again. "Anyway, that's the gist of what I had to pass on, take it as you will. All I know for myself is that trying to spy on them again like that is out, unless we're specifcally trying to get in touch with them."
[13:39] <@Usagi> "Probably for the best," Usagi agrees, "From what you're saying, it sounds like they're getting just as much out of it as you are." Heaving a deep sigh and pulling her coat tighter as her breath mists the air before her, the blonde pushes off the chain-link fence, "Anyway, I guess that's it?"
[13:40] <+Takeshi> "Yeah, that's about it," Takeshi agrees. "Sorry to pull you aside so fast, just figured it was important to let you know as soon as I could."
[13:41] * @Usagi shakes her head. "Don't worry about it," she smiles reassuringly. "I could care less about somebody saying I've got the potential to be a horrible villian - heck, I'm used to it by now. But if they know about the Silver Crystal, that's something that worries me."
[13:45] <+Takeshi> "Heh," Takeshi chuckles. "If you kept it out of Jadeite's hands, I don't doubt you'll do any worse against these clowns. Anyway, I'd better head downstairs and see what I can scrounge out of the vending machines - didn't have time to make lunch this morning."
[13:47] <@Usagi> "See you later, then," the blonde nods, letting Takeshi depart as she mulls things over for a moment longer before she heads back down to class and her neglected lunch.

> ---Arc 2 go!---
> Mmmm. The smell of oranges tickles ASher's nose. He stirs in a beam of sunlight, in two senses. The morning sun breaks through Kotono's window like a ray from heaven, and a blonde streak of sunshine is sleeping on Asher's chest! Dimly memories surface and return of the veeeery long and interesting night, Kotono peacefully asleep against the knight.
<Asher> Well. The first thought that dimly strikes Asher's weary, groggy mind, the condition of which had arrived for various reasons, was that this wasn't home. The second was that it was a schoolday. The third was that he'd remembered dimly about a warning from Mother Dearest not being late on coming back home. From there this spirals onward into the startling relevation of remembering the events that occurred the evening previous
<Asher> This causes his brain to freeze in track before working its way up again, eyes shutting to banish out the light as one arm gently keeps its hold on the blonde object against him, ending with a long sigh. Things always look different on hindsight. But there's not a whole lot at this point to be done, is there? He buries himself back down into bed, not particularly interested in getting up, seeking only warmth.
> "Mmmmm!" Kotono curls against Asher, wearing nothing but a contented sleepsmile. It helps that she's very warm indeed! So easy to doze back off here, until, 'Morning,' Reclaimer murmurs casually, distantly.
<Asher> '...let me off the hook for one day,' Asher mumbles, not wanting to put up a fight. At ALL. His eyes remain contentedly shut, his form still and unwilling to put any form of argument or effort whatsoever. Every once in a while a slow, somewhat uneasy breath draws to and from his lungs, one hand lingering and gently drumming its digits on Kotono's back. It was such an odd, pensive mood. He felt lots of things but none of them
<Asher> --seemed prominent.
> "Mmmm..." Kotono purrs this time, slowly blinking her eyes open. She looks up at Asher with complete happiness, resting on his front. "Morning...mmmm."
<Asher> Feeling rather seeing the blonde provokes Asher to sink back more into the expanse of blanket, pillow, and cushion as he wraps an arm around Kotono and says nothing else, just giving a brief nod. Every limb in his body felt inert, or... well, lazy. Right now sitting there and not moving a muscle seemed like the best idea in the world.
> Kotono takes the hint, slowly resting against Asher. The minutes roll by, Kotono making little happy noises on occasion.
> "Mmm," Kotono finally does stir again, "Hungry, Asher-chan?"
<Asher> Minutes. The ticking of time. It's enough to cause Asher to finally open up his eyes and take a rudimentary glance at the clock. Oh, damn his habits. "...a little." His words are soft, affirming the hold against her.
> It's well past 10 AM! The two of you really must've worn yourselves out! "Mmm. Want me to go make you something?" Kotono says pleasantly, looking up with a smile.
<Asher> Well, so much for the idea of making it to school. The realization hits him harder than expected, but still... given the circumstances, could he really blame himself THAT much? Yes. Kotono's words serve as a convenient anchor away from such brooding, though, looking down at her with a brief yawn. "I'll come down with you... we should've both gotten up long ago..."
> "Okay, but this is nice, too," Kotono rises up and stretches, still unclad and blushing. "Um...bath first," she murmurs, pressing her fingers together. "Since well...you know?"
<Asher> "Yeah," Asher replies, with an almost negligent nod. All things considered, he was taking this a lot better than he would've thought. Sinking his head back down onto the pillow, he waves Kotono off. "I'll go in after you..." He could use a few extra minutes of blissful unconsciousness, anyway...
> So Kotono goes, scurrying out into the hall and to the bath. Mmm, still warm,a nd you can smell Kotono on the pillow and sheets...
<Asher> Oh, god. Asher pushes away such thoughts, not so much in denial but not particularly wanting to beat himself over and over with it. His fingers clutch idly at the blanket, pulling it over and keeping himself encased and non-moving. His eyes bore up into the ceiling, a collection of stray thoughts, not the least of which was whether he'd regret this later - with Kotono gone, the dark brooding thoughts creep back into the fore
<Asher> forefront of his head. And so many ways for it to... oh, hell. He relaxes and sinks back down again, negligent and surrendering. Life went on. At least, he hopes it does. '...sorry.' For some reason, that seems appropriate at the moment.
> 'Even if my warnings weren't serious, you've made a choice now. Just like the one you made to Serenity, Asher - it won't easily be abandoned.' Reclaimer sounds calm and serious, but not the least bit vicious about it.
<Asher> 'Trust me,' Asher thinks out to the mental chasm in his head, 'I know.' His eyes close again, predicting the headache that'd overtake him, but it doesn't come - just a numb, complacent sensation instead. Then in a startling contrast, things felt so surreal and so vivid at the same time. 'I was more apologizing for not remembering to vacate you of the situation,' Asher replies back with a brief smile.
> '...bah!' Reclaimer snorts unsteadily, going quite and muttering.
<Asher> 'I'll manage,' Asher brings up, a bit more serious now as he finally hauls himself to a sitting position, staring blankly at the wall for a moment. His throat feels a little dry, as he releases his hands from their clutched positions and folds them together. 'I didn't exactly see it coming right that moment, but...' Was there a conclusion that was any less obvious? The sheer audacity of that statement made him pause for a mo
<Asher> momemt. '...not like it was a mistake in principle. Only, maybe, in timing.' He purses his lips, looking around for ... well, clothes. The warmth was rapidly leaving him having gotten up.
> Asher's underwear is near the door, but he recalls that most of it should be on the stairs somewhere! At least his lasted longer than Kotonos' sure did?
> 'It just happened. Mmm.' Reclaimer is thoughtful, 'So she loves you.'
<Asher> A moment of pause. Asher winces for a moment, at least slipping that on before projecting his own thoughts again. '...and I love her.' Odd, really, that he had never really outright said or felt like that before, the realization almost feeling like a slap to the face. The next words sound a little embarassed. 'Is that all you were trying to get out of me?'
> "Kinda sort of,' Reclaimer goes on, a bit of faint amusement coloring it's dry tone.
<Asher> 'I guess it was too much to start thinking that I'd get straight answers out of you,' Asher mutters beneath his breath. Stretching out a little bit after standing up... ow. Whoa. His feet ebb a little shakily, and his body generally feels worn out. Somehow, not a huge surprise. With a deep breath, he steadily walks around the room, trying to regain his bearings. 'So much for school today.'
> As Asher goes, his balance returns. 'Indeed.' Reclaimer lightly chuckles again.
<Asher> 'I almost miss your sniping,' Asher comments warily as he steps out of the room, still wringing a knot or two out of his muscles. With the sunlight creeping in, the house has a decisively ... new feel to it. He glances in the direction of the bathroom, then heads down to the stairs to collect certain articles of clothing that were... um, inadvertently forgotten.
> This also goes without incident - well, sorta. Pants take a bit of work to find, having been tossed over the stairs and being on the floor to the side of the stairs altogether. Oh well. As you search and finally get clothed up again on the floor "Asher-chan," Kotono comes down the stairs. Her hair is still wet and she wears a loose green bathrobe, unclasped and showing quite a lot of what you saw last night again. She idly makes half an effort to hold it closed, smiling.
>  She idly makes half an effort to hold it closed, smiling.
<Asher> "...mm?" Asher turns around, responding to her presence with a brief smile of his own. His gaze lingers for a moment, albeit honestly, at this point there's no real shame in it anymore. God knows he'd accepted some things last night, a relevation made and ironically taken as granted, which would've been unimaginable yesterday. "Mind if I steal the shower now?"
> "Go ahead," Kotono smiles even more winsomely, beaming at Asher. "Want company?" With al ittle flicker of her eyelashes she looks on, offering a hand if Asher wants it. "Or I can cook some breakfast while you're in there?"
<Asher> "You just came out," Asher remarks wryly, stepping by her and giving her hair a thorough ruffle as his other hand clasps hers for a moment. "I'll be down in a bit, anyway, so whatever works." Letting go of her hand, he heads to the bathroom for a much-needed soak.
> Kotono pouts a moment, blushing but shrugging as she goes downstairs. Asher gets to the bathroom - he finsd that he hopes he doesn't mind orange scented soap and shampoo!
<Asher> Uh. Well, does he have OPTIONS? C'mon, now, let's be realistic. Said soap and shampoo are utilized to full extent as he takes a long stint in the shower, letting the water flow and enjoying its pleasant warmth. It was a fine complement to what was already a laze-filled morning, one he knew in the back of his mind that he'd pay for later - in many ways, in many regards - but it was a little too late to step out now.
> REclaimer stays silent throughout this - instead Asher gets to bathe and soak as long as he wants...
<Asher> Negligently shutting off the water after a good fifteen minutes or so and drying off with a towel, he dresses himself completely before stepping back out, taking a moment to comb his hair back.
> This goes well! On coming back downstairs, Asher finds a familiar green bathrobe has been idly hung at the bottom banister of the stairs. The smell of cooking eggs also carries from the kitchen, too!
<Asher> ..oh. Really. Are Kotono's clothes still on the ground, too, by any chance?
> Asher sees that they are! You can smell eggs in the kitchen - eggs and rice, perhaps? You can haer the whistle of a tea kettle, too!
<Asher> Oi. Picking up the bathrobe along the way, then, he holds a hand to his forehead and moves on into the kitchen. C'mon, now, Kotono, let's not get TOO far ahead of ourselves. Entering into the kitchen and fully expecting the sight to be found there, he makes a beeline to one particular blonde.
> On yes! There is a sight! Kotono is cooking eggs on one burner and boiling quick rice on the other! She's not wearing a thing, a radio on the counter with a light little pop song. She's quietly singing andshaking to it, in a good mood and nearly glowing!
<Asher> Asher moves to remedy the first thing by draping the bathrobe over her from behind, leaning in over her shoulder with a soft tsk. "Kotono, it's not exactly the most healthy idea to walk around in the morning and cook without clothes on, okay?" There's just the slightest bit of weariness in those words.
> Kotonot giggles, slowly putting the robe aside. "That's okay, Asher-chan. I'm not int he mood right now, I just feel good...and it's nice to let you see this! Just consider it part of your breakfast feast?" With a wink she turns, lightly kissing him. "It's just nice and cool for you, you know?"
<Asher> This earns Kotono a steady look from Asher, though not without a certain pronounced measure of mirth on his face. In truth, he'd rather NOT get used to this. Closing his eyes and gently nudging her shoulder with his hand, "It'd be more fun if it took a little effort to get to that point, Kotono, trust me," he says with a straight face, a slight teasing edge to it. "Trust me about that."
> "Well...alright," Kotono smiles agreeably, rerobing. You can see scrambled eggs are being cooked as she clads herself. "It's almost done so just sit down and relax, okay?"
<Asher> Something in the back of his mind tells Asher that it's daaaaaaaangerous to agree to just get pampered like this. And in a way, it does feel a little odd. But all he can do is beam back a little bit and nod, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Kay." He steps back, casting his gaze over the living room, and a window that shows the outside day.
> It's sunny and nice today all around. Probably chilly, but it's certainly not hard on the eyes.
<Asher> Idly in the back of his mind, Asher wonders if it would be improbable to run back to school after lunch and at least get a half-day in. Although that might draw strange looks, it's certainly better than being entirely absent. More than not, though, he had to admit to himself with a slight wince, that decision rested mainly on a certain other individual's inclinations. He allows himself a frosty smile as he, almost idly, hauls out the backpack and p
<Asher> --pulls out his notebook while waiting.
> Kotono cooks away, "Asher-chan! It's done," Kotono singsongs, the sounds of plates on the table heard.
<Asher> Manner instinctive crops up as Asher rises from the table, seat, whatever he had conveniently parked himself up and goes into the kitchen to bring stuff out.
> Eggs and rice and tea - it's hot and warm. Sure, the eggs are a bit runny and the rice is a tad dry, but it's still food which is quite needed. Kotono sits right next to you, half leaning as she eats with a nimble fork. "Mmmm..." she murmurs, blushing, "Asher-chan, do you want to use chopsticks or a fork?" she asks, holding both out to him.
<Asher> Asher accepts the chopsticks with nimble fingers as he steadily keeps his posture, Kotono's weight against him now becoming a thing of familiarity more than anything else. And his stomach is hungry enough not to protest against anything vaguely edible that's put into his mouth right now. "Thanks," he offers with a brief smile.
<Asher> Picking away at the food slowly, he taps the chopsticks at the edge of the plate, looking thoughtful. "...should we try to make it back into school during lunch break?"
> Kotono puts aside the fork, and gets up to get her own chopsticks before eating again. "Mmmm. I just...kinda wanna stay here for now," Kotono smiles happily, scooping up a bit of rice and swallowing it down with a lot of tea. "Missing one day of school won't be any big deal, will it, and well, you only get one day like this ever?"
<Asher> "That's true..." Asher admits softly as he gingerly picks up his own portions and downs them quietly. And really, he had no argument against it. Albeit hell was going to enter his world on future matters regarding explaining this, a painful thought that's pushed away with a brief swallow. "...hey, Kotono. Were you planning on saying anything to the others about us?"
> "Mmmm." Kotono blushes deeply at that, "Well, they are my friends and girlfriends and all tha tso maybe, unless you don'tw amt me to?" Kotono says quietly, almost submissively.
<Asher> "I'm a little wary about the way they'll behave around us when that certain relevation comes out," Asher expels out with a low groan. His eyes close, continuing to peck away at his food with a brief pause, shoulders slumping a bit. "But I guess they deserve to know eventually..."
> "Mmm, they do...but it's something to be proud of!" Kotono smiles winsomely, kissing Asher's forehead between eating her food. "I mean...you're proud and happy to be with me, right?"
<Asher> "Somehow, Kotono, I think their reactions will range more in the realm of 'endless teasing and mockery' to the end of our days," Asher mutters softly as he sinks back against the couch and her. Kotono's words have an almost relaxing grip on him to follow up those inevitably brooding thoughts, prompting him to wrap an arm around her again. "...yeah." He looks up at her, pursing his lips with a slight smirk. "That wasn't obvious enough
<Asher> --last night?" There's a toying edge to that.
> Weeeeeeelll?" Kotono coughs and blushes brightly at that, "It's okay, and besides, I was kinda distracted over and over last night, and a lot of times even when I wanted to speak up my mouth was kinda busy and well...you know?!"
<Asher> "...." This earns Kotono a long look before he leans up against her ear, whispering a few taciturn words amusingly, even if it grows serious at the end. "Okay, okay. Kotono, I love you." He smiles gently and pulls her back against him, pushing away the now empty plate.
> Kotono's eye sgo wide a moment, watery and huge! Then, just like that, "Oh I love you, Asher!" She cries in happiness, glomming onto him tightly. "It's just so...so...it's like it really was fate and destiny and you didn'trun away and it's just so, so, so so so!"
<Asher> Oi. There are just some things that don't change. For everyth - wrong reference. "Kotono..." Asher bites back the words he was about to say, settling for just brushing her hair back. "Would it kill you if I said that I'd prefer to believe love's a conscious decision and not one decided by 'fate'?"
> "Well, it's fine, just you know it feels like it was meant to be since it's so awesome and wonderful?" Kotono smiles back, gently kissing him. "Just...let me have that for al ittle while, since it's like all those fairy tales come true...and it makes me want to do those specila naughty things for my Prince?" Uh oh. Her hand shouldn't be there AGAIN, should it?
<Asher> No, it really shouldn't. Grimly Asher gently tugs the hand away with a firm grip and gives her a long, studious look again. "I *guess*... though it may be a little dangerous to let yourself get caught up in all of those tales and dreams, Kotono. On anything, seriously. And..." He lowers his voice, leaning his chin against her shoulder again. "There's a time for everything.. but that's not -all the time-... okay?"
> "Asher..." Kotono looks at him, burning up. "I've been saving myself through all my teenage years. I didn't even try Sis's toy or anything...it's build up...and ASher-chan. To be blunt, I'm really really really horny and I want you to keep doing things about it, too!"
> OOC  - STrike.
> "Asher..." Kotono looks at him, burning up. "I've been saving myself through all my teenage years. I didn't even try Rei-chan's toy or anything...it's build up...and ASher-chan. To be blunt, I'm really really really horny and I want you to keep doing things about it, too!"
<Asher> ...okay... then... Asher winces a bit, looking suitably uncomfortable despite all events that have occurred and glances over to Kotono with a struggling expression. "...oh... well..." What the hell was he supposed to say to THAT? And here he'd thought Kotono had exemplary experience with the process, if just not firsthand. Maybe that'd explain the excessive energy, then.
<Asher> ...wait, was he reasoning to himself the way to calm her down was through - argh. ARGH. Asher's eyes shut as he nearly collapses back down, mind and body twitching spasmodically. "..."
> "Right!" Kotono blushes as Asher shuts down, the twitch-AACK! Zipper goes down just like Kotono is! She's doing THAT?! As sheg ets into, ah, position, "So...I'm going to make all your dreams come true...because I love you, and I've been saving it for the man I love!"
<Asher> You know, there's something to be said for her honesty. There's another thing to be said for her lack of subtlety. There's.... oh what the HELL was he thinking? With a sudden jolt to life, Asher rolls over and tackles Kotono to pin her down on the couch, not giving her a chance to do... that... right... there!
> Well, okay, that's stopped, but Kotono is still starting to do OTHER special things, giggling. "Oh ASher-chan...pin me to the couch and..." the next two words she whispers hotly says ita ll, really.
<Asher> You know, when you come down to it, this is really an economical situation. That was what the logos within Asher's head reasoned as the other parts... all but gave up any thoughts of restraint. Really, now, it's going to serve to a better purpose. Right? RIGHT? This'll get all that energy out of her and calm her down to something more sane to handle. Wouldn't it? School was botched today anyway. Right?
<Asher> At least that last cry of reason in his head prompted him to make use of Hotaru's advice - which was another blow to everything sane and reasonable! - before the, um, more carnal deeds were carried out. Gosh, Asher-chan, you make it sound so cold and mundane.
> Some time later...
> "Mmm..." Kotono purrs, clinging to Asher. The couch is a very nice place even without clothes on - afte rall, at least Kotono's on top of him and keeping Asher warm as she rests. She just looks happy, sighing. "Mmmmm. It really was worth waiting for, wasn't it?"
<Asher> "I told you it would be," Asher speaks softly as he happily takes the position of being able to sink back and be utterly inert. Not that Kotono had exactly allowed him to pause at any point or time given her ... inclinations. He closes his eyes, keeping arms wrapped warmly around her.
> "Mmmhmmm." Kotono purrs again, sighing as she closes her eyes. "Love you..." she says, as she curls up and closes her eyes.
<Asher> "If you love me, you'll tell me you've had enough," Asher manages out, nudging one side of his head against her cheek as he tries to stretch out his limbs somewhat. All things considered, Kochan had found a rather different alternative to making him work out aside from training regimen. He literally felt sore all over.
> "Mmm hmmm. I'm...totally sated," Kotono looks down, rubbing her bellya gainst Asher's ab it. "Mmmm. No wonder it's such a big deal, I feel so much...sexier after."
<Asher> "....I'm not going to comment on that," Asher bites back out before leaning up and giving her a firm but gentle nudge against her shoulder. He relaxes out again, oddly feeling more at peace than ever. It was a feeling that didn't come very often. "...wonder what the others are up to, though..."
> "Mmm." Kotono just smiles, curling up against him on the side of the couch.

> ---Arc 2 go!---
> Oh home. Home and dinner! A feast late this evening since Mom worked late, but the rare bounty of good takeout isn't one to be neglected! Mom and Dad also eat with gusto, so it's a shame when the beep fo the clock hitting 8 PM is also disrupted by a communicator's beep.
<Asher> Foooooooooood. Asher wolfs it down with great enthuisiasm - after all, in all technicality he's still a growing young man, etc. etc. although his eyes roll over everytime he hears that euphenism. Sadly, the banquet's abrupt halting to the comm makes him blanch for a moment, then stand up and sigh. "Think that's me, I'll be right back." Heading upstairs, he fishes out the comm and sees who it is. Kotono again?
> Yep. Sadly. It's just a merry beep and not the chorus of the Ragnarok, however.
<Asher> With a shrug, a shut door and leaning wearily back against the bed, Asher answers. Well, it's late. What could she possibly want?
> "Hi!" Kotono beams ear to ear, nodding. "What's up and do you feell ike doing something tonight since Dad's still not bad and I got a really cool supernatural club lead and I'm gonna call REi-chan to see if the three of us are up to it, huh?"
<Asher> "...um." Asher looks plaintitively back at the door. "I'm having dinner right now, and..." A glance at the watch. El time-o?
> It's just past 8, as the clock noted merely a moment or three ago.
<Asher> ...right. Hey, Kotono sidetracks his mind, dammit, and not in THAT way! "...I guess if it's important. What exactly are you up to?"
> "Well, you see..." Kotono pauses a moment, room behind her, "I found out that this new shopping mall that's open 24 a day - that one that specalizes in art and rich stuff, I think the name is the Asabara Local Outlet...yeah, it is," Kotono checks her papers a moment, "Anyway, I heard they're totally haunted during those midnight art festivals they're having there!"
<Asher> "You heard this from where?" Asher asks patiently. Might as well make sure this 'club meeting' wasn't just another excuse for latching on, and to also make sure she wasn't going on a wild goose chase, either...
> "Well, I did a I Ching reading and it so pointed it otu!" Kotono nods along easily, smiling. "Right?"
<Asher> "...you... did you even talk to anyone AT the outlet, Kotono?" Asher continues, a knot growing in his stomach.
> "Not yet!" Kotono bubbles, grinning, "Besides, I'm sure I'm right and we're going to find somethign really cool at night!"
<Asher> Oh Kochan. Asher hangs his head slightly, grimacing. "Kotono, that isn't... -that- much of a lead..." Might as well out and say it.
> 'Find an excuse and abort, flee and bail,' Reclaimer adds mentally. 'Say you're grounded!'
<Asher> 'That'd be lying,' Asher replies with a bit of vehemance. 'No need to resort to that.'
> 'It's also safer.'
> Meanwhile!
> "It's fine enough!" Kotono retorts quickly, blushing, "Besides I'm sure it'll work ine and everything 'll be really cool so let's go and you can hang out with me and Rei-chan!"
<Asher> 'Until you get caught. It's not a road I particularly care to wander down.'
> 'Suit yourslf, Pluto boytoy.'
<Asher> ...oi. Though the fact that he WOULD get off annoys him - and he restrains the urge to snarl and bite out at Reclaimer. "Did you already call Rei-chan and ask her about this?"
> "Not yet!" Kotono chirps, "So c'mon and you can even bring your really cool magical sword along, too!"
* Sailor_Saturn is now known as Hotaru-chan
<Asher> 'Oh, hear that? She wants you, Reclaimer-chan!' Asher mimics Kotono's voice in his head as he hides the smirk on his face, looking back at Kotono's visage on the communicator. Oh, hell, it's a lost cause. "Eh, alright, not like I had anything in mind. Let me finish dinner up first, though."
* General_Nephrite is now known as Takeshi
> "Great! Be at my place by 10! See you, Asher-chan!" In an energetic wink Kotono is gone, the sentence passed.
<Asher> Mrf.
<Asher> MRF.
<Asher> MRF. Asher heads back downstairs without a further word and goes to finish dinner. His shoulders sink back a little bit in anticipation of the coming night, but what the hell. Practice makes perfect, right? It'd build character, right? He'd gain new levels of pain tolerance, right?!
> Dad is finishing up his food as Asher returns, looking him over. "Studies going well?"
<Asher> "Not bad," Asher offers conservatively, hoping to pry up some kind of peace offering here to satisfy him. Oh! "I attended a scholarship meeting and I'm sort of waiting on a reply for that, too. Otherwise, everything the same, I guess."
* Anastasia (dunefar@ip24-253-133-211.hr.hr.cox.net) has joined #evildunes
* ChanServ sets mode: +qo Anastasia Anastasia
<Asher> <Kotono> Dad is finishing up his food as Asher returns, looking him over. "Studies going well?"
<Asher> <Asher> "Not bad," Asher offers conservatively, hoping to pry up some kind of peace offering here to satisfy him. Oh! "I attended a scholarship meeting and I'm sort of waiting on a reply for that, too. Otherwise, everything the same, I guess."
<Anastasia> "Good." Dad's mood perks up ever so slightly, Mom smiling as well. "Get into a good school, ASher." He even looks a bit proud for a moment, as, "Don't let your new friends distract you from that."
<Asher> Oh, so many things he could SAY. So many ways to defend himself. But they would all require giving more detail than he was necessarily comfortable with, and knowing his parents that would take it waaaaaaaay the wrong way anyway. Not that he feared any sort of serious reprival from them, but he really didn't want that hanging over his shoulder. "Of course." ...oh, hell. Speaking of which!
<Asher> "Actually..." What timing. "I'm going to head out tonight again to meet them up and probably do my regimen again." Yeah. Just get it out. Ow. Asher focuses in finishing his dinner as he makes that pronouncement.
<Anastasia> "Oh Asher..." Mother begins, blushing, but Dad holds up a tired hand. "Go ahead, son, as long as you can keep up your grades and keep her happy?" He smiles a little bit at that.
<Asher> Asher gives his mother a long look, as though to say 'it's NOT like that'. Given his total backing behind that belief, it isn't all that hard. He sighs, drops his fork, and stares up at Dad. "You have my word that if I were actually going out with someone and considered her my girlfriend I'd tell you. Deal? Let's leave the suspicions out of the air."
<Anastasia> "Alright, son," Dad seems content with that bowing his head as he gets seconds. But Mom looks on curiously, scanning her son.
Session Time: Sat Sep 30 00:00:00 2006
<Asher> The brow of irritation that threatens to come up is quietly wiped out as Asher finishes up his dinner quietly and in relative peace. It wasn't that he didn't hold anything against his parents for being vaguely curious about it. Given the hours he'd been coming back? He was lucky he wasn't being incarcerated. Just... how the HELL does anyone ever explain KOTONO?
<Asher> Or, for that matter, the rather eclectic interests he had taken lately? A sigh, a washing of the dishes - gladly volunteered by himself - before Asher starts to head back upstairs to wash up and grab his stuff from his room.
<Anastasia> As Asher heads upstairs, "Asher!" Mom follwos up, keeping a good pace as she does.
<Asher> Uh oh. Asher halts in his tracks, turning around, regarding Mom intently with a respectful look. "Yes, mom?" Well, at least she didn't look like the living dead anymore. That was a plus.
<Anastasia> She does look better, yes. She holds her hands at her waist as she looks ASher over. "Don't be out too late no matter what?"
<Asher> "Believe me when I say that's usually not a factor under my control?" Asher replies, with a bit of a wince. "There were a few times I just crashed and didn't see it coming. But I'll try to make it home in time, mom. I'm never late for school." TECHNICALLY true. Saying that makes him wince again, though.
<Anastasia> "Alright..." Mom frowns a moment, "If we're ever off in an afternoon, bring them over?"
<Asher> "Sure," Asher offers easily enough. Why? One: they were almost never, ever, ever off an afternoon, let alone BOTH of them at the same time. Two: the schedules of the senshi, and Takeshi or the Gaians for that matter, were never exactly in harmony, so he'd have a conveniently legitimate excuse anyway. "Just... you know, we don't have a whole lot of room to spare, so I figured it'd be best if I met with them elsewhere..."
<Anastasia> "They can still visit," Mom smiles and retreats, falling back. Reclaimer starts to speak but thinks better of it...
<Asher> A sigh. A negligent nod. "Okay, mom." Yeah, story of his life. Asher heads back up to his room to retrieve his stuff and if he is not conveniently railroaded into another track, off he goes!
<Anastasia> As Asher packs up and gets ready, 'You know,' he begins idly, 'Going to bring Kotono over to meet the parents?'
<Anastasia> 'Or any of the other girls. Really, you should get around and visit them more often.'
<Asher> 'The day Kotono meets my parents is the day they suffer from a tragic simultaneous heart attack,' Asher quips. 'And I don't... why do I need to run around visiting other girls' houses and making them wonder even MORE?!'
<Anastasia> 'They're also your allies, Asher. Not only are they Princesses, but most of them are nice, normal girls.'
<Asher> 'And they have their own lives and their own interests that I'm fairly sure don't involve myself save for her highness of the tenth planet of our system of celestial bodies,' Asher says in way of reply, grumbling. He barrels down the stairs, opening the door and accessing the night's state.
<Anastasia> It's cloudly. Looks like rain soon! 'Oh, stop that, you giant loner. Say it with me: Friends are good!'
<Asher> That makes Asher freeze in his tracks. With a slow, strangled amount of patience, he replies back to Reclaimer with a more serious tone of voice, icily cold. 'You've been watching me ever since childhood, right?'
<Anastasia> 'Yep.' Reclaimer goes on, matching that tone. 'I also know that you should keep in touch with them, Knight.'
<Asher> 'Perhaps.' The voice remains chilly, as Asher resumes his pace, making a beeline for Kotono's residence, quiet annoyance lining his words. 'But for other reasons entirely. Not for the sake of 'friends'. I think you should know full well by now the reputation of that term.' Asher smiles grimly, a rare occasion for such brooding thoughts to harbor around him, as he fends over the streets.
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* Topic is 'It's "Rei-chan needs to be PUNISHED!" week! Oh Rei-chan!'
* Set by Kotono on Thu Sep 07 00:47:44
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> <Anastasia> 'Yep.' Reclaimer goes on, matching that tone. 'I also know that you should keep in touch with them, Knight.'
> <Asher> 'Perhaps.' The voice remains chilly, as Asher resumes his pace, making a beeline for Kotono's residence, quiet annoyance lining his words. 'But for other reasons entirely. Not for the sake of 'friends'. I think you should know full well by now the reputation of that term.' Asher smiles grimly, a rare occasion for such brooding thoughts to harbor around him, as he fends over the streets.
> 'Yes, yes,' Reclaimer notes with just a hint of sarcasm.
<Asher> It's with a heavy shrug and no other comment as Asher makes his way through the streets of Tokyo. It is pretty late, all things considered. At least there would be someone else there to share the pain this time. Poor Rei. He hides another smile as he gets closer to the neighborhood with Kotono's house.
> Nothing of note happens on this trip. A small, rare mercy for Asher perhaps, Kotono's neighborhood silent and peaceful. But on reaching her house? WEll, there's a problem. You can see it well in advance, due to what looks to be a small rocket ready to lift off in her front yard! It's only about two feet tall, but it's coated in neon green colors and Kotono's pust a few heavy lights around it!
<Asher> ...A rocket. I see. Somehow Asher has his apprenhensions about it ever breaking out of the stratosphere.... or the ground. Putting a weary hand on his shoulder, he walks past it. Seriously, Kotono, where do you come UP with this? So long as you don't burn your house down, though...
> Kotono is just coming out as ASher walks past, carrying goggles and wearing a pair herself! Rei's behind her, clad in much the same. She looks rather exasperated, too!
> "Asher-chan!" Kotono waves, tossing the pair of goggles at him, "I figured we had time for the Pluto Voyager mk 34, so just put these on and watch since I think I got the alterations to the kit right this time, huh?!"
<Asher> "...Pluto Voyager, Kotono," Asher says with an extreme amoutn of patience. He catches the goggles, resisting the overpowering urge to facefault. Glancing at the rocket with a sigh, Asher takes a moment to see if she was serious about making the thing architecturally sound. Well, it wasn't the FIRST time she'd tried, right?
> OOC - You know anything about rocketS?
<Asher> OOC - Only what I would know in school!
<Asher> OOC - So guessing that's some random Mind check.
> OOC - Yeah, just make a mind check I guess.
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 3."12 [2d6=1, 2]
> Oh, it's...something. The parts are out of order and you're not sure on any modifications, ut a large chunk of green quartz crystal has been embedded into the hull.
<Asher> "...Kotono, how far did your last attempts at this make it?" Asher asks wearily as he steps back, putting the goggles on now. Quartz crystal. Did she purposely make these hazardous or something?!
> Rei just clears her throat and then shakes her head, hiding behind the far end of the yard and ducking.
> "It made it a good ways! REally! It just didn't blow up evne if Rei-chan says so!" Kotono retorts with a blush, going to fiddle with something on it, getting a lighter out.
<Asher> Asher cranes his head over to see Rei's figure, disdain on his face. So THAT's how it was, eh? He glances back at the rocket again, wondering if there was any point whatosever to point out the... numerous flaws... that incurred during instruction.. and the utter futility of breaking gravity - hey, wait, WAIT a second. "Kotono, you know, you might have more success with these attempts if you did a little adjustment yourself."
> "Well, I did, see that?" Kotono points at the green Crystal, nodding, "It's magical waves should totally help it fly!"
<Asher> "I meant try the magic -yourself-," Asher explains with a bit of a wince. "You do have some influence over space and gravity, right? That could drastically lighten the load on the rocket if nothing else." Because trying to fix the rocket plans at this point was utterly futile...
> "...oooooh!" Kotono's eyes gleam in pure happiness, a blonde flash as Asher is glommed onto. "That's an AWESOME IDEA, Asher-chan! Thanks!"
<Asher> "...I'm amazed you didn't realize that before," Asher mumbles beneath his breath as he gently pries Kotono off, squaring his shoulders. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" With a resigned look, he dons the goggles and heads over away from the 'blast site', closer to one particular Rei, giving her a steady look.
> As Kotono giggles and goes to the rocket...
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 5."12 [2d6=2, 3]
> Rei looks on with a wry s mile, shaking her head. "Safer back here, trust me," Rei murmurs, "You've seen the craters."
<Asher> "You have to admire her persistence at being able to oversee the obvious," Asher comments back with a low groan. He, too, turns back to make sure Kotono doesn't blow herself up or anything.
> "Yep." Rei looks on, watching in open tridepitation.  Kotono lights a fuse and skips back a bit, nodding. "This should be totally awesome with Space magic!"
> roll 2d6 against a 4 body for the shuttle
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 against a 4 body for the shuttle and gets 3."12 [2d6=2, 1]
> The rocket blasts off! A noble burst of flame comes rom it's thrusters below, the body bulging but staying intact! The quartz gleams with a fiery green-red, as the rocket takes off, soaring as if gravity has no hold on it! It's out of sight in seconds, rushing into the night sky with a wink!
> "...I..." Kotono stares, slack jawed.
<Asher> "......."
<Asher> Asher takes off the goggles and openly stares.
> "You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Rei blurts out in utter dismay.
> "I mean, that is totally fucking impossible; Kotono's fucking rockets never fucking work!" Rei's words just tumble out in a totally lost mess, the miko falling over.
> "...oh..." Kotono gently sniffles, turning to Asher. Her face is crying, but it's tears of transfixed joy as she looks at Asher! "Oh...Oh...Asher-chan! I...I love you!" she cries out, from there to here in a mere second! Asher is knocked back into the fence, Kotono rubbing into his chest for all her worth! "WE DID IT! YOU HELPED ME FINALLY DO IT ASHER_CHAN AND THAT'S JUST AWESOME!"
<Asher> Nnnnnngraaaaah! Asher just falls back. Doesn't resist. Hits the ground. OW. Still doesn't move. World's a vision of haze. He closes his eyes and waits for blissful death to take him. Why. WHY? WHY?!
> "Oh...oh...!" But Kotono isn't still. What's that warm feeling on Asher's lips!? What's that slimy hot feeling inside his mouth!? Kotono's pressing into him for all she's worth, crying in bliss!
<Asher> NnnnnGHHHH HEY WAIT A SECOND. Asher squirms, twists around, trying valiantly to get away from Kotono's death-passionate grip as he tries to suck for air and - get - back - up!
> OOC - Body check1
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 10."12 [2d6=5, 5]
> No good! Asher's just stunned as Kotono does her best to take poor Asher's mouth for all she's worth! She's MAKING OUT WITH HIM?! Meanwhile you notice her hands running down his sides, getting entirely too close to ASher's hips and midsection!
> "...." Rei slowly sits up, blinking at this dispaly, "...um...." she mutters, wide eyed and sputtering.
<Asher> "K..." Well, any word he tries to make is going to just get DROWNED OUT by the clashing of tongues as Asher claws his hands into the ground and forces himself to hoist back up to gain some semblance of sanity back! His knuckles are white, his form on the verge of thrashing about!
> OOC - Body check again1
<Asher> roll 2d6 burn 10 EP
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burn 10 EP and gets 3."12 [2d6=1, 2]
> Kotono is knocked away, tongue flickering out as she lands off Asher! The balance is disrupted, a blushing and heaving blonde right in front of him!
<Asher> A deep, heaving breath as Asher shudders involuntarily, holding up a hand. "Kotono. Calm DOWN." He gets these words out before collapsing right back on the ground again, with a soft groan. Coincidentally, his head landing to look straight up to the shellshocked visage of one certain miko. There's an utter look of disbelief on his face.
> Rei stares balck with blank shock, before looking up to Kotono. "Uh...yeah, look," she coughs, wobbling up to her feet, "Why don't I just...give you two some space for the night. Yeah, gonna go inside..." Rei slowly stagger towards Kotono' house, loopy!
<Asher> "Rei," Asher bites out beneath his breath, so that only the miko can hear him, "do you MIND?!"
* Seraphin is now known as Hotaru-chan
* Thrall is now known as Usagi
> "Oh...oh..." Kotono sniffles again, looking on at Asher with total love and hope in her eyes."It finally worked and it was all because of your suggestion, Asher-chan!"
> "Yes, yes I do," Rei glances back at the lovestricken blonde, "If you hurry you can catch up1"
<Asher> "...I need a drink right about now," Asher mutters as he hauls himself back up, staring over at Kotono for a moment. "Kotono, let's head in and ... " NO. DO NOT ASK HER TO CELEBRATE. The gears in Asher's mind rewind, thinking furiously. "... look into that other lead you were talking about, okay?" God. The lesser of two evils.
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> "Oh Asher..." Kotono stares i starry eyed love, creeping closer again. "The only lead I'm interested in now is you!"
<Asher> Asher is already following Rei into the house~!
> Kotono springs up, chasing after Asher! Meanwile Rei has slipped into the house, going into high gear speed!
<Asher> Two can play that game as Asher runs right behind the miko!
> OOC - Kotono's chasing you for real. Body check against her, opposing.
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 8."12 [2d6=5, 3]
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 5."12 [2d6=4, 1]
> Asher keeps a good pace with Rei! Rei darts upstairs quickly, heading for Kotono's back yard! "Asher-chaaaaan!" Kotono calls as she gives chase!
<Asher> No time to think! Asher grips on Reclaimer, a death grip at that as he hisses into the sword's mind. 'If there is ever a time I could use your input I need it NOW. Can I fly if I try hard enough?!'
> 'You're not even transformed!' Reclaimer fires back as he continues to follow Rei into the back yard!
<Asher> Meanwhile, he jets up the stairs, still hot on Rei's trail and hopefully far away from the blonde compressed death behind him!
<Asher> 'Answer the question!' Asher snips out as he ducks into the second story of the house and out to the backyard entrance!
> 'Maybe! You could just face her and get kissed, like how every other hot blooded youth in the nation would be thrilled to be?'
> Meanwhile Rei looks back, and hears, "Aaaaassssher!"
<Asher> 'You REALLY think that would be the only thing she'd stop at at this rate?!'
> "Shit..." Rei mutters, rubbing her temples and sighing. "You brought her along, idiot!":
> 'Well, maybe she'll calm down with a baby in ehr belly?'
<Asher> "She's not after YOU," Asher mutters as he pushes past Rei and into the backyard. "Just get out of her way or something if you don't want to deal with her."
<Asher> 'You're no help. At all.'
<Asher> Once in the backyard, Asher thinks furiously, urgently calling the wind out to the expanse with rapid-fire acceleration!
> OOC - Soul check-o.
<Asher> roll 2d6 burn 10 EP
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burn 10 EP and gets 5."12 [2d6=3, 2]
<Asher> With the streams of air coming forth to his command, their cool touch a moment's respite from the adrenaline-pumping menace probably only a handful of seconds behind him, Asher grits his teeth and makes the air go up - up - up! He kneels back and firmly implants his feet in the ground, then jumps, praying with all his might that the wind carries him with its free but strong embrace!
> OOC - That's a helluva jump still. Soul check +1; g'luck!
<Asher> roll 2d6 burn 20 EP
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burn 20 EP and gets 3."12 [2d6=1, 2]
> Rei falls back at this action, letting Kotono pass her by! As this happens Asher leaps to the roof, landing atop Kotono's house! There's a small access window here to what looks to be an atic, as well as a bird's nest in the gutter. "Asher!" Kotono calls up, her voice carrying.
<Asher> Asher sits on top of the roof, remaining carefully out of sight and quiet even as the wind blissfully buffets about him. His hair ruffles from its touch, a cool and soothing sensation against the near-fatal panic that gripped his heart only seconds back. Catching his breath, he closes his eyes and whimpers incoherantly to himself. 'How long do you think it'll take till she calms down?'
> 'Give it a fewdays?' Reclaimer speaks in Kotono's voice, 'Since Asher-chan is just too awesome!'
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 4."12 [2d6=1, 3]
<Asher> 'You know what, I hate you,' Asher bites out again in a low snarl as he takes a look at the access window. It look latched in or locked? If not, and assuming it doesn't put him in obvious view, he'll ease down there.
> It's unlocked! "Asher!" There's a problem with that call - it's really freaking close, Kotono's voice having made up some serious distance!
<Asher> ...what the hell?! He could've sworn that Rei had said some time ago that Kotono didn't know how to fly yet! Or did she just manage to pull that off on the spur of a moment? Asher flinches, stills his movement to silence, and stares down. Well, better be ready for a backup plan. That drop doesn't look very HEALTHY, though...
<Asher> Carefully keeping cover so that he isn't so obviously in sight, he assesses the air anyway in case he does have to make a last ditch attempt to escape, hoping that bones won't be broken in the process!
> The wind is still blowing from Asher's magic, as you hear her call again. "Asher-chan?" Kotono choruses, "Asher-chan!"
<Asher> Is the access window something he could jerk open and rush in without making too much of a racket?
> Asher can see that it's a bit rusty. Looks openable, but perhaps not quietly, and rushing it would surely make sure Kotono knows where he is. Her footsteps are getting closer! "I know you're up here, Asher-chan," she purrs.
<Asher> Screw it. With a negligent flicker of his wrist, Asher directs the wind to batter the window for noise - as much of it as possible - then grips down to the very edge of the rooftop and... oh god that was a long drop. The things one does. Faith. He closes his eyes and lets go, silently falling in the wake of the noise as he commands the air to densify and slow his descent to a non-limb-breaking one?!
> OOC - Soul check +1, and if that fails, Body check +1.
<Asher> roll 2d6+1
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+1 and gets 7."12 [2d6=2, 4]
> Asher is ablet o buffer his fall as the attic roof rattles! He lands roughly but unharmed, right in Kotono's front yard!
<Asher> Now to RUN like hell away from this place and never to return again?! Or to... no, well, if he ran out in the front yard he'd be in wide open sight for stray blondes on rooftops. Instead, he edges back into the house, quietly closing the door with extreme care!
> As Asher slipsb ack into the front door, he hears, "Asher-chan?!" Kotono calls from atop the roof! But the kitchen is quiet and empty, Rei just returning to it. "...got away?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
<Asher> "For the time being." Asher looks weary and a little shaky as he walks over to the ktichen counter and places both hands on it, shivering. "I figure it'll be a little bit before she calms down."
> "Lucky you," Rei smirks just a tiny bit, going to the fridge adn getting a bottle of water. "Want one? Anyway, I still can't believe it. That thing's probably in Earth orbit now."
<Asher> "I don't know about THAT," Asher replies as he nods gratefully, sucking in a breath and leaning back, trying to draw back some semblance of energy within himself. OOC - am I allowed rejuv attempts untransformed?
> OOC - Generally not, but I'll give yoau  Soul check +4 at a shot at it, since you could use trying to draw out another minor power or two.
<Asher> roll 2d6+4
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+4 and gets 8."12 [2d6=2, 2]
> Asher feels a tug, but he can't quite marshall  it - but he does feel a force bent against, something inside strained. "Sucking in a lot of air, hm?W arming up for the main event?" Rei passes over a bottle ofw ater, cold and fresh.
<Asher> "That thing's construction was a little... questionable. She was lucky as hell the thing survived the flight through the atmosphere as is, and only that because gravity was suddenly thrown out of the window." Asher takes the bottle, then his face screws up as he turns to regard Rei with a briefly pained look. "Don't give me that."
<Asher> Popping the cap, he downs half the contents in a handful of gulps, eyes shut and willing out the slight buzzing headache in his forehead as the sharply cold water numbs his mind.
> "There should be a doomsday timer above you that counts how long it is until you make Kochan a woman." Rei smirsk even more, gulping down water before sighing. "If you want to flee, this si your best chance you're probably going to get. I think Kotono's plans went kaput for the night anyway."
<Asher> "I might," Asher agrees sourly. On hindsight, dealing with Kotono like this really wasn't high up on his lists of 'want to do'. And frankly, he had no illusions about what the rest of the night would have been even without this incident in regards to her. "I guess it's a little silly of me to keep having some weird form of faith that she'll calm down eventually." Eyes still shut, he punctuates this statement with a sigh.
> "I believed her when she said she loved you," Rei points out, voicel osing it's sarcastic, vicious edge. "Look, I had a long go around with a few people about this back awhile ago. She's just a lonely girl who gloms on too tightly. Something that's not singular to her, but she's just obsessively hyper about it. Cope or try to dump her, I guess."
<Asher> Asher raises a hand, an edge of ... something on his voice. It's a little shaky, as he places the water bottle down. "I don't have any intentions of leaving. I meant just for tonight," he sighs, throwing a look over at her. "Given my proximity in her current state mind can't possibly lead to healthy results. I know there's a Kotono in there that can think more soundly than that."
<Asher> "Besides," he adds in, a little wearily, "it'd be fucking moronic beyond all reason if I had tried to stick around her this long and just bailed out now. That's worse than blowing someone off in the first place." Irritation seeps into his voice, eyes a little red now as he stares over up at Rei. "I wouldn't do that."
> "Both of them want to be taken by a strong confident man, I think," Rei smiles, amused and lighting up her face with a cattish bliss. "Though, out of pure curiosity, why not? Most guys would've taken the bait and done her several times over. Good for you on the rest, though."
<Asher> "Because it's a mess," Asher sighs. "It's where relationships start centering themselves almost entirely on that element and it can bend or break things with sadistic ease. I've seen it happen too many times, and I'd rather not fall into that trap myself. Even if Kotono's... swear to god, I have to say this, she's one of the most faithful people I've ever met... it's still a step you can't ever take back."
> "I guess," Rei allows that much as she goes into the living room to sit down. "I can make an excuse for you if you want, though. For tongiht, that is."
<Asher> He waves a hand, taking another long sip of water before stepping back over to the edge of the kitchen. "I dunno for now. Part of me wants to be firmer in holding her back... part of me's afraid to break her tenacious faith if I do that." He smiles briefly, staring up at the table. "She's a little more complex than most people take her."
* Retrieving #evildunes modes...
> "Alright, but I'm gonna bail. I think the plans are ruined now anyway." Rei glances at the oven clock, a bit past 10. "We're running late on it as is, so I'd rather just go hoem andg et some sleep." With that Rei waves, heading for the front door.
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* Thrall is now known as Usagi
<Asher> Asher trails Rei as she leaves, only nodding briefly. "You do that, I guess." He doesn't make a move from his own spot, staring at the miko's back, although for other reasons entirely. "Take care," he manages, words lost in a mixture of thoughts as he resumes staring back at the kitchen counter.
> Asher ets about another ten minutes of peace before he's interrupted. Kotono staggers into the kitchen, dusty and sneezing. "T--ACHO! There youACHOO! are, Asher-chan!" The blonde goes right for some paper towels, blowing her nose. "That stupid attic is totally full of dust!"
<Asher> "Whatever were you doing up there, Kotono?" Asher asks quietly and deceptively mild. He finishes up the bottle he was drinking, hiding the brief smile on his face before turning around to regard the blonde.
> "ACHOO!" Kotono sneezes another time, sniffling loudly. "That was mean!" Kotono looks on in annoyance, "Why'd you ahve to run, huh?"
<Asher> "Because you weren't in any state of mind to be reasoned with," Asher says with uncharacteristic bluntness. He steps over to her, frowning a little bit with crossed arms. "...are you okay, though?"
> "Just...ACHOO!" Kotono sneezes again, reblowing her nose after. "Dust kinda bothered me up there is all, you know?"
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* ChanServ sets mode: +o Asher
> "Just...ACHOO!" Kotono sneezes again, reblowing her nose after. "Dust kinda bothered me up there is all, you know?"
<Asher> Asher sighs, loudly scrunching the now empty water bottle up and tossing it at a nearby trash can. He steps over behind her and quietly wraps an arm around her waist, speaking quietly. "Yeah, I guess. Don't be so silly next time, then."
> "Okay, okay" Kotono nuzzles into Asher, wrapping her arms around his neck. "But that was just...wonderful!"
<Asher> "Uh huh," Asher replies, leaning down to look at her with a wry smile on his face. He nudges the top of Kotono's forehead, leaning back against the wall. "Kotono, sometimes the solution or explanation is sort of... right there on your fingertips and you don't even realize it. Don't forget to look at the obvious sometimes, mmkay? Not everything is weird and exotic and supernatural."
> "You're lying," Kotono giggles, bringing her face up and close to Asher's. Her smile is cutely winsome now, brushing her nose against Asher's. "Thanks, though."
* Takeshi is now known as Hal-away
<Asher> "I am not," Asher replies with a somewhat indignant look, the proximity softening it somewhat as he looks at her with a hopeless expression. "When it comes down to it, anything that's 'supernatural' is just a relative term anyway. It's how you see it. So in a way everything's normal, too.'
> "Uh uh." Kotono giggles, "The world's full of magic and wonder, Asher-chan, and we're a part of it's coolstuff!" Leaning in, Kotono's lips then brush his again, just barely.
<Asher> "...you're hopeless," Asher laments at last, closing his eyes momentarily. Oh, hell. He moves in to give her a brief kiss, lips touching and embracing but nothing more than that as he moves back again, eyes a bit mirthful. "Kotono, you promised me you'd keep under control, remember?"
> "This is under control...no tongue yet," Kotono just smiles back, cute as a button as she again kisses Asher!
<Asher> "...as long as you remember to keep it that way..." Asher manages out as he weakly manages the same smile, surrendering to her charm. Okay, he had to admit... this wasn't all that bad. Enjoyable would not be an inappropriate term. He presses back more against the wall, replying with Kotono's motion with the same against her forehead.
> So Kotono presses things. It's quite easy to lose track of time like this..mmm. Until one thing happens - her hand goes low - way too low, onto IT. Cupping and holding it, oh my! All that nice kissing is put right into perspective!
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<Asher> As always, this jolts Asher back into searing consciousness as he shudders involuntarily again and presses his own hand against hers, drawing it away, even as he breaks away for a moment, scarlet cheeks embracing his face. "Kotono..." There's a quiet amount of unease in that voice, raising his eyes to meet hers.
> "Come on...I don't mind to do it," Kotono smiles, eyes gleaming with excitement as her hand is moved away. "It's supposed to feel reallyg ood, right?"
<Asher> "Is there anything you -don't- mind doing, Kotono?" Asher clicks in a bit disapprovingly as he draws away from her, putting a little space inbetween them and hugging the comfort of the wall again against his back. "That isn't the point... it's just not a good idea to move too far too soon."
> "I don't mind most things, and..." Kotono kneels down, lookign right at it, "I know most guys need that done a lot andI'd be happy to, Asher-chan," she says, looking up with sincerely earnest eyes. "It would make you feel good and be happy, right?"
<Asher> An eye twitch. She really didn't get the point. Asher leans down and takes Kotono's hand and promptly hauls her right back up to height level, giving her a hard look. "Kotono. That isn't the point. Once you do something like that, everything measured forward is going to be based on that standard."
<Asher> "I'd like a relationship where things stay meaningful from start to end, and don't necessarily require some minimum form of affection... trust me, it's much better that way," he continues, looking at her all seriously now. A sigh. An unbidden, forbidden urge that wonders what the fuck he's doing. Reclaimer WAS right - most guys would've just jumped on this.
<Asher> He was even in a rare position where he'd get away with it. But. Still. "...okay?"
> "That is meaningful, Asher-chan. I'm offering it because I want to do ita nd because I love you," Kotono smiles cheerfully, leaning int o gently kiss him again. "I wouldn't unless I really did like someone."
<Asher> Asher's fingers curl up around hers, letting her take the kiss even as his face falls slightly. "... I know, Kotono. More to the point... you don't need to do that to prove it, and if you start, then it'll feel like you don't anymore if you ever do anything otherwise - and that's something that's both isn't true and not what I want."
> "I don't have to prove it, I do it because I feel that way. Asher-chan...I want you. Badly." Kotono looks on with frank honestness, blushing. "I...I want to wake up curled up in our chest, naked and happy."
> &your
<Asher> Asher closes his eyes, trembling a little bit before sweeping Kotono up with an arm around her and bringing her close. Firmly. He holds her form tightly against his, hands wrapped around her and remaining still otherwise. Nothing else. Pressing his face against her shoulder, words refuse to come out.
> Kotono holds where she is, matching this and holding Asher herself.
<Asher> With little else to be said, he straightens back up, eyes instinctively scanning over a nearby clock with his hand currently tucked away against her. He had to... but... suppressing his thoughts, Asher gently releases her from his grip and smiles a bit tiredly. "I need to head home soon... alright?"
> "Asher-chan..." Kotono looks on, hopefully, "Could you close your eyes a few moments and not peek for me?"
<Asher> Asher gives Kotono a long look, the obvious question of 'why' on his face, but not saying anything beyond that. He gives a brief nod.
> "Thanks," Kotono steps back, just as Asher closes his eyes. He can hear faint sounds - like Kotono' sstepping around, working with something, little soft cottony swishes.
<Asher> Asher waits, patiently, since the prospect of wondering what exactly Kotono is up to is far too broad to even narrow it down to any tangible field. He crosses his arms, keeping his eyes closed.
> It's about a minute or so before you hear Kotono pad back over to you. "Asher-chan...open your eyes," she says quietly, the feeling of her arms going around Asher's neck again felt.
<Asher> Asher does so slowly, vision blurring at first as it adjusts to the light again, his lips pursed.
> Kotono wears only cute pink panties, looking at Asher as shes miles. "I love you, Asher. As a woman ...I want you tonight. I want to hold you, touch you, kiss you, feel you...please." Kotono is smiling the entire time, her heart in her eyes. "It will mean a lot, because that...I love you."
<Asher> Oh, dear God. Asher's breath pretty much freezes straight in his tracks as he feels two very distinct urges tearing him in totally opposite directions. He stares over openly at Kotono, his eyes unable to break from her gaze. T... he shudders again, sinking back and then instinctively shutting his eyes. Trying to put the vivid imagery that he was just provided away for a moment. "...Kotono, don't..."
> "Asher, I want you. Take me." Kotono repeats softly, "You're the man I love, and I want you to take my virginity in my childhood bed, okay? Ever since I've met you...I've been happier than I have been before, even when I met everyone." Leaning forward, Kotono presses two soft, propelling arguments into Asher!
* Hal-away is now known as Takeshi
> "Asher..." Kotono purrs, rubbing up against him. "Just relax and do it. Please."
<Asher> roll 2d6+2
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+2 and gets 5."12 [2d6=2, 1]
<Asher> "Kotono..." Well. There's not much mistaking that Asher's tone of voice is thoroughly different now. He melts back a little bit, breathing heavily, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he clutches his hands against the floor. "I... I.. just...." The voice cracks a little bit, still a semblance of control there. "Don't know..."
> Kotono smiles and goes to her panties, pulling them down without preamble. Now nude as they slide down her legs, "I want this...and I know you do too," Kotono smiles, kneeling and reaching her hand out for IT again!
<Asher> roll 2d6+2 for sanity checks
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+2 for sanity checks and gets 8."12 [2d6=4, 2]
<Asher> And that just about does it. Something in Asher's mind snaps. A restraint? A surrender? But whatever the case, he feels a distinct loss of... SOMETHING. There's still a part of his mind that was tugging him to go back before, and now it's shrieking and screaming. But all of that really doesn't amount to much when you have a mass of warm, blonde sensuality parked right in front of you.
<Asher> Asher moves closer to Kotono, lips fully embracing her now as his arms wrap around and said constraints are thrown off for the remainder of the night, to whatever that may be. For the moment, euphoria overtakes all other trains of thoughts.
> ----

> ---Arc 2 go!---
> Oh home. Home and dinner! A feast late this evening since Mom worked late, but the rare bounty of good takeout isn't one to be neglected! Mom and Dad also eat with gusto, so it's a shame when the beep fo the clock hitting 8 PM is also disrupted by a communicator's beep.
<Asher> Foooooooooood. Asher wolfs it down with great enthuisiasm - after all, in all technicality he's still a growing young man, etc. etc. although his eyes roll over everytime he hears that euphenism. Sadly, the banquet's abrupt halting to the comm makes him blanch for a moment, then stand up and sigh. "Think that's me, I'll be right back." Heading upstairs, he fishes out the comm and sees who it is. Kotono again?
> Yep. Sadly. It's just a merry beep and not the chorus of the Ragnarok, however.
<Asher> With a shrug, a shut door and leaning wearily back against the bed, Asher answers. Well, it's late. What could she possibly want?
> "Hi!" Kotono beams ear to ear, nodding. "What's up and do you feell ike doing something tonight since Dad's still not bad and I got a really cool supernatural club lead and I'm gonna call REi-chan to see if the three of us are up to it, huh?"
<Asher> "...um." Asher looks plaintitively back at the door. "I'm having dinner right now, and..." A glance at the watch. El time-o?
> It's just past 8, as the clock noted merely a moment or three ago.
<Asher> ...right. Hey, Kotono sidetracks his mind, dammit, and not in THAT way! "...I guess if it's important. What exactly are you up to?"
> "Well, you see..." Kotono pauses a moment, room behind her, "I found out that this new shopping mall that's open 24 a day - that one that specalizes in art and rich stuff, I think the name is the Asabara Local Outlet...yeah, it is," Kotono checks her papers a moment, "Anyway, I heard they're totally haunted during those midnight art festivals they're having there!"
<Asher> "You heard this from where?" Asher asks patiently. Might as well make sure this 'club meeting' wasn't just another excuse for latching on, and to also make sure she wasn't going on a wild goose chase, either...
> "Well, I did a I Ching reading and it so pointed it otu!" Kotono nods along easily, smiling. "Right?"
<Asher> "...you... did you even talk to anyone AT the outlet, Kotono?" Asher continues, a knot growing in his stomach.
> "Not yet!" Kotono bubbles, grinning, "Besides, I'm sure I'm right and we're going to find somethign really cool at night!"
<Asher> Oh Kochan. Asher hangs his head slightly, grimacing. "Kotono, that isn't... -that- much of a lead..." Might as well out and say it.
> 'Find an excuse and abort, flee and bail,' Reclaimer adds mentally. 'Say you're grounded!'
<Asher> 'That'd be lying,' Asher replies with a bit of vehemance. 'No need to resort to that.'
> 'It's also safer.'
> Meanwhile!
> "It's fine enough!" Kotono retorts quickly, blushing, "Besides I'm sure it'll work ine and everything 'll be really cool so let's go and you can hang out with me and Rei-chan!"
<Asher> 'Until you get caught. It's not a road I particularly care to wander down.'
> 'Suit yourslf, Pluto boytoy.'
<Asher> ...oi. Though the fact that he WOULD get off annoys him - and he restrains the urge to snarl and bite out at Reclaimer. "Did you already call Rei-chan and ask her about this?"
> "Not yet!" Kotono chirps, "So c'mon and you can even bring your really cool magical sword along, too!"
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<Asher> 'Oh, hear that? She wants you, Reclaimer-chan!' Asher mimics Kotono's voice in his head as he hides the smirk on his face, looking back at Kotono's visage on the communicator. Oh, hell, it's a lost cause. "Eh, alright, not like I had anything in mind. Let me finish dinner up first, though."
* General_Nephrite is now known as Takeshi
> "Great! Be at my place by 10! See you, Asher-chan!" In an energetic wink Kotono is gone, the sentence passed.
<Asher> Mrf.
<Asher> MRF.
<Asher> MRF. Asher heads back downstairs without a further word and goes to finish dinner. His shoulders sink back a little bit in anticipation of the coming night, but what the hell. Practice makes perfect, right? It'd build character, right? He'd gain new levels of pain tolerance, right?!
> Dad is finishing up his food as Asher returns, looking him over. "Studies going well?"
<Asher> "Not bad," Asher offers conservatively, hoping to pry up some kind of peace offering here to satisfy him. Oh! "I attended a scholarship meeting and I'm sort of waiting on a reply for that, too. Otherwise, everything the same, I guess."
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<Asher> <Kotono> Dad is finishing up his food as Asher returns, looking him over. "Studies going well?"
<Asher> <Asher> "Not bad," Asher offers conservatively, hoping to pry up some kind of peace offering here to satisfy him. Oh! "I attended a scholarship meeting and I'm sort of waiting on a reply for that, too. Otherwise, everything the same, I guess."
<Anastasia> "Good." Dad's mood perks up ever so slightly, Mom smiling as well. "Get into a good school, ASher." He even looks a bit proud for a moment, as, "Don't let your new friends distract you from that."
<Asher> Oh, so many things he could SAY. So many ways to defend himself. But they would all require giving more detail than he was necessarily comfortable with, and knowing his parents that would take it waaaaaaaay the wrong way anyway. Not that he feared any sort of serious reprival from them, but he really didn't want that hanging over his shoulder. "Of course." ...oh, hell. Speaking of which!
<Asher> "Actually..." What timing. "I'm going to head out tonight again to meet them up and probably do my regimen again." Yeah. Just get it out. Ow. Asher focuses in finishing his dinner as he makes that pronouncement.
<Anastasia> "Oh Asher..." Mother begins, blushing, but Dad holds up a tired hand. "Go ahead, son, as long as you can keep up your grades and keep her happy?" He smiles a little bit at that.
<Asher> Asher gives his mother a long look, as though to say 'it's NOT like that'. Given his total backing behind that belief, it isn't all that hard. He sighs, drops his fork, and stares up at Dad. "You have my word that if I were actually going out with someone and considered her my girlfriend I'd tell you. Deal? Let's leave the suspicions out of the air."
<Anastasia> "Alright, son," Dad seems content with that bowing his head as he gets seconds. But Mom looks on curiously, scanning her son.
Session Time: Sat Sep 30 00:00:00 2006
<Asher> The brow of irritation that threatens to come up is quietly wiped out as Asher finishes up his dinner quietly and in relative peace. It wasn't that he didn't hold anything against his parents for being vaguely curious about it. Given the hours he'd been coming back? He was lucky he wasn't being incarcerated. Just... how the HELL does anyone ever explain KOTONO?
<Asher> Or, for that matter, the rather eclectic interests he had taken lately? A sigh, a washing of the dishes - gladly volunteered by himself - before Asher starts to head back upstairs to wash up and grab his stuff from his room.
<Anastasia> As Asher heads upstairs, "Asher!" Mom follwos up, keeping a good pace as she does.
<Asher> Uh oh. Asher halts in his tracks, turning around, regarding Mom intently with a respectful look. "Yes, mom?" Well, at least she didn't look like the living dead anymore. That was a plus.
<Anastasia> She does look better, yes. She holds her hands at her waist as she looks ASher over. "Don't be out too late no matter what?"
<Asher> "Believe me when I say that's usually not a factor under my control?" Asher replies, with a bit of a wince. "There were a few times I just crashed and didn't see it coming. But I'll try to make it home in time, mom. I'm never late for school." TECHNICALLY true. Saying that makes him wince again, though.
<Anastasia> "Alright..." Mom frowns a moment, "If we're ever off in an afternoon, bring them over?"
<Asher> "Sure," Asher offers easily enough. Why? One: they were almost never, ever, ever off an afternoon, let alone BOTH of them at the same time. Two: the schedules of the senshi, and Takeshi or the Gaians for that matter, were never exactly in harmony, so he'd have a conveniently legitimate excuse anyway. "Just... you know, we don't have a whole lot of room to spare, so I figured it'd be best if I met with them elsewhere..."
<Anastasia> "They can still visit," Mom smiles and retreats, falling back. Reclaimer starts to speak but thinks better of it...
<Asher> A sigh. A negligent nod. "Okay, mom." Yeah, story of his life. Asher heads back up to his room to retrieve his stuff and if he is not conveniently railroaded into another track, off he goes!
<Anastasia> As Asher packs up and gets ready, 'You know,' he begins idly, 'Going to bring Kotono over to meet the parents?'
<Anastasia> 'Or any of the other girls. Really, you should get around and visit them more often.'
<Asher> 'The day Kotono meets my parents is the day they suffer from a tragic simultaneous heart attack,' Asher quips. 'And I don't... why do I need to run around visiting other girls' houses and making them wonder even MORE?!'
<Anastasia> 'They're also your allies, Asher. Not only are they Princesses, but most of them are nice, normal girls.'
<Asher> 'And they have their own lives and their own interests that I'm fairly sure don't involve myself save for her highness of the tenth planet of our system of celestial bodies,' Asher says in way of reply, grumbling. He barrels down the stairs, opening the door and accessing the night's state.
<Anastasia> It's cloudly. Looks like rain soon! 'Oh, stop that, you giant loner. Say it with me: Friends are good!'
<Asher> That makes Asher freeze in his tracks. With a slow, strangled amount of patience, he replies back to Reclaimer with a more serious tone of voice, icily cold. 'You've been watching me ever since childhood, right?'
<Anastasia> 'Yep.' Reclaimer goes on, matching that tone. 'I also know that you should keep in touch with them, Knight.'
<Asher> 'Perhaps.' The voice remains chilly, as Asher resumes his pace, making a beeline for Kotono's residence, quiet annoyance lining his words. 'But for other reasons entirely. Not for the sake of 'friends'. I think you should know full well by now the reputation of that term.' Asher smiles grimly, a rare occasion for such brooding thoughts to harbor around him, as he fends over the streets.
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* Topic is 'It's "Rei-chan needs to be PUNISHED!" week! Oh Rei-chan!'
* Set by Kotono on Thu Sep 07 00:47:44
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> <Anastasia> 'Yep.' Reclaimer goes on, matching that tone. 'I also know that you should keep in touch with them, Knight.'
> <Asher> 'Perhaps.' The voice remains chilly, as Asher resumes his pace, making a beeline for Kotono's residence, quiet annoyance lining his words. 'But for other reasons entirely. Not for the sake of 'friends'. I think you should know full well by now the reputation of that term.' Asher smiles grimly, a rare occasion for such brooding thoughts to harbor around him, as he fends over the streets.
> 'Yes, yes,' Reclaimer notes with just a hint of sarcasm.
<Asher> It's with a heavy shrug and no other comment as Asher makes his way through the streets of Tokyo. It is pretty late, all things considered. At least there would be someone else there to share the pain this time. Poor Rei. He hides another smile as he gets closer to the neighborhood with Kotono's house.
> Nothing of note happens on this trip. A small, rare mercy for Asher perhaps, Kotono's neighborhood silent and peaceful. But on reaching her house? WEll, there's a problem. You can see it well in advance, due to what looks to be a small rocket ready to lift off in her front yard! It's only about two feet tall, but it's coated in neon green colors and Kotono's pust a few heavy lights around it!
<Asher> ...A rocket. I see. Somehow Asher has his apprenhensions about it ever breaking out of the stratosphere.... or the ground. Putting a weary hand on his shoulder, he walks past it. Seriously, Kotono, where do you come UP with this? So long as you don't burn your house down, though...
> Kotono is just coming out as ASher walks past, carrying goggles and wearing a pair herself! Rei's behind her, clad in much the same. She looks rather exasperated, too!
> "Asher-chan!" Kotono waves, tossing the pair of goggles at him, "I figured we had time for the Pluto Voyager mk 34, so just put these on and watch since I think I got the alterations to the kit right this time, huh?!"
<Asher> "...Pluto Voyager, Kotono," Asher says with an extreme amoutn of patience. He catches the goggles, resisting the overpowering urge to facefault. Glancing at the rocket with a sigh, Asher takes a moment to see if she was serious about making the thing architecturally sound. Well, it wasn't the FIRST time she'd tried, right?
> OOC - You know anything about rocketS?
<Asher> OOC - Only what I would know in school!
<Asher> OOC - So guessing that's some random Mind check.
> OOC - Yeah, just make a mind check I guess.
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 3."12 [2d6=1, 2]
> Oh, it's...something. The parts are out of order and you're not sure on any modifications, ut a large chunk of green quartz crystal has been embedded into the hull.
<Asher> "...Kotono, how far did your last attempts at this make it?" Asher asks wearily as he steps back, putting the goggles on now. Quartz crystal. Did she purposely make these hazardous or something?!
> Rei just clears her throat and then shakes her head, hiding behind the far end of the yard and ducking.
> "It made it a good ways! REally! It just didn't blow up evne if Rei-chan says so!" Kotono retorts with a blush, going to fiddle with something on it, getting a lighter out.
<Asher> Asher cranes his head over to see Rei's figure, disdain on his face. So THAT's how it was, eh? He glances back at the rocket again, wondering if there was any point whatosever to point out the... numerous flaws... that incurred during instruction.. and the utter futility of breaking gravity - hey, wait, WAIT a second. "Kotono, you know, you might have more success with these attempts if you did a little adjustment yourself."
> "Well, I did, see that?" Kotono points at the green Crystal, nodding, "It's magical waves should totally help it fly!"
<Asher> "I meant try the magic -yourself-," Asher explains with a bit of a wince. "You do have some influence over space and gravity, right? That could drastically lighten the load on the rocket if nothing else." Because trying to fix the rocket plans at this point was utterly futile...
> "...oooooh!" Kotono's eyes gleam in pure happiness, a blonde flash as Asher is glommed onto. "That's an AWESOME IDEA, Asher-chan! Thanks!"
<Asher> "...I'm amazed you didn't realize that before," Asher mumbles beneath his breath as he gently pries Kotono off, squaring his shoulders. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" With a resigned look, he dons the goggles and heads over away from the 'blast site', closer to one particular Rei, giving her a steady look.
> As Kotono giggles and goes to the rocket...
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 5."12 [2d6=2, 3]
> Rei looks on with a wry s mile, shaking her head. "Safer back here, trust me," Rei murmurs, "You've seen the craters."
<Asher> "You have to admire her persistence at being able to oversee the obvious," Asher comments back with a low groan. He, too, turns back to make sure Kotono doesn't blow herself up or anything.
> "Yep." Rei looks on, watching in open tridepitation.  Kotono lights a fuse and skips back a bit, nodding. "This should be totally awesome with Space magic!"
> roll 2d6 against a 4 body for the shuttle
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 against a 4 body for the shuttle and gets 3."12 [2d6=2, 1]
> The rocket blasts off! A noble burst of flame comes rom it's thrusters below, the body bulging but staying intact! The quartz gleams with a fiery green-red, as the rocket takes off, soaring as if gravity has no hold on it! It's out of sight in seconds, rushing into the night sky with a wink!
> "...I..." Kotono stares, slack jawed.
<Asher> "......."
<Asher> Asher takes off the goggles and openly stares.
> "You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Rei blurts out in utter dismay.
> "I mean, that is totally fucking impossible; Kotono's fucking rockets never fucking work!" Rei's words just tumble out in a totally lost mess, the miko falling over.
> "...oh..." Kotono gently sniffles, turning to Asher. Her face is crying, but it's tears of transfixed joy as she looks at Asher! "Oh...Oh...Asher-chan! I...I love you!" she cries out, from there to here in a mere second! Asher is knocked back into the fence, Kotono rubbing into his chest for all her worth! "WE DID IT! YOU HELPED ME FINALLY DO IT ASHER_CHAN AND THAT'S JUST AWESOME!"
<Asher> Nnnnnngraaaaah! Asher just falls back. Doesn't resist. Hits the ground. OW. Still doesn't move. World's a vision of haze. He closes his eyes and waits for blissful death to take him. Why. WHY? WHY?!
> "Oh...oh...!" But Kotono isn't still. What's that warm feeling on Asher's lips!? What's that slimy hot feeling inside his mouth!? Kotono's pressing into him for all she's worth, crying in bliss!
<Asher> NnnnnGHHHH HEY WAIT A SECOND. Asher squirms, twists around, trying valiantly to get away from Kotono's death-passionate grip as he tries to suck for air and - get - back - up!
> OOC - Body check1
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 10."12 [2d6=5, 5]
> No good! Asher's just stunned as Kotono does her best to take poor Asher's mouth for all she's worth! She's MAKING OUT WITH HIM?! Meanwhile you notice her hands running down his sides, getting entirely too close to ASher's hips and midsection!
> "...." Rei slowly sits up, blinking at this dispaly, "...um...." she mutters, wide eyed and sputtering.
<Asher> "K..." Well, any word he tries to make is going to just get DROWNED OUT by the clashing of tongues as Asher claws his hands into the ground and forces himself to hoist back up to gain some semblance of sanity back! His knuckles are white, his form on the verge of thrashing about!
> OOC - Body check again1
<Asher> roll 2d6 burn 10 EP
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burn 10 EP and gets 3."12 [2d6=1, 2]
> Kotono is knocked away, tongue flickering out as she lands off Asher! The balance is disrupted, a blushing and heaving blonde right in front of him!
<Asher> A deep, heaving breath as Asher shudders involuntarily, holding up a hand. "Kotono. Calm DOWN." He gets these words out before collapsing right back on the ground again, with a soft groan. Coincidentally, his head landing to look straight up to the shellshocked visage of one certain miko. There's an utter look of disbelief on his face.
> Rei stares balck with blank shock, before looking up to Kotono. "Uh...yeah, look," she coughs, wobbling up to her feet, "Why don't I just...give you two some space for the night. Yeah, gonna go inside..." Rei slowly stagger towards Kotono' house, loopy!
<Asher> "Rei," Asher bites out beneath his breath, so that only the miko can hear him, "do you MIND?!"
* Seraphin is now known as Hotaru-chan
* Thrall is now known as Usagi
> "Oh...oh..." Kotono sniffles again, looking on at Asher with total love and hope in her eyes."It finally worked and it was all because of your suggestion, Asher-chan!"
> "Yes, yes I do," Rei glances back at the lovestricken blonde, "If you hurry you can catch up1"
<Asher> "...I need a drink right about now," Asher mutters as he hauls himself back up, staring over at Kotono for a moment. "Kotono, let's head in and ... " NO. DO NOT ASK HER TO CELEBRATE. The gears in Asher's mind rewind, thinking furiously. "... look into that other lead you were talking about, okay?" God. The lesser of two evils.
* Makoto (WinNT@d207-216-158-77.bchsia.telus.net) Quit (scifi-classics.dejatoons.net eternia.dejatoons.net)
* Makoto (WinNT@d207-216-158-77.bchsia.telus.net) has joined #evildunes
* eternia.dejatoons.net sets mode: +ao Makoto Makoto
> "Oh Asher..." Kotono stares i starry eyed love, creeping closer again. "The only lead I'm interested in now is you!"
<Asher> Asher is already following Rei into the house~!
> Kotono springs up, chasing after Asher! Meanwile Rei has slipped into the house, going into high gear speed!
<Asher> Two can play that game as Asher runs right behind the miko!
> OOC - Kotono's chasing you for real. Body check against her, opposing.
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 8."12 [2d6=5, 3]
<Asher> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 5."12 [2d6=4, 1]
> Asher keeps a good pace with Rei! Rei darts upstairs quickly, heading for Kotono's back yard! "Asher-chaaaaan!" Kotono calls as she gives chase!
<Asher> No time to think! Asher grips on Reclaimer, a death grip at that as he hisses into the sword's mind. 'If there is ever a time I could use your input I need it NOW. Can I fly if I try hard enough?!'
> 'You're not even transformed!' Reclaimer fires back as he continues to follow Rei into the back yard!
<Asher> Meanwhile, he jets up the stairs, still hot on Rei's trail and hopefully far away from the blonde compressed death behind him!
<Asher> 'Answer the question!' Asher snips out as he ducks into the second story of the house and out to the backyard entrance!
> 'Maybe! You could just face her and get kissed, like how every other hot blooded youth in the nation would be thrilled to be?'
> Meanwhile Rei looks back, and hears, "Aaaaassssher!"
<Asher> 'You REALLY think that would be the only thing she'd stop at at this rate?!'
> "Shit..." Rei mutters, rubbing her temples and sighing. "You brought her along, idiot!":
> 'Well, maybe she'll calm down with a baby in ehr belly?'
<Asher> "She's not after YOU," Asher mutters as he pushes past Rei and into the backyard. "Just get out of her way or something if you don't want to deal with her."
<Asher> 'You're no help. At all.'
<Asher> Once in the backyard, Asher thinks furiously, urgently calling the wind out to the expanse with rapid-fire acceleration!
> OOC - Soul check-o.
<Asher> roll 2d6 burn 10 EP
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burn 10 EP and gets 5."12 [2d6=3, 2]
<Asher> With the streams of air coming forth to his command, their cool touch a moment's respite from the adrenaline-pumping menace probably only a handful of seconds behind him, Asher grits his teeth and makes the air go up - up - up! He kneels back and firmly implants his feet in the ground, then jumps, praying with all his might that the wind carries him with its free but strong embrace!
> OOC - That's a helluva jump still. Soul check +1; g'luck!
<Asher> roll 2d6 burn 20 EP
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burn 20 EP and gets 3."12 [2d6=1, 2]
> Rei falls back at this action, letting Kotono pass her by! As this happens Asher leaps to the roof, landing atop Kotono's house! There's a small access window here to what looks to be an atic, as well as a bird's nest in the gutter. "Asher!" Kotono calls up, her voice carrying.
<Asher> Asher sits on top of the roof, remaining carefully out of sight and quiet even as the wind blissfully buffets about him. His hair ruffles from its touch, a cool and soothing sensation against the near-fatal panic that gripped his heart only seconds back. Catching his breath, he closes his eyes and whimpers incoherantly to himself. 'How long do you think it'll take till she calms down?'
> 'Give it a fewdays?' Reclaimer speaks in Kotono's voice, 'Since Asher-chan is just too awesome!'
> roll 2d6
* Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 4."12 [2d6=1, 3]
<Asher> 'You know what, I hate you,' Asher bites out again in a low snarl as he takes a look at the access window. It look latched in or locked? If not, and assuming it doesn't put him in obvious view, he'll ease down there.
> It's unlocked! "Asher!" There's a problem with that call - it's really freaking close, Kotono's voice having made up some serious distance!
<Asher> ...what the hell?! He could've sworn that Rei had said some time ago that Kotono didn't know how to fly yet! Or did she just manage to pull that off on the spur of a moment? Asher flinches, stills his movement to silence, and stares down. Well, better be ready for a backup plan. That drop doesn't look very HEALTHY, though...
<Asher> Carefully keeping cover so that he isn't so obviously in sight, he assesses the air anyway in case he does have to make a last ditch attempt to escape, hoping that bones won't be broken in the process!
> The wind is still blowing from Asher's magic, as you hear her call again. "Asher-chan?" Kotono choruses, "Asher-chan!"
<Asher> Is the access window something he could jerk open and rush in without making too much of a racket?
> Asher can see that it's a bit rusty. Looks openable, but perhaps not quietly, and rushing it would surely make sure Kotono knows where he is. Her footsteps are getting closer! "I know you're up here, Asher-chan," she purrs.
<Asher> Screw it. With a negligent flicker of his wrist, Asher directs the wind to batter the window for noise - as much of it as possible - then grips down to the very edge of the rooftop and... oh god that was a long drop. The things one does. Faith. He closes his eyes and lets go, silently falling in the wake of the noise as he commands the air to densify and slow his descent to a non-limb-breaking one?!
> OOC - Soul check +1, and if that fails, Body check +1.
<Asher> roll 2d6+1
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+1 and gets 7."12 [2d6=2, 4]
> Asher is ablet o buffer his fall as the attic roof rattles! He lands roughly but unharmed, right in Kotono's front yard!
<Asher> Now to RUN like hell away from this place and never to return again?! Or to... no, well, if he ran out in the front yard he'd be in wide open sight for stray blondes on rooftops. Instead, he edges back into the house, quietly closing the door with extreme care!
> As Asher slipsb ack into the front door, he hears, "Asher-chan?!" Kotono calls from atop the roof! But the kitchen is quiet and empty, Rei just returning to it. "...got away?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.
<Asher> "For the time being." Asher looks weary and a little shaky as he walks over to the ktichen counter and places both hands on it, shivering. "I figure it'll be a little bit before she calms down."
> "Lucky you," Rei smirks just a tiny bit, going to the fridge adn getting a bottle of water. "Want one? Anyway, I still can't believe it. That thing's probably in Earth orbit now."
<Asher> "I don't know about THAT," Asher replies as he nods gratefully, sucking in a breath and leaning back, trying to draw back some semblance of energy within himself. OOC - am I allowed rejuv attempts untransformed?
> OOC - Generally not, but I'll give yoau  Soul check +4 at a shot at it, since you could use trying to draw out another minor power or two.
<Asher> roll 2d6+4
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+4 and gets 8."12 [2d6=2, 2]
> Asher feels a tug, but he can't quite marshall  it - but he does feel a force bent against, something inside strained. "Sucking in a lot of air, hm?W arming up for the main event?" Rei passes over a bottle ofw ater, cold and fresh.
<Asher> "That thing's construction was a little... questionable. She was lucky as hell the thing survived the flight through the atmosphere as is, and only that because gravity was suddenly thrown out of the window." Asher takes the bottle, then his face screws up as he turns to regard Rei with a briefly pained look. "Don't give me that."
<Asher> Popping the cap, he downs half the contents in a handful of gulps, eyes shut and willing out the slight buzzing headache in his forehead as the sharply cold water numbs his mind.
> "There should be a doomsday timer above you that counts how long it is until you make Kochan a woman." Rei smirsk even more, gulping down water before sighing. "If you want to flee, this si your best chance you're probably going to get. I think Kotono's plans went kaput for the night anyway."
<Asher> "I might," Asher agrees sourly. On hindsight, dealing with Kotono like this really wasn't high up on his lists of 'want to do'. And frankly, he had no illusions about what the rest of the night would have been even without this incident in regards to her. "I guess it's a little silly of me to keep having some weird form of faith that she'll calm down eventually." Eyes still shut, he punctuates this statement with a sigh.
> "I believed her when she said she loved you," Rei points out, voicel osing it's sarcastic, vicious edge. "Look, I had a long go around with a few people about this back awhile ago. She's just a lonely girl who gloms on too tightly. Something that's not singular to her, but she's just obsessively hyper about it. Cope or try to dump her, I guess."
<Asher> Asher raises a hand, an edge of ... something on his voice. It's a little shaky, as he places the water bottle down. "I don't have any intentions of leaving. I meant just for tonight," he sighs, throwing a look over at her. "Given my proximity in her current state mind can't possibly lead to healthy results. I know there's a Kotono in there that can think more soundly than that."
<Asher> "Besides," he adds in, a little wearily, "it'd be fucking moronic beyond all reason if I had tried to stick around her this long and just bailed out now. That's worse than blowing someone off in the first place." Irritation seeps into his voice, eyes a little red now as he stares over up at Rei. "I wouldn't do that."
> "Both of them want to be taken by a strong confident man, I think," Rei smiles, amused and lighting up her face with a cattish bliss. "Though, out of pure curiosity, why not? Most guys would've taken the bait and done her several times over. Good for you on the rest, though."
<Asher> "Because it's a mess," Asher sighs. "It's where relationships start centering themselves almost entirely on that element and it can bend or break things with sadistic ease. I've seen it happen too many times, and I'd rather not fall into that trap myself. Even if Kotono's... swear to god, I have to say this, she's one of the most faithful people I've ever met... it's still a step you can't ever take back."
> "I guess," Rei allows that much as she goes into the living room to sit down. "I can make an excuse for you if you want, though. For tongiht, that is."
<Asher> He waves a hand, taking another long sip of water before stepping back over to the edge of the kitchen. "I dunno for now. Part of me wants to be firmer in holding her back... part of me's afraid to break her tenacious faith if I do that." He smiles briefly, staring up at the table. "She's a little more complex than most people take her."
* Retrieving #evildunes modes...
> "Alright, but I'm gonna bail. I think the plans are ruined now anyway." Rei glances at the oven clock, a bit past 10. "We're running late on it as is, so I'd rather just go hoem andg et some sleep." With that Rei waves, heading for the front door.
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* ChanServ sets mode: +ao Thrall Thrall
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* Thrall is now known as Usagi
<Asher> Asher trails Rei as she leaves, only nodding briefly. "You do that, I guess." He doesn't make a move from his own spot, staring at the miko's back, although for other reasons entirely. "Take care," he manages, words lost in a mixture of thoughts as he resumes staring back at the kitchen counter.
> Asher ets about another ten minutes of peace before he's interrupted. Kotono staggers into the kitchen, dusty and sneezing. "T--ACHO! There youACHOO! are, Asher-chan!" The blonde goes right for some paper towels, blowing her nose. "That stupid attic is totally full of dust!"
<Asher> "Whatever were you doing up there, Kotono?" Asher asks quietly and deceptively mild. He finishes up the bottle he was drinking, hiding the brief smile on his face before turning around to regard the blonde.
> "ACHOO!" Kotono sneezes another time, sniffling loudly. "That was mean!" Kotono looks on in annoyance, "Why'd you ahve to run, huh?"
<Asher> "Because you weren't in any state of mind to be reasoned with," Asher says with uncharacteristic bluntness. He steps over to her, frowning a little bit with crossed arms. "...are you okay, though?"
> "Just...ACHOO!" Kotono sneezes again, reblowing her nose after. "Dust kinda bothered me up there is all, you know?"
* Asher (Arigato@adsl-68-126-191-20.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net) has left #evildunes
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* ChanServ sets mode: +o Asher
> "Just...ACHOO!" Kotono sneezes again, reblowing her nose after. "Dust kinda bothered me up there is all, you know?"
<Asher> Asher sighs, loudly scrunching the now empty water bottle up and tossing it at a nearby trash can. He steps over behind her and quietly wraps an arm around her waist, speaking quietly. "Yeah, I guess. Don't be so silly next time, then."
> "Okay, okay" Kotono nuzzles into Asher, wrapping her arms around his neck. "But that was just...wonderful!"
<Asher> "Uh huh," Asher replies, leaning down to look at her with a wry smile on his face. He nudges the top of Kotono's forehead, leaning back against the wall. "Kotono, sometimes the solution or explanation is sort of... right there on your fingertips and you don't even realize it. Don't forget to look at the obvious sometimes, mmkay? Not everything is weird and exotic and supernatural."
> "You're lying," Kotono giggles, bringing her face up and close to Asher's. Her smile is cutely winsome now, brushing her nose against Asher's. "Thanks, though."
* Takeshi is now known as Hal-away
<Asher> "I am not," Asher replies with a somewhat indignant look, the proximity softening it somewhat as he looks at her with a hopeless expression. "When it comes down to it, anything that's 'supernatural' is just a relative term anyway. It's how you see it. So in a way everything's normal, too.'
> "Uh uh." Kotono giggles, "The world's full of magic and wonder, Asher-chan, and we're a part of it's coolstuff!" Leaning in, Kotono's lips then brush his again, just barely.
<Asher> "...you're hopeless," Asher laments at last, closing his eyes momentarily. Oh, hell. He moves in to give her a brief kiss, lips touching and embracing but nothing more than that as he moves back again, eyes a bit mirthful. "Kotono, you promised me you'd keep under control, remember?"
> "This is under control...no tongue yet," Kotono just smiles back, cute as a button as she again kisses Asher!
<Asher> "...as long as you remember to keep it that way..." Asher manages out as he weakly manages the same smile, surrendering to her charm. Okay, he had to admit... this wasn't all that bad. Enjoyable would not be an inappropriate term. He presses back more against the wall, replying with Kotono's motion with the same against her forehead.
> So Kotono presses things. It's quite easy to lose track of time like this..mmm. Until one thing happens - her hand goes low - way too low, onto IT. Cupping and holding it, oh my! All that nice kissing is put right into perspective!
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* ChanServ sets mode: +ao Thrall Thrall
* Usagi (eb@user-544071cb.wfd80b.dsl.pol.co.uk) Quit (NickServ (GHOST command used by Thrall))
* Thrall is now known as Usagi
<Asher> As always, this jolts Asher back into searing consciousness as he shudders involuntarily again and presses his own hand against hers, drawing it away, even as he breaks away for a moment, scarlet cheeks embracing his face. "Kotono..." There's a quiet amount of unease in that voice, raising his eyes to meet hers.
> "Come on...I don't mind to do it," Kotono smiles, eyes gleaming with excitement as her hand is moved away. "It's supposed to feel reallyg ood, right?"
<Asher> "Is there anything you -don't- mind doing, Kotono?" Asher clicks in a bit disapprovingly as he draws away from her, putting a little space inbetween them and hugging the comfort of the wall again against his back. "That isn't the point... it's just not a good idea to move too far too soon."
> "I don't mind most things, and..." Kotono kneels down, lookign right at it, "I know most guys need that done a lot andI'd be happy to, Asher-chan," she says, looking up with sincerely earnest eyes. "It would make you feel good and be happy, right?"
<Asher> An eye twitch. She really didn't get the point. Asher leans down and takes Kotono's hand and promptly hauls her right back up to height level, giving her a hard look. "Kotono. That isn't the point. Once you do something like that, everything measured forward is going to be based on that standard."
<Asher> "I'd like a relationship where things stay meaningful from start to end, and don't necessarily require some minimum form of affection... trust me, it's much better that way," he continues, looking at her all seriously now. A sigh. An unbidden, forbidden urge that wonders what the fuck he's doing. Reclaimer WAS right - most guys would've just jumped on this.
<Asher> He was even in a rare position where he'd get away with it. But. Still. "...okay?"
> "That is meaningful, Asher-chan. I'm offering it because I want to do ita nd because I love you," Kotono smiles cheerfully, leaning int o gently kiss him again. "I wouldn't unless I really did like someone."
<Asher> Asher's fingers curl up around hers, letting her take the kiss even as his face falls slightly. "... I know, Kotono. More to the point... you don't need to do that to prove it, and if you start, then it'll feel like you don't anymore if you ever do anything otherwise - and that's something that's both isn't true and not what I want."
> "I don't have to prove it, I do it because I feel that way. Asher-chan...I want you. Badly." Kotono looks on with frank honestness, blushing. "I...I want to wake up curled up in our chest, naked and happy."
> &your
<Asher> Asher closes his eyes, trembling a little bit before sweeping Kotono up with an arm around her and bringing her close. Firmly. He holds her form tightly against his, hands wrapped around her and remaining still otherwise. Nothing else. Pressing his face against her shoulder, words refuse to come out.
> Kotono holds where she is, matching this and holding Asher herself.
<Asher> With little else to be said, he straightens back up, eyes instinctively scanning over a nearby clock with his hand currently tucked away against her. He had to... but... suppressing his thoughts, Asher gently releases her from his grip and smiles a bit tiredly. "I need to head home soon... alright?"
> "Asher-chan..." Kotono looks on, hopefully, "Could you close your eyes a few moments and not peek for me?"
<Asher> Asher gives Kotono a long look, the obvious question of 'why' on his face, but not saying anything beyond that. He gives a brief nod.
> "Thanks," Kotono steps back, just as Asher closes his eyes. He can hear faint sounds - like Kotono' sstepping around, working with something, little soft cottony swishes.
<Asher> Asher waits, patiently, since the prospect of wondering what exactly Kotono is up to is far too broad to even narrow it down to any tangible field. He crosses his arms, keeping his eyes closed.
> It's about a minute or so before you hear Kotono pad back over to you. "Asher-chan...open your eyes," she says quietly, the feeling of her arms going around Asher's neck again felt.
<Asher> Asher does so slowly, vision blurring at first as it adjusts to the light again, his lips pursed.
> Kotono wears only cute pink panties, looking at Asher as shes miles. "I love you, Asher. As a woman ...I want you tonight. I want to hold you, touch you, kiss you, feel you...please." Kotono is smiling the entire time, her heart in her eyes. "It will mean a lot, because that...I love you."
<Asher> Oh, dear God. Asher's breath pretty much freezes straight in his tracks as he feels two very distinct urges tearing him in totally opposite directions. He stares over openly at Kotono, his eyes unable to break from her gaze. T... he shudders again, sinking back and then instinctively shutting his eyes. Trying to put the vivid imagery that he was just provided away for a moment. "...Kotono, don't..."
> "Asher, I want you. Take me." Kotono repeats softly, "You're the man I love, and I want you to take my virginity in my childhood bed, okay? Ever since I've met you...I've been happier than I have been before, even when I met everyone." Leaning forward, Kotono presses two soft, propelling arguments into Asher!
* Hal-away is now known as Takeshi
> "Asher..." Kotono purrs, rubbing up against him. "Just relax and do it. Please."
<Asher> roll 2d6+2
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+2 and gets 5."12 [2d6=2, 1]
<Asher> "Kotono..." Well. There's not much mistaking that Asher's tone of voice is thoroughly different now. He melts back a little bit, breathing heavily, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he clutches his hands against the floor. "I... I.. just...." The voice cracks a little bit, still a semblance of control there. "Don't know..."
> Kotono smiles and goes to her panties, pulling them down without preamble. Now nude as they slide down her legs, "I want this...and I know you do too," Kotono smiles, kneeling and reaching her hand out for IT again!
<Asher> roll 2d6+2 for sanity checks
* Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+2 for sanity checks and gets 8."12 [2d6=4, 2]
<Asher> And that just about does it. Something in Asher's mind snaps. A restraint? A surrender? But whatever the case, he feels a distinct loss of... SOMETHING. There's still a part of his mind that was tugging him to go back before, and now it's shrieking and screaming. But all of that really doesn't amount to much when you have a mass of warm, blonde sensuality parked right in front of you.
<Asher> Asher moves closer to Kotono, lips fully embracing her now as his arms wrap around and said constraints are thrown off for the remainder of the night, to whatever that may be. For the moment, euphoria overtakes all other trains of thoughts.
> ----

<Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
<Kotono> Mmmm. Mmmmrf. Mmmm. Asher yawns and sits up, blinking. His sleep ends abruptly as wakefulness comes. Nature calls, making sure he wakes up at the grand hour of...2:31 AM? Ew. 'Evening,' REclaimer murmurs into your mind as the reality of the situation makes itself apparent.
<Asher> It happens. Trotting out of bed with the nighttime malaise still blurring his vision, Asher mumbles something incoherant. 'Thought you'd be "asleep" at this hour,' he remarks as he waits for a moment to adjust to the lack of light. Doing so, he reaches for his door to the bathroom.
<Kotono> 'Thinking. By the by, I'll wait for you to answer nature's call,' REclaimer notes the last with a faint bit of humor, going quiet for Asher to answer said call.
<Asher> Yeah, yeah. Asher flips on the light in the bathroom - small but tidily kept - and attends to that, also taking the time to rinse his face and get some of the sleepy edge out of him. If he woke up this early, odds are sleep won't come easily again.
<Kotono> Once Asher is done and ready to come out, 'How're you feeling now,' the talking sword asks, the edge gone from it's tone.
<Asher> 'Awake,' Asher comments with a bit of a grimace. He walks over to his window and slides both the blinds and it open, giving him a full view of the neighborhood outside and the moon and stars above, if they are visible. A cool breeze wouldn't be bad at all, either.
<Kotono> Clouds have rolled in, but the breeze is winter edged fresh. It certainly wakes ASher up! ' I mean past the matters of the body. It went amazingly well with your parents, all things considered. Without the social glorification of knighthood, I had no idea how he'd react.'
<Asher> 'He'd survive,' Asher notes, dryly. 'As I did. My parents.... say what you will about them, but they're very accepting. Dad especially so. Mom takes a little bit of time before she gets used to an idea, but it still works out in the end.' He stares out of the window, thoroughly enjoying the wind - even if it's cold and a little biting, it's a nice contrast.
<Kotono> 'True...and I suppose in your mind telling them that you'd mated with Kotono would be a fair more unsavory prospect. That said...mmm.' Reclaimer's voice lacks any real sarcasm as it speaks, more reserved and introverted. 'I
<Kotono> 'I'm curious. Beyond her Royal Highness of Pluto, what do you think of the others?"
<Asher> Resting his chin on the edge of the window, Asher thinks about the question for a moment, eyes closed, his hair ruffling thoroughly from the passing wind as he forms his thoughts. 'I don't know enough about them to really say anything. They're... companions? Comrades-in-arms? What do you want me to say?'
<Asher> 'They're all schoolgirls with lives, and I'm sure they find plenty of ways to get past the day and have fun. I'm not really involved in it, though.' He pauses a moment, eyes open again, tracing out patterns in the starry night out of an idle mental task queue. 'Usagi's outgoing, Makoto's reserved, Hotaru's ... Hotaru, Rei's straightforward... I can't really say more than that.'
<Kotono> 'Hotaru...mmm. That one aside, perhaps you need to find ways to become invovled - preferably by not doubletiming. You seem more content to stay alone, Asher, and even if there aren't grand balls and royal intrigue to keep you all linked? Comradeship is important.'
<Asher> 'I don't have enough time to even keep up with a scheduled training regimen as is,' Asher complains, his voice growing a little weary. 'I was going to cram the next week with catching up and staying ahead in my classes to get that load off my shoulders, too. And you just know that Kotono will...' Well, yeah. That much was -obvious-.
<Kotono> 'True, yes. This may be an, ahem, crammed week. The point stands...Makoto is even in your class, isn't she? Takeshi and Usagi go to the same school. Lunches, if nothing else?'
<Asher> 'Usagi goes to lunch with her own friends, last I remember. Takeshi... come on. He's a sparring partner, not a small talker.' Asher sighs again, a puff of mist blowing out the window. 'Makoto... well, I guess I should talk with her sometime both about kendo and Kotono, too. But really. What gives?'
<Kotono> 'In all the time you humans have had to develop and grow, you've come up with a few good sayings. One of them boils down to: No man is an island. Doubly so when your life depends on the Princesses and allies.'
<Asher> Bringing his outstretched face back in and shutting the window, now with a noticeable shiver even as the warmth of the house floods back into him to counteract the cold, Asher slides back against the bed. 'Yeah, well, they seem to be getting along fine, to be totally honest, Reclaimer. The bad guys don't seem all that interested in me, though I can't blame them for that.' He manages a grim smile, hugging at a pillow.
<Kotono> 'You know, that's very nice and pretty if you ignore the festing self pity that flows like a popped zit in you rmind.' Reclaimer picks up it's sarcasm, 'Not only due your court the ever fun forces of irony, you're off base.'
<Asher> Asher has to smirk at that for a moment, staring over at the sword. 'For some ancient spirit stuck in a sword, you pick up on such colorful phrases in such a short amount of time. Yeah, lamenting's a fun thing. If you're just expecting me to go out and somehow fit myself in the social lives of busy magical girls, though, that's just not happening.'
<Kotono> 'Sure it can!' Reclaimer says cheerfully, 'Once I turn you into a hyper young woman you'll fit right in!'
<Asher> '.....' Asher stares over at the sword, suddenly not even wanting to come near it. 'You can't do THAT.'
<Kotono> 'Ashrina? Acrina? Something like that. Princess Knightess.' Reclaimer laughs aloud, strongly. '...no, no I can't. I'm serious about it, though.'
<Asher> 'And I'm serious about the complete lack of feasibility about it,' Asher shoots back, growing a little annoyed now as he sinks back into bed and wishes for sleep to claim him again. 'Especially RIGHT after what happened yesterday and RIGHT after Kotono will almost assuredly run her mouth to all of them. No sane person would ever want to deal with THAT, okay?'
<Kotono> 'Point again, just...' Reclaimer pauses, lowering it's voice as Asher relaxes. 'Bear it in mind, alright? At least talk to MAkoto at the next few lunches?'
<Asher> 'If she doesn't take my head off? I guess,' Asher relents before dragging the blanket over his head, seeking warmth, comfort and unconsciousness. He stretches out, finally managing a yawn.

> ---Arc 2 go! Thank God Asher has Rejuv!---
> Aaah, morning. Asher blinks and wakes up, feeling refreshed. Very much so, the sun shining brightly into his window. Mmmm, now that was what he needed - Asher feels great now!
<Asher> And on time, he hopes vaguely as he instinctively yanks his watch from a nearby counter and straps it on. Wouldn't do to make this a habit, now, would it?
> He's actually up a little early. Plenty of time for breakfast and a leisurely bath if Asher so wants.
<Asher> Those sound both like fine ideas. Asher hops out of bed, throwing the window open again for some fresh morning air and promptly goes down the stairs to get some food. Mom's probably up by now, though god knows how she'll react...
> The kitchen is empty - no sign of Mom OR Dad. But there is a note on the fridge, "Went out to get b reakfast for you, Asher. Love, Mom."
<Asher> "...what?" Asher actually says that out loud as he stares at the note. When was the last time Mom went out this early and just to buy food? He opens the fridge, glancing around - maybe they ran out of food at home? Oi.
> Nope, there are some things in the fridge - milk, some eggs, leftovers, and so on.
<Asher> ...o... kay. He pours himself some orange juice then as he closes the door and downs it quickly in a handful of gulps. Odd. Well, might as well wash up first if they weren't going to be around - and he had time to spare this morning, anyway. To the bath he goes!
> As Asher passes into the bathroom, 'Morning,' Reclaimer notes.
<Asher> 'Morning,' Asher offers half-amiably. So the sword was a presence in a house that was devoid of any other right now. Guess that wasn't THAT bad of a thing. 'How do you "sleep", anyway?'
> 'Like angels on the head of a pin after the dance,' Reclaimer notes easily back, just a light flavoring of sarcasm today.
<Asher> 'Two thousand year old geezer,' Asher bites back with not a small amount of annoyance as the steady, warm stream of the shower starts.
> 'Only?' Asher bats right back, 'But anyway. Just reminding you - talk to Makoto at lunch today.'
<Asher> 'I'll remember,' Asher says wearily just to get the damn sword off his back as he soaks in the shower in silence - physical silence, anyway. It's a brief and efficient one, shutting off the water after a few minutes and drying off thoroughly before stepping out of the bathroom and feeling more ravenous than ever. Food was a luxury that had been much neglected the past week!
> As Asher heads downstairs,  he smells it. Mmm, fast food - biscuits and the like. Smells really, really good!
<Asher> ...yes, yes it does - not a luxury that Asher has often as he peeks his head around the corner, looking both aghast and wistful at the same time. "Um?"
> There's a large bag of it on the kitchen table! It's just sitting there, Mom pouring glasses of orange juice. "Morning...Asher." Mom turns to him, smiling a bit.
<Asher> Asher blinks at the equivlanet of a feast on the table and then moves over to study her more carefully, his face looking questioning. "Uh... morning."
> "I think you deserve this from what your father said," Mom says, tiredness of her smile battling with some real, honest pride.
<Asher> "..." That earns a bit of a shaking from his head as he moves over to Mom and gives her a tight hug. "...thanks." Looking up with a brief smile, he steps back, holding a hand on the edge of the chair with a vaguely odd look. "I still can't believe you thought I was going out with a bad group at night or something, though..."
> "Well, you'd been out to all hours, tired, and distant. What would I expect," Mom says, smiling,
> "Congratulations, too. Dad said she was serious?"
<Asher> "You could say that," Asher agrees quietly without much conviction as he sits down and lets the mouth-watering scent stir his hunger some more. Food! It was a good thing.
> IT is! Lots of fresh, hearty food for Asher to eat! Mom sits and partakes herself, slowly working through one.
<Asher> Mmmphlemmfmmf. Asher works through it with no problem whatsoever - appetite has never been an issue with him, generally. With equally generous amounts of orange juice washing down breakfast, he is thoroughly sated before standing up. Glancing over at Mom for a moment, Asher purses his lips and checks the watch.
> It's just about time to go! "Asher...be careful out there, d you hear me?"
<Asher> "I will," Asher replies back with a lilt of assurance. It'd be a stretch to say he was ALWAYS careful, but he hadn't gone out and done anything stupid. Yet. Debatably. Arguably. He could almost hear Reclaimer about to make a snappy remark... and stops that by abruptly rushing out of the door, pack and sword in hand, and heading to school.
> 'No protection, so name your first child in nine months. How about Kosher?' Reclaimer drawls on command, as Asher flees out!
<Asher> Asher ignores the smart-ass comment as he flees to school, keeping up a good pace just so that he doesn't run the risk of running late! Who knows what might happen?!

This happens the night of the battle with Pestilence.

[23:50:11] <Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[23:52:57] <Kotono> Home. Home and dinner and all of that - in this case it's a pleasant surprise. Dinner is cooking!  You can smell something good going in the kitchen when you enter, quite the welcome surprise at this rate. It's been a long day!
[23:54:11] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm home," Hotaru calls, blinking at the scent and shaking her head. Strange, but yes, very welcome and wonderful. Smiling despite the goings of the evening, Hotaru heads towards the kitchen, curiously lookign for parents.
[23:57:18] <Kotono> To your great surprise it's Dad. He's even wearing an apron, whistling as he stirs a bowl of chocolate batter. On the stove are boiling noodles, steaming high. "Evening - Your Mom had a bad day at work so I'm doing something nice. Be a dear and get the chocolate icing out for me?"
[23:58:37] * Hotaru-chan nods quickly, trying to hold back a snicker. "I can take over baking. Mom's in the bath?" she asks, getting the requested item and leaving it by her father before going to wash her hands, so she can get them dirty!
[23:59:37] <Kotono> "No, I'm cooking, but you can help." To your surprise the batter looks good - you didn't know DAd could do stuff like that! "Yes, don't disturb her. Just get the icing out, put...oh you got it. Get the bundt cake pan out and grease it up for me."
[00:02:58] <Hotaru-chan> "Wasn't planning to, and yes, dad, I work in a bakery, I'm very good at this part," Hotaru replies dryly, smiling despite it and doing as directed. "I didn't know you were able to be domestic, though!"
[00:04:59] <Kotono> "It's a secret to everyone," Dad chuckles, mood bouyantly agreeable as he goes to take and drain the noodles. As steam rises around him in the sink, "I took a few classes for this after work recently, in case Hideo proved to be too much for you and your mother. But...well, since they're sharing a bath I suppose she's adapted."
[00:09:05] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm," Hotaru agrees, snickering softly. "Things are working out, yeah," she nods, humming softly and leaning into the counter. "One way or another."
[00:11:02] <Kotono> "Mmm, yes...Hotaru," Dad pauses a moment as he returns with the drained pasta, "Well, first, get that white sauce from the refridgerator for me. Secondly, I have to wonder...are you doing too much? You have a job, school, and a few other things going on, not to mention your other side."
[00:14:57] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm managing, aren't I?" Hotaru offers her dad, smiling a bit and shrugging as she gets the sauce, handing it over to Souichi. "Some of it's consolidating right now, if slowly...school's easy when I'm in class with a friend, it's never been difficult overall...my social life is not quite universally tied into my other side."
[00:22:10] <Kotono> "Mmm. I've been thinking," Dad says as he adds the sauce, stirring away. "Do yo uwant to be this busy like your Mother and I?"
[00:23:38] <Hotaru-chan> "Kind of?" Hotaru admits, blushing. "Mom's been my role model, even if we don't get along..." she nods, humming quietly. "I like having something to keep me driving, or I just retreat. It's...nice to be active."
[00:26:43] <Kotono> "Too active? You're still young," Dad smiles as he fixes up the noodles, going and taking the can pan after.
[00:32:54] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers, shrugging. "I dunno, just...well, by the time I graduate, I'm guessing I'll be settled down with who I'll be with for the rest of my life...not necessarily engaged, but..." she shrugs, humming softly. "I dunno, I just think things will work out like that, I guess. I'm optimistic."
[00:44:39] <Kotono> "Don't lose your childhood in it," Dad says as the cake is poured, sounding unusually somber.
[00:45:47] <Hotaru-chan> "I thought I lost that years ago..." Hotaru admits, blushing. "I mean...what's left in my adolescence? ...Besides a few things I really shouldn't talk to my parents about," Hotaru adds quickly, her cheeks lighting up.
[00:56:09] <Kotono> "...mm." Dad is silent at that, cake poured adn put into the oven. Dad pauses a long while at that, before just, "Go ahea dand tell Reiko dinner's ready."
[01:04:00] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's smile is a little wan, nodding. "Sorry, just...it's kinda true, between everything..." she sighs, shaking her head. "Anyway," she goes upstairs, looking for her mother.
[10:21:59] <Kotono> As expected, Mom's in the bathroom. The door was carelessly left ajar, and you can hear hjer. "Good Hideo-chan," she purrs gently, splashing sounds heard. "You're swimming!"
[10:22:56] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers softly, smiling as she slips up to the door, opening it a bit farther. "Dinner's ready," she offers, leaning in the doorway.
[10:24:32] <Kotono> In the bathtub Mom's arms are gently around Hideo, the young child half swimming andhalf splashing in the tub.  Amid suds and water Mom turns her head, "Alright. Tell your father I'll be down in a little while."
[10:26:37] <Hotaru-chan> "'kay," Hotaru agrees, smiling at her mother. "He's so cute..." she murmurs, sighing a little wistfully as she eyes her brother.
[10:29:33] <Kotono> "Momma! Hideo splashes to Reiko, holding onto her lower chest and stomach, giggling as he clings.
[10:30:02] <Kotono> "Good boy," Mom makes sure he stays up, smiling serenly down at him. "He's very cute..mmmm. I almost wonder if...There's still time for another..."
[10:32:02] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru raises a sharp eyebrow. "I'm suddenly getting more and more glad I've got a stable job and can use magic for finances if I really need to. I have a feeling I won't be going to college free at this rate..." she snickers, folding her arms and humming softly.
[10:33:50] <Kotono> "You'll manage," Mother smiles briefly as she lifts Hideo up. "Airplaaaane," she says as brother is taken high into the air, above the water. "That's a good boy!"
[10:37:29] <Hotaru-chan> "Of course I will, I was raised by you, wasn't I?" Hotaru snickers, stepping back. "See you downstairs," she adds, departing back to her paternal progenitor.
[10:41:51] <Kotono> "We'll be down ...oh, good Hideo-chan!" Mom adds, attention on your sibling. So back downstairs you go - noodles and a roast have been put out on the table, a scent of chocolate lingering from the oven's current cooking.
[10:42:38] <Hotaru-chan> "Mom'll be down in a little while," Hotaru offers her father once she locates him, in a good enough mood despite combat that evening.
[10:43:46] <Kotono> Dad is just finishing up a simple tosses salad, bringing it to the table. "Ranch or soy sauce," he asks easily, putting it down amid the other food.
[10:45:25] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru makes a face, stomping on her mind. "Soy," she answers, shaking her head. "Anything I can help with?" she asks curiously.
[10:45:48] <Kotono> "Eating." Dad smiles warmly at Hotaru-chan, sitting down and making a plate forhimself.
[10:49:07] <Hotaru-chan> "I guess," Hotaru snickers, sitting to do the same. "Combat isn't exactly light on the faitgue," she sighs, blowing at her bangs. "Mah, don't need to be going over that."
[10:51:17] <Kotono> "Mmm. I heard something about Aoba park on the news?" Dad inquires, "Was it bad?"
[10:53:39] <Hotaru-chan> "Fairly. Takeshi and Usagi didn't look good, but they should be alright by tomorrow," Hotaru shakes her head. "I got Takeshi in shape to keep going...good battle, though. Rei and I put the finishing blow on Pestilence, Usagi purified Temptation..." Hotaru closes her eyes, shaking her head. "So much like Misuki..." she breathes, quiet like. "No one unconscious on our end, though."
[10:55:39] <Kotono> "Good, good..." Dad starts to speak again, but no words come. He tries a second time, but just frowns. He shakes his head again, "So...how are you?"
[10:59:30] <Hotaru-chan> "A living mess," Hotaru admits, glancing at her father. "My love life just exploded and isn't really done exploding, I...saw mom almost die in that crash, even if I was there to save her..." Hotaru slumps a little. "I...Temptation struck Serenity, I wanted to tear her apart, and I could've," she breathes, hands passing over her eyes.q
[11:03:36] <Kotono> Dad tries to speak once more, but comes to a wall. He takes a breath, and then, "Can...magic...fix...any of it?"
[11:05:54] <Hotaru-chan> "Magic is keeping me from having a lot of other worries," Hotaru admits, shrugging and straightening her back. "My love life? No, I just have to sort that out over time, and talking...Temptation, more time, more talking, maybe. Serenity's good at that sort of thing," she murmurs, smiling weakly. "But no, magic doesn't fix everything."
[11:07:22] <Kotono> "Can it..." Dad licks his lips, before shaking his head, "...headache..." he says aloud, wincing. "Tell your Mother that I'll ve dow for dessert." Dad rises, heading out.
[11:09:28] <Hotaru-chan> "...Dad?" Hotaru asks, frowning and getting up, following her parent, and lightly reaching out to brush and probe him with her senses on a paranoid impulse. "What's on your mind?"
[11:10:06] <Kotono> OOc - Soul check.
[11:10:17] <Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6
[11:10:24] <Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6
[11:10:25] <Reikobot> Hotaru-chan rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[11:11:03] <Kotono> Hotaru doesn't detect anything the slightest bit astray in him. "Just a headache..." Dad smiles thinly at Hotaru, heading upstairs. "Just.." he tries to speak once more, but shakes his head. "Headache."
[11:12:19] <Hotaru-chan> "Something's up," Hotaru insists quietly, hands sliding to her hips and stopping there. "I can't figure out what, because you've barely ever reacted to anything weird, but something's -wrong-," she insists, eyeing her father.
[11:13:36] <Kotono> Dad smiles and tries to speak - but no words come. He just shudders and heads upstairs to his room.
[11:16:38] <Hotaru-chan> "Dad..." Hotaru insists, following him up. Maybe mom'll catch him on the other side? Heaven knows no one would survive both of them. "What IS it?!"
[11:18:30] <Kotono> Dad doesn't turna round, stopping at the door to his room. He leans against it, a little noise of pain, "..headh...ache." he grinds out, before opening the door and closing it behind him.
[11:20:16] <Hotaru> Hotaru's eyes widen a little, an overactive and extremely paranoid mind racing quickly as she reaches through the door, past those dull lines to examine the lines of her father's infinity, focusing in his skull.
[11:21:18] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check.
[11:21:41] <Hotaru> roll 2d6
[11:21:42] <Reikobot> Hotaru rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=7 ]{7}
[11:21:51] <Kotono> You don't detect anything abnormal in the least.
[11:23:22] <Hotaru> Hotaru's shoulders drop again, worry and no small amount of sadness cutting into her expression. She'd have to talk to mom about it... So she heads downstairs, appetite suddenly cut as she waits for her mother.
[11:24:13] <Kotono> It's not long for Mom to reach the kitchen. Bathrobed and hair in a towel, Hideo only in a diaper. She sings to him as she carries himd own, smiling warmly to Hotaru. "Say hello tyour sister, Hideo-chan." So she goes to the table, high chair out and primed.
[11:25:41] <Hotaru> Hotaru offers a much weaker smile than the one she had in the bathroom, looking maybe even haunted as she holds herself. "This is so weird..." she murmurs darkly, shaking her head.
[11:26:54] <Kotono> "Howaru-tan!" Hideo burbles happily, waving a bit as he's put into his chair.
[11:27:10] <Kotono> "Hm?" Mother turns, sitting down next to your brother. "What's wrong and where's your father?"
[11:28:45] <Kotono> "Hotaru?" Mom says as she fixes her plate up. Mostly just the noodles and salad, meat skipped. "What's weird?"
[11:29:26] <Hotaru-chan> "Dad asked how I was, and I gave him the very vrief story of my current stress mess, then he asked if magic could fix it...no, magic can't fix it, then he started acting weird, said he had a headache, and went to your room," Hotaru answers with a long breath, closing her eyes. "He wouldn't tell me anything other than the headache...I can't detect anything directly physically wrong with magic, either..." she explains, leaning against
[11:30:28] <Hotaru-chan> she explains, leaning against the table. "He said he'd be down for dessert."
[11:33:57] <Kotono> "Mmmm. He's been working hard...it's probably just a bad headache?"  Mom ventures but doesn't linger on it. A bite or two of food, then Hideo is made a tiny, well cut plate of meat and chopped noodles. "I'll go talk to him. Keep an eye on Hideo-chan and make sure he doesn't make too big a mess?"
[11:34:24] <Hotaru> "Alright," Hotaru murmurs quietly, shaking her head. "He was asking me if I really wanted to be busy like you both earlier...maybe it's overwhelming him? Dad's nearly impossible to read," she sighs.
[11:34:57] <Kotono> "Mmm. I'll ask," Mother promises, leaving you to Hideo - who giggles and starts to eat a bit of meat bare handed.
[11:38:11] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru moves over to supervise and help Hideo, making sure he doesn't choke or take on anything too big for his still infant mouth. "You're a really annoying brother in some ways," she offers sweetly to Hideo, smiling. "You make your sister consider things that are bad for her."
[11:39:00] <Kotono> Hideo takes a bit of meat, tossing it at Hotaru! It bounces off her forehead, a sticky residue of meat juice left behind. "Howaru tan!" he giggles, playing with a small noodle.
[11:40:37] <Hotaru-chan> "Yes, you're intent on illustrating the downsides to a baby too," Hotaru agrees, snickering softly as she tries to forget the woes of the rest of her family for Hideo's benefit, making use of a napkin as she tries to just make sure nothing goes wrong.
[11:46:44] <Kotono> Hideo throws another chunk of meat, this one getting Hotaru right in the neck, dribbling down onto her shirt. "Howaru! Howaru!" he giggles babishly, happy.
[11:54:21] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru grumbles, getting a napkin and forming a bib for herself, but smiling at Hideo none the less. "Okay, I get the point, this isn't a cake walk..." Hotaru laughs, offering more food to her brother, trying to get him to eat.
[11:54:51] <Kotono> But all he does is throw more meat and noodles at Hotaru! He laughs all the while, burbling in pure bliss!
[11:56:17] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs in exasperation, forming a violet wall at the edge of the high chair, enough to shield her and hopefully keep the mess on the platter in front of Hideo. "Does Hideo-chan like airplanes?" she asks, smiling none the less.
[11:57:29] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check.
[11:57:40] <Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6
[11:57:40] <Reikobot> Hotaru-chan rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=9 ]{9}
[12:00:04] <Kotono> The wall so appears, Hideo poking at it with broad little poke sof his tiny fingers. They bounce back, getting a little wail from the baby!
[12:02:20] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru yelps softly to herself, dropping the wall and reaching forward, waving her hands a bit. "It's okay!" she assures, trying to smile at her brother, and touching a fingertip to his nose. "See? Gone!"
[12:04:16] <Kotono> Hideo looks on a few moments before stopping his near crying. Instead he sniffles a bit, , poking at Hotaru's hand. "Howaru...tan...love..."
[12:09:43] <Hotaru-chan> "Awww..." Hotaru's smile widens from panic to simple adoration, closing her hand a bit and then opening. "You're yanking me around like a good Tomoe..." she coos at her sibling, smiling.
[12:10:09] <Kotono> "Love...Howaru..Momma..." Hideo burbles out, smilin gand taking a bit of meat, swallowing it.
[12:12:54] <Hotaru-chan> "We love you too, Hideo-chan!" Hotaru agrees, smiling happily for her brother, letting him take his own route still.
[12:15:46] <Kotono> "Momma...and..." Wow, that's a new word! "Hota...Howaru..tan! Love!" Hideo nods, giving Hotaru full, happy eyes.
[12:18:13] <Hotaru-chan> "Ooooh, you're starting to...!" Hotaru gushes, leaning in and giggling, kissing Hideo's forehead. "What about daddy though, hm?
[12:18:15] <Hotaru-chan> "
[12:19:02] <Kotono> "Love..Dada...Daddy!" Hideo giggles again, lightly touching Hotaru's face. "Mamma...Dadda...Howa..Hotwaru! Love!" Hideo finishes seriously, gettinog a bit more meat and throwing it. That one goes down Hotaru's shirt collar, sliding down.
[12:20:37] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru grumbles, exercising a small flash of violet to rid herself of meat and residue. "That's good!" she enthuses though, smiling brightly at her sibling. "And we all love Hideo-chan!"
[12:21:24] <Kotono> Boom! It hits you at once - that smell. That special, nasty, emergency cleaning time smell from Hideo! "Love..." Hideo burbles, grabbing another bit of noodle and slupring it down.
[12:22:24] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs darkly, but hides that expression. So she takes Hideo, projecting a field under him just in case as she walks him up to the changing table. Thank you magic, thank your every, wonderful use.
[12:22:39] <Kotono> OOCf - Soul check.
[12:22:44] <Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6
[12:22:44] <Reikobot> Hotaru-chan rolled : 2d6 --> [ 2d6=8 ]{8}
[12:23:18] <Kotono> A field does help - indeed, the diaper leaks! It's not urine, but it's sure..runny. EW. "Howaru..." Hideo says gently, as you take him. EW. EW. EW. The smell...that can't be normal?!
[12:24:22] <Hotaru-chan> Bless you magic. Hotaru wrinkles her nose, trying to breath with her mouth as she goes to deal with this. Ugh.
[12:25:24] <Kotono> This goes well enough. It's messy but it's done - just as you get Hideo taken care of and cleaned up, Mom returns downstairs. "How is he," she asks, coming over and sniffing. "...oh."
[12:26:13] <Hotaru-chan> "Yeah," Hotaru chokes, weilding just bits of magic to make her life that much easier. "How's dad?" she asks in reply, looking over to her mother with open concern in her eyes.
[12:26:48] <Kotono> "Headache." Mom shrugs ab it, coming over and checking Hideo over. "Good job -a nd your father's fine. Just a headache it seems. Take his cake out of the oven for him?"
[12:28:28] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm...migraine? He kept trying to talk, but couldn't," Hotaru murmurs, sighing softly. "Right..." she nods, glancing at Hideo a final time. "He's precocious. Horribly so," she snorts, shaking her head. "Busting hearts by thirteen, mark my words..." she murmurs, going off to wash her hands, and then deal with the cake.
[12:29:15] <Kotono> "Possibly. I'll drive him to the emergency room of it gets worse," Mom says evenly, "Or just have you use your magic fingers." At this Mom laughs, taking Hideo back to the chair. "I hope so. He has a lot to look forward to."
[12:30:33] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru glances at her mother with a bit more concern at the tone. Are they hiding something? Like she can tell. Like mom would tell. "Mmm," she agrees evenly, closing her eyes to calm a moment before going about the more mundane business.
[12:31:20] <Kotono> The cake is done! Just to frost it, as Mom turns to Hideo. "Were you good for your big sister, hm?" she carols to him, "But you made a mess, didn't you? A big old mess!"
[12:32:29] <Hotaru-chan> "He's a regular Tomoe, alternating throwing things at me with 'Love you Howaru-tan!'," Hotaru laughs, beginning to frost it and glancing out at her mother.
[12:33:09] <Kotono> "Apt," Mother chuckles herself, getting a napkin and cleaning up. "Still...nto a bad day, is it," she asks aloud. "Not a bad day at all."
[12:34:36] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru glances at her mother, shaking her head. "Overall, I guess...not a fun one, tiring, exhausting almost...but not outright bad, no," she agrees more softly, taking a deep breath.
[12:35:16] <Kotono> "Mmmm." Mother smiles a bit, "...let's keep it this way, minus all the combat on your end of things?"
[12:36:19] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers softly. "I was barely involved, really, just last minute air support," she shrugs, leaving it at that and closing her eyes once the frosting is done.
[13:16:15] <Kotono> "Still," Mother says, "You weren't hurt in the least, were you?"
[13:18:47] <Hotaru-chan> "Not at all," Hotaru shakes her head, offering a small smile for her mother. "Rei and I flew in, threw an attack together, and annihilated Pestilence. Moon had Temptation under control...nothing even came near me."
[13:22:17] <Kotono> "Good, good," Mother helps Hideo eat, between bites of her own food - but she soon pushes it away. "Hell with it. Get me some cake, Hotaru-chan?"
[13:32:08] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru snickers, getting a plate and cutting two pieces of cake for herself and her mother, bringing them out for them both. "Chocolate, ever blissful chocolate..." she agrees, smiling tiredly.
[13:33:26] <Kotono> Mom starts on it, tearing a good part of it up quickly. "Mmmmm. I go back to work tomorrow or the day after, I think."
[13:35:34] <Hotaru-chan> "Mmm?" Hotaru asks, blinking and looking up to her mother from her own destruction of cake.
[13:38:17] <Kotono> "Just thinking out loud," Mom says, frowning as she finishes hers in record time. "I'll go cehck on your dad again one more time, I think."
[13:41:38] <Hotaru-chan> "Alright...if you want me to stop to help you at work, I offered," Hotaru reminds softly, her tone easy enough as she takes her cake apart. "Since I'm still curious."
[13:44:22] <Kotono> "I'd say that if you aren't going to flirt with Takeshi or more..." Mom sallies back, taking a tiny bit of cake and slowly feeding it to Hideo.
[14:00:32] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru gives her mother a bit of a sharp look, shaking her head. "Between Rei, Makoto, and Yoshi, my love life is enough of a terrible mess already in my own head. I don't need to go wandering in a minefield, too."
[14:06:33] <Kotono> "Mmph." Mom finishes with Hideo, getting up and going. "Go ahea dand put him inhis crib if I don't come back, Hotaru-chan."
[14:11:35] <Hotaru-chan> "The more I do this, the more I want a baby..." Hotaru laughs softly, nodding. "I'll put him to bed," she agrees, smiling and moving over to Hideo.
[14:13:39] <Kotono> "Thanks," Mom says, leaving Hideo and Hotaru alone. Hideo looks up at her, but he looks tired now.
[14:17:55] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sticks her tongue out at Hideo, smiling and reaching down to pick him up to carry him upstairs. "Do you want to go to bed, Hideo-chan?" she asks lightly, smiling and cooing softly to her brother.
[14:19:28] <Kotono> "Hotau..." he tries, yawning as he's held by Hotaru.
[14:21:41] <Hotaru-chan> "Just keep at it..." Hotaru encourages, happy and soft as she carries Hideo upstairs, patting his back and smiling. "Just keep trying, hm?"
[14:23:25] <Kotono> "Loligoth..." Hideo murmurs.
[14:23:31] <Kotono> OOC - Strike. Ooops, wasn't meant to be lined!
[14:24:17] <Kotono> "Howaru..." Hideo murmurs, sleepy and sated. He curls up against Hotaru's bosom, lightly touching it as he slumbers.
[14:29:08] <Hotaru-chan> "God you are so..." Hotaru sighs, kissing the top of Hideo's head as she walks slowly to Hideo's crib, forlornly looking down at her brother. "Why did it have to be like this..." she sighs quietly, heading towardds Hideo's room.
[14:30:37] <Kotono> Hideo is resting there, a beautiful baby against Hotaru's bosom. His room is quiet and dark, perfect for a resting babe.
[14:34:24] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs softly, staring a long moment before she carefully places her brother in his crib, lingering and watching. "Why do I have to be so...gah..." she murmurs under her breath, shivering.
[14:36:46] <Kotono> As he's laid down, "Hota..ru..." Hideo burbles out, smiling at his sister as he's put to rest.
[14:38:16] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru offers a warm smile back, reaching down to brush Hideo's head and cheek. "You're just as determined...sleep, Hideo-chan. Sleep and grow up, and keep all of it."
[14:38:48] <Kotono> Hideo does just that, a final smile before going into a baby's blessed, dreamless slumber.
[14:46:54] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs, slowly and silently going out of the room, leaving the room with the door a little ajar. So she goes past her parent's room, listening and wondering through the haze of her own desires.
[14:47:55] <Kotono> The door is shut, no sound coming out from it.
[14:50:11] <Hotaru-chan> "I swear they have that room soundproofed," Hotaru whispers to herself, taking a deep breath and heading downstairs. Dammit, well, she'll call him. Just...even if. ARGH. She checks the time first, though.
[14:52:06] <Kotono> It's well past 8 now. It's getting kind of late, too.
[14:54:38] <Hotaru-chan> He should still be up, though... Hotaru goes to the phone, biting her lip, shaking a little as she reaches out... Oh Just DO it, she gripes, picking it up and dialing the number quickly.
[10:39:31] <Kotono> Three rings, until an unfamiliar man picks up. He sounds light voiced, "Oh hello there," he purrs into the phone. "Yes?"
[10:41:13] <Hotaru-chan> "...Is Yoshi around...?" Hotaru asks, a little more off put by that voice than Yoshi's mother.
[10:43:58] <Kotono> "Oh, a Yoshi-chan...let's see! WE have a Daisuke-chan, a Tsurutu-chan, a Jun-chan, a Hiro-chan, two Jiro-chans...no, no Yoshi! I think you have a wrong number, girlie!"
[10:45:33] <Hotaru-chan> "...Must've, yes, sorry," Hotaru returns in no small amount of relief, hanging up and dialing her ex's number more carefully this time.
[10:48:47] <Kotono> This time it's only one ring before, "Hello," A female voice - Yoshi's Mom  you think. "Yes?"
[10:49:14] <Hotaru-chan> Deep breath. "Is Yoshi around?" she repeats, more softly. What if he told her? What if, what if, AGH.
[11:03:40] <Kotono> "He is...wait, he's in the...hold on just a moment?" The voice is nice enough about it, waiting.
[11:04:01] <Hotaru-chan> "Okay..." Hotaru agrees softly, beginning to worry.
[11:10:41] <Kotono> It's a few moments before, "Hello?" Yoshi does pick up, sounding a hair winded and hurried.
[11:13:44] <Hotaru-chan> Oh god he's right...you never panicked when...I know, BUT... There's this long pause before a slight whimper and sigh, Hotaru sitting down. "Sorry for calling you so...late, and early, I guess," she offers very softly. "If you don't want to talk, it's fine, just...wanted to."
[11:14:44] <Kotono> "...look." Yoshi sounds far more tired in a moment, "What do you want, Hotaru? If you want to break up, fine. But make it a break up and not clinging to me like this. I'm not going to get into that."
[11:25:03] <Hotaru-chan> There's a long, quiet breath. "Yeah, sorry," she sighs, tired and worn sounding. "I jsut weanted to talk to try and get a hold on myself again, it'll pass. The rest...it'd be kind of stupid to ask right right no," she snorts. "Just...sorry, I'm letting regrets run away with me."
[11:26:02] <Kotono> "YEah. You're a cute girl who I really like, but I'm not going to play this. If you sincerely and totally change your mind and get over the girl thing...yeah, call me back. OTherwise, I'm severing, since it's better for both of us."
[11:37:29] <Kotono> "Well?" Yoshi demands, hearing only silence for a goodly time.
[11:39:01] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head a little, taking a deep breath. "It's just those two, not every cute girl," Hotaru gripes. "Anyway, that doesn't really matter, just...yeah, sorry," she breathes, closing her eyes. "I want to ask to call you in a month or two once things are settled down to be friends, but hell, I don't even know if that's just...ergh. I'm rambling," she cvuts herself on that, pinching the briudge of her nose.
[11:39:38] <Hotaru-chan> *cuts *bridge
[11:39:49] <Kotono> "Hotaru, then I'll do you the only favor I can." The only sound after is a soft click, a dial tone filling Hotaru's ear.
[11:42:49] <Hotaru-chan> "Yeah," Hotaru answers to the dial tone, her face a mess of conflicted emotions, as she hangs up her own phone. "That'd be it, wouldn't it?" she sighs, getting up. She'll wake up ungodly early, but really, bed is attractive right about now, she supposes, as Hotaru creeps up the stairs, to her room, to collapse.

This occurs after talking to the purified Temptation at Serenity's house

[16:23] <Kotono> Heading home and down her block, Usagi has passed many people until this point. The afterbattle darkness is refreshingly brisk, clouds rolling in rapidly. It's going to be a cold night, but perhaps something can ward it off? Like a mug of hot chocol-oh. Musings are interrupted by a communicator call!
[16:26] <Usagi> Having left Pandemic at Serenity's as something she can deal with tomorrow once she's rested, Usagi strolls through Juuban's darkened streets on her way home, snug in her Winter coat and idly wondering what happened at the park after that fight... hopefully Unazuki and Motoki aren't too worried about her. Oh, well, not like her employer can criticise her for fleeing that sort of scene, right?
[16:26] <Usagi> Such musings are interrupted by the beeping noise, the blonde checking no one's especially close before answering. "Hello?"
[16:28] <Kotono> It's quiet as you approach home - and this is a pleasant surprise. It's Sailor Pluto. Kotono appears in the communicator screen, smiling like a happy feline. Her neck and face are bare, what looks to be her room behind her. She's on her bed, lying back. "Hiya, Usa-chan, what's up? I kinda meant to come over last night but something special - really special, came up."
[16:29] <Kotono> "Or wait, night before last...or it was very recent, but anyway!" Kotono amends as she thinks, a finger going to her chin.
[16:29] <Usagi> "Kotono?!" Usagi boggles. "Where have you been?! You missed the whole thing!" the blonde blurts out. "We even tried to call you after the battle but you weren't picking up!"
[16:31] <Kotono> "Oh well..." Kotono colors like the sun. "Well, I have a really really really good excuse and it was so awesome and so was Asher-chan and it was just like a dream come true and I'm sorry I missed it but at least it was for something special and that can only happen one time, right?! So what happened, did you fight Death again or something!?"
[16:32] <Usagi> "We-" Usagi begins indignantly before Kotono's words register. "Wait a minute..." she peers suspiciously at the other blonde on the screen. After a long moment her expression goes slack, mouth forming an 'o'. "Noooo..." she breathes in stupefied shock.
[16:34] <Kotono> "Yes! I haven't even told Sis yet since I wanted to talk to you first since I missed you and haven't seen you in awhile, but..." Kotono colors brighter and brighter. "First, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth..."
[16:36] <Usagi> "Nooo..." Usagi repeats in horror, slumping against the wall she's walking beside. "You... you really?" she stares at Kotono, shaking her head slowly. "How long have you known him for?"
[16:39] <Kotono> "Um....maybe a month," Kotono squeaks, quiet and blushing, "But I kinda forced him since I got naked and heck, I seduced himb ut it was really awesome and he said he loves me and it was just too awesom eandit's like a fairy tale, huh, and even that part is better than I could've imagined!" At this Kotono is so red, yet starting to giggle.
[16:40] <Usagi> "Oh, God..." Usagi shakes her head, unsure whether to be happy or sad. "I'm coming over there!" she promptly blurts out, turning off the communicator and changing her course for Kotono's house.
[16:42] <Kotono> "WAi-" Kotono begins, but is mercilessly cut off! So Usagi goes!(OOC Walking?)
[16:42] <Usagi> OOC: yep. Too tired to teleport!
[16:45] <Kotono> So Usagi walks over! On arriving at the darkened house, Usagi finds the door ajar and open. As if inviting the rabbit in - and as she approaches, she can see a green bathrobe wearing Kotono waiting just inside. She's quite modest and covered. "Oh, though you were the delivery guy, Usa-chan!"
[16:46] * Usagi eyes Kotono's current attire. "You weren't planning on seducing him as well, were you?" she can't help but ask.
[16:46] <Kotono> "USA!" Kotono sputters and falls back, right onto the floor! Scrambling to get up, legs splayed out from under her and hair atasseled, "That's really mean of you, since Asher-chan's special and a delivery guy is well...that makes me sound like...!"
[16:48] <Usagi> "Sorry, 'Tono-chan," Usagi leans over to offer her friend a hand up, "Just... special and 'only known him one month', especially since he's your first boyfriend..." she shakes her head. "I just can't believe you've gone that far!"
[16:49] <Kotono> "It...it was really destiny, you know!? Sis gave me really good advice and it just kept happening and I realised I really, really love dhim and I wanted him to be the one and he feels that way too and it's just too perfect!" Kotono is up by the end, a little excited hop, "I haven't even told Sis or anyoen else yet so it's kinda weird but you'rea r eally good friend too, Usa-chan, so it's okay, but wow! I just feel so happy and mature a
[16:50] <Kotono> I just feel so happy and mature and sexy and it was too much fun and that's what's really like to do all those things?!"
[16:51] <Usagi> "I wouldn't know since I haven't gone that far myself..." the blonde admits with a touch of pique, leading Kotono by the hand over to the couch so they can sit down together. "So..." now that the attempted lecture is over, she allows herself a naughty smile as she regards Kotono. "Was he good?"
[16:52] <Kotono> "Oh...well, we did it...a lot and well..." Kotono blushes like a supernova of embarassment, "...yes!" She adds this at the very end, a tiny little voice. "I mean, just...kaboome ach time, you know, except it was a lot better than you'd think from saying that!"
[16:53] * Usagi nods slowly. "How many times?" she has to ask.
[16:53] <Kotono> "Normally...or counting...special things?" Kotono eeps, looking down. "I'm going to be teling this a lot, aren't I, huh?"
[16:55] <Usagi> "Unless you want to keep it secret," Usagi smiles brightly. "Ooops, too late!" she adds with a giggle. "How about... how many times for him, and how many times for you?"
[16:57] <Kotono> "Um...." Kotono looks down, coloring even hotter! But then the doorbell rings, merciful interruption! "Sec!" With that Kotono darts to the door, grabbing some yen left on the counter!
[16:58] <Usagi> Oh, well, gives Kotono more time to think about her answer? Usagi blows out a long breath as she leans back on the couch, idly shaking her head. Kotono?! Who'd have thought she'd be the first to... Well, okay, she's certainly seemed the most willing whenever a guy shows even a hint of interest, but she always wrecks things before they go anywhere...
[17:05] <Kotono> Kotono returns with forks, drinks and a few boxes of take out. "My food for the next few days...I need a celebration, but don't tell Mako-chan?" Giggling a bit, "Want some?"
[17:05] * Usagi nods enthusiastically. "I'm starving!" she admits, holding out her hands expectantly.
[17:06] <Kotono> A box is passed to the rabbit. Mmm, smells like something exotic this time! Italian? Not many of those places besides altered pizza!
[17:07] * Usagi smiles widely as she breathes in the aroma of sweet sustenance, promptly opening the box up to dig in. "Anyway, yeah - details, Kotono! Details!" she presses.
[17:08] <Kotono> Noodles in a tomato sauce with a lot of sausage and some garlic bread. Mmm! "Well...um...orgasms are really awesome, and Asher takes strange but really good even when it's his...you know?! and well...It's just something to really, really, really look forward to1"
[17:10] <Kotono> *tastes
[17:13] <Usagi> "I know about orgasms, Kotono," Usagi rolls her eyes, dipping the garlic bread into the noodles to scoop up a load before biting in, making a happy noise of bliss as she chews and swallows.
[17:13] <Usagi> "Hmm, I guess I can't even ask how Asher compares since you've never really done anything with anyone else. Still, doing something with another person is way better than masturbating, right?" she grins cheekily, reaching over to give Kotono a little poke in the ribs.
[17:15] <Kotono> "Um...wel...." Kotono colors heavily, a sunshaded young girl! "Y'see...I was saving myself, really saving myself...but anyway!" Kotono springs right back up, smiling. "So yeah, it's really nice and fun and well...I love him," Kotono admits openly. "I'm just so happy!"
[17:16] <Usagi> Usagi's eyes widen in shocked disbelief. "You mean you've never..." she makes a somewhat lewd gesture with her free hand between her legs, staring at her friend.
[17:18] <Kotono> "...It's part of saving yourself, and I'm glad I did!" Kotono says guiltily, looking away. "Just, um...well...anyway! I'm happy and in love, right?" Kotono puts a good smile on, "Asher-chan is just awe3some!"
[17:20] <Usagi> "Wow..." Usagi shakes her head slowly. "I figured you'd be doing it more than any of us, since... y'know, you had poor luck," she gets out weakly. "Man, I can't even ask how it compares to that?" her head falls at that complaint, sighing, "There's pretty much no way you can explain it that'll mean much to me, I guess..."
[17:22] <Kotono> "Well, um..." Kotono just starts on her food, a minipizza and salad. "Anyway. So yeah, um...I really do love him, and just...well..."
[17:24] * Usagi nods, taking another bite out of her noodle laden garlic bread. "You realise that you're the first of us, right? Not even Rei-chan's gone that far," she observes. "You at least used protection?"
[17:25] <Kotono> "Well, Rei-chan has...erm..." Kotono suddenly colors and goes wide eyed. "OhmygodIdidn'teventhinkaboutit!" she says in one long winded blast! "I mean it was so perfect and sudden and I just really wanted him and we were in my bed and it was just..."
[17:27] <Usagi> "Oh, Kotono-chan..." Usagi's hand goes to her mouth as her eyes widen. "And he didn't even suggest it, either?"
[17:28] <Kotono> "Well, um...the first time was just kinda...well..passion!" Kotono eeeps, blushing evne more, "Um, well, there are those tests a doctor can run and I'll do those when I can and make sure we get lots of protection and there are those pills, aren't there?!"
[17:29] * Usagi nods, reaching over to grasp Kotono's shoulder. "First thing tomorrow, you're going to the chemist's," she agrees firmly. "If you did it last night, you've still got tomorrow before it's too late."
[17:31] <Kotono> "..huh?" Kotono blinks emptily, looking at her friend. "For what? I mean, don't you need to let those tests take soem time before they work?"
[17:33] <Usagi> "Don't they teach anything in health class at... oh, wait, I guess they wouldn't..." Usagi sighs. "They have this pill called the 'morning after pill' that you can take within 72 hours of doing it and it stops you getting pregnant. It's like a souped up version of the normal pill." She looks up and eyes Kotono dubiously, "Unless you don't mind taking the risk? You did say you two did it a lot..."
[17:36] <Kotono> "Oh...um...well...I'l think about it!" Kotono just colors like a autumn leaf, looking away.
[17:37] * Usagi stares at Kotono in disbelief. "You'll... 'think about it'?" she repeats, horrified. "Kotono, do you want to get pregnant?"
[17:40] <Kotono> "Um, well, it's just that I hadn't thought about it, you know?" Kotono continues to look down, "It was just so awesome and nice at the time and I feel so happy that I haven't really thought it over!"
[17:41] <Usagi> "If you haven't thought about it then you definitely shouldn't!" Usagi blurts out, before sighing. "If you're going to think about it, then think fast. And you might want to let Asher in on this," she offers, gently stroking the other girl's back. "If you change your mind later on, it's a lot harder to back out on."
[17:47] <Kotono> "Well..yeah..." Kotono whimpers abit, thinking, "Mind if I ask someone else for another opinion, since this just kinda killed my mood and I'm really not sure and I trust Sis a lot, too, and if you both say so then I really need to, huh?"
[17:54] * Usagi sighs deeply. "Kotono, forget me and 'Sis'. If you're even remotely considering the possibility of getting pregnant, the person you should speak to is the unlucky dad. Do you really think you and Asher are ready to be parents?" she shakes her head wearily, "It's not like this is your only chance - you can get knocked up any time you like. But there's no backing out if you go for it now."
[17:55] <Kotono> "...well...yeah, okay," Kotono nods slowly to that, "I'll go in the morning and take care of it, then, alright?"
[17:58] <Usagi> "Please," Usagi nods wearily. Oh, the wonders of a Catholic education... at least Rei seems to have her head screwed on straight about these things. "You might not even get pregnant anyway, but there's three lives to think about if you play those odds and lose."
[18:00] <Kotono> "..okay," Kotono says even quieter, blushing and looking down at ehr lap.
[18:04] <Usagi> Well, that went swimmingly... "Okay, I'm done lecturing," Usagi announces tiredly, reaching for the TV remote. "Want to hear about what you missed outside of the bedroom, today?"
[18:05] <Kotono> "Thanks, Usa..." Kotono murmurs, blushing, "Just...you know, doing that is really fun and special and if a baby did come of it, it can't be a bad thing since we love each other, huh?"
[18:06] <Usagi> "I've had a few boyfriends I'd have said the same thing about after a month," Usagi observes neutrally as she turns on the TV and flicks through it to find a news channel. "So would most of the other girls."
[18:09] <Kotono> Kotono draws her knees up, her meal basically untouched. She rests her head down, "But this really does feel special, Usa-chan! It's destiny and I erally do love him adn we love each other and..."
[18:13] <Usagi> "It always feels special, Kotono. That's what makes it so wonderful - but please don't start planning your whole life around a guy you only met a month ago?" Usagi asks, before wilting, putting her head in her hands. "God, when did I become such a cynic?" she asks morosely. "I want to say 'congratulations!' and gossip and have fun, really!" she insists, as much trying to convince herself as Kotono.
[18:14] <Kotono> "Oh, Usa-chan..." Kotono blushes a little more at that, "I was about to say...it is wonderful, and thanks!" Kotono beams up at that, cheering. "Do you wanna know something cool or special about it, huh?! ...oooh! And Sis! Mind if I invite her too if we're really gonna talk since she gave me the advice that helped me really crack it open and I owe her?"
[18:16] * Usagi shakes her head, turning the TV off as new relevant news manifests and resumes her meal. "Go ahead... we can both listen to the voice of experience," she gives Kotono a brave smile.
[18:18] <Kotono> "Well, okay...but just a moment," Kotono stops, "I just realised I'm still hungry!" With that Kotono turns to her meal, starting to eat. Wow, she is HUNGRY! She's eating like she normally drinks, just demolishing food!
[18:19] * Usagi likewise works on her food at a decent pace, quickly tearing through her delayed dinner. "Mmm... needed that," she smiles contentedly, dabbing at her red-stained lips as she finishes. "You really missed a huge fight, earlier."
[18:20] <Kotono> "Mmm," Kotono is still eating, getting another salad and an entire two liter of diet soda, as well as some more noodles. She eats quickly, "Go ahead and tell me, Usa-chan?"
[18:21] <Usagi> "Well, I was working at the park, and then Pestilence and Temptation both showed up, along with a bunch of Empty Ones - you should've seen the ones Temptation summoned, by the way. They're so gonna have to censor them if they have any photos for the news!" Usagi begins before promptly getting sidetracked.
[18:22] <Kotono> "Oh?" Kotono continues her feasting, "So how'd it go, huh, and did you kick their butts in the name of the Moon?"
[18:25] * Usagi nods, getting back on track. "I did pretty good - I must've gotten back in shape since I was dodging most of them even though I was totally outnumbered. Then Takeshi showed up to help, and I grabbed Temptation with my Tiara. But then Death showed up in the sky and started shooting down at us!" she relates, gesturing vaguely to go with all the dodging and shooting action.
[18:25] <Usagi> "But then Mako-chan showed up and attacked Death, and he ran right off again! After that, Hotaru and Rei appeared and blasted Pestilence together to kill him, and we purified Temptation. She's human now but still really hates us, even though Death kinda made out like he'd planned for us to kill the both of them."
[18:27] <Kotono> "Oooooooooooh! That's cool on both counts since Pestilence was kinda creepy and mean, and can Temptation help us and is she nice, too?" Kotono perks up, nodding.
[18:28] * Usagi shakes her head. "She totally hates us," the blonde reiterates. "She's staying at Serenity's, but she's really upset about what we did to her, and killing Despair and Pestilence." She looks down, frowning, "Can't say I blame her, I guess..."
[18:30] <Kotono> "Oooh, right, but mmm. Yeah, I guess...I mean...what if you converted to their side after they killed me and Hotaru-chan, huh?" Kotono asks simply, frowning about that. "You know...hey! You know what that reminds me of?"
[18:30] * Usagi frowns even more as Kotono puts it in those terms. "What?" she asks morosely.
[18:32] <Kotono> "Well, um...remember how we worked so hard to save people on the wrong side," Kotono chews on her lip at that, "Even if they attacked us we wanted to?"
[18:33] <Usagi> "Yeah?" Usagi cocks her head at Kotono, wondering what she's getting at.
[18:34] <Kotono> "Well...their leader is Death, and he's the one that's making an effort a lot too, some, even if the others are as well?" Kotono quirks her head, "And before that it was Despair with Michiru, right? Speaking of I hope she gets back soon since I want her in the Supernatural Club, but anyawy!"
[18:34] * Usagi nods expectantly, waiting for Kotono to get to her point.
[18:35] <Kotono> "Well...it just reminds me of you and us back when we fought Gaia, you know?" Kotono says, "They had an alien viewpoint and wanted to save the other side if they could, right?"
[18:36] * Usagi scratches her head. "So you're saying we're like Jadeite and the Agency back then, and Death is like me back then?" she asks, blinking.
[18:37] <Kotono> "A  little bit - well, we're not wrong, but...you know?" Kotono nods, thinking, "I mean, we even have the government's support now, and what do they have besides being on another world, having to come over to find something important and not get caught and stopped by us?"
[18:38] <Kotono> "I mean, eyah, I'm taking it to the extreme bu tthe comparison kinda struck me, you know?" Kotono finishes up.
[18:39] <Usagi> "I guess..." Usagi frowns, not liking the comparison. "But that'd only really work if I'd had some secret plan that involved killing you guys, since that seemed to be what Death was getting at when he taunted us after we purified Temptation. I bet even if we did join up with him, we'd get used just the same as they were."
[18:40] <Kotono> "Well...okay, yeah, but...we used them a bit even in a good way? What if getting the Lightbringer really is that imp ortant to them and all that? I don't believe that but it's just taking the argument as far as it goes, you know?" Kotono quirks her head to the side, thinking hard now. Her cute little frown is even solemn!
[18:41] <Usagi> "The Lightbringer is Serenity, by the way," Usagi concludes. That revelation was almost an afterthough on today's fun, really... "Whatever they want, it's not important enough to take her against her will."
[18:42] <Kotono> "Okay." Kotono nods, "I think we were working on that, so..." Kotono bites her hlips, shaking her head, "Now I sound like the cynic, you know, since I was gona call Mako and then ...well...we got off course!"
[18:44] <Usagi> "Go ahead and call her," Usagi waves it aside. "Hopefully we'll get some straight answers out of Temptation to untangle this anyway - assuming she hasn't been lied to herself from the start."
[18:47] <Kotono> "Right," Kotono says, getting her communicator from aside and pressing the Jupiter button. "These things are so cool, almost like portable phones, you know?"
[18:48] <Usagi> "Video phones, even," Usagi agrees with a slight smile.
[18:51] <Kotono> "Hiya, Sis!" Kotono can be seen, green bathrobe and a slightly unsteady smile. "Okay...well...since I've just talked to Usa about it...thanks!" Kotono blushes, "Your advice hit the mark, and I mean really, raelly, really hit the mark...so much that well..we had a good reason to miss the fight today!"
[18:52] <Makoto> "Oh?" Makoto raises her eyebrows. "Well, I'm glad it worked out...even if it sounds like you forgot I told you to take it slow..." Makoto replies dryly, smiling. "You have a story?"
[18:52] <Kotono> Kotono turns into a red rose at that, glowing with her blush, "That well...um..." Kotono glances away, towards Usagi, "That...well...We love each other...and...sex is just awesome!"
[18:54] <Makoto> "...All the way to that already?" Makoto sounds surprised, but not overly shocked. "Wow...When you hit it big, you don't fool around, do you, Sis?" Makoto shakes her head. "Like, SEX, sex? Horizontal, and both having fun?" Makoto asks.
[18:55] <Kotono> "Um, well...yes! In my bed and on the couch and all over!" Kotono blushes and nods, like a firestorm, "And...yes, I love him. I really love him, and he said he loves me, too!"
[18:56] <Usagi> "Ahh!" Usagi promptly stands up, looking down at her previous seat in horror.
[18:57] <Kotono> "USA!...um, well, I didn't use a towel, so...um, there's some disinfectant spray under the sink of the kitchen, but I think that's when I was on top, so..." Kotono just blushes, bowing quickly. "Sorry, I didn't even think of it!"
[18:57] <Usagi> "Ewww!" Usagi whimpers, going over to sit on an armchair instead. "You mean you haven't even cleaned it before now?"
[18:58] <Kotono> "Um...afterglow," Kotono eeps out, blushing like the sun
[18:58] <Makoto> "Man, I can't decide if I'm impressed, or-what was...oh, Usagi's over?" Makoto smiles a little.
[18:58] <Kotono> "Yep, I called her first since I'd been meaning to and she kidna got it outta me so she came right over. Did you wanna come over and talk, Sis?"
[18:58] <Usagi> "I don't want that all over my skirt!" the blonde whines, making a disgusted face.
[19:00] * Makoto laughs a little. "Sure. Leave the back door open, and I'll be around in a few minutes, ok?"
[19:01] <Kotono> "Alright, I kinda need to do some cleaning up now, so see you in a few!" Kotono nods, ending the call. Now that Makoto is in transit, Kotono rises and bows again, "Um, I'm really sorry and I'll get that disinfectant and youw on't tell anyone else since that's totally embarrassing, okay, Usa-chan?"
[19:02] <Usagi> "Like I'd want people to know I'd been sitting in your... stuff," Usagi replies, horrified and not meeting Kotono's eyes as her cheeks flare red.
[19:02] <Kotono> So Kotono eeps  and gets the cleaner, thoughly cleansing her couch all over! The scent of pine lingers in the air as Kotono sits again...
[19:04] <Makoto> The back door opens and closes just as Kotono seats herself, and a cheerful greeting carries out into the living room. "I'm here!"
[19:04] <Kotono> "In here," Kotono calls, looking to all the takeout boxes and eeping a bit, but then shrugs and gets a slice of garlic bread. "We're in here, Mako-chan!"
[19:07] * Makoto wanders in, looking vaguely bemused, her eyes settling on the two occupants of the room first, and waving. "Hiya." She replies, coming in, then frowning at the boxes. "Sis, I keep telling you..."
[19:08] <Kotono> "It's celebration, and besides...I have guets, and Usa-chan ate a lot of it." Kotono smiles at the other blonde, nodding. "Right, Usa-chan?"
[19:08] <Kotono> "Besides, I had a salad with it, too!"
[19:08] <Usagi> "Hi, Mako-chan," Usagi waves to the brunette from her seat well away from the couch. Even if it was just cleaned... "I ate like a quarter of it, but Kotono mostly had salad," she offers in agreement with her fellow blonde.
[19:09] <Makoto> "Well, you're learning, at least." Makoto sighs, then giggling. "And I guess it's fair to say you needed the calories." She adds, waving to Usagi. "How come you're sitting way over there?"
[19:10] <Usagi> "Didn't you hear what she said about the couch?" Usagi asks disbelievingly. "I mean, okay, she did just clean it, but still... that's where Kotono lost her virginity!" she points at the leather upholstry.
[19:11] <Kotono> "That was my bed, the couch was later!" Kotono blurts out in a storm, before coloring yet again!
[19:12] <Usagi> "Oh..." Usagi blinks. "Wait, so you went to bed to have sex, and then decided to come back downstairs later on to break in the couch?" she eyes the other blonde appraisingly. "Kinky."
[19:12] <Makoto> "So?" Makoto replies, smiling. "It's nothing to worry about, unless you hear a squish when you sit down." Makoto replies soothingly, going over to recline on the couch. "Besides, how can you worry about germs after-" Makoto falters, looking uncertain.
[19:13] <Kotono> "No..well..all last night was my room, then we slept in and ended up on the couch after breakfast!" Kotono colors even darker "I mean, I said we did ita  lot!"
[19:14] * Makoto nods agreeably. "He must be pretty impressive." Makoto snickers. "That's an awful lot, for boys."
[19:15] <Kotono> "Is it?" Kotono asks, cocking her head to the side, "But well...anyway, just...he said he loves me, I love him and it was just awesome and...well..."
[19:15] <Kotono> A blush fills Kotono again, "It's like a fairy tale dream, you know?
[19:15] <Kotono> "
[19:16] <Usagi> "You must have been working hard to get him up that much," Usagi agrees, smiling widely. "Pretty impressive since it's your first time even doing anything with a guy."
[19:17] <Kotono> "It just felt natural..." Kotono eeps and looks away, "I mean to twell...touch his thing and even...well..he tastes funny but it's really nice, huh, Sis?!"
[19:17] <Makoto> "I'd say so." Makoto chimes in. "You've officially gone farther than me, Sis." She admits, sticking out her tongue. "But not much. I'll have to catch up."
[19:18] <Usagi> "She's leapfrogged all of us," Usagi commiserates sadly. "I'm shocked and appalled and kinda jealous."
[19:20] <Makoto> "That about sums up my feelings...though not appalled, so much." Makoto nods with Usagi. "Though, I haven't heard the whole story. Is he okay with you dishing details, sis?" Makoto asks, with a curious eagerness. "Hearing this from someone other than auntie Fuuko should be good."
[19:21] <Kotono> "Oh well...I didn't really ask," Kotono stops at that, thinking, "But well..." A breath is taken, "I think it's okay as long as it's just us girls talking about it, right?"
[19:22] <Makoto> "Hmmmm." Makoto taps her lips. "I would say you should probably wait to tell anyone else until you have a talk about it." Makoto ventures. "But That's just because I really wanna hear." She admits.
[19:22] <Usagi_> "It's not like you're telling the world," Usagi smiles guilelessly. "Besides, if you can't tell us, who could you tell?"
#terrorofdunes You need voice (+v) (#terrorofdunes)
[19:22] <Usagi> "It's not like you're telling the world," Usagi smiles guilelessly. "Besides, if you can't tell us, who could you tell?"
[19:24] <Makoto> "Hotaru. Rei...Oh hell, I really want her to tell Rei, Where I can see the look on her face." Makoto notes.
[19:24] * Usagi blushes faintly at the mention of Rei. "Yeah, she'll probably be most surprised," she admits.
[19:24] <Kotono> "...hey," Kotono suddenly perks up, nodding, "Communicator time!" Rei looks to both, getting hers out and placing it down on the table for all to see. "Wanna watch me tell her, huh?"
[19:25] <Usagi> Kotono*
[19:25] <Makoto> "...YES." Makoto starts to giggle. "God this is really mean-It's not too bad, is it?"
[19:26] <Usagi> "She has to find out some time," Usagi rationalises, getting up and going to stand where she'll have a good view of the communicator screen without appearing on it herself.
[19:27] * Makoto moves over to stay beside Usagi so she can't be seen...she doesn't want this to cancel out sending Takeshi Rei's way.
[19:29] <Kotono> Kotono presses Rei's symbol! It takes a moment for the miko to appear, the Sacred Flame roaring behind her - soon to walls as she walks out. "What is it," Rei sighs dramatically, "Really bad time, Hotaru! I'm helping Grandfather with a ceremony!"
[19:30] <Kotono> "Well..." Kotono bats her eyelashes towards Rei, "You know how you're always saying you're the mature one and that I'm just a hyper kid, huh?!" Kotono's smile is like diamonds, bright and cutting.
[19:30] * Usagi frowns a little. "Kotono, maybe this isn't a good time?" she whispers. Rei does look busy, and if it's to do with her job...
[19:31] <Kotono> *Kotono
[19:32] * Makoto looks to Kotono, trying to get her attention without making noise.
[19:34] <Kotono> "Yes, yes, yes," Rei scowls, but takes a breath.  "Get on with it. What's on your mind?"
[19:34] <Kotono> Kotono glances to the side half a moment, thinking...waiting, looking to them and leaning out of range, "Well?" she whispers back.
[19:35] <Makoto> "Apologize, and ask her to call you, later." Makoto whispers. "Got to be mature about it, after that."
[19:37] <Kotono> "Okay..." Kotono murmurs back, turning, "Sorry, Rei-chan, I'll call you later! Bye!" Kotono smiles winsomely before ending the cal.
[19:38] * Makoto sweatdrops and laughs softly. "Well, hopefully that won't cheese her off too much." Makoto notes, looking at the screen. "But it's probably better than messing with her before a ceremony."
[19:38] <Usagi> "There's no need to be mean about it," Usagi agrees as Kotono shuts off the communicator. "Rei-chan's had a rough time, lately."
[19:39] <Makoto> "She has?" Makoto asks, blinking and looking over at Usagi. "??"
[19:40] <Usagi> "She's alright now, but she had a bit of a rough spell, lately," the blonde temporises, smiling innocently. "I guess you might not have noticed since she doesn't talk about her own love life that much."
[19:40] <Makoto> "Other than about how beautiful she is." Makoto puts in, wryly.
[19:41] <Kotono> "Rei-chan is always kinda weirdly quiet about it," Kotono looks up and nods, getting back onto the couch. "I dunno. Something bothering her?"
[19:41] <Usagi> "Yeah, she does like to go on about that, doesn't she?" Usagi nods to Makoto. "Don't worry about it, Kotono-chan, she just had some trouble lately but it's been dealt with."
[19:43] <Makoto> "Seriously, though...she's ok? I pointed Takeshi at her earlier, but now I'm wondering if she'll just snap at him." Makoto worries.
[19:43] <Kotono> "You aren't going to tell us? Is it that bad?" Kotono frowns in very open worry now. "I mean, Rei-chan's Rei-chan, but...she's a good friend, you know?"
[19:44] <Makoto> "Sometimes being a good friend means knowing when you shouldn't be asking questions, Sis." Makoto puts in.
[19:44] <Usagi> "She's fine," Usagi waves it aside. "She just had some bad luck as far as dating goes, lately..." Makoto's comment earns a blink. "Wow, really? Geez, first Hotaru chucks him at me and now this. Poor guy must feel like a piece of meat."
[19:45] <Makoto> "Oh, you're dating him?" Makoto wonders, blinking. "And I didn't 'chuck' him at her...I just asked him to invite her to martial arts training...because he wasn't wearing a shirt." Makoto leers. "I figured she'd enjoy it, and maybe even show up."
[19:45] <Kotono> "Oh, okay, if you don't wanna talk about it," Koton says, a hair miffed but nodding. "Well, at least...I'm not going for him, but I have Asher-chan now..!"
[19:46] <Kotono> "OH!" Kotono blushes at that, "Now that I bet Rei-chan would like, huh?"
[19:46] * Usagi shakes her head. "We only dated once, but he's not my type," she demurs. "Rei-chan might have fun with him, though."
[19:46] <Makoto> "I liked it." Makoto admits. "No matter how much of a dunce he is, he's built nicely."
[19:48] <Usagi> "Dunce?" that earns a confused look from Usagi. "He doesn't seem that bad in class, or when I talk to him."
[19:50] <Kotono> "I haven't talked to him much, so..." Kotono looks between the two, "What's the scoop with him, huh?"
[19:51] <Makoto> Makoto winces a little. "Well...It's not that he's...stupid, stupid..." She begins carefully, trying to figure out how to put this-He seems to be friends with Usagi, after all. "It's just that, that meeting made me really wonder about how much he actually thinks." She says carefully. "He has a really sad history of being controlled...and the first plan he offers up is to risk it again? Doesn't seem all that bright to me." She finishes.
[19:53] <Usagi> "He's a nice guy, and obviously he is cute," Usagi lists off, "Just a bit too serious for me..." she nods distractedly to Makoto, "That was really dumb, but other than that he seems intelligent enough. Everyone has a dumb idea now and then. Anyway, yeah, he might be good for Rei-chan to have fun with, but I'd rather stay just friends, myself."
[19:55] <Makoto> "Yeah, I know-I was really mad about it at first, but that was mostly because I was getting protective of Hotaru." She confesses. "But even that aside...dumb ideas are risky when our butts are on the line, you know?" She shrugs. "I don't know. I'm a little wary, but he doesn't seem like he's working for them, like I thought at first. Defintely not my type, though."
[19:57] <Usagi> "Everyone shot the idea down," Usagi shrugs, adding "Some more than others..." with a slight frown, "But that's why we have those meetings, so we can all throw out wacky ideas and seperate the good ones from the bad ones. No need to get all defensive about it."
[19:59] <Makoto> "I know, I know." Makoto sighs. "I just don't like to see Hotaru treated that way-even if she did go overboard ripping him to pieces." Makoto leans back on the couch and scowls. "The stories she tells about how awful her class was before she met us makes me want to scream sometimes."
[20:02] <Usagi> "It still doesn't give her a free pass to treat other people that way, Mako-chan," Usagi replies unhappily. "Lots of people have had it far worse than her but still manage to treat others civilly."
[20:03] <Makoto> "Mmm." Makoto smiles sadly. "I understand what you mean, Usagi-chan, but you've always been pretty popular, I'd bet. You wouldn't know what it's like to be so alone at school or wherever that you never really learn how to deal with people properly."
[20:06] <Usagi> "No," the blonde shakes her head. "I admit that. But you want to know who would understand?" she leans forward a bit. "Takeshi. He's had all the crappiness of your life and Hotaru's life, and then a whole heaping helping of nastiness on top of that. And I'm not talking about the Moon Kingdom stuff, this is all in Japan. But even with Hotaru tearing into him like that, he didn't once attack her."
[20:06] <Kotono> "Well, yeah, but...would that let me get away with being.." Kotono finally pipes up quietly, going dead quiet at Usagi's words.
[20:08] <Makoto> "I'm not trying to justify anything." Makoto replies soothingly. "Just try and remember that she made a mistake, too. Just like you told me Takeshi did." Makoto bites off the urge to add more to her arguement. "I mean...She deserves the benefit of the doubt, right? Unless she refused to apologize, or something."
[20:09] * Makoto looks over at Kotono. "Not so much 'get away with', sis." She adds with a half smile.
[20:11] <Usagi> "We've given her that, but how else will she even learn she's doing something wrong if nobody ever calls her on it?" Usagi returns reasonably, sitting down herself. "By just jumping to her defence all the time or being too scared to criticise her, she's just being taught that she's in the right no matter what she does."
[20:13] <Kotono> "Well, um..." Kotono looks around between both of them, "I just know that Hot-chan is my friend, but so are all fo you and...it really, really sucked to see you all fighting like that!"
[20:14] <Makoto> "Kochan has it exactly right. Jumping on her doesn't teach her anything either." Makoto points out. "She's really easy to chase into being defensive and not listening if she feels harrassed."
[20:15] <Makoto> "I mean." Makoto goes on, "If you don't mind the comparison, sis...When Rei-chan used to scream at you, how long did her point stick in your mind, even if she was right?"
[20:15] <Kotono> "Well, yeah, but...I jus tdon't wanna see any of you unhappy like that, you know?" Kotono turns to Makoto and then Usag, frowning. "Um...it's tno that, just...well..."
[20:16] <Usagi> "I sure didn't enjoy it," Usagi sighs, "But keeping my mouth shut and letting it fester just seemed like an even worse idea." Makoto's comment earns a bitter laugh from the blonde. "Oh, God, don't talk to me about her not listening when she feels harrassed, Mako-chan, please..."
[20:17] <Makoto> "Well..." Makoto shrugs. "It's true. But it's not like she refuses to listen, either."
[20:19] <Usagi> "She actually told me the secret - you just have to walk away when she gets like that, and then she'll actually think over what you said instead of blindly countering all of it," Usagi shakes her head wearily. "Made for a really weird conversation, if nothing else."
[20:20] <Makoto> "It's how we are." Makoto agrees. "When you spend a year or two with people coming up to you and accusing you of pretty horrible things, standing your ground and fighting turns into a reflex." Makoto replies bitterly.
[20:22] <Usagi> "Doesn't a year or two of being with a group of friends help relax that reflex?" Usagi asks, giving Makoto a sad smile.
[20:25] <Makoto> "A little." Makoto replies, smiling darkly. "I think I'm mostly over the urge to throw punches. But Until we met, I've been accused of sex acts that make Kochan's fun look tame and rather boring." She grumbles. "And It was almost funny, because I couldn't get a boy to come near me. You have no idea how hard it was to turn Balder away." And I still hear people whispering in the hall about me as I pass.
[20:25] <Makoto> "
[20:25] <Kotono> "Wow..." Kotono murmurs at that, "That takes work?"
[20:26] <Kotono> "But...well...we're friends, aren't we?" Kotono looks between them, "Really friends? Not just have to be stuck together, huh?"
[20:27] <Makoto> "Yes, we are." Makoto smiles at both of them. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't like you both."
[20:28] <Usagi> "I think so," Usagi nods to Kotono, a bit melancholy. She had no idea there were rumours about Makoto at Juuban High, and she always tries to keep her finger on the pulse, there.
[20:29] <Makoto> "Why do you look sad?" Makoto asks Usagi, with a bit of nervousness.
[20:30] <Usagi> "Just... I really had no idea it was still that bad for you," Usagi shakes her head. "But shouldn't I? Doesn't seem like I've been paying very close attention..."
[20:33] <Makoto> "It's not as bad as it used to be." Makoto shrugs. "But it still happens...though I think it's mostly the 'thug' reputation still following me around." Makoto smiles. "It's nice of you to say so, but I'm used to it now. I didn't bring it up to make you sad, Just to try and help you understand why we're not the happiest people in the world."
[20:34] <Kotono> "Well, um...would if help if I took all of us out somewhere? I kinda wanted to do a big gossip and girltalk thing over this, and maybe that spa again or somewhere nice, huh?" Kotono speaks up.
[20:35] * Makoto laughs a little and hugs Kotono. "Sorry to bring your happy time down with such a serious topic, sis. And that sounds nice."
[20:35] * Usagi nods to Kotono. "Yeah, Mako-chan missed last time, so it'd be nice if we could all go out there," she agrees, brightening a little.
[20:36] <Kotono> "Okay...I'll take care of somewhere really cool! I'll even set it up..and maybe I'll have a date with Asher the evening after?" Kotono perks up at that, "You're both invited and so is Rei-chan and Hotaru-chan - it'll be pure girl time and talk!"
[20:37] <Makoto> "Cool." Makoto grins. "Though...Hey, that reminds me of something."
[20:38] <Makoto> "How did you like the gift Hotaru-chan gave Asher?" Makoto snickers. "I thought she was just being funny, but it sounds like they came in handy."
[20:39] * Usagi blinks. "Hotaru gave Asher a gift?"
[20:39] <Kotono> "Oh...um...well...that's the problem, the first time or two there wasn't any gift used!" Kotono blushes, "Usa-chan and I were talking about it!"
[20:40] <Usagi> "Oh..." Usagi's head falls.
[20:40] <Makoto> "Yeah, she was giggling about it awhile ago. Orange flavored condoms." Makoto relates, giggling herself, then staring at Kotono. "What?"
[20:40] <Kotono> "Well...we didn't really use protection..." Kotono delicately coughs. "It was kind of well, empassioned, and well..."
[20:41] <Usagi> "I already talked to her about it, Mako-chan," Usagi forestalls the inevitable horrified reaction. "She's going to get the morning after pill, first thing tomorrow."
[20:43] <Makoto> "Hmm..." Makoto frowns, nodding to Usagi. "That's probably a good start...and you should go see a gynecologist, sis. The regular pill is a good idea if you're going to...um." She blushed. "Get impassioned-on the plus side, it really helps calm PMS down, too."
[20:43] <Kotono> "I will," Kotono nods and blushes, "I dunno, I never really suffered much from that at least, you know?"
[20:44] * Usagi nods. "Some girls in my class say they take it even if they're not doing anything, just because it makes their period easier," she agrees. "I haven't bothered, myself, since it'd be a hassle to keep taking it when I get no other use out of it."
[20:45] <Makoto> "I have some, but I don't take them unless I have a boyfriend, or my periods are really heavy." Makoto admits.
[20:46] * Usagi purses her lips a moment, slowly turning to Makoto. "Speaking of... how far have you gone anyway, Mako-chan?" she asks, not really very innocently at all.
[20:46] <Kotono> Kotono coughs at all this, but bows her head and stays quiet. "Okay, I'll remember that," seh says, blushing all the while.
[20:47] * Makoto starts, coughing. "Um...far enough?" She ventures, looking at Kotono. "And...Um, not as far as her."
[20:47] <Usagi> "So..." Usagi makes a brief gesture as if holding something in front of her mouth. "Third base?"
[20:48] * Makoto sighs. "Will you promise not to tell anyone else?" She replies guiltily.
[20:49] <Usagi> "Sure," Usagi chirps brightly. "Just us girls here, right?" she smiles at Kotono before focusing on the tall brunette.

[20:49] <Kotono> Kotono nods as well, "Okay, and if we're gonna go for a girl talk retreat anyway..."
[20:51] * Makoto rolls her eyes. "Sis, this is important." She addresses Kotono. "Please don't say anything unless you ask me first." She cautions, then sighs. "I...We..." Makoto grimaces. "We'd talked about doing what Sis and Asher did, but he moved away before we could. We...um....went down on each other..."
[20:52] <Usagi> "Oooh," Usagi nods, interestedly, before her face suddenly falls. "Wait... that means I'm tied with Hotaru-chan for the most inexperienced..."
[20:54] <Makoto> "Does that really matter so much?" Makoto blushes, realizing Hotaru must not have told the others...Or that Usagi's done 'that'. "How far -have- you gotten?"
[20:55] <Usagi> "Just using hands," the blonde wriggles her fingers, sighing a bit. "I guess not - I mean, I'm not going to spread my legs at the first opportunity just to catch up or anything, it's just... heck, I can't help but feel like I'm missing out."
[20:55] <Kotono> "It's worth waiting. IT was for me," Kotono says quietly, but very proudly. "Giving Asher-chan that...it was really special."
[20:56] * Usagi snorts. "You didn't wait at all!" she replies, leaning over out of her chair to whap Kotono.
[20:56] <Makoto> "You'll feel worse if you do." Makoto agrees. "Sis is right...I'm pretty sure I would have been disgusted with myself if I'd jumped at Balder's offer." She stifles a snicker at Usagi's declaration. "She has the right idea, though."
[20:58] <Usagi> "I want to be sure when it's my first time, not give it away to some sleaze like Ataru," the blonde nods, frowning. "Just... well, I get lonely, sometimes..." she concludes with a blush.
[20:59] <Makoto> "Get a toy." Makoto suggests, kindly. "I know that feeling, and mine helps."
[20:59] * Usagi blushes even more. "That's kinda what I was implying, Mako-chan..." she replies.
[21:00] <Makoto> "Ah..." Makoto blushes. "Sorry."
[21:01] <Usagi> "It's alright," the blonde shakes her head. "I was actually surprised earlier, since Kotono doesn't have one - I wanted to at least know how it compares with the real thing, but she couldn't even tell me that," she pouts briefly at her fellow blonde.
[21:03] * Makoto smiles a little. "That's pretty impressive. I got mine just after we got back from Gaia, and I couldn't go without, now..."
[17:12] <Kotono> "Really...well, after last night, maybe I can believe it since it was so.." Kotono smiles goofily at those words.
[17:12] * Usagi sighs good naturedly. "Show off..." she shakes her head.
[17:13] <Makoto> "Bah, you're making me jealous." Makoto ruffles Kotono's hair playfully.
[17:14] <Kotono> Kotono giggles brightly at that, blushing, "So while you two were masturbating I have my Asher-chan," she crows, grinning to both of them!
[17:14] <Makoto> "Kochan, you have every right to be happy, but rubbing it in is in bad taste." Makoto chides.
[17:15] <Kotono> "Asher liked rubbing it in," Kotono fires right back, gigglies picking up in intensity.
[17:15] <Usagi> "I'm sure Mako-chan and I could easily get laid if we jumped a guy like you did," Usagi agrees. "We're happy for you and all, but... Oh, God..." she just shakes her head at that last bit from the other blonde, putting her head in her hands.
[17:16] <Kotono> "...I meant just rubbing his..." Kotono flails a bit, sputtering as she makes an up and down movement motion with her hands!
[17:16] <Kotono> "...and at least I didn't tell you it was in that chair," Kotono adds as an afterthought, looking at where Usagi sits.
[17:17] <Usagi> "We get what you meant!" Usagi cries, waving her hands in a warding gesture, before promptly shooting to her feet. "Where *didn't* you have sex?!"
[17:17] * Makoto snorts. "I meant don't brag. You sound like Rei when you preen, and-" Makoto chokes, collapsing into laughter at Usagi's expression.
[17:17] <Kotono> "Kidding about there," Kotono smiles sweetly at Usagi, before nodding to MAko-chan, blushing. "I just can't resist a little, and I guess REi-chan rubb...okay, bad word!"
[17:18] <Makoto> "Y-You've earned...a little..." Makoto giggles. "Just don't let it get out of hand."
[17:18] <Usagi> "None of us made fun of you when we were getting to second or third base while you were emulating the nuns at your school, Kotono-chan," Usagi reminds, deciding to sit on the edge of the coffee table for now. Surely they couldn't have done it there...
[17:18] <Kotono> "I didn't let Asher get out of hand," Kotono giggles even more, red as a rose but making that up and down motion again!
[17:19] * Usagi snorts, unable to hold back a giggle at that line.
[17:19] <Kotono> "I know, sorry, Usa-chan, it's just so awesome and Asher's so cool and...mmmm. I wonder if I still have coffee table marks on my back," she ponders aloud.
[17:19] <Makoto> "They usually go away quickly. We heal fast." Makoto opines dryly.
[17:20] <Usagi> "You are such a slut, Kotono-chan..." Usagi just shakes her head amusedly, not rising to the bait, this time.
[17:20] <Kotono> "I am not! I'm a happy woman wth the man she loves! WE can do it even in your bed and we wouldn't be sluts!" Kotono sticks her tongue out at Usagi. "He's just so cool and he was so...so...wow!"
[17:21] <Makoto> "We get the idea." Makoto chimes in. "For someone who reads so much, words seem to fail you here..."
[17:22] <Kotono> "Well, I'm just really excited and happy and...I found my prince!" Kotono gushes, smiling happily as she sits back onto the couch, putting her feet up.
[17:22] <Makoto> "Prince?" Makoto looks to Usagi, raising her eyebrows.
[17:23] <Usagi> "Found him and rode him all night long..." the blonde deadpans, shrugging at the look she gets from Makoto. Kotono waxing dramatic really isn't a big deal after her rant about being nailed all over the house.
[17:24] <Kotono> "Mmm!" Kotono blushes even more and giggles, stopping to help herself to some pizza leftover. She nibbles it about half down, sighing. "It's just..it's like my entire world is different and more than anything else?" Kotono smiles a little sadly, "I already miss him and it's only been a few hours."
[17:25] <Makoto> "Oh god-Sis, I love you dearly, but if you turn all sappy on me every time you're apart, I may have to strangle you."
[17:26] <Usagi> "Ah, give her a break, Mako-chan," Usagi smiles warmly. "He's her first boyfriend, after all. Can't begrudge young love, can we?"
[17:26] <Kotono> "Nope!" Kotono smiles happily at this, leaning back even deeper. "Plus I have the perfect counter if those stupid lesbian jokes start up again, right?"
[17:27] <Usagi> "They ever stopped?" Usagi raises an eyebrow.
[17:28] * Makoto rolls her eyes at Kotono's statement slightly unhappily. "Not to my knowledge. Get you two and Rei in the same room for more than five minutes and homophobic cracks start up..." Makoto grumps.
[17:29] <Kotono> "Hey, I'm not like that!" Kotono crosses her arms. "Just that...well...it's kinda eeewy to think about, you know? Kissing and being with another girl? I mean, doesn't it creep you two out?" Kotono asks Usagi first, then Makoto with a smile.
[17:30] <Makoto> Makoto gives Kotono a steady look. "There are girls who say the same thing about being with a boy, sis. Being judgemental about love of any kind is kinda mean, don't you think?"
[17:30] <Usagi> "I dunno..." Usagi shrugs philosophically. "What two people do between closed doors is their own business, right?" She's not quite ready to come out, but at the same time she can't exactly muster the same instinctive disgust she used to have at the thought of lesbian activities.
[17:31] <Kotono> "Well...I guess..." Nodding to both, Kotono smiles, "Just that I sure don't want another girl lik ethat, right? ...say?" Kotono suddenly grins, "Since it's girl talk, what about you two, huh?"
[17:31] <Usagi> "What about us?" Usagi asks, blinking innocently.
[17:32] <Kotono> "Well, what do you think about getting it on with anothe rgirl," Kotono throws back quickly.
[17:32] <Makoto> "Considering the way those jokes fly around, I don't think I'd tell anyone if I did or didn't." Makoto replies archly.
[17:33] <Usagi> "Depends on the girl," Usagi replies for herself with a mischevious smile. "Not sure if it's worth my while trying to steal you away from Asher, though..." she adds in mock sadness.
[17:34] <Kotono> "Ooooh, I see, Mako-chan, well I guess I get that but you should st-USA!" Kotono coughs suddenly, wide eyed and blushing! "You aren't seriuos, huh, and you didn't just try to tell me you're gay but you're joking ,h uh?!"
[17:34] * Makoto glances at Usagi, bemused and trying to figure out if she is indeed yanking Kotono's chain.
[17:35] * Usagi bats her eyes coyly at her fellow blonde. "I guess that's something for you to try and figure out on those lonely nights when Asher isn't around, hmm?"
[17:36] <Kotono> "Usa-chan!" Kotono scoots back farther away from the blonde, ashy hair matching rosy red cheeks! "You aren't going to try and seduce me in the bathroom or something or make me think you are and make me freak out and try you and seduce me or something and complete a plan to make me gay, huh?!"
[17:37] <Makoto> "Sis...if she is gay, acting that way is pretty insulting, isn't it? Usagi-chan's not the type to break up a couple and you know it..."
[17:37] * Usagi laughs openly at Kotono's discomfort, leaning back once more away from Kotono. "So much for you not being affected by the gay jokes anymore, Kotono-chan," she observes smugly.
[17:38] <Kotono> "...Siiis...Usa-chan...hey!" Kotono suddenly blinks a moment, "You know, I called you Sis a few times as well, didn't I, Usa-chan?"
[17:38] * Makoto snickers a little. *So much for changing status quo...*
[17:39] <Usagi> "I guess so?" Usagi hazards, not responding either way to Makoto's suggestion that she might really be gay.
[17:39] <Kotono> Smiling a little as her embarrassment fades, "It just got me to thinking - remember when we all slept together on Gaia, huh?"
[17:40] * Makoto nods, just listening to Kotono now.
[17:41] <Usagi> "Mmhmm," Usagi nods herself, wondering what Kotono's getting at.
[17:41] <Kotono> "Just remembering...heh." Kotono smiles at all of that, "Guess it just goes around and around sometimes, huh?"
[17:42] <Makoto> "WHat does?" Makoto blinks.
[17:42] <Usagi> "That kind of sleeping together was a lot different than what you did last night, Kotono-chan," Usagi reminds archly, before her eyes widen and she adopts a scandalised expression. "Unless... what did you do while I was asleep?!"
[17:43] * Makoto snorts. "She's never masturbated, Usagi-chan. She wouldn't know where to touch." Makoto smirks.
[17:43] <Usagi> That deflates Usagi's shocked demeanour, the blonde bursting into open giggles at Makoto's comment and clutching her stomach as she doubles over. "Haha! Good one, Mako-chan!" she agrees merrily.
[17:44] <Kotono> "...hey!" Kotono just falls over onto her side, staring and slacked jawed at Makoto's volley!
[17:45] * Makoto snickers a little and pats Kotono's hand, trying not to laugh openly at Kotono. "It's true, isn't it?"
[17:49] <Kotono> "Just...gaaaaaah!" Kotono whimpers entirely, looking at both, "Don't tell anyone else or Rei-chan or anything?!"
[17:50] <Usagi> "Why?" Usagi asks blinking. "I mean, you admitted it freely enough to us - a minute ago you even seemed proud of it!"
[17:50] <Makoto> "Tell her what?" Makoto asks, blinking. "Sis, it was a -joke-. It's not like it's shameful not to pleasure yourself..."
[17:51] <Kotono> "I just mean..well?" Kotono fumbles and stumbles, before sighing, "Nevermind, okay?"
[17:53] <Makoto> "If Rei gives you a hard time, just say you resisted her training, and stayed pure for Asher-kun." Makoto advises, snickering, then giving Kotono a playful look. "And if you really want to know, I'm sure we can arrange a lesson on where to touch a girl to make her feel good." The ponytailed girl teases.
[17:54] <Usagi> "Or just train Asher really well so you'll never need to masturbate!" Usagi chimes in brightly.
[17:55] <Makoto> "Though, you shouldn't discount masturbation, even now. There's nothing like touching yourself and thinking of a special person." Makoto grins.
[17:56] <Kotono> "Well...I admit thinking of Asher-chan makes me feel a bit funny now," Kotono smiles winsomely to both girls, "So when you feel like that you just...you know?"
[17:57] <Usagi> "Pretty much - haven't you ever touched yourself while washing between your legs and felt it?" Usagi asks curiously. "That's how I first got started."
[17:58] <Makoto> "Go take a nice bath, and let your fingers do the walking." Makoto advises, nodding sagely. "If nothing else, it'll keep you from riding him 'till he dies of dehydration."
[17:59] <Kotono> "..oh, okay..." Kotono blushes even more, "This is where you're going to volunteer to show me and seduce me, huh?!" Kotono suddenly points at Usagi and Makoto! "Self pleasuring leads to other girls pleasuring and a cute lesbina Kochan, huh?!"
[18:00] * Usagi sighs. "Kotono - do you want us to seduce you?" she asks wearily. "And it's not like you need a guide to figure it out - you figured out what to do last night well enough, didn't you?"
[18:01] <Makoto> "Oh, give me a break." Makoto rolls her eyes. "Get off the lesbian thing, sis...You just did the horizontal mambo with a boy...fairly impressively. Be secure in your love for his penis."
[18:01] <Kotono> "Okay, okay, sorry." Kotono smiles winsomely, taking a breath, "But...all that aside, I mean, I'm still curious about one thing, you know?"
[18:02] <Usagi> "What's that?" the blonde asks, putting the lesbian masturbatory stuff behind her.
[18:02] <Kotono> "I just...all of that aside I'm curious. Sis...heck, Sisters, ARE you into girls?" Her question is kind and happy, presented to both.
[18:03] <Usagi> "You just asked that a minute ago, Kotono-chan. Are you hoping our answers will have changed?" Usagi asks, sighing a little and ignoring the fact that she didn't exactly give a straight answer herself.
[18:04] <Makoto> "Himitsu desu." Makoto winks, smiling. "Seriously, Kochan. That's not something I want to get into. Just make up an answer for yourself, and I'll pretend it's right."
[18:04] <Kotono> "Oh, just tell me!" Kotono humphs, looking at both of them in exasperation. "I'll tell you somethign about Asher or how it was if you want in exchange!"
[18:07] * Makoto shakes her head. "This is dangerous ground..." She murmurs. "Don't forget-there are times when you need to know when to stop asking questions, Sis."
[18:08] <Usagi> Wow... Makoto was even more openly evasive than she was! Then again... Usagi isn't really surprised by that. "Kotono-chan, why do you keep asking? It's not like you're the first one of us to get anywhere with a boy - heck, Mako-chan just admitted earlier that she's given a guy head. And I've had plenty of boyfriends myself."
[18:08] <Usagi> "Isn't that enough for you to figure it out without asking every five minutes if we've turned gay yet?" Hurray for continuing to avoid a direct answer!
[18:12] <Kotono> "Just...welll..." Kotono takes a btreath, "Alright, look, I just...I just...want to really know, okay?! All the joking, allt he uncertainy, Hotaru in general, just...maybe I want to know, huh!?"
[18:13] * Makoto frowns, her expression turning serious. "Why do you want to know?" She asks solemnly. "You're acting like it matters at all."
[18:13] <Usagi> "What does Hotaru have to do with... me," Usagi replies, cutting off the 'us' she was about to say with a brief glance at Makoto.
[18:14] <Kotono> "Hotaru's, well...you know?" Kotono raises an eyebrow, "It's been bothering me and I'm really curious, Sis!"
[18:16] <Makoto> "Why is it bothering you?" Makoto's expression darkens, just slightly. "Does it make her different, somehow? Honestly Sis, I'd hoped you'd know better than that."
[18:17] <Kotono> "It doesn't bother me like that, it bothers me that I don't know! I'm curious." Kotono turns to Makoto, frowning a tiny bit. "You're still my Sis even ifyou're gay, you know, just...not knowing is really weird!"
[18:17] <Usagi> "Hey, Mako-chan, give her a break," Usagi turns to Makoto. "Just because she's curious doesn't mean she's going to treat Hotaru differently."
[18:20] <Makoto> Makoto sighs. "The problem is, I can't believe that just yet." Makoto frowns. "You all were way over the top when we first met-" Makoto includes Usagi in the look. "How do you think she felt, listening to you all talk about how 'icky' it was?" Makoto sighs. "I just think that it's not really right to 'need to know.' Because it sounds like it's a condition of some kind on being friends."
[18:22] <Usagi> "Geez, Makoto - we were thirteen!" Usagi blurts out. "What did you expect? Besides, she was the one that started making those jokes to begin with."
[18:23] <Kotono> "Um, well...we aren't thirteen now, and..." Kotono pauses as she speaks, "I just want to be open about it, you know?"
[18:25] <Makoto> "I know a really nice lady." Makoto begins, frowning. "Auntie Fuuko experimented with her in college. Auntie Fuuko would tell me all sorts of stories about how hard she had it. I just think respecting personal decisions is important-even if that's to keep quiet, if it's not hurting anyone."
[18:26] <Usagi> "And what you're saying is just the same as admitting you and Hotaru are gay," Usagi replies flatly. "If you want to keep quiet, then keep quiet - dodge the question, don't say 'It's a secret, but you're a huge bigot for even asking!'" Huffing tiredly. "You know what? Fine. I'm bisexual - I didn't want to admit it, but if you guys are going to make such a huge drama about it, there you go. Happy?"
[18:27] <Kotono> Kotono's eyes go wide as saucers at thab, tus he blushes and stays quiet!
[18:27] * Makoto blinks at Usagi, staring. "I did dodge the question. Several times." She points out, mildly.
[18:28] <Usagi> "You said 'it's a secret'," Usagi shakes her head. "Then you started going on about how hurt Hotaru gets by us even talking about it. We'd have to be complete morons *not* to assume you're gay after that."
[18:31] <Makoto> "What you assume is up to you." Makoto sighs and rubs her nose. "I didn't want to be mean about it, but since you both want a straight answer, here. I don't mean any offense, but I don't want to discuss it." Makoto smiles weakly. "I didn't want it to turn into this big thing either, but there's no really nice way to tell close friends to mind their own business." She grinds out, upset.
[18:36] <Kotono> "Sis?" Kotono squeaks out, "Sorry, just...um..." So Kotono stumbles and freezes, looking down.
[18:36] <Usagi> "Well fine," Usagi sighs, crossing her arms. "But this is the sort of thing where refusing to answer makes it pretty clear what the answer is. That's why I was being careful with what I was saying myself, so as not to encourage her," she gestures at Kotono.
[18:36] <Usagi> "But that's all out the window now. So, yep, there's my big secret out in the open. I wanted to keep it secret, but really, is it such a huge deal?" she looks between the two other girls expectantly.
[18:39] <Makoto> "Nope." Makoto smiles again, weakly, curling up on the couch and hugging her knees to her chest. "And it's not your fault, Kochan. I didn't want to hurt your feeling by telling you to butt out, that's all. I'm just really not willing to talk about it. You might be able to glean something from that, but that's not a concern to me. Just that I'm not up to talking about it. Maybe someday, but not now."
[18:40] <Kotono> "Okay...I guess I understand, Mako-chan...and you into girls, Usa-chan," Kotono shakes her head slowly, "I didn't really think you were the one there, you know?"
[18:41] <Makoto> "Ditto." Makoto adds, somewhat dryly, before lapsing into silence.
[18:41] * Usagi shrugs and smiles. "I haven't exactly gone out of my way to advertise it, and I only really found out recently, to be honest." Glancing at Makoto's forlorn figure somewhat uncomfortably, she turns back to Kotono, "Anyway, weren't you going to tell us more about Asher?" she asks to change the subject.
[18:44] <Kotono> "Well..." Kotono looks down and colors, "...it's...big, you know?"
[18:44] * Usagi leans forward interestedly. "How big?" she presses with an encouraging smile.
[18:46] * Makoto turns her attention to the conversation, cheering a little.
[18:48] <Kotono> Kotono spreads her hands out a good ways! "That big!" That's...big, you think.
[18:48] * Makoto sweatdrops. "Are you serious?"
[18:49] <Usagi> "Not bad," Usagi nods approvingly, before blinking. "Say... since you've never masturbated - it must've hurt, right?"
[18:50] <Kotono> "A little," Kotono nods, "But once it got going and well...kaboom instead!" Her blush is lighter now, "He...really got me off a lot!"
[18:51] <Makoto> "That alone is worth a medal. Guys aren't supposed to be good at that." Makoto observes.
[18:52] <Usagi> "Depends on the guy," Usagi shrugs philosophically. "Guess Kotono-chan lucked out... or got lucky is probably the better way of putting it," she giggles.
[18:53] <Kotono> "Yep!" Kotono nods, "He just...kept doing it and doing it and it got hotter and hotter and..." Kotono blushes a moment, "It's like everything's on fire and he's inside of me and...yeah."
[18:53] * Makoto snickers. "That sounds about right." Makoto agrees. "Congratulations, Kochan."
[18:55] * Usagi blushes faintly as an unbidden thought of Rei surfaces at Kotono's fiery descriptions. Shaking her head slightly to put it aside, Usagi focuses on her fellow blonde. "Just try and keep your communicator nearby even when you're doing it?" she teases.
[18:56] <Makoto> "Oh, no." Makoto groans. "Do you really want to call them in the middle...of that?" She winces.
[18:57] <Usagi> "Not really," Usagi makes a face, "But still, if they're going to be doing it a lot... the world still needs Sailor Pluto to fight for justice, even if it does interrupt her bedroom funtime."
[18:58] <Kotono> "Okay...I guess, I mean...say!" Kotono suddenly peers at both of you, "What if I have the communicator on us doing it just to spite you, huh?"
[18:59] <Makoto> "True. Though I'm not sure I want to hear the speeches." Makoto chuckles. "For interrupting my orgasms, in the name of Pluto, I'll punish you!"
[18:59] <Makoto> "Then I'll turn the communicator on while I masturbate in the shower." Makoto retorts, sticking out her tongue at Kotono's threat.
[19:00] <Usagi> "We'll just have to politely ignore things if Asher looks to be sporting two swords as he charges into battle..." Usagi observes with a teasing smirk, drumming her fingers on the tabletop.
[19:00] <Makoto> "Hah." Makoto giggles at Usagi's crack.
[19:01] <Kotono> "...now I have the image of us using the communicators when we touch ourselves in some sorta kinky game!" Kotono coughs at that, embarrassed even further!
[19:02] <Makoto> "I'm in." Makoto smirks, uncurling.
[19:03] * Usagi hums thoughtfully. "Careful who you suggest that around, Kotono-chan - some of us might not think it's a bad idea," she purrs teasingly, before brightening in honest relief at Makoto's comment. Guess she's not totally uptight, at least.
[19:06] <Kotono> "Oh yeah...so this is going to go back to giving me a demo?" Kotono challenges, smiling a bit now.
[19:06] <Makoto> "You want one?" Makoto leers.
[19:10] <Kotono> "Do you wanna give me one, Sis?" Kotono challenges right back.
[19:11] * Usagi just watches the back and forth, resisting the urge to chime in that she'd enjoy watching said demonstration herself. Let those two sort things out between them, first...
[19:12] <Makoto> "Sure." Thus said, simply and confidently, Makoto stands up and begins pulling off her turtleneck sweater, smooth, swift uncovering of a flat expanse of her stomach, and the bottom half of her black lace bra.
[19:12] <Kotono> Kotono coughs a moment, but says nothing, "Wow, you wanna do it, Sis?" she asks.
[19:12] <Kotono> OOC - Strike, misentered.
[19:12] <Kotono> Kotono coughs a moment, "Wow, you wanna do it, Sis?" she asks in mild surprise, "You're not just gonna act like you'er going to tease me and back off once I flinch like Rei-chan?"
[19:13] <Makoto> "Well, it's not particularly sexy." Makoto admits. "I'm not sure I can even do it in front of people. But if you really want a demo, I'm game."
[19:14] * Usagi stares at Makoto's toned stomach for a moment, blushing before she raises her gaze up to try and see if she can detect any trace of bluffing in Makoto's expression. "Wow... you'd really do that for her, Mako-chan?"
[19:17] <Kotono> "Would you?" Kotono cocks her nead now, seeming sincerely curious. "That's...well, it's open?"
[19:17] <Makoto> "Why not?" Makoto pulls her sweater all the way off, leaving her standing in front of her friends in just a bra and jeans. "I do wish I had someone to teach me...It was the one thing Auntie Fuuko DIDN'T give me more information than I wanted about-If she really wants a demonstration, I've got no problem with it." Makoto purses her lips a little. "Aside from the worry that I might not be able to do it right. Like I said...It's not condu
[19:18] <Makoto>  Like I said...It's not conducive to sexy thoughts when you have an audience."
[19:18] <Usagi> "Some people get off on that..." Usagi comments with a blush, glancing at Kotono to see her reaction.
[19:19] <Kotono> "Well...I mean..." Ktoono takes ab reath, "Are you two okay with that, I mean really, before I say anything else?"
[19:20] <Makoto> "Only if you really want to see, Kochan." Makoto frowns. "I'm not making this offer because I'm up for a dare. If you're just sort of curious, I'll put my top back on."
[19:21] * Usagi coughs into her hand. "Even if Mako-chan's bluffing... I already admitted I'm into girls," she shrugs. "It's kinda weird, but at the same time..." she looks up at the tall brunette, talents quite freely on display, "Can't say I'm not tempted."
[19:23] * Makoto blushes, clasping her hands behind her back with a smirk and arching her back just a little to display her bust, framed in black lace as it is. "Usagi-chan flatters poor Mako-chan..." She smirks.
[19:24] <Kotono> "Um?" Kotono thinks a moment, blushing hugely, "Mako-chan, I, um...Keep going. I wanna see if it's a buff or not and as long as you have clothes on youc an back out, huh?"
[19:25] <Usagi> "Poor..." the blonde rolls her eyes at Makoto's posing. "Even if I'm not as far behind as we were when we first met, you're still a knockout by any standard, Mako-chan," she admits freely.
[19:27] <Makoto> Makoto blushes and shrugs. "It's just odd to hear you talk like that since we've bathed together naked." Makoto dismisses, smiling easily. "And yeah, you both have nothing left to be jealous of me about." She adds, glancing at Kotono and frowning. "Sis...I said already, I'm not doing this on a dare. It's not a peep show. Do you honestly want a demonstration? If not, I'm not ashamed to back out now."
[19:28] * Usagi winces and raises a hand. "I'll be honest - I don't need the demonstration, so I basically will be treating this like a peep show," she admits, blushing. "Sorry, Mako-chan, but there's a difference between bathing and watching someone do that."
[19:29] <Makoto> "Uh..." Makoto turns bright red, flushing. "I honestly hadn't considered that." She admits, pink spreading down all the way to the tops of her breasts. "Um, maybe I will back out. You have a point."
[19:30] <Kotono> "Um...but if Usa-chan enjoys it it means it's a good thing," Kotono blushes as well.
[19:31] <Usagi> "Er, Kotono-chan, it's a thing that should really be between lovers," Usagi comments delicately. "It's pretty messed up for people who're just friends to be doing that with each other." She shrugs, "I like Mako-chan, and I think she's beautiful, but I'm not in love with her or anything like that."
[19:34] <Makoto> "Um..." Makoto coughs, glancing at Usagi and reddening further. "Yes, I guess. It's Flattering, too...but I wasn't thinking of it in sexual terms at all, Ko-chan...and Usagi has it right-She's wonderful, but I'm not in love with her either. It was okay when I was just thinking about showing you what to do, but now I...It'd be really awkward."
[19:35] <Kotono> "..right, well, I didn't want you to unless it was really fun for Usa-chan, so...um." Kotono gets up and nods, "I'll schedule that stuff with thes pa or something this weekend and I'll see the you two later, huh?"
[19:36] <Usagi> "See, if I hadn't admitted to being bi I could've gotten a free show out of tonight," the blonde sighs melodramatically as she gets up. "That's fine, Kotono-chan. And don't worry, really - I'm honestly not interested in any of you guys like that, so I won't be weird when we're in the spa together or whatever," she tries to reassure.
[19:37] * Makoto blinks, glancing at Usagi, then at Kotono, and feeling decidedly weird as she pulls on her sweater. "That's right-though you should really ask when you get ideas like that, Sis...If Usagi-chan hadn't spoken up, and I'd found out later, things could have gotten really weird."
[19:38] <Kotono> "Yeah...nice idea in theory...but wasn't that a bit much, Sis?" Kotono smiles, "Now I just feel kinda weird and embarassed over all of it, yeah?"
[19:38] <Usagi> "This is why I wanted to keep it secret," Usagi shrugs weakly, essaying a smile at the other two. "Oh, well. Later?" she waves, making to leave.
[19:39] <Makoto> "Pfft. Nothing happened, and you've both seen me more naked than that. No need to be embarrassed." Makoto dismisses easily, smiling at Usagi and Kotono. "And I can relate to the feeling." She adds to the odangoed blonde. "Call me when everything's set up?"
[19:41] <Kotono> "So, um...yeah, this got weird," Kotono shakes her head, waving, "We talk about nice and normal Supernatural things next time, okay?!" With that she takes off upstairs, hurrying!
[19:41] * Makoto sighs. "This is going to take some cleaning up." She grumbles.