Episode 5!

[Anastasia]

Mysterious and lonely goth girl? Kensuke versus the Senshi with  Sailor Saturn!

> Saturday morning comes, Artemis and Ami at the kitchen table. As Ami eats her bowl of oatmeal mother left in the mircowave, the ringing of the phone gets her attention.
<Ami-chan> Leaving her breakfast on the table, Ami quickly goes for the phone, and picking it up, replies automatically, "Mizuno residence, this is Ami speaking."
> A familiar voice, male and quietly cheerful, answers. "Ami," he asks, the voice of your father on the other end. "How're doing?"
<Ami-chan> "Oh, uhm...hey dad," Ami answers back, her tone losing the more serious edge it had in favor of a slightly uncomfortable one. "I'm doing fine. How's the rural life?"
> "It's very fine," he says, a slight Kansai accent in his fine for a moment. Chuckling, "Fine indeed," he repeats, fine again picking up the tone. "Between the wild pigs, cows and rice fields, I barely have time to paint!"
* Ami-chan raises an eyebrow at that. "Don't tell me you've taken up agriculture?"
> "Of course not," he laughs, shaking his head. "Anyway, I'm coming into town tomorrow with a colleage for some commissoned work. I'd like it if you came along - I haven't seen you since last New Year's."
* Ami-chan smiles at that. It was a bit awkward getting together with her dad when they saw each other so little, but she appreciated any chance she could spend with him. "Of course I'll come. You remember where we live, right?" she asks.
> "Yep, that apartment Chikako likes so much. Diamonds in the sky," he hums to himself. "Hm, that's a thought. Yuko said she might want to bring along someone, too, so you won't be lonely if we get busy," he adds.
<Ami-chan> "Yuko?" Ami asks in surprise, grasping the phone a bit tighter.
> "Yes, she's the colleague I mentioned," he says. "She's coming into the city to take some photographs, and since we're doing about the same thing, we figured we may as well do it together. Beats working alone," he adds.
<Ami-chan> "Oh," AMi replies somewhat quietly. She'd kind of wanted to spend time with just her father, or her father and mother, not...strangers. Sighing a bit, she asks, "What's this about her bringing someone to keep me company?"
> "She has a cousin or nephew or something she wants to see while she's in town," he explains simply.
<Ami-chan> "And he's my age or around it? Dad, you're not trying to set me up on a blind date or something, are you?" Ami asks based on her dad's implied statements.
> "Actually...did she say if it was a nephew or niece," he muses, before going on. "As I'm not sure, no I'm not," he comments back easily, chuckling again. "Especially if it's her niece or whatever."
<Ami-chan> "I would hope not!" Ami replies with a frown that her dad would be unable to see.
> "Chikako would kill me if I did that," he says, still amused. "I'll find out and call you back this evening, all right?"
<Ami-chan> "Alright, dad," Ami says with a shake of her head. Pausing for a bit, she adds quietly, "Love you dad."
> "Love you, Ami-chan," he says back, voice warmer now. "Tell your Mom that, too," he adds, before he hangs up.
* Ami-chan slowly puts the phone back down with a sigh as she walks back to her breakfast of lukewarm oatmeal.
> ---
> Saturday afternoon finds Hotaru in her room, working on what has her attention currently. As she does so and the hours slip by, her reverie is interrupted by a soft knock on the door. "Hotaru, telephone," your father calls, opening your door slightly before walking off.
<Hotaru-chan> "Coming!" Hotaru answers softly, nearly hopping off the bed. Descending the stairs in bemusement at who would call her, she arrives at the telephone, and picks it up. "Hello?"
> "Hey, Hotaru-chan," the voice on the line is female and rather relaxed, a familiar voice bringing memories of trips out and of photography.
<Hotaru-chan> "Yuko-basan, hi." Hotaru smiles, her voice cheering from its normal reserved demeanor. "How've you been?" Hotaru asks, both polite and genuinely curious.
> "Busy," she replies. "How about you? How's school going?"
<Hotaru-chan> "School's...school." Hotaru laughs quietly, her fingers playing with the phone held to her ear. "I'm passing and all."
> "Good," she replies, then brushes that aside. "I'm coming into town tomorrow," she goes on, friendly voiced. "A friend and I are doing some work in the city, want to come along?"
<Hotaru-chan> "Sure," Hotaru enthuses, after a brief hesitation. "If it's alright with daddy and mom..." she adds after a second's thought, still excited, though.
> "I talked to Souchi about it and he said it's fine," she comments. "We'll have a blast...oh, and Yasou is bringing his daughter along, too," she adds as an afterthought. "She's about your age or close to it, I think."
<Hotaru-chan> "Yasou?" Hotaru asks, relaxing a little with everything being cleared in advance.
> "Oh, that friend I'm working with," she says back. "Nice guy, he's a painter."
<Hotaru-chan> "Ah, okay," Hotaru agrees, humming under her breath. "Where do you think we'll be going?"
> "Hm...we were planning to meet up around noon, after I get back from photographing a few local cultural landmarks. I'm doing some work on Japanese Historical monuments on the side, and Tokyo has a few good examples. Since I can't get to Kyoto until the fall, it'll have to do for now. So, um..." she pauses a moment. "Eleven thirty sound good? Yasuo will probably want to have lunch together, too, before we get started."
<Hotaru-chan> "Um...yes, that's fine," Hotaru answers quickly, happy to listen to her relative talk, even if her question wasn't answered. "All I have to do tomorrow is reading, so...any time will be fine."
> "Sure...then we'll go get that natural scenery done," she muses aloud. "It's getting to cherry blossom time, so it should be really gorgeous...."
<Hotaru-chan> "Mhm," Hotaru agrees quietly, smiling. "They're always really pretty; and it should be before the crowds."
> "They are, and they make great photos. It's  a shame it's not a full moon, those are wonderful if you can get the pictures to come out right. Problem is that..." she begins, slipping into a slightly more techical direction with her discussion.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru listens patiently to her cousin, sinking into the curious depths of photography for as long as Yuko will divulge them.
> It goes on a fair bit, about filters, lighting, shade and all sorts of myraid things. Eventually, however, her digression slows and she gets back the point. "So...see you tomorrow," she asks. "11 30?"
<Hotaru-chan> "Yep!" Hotaru answers, taking an instant to slip out of listening to Yukko talk. "I'll be looking forward to it."
> "Me too," she adds. "Say hi to your father and mother for me, okay?"
<Hotaru-chan> "Sure," Hotaru replies quickly, her voice resuming it's slight cheer. "Have a good night."
> "I will. You too, Hotaru-chan," she adds, before the phone goes silent.
> ---
> Father comes by around eleven, picking Ami up. There is a short discussion between mother and father, before the two of you go down to his beaten up old Toyota. As you drive there, "I'm sorry I forgot to call, but I found out. Her niece is named Hotaru, and she's close to your age," he says as he drives.
* Ami-chan nods and changing the subject, asks, "So will you be here for a while, or just today?"
> "Just today, probably, unless one of the sites really interest me," he admits. "I'm working this for a commission, and I'm under a bit of a time limit." He sighs at that slightly, his stock body twitching ever so slightly in annoyance.
<Ami-chan> "Oh, that's too bad..." Ami says.
> A nod of agreement, as you go through the Tokyo streets. He's turning to a sushi place, angling for a parking space. "Yeah, but I need some money right now," he admits.  "I'll have more time once I finish this in a month."
<Ami-chan> "Well, just take care of yourself, okay? I know how you get sometimes under deadlines..." Ami mentions with a small smile.
> Getting a space and parking in the meantime, "I'll be fine...if this goes well, I can stop in during your Summer break," he offers, starting to get out of the car.
* Ami-chan smiles. "I hope it goes well then."
> "So do I, kiddo," he smiles, as you head inside. It's a nice little place, more modern resterantish than anything else. After speaking to a waiter, you head right in with a reservation, to a little table. Sitting there already is a woman with long brown haired tied tightly back in single braid, younger than your father but still fully an adult. Her eyes glance at the two of you, curious in her simple sweater and skirt outfit. (More)
> "Hey,"  she says, neither of them having food yet. "You're on time for once," she notes, glancing at the girl to her side. (Hotaru, describe yourself if you like.) The man - it must be your aunt's friend - sits, a stocky built man in a slightly old looking t shirt and slacks. A blue haired girl comes with him. (Vice versa with you, Ami. Phew.)
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru looks up at the approaching pair, smiling politely, as they seem to be her aunt's friend and his daughter. She's dressed in a simple black turtleneck, only a glimpe of dark violet from beneath the table hinting at what else cloaks the small, not quite frail frame. Even as she pushes a bit of shoulder length black hair back behind her ears, it rebelliously trying to fall back towards her cheek.
<Ami-chan> "Hello," Ami offers politely with a small bow. She's wearing a light blue sundress with a white jacket on her shoulders.
> "This is Ami," Ami's father nods as she sits. "That's Hotaru," he asks, giving the black haired girl a small smile.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru stands to bow in return, smiling in a reserved, shy way. "Nice to meet you," she replies, glancing between father and daughter.
> He nods, "Nice to meet you, too." Settling in and taking the menu, "How'd the shrines go," he asks Hotaru's aunt casually, scanning the food list.
* Ami-chan takes a seat besides her father, staying quiet for now, observing her dad and Yuko-san mostly.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sits back down as Ami does, glancing down at her manu, but keeping her ears on the conversation at the table.
> "Good except for one," she pauses, shaking her head. "It's a good story...this one shrine keeper was...uh, well," she stops, shaking her head again. "Start at the beginning, right," she nods. "He can't be any taller than 4 foot. He's a geniune midget, and that's just the start of it."
> "Anyway, as far as I can tell...him and another man were jumping around while he was shouting about it being training - right in the middle of the shrine," she shakes her head a third time, in bewilderment. "This happened while I was trying to get a picture, no less. I think one of them had a bedsheet cape thing going as well...it was bizzare."
> "Um," Yasuo stops, staring. "...Right," he says, blinking in ample surprise.
> "It gets better," she shakes her head. "A shrine maiden came and yelled at them over it, chasing them with a wooden broom," she sighs. "It was a madhouse, not a cultural monument."
<Ami-chan> "Maybe they were just having an off day," Ami offers politely, though she found the story amusing.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's smile is politely amused, though she doesn't outright laugh. Curiously, she looks again over at Ami, before turning back to occupying herself with reading every part of the menu.
> Putting down his menu, "That's just absurd," Ami's father comments, glancing at his daughter. "I suppose, but..."
<Ami-chan> "What was the name of the shrine? Just out of curiosity," Ami asks, figuring she could share the story with Usagi-chan and Nanako-chan.
> "Hikawa," she notes. "It's that one on top of the hill in the middle of the city. There's a bus route that stops right at it," she offers.
<Ami-chan> "Oh, is that so?" Ami notes with surprise. "I've passed by it before on my way to cram school. I've heard it's famous for its charms, but that's about it."
> "I would have gotten one of those if it wasn't so insane," Yuko nods, stopping a moment as the waiter comes. She rattles off her order, Ami's father following suit.
* Ami-chan takes a minute to look for something, having been more attentive to the conversation than her menu before settling on something fairly inexpensive and ordering that.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru orders something rather small after Ami, having already selected her own.
> As the waiter leaves, "Perhaps they try to increase sales with that sort of thing," Yuko suggests, having mulled it over. "If so, though, they must be very daring or desperate."
<Hotaru-chan> "It doesn't sound like a very good strategy," Hotaru interjects quietly, looking almost embarrassed with having spoken. "It sounds like it could more easily embarrass them than draw customers, I think," she adds after a moment, looking back down at the table.
> Nodding to that, "I think you're right, Hotaru. I don't really plan to go back there," Yuko agrees.
<Ami-chan> "On the other hand, you passed the story out, and I'm likely to pass it to some friends, who will pass it on to some more, and eventually somewhere down the line, someone is bound to be curious about the shrine that hadn't been before," Ami notes.
> "Yeah, that's true," Yasuo agrees there. "I'm kind of curious myself. Maybe when I have some time this summer..."
<Hotaru-chan> "Would it be good or bad curiousity though?" Hotaru speaks up again, glancing at her cousin. "If someone decided that now they'd avoid the place..."
<Ami-chan> "Curiosity is a very powerful desire," Ami replies. "I wouldn't count out its influence even on those who feel they'd want to avoid the place due to rumors."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shrugs, smiling slightly as she falls silent.
> AS you continue on, your food arrives. Pretty standard fare, nothing to get excited about. As you eat, the conversation takes a new turn. "Have you been to that new nature park just on the outskirts of Tokyo, Ami," father asks. "That's where we're planning to go first."
<Ami-chan> "Not really," Ami answers. "Sometimes I'll go read in a park that's near the apartments, but I haven't really gone to any other park besides that one."
<Ami-chan> "Oh, I would recommend visiting that one, by the way, it's very beautiful. The caretaker does an excellent job. It's a pity that they're planning to tear it down in a few months."
> He nods, "We can try that this afternoon," Yasuo agrees easily. "How about you, Hotaru - do you know any place like that?"
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shakes her head slightly. "I've only been to the parks Yuko's shown me, and one near home."
> With a small nod, he goes back to his food shortly - and then gasps, reaching for his water. "Too much...hot..." he complains, getting a chuckle from Yuko. "Hurry up so we can get going - we shouldn't waste what sunlight we have."
> After lunch, it's a middling long drive out. The Kiyama Park is a thirty acre or so lot of forest land, grown to be a 'natural' breath of air in Tokyo. Irony of that aside, it's a nice place, open for hikes, walks and so on. It even ends in a fifty foot dropoff cliff, the trees parting just at the cusp of it to provide a breathtaking view of the highway below. That's where the adults take you, both interested in there first and foremore.
> As a sketch  pad and a camera begin to work, you are left a bit aside as the two artists begin to ply their craft...
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru begins to wander a little around the immediate surroundings, inspecting the foliage for a lack of else to do. Occasionally, she looks towards Ami, curious as to what she's doing.
> As you do so, you note Ami's father going off to the opposite edge of the cliff, carefully bracing against a tree as he angles for a certain view.
* Ami-chan watches all around, mostly admiring the place, and occassionally focuses on her dad sketch.
> He does so, going even father away and ...suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you see him trip and begin to fall!
<Ami-chan> "Dad!" Ami shouts in shock as she quickly begins to rush towards her dad's former spot.
> As he falls and you begin to move, you see that he may very well pitch over the edge of the cliff! You see Yuko turn and gasp in shock as well, as...a hand, the rest obscurbed by the edge of the tree line, snakes out and grabs his arm! With this support, he rocks and falls back, safely onto his rear.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru looks up at the shout, quickly looking around. Noticing Ami running, she follows her, though at a slightly lesser pace as there doesn't seem to be anything wrong now.
> You see Yasuo say something to where the person is, sounding just like a thanks, but it's a touch too far to hear for certain.
* Ami-chan continues to run towards her dad, her heart beating rapidly.
> As you approach, you see Ami's father rise. Getting closer, you can see the man besides him - a rather calm face, long green hair with a light, white shirt that shows of a fair deal of his good muscle tone and slacks. A camera is slung around his neck on a hanging cord. This rings the bell of a recent memory for Ami..."No, I was just passing by," he shakes his head. "Looking for a place to get a few pictures while on my lunch break."
* Ami-chan bows deeply to the man as she catches her breath once she's close enough. "Thankyouverymuchforsavingmybakafather," she strings out quickly, forgetting her manners somewhat.
> "MMmmm," he merely nods, but stops as he sees the other two behind you, namely Yuko and her camera in hand. "Taking pictures as well," he asks, his curiosity seemingly interested.
> Ami's father gives Ami a slightly annoyed glance, but nods as well. "Thanks. I nearly took a nasty fall there because I'm clumsy.:
> "Um..." Yuko pauses, starting to blush. "Yeah, I am..." she says, seemingly flustered off the blue. "It's a good view here..."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru stops a short distance from Ami and her father. She looks at the green haired man in mild confusion, only exascerbated by her cousin's  behavior.
> He nods, stepping away from Ami and her father to her. "Really," he asks, as the two of them quickly fall into conversation. It seems warm enough, even with Yuko starting to notably do a good apple imitation with her face.
> Coming to his daughter's side, "I'm fine, Ami," Yasuo comments, as he watches the other two adults chat away. "Good timing, I guess."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru gravitates slowly towards her cousin, stopping and sitting on a rock about fifteen feet away. Trying to not keep her eyes on the pair too long, she waits nearby, trying to enjoy the landscape.
<Ami-chan> "No kidding. You really have to be more careful, dad..." Ami says quietly as she impulsively hugs her dad. "You scared me..."
> "Sorry," he blushes, patting Ami. Hotaru sees the other two losing themselves in conversation rather rapidly - Yuko starting to inch a little closer to him, too.
> Watching this, Yasuo shakes his head. "Ah, Ami...why don't we go over there," he says. "I think Yuko's going to be distracted for awhile."
* Ami-chan looks at Yuko-san and nods, motioning to Hotaru to come with them also.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru smiles slightly as Ami motions to her, giving a little sigh, and abandoning her cousin for other company. Casting a final glance back, she follows Ami.
> Joining up with them and giving the two a bit of distance, "Strange luck," Yasuo shakes his head. "I suppose I can't complain, though."
<Hotaru-chan> "Mm," Hotaru agrees. "They seem to have made friends pretty quickly..." she adds, casting a glance back, and turning away quickly a second later.
<Ami-chan> "Well they do have similar interests."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shrugs, looking around at the trees. "Yuko was acting...Really friendly, but I wouldn't know," she admits.
> "You're the girls here," Yasuo says with a small laugh. "No talk of romance or that fact that she looks smitten," he asks.
<Ami-chan> "I leave the gossip to my friends," Ami says simply.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blushes, looking away, and shrugging. "I said I wouldn't know," she reiterated quietly.
> Still laughing, he goes to a nearby tree and leans against it. "Heh, well..." he shakes his head. "Anyway, I guess this place is a wash...I don't really feel any vibe here, and I don't think Yuko will be doing much photography for the rest of the day."
<Ami-chan> "Well, he did say he's on lunch break," Ami notes, remembering earlier. "Yuko-san won't be able to speak with him for that long, I think."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nods in agreement with Ami, almost hoepfully. "Maybe try another park?"
<Hotaru-chan> *hopefully
> He nods. "Once they finish, we'll try the one near Ami's apartment," he offers, keeping half an eye on the duo far away. Notably, they seem to be coming back in your direction. It's the green haired man whom speaks first. "Ah, where are my manners," he begins. "I'm Kensuke, and I work at a nearby outdoorsmanship store," he turns his glance a bit away, perhaps in the direction of it. (More)
> "We're having a big opening sale, so I'd like to invite you over. Yuko's coming," he nods, the girl nearby nodding quickly. Her eyes seem slightly glazed, a blush and smile on her face.
> Yasuo shrugs, glancing at Ami. "Interested," he asks, not seeming too much so himself.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru blinks in surprise, looking worriedly at her cousin. "I...guess," she agrees quietly, frowning slightly at the changes.
* Ami-chan shrugs, much like her father. "I suppose."
> "Sure," he nods after Ami's words, the group falling into place. Leading you along, "It's not a long walk from here," he offers, a smile coming to place that Ami just sees as he takes the lead. It's...something about it sends an instinctive shiver up your arms for a moment - there's something suddenly slightly sinister about it, perhaps.
* Ami-chan frowns, not so sure she liked that smile.
> Heading along, you end up on a little forest path leading to the main road. Coming out as you Ami feels a strange knot in her stomach, you come to what looks to be a cabin - it's built as a shop, but done up in that style, down to log walls. Reasonably big place, and it's sign advertises all sorts of natural and hiking equipment along with other things.
> Ami - Go a head and make a Soul check, would you? Hotaru as well, at -2.
> *+2,
<Ami-chan> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Ami-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
<Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6 +2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Hotaru-chan rolls 2d6 +2 and gets 8."
> OOC - No space between the 2d6 and roll, Hotaru. Reroll?
* Mito_Naito (WinNT@dialup-4.234.117.169.Dial1.Miami1.Level3.net) has joined #dunes
<Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6+2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Hotaru-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 11."
> Ami - you feel odd here, like something is wrong. You just don't like this. "Here we are," he annouces, as you head to the front doors. Inside, you can just see the front as he opens the door. Looks like a normal enough shop, even if a bit on the dim side.
* Ami-chan looks around cautiously, wondering what's triggering that feeling.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru squints a little as she looks around, curious even if she didn't really like the idea of coming here in the beginning.
> Inside is a spread out setup of various relevant items for sale, as well as a checkout. It doesn't really look that unusual, as you come inside. "Here, why don't you browse and try something you like," he offers, Yuko nodding in agreement to that.
* Ami-chan looks around to see what other customers are doing.
> There are a few, mostly in the back around where there are boots, hiking backpacks, and so on. It's kind of quiet in here, with the front area being prepackaged meals and odds and ends.
* Ranma007|sleep (~Ranma007@pcp09152976pcs.towson01.md.comcast.net) has joined #dunes
<Hotaru-chan> "Yuko...do you  do any outdoorsing? You never talked aboout it..." Hotaru questions nervously, looking at the various products as they pass them.
> "Mmmm, Hotaru-chan," she barely looks back, as you notice Kensuke going off to the the checkout and the woman there - blonde, seemingly cheerful and clad in a bad mix of flannel and demin. Yasuo simply looks around, staying near Ami. "See anything you like," he asks, idly glancing about.
<Ami-chan> "Not really," Ami replies. "I think the only one who does is Yuko-san, and it's not anything for sale..."
> "Yep, kiddo," he agrees, amused. "At this rate, we may be finishing up for the day by ourselves," he muses, glancing at the woman as she heads back.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sighs quietly at the conversation, resigning herself to being stuck in the building for the rest of the day. "Mm," she adds,  looking for something even mildly entertaining.
> There really isn't much, beyond a section of maps nearby at the checkout. It's really a mental struggle, as Yuko's gone off on her own thing rather easily.  Ami and her father off to the side a bit, neither looking interested themselves.
<Ami-chan> Noticing Hotaru's bored look, Ami asks, "Not having much fun here either, huh?"
<Hotaru-chan> "No...the maps look a little interesting, but that's it," Hotaru answers quietly, looking around to see if she even find her cousin anymore. "I don't spend much time outside."
> She's off to the back, as you see the blonde girl coming in your direction. "Can I help you," she asks, her decent figure shown off by slightly too tight clothing.
<Ami-chan> "Not really, we're just waiting for our companion. None of us are really interested in outdoorsmanship," Ami replies, turning down the blond girl's offer politely.
> Nodding, "Why don't you try samples of our boxed lunches," she presses. "It's free and you'll feel completely different after you do," she adds on, a winning smile on her face.
<Ami-chan> "No thank you, I already ate lunch a while back."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nods in agreement, shifting a little behind Ami with the slightly aggressive turn of conversation.
> "Well..." Yasuo begins, as the blonde presses forward. "I'll try a little, at least," he offers. To that, the girl goes off and leaves you for the moment.  Shrugging, "At least it gets rid of her," he notes to his daughter.
* Ami-chan frowns, feeling an odd sense of deja vu.
> "Hm, Ami," he asks at that, curious at your frown.
<Ami-chan> "Sorry, you just reminded me of a bad experience with pushy saleswomen," Ami replies, fudging the details. "I'd rather not encourage another one."
* Ranma007|sleep is now known as Ranma007
> "Oh?" he asks, curious, as he casts an eye at Yuko. She seems to be trying on a pair of boots, and seems to be enjoying it.
* Ami-chan waves her hand slightly nervous, "Eheh...don't worry about it, okay, dad?"
> "Alright," he shrugs, as the lady comes back. It's a small tin of flavored rice, tinted brown with a seasoning.  "Here you go," she offers it to him.
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru tenses slightly as the saleswoman returns, trying to focus her attention elsewhere, and provide a less tempting target for being purused as a customer.
> Taking it, he puts on a polite smile as he takes the plastic fork included, getting a bite together..."Mmm..." he murmurs, shaking his head.
<Ami-chan> "Dad, you're entirely too nice," Ami sighs as she sees her dad decided to humor the saleslady after all.
> Pausing a moment, he takes sanother bite before handing Ami the rice. "You should try this," he says. "I'm going to go back there..." he adds, voice slightly off, as he takes off.
<Ami-chan> "No thanks," Ami replies as she takes the rice and gives it back to the saleslady. "And are you going to get Yuko-san?"
> "Mmmm," he answers idly, going back rather quickly. The saleslady takes it with a smile, "You should try some," she insists to the both of you. "You'd really like it...your Dad does," she adds.
<Ami-chan> "No thanks," Ami replies curtly as she looks towards her dad, waiting for him to come back with Yuko-san.
<Hotaru-chan> "I'm not hungry," Hotaru demures quietly, following Ami's lead and looking back towards the adults.
> "But you should," she insists, quietly going around you to the door.
* Ranma007 (~Ranma007@pcp09152976pcs.towson01.md.comcast.net) Quit (Quit: Goshin Dai Ryü Sei Fu!)
* Ranma007 (~Ranma007@pcp09152976pcs.towson01.md.comcast.net) has joined #dunes
<Ami-chan> "Sorry, but no," Ami says with a dismissing wave of her hand as she stares at Yuko-san and her dad. What are they doing back there? She'd thought dad was going to get Yuko-san.
> Putting herself firmly between the door and nodding to Kensuke at the checkout. "I insist," she says, somewhat sharply. "I don't think your friends are going to help you say no now, either."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru looks alarmed at the statement, frowning worriedly. "What?" she asks, suddenly tense and anxious.
> Grabbing Ami's hand quickly, "I'll show you," she says, holding Ami tight!
<Ami-chan> "Hey!" Ami shouts as she's grabbed. "What do you think you're doing? Dad!"
> Your father doesn't turn back around, nor does anyone else in the back of the shop. "Here," she offers, taking some of the rice on the plastic fork. "Eat up!" she says, looking to cram it down your throat! OOC - Reaction, Ami.
* Ami-chan bats it out to the side with her free hand and tries to free herself. "Let go!"
* Mito_Naito (WinNT@dialup-4.234.117.169.Dial1.Miami1.Level3.net) Quit (Quit: -=SysReset 2.53=-)
> OOC - Body check, -2.
<Ami-chan> roll 2d6-2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Ami-chan rolls 2d6-2 and gets 7."
> The rice falls to the ground, but she keeps a grip on your hand! "That's enough of that," she scowls, shimmering! Her body changes, skin going pale and flannel covering her entire body! Her eyes are red and nasty, as, "I think the both of you girls will make great catches," it says!
* ChanServ sets mode: +o Makoto
* Ami-chan pales at that. "Hotaru, get out of here, now!"
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru pales, bolting for the door an instant after being told, and trying to skirt around the reach of the changing horror. OOC - Burning 30 EP to boost Body to 5.
> OOC - Body check and let's see where that goes.
<Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Hotaru-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
> As you run, the monster moves to stop you...but between the speed and a trip on her part...BAM! A collision occurs, sending all three on their rears and stunned, Hotaru and the youna having  nasty bruise where their heads banged. (2 damage to both.) Her grip on Ami loosens, as the monster cries out in pain.
<Ami-chan> Noticing the youma's hold loosen, Ami tries to pull away again.
<Ami-chan> roll 2d6-3
* Queen_Serenity --> "Ami-chan rolls 2d6-3 and gets 7."
<Hotaru-chan> "Oww..." Hotaru hisses, reaching for the bruise on her head and whimpering. Looking up, she notices the youma flat on its feet, and even winded from the false start and impact, tries to stagger her way up and get out of the building...
> Ami wiggles and writhes in the grasp, but can't seem to get away as she slowly rises! Hotaru does the same, as, "That's enough of that," Kensuke says, approaching. His face is quiet composed now as he comes over. OOC - Hotaru and monster, check again to see where you stand. Don't 12.
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
<Hotaru-chan> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Hotaru-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
> No good! As she moves to block Hotaru, hnowever, Ami's hand goes slack and free from the effort as the two continue to jostle near the door!
* Ami-chan takes her freedom to good use as she attempts to make a break for it herself.
<Ami-chan> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Ami-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
> This time, with a great push, Ami shoulders by! Running and opening the glass door, she hustles out into the sunlight!
> As Ami runs, Kensuke comes forward towards Hotaru. "Get her, I'll finish up here," he instructs crisply, menacing over the girl.
<Ami-chan> "I'll come back with help, Hotaru!" Ami cries desperately as she looks for a place where she can transform.
> The forest is nearby enough, or you could bolt to the road.
* Ami-chan rushes towards the cover of the forest, as she pulls out her transformation pen. Once hidden in the foliage she raises her pen, shouting, "Mercury Power! MAKE! UP!"
* Ami-chan is now known as Sailor_Mercury
* Anastasia is now known as Sailor_Anastasia
> Sailor Mercury appears in place of Ami Mizuno, the might of the planet behind her! As she appears, she hears the sound of heavy footsteps rustling through the forest1
* Sailor_Mercury taps her earing to bring out the Mercury Visor to analyze if it's the youma, or somehow maybe Hotaru who's come after her.
<Sailor_Mercury> OOC - ignore last line
* Sailor_Mercury taps her earring, summoning the Mercury Visor over her eyes, as she focuses on her stalker, to try and discern anything useful.
> It's the monster, you can clearly tell. It's just off to your northwest, seeming to be searching for you.
<Sailor_Mercury> 'Let's see if I can get something useful like a weakpoint...' she thinks hopefully as she quickly focuses her scan more on the youma before engaging it in *shudder* battle.
> IT goes past you, now heading south west for the moment. OOC - Mind check -1, Ami.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6-1
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6-1 and gets 4."
> Data analysing...as an array of symbols appear - it says it's not too strong by standards, that it's not geared for fast movement, and that it's powers are focused on a certain category of objects. It's make up is resistant to fire, and weak to cold.
<Sailor_Mercury> 'Weak to cold, that should be useful. I hope...' Mercury thinks as she stands up and shouts at the youma. "Hold it right there, monster! The great outdoors is meant to be admired. To abuse the trust of those who wish to enjoy it to its fullest is unforgivable! In the name of the planet Mercury, I shall punish you!"
<Sailor_Mercury> 'Hrm... that speech was better than my last,' Mercury absently notes in her head as she focuses on the youma's reaction.
> IT stops, peering at you amid the forest! "Sailor Mercury?" it asks, surprised. "How...?"
<Sailor_Mercury> "Did you think the senshi wouldn't notice a girl running in fear?" Mercury taunts, covering for herself and offhandedly adds, "Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen are already dealing with your boss, right now!"
> "Damn it," it glowers. "I'll get you first, then, girl!" it calls. OOC - Initiative.
> roll 1d6-1
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6-1 and gets 0."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."
<Sailor_Mercury> "Doubtful!" she shouts, gaining confidence in the youma's reaction to her words. Gathering her power she shouts, "SHABON SPRAY!"
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
> Bubbles fly about, but the mist generated is minimal! Stopping, she quickly braces as, "Flannel stream, go!" she creis, a great ribbon of the checkered stuff arching out towards Sailor Mercury!
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
> (DCV, Ami.)
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
> Sheets of flannel wrap around your body, binding and squeezing you tight! You feel yourself constricted! (Body check, -2.)
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6-2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6-2 and gets 10."
> Gah! It's stuck on, binding your movements! (6 points of pressure damage, and bound tightly.) "Got you," it calls, advancing as you fall over, unable to balance like this!
<Sailor_Mercury> "But can you hold me still get to your boss in time?" Mercury throws out, though mentally she's warring with herself as she struggles. 'Well...that really didn't work out.'
> It pauses a moment at that, as if thinking. It glances back, as you feel the material slacken slightly...
<Sailor_Mercury> OOC - hold me and* still <== edit on my last line >_<
> OOC - Okay. Get going, dice hate girl.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
> With it, you feel yourself make the effort to burst out! Rolling, you feel it break apart, freeing you!
<Sailor_Mercury> 'Thank god it's stupid...' Mercury thinks as she continues taunting, "Or...can you even hold me at all?"
> "Guh! GAH!" it calls, eye bugging out! OOC - Initiative.
> roll 1d6-2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6-2 and gets -1."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."
<Sailor_Mercury> "Let's try this again! Shabon Spray!" Mercury says as she attempts to unleash her magic.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
> This time, a thick, chilly mist extends all about! "Brrrrrrr!" The monster cries, as your visor pipes information. It's energy is decreasing and waining in the cold, as it shivers helplessly!
<Sailor_Mercury> 'Al...alright! Maybe I can do this!' Mercury thinks with surprise, somehow starting to feel hope for real that she can fight.
> OOC - Goa head and act, Ami. The monster is rather stunned.
* Sailor_Mercury moves in close, hoping that she can use the Shabon Spray up close enough for it to affect the youma as an attack.
> The monster is stunned, and it's childishly easy to advance! (ACV -4 if you make an attack.)
<Sailor_Mercury> "Time for you to go down!" Mercury shouts out once she's almost right next to it, adding her attack phrase. "Mercury Shabon Spray!"
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6-4
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6-4 and gets 3."
> Bubbles again fly out, collecting around the monster's body! A cry goes out as they all pop, then... a spray of dust, as your visor tells you the monster has perished...and a second later, a burst of power from the shop! It's...not a youma, either, your visor recording it quickly.
* Hotaru-chan is now known as Sailor_Saturn
<Sailor_Mercury> 'What on earth...' Mercury thinks with wide eyes at the readings, distracted from her happiness. Suddenly remembering Hotaru, her dad, and the other victims, she starts running back towards the store.
> Racing out, you quickly come to the edge of the parking lot - and a big shock. Running from a stunned Kensuke is a black haired girl, dressed in a fuku like yours! It's purple design is different, but otherwise similiar to yours. After a mere moment, Kensuke blinks, his back turned to you and in front of the other girl. "You soldiers come out of the woodwork," he growls. "But...will you lead me to the rest, Hotaru," he asks, eyes narrowing.
> Hotaru sees him appear, as a blue fuku'ed girl races out from behind him. Her strange...visor? is odd, yet she looks somehow like you do now.
<Sailor_Saturn> "Who?" Hotaru asks, not really knowing what Kensuke is talking about, and trying to dodge off to the side and around, not knowing what else to do.
<Sailor_Mercury> '...Hotaru?' Mercury thinks with brief shock, before remembering the matter at hand. As Usagi recommended, she went into another speech to distract herself from worry. "We'll keep coming for as long as it takes to stop your evil schemes! I, Sailor Mercury, shall vanquish you, just as I did your foul monster!"
<Sailor_Saturn> Turning almost on relfex with the arrival of 'reinforcements', Hotaru stands straight. "Imprisoning my friends is an unallowable crime! In the name of friendship and love, I will punish you!" she yells, blinking sharply at herself as the words tumble out, and looking momentarily awkward from having said something so...belligerent!
> "Guh..." he turns to Mercury, then to Saturn. "This..." he shakes his head, stunned! "I don't believe it!" OOC - Initiative.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 10."
> roll 1d6-2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6-2 and gets 0."
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 1d6+6 and gets 9."
> Ami>Hotar>Bad guy. Go.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Shabon Spray!" Mercury shouts as she tries to blanket the area and give herself and her ally some cover.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
> As bubbles fly around, Hotaru feels...words again, her body moving...(OOC - PM, Hotaru.)
<Sailor_Saturn> Saturn follows the the instincts that have gotten ehr to this point, her hands facing flat out from her and turning draw a small circle in front of her. Clasping them together, she tries to draw and focus the energy that seems to be reflex, and releases it! "Saturn Destruction Burst!" she cries.
> OOC - Make your ACV check. -3 due to circumstances.
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6-3
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 2d6-3 and gets 3."
> roll 2d6-2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6-2 and gets 5."
> OOC - GAH!
> roll 2d6+2
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+2 and gets 6."
> He begins to move as the burst of purple energy roars out! He just barely avoids most of it, his arm grazed! (Half damage)
> He winces slightly, hand going to his arm as he  stabilizes. "I don't believe this! Huntera!" he calls a moment, then...nothing. "She's already..." he stops cold.
<Sailor_Mercury> "I did say I took care of your monster, or were you that inattentive?" Mercury asks innocently, before staring at Saturn in appreciation. 'So, she's Sailor...Saturn? Cool.'
> He turns, quite angry. "This...I can't fail this time," he firms up, as...
> -----
> Sunday! Freedom, sleeping in! Rest! It's a girl's dream after one heck of a week...then why is it that you've been herded to the living room couch as the rest of the family gets into a tizzy about getting ready for...something. It's all greek to your tired and worn out ears.
* Usagi looks confusedly at her parents, feeling more like she should just put her feet up and zonk out in front of the tv. "What's going on?" she asks plaintatively.
> "We're having a family activity day, Usagi-chan," Mother tells you, dressed in actual pants and a shirt - it looks like something you could runa round in.
<Usagi> "Activity?" Usagi says the word like it leaves a bad taste in her mouth.
> "That's right," your father says, passing by and dressed in long s horts and a t-shirt. "I thought we'd go back to nature for a day, have fun and relax."
<Usagi> "Well... I guess it's a nice day. So long as I don't have to do any work or anything," the blonde concedes magnaminously.
> "We're going hiking, Usagi-chan," Mother adds, as she dashes off to the kitchen. "Go get dressed for it."
<Usagi> "What?" Usagi asks, not moving. "When you said back to nature, I thought..." she gestures vaguely, "Like a picnic or something?"
* Ana-breakfast is now known as Anastasia
* ChanServ sets mode: +o Anastasia
> "Usagi, it's clean air and good exercise," Father peeks back in, hauling out a box to the car, you'd guess from the box he holds. "I guess we can stop for a late lunch, though."
<Usagi> "I've had more exercise than I'd like, lately," Usagi grumbles, nonetheless getting to her feet and heading upstairs to change.
> "Cheer up, Usagi," Dad adds as he goes out. "THis'll be FUN!"
* Usagi goes into her room, changing into some short denim shorts and a t-shirt along with her rarely worn trainers. Looking out the window as she changes does perk her up a little - it is a nice day, after all. "Bye, Luna," she waves to the cat, heading downstairs again.
> She's up, and watches you. "Hmm, Usagi," she asks, moving to follow along. "Where are you going?"
* Usagi pauses at her bedroom door. "Some family nature activity thing? I dunno where, though."
> Luna pauses, before walking to you. "Maybe we could run into one of the other Senshi," she muses. "LEt me come along, Usagi-chan?"
<Usagi> "You think so?" Usagi asks, perking up even more as she kneels down to converse with the cat.
> "It
> "It's possible," she agrees, as Luna nods.
> OOC - Gah, gah, gah, gah.
* C-Rat is now known as C-Rat-Sleep
<Usagi> "Alright, then!" Usagi picks Luna up and heads downstairs. "Mama, can Luna come, too?"
> Mother blinks momentarily, "Usagi-chan, will Luna run away," she asks, curious.
<Usagi> "Of course not," Usagi affirms confidently. "She's a good cat. Aren't you Luna?"
> A meow follows, as she curls around your shoulders. Mom just shrugs, "Alright, but keep an eye on her," she notes.
<Usagi> "I will," Usagi nods, sitting down and turning on the tv as she waits for everyone else to get ready.
> By the time you get to the car and going, your stomach is rumbling. In the mess, no one thought to get breakfast going...bleh. As your father drives along, your stomach gives a loud and noisy complaint session.
* Usagi winces. "Can we get something to eat before?" Usagi asks, grimacing as she puts a hand over her empty stomach.
> "It is after lunchtime..." Father comments as you drive. "We'll stop at some point for lunch," he agrees, sa Luna glances down at your tummy. "It's like a canyon..."
* Usagi frowns down at Luna, but refrains from getting into an argument with her cat in front of the whole family.
> "What cannon, Usagi," Shingo turns and asks, having been playing a gameboy, a touch confused.
* Ranma007 is now known as Ranma007|study
> You fell Luna squirm, as if hiding instinctively.
<Usagi> "Erk," Usag is momentarily stupefied as she scrambles to come up with a reply, quickly settling on nervous laughter. "Ahaha! Nothing, Shingo. Was just thinking aloud!"
> "Right, airhead..." he gives you that younger brother glare that crawls your skin, before going back to his game.
* Usagi sighs, glancing down at Luna and making a 'zip it' gesture.
> A tiny nod, Luna blushing as you go on. And soon enough, you do stop - it's a nice meal, and it's a buffet. While they rue the day you came in, you're quite happily fed now. Back to the car you go, to what looks to be a nature park of some sort. It's an actual forest, which is unusual. Parking next to an old and beaten up Toyota, the family exits. "Ah, isn't this air great," Dad asks, taking a big gulping breath.
<Usagi> "This is pretty nice," Usagi nods approvingly. "I thought we'd just go to the park or something."
> "This is better," Father notes. "There's hiking paths, and a great view at the end," he says. Luna's warma round your neck as the family falls in line. "We'll have a really nice hike today, then have a nice dinner on the way home."
<Usagi> "Sounds good to me," Usagi nods, wandering over to look at a map of the hiking paths.
> As Father holds it, you see there are several. His finger is on the longest, that winds and snakes through the park and is several miles long. "We'll try this one," he nods.
<Usagi> "Okay," Usagi nods, trusting his judgement. "Are there any shops or anything along the way where we can get ice cream or something?" she asks hopefully.
> "Um, Usagi," he says, picking himself off from the ground nimbly, "It's a forest hiking path. There aren't going to be any ice cream shops."
<Usagi> "That's not very convenient," the blonde observes, a tad miffed.
> "It's not about convience, Usagi," Mother adds. "It's about having a nice walk outdoors. Right, dear?"
* Merc-zzz is now known as Ami-chan
> Nodding, "That's right. You're going to feel light years better after this, I promise."
> Dad says, starting to go as Shingo falls in line with you. "Spending Sunday walking. This kinda sucks."
<Usagi> "It could be worse," Usagi notes. 'At least I don't have to fight any scary monsters or that Kensuke guy... Brr!' she shivers a little.
> He mutters an agreement, as you get walking. AS you go, "This reminds me of the camping trip my father took us on," Dad begins, spinning a tale about fishing, hiking and living in the wild for days at a time. Days!
> IT's cool here, the sunlight not penetrating the canopy of trees. Quiet, too, peaceful and...GAH! Cat claws! Neck! Pain!
<Usagi> "I'm glad we don't live like that. I like the- Aooww!!" Usagi begins, cutting off at Luna's attack. "Luna?!" she attempts to dislodge the cat without being clawed further.
> She leaps off, and takes off into the trees all around you. She turns back as she does, giving you an eyeball. It seems to speak of something, as it to tell you something.
<Usagi> "Come back here, you!" Usagi yells, tearing off after Luna!
> "Usagi!" Mom calls, as you tear off into the forest! A merry chase ensues, as you trip, stagger and stumble through the forest! (Body check, -4)
<Usagi> roll 2d6-4
* Queen_Serenity --> "Usagi rolls 2d6-4 and gets 1."
> You nimbly make it through, ending up in a little clearing as you catch your breath. "Usagi," Luna is sitting on a branch, seemingly upset. "Transform into Sailor Moon!"
<Usagi> "Wha-?" Usagi gasps, resting a bit with her hands on her thighs. "Why? I thought today was a day off!"
> "I thought it was, too," she admits, "But I felt the energy of a new Sailor Solider, and now the enemy! They're both nearby, Usagi-chan."
* Usagi fumbles in her pocket a moment for her pen, before raising it with a cry of "Moon Prism Power, Make Up!"
* Usagi is now known as Sailor_Moon
<Sailor_Moon> "Okay, which way, Luna?" the sailor suited fighter of love and justice asks!
> "Follow me," she calls, as you tear off through the forest! OOC - Paused until Hotaru shows. BRB myself for a moment.
* Ami-chan is now known as Sailor_Mercury
* Hotaru-chan (~dragomirs@63-228-40-2.mpls.qwest.net) has joined #dunes
* ChanServ sets mode: +o Hotaru-chan
* Hotaru-chan is now known as Sailor_Saturn
* Anastasia is now known as Sailor_Anastasia
> As Usagi breaks through the forest to the clearing ahead, she sees what appears to be a parking lot to some sort of store. Sailor Mercury is there, as is another Sailor with black hair. So is Kensuke, holding his arm, as...OOC - Reactions.
* Sailor_Moon leaps on top of a nearby car to get a good dramatic vantage point before crying out "Hold it right there!"
* Sailor_Mercury reacts with surprise at the appearance of Usagi in her senshi garb. "Sailor Moon? Where'd you come from?"
<Sailor_Moon> Striking a dramatic pose, Sailor Moon speaks to all assembled! "For love and justice, I am the beautiful sailor suited fighter, Sailor Moon! Wherever evil appears, I will come to beat it up! And I won't stand for a nice day out being ruined by evil men! In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!" she concludes, pointing at Kensuke!
<Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru looks at her hands in confusion, wondering where this strange power, and the even stranger fuku, came from. She looks up in surprise as another voice joins the scene, trying to not laugh at the more extended speech.
> "Damn it," he curses again, both hands glowing with energy. "How do you keep finding us?!" OOC - Initiative.
<Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+6 and gets 12."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 1d6+7 and gets 8."
> roll 1d6-1
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6-1 and gets 3."
> Moon>Bad Guy>Mercury>Saturn
<Sailor_Moon> Taking off her tiara, Usagi rears back and tosses it at Kensuke with a cry of "Moon Tiara Action!!"
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
> The tiara flies true, getting him on the leg and causing him to buckle back! HE staggers, hands out. "Urgh," he cries, then leaping high into the sky and firing down a beam at SAilor Moon!
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
> DCV, Usagi.
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
> With a KYAH! and a leap aside, SAilor Moon avoids the nasty laser!
> The car shudders, it's top layer torn away from the blast in a neat hole.
* Sailor_Moon winces, glancing at the car. "Not my fault," she says in a tiny voice.
* Sailor_Mercury feels encouraged at the presence of Usagi in the battle to aid her and Hotaru, and tries to provide some cover once again. "Shabon Spray!"
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
> Bubbles race out, a chill mist that envelops the area! Images appear almost as if ghosts now, covered in white!
<Sailor_Saturn>  Eager to help, Hotaru recollects her wits, pointing herself towards the ghostly silhouette of Kensuke. Focusing on the ring she draws with her hands, calling a seemingly too vivid image of Saturn's own rings to her mind, she releases her own power in a second blast!
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
> The shot fires off, and flies too high in the cloaking mist! You feel a bit of fatigue after that, as if winded.
> OOC - INitiative and actions.
> OOC - REactions. Sigh.
<Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+6 and gets 9."
> Landing a bit away from the cars, Kensuke lands on one knee, gasping for breath as the battle goes on!
> roll 1d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 1d6+6 and gets 10."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 11."
> Kensuke>Mercury>Saturn>Moon Mochi Girl
> From his kneeling position, he raises his hand up and aims at...Sailor Saturn, a beam coming out at her!
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
> Gah! The beam gets you right in your right arm, pain rocketing up! Ow, ow, damn! It burns! (22 damage)
<Sailor_Mercury> "Saturn, are you alright?" Mercury asks with worry for the younger girl as she focuses her visor on Kensuke, to see if the visor can find the best way to take him down.
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6 mind check
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 mind check and gets 9."
<Sailor_Saturn> "Owww..." Hotaru whimpers. She staggers back, clutching at her arm and wincing as the beam sends lancing flares of pain through it. Catching herself, she pauses, hoping no more attacks will come towards her while she recovers. "I'm standing," she answers Mercury, still focusing on Kensuke.
> A barrage of information comes into the visor, too much for Mercury to handle at once! It's just...wow.
<Sailor_Moon> Moving between two parked cars to get a better shot through the fog, Usagi rears back once more and cries out "Moon Tiara Action!" as she tosses the tiara at her target!
<Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
> Again it hits, this time on his head and sending him flipping back just as he rises, face down and coughing!
<Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru tries to straighten up again and focus herself through the fatigue and pain, drawing and launching another blast of energy, this time with words as instincts overrule her! "Saturn Destruction Burst!
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
> Damn! It just misses him, tearing apart another gout of pavement to his side. At this point, the parking lot is getting pretty trashed. "He's stunned," Luna calls, hopping besides Sailor Moon. "Get him now, together!" OOC - Initiative.
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 1d6+6 and gets 11."
<Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+6 and gets 7."
<Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+7
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+7 and gets 9."
> roll 1d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
> Saturn>Mercury>Moon>Kensuke. Go.
<Sailor_Saturn> Quickly adjusting her aim, Hotaru releases another stream of Saturn's energy. "Saturn Destruction Burst!"
<Sailor_Saturn> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Saturn rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
> roll 2d6
* Queen_Serenity --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
> The shot gets him just as he lifts his head up, right into it! HIs body flashes a moment, once then twice...then...A great burst of energy flies out, particles of shining dust flying about! Three waves of his happen, then a fourth with his body vanishing! The event blows the mist away, great winds knocking the Senshi back as it happens!
<Sailor_Moon> "Waah!" Usagi falls on her rear, emitting a pained yelp at this turn of events.
<Sailor_Mercury> "Ooof..." Mercury mutters as she also falls backwards.
<Sailor_Saturn> "Ow...again." Hotaru winces as she hits the pavement, looking up to make sure their enemy is really down before deciding to not get up.
> He's gone, a fine coating of shining dust where he was. Your body aches, the strangeness of this scenario rocketing in your head. "Well done, girls," Luna calls..wait, is that a black cat...talking to you. She walks up next to you. "Sailor Saturn," she asks.
<Sailor_Saturn> "Uh...yes?" Hotaru replied, obviously VERY confused by everything, and not feeling like ruling anything out as real or unreal at the moment.
<Sailor_Saturn> *replies
* Sailor_Moon sits up, detransforming. "Oooh... Ami-chan!" she rushes over to the blue haired girl. "What's going on?"
* Sailor_Moon is now known as Usagi
* Sailor_Mercury detransforms as well. "I don't know, it's been an odd day all around..." Ami confesses.
* Sailor_Mercury is now known as Ami-chan
> She nods once. "Welcome aboard," she smiles. "Do you know what all this it i s about," she asks a moment later, slightly more interested.
<Usagi> "I was just walking along and then Luna stabbed me with her claws and I ran off and she said to transform and I did and I saw you and I hit the bad guy and so did that other girl and he blew up and now I'm lost and don't know where I am!" Usagi babbles without stopping for breath.
<Sailor_Saturn> "No..." Hotaru looks over at her companions. "Ami-san?" she asks, bewildered, looking between Ami and the talking cat. "Um...how do I get out of this...thing?" Hotaru gestures to the fuku.
<Ami-chan> "You know, I asked that very same question when I got stuck in that outfit?" Ami notes with some humor in her voice.
> Luna shakes her head. "Guess not," she sighs a little bit.
<Usagi> "Oh," Usagi ceases her babbling, taking a moment to recover her breath and walk over to Hotaru. "You're the new Sailor Senshi Luna talked about? I'm Usagi - you can change out of that by, um... it's kinda like relaxing and wishing it away, I guess?"
* Ami-chan nods with Usagi's explanation. "That's pretty much all there is to it."
<Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru tries to not spin with the rapid and copious attention laid upon her, pausing to take in everything that's said. "Okay..." Taking a breath, and relaxing as she tries to will the fuku away. She glances back down, sighing in relief at the sight of her regular clothing.
* Sailor_Saturn is now known as Hotaru-chan
<Usagi> "So what's your name?" Usagi asks, kneeling down a bit to be at eye level with the dark haired girl.
<Hotaru-chan> "Tomoe Hotaru," Hotaru answers automatically, picking herself up off the pavement, and brushing off her skirt before bowing. "Your's?" she asks Usagi shyly.
<Usagi> "Usagi Tsukino," Usagi bows back. "Wow, so you're a Sailor Senshi, too, Hotaru-chan? That's great! And we beat that man," she turns back to Ami and grins, "I told you we'd do better, next time!"
<Ami-chan> "She's a relative of an associate of my dad's," Ami adds. "We met today while accompanying my dad and Yuko-san."
> Luna nods, glancing around. The parking lot is full of ruts and holes, the cat frowning. "I don't think we'll be alone long," she worries. "Usagi, we also need to go back to your parents for now." Turning to Hotaru, "Can we meet tomorrow after school, at Usagi's house?"
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru nods slowly at the talking cat, still a little mystified by that one. "I guess...I think I'll need someone to meet me at the park by my home to find it, though."
<Ami-chan> "True enough, Usagi-chan," Ami replies with a smile before turning to Hotaru. "I'm sorry I left you there alone with Kensuke, but I couldn't transform right there."
* Usagi pales a little bit, looking around. "But where are they, Luna? We ran off and got lost and they'll be looking for us but could be anywhere!"
> "Tell me where it is, and I'll be there," Luna promises.
> "Oh...yes..." Luna stops at that. "Well....heh," she blushes. "We should get going to look for them, then."
<Hotaru-chan> Hotaru gives Luna the location of the park, then turns back to her new companions. "It's...alright, Ami-san, it turned out alright in the end."
> Luna nods to Usagi. "Let's get going, Usagi," she notes, hopping on