Miscellania 2 - for things between episodes 4-6!

[Asrana]

This happens during the week of the battle with Death

[11:35:48] <Blonde|AFK> ---Arc 2 go!---
[11:38:11] <Blonde|AFK> Makoto's days are a thing of massive business followed by tender, loving respites. Today is one of the latter. As Makoto walks home, she comes across something on her block! A simple white two door sedan is at the curb, hood up and gushing steam out. Steam and  smoke, a man and a woman surveying it with horrified, bothered expressions. Perhaps they would be husband and wife normally, but you know this is not true. (More)
[11:40:31] <Blonde|AFK> The man is middle aged - slender and well build, but his wispy, delicate brown hair is starting to bald away. What is there blows in the soft breeze. A small pair of wireframe glasses and a traditional western suit, down to a brown vest and black slacks.  He fans the steam with his hat, but the woman is familiar. Serenity stands there, sighing. "I'm afraid it may be broken...if that isn't obvious."
[11:40:45] <Blonde|AFK> *busyness
[11:45:16] * Makoto blinks a little at the man with Serenity, surprised-not overly so, but reminders that she has her own life now, are somewhat rare as she approaches the pair, calling out when she gets close. "Serenity-?" *Whoops. Probably should leave the sama off. Explaining it to him would be awkward.*
[11:47:07] <Blonde|AFK> "Oh, Makoto! Wonderful timing!" Serenity bows to you, hands held in front of her. "Mr. Kenko, this is a friend, Makoto Kino." Introducing the amazon delicately and with restrain, Serenity fails to quite keep a blush off her cheeks.
[11:48:08] <Blonde|AFK> Biting off a gentle curse as he looks at his engine, gushing steam still, Mr. Kenko turns and smiles to Makoto. "Pleased to meet you, even under these circumstances."
[11:48:15] * Makoto inwardly notes the blush, but doesn't comment on it...obviously. She bows to Serenity's friend. "It's nice to meet you, sir." She smiles, looking over at the car. "Having troubles?"
[11:49:05] <Blonde|AFK> "I think the radiator's having troubles again." Another forlorn sigh at that - and you do note Serenity is wearin ga very nice dress, a floral print of pink carnations and roses.
[11:50:01] <Kotono> "Thank you," Mr. Kenko smiles, making him appear fatherly and kind. "Yes, I think my radiator's blown. Is there a phone booth nearby I can use?"
[11:51:59] <Makoto> "My apartment's just down there." Makoto suggests, cheerfully smiling back as she gestures to her building. "You're welcome to come in and use mine."
[11:52:13] <Halbarad> scan
[11:52:18] <Halbarad> OOC: Sorry. >_<
[11:53:32] <Kotono> "Thank you!" Serenity speaks quickly, going and placing a hand on Mr. Kenko's shoulder. "Hajime..." Serenity speaks with quite the blush. "I can take care of it, if you want to wait here and watch the car?"
[11:54:21] <Kotono> "Oh, Serenity," he smiles and turns red as well. "I don't know what I'd do if you stopped babying me!" But he can't help but smile shyly, nodding. "Thanks, I'll wait here."
[11:56:20] <Kotono> "Alright." With a slow turn Serenity banishes her embarrassment, smiling innocently to Mako-chan. "Shall we?"
[11:57:46] * Makoto smiles a little, nodding. "I'll return her shortly." Makoto can't resist adding with a good-natured wink, then nodding to Serenity, she begins to lead the older woman to her apartment. "Sure."
[11:58:33] <Kotono> Mr. Kenko resists comment, so the two are off. Once you get out of earshot and to your apartment steps, "Thank you, Makoto. I do believe..." A deep sigh from Serenity, "The date is dead before it began today."
[12:01:14] <Makoto> "Oh, I don't know." Makoto replies, smiling. "If you really like him, do you need to go someplace nice to be on a date?" Makoto slings her satchel over a shoulder and gives Serenity an encouraging look as she opens the building door. "My favorite time with Sousuke-kun was when we both got left behind on a field trip, and had to walk back to school." She smiles wistfully.
[12:02:06] <Kotono> "I suppose so," This is given with an easy concession, Serenity smiling as she looks down. "No matter...how do you find yourself today, MAkoto?"
[12:04:12] <Makoto> "Oh, all right." Makoto shrugs. "I have a lazy day today-No job or dojo...slow days are nice, but I'm getting the point where I don't really know what to do with myself when I have time off."
[12:13:24] <Kotono> "Yous hould learn to rest. Even when I was the Queen, I knew how im portant a day of rest was." Serenity leans in to hug Makoto once as they pass inside, smiling. ""You're too young to work yourself too hard."
[12:14:42] * Makoto blushes a little and hugs back as they proceed to the stairs. "It's how I've always been. I like to be busy. I don't think about bad things as often."
[12:16:51] <Kotono> "Nor the good things," The rejoinder is soft as you head inside. A new sight as you pass through the hall to your apartment, or a long forgotten one. Mamoru Chiba's front door is open.
[12:18:47] * Makoto blinks at Mamoru's door, curiously peering around the ajar opening. "Well, Good things make you feel good, so you don't need to think too hard about them, either." She offers sheepishly. "Thinking too much gets me in trouble, anyway."
[12:20:39] <Kotono> It's odd - you see a man in there a moment, but it's not Mamoru. He's wearing all black and a ski mask! "You do need to enjoy them," Serenity chides as she stops at Makoto's door, watching the other woman check Mamoru's apartment. "Is Mamoru in?"
[12:22:25] <Makoto> "No." Makoto whispers, freezing as she catches a glimpse of the man in a dark mask. "Someone else is, though-Serenity-sama, stand back." Makoto murmurs, pulling out her henshin pen. "I...I think he's being robbed."
[12:39:10] <Kotono> "No!" Serenity steps back carefully, a dark, angry scowl passing over her face. "Stop him - carefully, Jupiter, if he's just a normal human being."
[12:41:11] <Makoto> "I know. I had to do this with bank robbers a little while ago, too." Makoto assures Serenity, whispering the transformation words. "Jupiter Crystal Power, Make up!"
[12:42:04] <Kotono> Into her empty hallway Sailor Jupiter appears! Lighting crackles and roars, the Sailor of the biggest planet appearing with her Nemesis!
[12:45:33] <Sailor_Jupiter> Quickly, Makoto dives to the open door, hoping the noise of Transformation hasn't tipped him off too much as she pushes the door open, and begins to assert a magnetic field with her wrist, electricity flowing through the wires in her glove to tug any unseen weapons awry! "Unless this apartment's tenant has hired the worst decorators in history, I'm pretty sure you shouldn't be here." She comments, almost lazily. "I'm not a fan of hurti
[12:46:24] <Sailor_Jupiter>  "I'm not a fan of hurting people unless they deserve it, so give up, please?"
[12:46:26] <Kotono> OOC - Soul check -2.
[12:46:32] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6-2
[12:46:33] * Hatbot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6-2 and gets 5." [2d6=6, 1]
[12:47:05] <Kotono> A knife flies out from the hand of the robber! He freezes cold, slack jawed even through his mask! "An...angel!" he blurts, falling into his rear and holding up his hands. "I surrender! Don't! Just don't hurt me!"
[12:51:25] <Sailor_Jupiter> "All right." Jupiter smiles, moving Nemesis to block the incoming knife. "I won't. Just stay where you are. Um...Miss?" Makoto calls, to the 'passerby' in the hall. "Would you call the police, please?" She looks at the burgular apologetically. "I hate to do this, since you're being really reasonable about this, but it'd be irresponsible to turn you loose in case you decided to rob someone else while I wasn't nearby."
[12:53:01] <Kotono> "I will!" Serenity calls, sounds of footsteps fading away. The robber scoots back and away, feverish. "I saw you and your friends on the TV! The Juuban Angels!"
[12:54:19] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Well." Jupiter flushes. "If you want to know something that I haven't really gotten a chance to mention, We're actually called the Sailor Senshi. I go by Sailor Jupiter." Makoto corrects him.
[12:56:13] <Kotono> "S-Sailor Jupiter! Just don't hurt me! I saw what you did to those THINGS at the Expo!" A whimper from the thief, scooting back to the wall.
[12:57:43] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Oi..." Makoto frowns. "I'm not going to hurt you. At least, not as long as you're being calm and reasonable about all this." She assures him. "You're doing something bad, and you got caught, sure. But as long as you don't fight me, or run away, you won't get hurt. I only fight with people who put other people in danger."
[12:59:28] <Kotono> "She's right, you know!" A strong male voice speaks from behind Makoto, Tuxedo Kamen leaning in the doorway. He holds a rose up, idly smelling it's fragrance. "Take this chance and make better of yourself, to be something more than a petty thief!"
[12:59:48] <Kotono> "Aaah!" The thief starts at Tuxedo Kamen, blinking hard. "Okay, okay! Then you won't fight me if I'm good, both of you?"
[13:00:42] * Sailor_Jupiter smiles at Tuxedo Kamen. "A little grandly put, but he's right." Makoto nods. "We'll let you off easy if you face the music, and stop doing bad things."
[13:01:31] <Kotono> roll 2d6
[13:01:32] * Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=5, 4]
[13:02:09] <Kotono> "Never commit another criminal act! You surely have a family and friends that don't want you to bring dishonor to yourself!" With a nimble flick of his wrist, Tuxedo Kamen tosses the rose at the feet of the robber!
[13:02:18] <Kotono> "Okay!" Another quick nod to b oth, "My Momma's gonna kill me..."
[13:03:15] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Look on the bright side. At least you got this chance to straighten yourself out. Think how much more hurt your mother would be if you made a habit of things like this."
[13:06:18] <Kotono> "They're coming, Miss!" Serenity calls in at that, "They said the police would be here soon."
[13:09:58] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Thank you." Makoto calls back, strangely amused by the careful dancing around they have to do. "Tuxedo Kamen-san...would you like to wait with our friend here? I left someone waiting on me..."
[13:10:57] <Kotono> "Of course," he smiles to Makoto, "Go ahead."
[13:12:07] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Thank you." Jupiter smiles back, grinning and winking at him as she slips past him and out of his apartment, into the hall and looking around carefully before dropping her transformation.
[13:18:54] <Kotono> The hall is empty, mercifully, except for Serenity waiting besides your door.
[13:20:10] <Makoto> Makoto lets the transformation disperse, quietly giving Serenity a sheepish look as she comes over. "Thanks. Did you manage to make your call, too?" She asks, opening her apartment door.
[13:25:05] <Kotono> "Oh yes," Serenity murmurs, "A tow truck. Is everything safe in there?"
[13:26:53] <Makoto> "Mamoru-san came home, so he's watching the rest." Makoto shakes her head. "What a bizzare experience. Oh, and you have Kenko-san waiting...Should you get back to him?"
[13:29:22] <Kotono> "I suppose." Serenity smiles and rests her hadn on Makoto's shoulder. "Thank you."
[13:30:33] <Makoto> "It's nothing." Makoto replies easily. "I was going to ask, would you like to take some tea out to share with him?" She suggests conspiratorially. "Might as well make the best of the wait, right?"
[13:35:03] <Kotono> "Oh!" Serenity blushes like the sun, a meek nod. "That would be very nice of you."
[13:37:47] <Makoto> "Not at all." Makoto dismisses, grinning. "I like to see everyone safe and happy doing more normal things." She adds, making a beckoning gesture as she heads into her kitchen, and gets out a kettle. "Does he have a preference? I like green tea, but Auntie Fuuko likes Oolong and Earl Grey, so I keep some of each."
[13:42:02] <Kotono> "I'll go with whatever you have," Serenity bows gently. "He does prefer green tea, though."
[13:44:06] <Makoto> "Can do!" Makoto chirps, getting her favorite tea out and setting a kettle to boil as she goes looking for her thermos. "Is this a first date?"
[13:48:04] <Kotono> "Oh, well." Serenity colors even more, coughing. "I don't normally like spreading my personal life around, but no, it isn't." A heavier and heavier blush, Serenity pushing her fingers together.
[13:50:00] <Makoto> "Oh, good." Makoto nods. "So at least it's more comfortable, and things going wrong don't make you a total wreck." Makoto smiles as finds her thermos, and a pair of stryofoam cups to take out with Serenity. "And you don't have to worry. I won't ask you anymore...anyone who takes one look at you can tell you're happy, and that's all that matters."
[13:52:12] <Kotono> "Thank you," Serenity repeats, murmuring. "I can't even bring myself to tell Ikkuko or Usagi yet, just..." Just staining her cheeks redder, "Thank you."
[13:53:03] <Makoto> "It's your story to tell." Makoto assures. "You want me to keep this to myself, too?"
[13:54:40] <Kotono> "For now." So Queen Serenity blushes again, taking the tea and thermos.
[13:56:11] <Makoto> Makoto nods and smiles. "Fair enough-Ah! Serenity-sama...?" Makoto ventures. "I might have a favor to ask, too..." She adds as she hands over the tea, blushing. "It needs a bit of...discretion, too."
[13:57:53] <Kotono> "Of course." Serenity stops, putting down the goods for now. "Go on."
[14:01:33] <Makoto> "I...Um." Makoto fidgets. "I have a friend. Actually, he used to be...Well, nevermind." Makoto coughs. "It's just that he's got an...unusual pastime. I'd like to introduce him to someone I can trust to at least be nice, no matter what they might think. And...unfortunately, I don't...I can't be fully certain any of the senshi qualify." She frowns a little, wringing her hands. "He's really sweet, though. If it's alright, would you mind us taking
[14:03:39] <Makoto> If it's alright, would you mind us taking you to lunch with us sometime?"
[14:04:25] <Kotono> "Certainly," Serenity smiles ever so gently, serene and peaceful. "I'd be glad to meet your friend."
[14:06:24] <Makoto> "Just to be forewarned..." Makoto cautions. "He...um. He enjoys dressing as a girl." She confesses. "Which is why I'm nervous about introducing the others."
[14:09:05] <Kotono> "He's a man that dresses as a woman?" Serenity idly crosses her arms, thinking. "Like how some women are tomboys and are more like men?"
[14:11:40] * Makoto hesitates. "Somewhat?" Makoto replies, slowly. "I mean...I'm something of a tomboy, but even when I dress kind of like a boy, I...still look like a girl. Tsukasa-kun...he's...Well, it's really hard to tell he's a boy when he's done up nicely."
[14:13:15] <Kotono> "...I see. I'll be happy to meet him," Serenity puts on her best and most charming smile, "Come over when you have it ready so we can set it up."
[14:14:06] <Makoto> "I will." Makoto sighs, letting out a breath that she hasn't even realizes she was holding. "I appreciate it."
[14:16:37] <Kotono> "Until then!" With a final bow Serenity goes, taking tea and news back out to her boyfriend!
[14:23:33] <Makoto> Makoto smiles, waving as she lets Serenity go. For a day off, pretty eventful!

[Ebiris]

This occurs the Thursday after Hotaru, Usagi, and Takeshi fought Death on the rooftop

[20:31] <Kotono> Aaah, schooldays. A not so pleasant time to rest, recover or do whatever in boredom. This includes tracking down fellow classmates at lunch - Usagi and Takeshi are easy to get. Makoto's a little sick and went to the nurse just before lunch, though so you miss her as you gather in a quiet little area...
[20:35] <Asher> Asher looks more worn out than anything else, both of his hands tucking school textbooks, a pen in his mouth that he takes out as they all take a seat. Argh. Midterms. He settles down for a moment. "There's something I brought up with Serenity last night that she told me to tell everyone else, so this is why I dragged you two out here."
[20:35] <Usagi> "Oh?" Usagi asks, popping open her lunchbox - delicious squid rings and rice, today! - and breaking apart her chopsticks.
[20:36] <Takeshi> "What's up?" Takeshi says, taking a seat and starting in on his own lunch - simple rice balls and a super spicy curry bread picked up from one of the vending machines.
[20:38] <Asher> "Remember how you asked Kotono to do some research before, Takeshi-san?" Asher is deprived of any food sources, but his hands seem to be full anyway as he fishes out a notebook from his pack, flipping over a few pages.
[20:39] <Asher> "Well, there was some progress on that. Take a look here," he adds as he hands it over to the other boy, the relevant portions highlighted, along with the source of the books.
[20:39] * Takeshi accepts the notebook, setting his lunch aside to scan the notes taken.
[20:40] * Usagi leans over Takeshi's shoulder to take a look for herself.
[20:41] * Takeshi notes the motion and holds the notebook between himself and Usagi so the blonde can get a better look herself.
[20:41] <Asher> The first part is scribbled on top of the page, denoting that the passage that follows is from a book of writings from tormented monks, sometime during the Middle Ages. There's some gibberish text that Asher has crossed out, but below that the next line is chilling:
[20:41] <Asher> PESTILENCE HATRED DEATH DEATH DEATH TEMPTATION DESPAIR HUNGER STAGNATION HUNGER HUNGER SAGES SAGES BEAST HUNGER.
[20:42] <Asher> This goes on for several lines until the words become cohesive again.
[20:42] <Asher> The lines after that are written hastily, and Asher seems to have marked them as mostly irrelevant; there is one, brightly highlighted section after that as well, though, with his own pen marks emphasizing certain words and comments on the side.
[20:43] <Asher> "When the Great Beast is turned back and unto itself, the age of the void shall shift. The end of the endless age shall begin. From an old world the Lightbringer shall come. Swept into the mists of the void and eternity, she shall bring the end of the age. With her what shall come is the-"
[20:43] <Asher> And that covers the first few pages.
[20:44] <Usagi> "So the Lightbringer is a She? So much for it being Balder, then..." Usagi notes, biting her bottom lip as she reads it over.
[20:44] * Takeshi gives out a low whistle at that. "End of the age, huh?" he murmurs. "Could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on exactly how it happens."
[20:45] <Asher> "I'd imagine it would a bad thing, given how Death told me the new age would be an eternity of void." Asher says this with a deceptive casualness as he organizes his schoolwork.
[20:46] <Usagi> "Considering the kind of people looking for her, I'd say it's a bad thing," Usagi deadpans, echoing Asher.
[20:47] <Takeshi> "Agreed on that much," Takeshi says, shaking his head. "Just habit, there, more than anything. So we've got a Lightbringer that's come through the mists of the void and eternity. Narrows it down a bit, but that's still pretty broad."
[20:48] <Asher> "It narrows it down a lot more than you think when you consider everything we've been given," Asher says, leaning back and counting on his fingers. "First, we now know Lightbringer is a she. Secondly, we know she's on Earth, at least according to their 'Sages'. Thirdly, we know Lightbringer is from 'an old world'... may mean a lot of things, but it almost certainly implies someone of magical talent."
[20:49] <Usagi> "I really hoped it would be Balder, just to see the looks on their faces when he started blasting them..." Usagi sighs, shaking her head a little. "Hmm, what about that first part, though? Mentions Sages, Hunger, and Beast - that's three, or more since it's Sages, that we haven't met."
[20:49] <Asher> "Death went on and on about how this age and world is one where magic has long since died, and that the presence of 'inhumans' here has surprised them. If you take that phrase more literally, you can narrow it further, but I don't know just how far you can take it..."
[20:49] <Takeshi> "Temptation mentioned the Sages the first time I ran into her," Takeshi muses. "Sounded like her higher-ups, but I didn't get a lot more information than that."
[20:50] <Asher> "Beast would be a reference to the Beast Lord, wouldn't it?" Asher angles a quizzical look at Usagi.
[20:51] <Usagi> "It is?" Usagi's eyes widen. "How's that thing mixed up in all of this? Besides, we killed it years ago. And it never mentioned any of these guys."
[20:51] <Asher> Asher blinks, speaking a little more slowly. He'd forgotten just how much Death had talked about in their conversation. "Oh. Well... one of the 'signs' that Death spoke about, speaking of the Sages, was the 'fall of a long forgotten Beast'. I figured that was too close to be a coincidence."
[20:53] <Asher> "And there was something else that I forgot in there - a passage about the four horsemen of the apocalypse, from roughly the same time era. The names aren't as accurate - War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death - but it was eeriely close too... and mentions, distinctly, that Pestilence is given a sword. Not much of a lead, but something."
[20:53] <Usagi> "Ah..." Usagi pales, nodding slowly. "I guess that would be a connection... And the Beast Lord always did seem surprised and impressed to find people like us 'in this age', it said a lot."
[20:54] <Asher> "And these people are saying the same," Asher concludes darkly. "With the same references to both an old age and world, and seeking an age of void. Like I said, the connections seem too similar to just dismiss."
[20:54] <Takeshi> "The 'hunger' there could be a reference to Famine, and War could be related to Hatred possibly. It's a bit of a stretch and I wouldn't bank on it, but the possibility is= there."
[20:54] <Asher> "At this point, all we've got is stretches. We're lucky enough to find enough of a connection here."
[20:55] * Usagi nods. "We saw Death last night as well," she adds. "He talked to Hotaru more, but when we got there he said he could offer us eternal life," she informs Asher.
[20:57] <Asher> "Eternal life sounds more like an imprisonment than a gift," the young man comments as he finishes packing his stuff away and leans back against the wall, Reclaimer scraping the ground. "Wouldn't sound too far off from what he was offering me, either. Death seems to be the least confrontational of them all, as weird as it sounds."
[20:57] <Asher> "And it's pretty obvious they want us on their side... but why? And who IS Lightbringer, at this rate?"
[20:57] <Usagi> "He did say he won't be so nice in the future," Usagi shrugs, biting into a squid ring. "But can you blame them for wanting us on their side? It's better than having to fight us - anyone could figure that out."
[20:59] <Takeshi> "I'll second that sentiment," Takeshi says with a slight scowl. "But as to why they want us on their side... mmm. Call it speculation, but combine their surprise at seeing us here with the fact that they want us to join them and they might think that we should want the same things they do."
[21:00] <Asher> "They're going to extraordinary efforts to do so, especially given we've offered nothing but hostile reactions for the most part. There's more of an underlying motive than just cost efficiency, I think." Asher nods a bit to Takeshi's statement, chewing on his lower lip. "And it's pretty clear, at least to us, that we don't."
[21:01] <Usagi> "Extraordinary efforts?" Usagi raises an eyebrow. "You clearly didn't see the news about the battle at the convention centre on Saturday," she shakes her head. "They'll take us if they can get us, but they sure aren't pulling their punches when it comes to fighting."
[21:01] <Takeshi> "I agree that we don't, but it would make sense. They seem pretty shocked by the fact that we live among 'normal' humans, and contemptuous too. Sounds like they hold themselves above humanity and think we should do the same."
[21:03] <Asher> "No, I didn't," Asher says quietly. "But my point is that they're not deliberately gunning for us to take us down, when they could easily enough - in fact, it makes a lot more sense for them to do so then present themselves in front of civilians and let US take the fight to them. The hesitance there isn't exactly expecting of someone who's trying to be heated enemies."
[21:04] <Takeshi> "Yeah, I agree," Takeshi says with a slight frown. "I've wondered why they haven't tried to pick us off unawares so far - they've certainly got the ability to do so if they chose to follow up on it."
[21:05] <Asher> "Not to mention that they've caught -me- alone, and I'm hardly worth much in a fight involving magic, multiple times. It would have been an easy case to pick me off and cost them barely anything to do so. But they didn't."
[21:06] * Usagi shakes her head. "I think that we're secondary to the Lightbringer - whether they kill us or convert us, its less important to them than finding the Lightbringer. That's why they haven't focused on us - they're too busy searching for something else. We're just an obstacle," she reasons.
[21:07] <Asher> "I never disagreed with that," Asher reasons back with a slight nod. "But we HAVE killed one of them already, haven't we? Wouldn't you think that's a pretty big sign that the so-called roadblock isn't something you can just ignore?"
[21:07] * Takeshi taps his chin, taking a bite from his curry bread as he thinks. "I wonder... with the information we've got about the Lightbringer now, I wonder what the stars would give me, if anything?"
[21:08] <Asher> "I dunno, I would've expected them to be merciless at this rate about getting us out of the way anytime we confront. Though I don't know what happened at the convention center," he mentions with a brief look to Usagi.
[21:09] <Usagi> "Pestilence and Hatred sure seemed to want us dead pretty badly," Usagi replies grimly, spearing a squid ring with a chopstick. "No problems killing a few hundred people to do it, either."
[21:09] <Takeshi> "Yeah, I haven't gotten much of the story about that either," Takeshi adds. "Serenity mentioned it on Sunday, but I haven't had a chance to ask around about it."
[21:14] <Usagi> "Hatred started a riot until I calmed everyone down, and then Pestilence threatened to get everyone there with this huge disease attack," Usagi explains. "I took the hit myself to stop it exploding, at least, but both of them were fighting pretty fiercely. Pestilence fled when he was hurt enough to show his true form, then Hatred took over the fighting and did much the same."
[21:15] * Takeshi sighs a bit, shaking his head. "Were they saying or doing anything that you saw before they started the riot?"
[21:15] <Asher> Asher seems to want to say something, but remains silent, referring to Takeshi's question.
[21:19] <Usagi> "I heard Hatred yelling - just stuff like 'murder death kill', and then everyone pretty much went nuts and started attacking each other," the blonde shivers a bit. "I managed to calm things down, then Pestilence called me a stupid inhuman girl and sent two Empty Ones after me."
[21:19] <Usagi> "Mako-chan and Hotaru-chan dealt with them, Pestilence asked why we defended 'miserable humans' and showed up himself to fight. Said Hatred was on Temptation's leash, but after he took a beating, he left and Hatred took over the fighting."
[21:21] * Takeshi frowns slightly. "Confirms that same contempt we saw, and something else about Hatred - he was under Despair's control the time I saw him at the cafe where Hotaru works. Sounds like one of the others keeps tabs on him."
[18:39] <Kotono> <Asher> Asher seems to want to say something, but remains silent, referring to Takeshi's question.
[18:39] <Kotono> <Usagi> "I heard Hatred yelling - just stuff like 'murder death kill', and then everyone pretty much went nuts and started attacking each other," the blonde shivers a bit. "I managed to calm things down, then Pestilence called me a stupid inhuman girl and sent two Empty Ones after me."
[18:39] <Kotono> <Usagi> "Mako-chan and Hotaru-chan dealt with them, Pestilence asked why we defended 'miserable humans' and showed up himself to fight. Said Hatred was on Temptation's leash, but after he took a beating, he left and Hatred took over the fighting."
[18:39] <Kotono> * Takeshi frowns slightly. "Confirms that same contempt we saw, and something else about Hatred - he was under Despair's control the time I saw him at the cafe where Hotaru works. Sounds like one of the others keeps tabs on him."
[18:49] <Takeshi> "From what I saw of him - and what you just described - sounds like he doesn't do much thinking, just smashes whatever's put in front of him."
[18:50] <Usagi> "He has anger issues," Usagi summarises succinctly, taking a moment to shovel some more rice into her mouth.
[18:50] <Asher> "Well, there's a chain of command of some sort, that much seems obvious. Call me a little deluded for sticking to stereotypes, but I got the distinct feeling that 'Death' was a little higher up than the others."
[18:51] <Usagi> "Yeah... Temptation was killing him 'Sir Death' at one point," Usagi murmurs, vaguely recalling how the woman was gloating as she and Rei swapped saliva.
[18:51] <Asher> Asher remains inert against the wall, backpack dangling loosely from his hand. He purses his lips. "If you ask me, though, the roles that they're supposedly playing out... I don't think of any of us seriously think they're the actual incarnations of the forces they claim to be, right?"
[18:53] <Takeshi> "Temptation, Despair, and Hatred I doubt," Takeshi says, thinking. "Death... I'm not so sure. He sure talks like he's got an intimate connection with the process - the others just seem to have a strong connection with the things they supposedly personify."
[18:54] <Usagi> "Death seemed to be acting like it, but really, they're no more incarnations of what they're named after than you're a wind god or whatever," Usagi waves dismissively towards Asher. "At least that's my take on it. If they were, they wouldn't need bodies, would they? Even messed up ones like those..."
[18:54] <Asher> "But it's still a connection nonetheless. These ... things have personalities. They act, for all of their posturing, very human-like - sentient, thinking, motivated. They have exceptions and rules. It leads me to think they're more emulating those commonly 'feared' or otherwise destructive forces of nature than having any real link to them."
[18:55] <Asher> "The Sages they keep talking about sound a lot more like the real power, and we haven't run into one yet," the young man points out. "It may be that we're dealing with nothing but servants, for lack of a better word."
[18:55] * Usagi nods. "It's like when Hotaru-chan goes on about being an embodiment of destruction or whatever. It's just to help intimidate people," she agrees readily.
[18:56] <Takeshi> "Most likely they're just strongly connected with their traits, the way I am with stone or Asher is with wind," Takeshi replies. "Despair  certainly had a strong connection with the feeling of despair, I know."
[18:57] <Asher> "Oh, definitely, I agree. But calling themselves like that and acting like it is a facade or a delusion. Death even told me that the others hadn't been to Earth before - but I don't think any of us is going to say temptation or despair never existed on Earth till now."
[18:57] <Asher> "It makes me wonder why they take on these roles..." His words trail off, the train of thought heading elsewhere.
[18:58] <Usagi> "They define themselves by their magic?" Usagi speculates.
[18:59] <Asher> "That's something." Asher closes his eyes, thinking about Usagi's words more carefully. "That conversation I had... he was talking about 'stripping away the husk we all have' and revealing our true selves within. Our so-called inhuman selves. That would be our magical alter-egos or sides, wouldn't it?"
[19:00] * Usagi nods slowly. "Sounds about right... maybe it's like leaving your body behind but continuing to exist, only as a being of pure magic and will?"
[19:01] <Asher> "Maybe. He kept talking about the eternity of the void, too. I know the Beast Lord had something to do with that... what exactly -is- the void, in terms of properties?" Asher glances over at Usagi.
[19:02] <Takeshi> "Void is nothingness by definition," Takeshi replies automatically. "Just... a complete lack of anything at all."
[19:02] * Usagi shakes her head. "So not the person to ask," she admits. "All I know of the Beast Lord is that it was a horrific monster that ate and digested souls in unimaginable pain and suffering for thousands of years. Until we killed him," she looks quite chipper on that last point. "You want to learn about void, talk to Hotaru. She's way into that stuff."
[19:03] <Asher> "A complete lack of anything, yet apparently magic still persists. So there has to be a little more to it than that." Asher nods again, vaguely. "I was planning on calling the others by communicator too, although if you two don't mind, could you bring the others up to date if you run into them first?"
[19:03] <Usagi> "Sure, although I doubt I could memorise all of that passage you showed us," Usagi agrees.
[19:04] <Takeshi> "If you can let me borrow that notebook I can make copies for everyone," Takeshi replies. "Can probably use a copier at work, I doubt Reiko-san would mind."
[19:05] <Asher> "Just give them the basics for now; we can hash it over later. I already gave all of this to Serenity too, to see if she could figure it out any more than we could." Asher rubs his forehead, thinking about bringing up the possibility of another meeting, but negative memories strike that motion out of his mind. "Sure thing, Takeshi-san." He fishes it back out again and hands it over to him.
[19:06] <Takeshi> "Thanks, I can get it back to you tomorrow or later tonight if you want to meet and pick it up." Takeshi nods, putting the notebook in his bookbag.
[19:06] <Asher> "Whenever's convenient. If you're free, you can always ring me through the comm." Asher stands back up, slinging his backpack over his shoulder again.
[19:10] <Kotono> As they rise the bell rings - time to go back to class!
[19:11] <Asher> "Well, I'll see both of you later, Usagi-san, Takeshi-san," Asher nods and takes off quickly, ever the punctual student and giving them a wave as he sprints off to the hallway.
[19:12] * Takeshi waves as Asher departs, offering a hand to Usagi as he stands. "We'd better hurry ourselves," he comments.

[Anastasia]

Thursday office work go!

> ---Arc 2 go!---
> Aaah, work! It shoudl be a nice, normal day! But wow! Reiko is in a -mood-. She's scowling and snippy, brewing away in her office, each tap of her keyboard an echoing thunderclap of fingery unhappiness. The stack of reports to proof and retype was nasty, enough work for Takeshi's next three hours. Oi.
* Takeshi grimaces as he gets to work, finishing up about half the stack of reports before heading in to deliver the work he's completed and hopefully ask about using the copier. Although it looks like today MAY be a bad day to ask for a favor. "Uh... Reiko-san?" Takeshi says, waiting at the door to her office before entering.
> "YES?" Reiko's glare is like a cutting lasero f doom, slicing through mere Takeshi's as if they don't exist! Well, not quite, she does tone it down a level once she sees it's only Takeshi.
<Takeshi> "Uh... sorry if I'm interrupting," Takeshi says, shrinking back a bit. Made of stone or not, he does NOT want to get on this woman's bad side right now. "Um... here's what's finished so far, and I just wanted to check if it was okay for me to use the copier for, er, other 'business' concerns."
> "Yes, go ahead," Reiko waves distantly, going back to her computer. "...have you see Hotaru today?" This comes out of the blue, sudden.
* Takeshi turns to go, but turns his head back, somewhat surprised at the question. "Not today, no," he replies, wondering if she's behind his boss' thunderous mood. "Obviously wouldn't see her at school, and I usually come straight here after I get out."
> "Hmph." Reiko mutters darkly, sourly. "Go on, then."
* Takeshi does so, sighing a bit as he heads back to 'his' office to finish up the typing. A break is taken about halfway through the remainder to use the copier, but finally the work is done. He heads back to Reiko's office to deliver the remainder, half wondering if she's even still here. It's a bit late even for her.
> She's still working in a storm. She has a few cups of yogurt more in her trashcan, and the janitors are just getting started -b ut shes' still going strong. "Takeshi," she says as you enter, "Go out and get me a triple expresso."
<Takeshi> "Uh... yes, ma'am," Takeshi says, heading out quickly to do just that. At least there's a coffee place in the lobby here, so it doesn't take long to return with the beverage.
> On returning Reiko draws about half of it down at once, knuckles white around the cup. She mutters a word of thanks asyou go, and youd imly think you heard something abuot Hotaru under her breath.
* Takeshi pauses for a moment before leaving the office. "Is something wrong with Hotaru?" he finally asks.
> "...no." This comes out a little soft, Reiko's eyes glued to her monitor. "I'm sure she's just fine at Makoto's or whereever she is."
<Takeshi> "You don't... know, where she is?" Takeshi raises an eyebrow slightly at that.
> "Of course not! She just blinks off to whereever she wants to throw a temper tantrum!" THis comes out between grated and clenched teeth, drawn out and quartered.
* Takeshi grimaces at that. "Uh..." Takeshi takes an inadvertent step back. "Sorry, didn't mean to bring up a sore subject," he offers. "Is, uh, there anything else I can do for you?"
> "What you can do is keep an eye on my daughter, since she's clearly grown up and making all her choices now!" Reiko snaps sharply, hunched over as she viciously types on her keyboard.
<Takeshi> "You have my word that I'll do the best I can there," Takeshi says, sighing a bit. Wow, she's PISSED.
> "Excellent! Maybe you can at least make sure she doesn't get knocked up, killed, raped, turned into a monster, shaking up with a man, woman, dog or whatever!" It gets incoherent at the end, Reiko just throwing her hands into the air.
<Takeshi> "Uh, Reiko-san, you might want to calm down just a bit," Takeshi offers, trying to placate her. "What happened?" Well, maybe if she talks about it it'll help? If he's lucky?
> "Help? Hotaru doesn't need any! She clearly knows how to get herself pregnant in the very bed we bought for her! She's clearly capable of acting like the parent instead of the child! She's clearly superior to the rest of us!" Reiko goes on, whirling ot face Takeshi with rage, seething anger.
* Takeshi bravely bears up in the face of the assault! Or he tries, at least. "Reiko-san, calm DOWN," Takeshi stresses again. "Blowing your top isn't going to make things any better, okay?"
> "..." Reiko stops and sits, closing her eyes and going emotionless. "Yes, I'm sorry. Just watch over Hotaru-chan, Takeshi?"
* Takeshi blows out a long breath, the crisis averted. Hopefully. "Like I said, I'll do my best, Reiko-san. I can check up on her now if you're... concerned about her."
* Retrieving #evildunes modes...
> "Yes, thank you. You're done for the day now," Reiko is placidly calm now, sitting back in front of her computer.
<Takeshi> "All right," Takeshi nods. "I'm sure she'll be okay, but I'll get in touch with her to be sure," he says, bowing before heading out of Mrs. Tomoe's office. Wow, that was something else.

[Ebiris]

Occurs after school on Thursday

[19:34] <Kotono> Freedom! School is OVER today! Usagi and Asher head out - chance has them passing through the froont doors out and to teh gates at the same time, nearly running into each other amid the storm of fleeing teenagers.
[19:36] <Usagi> "Oh, hey, Asher," Usagi greets the brown haired boy in passing. "Working today?" she asks conversationally.
[19:36] <Asher> As usual, amidst seeing the mob of gleeful boys and girls running across the school courtyard, Asher decides to hang back a bit, letting the more unfortunate risk themselves to the possibility of trampling as he calls out to the familiar blonde near him. "Hey, Usagi-san!"
[19:38] <Asher> "Yeah, although my shift's reduced today, so I have a free hour or so before I head over to the bookstore," the young man responds amiably. "What about you? Headed home?"
[19:39] * Usagi nods. "I'll walk you partway, if you want?" she offers easily.
[19:40] <Kotono> Out on the street a familiar car awaits Usagi. Dad's car, even if Mom is at the wheel. A honk of the horn, a call from a rolled down window. "Usagi!"
[19:40] <Usagi> "Or not..." the blonde's head quirks. "Later, Asher!" she gives him a wave before hurrying to meet her parents.
[19:41] <Asher> This makes Asher duck behind a bit, as he returns the wave and proceeds to walk off to ... eh. A jaunt around the shops, maybe to grab a snack or two, might not be a bad idea.
[19:41] <Kotono> "Usagi!" Mom calls, "I can give your friend a ride, too!"
[19:42] <Usagi> "Uh... where are you going, anyway?" the blonde asks as she leans towards the driver's window, not used to meeting her mother right after school.
[19:43] <Kotono> "Your Dad is home sick so I'm using his car." Mom smiles nicely at this, "Just grocery shopping, but there's no hurry. Or..." A lowering of Mom's voice, "Is he another sort of friend?"
[19:45] <Usagi> "We're just friends, that's all," Usagi gives her mother an innocent smile. "Lemme ask," she turns and calls over, "Hey, Asher, where you going? My mom says she can give you a lift if you want."
[19:47] <Asher> Asher's already moving off somewhat vaguely, although he stops at hearing Usagi's voice. "Um, well, I was just going to wander around till I had to head to work, but... guess I could head over to Mokou-san's place early. You sure it's not a problem?"
[19:48] * Usagi shrugs. "You don't have to if you're not in a rush or anything, just in case you wanted to go home before work or anything, I guess," she admits.
[19:50] <Asher> "Nah, in that case, I'll be alright," he replies easily enough, with a brief glance over to the person in the car. "Something up?"
[19:51] <Kotono> It's Usagi's Mother - nice purplish hair, long and wavy. SHe wears a simple housedress, sans apron. "Hello there," she gives him a kind smile. "Haven't met you yet."
[19:51] <Kotono> *blue/purple
[19:52] <Usagi> "This is Asher Shinsei," Usagi politely provides an introduction. "Asher, this is my mother Ikkuko Tsukino." Adding as an aside for Asher, "Just grocery shopping, really."
[19:52] <Asher> Asher gives a cursory polite bow, though he looks a little off-place as he nods back to Usagi. "Don't let me hold you up, then."
[19:53] <Usagi> "See you tomorrow, then," Usagi gives him a wave before walking around to get in the front passenger door, drafted into carrying bags, no doubt...
[19:53] <Asher> Ye-up. Asher takes off after another wave, disappearing into the last wave of students departing from the school, albeit at a more relaxed pace.
[19:54] <Kotono> "Nice to meet you!" Ikkuko calls as he retreats, Usagi getting into the car. (ASher, I'll hook up with you in a few.) "So, Usagi! He's sort of cute? Unremarkable, but there's nothing wrong with that."
[19:56] <Usagi> "Kotono-chan's head over heels for him," Usagi replies with a smile as she belts up. "He's a nice guy, though. Good listener..." she blushes a bit as she recalls ranting about her Rei troubles at him last week...
[19:57] <Kotono> "Oh, speaking of her!" Mother smiles at that, nodding. "I ran into her father yesterday."
[19:58] <Usagi> "You did?" Usagi asks, not really expecting anything earthshattering, there.
[20:01] <Kotono> "Yes. That man..." A frown by Mother, "He looks so pale these days. He's lost weight, I'm sure of it. Still so withdrawn, too. I barely got ten words out of him, and I got the impression he didn't even know how Kotono was doing."
[20:02] * Usagi nods. "Sounds about right from what I hear... poor Kotono-chan. No wonder she's latched so hard on Asher..."
[20:03] <Kotono> "Mmm, yes. I haven't seen her around much lately - I suppose that Asher is why?" A little smile from Ikkuko, pressing.
[20:04] <Usagi> "Probably part of it... I guess I've been distracted, too," the blonde admits, looking out the side window as her cheeks heat slightly.
[20:06] <Kotono> "Oh?" Mother turns, smiling, "What's the name of your distraction, hm?" On you drive, Mom going to the same old store as always.
[20:10] <Usagi> "One track mind, eh, Mama?" Usagi teases, expertly dodging the question.
[20:10] <Kotono> "Well, you are at that age," Mama just laughs a bit, coming to a parking place as always. Gods, you've probably parked here dozens and dozens of times. Just so same old, same old.
[20:12] <Usagi> "That I am," the blonde agrees cheerily, getting out the car once they've parked.
[20:17] <Kotono> "So what is on your mind?" Mom heads into the supermarket - it's all so familair. Same rows of stuff, produce on the right, stuff in the middle and frozen foods on the far left. The people are even the same -f or some reason there is just a strange sense of sameness to it all today.
[20:18] <Usagi> "Oh, the usual teenage angst," Usagi blithely waves it aside. She's half considering telling her mother, since her confusion seems to have settled, but... not the time or place. "Plus the unusual stuff only me and my friends get to deal with, I guess."
[20:19] <Kotono> "As long as you're being careful," Mother notes, smiling, "Mmm. Usagi-chan, what do you want for dinner tonight?"
[20:20] <Usagi> "Mmm... steamed dumplings?" Usagi asks after a moment's consideration.
[20:20] <Kotono> "Let's get that, then!" Mom is cheerful and bright about it, in a good mood as mother and daughter go shopping!
[20:21] * Usagi trots along beside her mother, grabbing the requisite items into their cart as they shop...

[Asrana]

This happens the day after the nighttime batte with Death, the day before the PM conference.

[11:11:12] <Sailor_Iczer_Rabbit_Acrina> ---Arc 2 go!---
[11:11:30] <Sailor_Iczer_Rabbit_Acrina> With a note for Rei left, Hotaru leaves her room behind after school lets out. A chance to go flying, her mind needing release. OOC - Set up where you're going.
[11:12:57] <Hotaru-chan> She's at least discrete enough to get a ways away from the shrine buildings. So from the area where she and Rei occasionally sparred, she spreads her wings, launching up in a blaze of violet and black! Her course is meandering, a lazy loop through Juuban towards the skyscrapers, circling from there towards Serenity's.
[11:14:22] <Kotono> OOC - Flying amid or over buildings?
[11:15:18] <Hotaru-chan> OOC - Once I get to the skyscrapers? Amid.
[11:16:36] <Kotono> OOC - Okay.
[11:17:29] <Kotono> Amid the skyscapers Hotaru Tomoe soars! Her black wings propel he rin the afternoon sun.  A watered down sunlight, winter threatening more and more each day. Amid these lofty perches windows show offices, rooms and places of power. To this windows many come, looking out in marvel!
[11:20:26] <Hotaru-chan> ...Woops. Hotaru sighs, berating herself for following her normal path at the wrong time of day. Instead she takes a sudden ascent, flourishing her wings to hide herself as she rises above and into the sky, out of view. Idiot.
[11:22:36] <Kotono> So Hotaru ascends higher, but she can just imagine and nearly hear the words of amazement, slack jawed stunningness. So higher she goes, itno the low lying clouds just above the city.
[11:37:25] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru grumbles to herself. Why is this only doable at night? Shaking her head, she at least thanks the kami that her wings are cloaks enough against identification, summoning Saturn before continuing on her flight. "Saturn Power, Make Up."
[11:39:26] <Kotono> Into the sky the Sailor of Saturn flies! But high and above, far higher? She catches a glimpse of red, a pheonix's flight at a lofty altitude indeed. It soars across the higher sky like a firebrand, zooming.
[11:41:46] <Sailor_Saturn> "Figures," Hotaru smiles sadly, pushing out of the clouds upwards, but not aiming to intercept. She'll give Rei what solitude she wants if she truly would rather not stumble into Hotaru, but no reason to hide from the other girl. So black and violet flash, almost signaling the older girl with her wings before she continues ehr lazy drift.
[11:43:33] <Kotono> Rei is high up - bordering on too high. So high that if she sees you that you don't see any sort of acknowledgement, instead continuing her trip. At the speed she's going she'll be leaving Tokyo's boundaries at a good clip.
[11:45:42] * Sailor_Saturn frowns a little. That's almost dangerous... Chewing on her lip, Hotaru feed senergy into her wings, beats sending her in a rough parallel to Rei rather than towards Serenity, keeping her distance for now.
[11:50:38] <Kotono> The miko's trip is like a fiery trail, leading out of Tokyo's inner heart. She continues on, Rei not pausing as she soars, occasionally making grand manoevers in the air. Far above everyone else in the sky, only a plane passing semi nearby to break up the solitude.
[11:52:15] <Sailor_Saturn> At least she's not... A small sigh of relief as for the moment, a paranoia is vanquished, Hotaru gliding and admiring, but little else from her distance. There is little she can do, oir that she would dare to do other than to watch for Rei's safety.
[11:58:14] <Kotono> Rei's trip is a long one - it's heading towards the campgrounds all of you know and sometimes use, into that forested reserve. She picks up her pace at this, ascending downward in a controlled but rapid descent.
[12:00:37] <Kotono> *Descending
[12:01:56] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru just keeps follwing, building some more altitude as Rei loses it, still keeping her distance but beginning to zero in closer. If Rei's going to land, she can just observe from above, where there will be minimal accusations of voyeurism.
[12:03:48] <Kotono> Down Rei goes! As she reaches the treetops her wings slowly retract, a very controlled half drop, lightly leaping on branches at times to descend safely adnw ithout turning the forest into a blaze!
[12:05:52] <Sailor_Saturn> Hotaru just floats above, keeping an eye on Rei for the moment from her height, silently watching the miko who held a frightening part of her heart in her hand. Not the majority, far from, but still a frightening amount.
[12:08:32] <Kotono> The treetops shield her, the miko girl giong towards the falls but the fall foliage is a deft shielf.
[12:08:35] <Kotono> *shiedl
[12:08:37] <Kotono> *shield.
[12:10:50] <Sailor_Saturn> If she's on the ground, it isn't a particular worry to Hotaru. Sighing softly to herself, Hotaru turns about, leaving Rei be and heading in the direction of Serenity's. Rei does need time to think, she hopes.
[12:12:34] <Kotono> So Hotaru goes off, Sailor Saturn flying back. The afternoon wears on as she does so, a large bit of hunger making itself known as she returns to Tokyo.
[12:15:09] <Sailor_Saturn> Setting down somewhere discrete, Hotaru detransforms, and looks about. Where in Tokyo is she? Such will determine where she goes to eat.
[12:17:20] <Kotono> She's in Shibuya. It's quite busy even in the later afternoon, people busting and hustling.
[12:22:48] <Hotaru-chan> Nowhere she knows! So Hotaru is glad that she thought Rei was going to drag her boy hunting, and puts her carried money to good use. She goes looking for a place to eat at this time.
[12:24:30] <Kotono> There's a place - it has a great big TV motif. TVs and screens are everywhere in it, glorified fast food.  You notice the news is on, but in an eyecatching way. The screen caption is 'Juuban Angels'.
[12:26:09] <Hotaru-chan> Uh oh. Hotaru holds back a wince, but watches attentively. Who knows what this could be.
[12:27:59] <Kotono> As Hotaru settles in at the bar, a waitress coming? "Today's story - the Interior Minister has annouced the delayed press conference over recent incidents and the Juuban Angels will be this Friday at 5 PM." A picture shows, one of Makoto flying through the air, saving firebound people. "With sightings reaching an all time high, the government has taken a more open stance towards this  semi urban legend."
[12:28:56] * Hotaru-chan just shakes her head, sighing a little. A day or two until anything's really heard, then. She watches though, mentally cataloguing what she wants for when the waitress gets to her.
[12:29:27] <Kotono> "We have recieved reports even today of a sighting. We have ...yes, we have one picture." A pause, the anchorwoman looking off stage. "Just a moment."
[12:30:20] <Hotaru-chan> Hopefully no one got an angle through her wings, is Hotaru's main thought, steely exterior over an electric current of inner anxiety.
[12:31:19] <Kotono> An image of Hotaru! She flies, her face and neck just barely hidden by one flapping wing! But it's an excellent picture otherwise, if a bit grainy. "Witness all attest that this young woman was flying in blatant disregard for the normal laws of physics. There is no current comment from the Interior Ministry."
[12:34:27] <Hotaru-chan> A hidden breath of relief, glad that her clothing and general appearance are generic enough to get away, hopefully. So with her heart pounding for any number of reasons, Hotaru settles and waits, eyes on the TV.
[12:38:13] <Kotono> "From analysis...all of the Juuban Angels commonly seen are teenaged girls. They often wear stylistic sailor uniforms and possess thea bility to fly." The anchorwoman goes on, reading off a list.
[12:39:48] * Hotaru-chan snorts, smiling none the less. Well, most of them do. At least those still in the country. She, Rei, and Makoto have been most visible though, she supposes. Hotaru shakes her head. Such is life. Anything else of interest, though?
[12:40:19] <Kotono> It meanders on from there, but it mentions the press conference again tomorrow. In the meantime Hotaru gets her meal, stomach quite hungered.
[12:41:07] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru attacks it, half an eye on the news as she does, mostly just trying to stop the grumbling in her stomach, and maybe watch the other customers.
[12:41:50] <Kotono> The meal goes without nicident. The people are moving quickly, no one of severe note seen. The TV goes onto other matters after, more mundane things.
[12:44:19] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru pays and leaves, adding a nicer tip than usual. She can feel another waitress' pain. But so she goes, walking through Shibuya towards the trains. That'll be the easiest way back into Juuban, and towards Serenity's home.
[12:46:05] <Kotono> An hour passes in transit. The sun is winking down behind the city lines as Hotaru arrives - oh boy. Janna's in the front yard, a sweatsuit and white headband worn. "Hiyaaaa!" With a great effort she makes a giant flying kick at Nior! This just literlaly bounces off him, Janna landing in a heap and whimpering. "I get it...okay, I know you outrank me, but do I hafta do defense practice? I kinda suck at it!"
[12:47:23] <Hotaru-chan> "You could try it against me, I'm a little less imposing," Hotaru snickers, waving to Janna and keeping a safe distance out of Nior's reach. "How're things, Nior?"
[12:47:38] <Kotono> Nior's arms are crossed, utterly undamaged by Janna's 'attack'. "Yes." Nior slightly turns his head to Hotaru, a quiet nod.
[12:48:01] <Kotono> "If you're looking...ow....ow...ow! If you're looking for Serenity, she's inside." Janna wipes at her face slowly, dragging herself up like a condemned woman.
[12:48:42] <Hotaru-chan> "I was, though I suspect I should be saving you by offering to be a slightly more balanced sparring partner," Hotaru murmurs, glancing at the giant curiously.
[12:49:25] <Kotono> Nior shakes his head slightly. "It's done for the day." With that he heads inside, but pauses and helps Janna up first.
[12:50:20] <Hotaru-chan> "Always the same..." Hotaru sighs a little, heading in as well. Shoes discarded, she starts looking for her queen, more than a few things to talk over with her.
[12:50:57] <Kotono> So Janna wobbles along, looking punch drunk as she stumbles towards the insides. "I told you, I'm not some magical girl! I wasn't even that good at being one of Jadeite's servants!" So Janna protests, going straight upstairs, nearly crawling.
[12:53:50] <Hotaru-chan> "Any idea where Serenity is?" Hotaru asks the former youma, or rather both of them.
[12:54:02] <Kotono> The Queen is in the living room, watching TV. She has a vaguely annoyed look on her face, leaning forward as you see a familiar news report repeating.
[12:55:47] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru makes a click sound with her tongue, leaning in the doorway. "Your ever emotionally disturbed soldier and servant presents herself for an audience, your majesty," she jests softly, her tone dry enough for the american dustbowl.
[12:56:12] <Kotono> "Flying today?" Serenity says that calmly, beckoning Hotaru to come to her.
[12:58:15] <Hotaru-chan> "Forgetting it was daytime," Hotaru sighs, going over to sit near her. "And following my night flying route. Only a couple of minutes before I ascended out of sight," she reports quietly, closing her eyes. "Rei was up near where the air gets thin...mah, lots going on," she sighs.
[12:59:31] <Kotono> "Yes there is." Serenity gently pats Hotaru, a soothing and slow motion. "This report tomorrow, it may bear greatly on us."
[13:01:20] <Hotaru-chan> The lack of anger is possibly more forceful than any reprimands, Hotaru crumbling slowly into Serenity's side with a pained whimper. "Funny, I can hardly think about it," she sighs, closing her eyes and trembling a little against the side of her queen.
[13:02:11] <Kotono> The patting is calming, Serenity drawing Hotaru to her side. "What is on your mind then, Saturn?"
[13:06:51] <Hotaru-chan> "Mom and I got in a fight...just...far, far worse than usual," Hotaru murmurs, shivering and closing her eyes. "She just...she hates my boyfriend, or something, and won't trust me, and keeps insisting...she called me..." Hotaru visibly trembles at that, not even getting the words past and out before just curling into herself.
[13:10:35] <Kotono> The softness of Serenity's arm and side hold Hotaru as she trembles, little nonsense words of relaxation murmured by her.
[13:13:20] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru goes silent a few moments, not quite tearing in the comfort of Serenity's hold, but leaning closer into her. "Death viosited when I left the house, talking to me on the rooftop where Balder used to stay. He offered me immortality, then Takeshi and Usagi the same when they showed up...mah, the battle wasn't very hard, just tiring..." she sighs, shaking her head. (More)
[13:14:30] <Hotaru-chan> "Rei...I wouldn't call it an argument, there's no hurt feelings, just Rei-chan being Rei-chan," Hotaru smiles weakly, deeper breaths. "...Can you keep a secret?" she suddenly asks, turning to look up at Serenity.
[13:19:33] <Kotono> "Of course." Serenity's fingers dance on Hotaru's cheeks, wiping just under her eyes.
[13:21:54] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's smile is forlorn. "Rei didn't want me telling...and Usagi will kill us all if she finds out...but Temptation...she turned Rei and Usagi on each other, and it's left them both sort of...confused, and upset," Hotaru takes a deep breath. "I convinced Takeshi, without letting him in on this, that he'd do well to try and spend time with Usagi, if not outright..." Hotaru gestures, blushing. "Asking her into a relationship."
[13:23:09] <Kotono> "...wait." Serenity frowns as those words come, but stops at those last words. "I'm not sure I understand, Hotaru. Do you mean that Temptation turned Usagi and Rei on each other adn they fought?"
[13:31:11] <Hotaru-chan> "...No," Hotaru takes a deep breath. "Just...mrrr," she glowers a little. "Reasons aside, because at this point, they don't really matter," she takes a deep breath, shaking her head. "It's not...oh, I haven't even told you about..." Hotaru stumbles around, finally snorting softly and sitting up. "Just...forget all that," she sighs, hand passing over her eyes. (More)
[13:34:58] <Hotaru-chan> "Rei-chan...she's been having a bit of a problem with boys and her own...feelings, and it kind of went into a minor explosion this morning," Hotaru shakes her head, blushing a little. "Compounded by...well, Rei was talking to me, and I admitted I was...or I think I am, bisexual a week ago..." she takes a deep breath, shaking her head.
[13:34:59] <Hotaru-chan> "But that's just what made matters more complicated, ot having trouble with it...Rei-chan was just all over the place, and it was sort of fighting, but not really, and we just settled down and she went flying...and that's just kind of the rollercoaster of the last day or so."
[13:36:10] <Kotono> "...oh." Serenity takes all that in, slowly petting Hotaru's head, drawing her closer as she thinks. Her eyes are distant, before she smiles. "...I see now. It sounds as if they...are going through induced teenage identity issues, as your common words would say in this age?"
[13:39:48] <Hotaru-chan> "That would be a way to condense it, yes," Hotaru answers, smiling sadly. "Honestly? I really don't know anything about Usagi's end of it, just Rei's. Usagi didn't confide in me, so I shouldn't really speculate there...but Rei-chan did settle, sort of," Hotaru sighs, slumping in ehr seat. "I know I wasn't making anythign better by acknowledging I wouldn't...couldn't refuse ehr, but...mah. Jus up and down, and up and down."
[13:41:14] <Kotono> "I see. If you're worried?" Serenity simply raises her eyebrow, "Why don't you try finding out about how Usagi is with it before you assume further?"
[13:43:43] <Hotaru-chan> "I'm not supposed to know about the incident in the first place," Hotaru snorts, shaking her head. "It's a big web of secrecy and that like held by them both."
[13:44:36] <Kotono> "This is true, but you can find out how she's doing in more indirect ways." Serenity smiles al ittle more, "I would rather not enter this situation if not invited, but as you are already embroiled?"
[13:49:14] <Hotaru-chan> "I'll talk to Takeshi," Hotaru murmurs, smiling a bit. "That was sort of just before this...mom pushed me on a date with him, but he wasn't..." Hotaru shakes her head, smiling. 'It was alright, but I suggested he ask Usagi out, or just go somewhere with her. She can get him to talk, and while I sort of can...we end up talking about things the Beast Lord and Metallia."
[13:50:14] <Kotono> "A good start...have you talked to USagi at all yourself?" Serenity gently adds this on, as you hear Nior in the kitchen, quietly making something or the other. "Maybe she would like a friend just to be around or talk to if something is bothering her?"
[13:52:49] <Hotaru-chan> "Life's been something on the busy end, but maybe," Hotaru agrees quietly, taking a deep breath. "I've been trying to handle that role with Rei, which is a handful in itself..."
[13:56:06] <Kotono> "I know - but if no one else knows, perhaps she needs someone now?" By the way Serenity smiles, she almost expects it, waiting. "I must admit this is not a problem I expected, however. Temptation...hmmm."
[13:58:16] <Hotaru-chan> "This would be so much less complicated if she'd attacked me," Hotaru snorts, shaking ehr head. "I'll probe around," she agrees, smiling weakly at Serenity. "I wonder how Kotono would react...mah, no reason to rush admitting it to everyone, it's not very important while I have a boyfriend and while everyne around me is heterosexual," she snorts, smiling a bit more in amusement.
[13:59:09] <Kotono> "That's your business as far as I care to go." Delicately coughing, "While the occasionall dalliances of the same gender were rare and very popular gossip, I would rather not invovle myself in such matters directly. Jsut follow your heart."
[14:01:16] <Hotaru-chan> "I know, I just overtalk, I blame mom and her guilt complex over keeping anything a secret," Hotaru snickers, deep breaths. "Mah, it really doesn't matter," she laughs, easy enough.
[14:01:57] <Kotono> "Yes. It's good to see you recovering." Serenity pats, "Actually, this report tomorrow." The forgotten TV is looked to, "I would ask you a favor on this, Saturn."
[14:03:03] <Hotaru-chan> "Yes?" Hotaru asks curiously, turning to Serenity curiously, though with a more serious air.
[14:04:04] <Kotono> "Make sure all know of it and to watch it? I will be here to watch it if anyone wishes to join me. Just in case." The last is said as Serenity's smile slips away. "I...mmmmm. I am not sure even the 'worst' would be bad news, yet...I am not certain with this world."
[14:06:07] <Hotaru-chan> "Nor am I," Hotaru agrees softly, calming herself, bringing the whole of it under control again. "I'll get in touch with everyone. I still need to talk with Rei....I have a present for Asher, I'll be sleeping with Mako-chan, which leaves the blonde brigade and Takeshi."
[14:07:16] <Kotono> "Go for this," Serenity pats once more, wiping at Hotaru's eyes with her finger. "If you wish to do so now, I can go prepare a meal in the meantime. Are you hungry?"
[14:10:08] <Hotaru-chan> "I just ate before coming over," Hotaru admits, blushing. "Thank you for the offer though," she murmurs, smiling and hugging Serenity fully. "I'll get to work, then," she agrees more easily, a differnet sort of placid calm coming over her with a directive.
[14:11:00] <Kotono> Serenity nods, getting upa nd going into the kitchen. OOC - If you wanna call anyone go ahead.
[14:11:15] <Kotono> OOC - People that are here and alive before those taht aren't, if you have a mix.
[14:18:33] <Hotaru-chan> OOC - Uhm...guess I'll hit Usagi first.
[14:19:01] <Kotono> OOC - Then go for it by all means. Floor is yours.
[14:19:07] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru doesn't leave, rather, she settles into the catch for a battery of calling for the few she doesn't have plans to meet. First up is Moon!
[14:21:36] <Usagi> Usagi's response is prompt, the blonde appearing amidst the background of her bedroom. "Hotaru? What's wrong?" she asks quickly.
[14:23:02] <Hotaru-chan> "Nothing, " Hotaru smiles a bit, just a bit. "Just doing Serenity a favor. THe government's making a public announcement about us senshi tomorrow, she wants us all to watch it on the news, and she'll be home watching it if we want to congregate," she offers, Serenity's living room clear behind her.
[14:24:10] <Usagi> "Oh, yeah, I remember something mentioned about that on Sunday," the blonde agrees. "Mmm... could be interesting," she smiles slightly. "Anyway, yeah, tell her I'll be over. Know what time it's on at?"
[14:26:25] <Hotaru-chan> "5pm," Hotaru provides, nodding and smiling slightly back. "So well see...anyway, I have to get to everyone else. See you tomorrow?"
[14:26:53] <Usagi> "Later," the blonde agrees, before the screen goes dark.
[14:27:30] <Hotaru-chan> Next up, Hotaru clicks Venus! Takeshi...wait, he'd have been around mom at work today. Wince.
[14:28:21] * Takeshi picks up after a few moments, looking a bit surprised. "Hotaru?"
[14:30:46] <Hotaru-chan> "No, her twin sister that no one knows about and lives as Kotono's love slave because you killed my sibling you surprised fiend!" Hotaru rants, some frightening impulse taking over.
[14:31:38] <Takeshi> "...right," Takeshi says, a slight smirk on his face. "I was actually going to call you once I got home myself - what's up?"
[14:33:25] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru sticks her tongue out at Takeshi a moment, snickering. "Doing a favor for Serenity and contacting everyone. There's a press conference about the senshi being held by the government tomorrow at 5pm, she wants us all to watch it, and hinted that she'll be home in case we want to get together for it. Also, I apologize in advance for not warning you if my mother tore you into vulture scraps."
[14:34:40] <Takeshi> "I appreciate the apology, although she didn't come after me directly at least," Takeshi replies, shaking his head a bit. "Although it's probably a good thing I waited until as late as I did to ask what the heck was going on - I expect they'd have heard her in the mailroom two floors down."
[14:36:02] <Hotaru-chan> "...Yeah, that'd be mom," Hotaru agrees with a sudden, deep breath. "She's not particularly happy I assume."
[14:37:24] <Takeshi> "You have a gift for understatement," Takeshi replies dryly. "She'd at least calmed down a LITTLE before I left work, but... yeah. Very, very not particularly happy. I couldn't even get a coherent answer about what happened out of her."
[14:40:36] <Hotaru-chan> "I made it clear that you and I aren't particularly suited to dating each for reasons of shared experiences we have serious trouble letting go of," Hotaru snorts. "This of course led into ana rgument over my current boyfriend, which didn't get much farther than it did the last several times, and culminated in a stand off over a silence wall that was kind of keeping her from just ignoring me...so I disappeared, which is why I was on that rooftop."
[14:41:26] <Hotaru-chan> rooftop."
[14:44:38] * Takeshi rubs the bridge of his nose a bit. "Oi... well, at least some of that makes a bit more sense, then," he sighs. "Look, I'm not going to tell you what to do with your mom, but I'd at least get in touch with her. She's madder than a hornet, but she's also worried about you - I had to promise her twice to keep an eye on you."
[14:47:41] <Hotaru-chan> "Funny, she didn't seem particularly interested last night," Hotaru remarks dryly, shaking her head. "I might stop by home. Anyway, I'll be at Mako-chan's if you really need to get a hold of me aside from the communicator. See you tomorrow?"
[14:48:40] <Takeshi> "Yeah, I'll be there tomorrow," Takeshi agrees. "Talk to you later, Hotaru." With that he clicks off the communicator.
[14:50:24] <Hotaru-chan> And with that, Hotaru gets up, heading out to hit Asher. She'll catch Kotono later, and she asked Rei to call her. Calling Rei for whatever reason could be the wrong turn.
[20:14:08] <Asher> And so the clock in the bookstore idly ticks away, Asher moving from the desk to resume his bookcase work with nary a visitor to bug him. He's only half into it, taking his time, mind occupied with other matters and glossing over certain relevations made to him...
[20:18:25] <Hotaru-chan> Time passes, it's nearing his early closing time with minimal disturbances when the door opens, little bells ringing. No voice calls, rather soft footsteps moving towards him at a sedate pace. The rest of the bookstore, being populated soley by books, didn't offer an opinion on the matter.
[20:21:38] <Asher> Mmmm? Asher instinctively stands back up to see who the new visitor is, gradually pacing himself back to the desk. And here he thought he was going to get off the hook without having to deal with anyone, too. "Can I help you?"
[20:27:52] <Hotaru-chan> Now isn't that a surprise? Or probably not. Hotaru Tomoe is there in the flesh, flattering jeans and a black hoody drawing a casual form waiting on him. "'Ru-chan's delivery service with package and message from the Queen of the Lunar Kingdom, her most august and royal Majesty Serenity," she greets wryly, smiling.
[20:30:49] <Asher> Asher gives the raven-haired girl a long and steady look, his face betraying the barest hints of surprise. He shakes his head somewhat, leaning back against the fore of the main desk. "I'll never get used to this, you know. Hi, Hotaru-san." He manages a brief smile. "Did Serenity actually send you here?"
[20:33:28] <Hotaru-chan> "Yes, actually, though I was planning on harrassing you anyway this afternoon," Hotaru smiles in return, leaning on the desk as well. "Mokou-san not around?" she asks curiously, glancing about. "And what's so unnerving as it'll be impossible to get used to?"
[20:34:37] <Asher> "Everything," he says simply as he folds his arms and sighs. "Mokou-san went off earlier with an old acquaintence of hers, apparently, Haruna-san. I'm going to be closing up soon, and..." Oh yeah. That ball of blondeness doom that was awaiting him. "...probably shouldn't make Kotono wait much longer..."
[20:37:37] <Hotaru-chan> "She's not outside if you're wondering," Hotaru offers, smiling a bit and hopping onto the desk, sitting half-sideways to look at Asher. "...Now I feel like your secretary. Overactive imagination aside! I've got presents for you, and the message: There's going to be a government press conference held about the senshi tomorrow at 5pm, Serenity wants us all to watch it, and we're free to do so with her at her place," she smiles wryly.
[20:40:23] <Asher> "You're hopeless," is all Asher comments as he flexes his fingers and hands a bit, glancing warily up at the clock. "...A government press? About the senshi? That sounds... um, rather serious. Did something happen in terms of media coverage?" He casts an inquiring look at her.
[20:44:55] <Hotaru-chan> "They've been watching us since the war with Gaia, between half of Ami's apartment complex seeing us--Ami is Mercury, she's in Germany right now--and then a few photos of battles, they've known we exist for a while. The battle at the convention center got Makoto and I on tape, and Makoto's been sighted a few times."
[20:44:55] <Hotaru-chan> "I also forgot to switch my night flying route when I needed a break this morning, and kind of got photographed in mid-air downtown," Hotaru coughs softly. "Those are the highlights of our publicity, no one seems to have caught on to the couple of hospital visits I've made that result in frightening recoveries," she snorts. "But yes, it'll probably be somewhat serious."
[20:48:19] <Asher> "...oh." Asher's face falls, quite a bit, with a look of concern on his face. "And the more they look into it, the more they might dig up, especially with the government involved... ergh." He cuts himself off, stopping from going on with the implications. Enough presumptions given the past few weeks. "Well, I'll make sure to be there tomorrow, then."
[20:53:05] <Hotaru-chan> Hotarus nickers darkly, reaching out and patting Asher's cheek. "Don't worry so much. Something about our uniforms makes identification nigh impossible while we're in them," she clarifies, shaking her head. "Our biggest troubles are going to be things like my flgiht today, and the pedophile Ami and I once convinced that taking me into the backroom of the store would be a very, very bad idea."
[20:56:23] <Asher> Hotaru gets a frosty look in return as Asher relents and leans forward from the desk, ambling over to pick up his gear. "You never know. But like I said, I'll be there, and guess we'll see how things go from there. There's a few other subjects that we probably should discuss, too, like bringing everyone up to date again." Slapping the backpack on and dangling Reclaimer from his grip again, he turns back over to Hotaru.
[20:57:14] <Asher> "But seriously, you came all the way down here just to tell me that? You can just call me on the communicator and save yourself that much trouble, Hotaru. I have one now, remember?" He chuckles dryly.
[21:01:11] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru raises an eyebrow, her expression flickering for a moment as she hops off the desk. "I like talking to you, mayhaps?" she answers, hands on her hips. "Besides, I DID say I had two presents for you."
[21:05:49] <Asher> Asher seems to take something from that posture and steps closer, though with a wary expression on his face. He stares levelly over at her. "Uh... huh. Two. How generous." At this he smiles a bit, leaning back against a bookcase. "Really? I wasn't aware there was any occasion for it!" He studies her face for any hidden signs of something not being said here, but otherwise he looks genuinely surprised.
[21:15:14] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru's smiling, it's almost a vicious one, but more amused than predatory on balances. "Oh, there is, and you probably shouldn't be the one thanking me..." she snickers, taking her own step closer, dangerously close to Asher in fact, almost touching. "Mah, just let thigns happen as they will," she adds, closer...! It's a peck on the cheek, actually, Hotaru's hand in her purse and removing a box and a book. (More)
[21:16:03] <Hotaru-chan> The objects are pushed between them, Hotaru looking vastly amused by now at herself as she takes a step back. "Treat her well, hm? Some of us are trusting you with an awful lot...even if, I know, it isn't entirely your idea."
[21:19:23] <Asher> That wary look on his face turns to one of brief alarm as Hotaru steps closer, seemingly forgetitng the principle of personal space! Asher numbly takes the items, his face frozen in expression for a moment before her words hit home. He blinks and first stares down at the book to see just exactly what it is.
[21:23:16] <Hotaru-chan> 'Pocket Guide to Oral Sex'...?! So the book states, totally plain otherwise. The box is concealed by it, though maybe that was hint enough at the box's contents.
[21:25:03] <Asher> Oh yeah. Maybe just enough. Asher looks back up, with a face that should have all rights been completely crimson red at this point. But it's just blank, expressionless, as he regards Hotaru intently for a moment. Speaking quietly, with a hint of steel that wasn't there before. "Hotaru. Seriously. What kind of person do you think I am?"
[21:27:13] <Hotaru-chan> "An extrremely cautious, unlikely to dive overboard one, before you explode on me," Hotaru answers, smiling a little. "I don't expect you to get use out of them immediately or anything, though I think it might happen faster than you expect. That said, I'm a paranoid, paranoid girl, so just in case, hm?"
[21:30:40] <Asher> Asher is barely moving now, not so much out of shock out of... well, it was kind of hard to tell what he was thinking. He set both the book and the box aside, crossing his arms and staring over at her. For something to say. Words just refused to come out of his mouth. He didn't know whether to be angry, stunned, embarassed, actually grateful for the slight tidbit of foresight, whatever. He just sighs. "...well, better than givi
[21:31:00] <Asher> --giving them to Kotono."
[21:35:45] <Hotaru-chan> "Please, I know EXACTLY how that would go. Why do you think I gave them to YOU?" Hotaru snorts, leaning back against the edge of the desk. "I'd rather make sure you have the resources than your relative innocence catch up to you some day, hm?" she offers, smiling a bit across at him. "How ARE you and Kotono on that fcront, by the way?"
[21:36:53] <Hotaru-chan> *front
[21:38:28] <Asher> "I've subtly drawn the lines on several occasions.  She hasn't gone over them. Yet. Not that she doesn't ask every night or so," Asher adds in with a bit of barb. Well, if they were going to have to bring this sordid subject up, he might as well be frank about it. "Though I have to admit I'm just the slightest bit peeved that you'd buy me a BOOK on this, Hotaru. This is going to land me in a hell of a lot more trouble than
[21:39:26] <Asher> save me if anyone so much glimpses at the title." He gives her a steady gaze again, the beads of sweat etching out on his forehead, but there's SOME indignation in his tone. His eyes snap shut, and with a loud groan, the back of his head makes contact with the bookcase as Asher ungracefully slides down to the floor with a heap. "...is this really necessary?"
[21:44:48] <Hotaru-chan> "There were instructional video tapes, but I don't think you'd have taken those any better," Hotaru snickers. "Just get a dust jacket for it, and yes, I should've thought of that when I bought it," she snickers softly. "That she keeps asking just means I was right to think it might be going there, so yes, it is necessary," Hotaru laughs softly, hands back on the desk behind her. "Just bury it at the bottom of your pack."
[21:49:58] <Asher> "Your faith in me moves me," Asher bites back as he does just that. With great reluctance. He doesn't even WANT to be seen with that book; or for that matter the box either. Standing back up, it's all he can do not to glare daggers at the girl as he looks back up at the clock again. A few minutes past the hour...
[21:51:27] <Hotaru-chan> "We're teenagers, I didn't expect you to know any more on the subject than I did," Hotaru remarks bluntly, shrugging. "Besides, I didn't think you'd ever know where to go looking for orange flavored ones, anyway."
[21:53:32] <Asher> "...flavored..." Asher sighs. Loudly. "Actually, you might think of me as a reclusive social hermit, but I've heard all -sorts- of gory details thanks to a multitude of people lamenting to me in the past about various things. Sex life was not necessarily an avoided topic." Asher says this with perfect candence as he stands back up.
[21:56:56] <Asher> "Probably an unhealthy overdose of exposure to that particular subject is a good deal as to why I AM rather tightfisted about it." He immediately realizes that's a bad choice of words, and it shows with the look of consternation on his face. "So, please. I don't need to be babied on this, okay?"
[21:59:20] <Hotaru-chan> "Well you don't exactly scream 'cosmopolitan'," Hotaru returns dryly, sighing. "Look, I'm sorry if it feels like I stepped on your toes, but Kochan isn't territory where I like to gamble, or...well, to be honest, trust anyone," she sighs. "I'm just paranoid."
[22:03:06] <Asher> "Learn to." Asher speaks this bluntly, staring up at Hotaru with dead serious eyes. "If you can't, then honestly, there's no point in this, or living life out in general. You'll spend all your time looking over your shoulder, second-guessing things, and make others feel the same aura of distrust. If you don't trust me enough in this matter, then honestly... I would rather step out and not risk stepping on -anyone's- toes."
[22:04:32] <Asher> "There's already too damn much to deal, life and death matters which already are being marred by disagreement amongst us." The bitter memories of the last meeting and the aftermath come freshly back to mind, as his tone lowers, talking quietly again. "I don't want to hold a relationship with someone and know that everyone is watching for me to stumble. You may not want it to happen, but you're looking for it.
[22:04:38] <Asher> And it's not something I'm willing - or able - to deal with."
[22:10:07] <Hotaru-chan> "Oh, I trust you, or I wouldn't be doing this," Hotaru sighs as she stares back at Asher, equally serious. "I'm trusting you with something vastly more important, than...this," she gestures at Asher's pack, amethyst eyes hardening in return. "This is me playing, not hovering over your shoulder, quieting the little whisper so I DON'T go digging." (more)
[22:12:48] <Hotaru-chan> Hotaru shrugs a little, looking mildly forlorn. "If I didn't trust you, Asher, I wouldn't even be doing this, I'd be actively attempting something far more indiscriminately destructive and stupid. So please, try to take us each with our grain fo salt?"
[22:14:28] <Asher> Asher shakes his head slowly, his voice utterly subdued now. "Trust isn't something you just switch on and off, you know. It's a measure... whenever we look at someone or something, we always think... just how far, how much that trust extends."
[22:15:28] <Asher> Pushing himself back up from the bookcase, his face is shadowy as he looks up at the ceiling, and then over at her, and then the clock. "I should really go meet up with Kotono... she's already been waiting for a while." He motions to do just that, pausing for a moment at brushing past Hotaru's side.
[22:16:35] <Asher> "What's the point of anything, Hotaru, if life is endless questioning about others? Faith is a wonderful thing to have, sometimes. It can hurt, but it can bring so much too. Consider that." He stops, closes his eyes, and squeezes her hand gently before taking off from the bookstore.
[22:19:00] <Hotaru-chan> "Asher, some of just aren't as concise," Hotaru calls to his back, sighing. "Consider differences in communication, rather than trying to run off with your beliefs."
[22:22:27] <Asher> "I believe in myself. And I believe in Kotono." The jingle of the door pauses his words, as he turns to look back. There's a brief smile on his face. "That's all that's needed. You can tell me whether I believed wrongly or not... later." The door closes, softly, as his disappearing figure trails off into the distance.

[Halbarad]

And immediately after...

[22:45] <@Anastasia> So Asher heads out! Waiting there is Kotono, coming up! She waves, each hand holding a chocolate ice cream cone. "Heya!" Her smiles is as happy and brisk as the wind, glowing.
[22:46] <@Asher> Asher smiles back, the sight of Kotono for once a welcome relief. The pang of guilt that strikes after that is not entirely unexpected, but it does make give him pause and make him wonder... wonder about... "Hey. Kept yourself busy/"
[22:47] <@Anastasia> "Uh huh! I  got these and did some shopping," A shopping bag hangs from one of Kotono's arms - and wow! She's wearing nice new lipstick, vibrantly red. "I did some investigating too and I got back here just in time, huh?"
[22:48] <@Asher> "Some investigating?" That queries a brief look of puzzlement from Asher as he looks over at her. The lipstick... um, stands out, but he never quite thought of seeing her like that. "Yeah, Mokou-san had me watch the store and closed a little early."
[22:50] <@Anastasia> "Supernatural stuff, and I think I know where oure next meeting is gonna be, and I nearly went to visit USagi-chan since I haven'ts een her in awhile but it didn't work out but here!" An ice cream cone is presented, one of two. "Unless you wanna share one?" Kotono bats her eyelashes at this, playful.
[22:52] <@Asher> "Oh, yeah, about that. Hotaru dropped by and told me that Serenity wanted all of us to meet up at her house tomorrow at five to watch a government report on the senshi. Apparently she got caught out on tape while she was flying in broad daylight," he remarks with a bit of a sigh. "It sounds serious, but... we can't really know till then."
[22:52] <@Asher> To her offer, he just smiles that little smile and accepts one of the cones, holding it for now.
[22:56] <@Anastasia> "Ooooh!" Kotonob links, walking along as she ponders that,"...oh wow, wouldn't it be cool if we became like idols if that happened, and everyoen started working on thes upernatural and itw oudl be really cool, wouldn't it?!"
[22:57] <@Asher> "It could," Asher admits readily, following in pace at her side. "Or it could be worse and they could consider us all a threat. Flying humans aren't exactly normal, you know. But we could speculate endlessly and get nowhere, so we'll just have to wait till tomorrow to find out."
[22:57] <@Asher> "I'm sure Serenity is aware of the potential concerns and we'll discuss about it." He takes a cautious lick of the ice cream, his throat parched, not having eaten since lunchtime.
[23:00] <@Anastasia> "That's true, but you know, just that it's coola nd interesting!" A long pause as Kotono licks her own cone, before she trips just a little! Somehow her ice cream cone goes flying from her hand, a chocolate stain on the sidewalk! "Aaaaah!" Kotono looks on and sniffles a bit, "My ice cream!"
[23:01] <@Asher> Well... crap! Asher's reflexes kick in as he tries to dart forward, both his hand darting out to catch the cone delicately and his mind instinctively telling the thing to stop in the air!
[23:04] <@Anastasia> OOC - Body check +3 - that's pretty much one heckuva snap reaction. Regular soulc heck, though.
[23:05] <@Asher> roll 2d6+3 ayup
[23:05] * +Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6+3 ayup and gets 8." [2d6=4, 1]
[23:05] <@Asher> roll 2d6
[23:05] * +Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 and gets 4." [2d6=1, 3]
[23:06] <@Anastasia> ASher is caught flatfooted, but his mind works! His power is called to him, the air currents creating a gush of wind to counter the momentum! For a few delicate moments the ice cream cone's fate is stalled, hanging in frozen midair!
[23:07] <@Asher> Said fate is quietly banished away as his hand catches up to the motion and sweeps the cone back into his grip in one fluid motion, giving it back to the blonde next to him with a bit of a sigh. "Be a little careful, Kotono."
[23:09] <@Kotono> "Ooooooh!" Kotono's eyes go wide with unshed tears, looking on at Asher as she twitches, grinning. "That was so cool! You did magic ot save my ice cream cone, Asher!" Kotono gleefully takes the cone, gently licking it a few times before casting her eyes up just over the top, face hidden save for the far tips of her smile. "That was really cool!"
[23:10] <@Asher> "...it's nothing you couldn't have done, Kotono," Asher points out candidly. But strangely enough, Kotono's praise had the unexpected effect of lifting his spirits. And he HAD managed to do at least -some- things lately, hadn't he? He'd been planning on dedicating another night to flight, although that had been curtailed with the impending news of the government report.
[23:13] <@Kotono> "It's because you did it for me that it's cool!" Kotono nods and scoots closer, slowly licking the ice cream cone, making sure her little cute tongue is having lots of exposure as she cleans up ice cream. "Mmmmm! This is good, isn't it?"
[23:15] <@Asher> Asher consigns himself to the fact that Kotono will forever be Kotono as he takes a long lick of his own portion. "Yeah, it is." And it was true - hunger being the best sauce aside, the ice cream WAS good. And increasingly something associated with the Ko. "Where exactly are we going, though?" He'd been just following her... assuming... bad to assume. Ow.
[23:18] <@Kotono> You're walking along a side road, brisk and mostly empty. Kotono just winks and smiles, "Home. My home - I figure you can practice in my back yard?"
[23:19] <@Asher> As long as it's not in public sight. And no, from what Asher remembers, it wasn't - large, fenced in, and the house itself was a significant amount of cover too. He shrugs a bit and nods. "Sure, that should work. Probably a better idea than sneaking out at night and trying to fly around T*A, anyway."
[23:22] <@Kotono> "..ooooh! Didja know that ...hey, that kinda came true with the Juuban Angels thing, but anyway!" Kotono skips along, playfully licking her ice cream cone all the while, devouring it. "Let's go, huh?"
[23:23] <@Asher> "Zuh? The..." Asher looks lost as to what exactly Kotono's referring to as he is dragged along, if not literally, then for all means and purposes practically. His ice cream cone is barely even half way finished.
[23:26] <@Kotono> So off you go to Kotono's! The sun is set and down to it's embers when you reach her back yard. Here Kotono nods, taking out her transformation pen. "So you're gonna practice, right," Kotono asks, closing the back door behind her. It's starting to get cold and windy, too.
[23:28] <@Asher> Cold and windy suits him just fiiiine. The breeze is more of a relaxant to Asher's mind ever since that day, letting its touch caress across his form. He stands there for a moment, eyes closed, and gauges the feel of the wind in the area, Reclaimer at his side.
[23:29] <@Asher> It occurs to him that... wait a frickin' second. 'I haven't actually transformed for the longest time. How on earth am I being able to do anything?' The realization just strikes his head.
[23:30] <@Asher> Even that brief stint of flight, exhausting and thrilling as it was, had been entirely of his own volition. He raises Reclaier, hoping that the sword was... y'know, awake.
[23:32] <@Kotono> 'Elemental Control has some power even when you aren't transformed. Frankly, I'm amazed you were able to fly like you did. You nearly killed yourself with the strain.'
[23:33] <@Asher> 'It wasn't THAT bad,' he protests mildly, but accedes the point. Though the euphoria at the time had been great, the later exhaustion that had caused him to fall dead asleep before his eyes closed that night was even more so. 'I take it I should generally do things transformed to get the most amount of training done?'
[23:37] <@Kotono> 'Ideally. There isa b it to be said for training under restrains, but that tends to in the end lead to one developing ways to defeat the restrains, not to become better.' Reclaimer pauses as you note Kotono twirling her transformation pen, watching Asher. 'If you don't have your full power you won't learn to use all you have.
[23:38] <@Kotono> 'Also. How does the official name of..mmm. Knight Protector of Pluto strike you as a transformed name?' REclaimer bats this out casually.
[23:39] <@Asher> 'Fair en - WHAT?' That rewards Reclaimer with a scathing glare. 'Let's skip the title and worry about more tangible things for now, shall we?' With a shaking of his head, Asher raises the sword to the sky again. "Reclaimer Crystal Power!"
[23:43] <@Kotono> In a gust of wind and a stirring of power Asher is transformed! Transfomred into...whatever he decides to call himself! As this happens, "Pluto Crystal Power, Make UP!" Kotono calls, Sailor Pluto coming to join Asher!
[23:45] <@Asher> Bringing himself down into a ready fighting stance, Asher slashes at the air! This time, though, remembering Takeshi's words will and heeding them, he breaks out of the normal pattern significantly - the swipes are quicker, more precise, and give no quarter. He gets rid of the momentary pauses that traditionally follows each pattern, instead slicing viciously into the air without halting.
[23:46] <@Asher> Right, left, duck, roll, thrust, encircle, move again - the regimen is meshed, changed, repeated, practiced again, altered, and continues in a chaotic but somehow coherant dance of moves as he takes full advantage on his grip, waving Reclaimer around as though it weighed less than a feather. Which it, well, did.
[23:49] <@Asher> But this increased tempo and having to deal with new critical moments of balance and regaining equilibrium cause Asher to be struggling to catch up his breath twenty minutes into the thing. He finishes up one routine and then leans back, letting out heavy breaths, leaning back against the wall. His limbs are a little sore from the literal non-stop movement, every part of his body forced to obey the demands of wind-fast movement
[23:56] <@Sailor_Pluto> As Asher gets winded, sweaty and into his routine? He can note Kotono beginning some basic staff dances. They're not very good, mistakes clearly made as the Sailor of Pluto struggles to learn her Staff of Time and Space, as Asher unleashes his fury into a martial practice.
[23:56] <@Asher> "...um." Asher looks over at Kotono, not really sure what the heck she is doing. "Kotono?"
[23:58] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono stops as she tries a slightly off staff sweep, turning with an embarrassed blush. "Yes, ASher-chan?"
[23:58] <@Asher> "...do you normally fight with that staff?" Asher notes the bulky, large weapon is not exactly becoming for Kotono's stature.
[00:00] <@Sailor_Pluto> "A little, it's more for other magic but I should learn the basics just in case!" Kotono goes through another sweep - even ASher can tell her posture is all wrong, too, blatantly so.
[00:01] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono smiles as she finishes, "It's good to learn, isn't it, hm?" A very nice smile, waiting on ASher.
[00:02] <@Asher> "....Kotono." Asher's look is steady. "You don't 'learn' the basics by swinging at the air. You really don't get anywhere with that. Practicing a regimen like this is to keep your reflexes sharp and improve the execution of what you already know. The art itself -- " He waves Reclaimer vaguely, with a patient look "-- is something you really need a sensei for."
[00:02] <@Asher> "For that matter, I don't think they do a lot of weapons training classes with large, blunt two-handed weapons," he remarks, pointedly looking at the Staff of Time and Space.
[00:06] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Oh, well, I'm just looking ot learn how to use it decently." Kotono tries another swing. Oh, it's not bad, but it's still clearly off. Smiling at Asher, "Well....?" Kotono bats her eyelashes again, looking down demurely.
[00:11] <@Asher> Asher sighs, stepping over for a moment and slinging Reclaimer away. "Here. First off, your footing's wrong. You should be stanced... like this." He demonstrates, the balls of his feet pointed up. "It's tiring to hold yourself up like that, but it gives you the best mobility."
[00:11] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono slowly gets into position, doing an okay but not quite right job of it. Her back's off badly. "LIke this?"
[00:12] <@Asher> "Straighten your back a little, and try to hold that position. That staff's probably a lot heavier than most of the things I practiced with, so... it's not exactly easy," Asher warns, wondering if this was really a good idea.
[00:14] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono struggles with it, a careful look of concentration as she tries again! But her back isn't right, just not in position, too far out and bunched. "LIke this?" Kotono asks again, scooting a little closer as she does.
[00:15] <@Asher> Asher shakes his head, motioning with his hand. "Okay, first off, lose the staff. You have the idea, but it's adding too much counterweight to offset the basics... have you taken any martial arts classes, at all?"
[00:17] <@Sailor_Pluto> "A bit with Sis," Kotono puts the staff down, going into the stance again. "Is it like this?" Her back's still out too far, badly adjusted.
[00:17] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono smiles hopefully at Asher, waiting with a cute little pout as she tries again.
[00:18] <@Asher> Asher can see clearly that this is going nowhere... she just isn't realizing the proper positioning. "I can't believe Makoto didn't at least teach you this much," he mumbles quietly as he steps over. "Okay. Look. Your feet are fine, but..." Holding her sides, gently, he eases her upper body back a bit, moving her arm to be more free. "Arch back a bit."
[00:22] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Oooooooh!" Kotono slides into being supported, letting Asher's manly, confident hands position her sides and hips. In a somewhat more acceptable position, Kotono gently shakes her rear. "LIke this?" She smiles fondly, eyes half closed.
[00:23] <@Asher> Asher ignores the motion, most of his attention riveting itself on the rest of Kotono's form and making sure she's adjusted correctly. He gently shifts her to the left just a bit, stepping back and nodding. "And don't let your arms just hang loose, keep them ready to move. Now. Did Makoto teach you how to do basic punches and kicks?"
[00:25] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono nods, "I think I remember that." Kotono stays in place, waiting, "I think?"
[00:27] <@Asher> "Go ahead and do a one-two, a one-two, and then a midlevel kick, then," Asher states, easing to the side, and then in front of her to watch her motions. "And this is important - keep yourself steady the entire time, your feet in that same position, and when you finish, you should be in the same stance, just facing another direction. Treat me like your target."
[00:27] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Okay!" Kotono nods intently, narrowing her eyes in concentration as she begins!
[00:27] <@Sailor_Pluto> roll 2d6 ( Body check for Kotono's objective)
[00:27] * +Hatbot --> "Sailor_Pluto rolls 2d6 ( Body check for Kotono's objective) and gets 10." [2d6=4, 6]
[00:28] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono does a few punches and then goes for the kick! The last is badly overdone, Kotono starting to wobble - but gravity sabotages her! She just falls back onto her heels, only a brief panty flash and Kotono ending up with a mundane failure.
[00:28] <@Sailor_Pluto> She frown thereafter, shaking her head and clearing it. "Ooooh, I think that was okay, almost?" She does sound dimly annoyed, too!
[00:28] <@Asher> "...slow down, Kotono," Asher says with a hint of remorse and leaning down to help her back up, offering a hand.
[00:29] <@Asher> "You're trying to kick, not twist your entire body into the ground. Energy's good, but only if you apply it correctly."
[00:31] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono is helped up, dusting off her skirt. "...maybe I'm just not good at it," Kotono says sadly, looking down and away. "Ig uess one of us has to be bad at this just by the odds?"
[00:32] <@Asher> "It takes practice, like everything else. You can't expect to be proficient in something in only a few minutes." Asher pointedly ignores the various times he has violated this statute, but the irony of the statement brings a low flush to his cheeks. "If you're serious about it... you could work on it."
[00:37] <@Sailor_Pluto> "I don't know...maybe I should just go back to reading. I'm not as good as the others at these things..." Kotono softly sniffles, turning away and looking at her house.
[00:40] <@Asher> Asher sighs a bit, his shoulders sinking as he looks over at the blonde. What was he supposed to say? If she didn't have any motivation for this, then it probably wasn't worth pursuing. And he was under the impression she'd be more into magic with her supernatural fetish and all...
[00:41] <@Asher> "Well, what do you usually practice? Do you at... all?" He was a little curious on that matter - he'd gotten the impression most of the senshi were comfortable with fighting as is and didn't really 'keep up' with regimens like his, per say.
[00:45] <@Sailor_Pluto> "Magic, sure...but..." Kotono just looks down again, wilting down into a sad little puddle of blonde Sailorhood in the yard. "It's okay. I'll just go read again..."
[00:47] <@Asher> ..wow. It was odd to see Kotono deflate this fast and this... profoundly on something that wasn't related to her normal fields of interest at all. Asher blinks, looking down at her and kneeling down. "...Kotono... seriously, what's going on in your head?"
[00:48] <@Sailor_Pluto> "...Just...Asher...?" Kotono turns and looks sadly, heartbroken. "...Even if I can't keep up wiht you in stuff like fighting, I'm not worthless," Oh does Kotono draw out those words, eyes glistening perfectly, "Am I?"
[00:50] <@Asher> Wtf. That was pretty much what runs through Asher's head. Where the -heck- did she even get that... oh for the love of. He'd dealt with many of these situations before! Just... with... Kotono? Check. "No. You're not. I can't name the twelve signs of the zodiac, but I'm sure you can," Asher groans a bit as he takes a hold of her hands. "Kotono... get up. This isn't something you have to cry over."
[00:53] <@Sailor_Pluto> Kotono takes those hands in her own, being held as she looks down again. "Asher...I...." she waits for more, hopeful.
[00:55] <@Asher> Asher waits for a moment for Kotono to gather herself up. It doesn't happen. He sighs outright and sits down, looking over at her, regardless of whether she was trying to avoid his gaze or not. "Kotono... what has you down so much?"
[01:16] <@Kotono> "Oh Asher!" Kotono looks on, looking on at him invitingly, hopefully, desiringly, ready, so much as she's so clsoe to him.
[01:20] <@Asher> And something clicks in Asher's head as he stares over at Kotono, his eyes taking her look in fully for a moment, and then narrowing. They close with a great reluctance, and then he sits down entirely on the ground, inert. Blank. His limbs don't so much as twitch.
[01:21] <@Kotono> "Asher..." Kotono scoots in a little closer, voice soft and yearning, appealing. She doesn't do much more, waiting and hoping.
[01:23] <@Asher> Only silence in reply. And then, something totally out of place... a quiet bit of a chuckle. Then a little more. Then Asher hangs his head forward as he lets out a long, exasperated sigh, trying hard not to laugh. It's only partially succeeding.
[01:27] <@Kotono> "Asher?" Kotono murmurs, close enough to smell her breath as sh elooks on. The blonde pauses, looking over her 'boyfriend' carefully as he begins to laugh.
[01:30] <@Asher> "Kotono," Asher manages out, amidst the chuckling and the lightheadness. Oh, god. He steadily takes a deep breath, in and out, eyes still closed, as he tries to push away the ridicule of the situation from his mind. Rocking back and forth a moment against the ground, he blindly offers Kotono his hand again.
[01:32] <@Kotono> The hand is taken! Kotono's gloved hands wrap over Asher's, warmth spreading as she latches onto that extended offering.
[01:33] <@Asher> With the slightest hint of a smile, Asher pulls her over entirely against him, wrapping his free arm around her waist and embracing her warmly, closely, as he bites out the last bit of a snicker that manages to form at the tip of his tongue and exhales again. "I can't believe you did that..."
[11:12] <@Kotono> "Asher-chan?" Kotono blinks as she takes the chance and hugs Asher back. "You mean that you..."
[11:16] <@Asher> Asher doesn't respond back offhandedly, letting himself forget other matters just for that one particular moment. Besides, it wasn't everyday he could manage to get a warm, huggable Kochan which wasn't trying to kill him through asphyxiation, intended or not. He rests a chin on her shoulder, chuckling lightly again. "I never thought you'd try to be subtle... shows to go when you think you know someone, they can still surprise y
[11:18] <@Asher> --you..."
[11:20] <@Kotono> "Well...Sis gave me the basic ideas and it was good." Kotono giggles backa s she hugs Asher, nuzzling into his neck. With a little giggle twice over she kisses Asher's neck, gently so as she stays content and held.
[11:24] <@Asher> That draws a pause as he sucks in a breath. Somehow, that wasn't entirely surprising. "Oh, did she. Martial arts and seduction, eh." Maybe a word with Makoto wouldn't be a bad idea.. for all that, hell, he didn't really mind that much. "Oi... Kotono, you don't really need to pull this just to get a reaction, though..."
[11:25] <@Kotono> "I know...but maybe I want my Asher-chan to take care of me?" Kotono looks up to him with watery-sweet eyes of blue, presenting her lips up to his, so close to kissing him. "Asher-chan, take care of me..."
[11:28] <@Asher> Asher regards her for a long moment, raising one hand up to run through her hair. Plastering an impish smile on his face, he replies softly back, "Kotono... you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, don't forget that." He shakes his head, a bit of mirth twinkling in his eyes.
[11:33] <@Kotono> "ASher!" Kotono puts her lips within the barely milimeter from her love's, looking on at him eye to eye. "...you don't understand. I want to be taken care of by a strong, nice man." With that Kotono closes her eyes, intent and meaning clear. "Or just...taken?"
[11:35] <@Asher> "Oh, I understand," Asher remarks with perfect candidness, enjoying the teasing thoroughly. He almost instinctively flinches back from Kotono bearing so close, but holds the spot, bearing his eyes down into the blonde's. Asher's voice lowers down to that of a bare whisper, the tone serious again. "But don't let that want rule over you, Kotono. You're too smart to fall for that. And I don't want to ever see you hurt..."
[11:36] <@Asher> With a quickening breath, he resists the urge to break away from that gaze. "Promise me that much?"
[11:38] <@Kotono> "Asher...I just want you. Do it, please. It's time?" Kotono asks, locking into that gaze, arms snaking around to Asher's back. "I love you."
[11:40] <@Asher> On this point, Asher feels his breath stop, all motion coming to a standstill. But he remains adamant, not being able to suppress a tremor in Kotono's arms. "...just promise me that... please."
[11:40] <@Kotono> "I promise, Asher." Kotono looks on, loving depths in her eyes as she stares into Asher's own openly.
[11:44] <@Asher> What'd be the appropriate thing to feel at this time? Anxiety? Relief? Desire? Fear? All of the above, and more? But hard as it may be for Asher to accept those words as true from her, right now it doesn't seem to make any sense to do anything other than believe. He closes his eyes, an odd feeling of elation sweeping across. The moment comes and passes before he even realizes it, lips pressing themselves against hers.
[11:46] <@Kotono> Kotono melts into Asher's arms, pressing into him even as he retreats! A kiss that Kotono seems more than happy for, making no signs of letting up! Heck, Asher even feels something warm against his lips!
[11:49] <@Asher> The feeling is not unlike being assaulted from all sides, oddly. Asher feels all semblance of whatever he had in mind earlier slipping away as Kotono quite forcibly presses the advantage of the moment on him, his mouth and tongue responding in turn without really being consciously aware of it. A burning sensation starts to build up in his lungs, pointedly ignored for the time being!
[11:51] <@Kotono> If Kotono feels the same it doesn't stop!!!!!! Oh my. One of her hands dropped down, wiggling to go to Asher's hip, as she gently rubs her midsection against Asher's! She's totally into it, kissing away!
[11:54] <@Asher> That.. well, okay, that startles Asher a lot more as certain feelings seize him and the burning sensation grows a lot stronger, as he places both hands on Kotono's shoulders, his body demanding air, reluctant to break away from the embrace but doing so. He breaks off their kiss, sucking in a slow breath and holds Kotono firmly. "Kotono." There's a edged implication there for her to calm down...
[11:55] <@Kotono> Kotono relents at last,  nodding and sucking down gulps of air herself. "Mmm...that was nice," she purrs, nodding and going to rest against him gently.
[11:57] <@Asher> A weary sigh punctuates the young man's motions as his eyes snap shut, letting vision take off with its annoying visages and feeling nothing but the cool, very welcoming wind, complemented with Kotono's warm form next to him. He lies still for a moment there, deigning not to say anything.
[12:03] <@Kotono> Kotono nuzzles him again, just sighing in cvomplete happiness.
[12:07] <@Asher> Something feels oddly right about just drifting off here, in the seclusion of the back yard, free from school, home, Tokyo, everything else... a place where the wind blows steadily. Asher snakes an arm around Kotono and lets rest take its hold...

[Halbarad]

Takes place just before Hotaru arrives at the bookstore.

[14:18] <@Kotono> ---Arc 2 go!---
[14:18] <@Kotono> So Asher heads to work! This begins as it always does. Mokou smiles a bit as you get started, lot sof books to move and organize today!
[14:21] <@Asher> Routine, routine, it's a wonderful thing, and Mokou-san has been quiet lately with few customers to send his way, so all's fine and dandy. Asher finds the work a rare comfort, letting him get his thoughts to something dull and repetitive. Believe it or not, that's actually preferable for the time being.
[14:23] <@Kotono> It's all disrupted as the shop gets a customer. An older woman, firm in step and with a healthy color to her cheeks. She walks with unusual vitality for one her age, almost too much. The way Asher finds out about it is the sound of Mokou dropping the book she was holding, hitting the floor.
[14:24] <@Asher> ...what? Mokou doesn't just drop books like that. Asher immediately looks to inspect both her and the visitor.
[14:25] <@Kotono> The visitor has white and gray hair in a bun, a white shawl and nice dress worn. Mokou is just -staring-, mouth slowly working. "H...Haruna?! Is that...it's been nearly ten years!"
[14:26] <@Kotono> "...I'm sorry," Haruna bows her head simply, "For all of that. It was stupid, and...I can't believe it's been ten years, either."
[14:27] <@Kotono> "Oh..." For a moment Mokou looks as if she'll cry, but instead she just puts on a strong, careful little smile. "It's in the past. You look like you're doing great! Come here!" Mokou comes out from behind the desk, thet wo women gently hugging. "Asher!"
[14:28] <@Asher> It is a rare and joyous occasion that Asher manages to actually see Mokou in some state of shock, although he turns away quickly - or not! Stepping from behind the bookcase with an obedient, professional look, he turns to her again. "Yes, Mokou-san?"
[14:28] <@Kotono> "Take the front desk," Mokou says, the two women parting.
[14:29] <@Kotono> "Nice to meet you," Haruna smiles, a bow that isn't hampered by a stiff back or any of the normal ailments for the old. "Has Mokou been working you hard?"
[14:30] <@Asher> "I try my best," Asher replies diplomatically with a slight smile as he retains the position behind the desk, bowing his head slightly. He didn't really want to show any sign of disrespect to a person that Mokou obviously held in such high regard.
[14:31] <@Kotono> "You grow up to be a good and fine young man, do you hear?" Haruna smiles as the two women head towardsthe back, toa  little table just in earshot as they sit down.
[14:32] <@Asher> Asher keeps his eyes riveted on the door, the bookcase, anything but their vicinity and keeps that perfect, dedicated-worker posture as he eavesdrops. Hell, it's not like he has anything better to do, right? He does kneel down and pick up that book Mokou dropped, though.
[14:33] <@Kotono> OOC - Roll 2d6. We'll call this a body check -2 since we lack a better way to determine it and I need some bellweather of how you do.
[14:34] <@Asher> roll 2d6-2
[14:35] <@Asher> roll 2d6-2
[14:35] * +Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6-2 and gets 7." [2d6=6, 3]
[14:36] <@Kotono> Asher manages to hear some snippets. Not perfect, as they keep their voices somewhat low. At first they're just talking, gushing, catching up. Haruna leads it al ot, seeming to want to know what's going on and telling her 'to make it right'.
[14:37] <@Asher> To make it right? Well, there was SOMETHING going on behind there. Asher glances down at the book, using that as a cover to strain his ears and try to listen in more. It's so weird to see Mokou this fired up.
[14:37] <@Kotono> roll 2d6
[14:37] * +Hatbot --> "Kotono rolls 2d6 and gets 9." [2d6=3, 6]
[14:38] <@Kotono> You don't hear it all, but what you do hear? "Just that we're too old to..." Haruna says at one point. Then Mokou, "It's been a long time, yes. But you look so well, yous houldn't talk like that!" Then Haruna again! "...Still." Even from ehre you notice a little catchi n her voice.
[14:39] <@Asher> Still sounds like a normal catchup conversation between the elderly. Asher lets one moment to catch a closer look at Haruna. She looks awfully well and in good shape, doesn't she? A ballpark figure for her age, maybe?
[14:41] <@Kotono> It's hard to tell. Sixty, but she moves like a much younger woman. She's strong and without the little pauses and hesitations you note on Mokou. "There are too many people you care about...I hadn't even told my family or my 'granddaughter'...oh! I shoudl tell you about Makoto!"
[14:44] <@Asher> Makoto. Well. This warrants some interest; a family relative, maybe? Asher remains quiet, impassively staring up at the ceiling as he frowns, wishing that Mokou hadn't assigned him here. There aren't even any customers coming in... he closes his eyes, trying something new. Willing the air to smooth out, for its currents to flow ever more smoothly in the room.
[14:44] <@Kotono> OOC - Soul check.
[14:44] <@Asher> roll 2d6 burn 10 EP
[14:44] * +Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6 burn 10 EP and gets 8." [2d6=2, 6]
[14:45] <@Kotono> The air slows, steady and calm. Like silk over everythign, soft and pliant. This makes hearing a little easier! OOC - Body check -3 if you want to try and use that to your hearing advantage.
[14:45] <@Asher> roll 2d6-3 burn another 10 EP
[14:45] * +Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6-3 burn another 10 EP and gets 5." [2d6=3, 5]
[14:46] <@Kotono> As Mokou smiles at that and asks about a granddaughter? "She's a wonderful young woman...She's going to grow up to be something very special, I know it. Her and her friends..."
[14:47] <@Kotono> "They're young achievers?" Mokou's smirk is heard in her voice, unmistakable.
[14:47] <@Kotono> "No. They're very special. I...Haruna. I know our times are coming soon - very soon, perhaps. But they...they could be something very special indeed for the next generations."
[14:47] <@Kotono> *Mokou
[14:48] <@Kotono> There's a pause as Mokou digests that, "Don't talk like that! We're both still healthy!"
[14:48] <@Asher> Asher steadily draws his gaze away to the door again, looking for any potential people outside, but his attention is riveted entirely on the conversation. He just doesn't want to get caught looking.
[14:49] <@Kotono> "For now...that could change any time," Haruna says, accepting and sad. "Mokou...it's not so bad. It's not goign to be so bad, I mean. Trust me, I just...I know now."
[14:49] <@Kotono> There's a customer just coming in...oh fuck. KOTONO.
[14:49] <@Kotono> She's whistling a merry tune, a backpack over her shoulder as she's coming to the door!
[14:50] <@Asher> Ohfuckwhy Asher ducks down from the main desk, immediately busying himself with the lower compartments to avoid sight!
[14:50] <@Asher> He considers fleeing outright to the restroom, but Mokou wouldn't look on that well. And he wouldn't be able to eavesdrop from there. But... Kotono. Dilemmas. Argh. For now he stays down there.
[14:50] <@Kotono> You hear the door open, conversational listening lost. "Hello?" Kotono calls brightly, "Asher-chan? Miss Mokou?"
[14:51] <@Kotono> "Oh! Kotono?" Mokou slowly comes to the front, looking around. "I think Asher was supposed to be watching the desk..."
[14:52] <@Asher> A loud groan, as Asher steadily rises back up from the desk with a defeated look on his face. "I'm here, Mokou-san."
[14:53] <@Asher> Well, okay, not THAT loud. Mokou is probably the only one who detects it for what it is!
[14:53] <@Kotono> TACTICAL KOTONO LAUNCH DETECTED! One could say that if they saw the blonde dart behind the desk, attempting to glomp onto Asher! "Hi, I just stopped by for a few since I was passing by and everyone was out of school today so I figured I'd just take a nice walk and visit af ew people, huh!?"
[14:54] <@Asher> Asher only holds Kotono off - gently, but firmly - with one extended hand and grip as he looks back over to the blonde with a resigned look on his face. "I see. That's fine, but I'm minding the front desk right now, Kotono, so maybe after work..."
[14:56] <@Kotono> "Okay!" Kotono nods, as Mokou gives her a very serious look. This calms her down a bit, a nice little hug deflected as she nods, "Tell you what I'll be waiting with ice cream outside for when you finish, okay?"
[14:56] <@Asher> "Alright," the young man replies earnestly enough. Anything to get off the hook this very moment, and like Mokou, he sounds a little serious too, catching onto the mood. "I'll be there later," he offers in way to assuring her as he steps resolutely back behind the desk.
[14:57] <@Kotono> So Kotono goes off - but small heartbreak! Mokou and Haruna relocate to a table a little farther back! It's going to be a bit more difficult to listen in, even as you see Kotono retreat.
[14:58] <@Asher> Sigh. Asher closes his eyes, resigned to the problem. Why the hell not, though? He looks around for a moment, then wanders over to open a window or two and let some fresh air blow into the bookstore. This, of course, has ulterior motives, but it's something, and it keeps him busy.
[14:59] <@Asher> While he does so, the senses in the back of his mind click away, as he takes his time performing the task, a coincidentally closer position to the two, and again wills the streams of sound to travel smooth as silk along the wind's sails...
[15:00] <@Kotono> OOC - Soul check -1, Asher.
[15:00] <@Asher> roll 2d6-1
[15:00] * +Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6-1 and gets 5." [2d6=2, 4]
[15:00] <@Kotono> The wind smoothes out again, Asher making up his lost progress! OOC - Body check -3; don't 12. >_>
[15:00] <@Asher> roll 2d6-3
[15:00] * +Hatbot --> "Asher rolls 2d6-3 and gets 4." [2d6=4, 3]
[15:01] <@Kotono> "I just know now, Mokou. Trust me on this, don't be afraid. Please." Haruna sounds utterly sincere,,s omething whispered then and out of range.
[15:02] <@Asher> Hell, it's magic practice in a technical sense, isn't it? Not exactly a moral justification, but Asher busies himself mentally with this task.
[15:02] <@Asher> Although Haruna's words cause him to suppress a shiver, something about the total conviction in them striking him...
[15:02] <@Kotono> "...okay." Mokou sounds downcast, the conversation growing much quieter. "Then thanks for all this." You can see them hug again. Then, via Haruna, "I'm not worried. Makoto and her friends...I don't think we have much to worry about now. Even if you don't know them at all."
[15:09] <@Kotono> "Then if you say so." Mokou agrees, "It's just good to see you again, no matter what."
[15:09] <@Kotono> "It is...let's go. You haven't been over since...nearly the funeral or so?" Haruna rises, "Can you leave your store for the day?"
[15:10] <@Asher> Asher pauses his thought process momentarily from behind the desk, actually wishing that Kotono was here at that moment and not acting as a total disaster beacon. If only... well, he could ask later...
[15:11] <@Kotono> "I think so...he's trustworthy," Mokou murmurs, juuuuuust carrying. "Asher!" No need to eavesdrop for this one, called out. "Watch the store for me and close up an hour early if you like."
[15:12] <@Asher> "Alright, Mokou-san." Yep, the automatic reply. No problem here! It wasn't even that far off from closing time anyway and he'd be able to get out earlier...
[15:15] <@Kotono> So out they go, closing time coming...