The Great Log Posting: Arc II

[Halbarad]

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

[Halbarad]

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

[Halbarad]

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

[Halbarad]

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

[Halbarad]

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

[Halbarad]

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

[Halbarad]

[09:44] <Usagi-chan> -----
[09:55] <Anastasia> The Crown arcade is slow today. Only a few people are eating or playing the new games...
[09:55] <Anastasia> Motoki is more than ready to help you when you get there.
[09:55] <Usagi-chan> "Hey, Motoki-oniisan!" Usagi greets the aproned clerk cheerfully.
[09:56] <Usagi-chan> "Two double hot fudge sundaes!"
[09:56] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Motoki-san," Rei adds in her own greeting, just behind Usagi, nodding at the blonde's order.
[09:56] <Anastasia> "Oh, hi, Usagi," he calls from behind the counter. "Sure thing."
[09:56] <Anastasia> As he picks up the bowls and gets going, he waves to Rei with his momentarily free hand.
[09:59] <Anastasia> Shortly, he puts two sundaes down at your table. "So, how's it been going, girls," he asks, holding the tray.
[10:00] <Rei-chan> "Not so good lately," Rei admits, "But I'm sure hot fudge will make our problems seem smaller," she says with an effort at a cheery smile.
[10:02] <Anastasia> Motoki nods. "Yeah, it's been a strange week. All that stuff on the news has been terrible."
[10:02] * Usagi-chan nods. "Chocolate sundaes make EVERYTHING better!"
[10:03] <Anastasia> Motoki laughs a bit. "Yep."
[10:04] <Rei-chan> "So what about you, Motoki-san? How've you been lately?" Rei asks politely.
[10:04] <Anastasia> "Same old, same old," he nods. "It's been quiet here, even with the new video game," he comments.
[10:06] * Rei-chan frowns slightly, before shooting Usagi a vaguely apologetic look. "Have you heard from Mamoru-san lately?"
[10:07] <Usagi-chan> "New video game?" Usagi perks up.
[10:08] <Anastasia> "Not since he went on vacation," he shrugs. "He looked kinda messed up, so he must have needed it." Turning to Usagi, he smiles. "Yeah, a game based on Sailor Moon and those other girls."
[10:09] <Rei-chan> "There's a Sailor Moon game? And it has all the others in it as well?" Rei asks interestedly, deciding to forget about Mamoru for now.
[10:09] <Usagi-chan> "Where is it?" Usagi asks excitedly.
[10:18] <Anastasia> "It's up front there," he says, pointing to an arcade machine surrounded by three or four teenaged girls.
[10:18] * Usagi-chan picks up her ice cream and takes the dish over to the side of the machine as she watches the other girls play it.
[10:19] * Rei-chan also picks up her fudge and wanders behind Usagi to take a look herself, spooning mouthfuls of the delicious treat into her mouth as she slowly crosses the arcade.
[10:20] <Anastasia> The box is painted with the almost likenesses of the Sailors...a few minor details are off, but it's pretty much you girls.
[10:21] <Anastasia> Four girls are crowded around, all playing the game. It looks like a side scrolling beat 'em up, kind of.
[10:21] * Usagi-chan giggles around a mouthful of hot fudge as she examines the artwork on the cabinet.
[10:21] <Anastasia> In particular, liberties were taken with your feminine attributes, but somehow it fails to shock you.
[10:22] * Rei-chan watches the game onscreen, looking to see which senshi the girls are playing, and how they compare to the real thing.
[10:22] <Anastasia> Sailors Moon, Mars, Jupiter and Venus are in play, fighting in what looks to be a shopping center, and losing.
[10:22] <Anastasia> As each player dies, more coins go in to replace the fallen Sailors.
[10:23] * Usagi-chan peeks over Rei's shoulder, trying to get a look at the game.
[10:23] <Anastasia> The action goes on but a bit more, the girl's supply of coins running out against the boss of the area, who looks like Jadeite.
[10:24] <Usagi-chan> "Come on, you can beat him!" Usagi cheers.
[10:24] <Rei-chan> "Beaten by Jadeite..." Rei shakes her head. "How awful..." she finishes off her fudge and goes to put it on the counter before returning. "Want to give it a shot, Usagi?"
[10:24] <Anastasia> With a bolt of lightning, the last Sailor (Mars) is killed. A pink GAME OVER floats on the screen as Jadeite laughs.
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> "Absolutely!" Usagi scarfs down the last of her sundae and runs over to a change machine to get a supply of tokens.
[10:25] <Anastasia> As you get to the machine, it runs an eye catch... of Tuxedo Kamen saving the Sailors, and of them making heart eyes at the dashing hero.
[10:26] <Anastasia> "Sailor Senshi versus the NEGAVERSE!" Flashes on the screen.
[10:26] * Rei-chan grimaces. "Not quite the same as reality..."
[10:26] * Usagi-chan makes a face as Tuxedo Kamen shows up on the screen, then drops a token into the machine. "Come on, Rei-chan - let's show them how it's done!"
[10:27] <Anastasia> As you begin, you start in the same shopping center as the last batch of players. It looks to be the first stage...
[10:27] <Anastasia> ...and the game quickly asserts itself as being rather difficult.
[10:27] * Rei-chan selects Sailor Mars as her character.
[10:27] * Usagi-chan naturally takes Sailor Moon as her own fighter.
[10:27] * Rei-chan tries to figure out all her moves against the first few enemies.
[10:28] <Anastasia> As you do so, you take a fair number of hits. The AI already seems a bit ruthless...
[10:28] <Anastasia> OOC - Roll 2d6, girls. I'll make it a body(Reflexes) check
[10:28] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:28] <Usagi-chan> "Wow, this is pretty tough..." Usagi grits her teeth in concentration as her digitized self hurls a tiara across the screen.
[10:28] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:29] <Anastasia> Rei starts doing okay, but Usagi dies to a red, ax handed youma rather quickly. The on screen Sailor Moon breaks into a wail as she fades away...
[10:29] * Rei-chan avenges Sailor Moon with a Fire Soul to the youma!
[10:29] * Usagi-chan mutters and drops another token into the machine to continue.
[10:30] <Anastasia> Going on, you make it to Jadeite... barely, but you make it without any more coins.
[10:30] <Anastasia> The game goes on...
[10:30] <Anastasia> OOC - Roll again
[10:30] <Rei-chan> "I can't figure out how to use ofuda in this game..." Rei complains.
[10:30] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:30] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[10:30] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:30] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:31] <Anastasia> After trashing Jadeite with ease, you move on to the next stage over Jadeite's remains...
[10:31] <Anastasia> The intermission screen is Sailors Moon and Mars goggling over Tuxedo Kamen as he tells you you did a good job...
[10:31] * Usagi-chan rolls her eyes at the intermission.
[10:31] <Rei-chan> "Must be Nephrite, now..." Rei says, girding herself to kick more 'NEGAVERSE' butt. Seeing the intermission, she sighs. They really had been like that at the beginning...
[10:32] <Anastasia> The next stage is a forest park...more youma come right at you!
[10:32] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:32] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:32] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:32] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:32] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:33] <Anastasia> As Usagi does fine in the next stage, a tennis ball youma captures Mars and blows her to smithereens. A cutesy Mars Angel yells at Sailor Moon as she flies away...
[10:33] * Rei-chan giggles as she puts another token in.
[10:33] * Usagi-chan avenges the lost Sailor Mars with a Moon Princess Hallation!
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "A bit different from what really happened against that one, eh Usagi?" Rei says teasingly as she rejoins the game.
[10:34] <Anastasia> Going on, you see the next section is jumping on several logs and fighting youma over a raging river! Nephrite laughs on the other bank, waiting...
[10:34] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:34] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:34] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:34] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:34] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:35] <Usagi-chan> "Thank GOD we never had a real fight like that, Rei-chan. I would have fallen in the river every time." Usagi sticks her tongue out.
[10:35] <Anastasia> Sailor Mars traverses the logs, but Sailor Moon slips and falls into the water. A few seconds later, a dripping wet Moon angel floats away, wailing.
[10:35] <Rei-chan> "Like that..." Rei says, grinning as she proceeds towards the confrontation with Nephrite.
[10:35] <Usagi-chan> "Please tell me I'm not THAT annoying..." Usagi giggles as she drops another token in.
[10:35] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:35] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:35] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[10:35] <Rei-chan> "You have your moments..."
[10:35] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:35] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:36] <Anastasia> Nephrite flies around, stabbing Sailor Mars several times with his sword. A cute, red patched Angel Mars soon flies away as Sailor Moon dusts the general!
[10:37] * Usagi-chan frowns slightly as she recalls Nephrite's true end, the thrill of victory a bit muted by that.
[10:37] <Rei-chan> "I guess we're lucky we never fought him for real..." Rei says, fishing for another token.
[10:37] <Usagi-chan> "Guess so..." Usagi says quietly.
[10:37] <Anastasia> The next stage is a tower...the players must climb up as they battle more monsters.
[10:37] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:37] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:37] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:37] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:37] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:38] * Rei-chan continues punching and kicking her way to victory, still bemoaning the lack of any ofuda in the digital Mars' arsenal.
[10:38] <Anastasia> The stage goes on, and Sailor Moon is slain twice, once by a fat cat youma who eats her whole and then the Moon angel that floats away. The second time is from Zoisite coming down for a moment to outright fry Moon...
[10:39] * Usagi-chan makes a face as she drops in another token. "Stupid Zoisite..."
[10:39] <Anastasia> "How's it going, girls?" Motoki comes over, watching over your shoulders.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "It's tough, but pretty fun," Rei says approvingly.
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> "No kidding!" Usagi mutters as she dodges a particularly aggressive youma.
[10:40] <Anastasia> "Good...oh watch out, Rei," he says as a fireball burns Sailor Mars on screen.
[10:41] <Anastasia> Despite that, you make it to the top of the tower in one piece. Zoisite awaits!
[10:41] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:41] <Rei-chan> "Hah! As if a puny fireball like that would hurt Sailor Mars!" Rei boasts, retaliating with a Mars Snake Fire!
[10:42] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:42] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:42] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:42] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:42] <Anastasia> Zoisite teleports around, sending tons of ice crystals that turn the girls into two fluttering, arguing angels...
[10:42] * Usagi-chan giggles as she sees the angels on the screen argue.
[10:43] * Rei-chan smirks as the angels argue, wondering how the game designers had captured their relationship so well.
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "One more?" Rei asks, putting another token in the machine.
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "Oh yeah!" Usagi grins as she drops another token in herself.
[10:43] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:43] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:44] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:44] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:45] <Anastasia> In a tough battle, both of you manage to dust Zoisite!
[10:45] <Anastasia> He has a girly death cry, too.
[10:45] <Rei-chan> "Yeah!" Rei pumps a fist in triumph after a hard fought battle.
[10:45] <Anastasia> The next stage looks like a glacier somewhere...even more youma come at our Pretty Sailors!
[10:45] * Usagi-chan giggles at Zoisite's death cry.
[10:46] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:46] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:46] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[10:46] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:46] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:47] <Anastasia> The stage goes well despite this, until you reach the point that the glacier starts to break up, forming several deep pits to the ocean water far below.
[10:47] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:47] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:47] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[10:47] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:47] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[10:48] <Anastasia> This section proves to be murderous, killing Sailor Moon 7 times and Sailor Mars 9 times...Time after time, an iceblock angel comes up from the bottom of the screen, crying frozen tears.
[10:49] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "I think that's enough... this game will send me to the poorhouse if this keeps up."
[10:49] * Usagi-chan keeps feeding tokens into the machine, her supply of them dwindling. "I'm going to beat this if it kills me!"
[10:50] <Anastasia> After this, you go into an ice cave, where Kunzite awaits. His twin blades of blue energy are way too close to the real thing...
[10:50] * Rei-chan sighs. "One more," she says, with the conviction of a confirmed gambler as she sticks another token in.
[10:50] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:50] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d5
[10:50] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d5 and gets 4."
[10:50] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:50] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[10:50] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:50] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[10:51] <Anastasia> Sailor Moon is turned into salad by the blades, but Sailor Mars frags Kunzite with a Fire Snake!
[10:51] * Rei-chan blows imaginary smoke from her fingers. "He never had a chance,"
[10:51] <Usagi-chan> "Good thing I never had to fight him for real." Usagi mutters as she drops another token in.
[10:52] <Anastasia> The next stage is a dark ice cave... the words LAST STAGE flast on the screen.
[10:52] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:52] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:52] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[10:52] <Rei-chan> do-over!
[10:52] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:52] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:53] * Rei-chan refuses to give up, so close to the end.
[10:55] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:55] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:55] <Anastasia> As you go on, Sailor Moon is hit by a sleek, bug like girl and blown to smithereens...
[10:56] * Rei-chan destroys the bug with a devastating combination attack!
[10:56] * Usagi-chan blinks as she recognizes the youma. "Wow, they really got these detailed!" She drops in another token.
[10:57] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei says, thoughtfully, slowing down her pace through the game. "But it has to be coincidence..."
[10:57] <Anastasia> Going on, you reach a thrown with a shadowy thing sitting on it. It laughs, points at you and attacks!
[10:57] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:57] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:57] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:57] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:57] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[10:58] <Anastasia> The shadow is mulced quickly, only to form into a red, pissed off shadow and attack again!
[10:58] <Anastasia> OOC - Again with the dice
[10:58] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:58] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:58] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[10:58] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:58] <Anastasia> The shadow rips Angel Moon out of Sailor Moon and eats it as a snack, just before Sailor Mars finishes it for good!
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "That was... disturbing..." Rei says regarding the consumption of Angel Moon.
[10:59] * Usagi-chan shudders. "No kidding..."
[10:59] <Anastasia> As you win, the credits go by along with various 'Good jobs'.
[10:59] <Anastasia> Of note, the special thanks section has an 'Artemis' init.
[11:00] <Rei-chan> "That sneaky cat!" Rei glowers. "We'll have to see about getting our cut..."
[11:00] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Someone's going to be getting a talking to..."
[11:01] <Anastasia> "Good job, girls." Motoki grins. "You're the first ones to beat the game."
[11:01] <Usagi-chan> "No way! Really?" Usagi turns around to face Motoki.
[11:01] <Rei-chan> "We're just that good," Rei says cockily, waiting for the high score board to come up.
[11:02] <Anastasia> "Yeah, everyone else ran out of money by the third stage. In fact... it came with a promotional prize for the first group to finish the game."
[11:02] <Anastasia> As expected, your high score blows away the preset ones.
[11:02] <Rei-chan> "A prize?" Rei asks, entering 'REI' on the board.
[11:03] * Usagi-chan enters 'USA' as her initials on the high scores listing.
[11:03] <Anastasia> "It's a T-shirt and a poster," he nods. "I'll go get them."
[11:04] <Anastasia> After you enter your initials, the screen reads. "Good job! Secret character 1 and 2 unlocked!"
[11:04] <Usagi-chan> "Two secret characters?" Usagi looks at Rei. "I wonder who?"
[11:04] <Rei-chan> "Me too..."
[11:04] <Anastasia> From there, it shifts back to eyecatches and demos, not mentioning who the new characters are.
[11:05] * Rei-chan sighs, putting a token in so she can play a quick game with the new characters.
[11:05] * Usagi-chan drops another token in as well, figuring she can join Rei for another quick round.
[11:05] <Anastasia> Going through the selection process, you see that the first one is Tuxedo Mask. The second one is...a white cat with a crescent moon and a really overblown smile for his status bar picture.
[11:06] <Usagi-chan> "Why am I not surprised?" Usagi groans.
[11:06] <Rei-chan> "Ugh..." Rei selects Artemis just so she can see what 'moves' he has.
[11:06] * Usagi-chan selects Tuxedo Kamen with an expression of distaste.
[11:06] <Anastasia> As you play a bit, you find that Artemis is... badly overpowered. His claw strike looks as strong as your Hallation.
[11:07] <Anastasia> Tuxedo Kamen is okay, but he can't cope when the youma get in close.
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> "Someone's DEFINITELY getting an earful." Usagi says as she watches Artemis obliterate hordes of youma alone.
[11:07] <Rei-chan> "Definitely..." Rei says, feeling cheated by how effortlessly she is beating everything with the Mau.
[11:08] <Anastasia> Oddly, the first boss is not Jadeite with Artemis.
[11:08] <Anastasia> It's a giant version of the youma from the stage. Further, there is no intermission between stages after shredding it.
[11:09] <Anastasia> "Here you go, Usagi," Motoki comes back, holding 2 white T-shirts and 2 rolled up posters. "Playing again?"
[11:09] <Usagi-chan> "You fight in close and I'll pick off what I can from a distance, Rei-chan." Usagi nods to Motoki, not taking her eyes off the game. "It unlocked a couple of secret characters, so we wanted to see who they were."
[11:10] <Anastasia> "A cat, though? Awfully strange," he comments.
[11:10] <Rei-chan> "A badly overpowered cat..." Rei replies. "The game is way too easy with him..."
[11:11] <Anastasia> The second stage goes by like nothing, with another giant youma instead of Nephrite.
[11:11] <Usagi-chan> "I wonder why the bosses are different..."
[11:12] <Rei-chan> "Good question..." Rei says, thinking she'll have to ask the Mau herself.
[11:12] <Anastasia> "That cat is strong, though," is the obsevation he makes as you glide through stage 3.
[11:13] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah," Usagi grumbles.
[11:13] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... if he was like that in real life, the Sailor Senshi would never have to do anything at all..." Rei complains.
[11:14] <Anastasia> "Heh," he laughs.
[11:14] <Usagi-chan> 'We're definitely going to have to have a little talk with a certain white mooncat...' Usagi thinks to Rei.
[11:14] <Rei-chan> 'Damn right,' Rei thinks back.
[11:15] <Anastasia> When you get to the last boss, you find it's a red eyed, evil looking Luna instead of that shadow.
[11:15] * Usagi-chan bursts out laughing at the sight of the demonic Luna.
[11:15] * Rei-chan laughs as well. "Can he beat this foe, though?"
[11:16] <Usagi-chan> "Let her win, Rei-chan!"
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "I think you're right," Rei smiles, letting go of the controls so the munchkin Mau can receive his punishment.
[11:16] <Anastasia> The cat is shredded quickly enough, and is dragged off by 'Luna' when the game ends.
[11:17] <Rei-chan> "Oh well, let's see our prizes, then," Rei turns to look at the t-shirts and posters.
[11:18] <Anastasia> The T-shirt is baggy, with a picture of the more talented Sailors from the game on the front.
[11:18] <Anastasia> The poster is the same, though with a black background.
[11:19] <Usagi-chan> 'If Artemis designed this game...' Usagi's eyes go wide, and she clamps down on her thought before finishing it.
[11:19] <Rei-chan> Rei's eyes widen and she clenches her fists. 'Oh, boy is he going to get a talking to!'
[11:20] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks for the prizes, Motoki-oniisan!" Usagi smiles.
[11:20] <Anastasia> "No problem. I never would have thought you and Rei would have finished it first," he admits.
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "We're just talented." Usagi tosses her head back and grins.
[11:21] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, thanks," Rei puts in, smiling. "I don't normally play videogames much myself, but I couldn't resist this one... I guess I have a knack."
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "Do you know if there's a home version?"
[11:22] <Anastasia> "Probably in a while. This just came out in the arcade," he notes. "A... few months, maybe?"
[11:22] * Usagi-chan nods. "Hopefully there'll be a few changes by the time it comes out." Usagi says darkly.
[11:23] <Anastasia> ---
[11:23] <Anastasia> A short while later, at the Tsukino residence...
[11:23] <Usagi-chan> "Hi Mom!" Usagi calls out as she enters the house.
[11:23] <Anastasia> "Hi, Usagi," she calls from the kitchen.
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> "Have you seen Luna around lately?" Usagi pops her head into the kitchen in case there's any food available.
[11:24] <Rei-chan> "Hello, Mrs Tsukino," Rei adds in, waving from behind Usagi.
[11:24] <Anastasia> "Upstairs, and don't snack now. You'll ruin your appetite."
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> "Awww, you're no fun." Usagi pouts a bit and runs upstairs in search of the Mau.
[11:25] <Anastasia> "Hello, Rei," she says as she glares at the food hunting Usagi.
[11:25] * Rei-chan smiles at Ikkuko before following Usagi up the stairs.
[11:28] * Usagi-chan bursts into her bedroom, looking around for Luna and hopefully, Artemis. "Where is he?" she growls.
[11:29] <Rei-chan> "She means Artemis," Rei pipes up helpfully.
[11:30] <Anastasia> Artemis and Luna are catnapping on Usagi's bed. Both look up groggily, staring at the two teenagers who just busted in.
[11:30] <Rei-chan> "There you are!" Rei says, noticing the white Mau.
[11:31] <Anastasia> "Whattzit?" he gets out in one sleepy word.
[11:31] * Usagi-chan stalks over to the bed, picking Artemis up by the scruff of the neck. "Care to explain what it was we found down at the arcade this afternoon, furball?"
[11:31] * Rei-chan holds up the poster she won. "Not a very accurate likeness..." she comments, indicating the abbreviated uniforms and larger bustlines.
[11:32] <Anastasia> Artemis's face goes wide in shock, then in remembrance. "Oh... yeah... that," he giggles.
[11:32] <Anastasia> Luna takes one look at the poster and sighs. "What did the furball do this time," the female Mau asks.
[11:33] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, there's a new game down at the Crown that you'd just LOVE, Luna. Starring the Sailor Senshi... and a certain white fuzzball as a secret character." Usagi stares at Artemis.
[11:33] <Rei-chan> "Sailor Senshi versus the NEGAVERSE!" Rei cries dramatically. "We beat the game and then got to see the fun secret character as well. Say, you want to deal with the rest of the Space Criminals yourself, Artemis? I think you'd do far better than us..."
[11:34] <Anastasia> "Heh...well...you remember the Sailor V games, right?" he starts.
[11:34] <Anastasia> "I kinda...know the right people, and got them made for Minako..."
[11:34] <Rei-chan> "Yes, Minako told me you had a hand in those," Rei says flatly, "But now you're using us as well. Where's our cut?"
[11:34] <Anastasia> He smiles nerviously, trying to be charming.
[11:34] <Usagi-chan> "You never asked, Artemis." Usagi glares at the cat.
[11:35] <Anastasia> "I didn't expect them to put me in it...it was a joke request. Really," he tries desperately, wiggling in Usagi's grasp.
[11:35] <Anastasia> Luna merely covers her head with her paws and sighs deeper.
[11:35] <Rei-chan> "And our new... proportions?" Rei inquires sweetly.
[11:35] <Anastasia> "It wasn't me!" He declares this strongly. "Blame the art department!"
[11:35] <Usagi-chan> "So I guess Luna was a joke too then, huh?"
[11:37] <Anastasia> "Er... um.... crap," he moans. "Can I just throw myself at the mercy of the Queen?"
[11:38] <Anastasia> "What did you do, Artemis," Luna asks in the same type of sweet voice Rei did a moment ago. "What do I have to do with this?"
[11:38] <Anastasia> She takes her paws off her head and gives the cat a disarming glare.
[11:38] * Usagi-chan narrows her eyes. "Bad choice of words, cat."
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "You were the final boss in 'Artemis Mode', Luna. Don't worry, though, I let you win," Rei says cheerfully, finding this whole thing immensely amusing.
[11:39] <Usagi-chan> "The fanged look is really you!" Usagi grins.
[11:39] <Anastasia> "Um...um....Maybe you should try a push up bra if you can't compete with the vision of the game," he suddenly sallies forth, then claws Usagi's hand rather sharply and wiggles frantically.
[11:39] <Anastasia> OOC - body check to hold on
[11:39] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:40] <Usagi-chan> "OW!" Usagi drops the cat and shakes her hand sharply.
[11:40] <Anastasia> Quickly dropping to the floor, he's a white streak as he exits the room in a damn hurry.
[11:40] <Anastasia> "He... did... what..." she says. "Fangs..."
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "Hey!" Rei cries, "What are you doing, cat?" she glares at his departing form.
[11:41] <Rei-chan> "Red eyes as well," Rei sighs. "We still need to see about our cut from the proceeds of the game..."
[11:41] * Usagi-chan frowns as she inspects the scratches on the back of her hand. "Stupid cat."
[11:42] <Anastasia> Luna twiches. "That little... rotten...." What follows is the worst language by far that Luna has ever uttered in your presence, and colorful to boot.
[11:42] * Usagi-chan's eyes widen in surprise. 'I had no idea Luna had it in her...'
[11:43] <Rei-chan> "You're swearing like a sailor, there, Luna," Rei jokes.
[11:43] <Anastasia> "...And then I'll shove the spikes up his nostril!" Luna finishes. "He is dead," she hisses, dashing off after him.
[11:43] <Usagi-chan> "Go get him, Luna!" Usagi shouts after the disappearing black cat.
[11:44] * Rei-chan sits down on the bed. "Heh, I'm sure she will."
[11:45] <Anastasia> Two hours later, over tea, cocoa and your mother's cake...
[11:46] <Anastasia> A rather tangled and matted Luna enters the living room. Despite this, she is walking proudly, her head held high.
[11:46] <Rei-chan> "Teach him a lesson?" Rei asks with a smile.
[11:47] <Anastasia> Luna smiles. "I think so. I'm sure that he knows better from now on."
[11:47] * Rei-chan nods approvingly.
[11:47] <Usagi-chan> "Come over here. "
[11:47] * Usagi-chan smiles and picks up the cat, smoothing out the tangles in her fur.
[11:48] <Anastasia> Luna melts into your arms, purring softly as you do so.
[11:49] <Anastasia> "Was I really that monstrous in that game," she asks as you smooth over her fur.
[11:49] <Usagi-chan> "So what is he going to do about it from here? Motoki said that there's probably going to be a home version coming out in a couple of months."
[11:50] <Rei-chan> "You looked pretty evil," Rei tells the cat, "But I let you win and you dragged Artemis off at the end. To do who knows what..." she trails off with a fake ominous tone.
[11:50] <Usagi-chan> "You were..." Usagi thinks for a minute. "Really overdone as a villain, I'll just put it that way. Spiked fur, giant fangs, red eyes, the works."
[11:51] <Anastasia> "Stupid Artemis," she mutters, twisting deeper into your warm arms and chest.
[11:52] <Usagi-chan> "I suppose I can give the poster and T-shirt to Shingo. Even if he won't talk to me, he still really seems to like Sailor Moon stuff."
[11:53] <Rei-chan> "I'm keeping mine. They might be collectors' items one day," Rei says.
[11:54] <Usagi-chan> "If this is really a big promotion deal, I wonder how many of these T-shirts are out there?" Usagi wonders aloud. "I mean, the Crown is hardly the only arcade around."
[11:55] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, but how many will keep their posters and t-shirts in mint condition?"
[11:56] * Usagi-chan giggles. "It's not that. I was just thinking it'd be weird to see people wear a shirt with me on it."
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "Well, that version of Sailor Moon has a few differences from you..." Rei points out.
[11:58] * Usagi-chan snorts. "I'll give HIM a push-up bra the next time I see that stupid cat!"
[11:58] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that was really rude," Rei agrees, huffing.
[11:59] <Usagi-chan> "And look at the skirts!" Usagi points to one of the posters. "I mean, the real things are short enough; I wouldn't think it would be POSSIBLE to get much shorter!"
[12:00] * Rei-chan sighs. "This is just like those stupid dojinshi..."
[12:01] <Usagi-chan> "It's worse, in a way. We KNOW who's responsible for it this time." Usagi grumbles.
[12:02] <Rei-chan> "Well, at least we have Luna to keep him in line," Rei smiles indulgently at the black Mau, "I'm sure we won't see a repeat of this, right?"
[12:02] <Anastasia> "I hope not," Luna says quietly, laying in Usagi's hold.
[12:03] <Usagi-chan> "It's not like we can't find him if it happens again." Usagi shrugs slightly.
[12:03] <Rei-chan> "I still wonder how much money he made from it..."
[12:04] <Usagi-chan> "I didn't even really think about that." Usagi looks thoughtful. "How much money does an arcade game usually make? Do you have any idea?"
[12:05] <Rei-chan> "Not a clue... they cost a lot to make, so the profits aren't huge, but still..." Rei trails off uncertainly.
[12:07] <Usagi-chan> The color drains from Usagi's face slowly as a thought occurs to her. "What if he went ahead and did everything like he did for Sailor V?"
[12:08] <Rei-chan> "He better not!" Rei says firmly. "We're already getting dangerously close to being in the public eye."
[12:10] <Anastasia> "He'll be back here soon enough," Luna says. "Why don't you ask him then?"
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "I think I will," Rei says darkly.
[12:11] <Anastasia> ---
[12:19] <Anastasia> Maybe twenty minutes later, an extremely wrecked and dirty Artemis stumbles into the Tsukino house, limping a bit.
[12:20] <Rei-chan> "Look what the cat dragged in," Rei greets him snidely.
[12:20] * Usagi-chan watches the bedraggled mooncat enter from her seat on the couch, Luna still cradled in her arms.
[12:21] <Anastasia> He drags himself in, ignoring Rei's comment. "Hi," he says with as much aplomb as he can muster.
[12:21] <Usagi-chan> "So, what do you have to say for yourself?"
[12:22] <Anastasia> "I'm sorry," he mutters. "I should have asked before having that game started."
[12:23] <Usagi-chan> "How many other things did you start without asking anyone?" Usagi asks pointedly.
[12:23] <Anastasia> "Just that," he says.
[12:23] <Anastasia> His tail is on the ground, and his entire demeanor is one of weakness and tiredness.
[12:24] <Rei-chan> "Good, don't do it again," Rei says sternly. "We're already in the public eye from our recent battles, and we do need to keep a low profile to be effective."
[12:25] <Usagi-chan> "How many other 'secrets' are in there, anyway? Were you and Tuxedo Kamen the only two secret characters, or do we have any more unpleasant surprises?"
[12:26] <Anastasia> "I don't know, I didn't supervise the entire production," he snaps a bit. "For all I know, they threw in a walking blob of Jell-o as another hidden character."
[12:27] <Usagi-chan> "I don't care about that - I care about OUR secrets, cat. And ALL of those would have to come from you."
[12:27] <Rei-chan> "How much money did you make?" Rei asks, leaning down towards the cat.
[12:27] <Anastasia> "Come on, Usagi. I didn't tell them anything like that," he says, a bit hurt.
[12:27] <Anastasia> "Money... er... Charity. It all goes to charity." he scrambles.
[12:28] <Usagi-chan> "Well, you had all four of the generals in there - most of whom the public has never even seen or heard of. And I know I recognized some of the youma. Excuse me for wanting to make sure!"
[12:29] <Rei-chan> "And excuse me for saying you don't have a very honest face, Artemis," Rei adds. "What 'charity' did the money go to?"
[12:29] <Anastasia> Artemis slinks down under the barrage of questions. "The Full Moon Orphan's fund."
[12:31] <Rei-chan> "Full Moon Orphan's fund?" Rei repeats slowly, "I've never heard of that..."
[12:31] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Me either. Where does the money go, Artemis?" Usagi asks sternly.
[12:31] <Anastasia> "It's rather new, and it helps homeless children get into good foster homes," he fires back.
[12:33] * Rei-chan sighs. "Fine, I won't ask for our cut, but even if it's for charity, I don't want our images used like that."
[12:34] <Usagi-chan> "And I want to see this charity for myself." Usagi glares at the cat. "Even if it's just an office somewhere."
[12:34] <Anastasia> "Sure thing," he replies.
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "Right, now that's settled," Rei nods, before smiling, "I have to admit, the game was pretty fun, before we unlocked the hidden characters, anyway."
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "It was way too hard though!" Usagi grumbles.
[12:36] <Anastasia> Slowly getting up, he hobbles to the couch and hops up. "Oooh...You'd have to talk to the programmers about that."
[12:39] <Usagi-chan> "At least we managed to be the first ones to beat it." Usagi smiles.
[08:43] <Ana-working> ---
-------
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Tokyo, Herb has had other things to occupy him...
-------
[08:44] <Ana-working> After a refreshing night of rest, it's off to find Ryuu...Nian accompaines you, rather withdrawn and quiet.
[08:44] <Prince_Herb> "What's wrong?" Prince_Herb asks.
[08:45] <Ana-working> Perking up a bit from his place on the leather seat, Nian looks up. "I am just pondering the events of the last week or so, Prince,"
[08:46] <Prince_Herb> "All the deaths, you mean? Those have been worrying me as well."
[08:48] <Ana-working> "It has been a terrible time for all of you," he nods.
[08:52] <Prince_Herb> "It's not over yet either. Those other criminals are still roaming around. Which is why we're looking for Ryuu, after all."
[08:56] <Ana-working> "That other Sailor Dragon, you mean," he nods.
[08:59] <Prince_Herb> "Yes. Ryuu should be able to help us work out how to face her, should we meet. Whether he will, though, I don't know."
[09:00] <Ana-working> "Hmm," Nian murmurs. "His abilities weren't enough to stop you, let alone a full Dragon," the Mau muses. "Well, at the least, we have his dragonslaying blade."
[09:03] <Prince_Herb> "I know. We need every edge we can muster, though." Prince_Herb says, frowning at the memory of being stabbed with the sword. "Maybe all she'll want is to retire to the Gold Coast and drink drinks with umbrellas in them, but I rather doubt it. The Queen says we have to give her the chance to reform, though."
[09:04] <Ana-working> "It would be a first for one of them to lay down like that," he sighs.
[09:08] <Prince_Herb> "It would be progress even for them not to take out lots of civilians when they fight us."
[09:12] <Ana-working> ---
[09:14] <Ana-working> The dojo is as you remember it, you note as you park. A chill is in the air as you proceed to the door...
[09:14] * Prince_Herb presses the entry buzzer.
[09:15] <Ana-working> "Yes?"
[09:19] <Prince_Herb> "Good morning; I am Prince Herb, heir of the Musk Dynasty. I seek Ryuu."
[09:21] <Ana-working> "Mmm...Come in, Prince," the voice replies as the gate opens.
[09:21] * Prince_Herb enters the gate, checking around him to see whether all is as he remembers it.
[09:24] <Ana-working> The outside courtyard is basically how you recall it.
[09:25] * Prince_Herb strolls over to the dojo and enters it, looking to see who is inside, and making the appropriate greetings.
[09:28] <Ana-working> You see many faces from before, but no Ryuu as you circle the hall.
[09:32] <Prince_Herb> "Does anyone know where Ryuu is? I need to speak with him about his school." Prince_Herb asks the gathered fighters
[09:37] <Ana-working> There is a general murmur amoung the crowd. "He's off in the mountains again, I think. Training."
[09:37] <Ana-working> "I know the area he's in if you need to find him," one of the artists offers.
[09:39] <Prince_Herb> "I would be grateful for any help you can offer." Prince_Herb says, bowing to the martial artist in question
[10:04] <Ana-brb> The man nods. "He's in the mountains to the north, perhaps a half day's drive away," he begins.
[10:07] * Prince_Herb nods encouragingly.
[10:10] <Ana-brb> "It's one of those little Shinto shrine retreats. A priest named Daikoji runs it, nice guy. Anyway," he goes on to give you instructions of how to reach the shrine.
[10:12] <Prince_Herb> "Many thanks. I'll take my leave and go in search of him now. I should like to have been able to stay and spar with you, but alas, it cannot be, at least not today."
[10:13] * Prince_Herb bows again and leaves the shrine, heading for his car and the north
[10:19] <Ana-brb> ---
[10:19] <Ana-brb> The morning and early afternoon passes by as Herb drives towards the mountains.
[10:21] <Anastasia> The trip goes without incident, and by about 3 PM you find yourself parking a bit away from a old shrine tucked into the mountainside.
[10:21] <Anastasia> The architecture is quite old, and from an age long gone.
[10:23] * Prince_Herb walks up to the building, glad to be able to stretch his legs a little, and looks around for the priest Daikoji
[10:24] <Anastasia> Nian hops out and along with you, eyeing the works as you go along...You pass through the gates and into a small courtyard. Dusting the steps of the shrine is a old man, perhaps five feet tall and mostly hidden by his robes.
[10:26] * Prince_Herb bows to the elderly priest. "Do I have the honour of addressing the honoured Daikoji, priest of this shrine?"
[10:27] <Anastasia> The priest at you, and responds in a deep voice, a contrast to his body. "You do."
[10:31] <Prince_Herb> "I am Prince Herb, the heir to the Musk Dynasty. I am looking for a martial artist known as Ryuu: I was told he was a guest of yours here at this shrine." Prince_Herb says. "Might it be possible to see him? Or is he further up in the mountains?" Prince_Herb looks up at the dark, snow-capped peaks above the shrine and hopes fervently that Ryuu isn't up there now.
[10:36] <Anastasia> "Ah, Ryuu. He is seeking the heights of enlightmenment as we speak. You see, at the top of the mountain is a sacred shrine where one can meditate for purity of mind," he nods.
[10:37] <Anastasia> "If you can manage the climb, there is no prohibition to going to see him," he finishes.
[10:38] <Prince_Herb> "At the very top? Is there a path, Daikoji-san?"
[10:39] <Anastasia> "There is a path of sorts. It requires much climbing, unless one is a bird," he replies.
[10:42] <Prince_Herb> "Then I had better set out now, while the last of the daylight lingers, so that I may see where my way lies. Daikoji-san, I would be honoured if you would show me the way,"
[10:47] <Anastasia> "Of course," he says, putting down his broom. "This way..."
[10:47] <Anastasia> The old man leads you behind the shrine to a decidedly uphill path winding up the side of the mountain. A bit of snow is here, and more is above from what you can see. The wind howls and brings a bone cutting chill..
[10:50] <Anastasia> "This is the path you seek. I wish you fortune, traveler," he intones as you gaze at the task ahead.
[10:50] * Prince_Herb looks at the mountain and looks at Nian. "Daikoji-san, I fear I shall have to leave my cat with you; he doubtless would prefer to wait for me here, rather than accompany me up the mountain."
[10:50] <Anastasia> "If you wish," he smiles a bit.
[10:51] * Prince_Herb would really rather not climb the mountain either, if truth is to be told.
[10:51] * Prince_Herb grimaces and gets down to it, wrapped up as warmly as possible in his cloak, and assisted by his dragon flight ability.
[10:52] <Anastasia> As you climb, you find your flight ability is quite useful in getting past the rough points. However, the wind prevents you from using it fully, so it's up to you for a good part of the work.
[10:54] <Anastasia> Upward and upward...
[10:55] <Anastasia> After what you place at an hour of climbing, you reach the top. A simple cave, perhaps big enough for a person to sleep in with a small crevice in back is at the peak.
[10:55] <Anastasia> Ryuu meditates there, a stone carving in the crevice.
[10:57] * Prince_Herb sits down next to Ryuu quietly and waits for his presence to be acknowledged
[11:10] <Anastasia> After several minutes, he looks up. "Prince Herb?" he asks, surprised.
[11:12] <Prince_Herb> "The same. I found myself in need of your advice, so I thought I'd drop by. Your landlord told me to come straight up." Prince_Herb smiles. "I need some dragon-slaying tips, and you're the best placed man in all Japan to offer me them."
[11:17] <Anastasia> "I se...ooph!" he began to stand up, not really paying attention, banging his head into the cieling.
[11:20] <Prince_Herb> "Careful!" Prince_Herb says, far too late
[11:20] <Anastasia> "Yeah," he murmurs, blushing and rubbing his head.
[11:20] <Anastasia> "Anyhow, if you want to talk, let's go down. This isn't much of a place for a conversation."
[11:23] <Prince_Herb> "A good idea. It's very pleasant in other ways, I'm sure, but that warm shrine looks terribly inviting now."
[11:24] * Prince_Herb leads the way back down the mountain.
-------
Odd join here, go with it. >_> The logs do not lie!
-------
[07:41] <Anastasia> ---
[07:41] <Anastasia> An half hour passes in the warm shrine. The old priest keeps up a polite air of conversation over tea and a small meal.
[07:44] * Prince_Herb asks the old man what he knows about Ryuu and his history.
[07:51] <Anastasia> "Ryuu is a warrior who came here to meditate and improve his inner focus," the monk replies, setting his cup of tea down. "It's not that uncommon an occurence here."
[07:52] <Anastasia> "Beyond that, I am afraid I do not know overly much about him."
[08:10] * Prince_Herb makes polite conversation with the monk.
[08:11] <Anastasia> The time whiles away...eventually, Ryuu reenters, shaking a bit of snow out of his hair.
[08:12] <Prince_Herb> "Welcome back, Ryuu-san. Have you come to a decision?" Prince_Herb asks, offering the martial artist more tea
[08:12] <Anastasia> "Prince Herb," he says formally, bowing. "Do you wish to read the scrolls and secrets of my family school?"
[08:12] <Prince_Herb> "I would be honoured, if you would so permit me, Ryuu-san" Prince_Herb says, returning the bow carefully, so as not to spill the tea
[08:13] <Anastasia> "For the honor of my school, I must challenge you before I can allow you to read these hallowed secrets," he responds.
[08:14] <Prince_Herb> "Very well," Prince_Herb says.
[08:15] <Anastasia> He nods, walking out to the darkening courtyard and motioning for you to follow.
[08:15] * Prince_Herb walks out into the courtyard and faces his opponent
[08:16] <Anastasia> Opposite of you, Ryuu bows, waiting for you to do the same.
[08:17] * Prince_Herb turns to face his opponent and bows.
[08:17] <Anastasia> With no further fanfare, he comes at you!
[08:17] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:17] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[08:18] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:18] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 12."
[08:19] * Prince_Herb steps to the side as Ryuu approaches and touches him ever so lightly on the left shoulder, infusing his touch with ki so that the effect is massively magnified
[08:19] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:19] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:19] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:19] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:20] <Anastasia> Your strike errs, at the young martial artist sidesteps into his own offensive of a palm strike to your face.
[08:20] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:20] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:20] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:20] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:20] * Prince_Herb is struck! A palpable hit
[08:20] <Anastasia> The blow crashes into the Prince's face, drawing a welling of blood from his nose! (17 damage)
[08:21] <Anastasia> Seeing him battle, you can tell already he has redoubled his training recently. He fights with a new vigor and fire...
[08:21] * Prince_Herb nods at Ryuu, as if to say "That was a good one; I got too cocky."
[08:21] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:21] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 10."
[08:21] <Anastasia> He smiles back momentarily before revesering his movement and attacking again.
[08:21] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:21] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[08:22] <Anastasia> Following up, he leaps into the air at you, and his right arm turns into a pulsing vein of fire. "For the honor of my school!" he cries, the fire brand arm coming down at you!
[08:22] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:22] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:23] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:23] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[08:23] <Anastasia> The blow is a too telegraphed, a simple swerve avoids the massive strike.
[08:23] * Prince_Herb unleashes a powerful roundhouse kick at the over-exposed Ryuu
[08:23] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:23] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[08:24] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:24] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:24] <Anastasia> He ducks under the kick at the last moment, rolling back away from the fearsome kick.
[08:24] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:24] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 14."
[08:24] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:24] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[08:25] * Prince_Herb follows up with a left-handed strike against his opponent's stomach
[08:25] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:25] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:25] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:25] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:26] <Anastasia> With all the speed in his body, he narrowly dodges the blow by the thinnest of margins, his skin a millimeter away from being impacted!
[08:27] <Anastasia> Ryuu sends a quick chop at your extended forearm!
[08:27] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:27] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[08:27] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:27] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:27] * Prince_Herb is too fast and blocks with his own fist
[08:27] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:27] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[08:28] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:28] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 13."
[08:28] <Anastasia> AS the battle goes on, Ryuu is clearly in the zone, his eyes only on you.
[08:29] * Prince_Herb kicks Ryuu's right leg, hoping to send him crashing down.
[08:29] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:29] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[08:29] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:29] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:29] <Anastasia> A crushing blow is dodged, your kick cutting only the air viciously.
[08:32] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6
[08:32] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6 and gets 5."
[08:33] <Anastasia> He retorts, his arm again flaming as he sends a burning forearm shot at your chest!
[08:33] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:33] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:33] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:33] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:34] <Anastasia> The blow comes home, his fire burning and searing your chest as his arm digs in...finally, you parry away, your manly muscled chest roaring in pain. (27 damage, fire.)
[08:36] <Anastasia> Ryuu smirks a bit as your upper body cooks. You can see him smelling the scent of a possible victory if this keeps up.
[08:36] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:36] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 13."
[08:36] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:36] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 1."
[08:37] * Prince_Herb lifts himself slightly into the air on a wave of ki, and kicks out at Ryuu, hoping to open up some space between them
[08:37] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:37] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[08:37] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:37] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:37] <Anastasia> The martial kick connects, sending Ryuu back several paces.
[08:38] <Anastasia> He quickly rebounds, however, coming forward and sending his own kick at Herb!
[08:38] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:38] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:39] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:39] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:40] <Anastasia> The kick is just too slow, Prince Herb avoiding it.
[08:40] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:40] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[08:40] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:40] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 10."
[08:40] <Anastasia> Pressing his advantage, he sends a screaming backhand at your face!
[08:40] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:40] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:40] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:40] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:41] <Anastasia> And the shot just misses again, Herb's speed just avoiding another painful hit.
[08:41] * Prince_Herb steps backwards, allowing the fist to miss him, then grabs at the wrist, intending to throw Ryuu to the ground.
[08:41] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:41] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:41] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:41] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:41] <Anastasia> Ryuu goes across the yard, your throw sending him airborne!
[08:42] <Anastasia> He gets up, holding his ribs for a moment before dropping back into a martial stance with a nod of respect to you.
[08:42] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:42] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[08:44] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:44] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 11."
[08:45] <Anastasia> Once again, his arm becomes a burning torch in the night. He runs and swings it at you, aiming to broil your face!
[08:45] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:45] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:45] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:45] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[08:45] <Anastasia> ...but the blow is bad, and misses.
[08:46] * Prince_Herb jumps over the arm and kicks out at it, hoping to send Ryuu spinning.
[08:46] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:46] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[08:46] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:46] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:46] <Anastasia> He strafes aside, using the speed of his miss to evade your strike.
[08:46] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:46] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 15."
[08:47] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:47] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[08:48] * Prince_Herb lands behind Ryuu and as both the fighters turn to face each other, Prince_Herb drops to the ground, and uses his arms to propel himself upwards so that he can land a two-footed kick on Ryuu's chest
[08:48] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:48] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[08:48] <Anastasia> Your blow is terribly clumsy, leaving yourself both missing and wide open for a counter, which Ryuu delivers.
[08:48] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:48] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:48] <Anastasia> And he misses himself, his blow not much better than yours.
[08:49] <Anastasia> Sweat is trickling down his face, and you can feel your own pulse in quick fire as the battle wages on.
[08:49] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:49] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:49] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:49] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 13."
[08:51] * Prince_Herb lashes out recklessly at Ryuu with his right leg.
[08:51] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:51] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:51] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:51] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[08:51] <Anastasia> The kick crunches into Ryuu lep, a yelp escaping his lips as he hobbles for a few moments in pain!
[08:52] <Anastasia> With a face screwed in pain, his arm again becomes his fire brand, lashing out in a desperate blow.
[08:52] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:52] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[08:52] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:52] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[08:52] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:52] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[08:53] <Anastasia> The fire punch slams into your stomach, pain blossoming of a type you haven't felt in a long time.
[08:53] <Anastasia> (54 damage)
[08:53] <Anastasia> You'd guess a rib or two cracked on that, or maybe even broke altogether. That was a crushing blow.
[08:54] * Prince_Herb staggers and almost collapses.
[08:54] <Anastasia> Both fighters are staggering, badly injured. The next blow will surely decide the battle...
[08:54] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[08:54] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[08:54] <Prince_Herb> roll 1d6+9 for initiative
[08:54] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 1d6+9 for initiative and gets 12."
[08:55] * Prince_Herb grabs for Ryuu's arm again, looking for a repeat of that earlier throw
[08:55] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6
[08:55] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:55] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[08:55] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:56] <Anastasia> Managing to grab his arm, Ryuu again flies through the air. To your relief, he tries to get up and fails, falling flat on his back.
[08:56] * Prince_Herb offers up thanks to whatever god looks after this shrine and races after Ryuu.
[08:56] <Anastasia> As you limp over to Ryuu, you can see his eyes are half open. He looks in no shape to continue.
[08:57] <Anastasia> He has a gash on his head from landing from the last throw, and his body is swollen and battered.
[08:57] * Prince_Herb bows to his opponent and collapses besides him.
[08:57] <Anastasia> As you fall, you have the vague impression that you won...and then only blissful unconsciousness.
[08:58] <Prince_Herb> "You look worse than I feel, Ryuu-san, and that's quite some achievement..." Prince_Herb mutters before falling asleep.
[08:58] <Anastasia> ---
[08:59] <Anastasia> You are not awoken by the gentle prodding of a servant, nor of morning sunshine streaming through a window. Instead, a dull ache in your stomach area brings you back to awareness. Your eyes open slowly, revealing that you are laying in the temple on a futon...
[09:00] <Anastasia> Your shirt is gone, only your pants are on. White bandages are on your burned chest and splintered ribs, as bruises can be seen on your arms and unbandaged areas of your chest.
[09:00] * Prince_Herb looks around, hoping to see the old monk or Ryuu.
[09:01] <Anastasia> On the other side of the room, you see Ryuu laying on another futon. His head is bandanged, as well as his ribs. He's in similar shape to you, minus the burns.
[09:02] * Prince_Herb rolls off the futon goes to find the monk.
[09:02] <Anastasia> As you get up, your body sends more than a few protests. You manage to stand, but you're gonna be sore for a few days.
[09:03] <Anastasia> After a short search, you find the priest outside, enjoying the late afternoon sun and sweeping the courtyard.
[09:03] <Anastasia> He sees you, smiling and turning to you. "Hello, sir," he says. "You are finally awake?"
[09:06] * Prince_Herb bows "I am, thank you, though Ryuu is still out. I am grateful for the care you have shown to us. Could you tell me how long I have been asleep? What day is it?"
[09:07] <Anastasia> "It is Saturday, the 23rd of December," he replies. "You have been out for nearly twenty four hours."
[09:07] <Prince_Herb> "I need to get back to Tokyo at once, then. Do you think Ryuu is safe to take the trip?"
[09:08] <Anastasia> "He has not awakened yet, but his injuries are not life threatening, despite the best efforts you employed." The old priest chuckles. "I have not seen a pitched combat like that in some time."
[09:10] <Prince_Herb> "He is much improved since I last fought him, I must admit. I passed out after winning that bout as well." Prince_Herb admits
[09:10] <Anastasia> "I am amazed that last punch to the stomach didn't kill you, let alone knock you out. You are made of greater material than most."
[09:11] <Prince_Herb> "Just as well." Prince_Herb says, rubbing his stomach. "Would you care to help me to get Ryuu to my car? He looks quite a weight to me."
[09:12] <Anastasia> "If you wish," he nods. "I would recommend that you spend more time resting first, however...oh," he says, interrupting that train of thought. "Your cat should be back soon. A mountain rat caught his attention, I believe."
[09:13] <Prince_Herb> "Rather than tea? That's unusual. Perhaps we should come to the country more often?"
[09:13] <Anastasia> The old man chortles as you go inside...
[09:13] <Anastasia> A few minutes later, as you sip your tea, Nian arrives back. His face is disgruntled, and he has a small wound on his left front paw.
[09:14] <Prince_Herb> "Hello there, Nian. The rat evaded your Dragon Power Strike attack, I see." Prince_Herb winks and strokes his loyal advisor.
[09:15] <Anastasia> He gives Prince Herb a tired, annoyed look and settles down in Herb's lap. You get the feeling you will be getting an earful in the car ride back...
[09:15] <Anastasia> ---
[09:15] <Anastasia> A bit later, just a the first threads of dusk are settling in...you are driving back down, Ryuu parked in the backseat while Nian sits shotgun as you drive..
[09:16] <Anastasia> "That bloody rat came out of nowhere and BIT me," he goes on. Seemingly, a mountain rat came and bit Nian. His righteous pursuit attempts were

[Halbarad]

[08:36] <Anastasia> Sunday night...it's been a nice, restful day for Usagi.
[08:36] <Anastasia> Until just before dinner...
[08:36] <Anastasia> The doorbell rings. "Usagi, could you get the door," your mother calls out from the kitchen.
[08:37] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, just a minute!" Usagi digs her headband out of her pocket and dons it before heading over to answer the door.
[08:38] <Anastasia> A tired looking delivery man is there, with two packages. "Delivery for Usagi Tsukino."
[08:39] * Usagi-chan blinks. "For me? Okay..." She wonders who could be sending her packages.
[08:40] <Anastasia> "Sign here," he says, passing you a clipboard. After signing, he leaves you with the packages.
[08:40] * Usagi-chan takes a closer look at the packages to see who sent them.
[08:41] <Anastasia> It's from the Osa-P shop.
[08:42] <Usagi-chan> "What in the world..." Usagi opens the first box, curious as to what's inside.
[08:45] <V-chan> Usagi finds a tiara made of a chain of hearts, one supporting the other, little tear-shaped droplets made of diamonds inside each heart. At the center of the tiara, where it would normally rest over one's forehead, there is an open violet, carved out of amethist.
[08:47] * Usagi-chan gasps and covers her mouth with one hand, absolutely stunned at the ornate piece of jewelry.
[08:49] <Anastasia> The gems sparkle in the light from the porch, sending sprays dancing over the tiara...
[08:50] * Usagi-chan shakes off her stupor, setting the silver tiara aside carefully. She carefully opens the second box, wondering what ELSE her mystery benefactor could have sent her.
[08:53] <V-chan> In the second package, the first thing that catches Usagi's eyes is a matching scepter also made of silver, a large heart-shaped ruby at its tip. Aside from that, there are various accessories in the package, including a choker and a pair of earrings.
[08:56] <Usagi-chan> "Oh my god..." Usagi whispers as she slowly pulls the silver jewelry out of the box, setting it to the side with the tiara. She gives the two boxes one last look, to make sure there isn't anything else in either one of them that might identify the sender.
[08:58] <Anastasia> There is nothing but a few unhelpful postage notes and an Osa P emblem.
[08:59] <Anastasia> ...Wait. Under the jewelry is a small piece of paper...a note?
[09:00] * Usagi-chan pulls out the note carefully and unfolds it, reading the words inside.
[09:04] <V-chan> The note says, 'It's you. Not Serenity. You're the reason we're together, Usagi. If you need to look like a princess to understand that, I'll make it happen.'
[09:10] * Usagi-chan sighs and flops down on the couch, holding the tiara and staring at it. "Minako..."
[09:10] <Anastasia> Ikkuko comes into the room. "Who was at the door, Usagi?"
[09:11] <Anastasia> She stops full when she sees the tiara, however.
[09:15] <Usagi-chan> "A delivery guy. He brought all of this." Usagi holds up the tiara and points to the accessories on the table in front of her.
[09:15] <Anastasia> "Oh... wow..." she gasps, gazing at all the shiny items.
[09:16] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah... wow is right. This must have cost an absolute fortune!"
[09:20] <Anastasia> "Is it all real?" she asks breathlessly.
[09:21] <Usagi-chan> "It's all from Osa-P. I don't think Naru's mom works with anything BUT the real thing." Usagi turns the tiara over in her hands.
[09:21] <Anastasia> "Naru sent you this... for Christmas?" she asks, still breathless at the sight of all the shine.
[09:22] <Usagi-chan> "Not Naru... I think it was Minako. There's no way Naru could afford all this." Usagi shakes her head.
[09:27] <Anastasia> "Minako has that much money," she says, sitting down next to you.
[09:28] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so..." Usagi hands the tiara to her mother and picks up the scepter to inspect it more closely. "Why she spent that much on ME though... I have no idea."
[09:37] <Ana-brb> Despite much gawking and staring at the jewelry, the march of Usagi's stomach moves things along to dinner.
[09:39] <Anastasia> Later, Usagi finds herself and the packages in her room...
[09:40] * Usagi-chan sets the silver jewelry out on her desk and stares at it for a few minutes.
[09:42] <Usagi-chan> "Why... why so much? Why NOW?" Usagi sighs, picking up the tiara.
[09:44] * Usagi-chan rubs her forehead and the mark. "This is NOT what I need right now..."
[12:54] <V-chan> ----
[09:50] * V-chan wakes up on the morning before her concert, and decides to finally call Usagi. She walks out into the balcony, and dials up Usagi's home number.
[09:52] <Usagi-chan> "Hello, Tsukino residence." Usagi answers the phone.
[09:52] <V-chan> "Usagi?" Minako asks, taking a deep breath.
[09:52] <Usagi-chan> There is a short pause. "Minako?"
[09:53] * V-chan nods, but then remembers Usagi can't see her over the phone. After an uncomfortable pause, she says "Yes" simply.
[09:54] <Usagi-chan> "What's up?" Usagi's voice betrays no emotion.
[09:56] <V-chan> "I couldn't leave before apologizing, first." Minako laughs quietly. "And I finally ran out of time."
[09:57] <Usagi-chan> There is another pause. "Why now?"
[09:58] <V-chan> "Mom didn't really say when we leave. If I don't do it this morning...." Minako sighs. "What did you expect from someone so weak?"
[10:01] <Usagi-chan> "You told Artemis you were leaving, WHILE he was at my house! You even told Rei you were going! I didn't even know you were planning to go anywhere until I heard it from both of them, secondhand! Do I just not rate high enough to deserve to know where you are or what's going on?" Usagi fumes.
[10:03] <V-chan> 'You rate higher,' Minako thinks, before sighing again. "So you heard anyway. I guess you wouldn't want to talk to me, then, right?"
[10:05] <Usagi-chan> "I just want to know why. Why you ran off, why you ignored me - for two days! - why you couldn't even tell me you were going to be going out of town!"
[10:06] <V-chan> "You...." Minako pauses. "You looked so disappointed. In me. I didn't want to hear you say it, too."
[10:09] <Usagi-chan> "I was... I still am, actually. I know you don't remember doing it, but damn it, Minako! I had really hoped I could help Cynthia, of ALL the criminals that escaped - I mean, she was a close friend of mine once."
[10:10] * V-chan is silent for a few moments, before speaking quietly, "Then what could I say? What can I possibly tell you, Usagi? I know you can't forgive me."
[10:11] <Usagi-chan> "It's not that I can't or won't forgive you, Mina-chan." Usagi sighs. "It's just really frustrating, okay? Just because I'm disappointed doesn't mean that I hate you."
[10:13] <V-chan> "So now I heard it, too." Minako smiles sadly, leaning against the balcony's guardrail.
[10:13] <V-chan> "It would be better if you hated me instead, Usagi."
[10:15] <Usagi-chan> "Why would I hate you? You lost control of yourself - it's not like you went out of your way just to kill her. I was ready to forgive her, Mina-chan, and she's done a hell of a lot more than you have. How could I not do the same for you?"
[10:17] <V-chan> "Can you believe me when I tell you I won't lose control again, Usagi?" Minako asks after another long pause.
[10:18] <Usagi-chan> "I believe you, Minako." Usagi sighs.
[12:54] <V-chan> "Really?" Minako asks in a slightly shaking voice. "You're not just saying that?"
[12:56] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not just saying it, Mina-chan. I won't lie - it's hard to trust you right now. But if you say that you're going to do your best to make sure you never lose control again, I'll believe it."
[12:57] <V-chan> Tears appear in Minako's eyes at Usagi's words. "I won't, Usagi-chan. I made a promise to Rei-chan, and I'll make one to you, too...."
[12:58] <Usagi-chan> "You don't have to make a promise to me, Mina-chan." Usagi closes her eyes. "Just do what you've said you'll do, and that'll be enough."
[12:59] <V-chan> "I didn't want to leave, Usagi-chan!" Minako blurts out suddenly. "I still don't!"
[13:00] <Usagi-chan> "Then why DID you leave?" Usagi asks quietly.
[13:01] <V-chan> "I couldn't look you in the eyes," Minako says quietly. "I don't think I can even now, Usagi-chan."
[13:05] * Usagi-chan simply sighs in reply, then speaks after a short pause. "I'll be by your house later tonight. If you want to talk then, great; if you don't, that's fine too. I'm not going to hold a grudge, Mina-chan, but we can't stay here forever."
[13:06] <V-chan> "I won't be home," Minako replies quickly. "I have something very important to do."
[13:08] <Usagi-chan> "Then I'll leave your gift with your parents." Usagi sighs.
[13:09] <V-chan> "My... gift?" Minako asks in disbelief.
[13:09] <Usagi-chan> "Of course! It is Christmas, after all - why wouldn't I give you something?"
[13:17] <V-chan> "Do you really need to ask?"
[13:19] * Usagi-chan mutters to herself. "Minako, you're being silly. Yes I'm upset with you right now, but that doesn't mean you're not still my friend."
[13:21] <V-chan> "It's not silly," Minako insists dejectedly. "What I did... it wasn't something like ruining your favorite blouse or impersonating you in class and embarrassing the hell out of you."
[13:28] <Usagi-chan> "No. What you did was run away from me instead of talking to me. I don't see that as being a whole lot worse."
[13:31] <V-chan> "I couldn't even think straight," Minako says, covering her eyes with her left arm. "How could I talk?"
[13:36] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe you couldn't then - but what about the next day, or the day after that? You managed to talk to BOTH Artemis and Rei at least in that time, and you never even responded when I tried to talk to you!" Usagi huffs. "THAT's what I'm mad about, not Cynthia!"
[13:39] <V-chan> "I already knew I lost them before I talked to them again," Minako responds. "I just... I wanted to have hope. As long as I didn't hear you say -" She shakes her head. "As long as I didn't speak to you, I could hang in there until I sorted things out."
[13:43] <Usagi-chan> "Minako, you will ALWAYS be my friend, unless you tell me you don't want to be anymore." Usagi replies.
[13:45] <V-chan> "Only someone crazy would tell you that," Minako replies, before laughing. "Crazier, anyway."
[13:46] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Then you don't have anything to worry about, do you?"
[13:47] <V-chan> "I have plenty," Minako says, sobering up quickly. "But at least I'll still have you as a friend, while I do."
[13:48] <Usagi-chan> "Always, Mina-chan. Anyway, I need to go - I've got a TON of presents to wrap. I'll leave yours with your parents since I guess you'll be busy tonight, okay?"
[13:49] <V-chan> "You can't!" Minako exclaims. "They'll be gone too, this evening."
[13:51] <Usagi-chan> "Hmmm... when will you guys be back? I can stop by late if I need to, it's just I've got a TON of work to do here so I can't leave right now."
[13:54] <V-chan> "I have to leave at two, and we'll be back really late, I think," Minako says thoughtfully. "Right now is the only free time I have today, before I have to try and bake something."
[13:54] <Usagi-chan> "I'll try to make it over there around lunchtime then, I guess. I think Mom was going to take a break about then anyway."
[13:56] <V-chan> "I'll call my mom to tell her you'll come, then," Minako says. "You know, Usagi-chan...." She pauses, pushing off the guardrail and beginning to pace. "If Artemis doesn't come, you'll give him a good home, right?"
[13:57] <Usagi-chan> "I'll be sure to take good care of him, Mina-chan. If I don't kill him first." Usagi grumbles.
[13:58] <V-chan> "Don't let him sleep in your bed," Minako warns. "Or anywhere near Luna. Or near your shower. Or your dresser."
[14:00] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, I don't think Luna's going to have any problems with him." Usagi grins, recalling the whipping she gave the white Mau the day before. "I wouldn't be worried about Luna at all."
[14:03] <V-chan> "Don't be fooled!" Minako exclaims. "He looks like he's really weak, but he could give her lots of trouble!"
[14:04] <Usagi-chan> "I'll take care of him, Mina-chan - it'll be okay." Usagi stresses the words 'take care'.
[14:05] <V-chan> "Did he, umm, already do something?" Minako asks cautiously, Usagi's tone worrying her.
[14:08] <Usagi-chan> "If you've got time, stop by the Crown and ask Motoki about the new game." Usagi says dryly. "You'll see what he's been up to."
[14:09] <V-chan> "I don't think I have time," Minako says, a bit sorrowfully. "Priorities, and all that."
[14:10] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I know how it goes. To put it bluntly, he had them make a Sailor Moon video game with some... interesting hidden characters."
[14:11] <V-chan> "An Artemis with a Venus Lovely Youma-Busting Cannon?" Minako tries to guess.
[14:12] <Usagi-chan> "An Artemis strong enough to beat the entire game singlehandedly." Usagi sighs. "And it's not an easy game, either."
[14:13] * V-chan nods. "Fighting for love and justice never is."
[14:17] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, I guess I'll stop by your house in a couple of hours then. Talk to you later!"
[14:17] <V-chan> "Later."
[14:17] <Usagi-chan> -----
-------
And so Minako's concert arrives, Christmas Eve...
-------
[10:20] <V-chan> Minako closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and calls out the words to activate her compact's disguise feature. Golden light washes over her, transforming the girl into her Full Moon guise, dressed in a short, royal-blue skirt and a wide-collared, fur-trimmed white sweater. Ankle-length periwinkle boots, covered with loose white stockings adorn her legs, while elbow-length, fingerless periwinkle gloves appear on her arms.
[10:21] <V-chan> Coming out of the transformation sequence, Minako looks at the opened package on her desk, and takes a silver necklace out of the box. The ornamentation on it is a small but intricately detailed female angel figure, made mostly of silver, but with gold hair and tiny little sapphires for eyes,  the figure is posed with her arms lowered and forward in an embracing gesture, and the two wings folded slightly around the front.
[10:21] <V-chan> Minako sighs, and lowers her head, placing the gift over her neck. "I'm ready, Oneesan!" she then calls out to her manager, straightening up.
[10:25] <Anastasia> "Okay, Minako," she calls back. "Ready to knock them speechless?"
[10:25] <V-chan> "Sure!" Minako enthuses, grabbing the packages with the cakes. "Someone will pick up my parents, right?"
[10:26] <Anastasia> "They should already be doing that," she nods.
[10:27] * V-chan nods herself.
[10:28] <Anastasia> ---
[10:28] <Anastasia> Your parents arrive without a hitch... and the show time draws near.
[10:29] * V-chan is nervous about singing in front of her parents for real for the first time.
[10:30] <Anastasia> "You'll do good, Mina," Ooshige reassures you. "You'll do great."
[10:31] <V-chan> "Maybe the songs I picked are no good," Minako frets. "I wanted to sing Christmas songs, because it's Christmas, but maybe they're tired of Christmas songs already and... and I'm babbling again." She sighs.
[10:32] <Anastasia> "Just sing, Minako. Just sing, and it'll work."
[10:32] * V-chan nods abruptly. "Y-You're right, Oneesan."
[10:35] <Anastasia> She smiles. "It's showtime, Full Moon."
[10:37] * V-chan nods again, and walks somewhat rigidly onto the small stage - though large for an orphanage - set up for her. She approaches its center, her moves becoming more fluid with each step, and stands there for a moment, admiring the gathered kids.
[10:37] <Anastasia> A large group of children, over 300, stand waiting and cheering.
[10:39] <V-chan> Then, she smiles, and waves at the crowd. "I'm so glad I could be here with you today!" Minako exclaims, as a golden microphone appears in her right hand as if by magic. She clasps it with both of her hands, bringing it up to her face. "Together, let's make this the best Christmas Eve ever!"
[10:39] <Anastasia> The children cheer energertically, removing all the doubt from your heart. They seem so happy in front of you...
[10:42] <V-chan> The music starts, and Minako gives the kids another smile, singing just as she had practiced, as the lyrics for Angels We Have Heard on High come to her.
[10:46] <V-chan> When it's time for the chorus, she encourages the kids to sing along, who repeat the words in a somewhat disorganized fashion.
[10:46] <Anastasia> The camera pan to you and the children, capturing the event for the eyes of thousands and thousands.
[10:49] <Anastasia> The children sing along, hundreds of young voices the chorus for V-chan.
[10:50] <V-chan> As the song ends, Minako gets down from the stage to sing Jingle Bells among the group of children, singing a verse here and a verse there with the kids she passes, giving each a bright smile.
[10:55] * V-chan follows that song with When the Saints Go Marching In and then returns to the stage, darting behind the curtain briefly to find a solitary spot and transform into a Santa outfit, before returning with Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
[10:56] <V-chan> As she sings, Minako reaches into her bag, and takes out the wrapped up cakes, handing them out to the kids while making sure everyone got one.
[10:56] <Anastasia> Glancing back to the side stage, Osige gives you a thumbs up. Things are going great so far.
[10:57] <Anastasia> The children take the cakes, spreading them out in the crowd.
[10:58] <V-chan> "I know they look a bit weird," Minako says, laughing embarrassedly and rubbing the back of her head. "But I tasted them myself! They are Full Moon's extra-special chocolate cheesecakes!" Blushing, she adds, "They're special because they're the only thing I can make...."
[11:00] <Anastasia> Yay! Thanks, Full Moon! These cheers float up to your ears...
[11:02] <V-chan> "Thank Artemis too!" she calls out. "He's my precious partner, and he taught me how to make them." Smiling somewhat melancholically, she rallies the children. "Let's give a big Merry Christmas cheer to Artemis, wherever he is now?"
[11:04] <Anastasia> The kids cheer. "Thanks, Artemis! Merry Christmas!"
[11:05] <V-chan> "Merry Christmas," Minako echoes them. "Merry Christmas, Artemis."
[11:07] <Anastasia> Merry Christmas! They cry again.
[11:07] * V-chan retreats behind the curtain again, reappearing in her original outfit as music starts again. "I want to sing several songs that are very special to me, now," she says quietly, her voice carried over with the microphone in the momentary silence in the auditorium. "Each of them is important in its own way."
[11:10] <V-chan> "I'll never forget this one," Minako says, as New Future begins playing, "since without it I would never be able to be here with you, and have this wonderful Christmas." She places her microphone on a stand in the middle of the stage, and closes her eyes, reminiscing of that day she had the audition, and how she was so scared she almost couldn't sing.
[11:17] <V-chan> Myself follows New Future, Minako's memories of her first concert, and having to appear in front of strangers for the first time with a song she, an amateur, had written against her producer's wishes. Her hair picked up sligtly, floating around her as she sang as if in a trance.
[11:23] <V-chan> Myself ends, and so does the spell on Minako. Shaking her head slowly, she opens her eyes to look at her audience. "I've been thinking a lot about the song that would come out in my second single," she admits. "I changed it from what it was originally, and it caused a lot of delays... but all I wanted was for it to be perfect."
[11:30] <V-chan> "I think it's perfect now," she continues with a whimsical smile. "But then, just a few days ago, something happened and I thought I couldn't sing it anymore." She frowns. "Going back to the old version or never singing it again would've been like running away, though, wouldn't you say?"
[11:32] <V-chan> "I hope you like it," Minako concludes. "I hope you all like Eternal Snow, because I'm never going to stop singing it, for as long as I live!"
[11:34] * V-chan wraps her left hand around the angel figurine on the necklace, and caresses the microphone with her right, singing Eternal Snow while never looking away from the children who are her audience.
[11:34] <Anastasia> The children rock and sing along, happy with the music.
[11:48] <V-chan> At the climax, Minako's wings appears, pushing the sweater off her and revealing a light-blue blouse beneath it. The wings wrap around her, like in the present Rei had given her, and unravel again as the music stops, and Minako takes a deep bow. She raises her right hand skywards, her microphone once more in it, beaming at the children and the wings disappear in a small whirlwind of feathers.
[11:48] <Anastasia> The children reach a fever pitch of cheering their idol on... the cameras taking in all of it.
[11:49] <Anastasia> From behind, you can hear Ooshige cheering as well.
[11:50] <V-chan> Still smiling at the children, Minako sneaks a glance at her parents, who have been brought to the concert without knowing of her job beforehand, and gives them an almost imperceptible nod.
[11:50] <Anastasia> They smile back, having been cheering the entire time.
[11:51] <Anastasia> ---
[11:51] <Anastasia> Once backstage after the performance, Ooshige hands you a towel and a bottle of water.  You worked up a good sweat under those hot lights.
[11:52] * V-chan accepts them with a smile, putting the towel over her shoulders and taking a large sip from the water.
[11:52] <Anastasia> "That was WONDERFUL," she grins. "A wonderful performance with tons of heart."
[11:53] <V-chan> "I'm going to keep on singing Eternal Snow," Minako tells her, wiping off her face with the towel. "It's painful, but it also gives me the most wonderful feeling...."
[11:55] * V-chan puts the sweater she'd dropped earlier back on.
[11:56] * V-chan then looks around to see if anyone else is there, and drops her disguise, reappearing in casual clothing and fourteen again.
[11:57] <Anastasia> "Yes, but you can feel that, too. It was lovely."
[11:58] <V-chan> "Thanks, Oneesan." Minako wraps her arms around her manager. "And it's all thanks to you."
[12:14] <Anastasia> "Thanks, Minako," she says as you hug.
[12:15] <V-chan> "When I get back, I'll be ready to return to work full time," Minako tells Ooshige. "Please continue taking care of me in the future, too... Oneesan."
[12:16] <Anastasia> "I will," she whispers.
[11:40] <Anastasia> As you break the hug,  you see Yuri and Ken Aino coming, being guided by a stage hand like you wanted.
[11:40] * V-chan goes to give each of them a hug, smiling at her parents.
[11:41] <Anastasia> "Hey, Mina," your mom whispers. "That was incredible,"
[11:41] <V-chan> "Thanks, Mom," Minako replies. "And it's for a very good cause."
[11:42] <Anastasia> Ken Aino nods. "You can really sing," he notes.
[11:43] * V-chan blushes. "I like singing. It's lots of fun, and you can share your feelings with everyone else."
[11:46] <Anastasia> "Yeah," Yuri agrees. "So... I'm curious. How much HAVE you made off all of this?"
[11:46] * V-chan glances back at her manager. "I... kinda forgot, Oneesan?"
[11:47] <V-chan> "Oh!" she suddenly exclaims, remembering something. "Mom, Daddy, this is my manager, Ooshige-oneesan!"
[11:47] <Anastasia> "Three hundred thousand lately, with a already large nest egg depositied. Full Moon has done very well already...oh, and that's US dollars," she finishes.
[11:48] <Anastasia> "Glad to meet you, Mr and Mrs. Aino," she bows.
[11:48] <Anastasia> Yuri does the same thing politely, keeping her cool.
[11:50] <Anastasia> Ken Aino, however, is still hung up on the money. "Three hundred thousand US dollars?" he asks, surprised and stunned. "As in, about ten times as much yen?"
[11:51] <V-chan> "It's a lot of money for Christmas presents!" Minako chirps.
[11:51] <Anastasia> "It's enough to invest well and live on if that keeps up," he says.
[11:53] <Anastasia> "Yes, it is, and Full Moon hasn't really even hit her stride yet," Ooshige agrees.
[11:54] <V-chan> "We're going to work on an album after the Mugen entrance exam," Minako tells her mother with a smile. "It'll have lots of beautiful songs!"
[11:55] <Anastasia> Ooshige agrees by smiling while Ken is still in money la-la land. "Minako, have you been keeping up on your studies lately," Yuri comments, since it was brought up.
[11:56] <V-chan> "I took my textbooks with me," Minako replies.
[11:57] <V-chan> "I've been studying every day!" Her face falls somewhat. "Aside from a few occasions...."
[11:58] <Anastasia> "Good," she says, nodding. "Even if you have a career as an idol, you should still get a good education."
[11:59] <V-chan> "I'll get in!" she says seriously. "You'll see, Mom. I'll get there."
[12:02] <Anastasia> "I'm sure you'll be ready after our vacation," she notes. "I'll make sure you keep up your studies."
[12:02] * V-chan grimaces, before masking it quickly. "I hope you like math, then, Mom. Lots and lots of math."
[12:04] <Anastasia> "I do," she smiles. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time for it."
[12:06] <Anastasia> ---
[12:23] <Anastasia> Getting home from your day, you find Artemis sitting on your bed, waiting for you patiently.
[12:25] <V-chan> "Artemis!" Minako exclaims in surprise, almost dropping a bag she is carrying.
[12:26] <Anastasia> "Hi, Minako," he says quietly.
[12:28] <V-chan> "Does this mean you're coming along?" she asks, setting her bag on the desk and taking a seat on a chair, facing Artemis.
[12:33] <Anastasia> "Despite it all," he says, "I just can't leave you, Minako." he smiles a bit.
[12:35] <V-chan> "I thought of you today," Minako says, leaning back in the chair. "The children were beautiful, and so energetic... but someone very special was missing at the concert."
[12:37] <Anastasia> "Yeah... I saw it on TV..." he murmurs.
[12:39] <V-chan> "It was the first time I sang Eternal Snow in front of an audience. For real, not during recording." Minako smiles sadly. "I expected my audience to be different, though, when I finished writing it."
[12:40] <Anastasia> Artemis nods.
[12:42] <V-chan> "You'll need to say hello to Mom, Cat," she says, her smile turning mischievous. "Though still be on your guard around Daddy. Mom thought all this would be a bit too much for him to take."
[12:47] <Anastasia> "Really? You told her?"
[12:48] * V-chan moves over to sit on the bed, next to Artemis. "She knows. And she still loves me."
[12:50] <Anastasia> "That's good," he nods.
[12:51] * V-chan smiles again. "Isn't it?"
-------
And so, Christmas Day arrives, and with it Usagi's party...
-------
[10:01] <Anastasia> The morning is spent decorating the house, Christmas cheer being posted around Usagi's place.
[10:03] <Anastasia> Around 1, the first guests begin trickling in as you put the finishing touches on the main room...
[10:04] * Rei-chan knocks on the door, standing outside the Tsukino house with her grandpa.
[10:05] <Anastasia> Your grandfather has been rather happy the entire trip. The thought of spending a party with pretty girls... has him rather happy.
[10:07] * Usagi-chan answers the knock, dressed in a red sweater with a bright green skirt. She has finally managed to arrange a braid of hair across her forehead to conceal the moon marking. She opens the door to reveal Rei and her grandfather. "Rei-chan! I'm so glad you could make it!"
[10:08] <Rei-chan> "Merry Christmas!" Rei says cheerfully from behind the stack of presents she carries. She is dressed in a pale blue knitted sweater with a snowflake pattern down the left side, and a knee length skirt of a slightly darker blue.
[10:08] <Rei-chan> Stepping into the house and removing her shoes, Rei notes the change in hairstyle. "Hey, that looks pretty good Usagi," she says approvingly. "Can't see the mark at all."
[10:09] <Usagi-chan> "It took me AGES to figure out a way to make it look good, but I think this will work." Usagi smiles. "Come on in, both of you!" She steps out of the way to let Gramps come inside.
[10:16] <Anastasia> Grampa Hino smiles, gliding on in. "Ooooh, such a nice place. Sure to have lots of girls," he says, going along.
[10:17] * Rei-chan smiles indulgently at her grandpa as she heads on into the main room, depositing her presents by the tree. They are all wrapped in green wrapping paper with red bows, except for two. One pink, the other purple.
[10:19] <Usagi-chan> A fairly sizeable pile of presents is already under the tree, each wrapped in the senshi's individual colors (aside from Minako). Two other small presents are at the very base of the tree, wrapped in silver and gold paper.
[10:21] <Rei-chan> "Is anyone else here yet?" Rei asks Usagi.
[10:21] <Usagi-chan> "No, you guys are the first ones here. Mako-chan's in the kitchen helping Mom get the last of the food ready though."
[10:22] <Rei-chan> "I'm the first one here?" Rei repeats, her expression falling. 'So much for being fashionably late... now I'm one of those losers who always show up early for parties...' she thinks to herself.
[10:23] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Don't be silly, Rei-chan! You're right on time - I just think everyone else is running a bit behind."
[10:24] <Rei-chan> "Eheh..." Rei chuckles nervously and blushes at having her thoughts read. "So, where's the rest of your family?" she asks as a quick subject change.
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> "Well, like I said, Mom's in the kitchen working on the snacks - she and Mako-chan kicked me out a little while ago." Usagi pouts slightly. "Daddy and Shingo are around somewhere, but I'm not sure exactly where."
[10:27] <Rei-chan> "Aww, did you want to help whip up a feast for all of us?" Rei says in a teasing tone.
[10:27] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah! And hopefully get to get a little taste before the party actually started..." Usagi looks only slightly guilty.
[10:28] <Anastasia> "And become a blimp," Shingo replies as he walks by you into the kitchen. "Usagi the blimp."
[10:28] <Rei-chan> "Such a charming little brother you have," Rei says dryly.
[10:29] * Usagi-chan scowls. "Tell me about it. But I'm trying to be nice to him today, it's Christmas after all!" She puts on a forced smile.
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "Oh, the sacrifices you must make..." Rei pretends to swoon dramatically.
[10:29] <Anastasia> "A red and green Christmas blimp being nice," he calls back from the kitchen. "Heh."
[10:30] * Usagi-chan goes red in the face, but she manages to bite her lip rather than reply in kind.
[10:31] <Anastasia> "Shingo, stay out of the kitchen!!" This follows a few seconds later, and a scolded Shingo races out. "Both you and Usagi need to stay out and not spoil dinner!"
[10:32] * Usagi-chan smirks as the little weasel gets the bum's rush out of the kitchen.
[10:33] <Anastasia> Shingo gives you a glare as he scampers out from the kitchen and back upstairs, grumbling.
[10:33] * Rei-chan sniggers at the little brat getting his.
[10:33] <Usagi-chan> "Merry Christmas, Shingo-kun!" Usagi calls up after him.
[10:34] * Princess_Herb arrives at the front door, bringing with her a large pile of parcels. She presses the doorbell with her elbow.
[10:35] <Usagi-chan> "I'll get it!" Usagi runs to the door again, opening it to show the Musk princess. "Herb-chan, good to see you! How are you feeling?" Usagi tries to lighten the poor girl's load a bit.
[10:36] <Princess_Herb> "I'm recovering from my fight..." Herb says. "This makeup covers most of the bruises, though." She smiles, looking fabulous in her little black party dress.
[10:37] <Princess_Herb> "Ouch! That hurts. No more smiling for me today."
[10:38] <Anastasia> "Hello, Princess," Nian chirps up from below. "I'm glad you invited us."
[10:38] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Come on in and sit down then if you're still sore. I'll take care of the presents." She carries the pile of gifts over to the tree.
[10:39] <Rei-chan> "Merry Christmas, Herb," Rei greets the crossdresser when she sees him. "That's a very nice dress," she then adds, an odd look on her face.
[10:40] <Princess_Herb> "Eh... I just asked the disguise pen for a nice party outfit." Herb says.
[10:40] <Anastasia> "VERY nice," Grampa Hino chimes in, gliding into close proximity with the Princess Herb.
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> "Hi, Nian! I think Luna and Artemis are still napping up in my room, if you want to go see them. They need to get up anyway."
[10:40] * Princess_Herb edges away from Gramps Hino.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "Right..." Rei nods doubtfully, before blanching at her grandpa. 'Ick! No! He's a guy, grandpa!' she thinks.
[10:40] <Anastasia> "Sure," he nods, going up the stairs.
[10:41] <Anastasia> "Say, have you thought about helping out at the local temple," he asks Herb, his eyes wandering quite a bit.
[10:41] <Rei-chan> "No!" Rei suddenly blurts out, sounding rather panicked.
[10:41] * Usagi-chan very carefully maintains a poker face as she picks up on Rei's thought... although it takes a supreme effort of will.
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "He... I mean, 'she' can't... she isn't Shinto!" Rei scrambles to explain.
[10:42] <Anastasia> "Stay out of this, Rei," he hisses back. "I'm sure I can convert the young lady," he says smoothly.
[10:42] <Princess_Herb> "I'm a Taoist." Herb says, "but thank you for your too-kind offer."
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "Um... you might want to listen to Rei-chan on this one, Hino-san. Just... trust me, okay?" Usagi smiles nervously at Gramps.
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "Eww..." Rei grimaces, before firming her expression. 'Fine, let the old idiot make a fool of himself, see if I care!' she thinks, huffily crossing her arms.
[10:43] <Princess_Herb> "Maybe this was a bad idea', Herb begins to think. 'I didn't think this through. Next time...'
[10:44] <Anastasia> "Oh, that's alright. I'll be sure to ask you next time, then," he says with a wide smile.
[10:44] <Anastasia> He goes off, with a final look at Herb's mature 'talents'.
[10:45] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway!" Usagi claps her hands. "Um... why don't I go see how Mom is doing with lunch?" She quickly scurries off into the kitchen.
[10:45] <Rei-chan> 'Traitor!' Rei thinks at the departing Usagi, leaving her alone with this... situation.
[10:45] <Anastasia> Inside the kitchen, Ikkuko and Makoto are working along happliy. The feeling of domestic bliss is almost overwhelming...
[10:46] <Anastasia> Not even glancing up from her work, Ikkuko scolds Usagi. "I told you not to come in here and ruin your appetite, Usagi," she warns.
[10:46] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not!" Usagi huffs. "I was just coming to see how you guys were doing!"
[10:48] * Makoto smiles at Usagi and says, "We're fine, Usagi. And so is the food."
[10:48] <Anastasia> "Yes, it's going good. We'll have quite a Christmas feast," your mother agrees.
[10:48] * Usagi-chan fights to keep her mouth from watering. "So I see... well, Herb and Rei are already here. Any idea when we'll be ready to eat?"
[10:48] <Anastasia> "Say, 2 PM?" Ikkuko comments. "Most everything is ready but the last minute things."
[10:49] * Usagi-chan is almost completely mesmerized by the sights and smells of the kitchen. "Any chance of a taste?"
[10:50] <Anastasia> "No," Ikkuko says firmly. "Luna already beat you to the samples."
[10:50] * Usagi-chan fumes. "That cat! Just wait till I get my hands on her..." She stomps back out into the living room angrily.
[10:51] <Anastasia> Coming back, you see the various people spread about chatting, and the mooncats coming from downstairs.
[10:51] <Anastasia> Luna DOES look a bit full...
[10:51] * Rei-chan notes Usagi's expression, and seeking any distraction from grandpa and Herb, she goes over. "What's got you so upset?"
[10:51] * Usagi-chan glares at the cat. "You ate all the samples, Luna!" she shouts.
[10:51] <Anastasia> "...you see," Gramps goes on to Herb, "That's why we need more temple help. If you want to consider Shinto..." He's giving this sales pitch a lot of effort.
[10:52] <Anastasia> Luna merely smiles.
[10:52] <Rei-chan> "Fat cat..." Rei comments with a smile.
[10:52] <Anastasia> "Yeah, Luna is going to have a bigger butt than Usagi soon," Artemis snickers.
[10:52] <Makoto> "Hey, Mrs. Tsukino, since we're almost done, would you mind if I go out there and hang out with Usagi and the rest?" Makoto asks as she finishes up on what she was working when Usagi came in.
[10:52] <Usagi-chan> "Hey Herb! Do you know of any exercise routines that a cat could do? Miss Porker over here is going to need them soon."
[10:53] <Anastasia> "Sure, Makoto," she nods. "I'll finish."
[10:53] <Anastasia> Luna sends a dagger filled glare at the white Mau before turning back to Usagi.
[10:53] <Anastasia> "I'm in perfectly fine shape," she retorts.
[10:53] * Makoto smiles brightly. "Thanks!" she says as she pulls off her apron while moving out of the kitchen to join the others
[10:54] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, round!" Usagi grins.
[10:54] <Rei-chan> Spotting Makoto, Rei gives her a little wave, "Hi, Mako-chan. Merry Christmas!" she greets her happily.
[10:54] <Anastasia> "I am NOT!" Luna fires back.
[10:54] <Anastasia> "You are putting on the weight, Luna," Nian comments. "Especially in the hips."
[10:54] <Makoto> "Merry Christmas, Rei-chan," Makoto says, waving back.
[10:55] <Rei-chan> "See, Luna. Everyone agrees... you're not the trim little Mau you used to be. You need to shape up," Rei waves a reproving finger at the black cat.
[10:55] * Usagi-chan turns to the tall brunette. "Thanks for all your help with the party, Mako-chan!"
[10:55] <Anastasia> Luna grumbles. "Fine, fine..."
[10:56] * Makoto blushes and waves off Usagi's compliment, "Your mom's doing most of the work."
[10:57] <Anastasia> "Girls, will a few of you come here to help set the table," Ikkuko calls out.
[10:57] <Usagi-chan> "Hey, it's still a big help!" Usagi runs into the kitchen. "I can help!"
[10:58] <Rei-chan> "I'll help," Rei adds, following Usagi into the kitchen.
[10:58] <Anastasia> As the girls set the table, Shingo comes back downstairs.
[10:58] <Anastasia> "Mom! Mooom!" he shouts. "I saw Santa Claus!"
[10:59] <Anastasia> A moment later, Ikkuko pokes her head out of the doorway. "What, Shingo?"
[11:00] <Anastasia> "I saw Santa Claus! He was right outside my window!"
[11:00] <Anastasia> Shingo is quite excited, and sounds totally convinced.
[11:01] <Anastasia> "He gave me a present, even," he goes on.
[11:01] <Rei-chan> "Was it a piece of coal?" Rei asks.
[11:01] * Makoto snickers at Rei's line.
[11:01] * Usagi-chan grins at Rei's comment.
[11:01] <Anastasia> Shingo doesn't even insult Rei, a sure sign he's serious. "He gave me this," he says, holding up a small golden chain. It's one of those necklaces like a surfer boy might wear. "It's really cool!"
[11:02] * Usagi-chan walks over to Shingo to take a closer look at the chain.
[11:02] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, Usagi.
[11:03] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6
[11:03] * Musk-bot --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[11:03] <Rei-chan> 'Doesn't this sound like a Dark Kingdom plot?' Rei thinks, deciding to try and sense anything odd in the vicinity.
[11:04] <Anastasia> "Shingo, where did you really get that," Ikkuko asks, not buying his story.
[11:04] * Usagi-chan's eyes go wide as she looks at the chain. "Shingo, put that down. I don't know what it is, but I don't think it's good."
[11:05] <Anastasia> "No," he shouts, yanking it back to his pocket. "It's my Christmas gift!"
[11:05] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[11:05] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[11:05] <Usagi-chan> 'That chain is practically GLOWING with energy, guys.' Usagi thinks. 'We've got to get it away from him!'
[11:06] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[11:06] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[11:06] <Anastasia> "You want to steal it, fartbucket," he glowers at Usagi. "You can't have it!" he shouts as he runs upstairs.
[11:07] <Rei-chan> "That thing is magical," Rei says seriously, "And I doubt it's anything good."
[11:07] <Usagi-chan> "Shingo!" Usagi takes off after her little brother. "This isn't a joke!"
[11:07] <Anastasia> Running upstairs, you find the door to his room locked again...
[11:07] <Makoto> Makoto's eyes widen at the thought Usagi projects and also runs after Usagi and Shingo.
[11:07] <Anastasia> "What?" Ikkuko asks, also following.
[11:07] * Rei-chan sighs. "So much for the party," before following Usagi up the stairs.
[11:08] <Usagi-chan> "Shingo, we don't have time for this! Open the door, that chain is dangerous! You've got to get rid of it!" Usagi rams her shoulder into the door.
[11:08] <Anastasia> The door holds, the lock sturdy.
[11:08] <Rei-chan> "Let me, Usagi," Rei says, trying to unlock the door like she did before they fought Oxyite.
[11:08] <Anastasia> "No," he shouts out. You feel energy rising...
[11:08] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-1
[11:08] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-1 and gets 9."
[11:09] <Anastasia> The door holds soundly.
[11:09] <Anastasia> "Shingo, open up!" Ikkuko calls out nicely as possible.
[11:09] * Rei-chan sighs, refocusing herself and trying again.
[11:09] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6-1
[11:09] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6-1 and gets 6."
[11:09] <Anastasia> "NOOO!" he cries, this time his voice is deeper.
[11:10] <Anastasia> The door opens this time. Inside, bands of white/blue and red energy surround Shingo, setting both Mars and Moon's alarms off. As you watch in horror, Shingo begins to shift and change...
[11:10] <Anastasia> "SHINGO!" Ikuko shouts at the top of her lungs.
[11:10] <Rei-chan> "Oh, crap!" Rei says, pulling out an ofuda and throwing it at him with a quick "Akuryo Taisan!"
[11:11] <Anastasia> The bands of energy flash brightly... and fall into his body. The young boy screams as his body is ripped and altered by the flow of outside force.
[11:11] <Usagi-chan> "Mom, get out of here, NOW!" Usagi snaps before grabbing her locket. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[11:11] <Anastasia> The ofuda is batted aside by the flux of energy, unable to penetrate.
[11:11] <Rei-chan> "Mars Power, Make UP!" Rei quickly follows her leader's example.
[11:12] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense what kind of energy is affecting Shingo, and if she can recognise it from anything she's dealt with before.
[11:12] <Anastasia> As his body shifts, it becomes blue and muscular, like an icy giant. His eyes become black and his left hand becomes a massive club. Above, a hated voice echos. "Go, Shingo! Prove that your sister is a fake," Jadeite echos.
[11:13] * Makoto grimly does the same as she raises her transformation pen for the first time in a while and transforms, shouting, "Jupiter Power, Make UP!"
[11:13] <Anastasia> "U...sa..gii..." the humanoid grunts, lurching towards his sister!
[11:13] * Sailor_Moon scowls as she hears the voice of Jadeite. "I should have known..." She quickly turns to the transformed Shingo. "Shingo, don't do this! You can fight it, I know you can!"
[11:14] <Anastasia> He comes at Usagi and swings his mutated hand at his sister!
[11:14] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:14] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:14] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[11:14] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[11:14] <Anastasia> The swing misses, however.
[11:14] <Anastasia> "Kill them all, Shingo," The Dark General's voice echos in the room.
[11:15] * Sailor_Mars tries to sense if Jadeite is nearby, directing the action.
[11:15] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, Mars.
[11:15] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[11:15] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:15] * Princess_Herb goes to see what the commotion is upstairs
[11:16] <V-chan> 'Chain? Energy?' Minako's voice sounds in Usagi's head.
[11:16] <Anastasia> Ikuko screams. "SHINGO!"
[11:16] <Sailor_Mars> Trusting the others to deal with things, Rei opens the bedroom window and leaps onto the roof.
[11:17] <Anastasia> Initiative for all here who aren't jumping roofward.
[11:17] * Sailor_Jupiter stares at Mrs. Tsukino, before quickly yelling at her, "Mrs. Tsukino, get out of here! Shingo's not in control right now!"
[11:17] * Sailor_Moon watches Shingo warily. "Come on, Shingo-kun, it's Usagi! You don't have to do this! Fight him!"
[11:17] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[11:17] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 11."
[11:17] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:17] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[11:18] * Princess_Herb calls out "Dragon Prism Power Makeup!" and transforms into the silken-thighed fighter for love and justice, Sailor Dragon!
[11:19] <V-chan> 'Are you alright, Usagi-chan?' Minako asks again, after not getting an answer for a minute.
[11:20] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+2
[11:20] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+2 and gets 7."
[11:21] <V-chan> Not getting an answer again, Minako grabs her cell and calls Usagi's house.
[11:21] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[11:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 17."
[11:24] * Sailor_Jupiter frowns grimly at Ikkuko's lack of exit from the room at her prior yell. Remembering the woman at the park, she moves quickly to drag the worried mother out of the room, kicking and screaming if she has to.
[11:24] <Anastasia> Ikuko is stunned, and not able to offer any resistance.
[11:25] <V-chan> 'Usagi, what's wrong?' Minako yells mentally, panicking now.
[11:26] * Sailor_Jupiter quickly exits the room with Mrs. Tsukino, and stopping only once they're downstairs.
[11:27] <Sailor_Moon> 'No time!' Usagi's mental voice manages to grunt.
[11:27] * V-chan curses, and leaves the arcade, trying to look for either Usagi or Artemis and figuring the best place to start would be her home.
[11:30] <Sailor_Moon> "Shingo, you have to stop this! I don't want to hurt you!" Usagi shouts, examining the creature that was once her little brother for any sort of weakness.
[11:30] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+3
[11:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+3 and gets 12."
[11:31] <Anastasia> "U...sa...gi..." it grunts, again swinging its massive hand at the Moon girl!
[11:31] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[11:31] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[11:31] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[11:31] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[11:33] <Anastasia> The blow hits home, heavy force slamming into the side of Usagi. (16 damage)
[11:33] * Sailor_Moon grunts in pain as the blow knocks her from her feet.
[11:34] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[11:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[11:34] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+12
[11:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+12 and gets 18."
[11:34] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[11:34] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[11:35] * Sailor_Jupiter sits Mrs. Tsukino on a couch downstairs and tells her forcefully, "Stay here." Turning to the others in the room, she adds, "Make sure she stays here."
[11:35] <Sailor_Jupiter> With that, she begins to move back to Shingo's room.
[11:35] * Sailor_Moon grits her teeth as she struggles to her feet. "Come on, Shingo! Help me fight it! Moon Healing Escalation!" Usagi gestures with the Lunar Rod, sending a wash of sparkling white energy towards the creature!
[11:35] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[11:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[11:37] <Anastasia> The light engulfs Shingo...
[11:41] <Anastasia> His body shifts and glimmers... and Shingo Tsukino falls to the ground, human again!
[11:41] * Sailor_Moon runs over to Shingo's side, checking to make sure he's all right.
[11:42] <Anastasia> Shingo looks up at his sister. "U..sagi?" he whispers, tiredly.
[11:43] * Sailor_Dragon sees the energies sparkling outside as Mars fights Jadeite and goes to see if there's anything she can do
[11:43] <Sailor_Moon> Tears spill from the corners of Usagi's eyes. "Are you all right, Shingo?"
[11:45] <Anastasia> "Stupid...Dumpling Head. I'm fine," he says, smiling. That's something he hasn't done in awhile.
[11:46] * Sailor_Moon returns his smile, picking him up off the floor in a tight hug. "You scared me half to death, you little weasel!"
[11:47] <Anastasia> "I'm fine, and let go of me. You smell." he says quietly.
[11:48] * Sailor_Moon giggles as she lets go of him, wiping away her tears. "You're one to talk, tall, dark, and ugly." She rubs her sore side and winces. "You've got one heck of a right hook."
[11:50] <Anastasia> Shingo laughs a bit, worming his way out of your grasp. "Can we go have dinner now? I'm hungry."
[11:50] * Sailor_Jupiter arrives at the room and looks at Sailor Moon and Shingo, sighing in relief at Shingo's appearance. Looking around, she asks, "Where are Rei and Herb?"
[11:50] <Sailor_Moon> "Outside." Moon stands. "I think Jadeite is gone for good," she says quietly.
[11:52] * Rei-chan clambers in through the window, her cheeks a bit tearstained and her eyes red. "Jadeite... isn't a problem any more," she says quietly.
[11:53] <Sailor_Moon> "I thought so." Moon sighs and lets the transformation dissipate.
[11:53] * Princess_Herb follows Rei back inside
[11:54] * Sailor_Jupiter looks at Usagi's and Rei's expressions worriedly, but likewise detransforms.
[11:54] <Usagi-chan> "It looks like Shingo will be all right now." She turns to her little brother. "Why don't you go down and let Mom know you're okay?"
[11:54] <Rei-chan> "Come on. Everyone downstairs must be worried," Rei says, almost shoving her way to the door and heading downstairs herself.
[11:55] <Anastasia> "Yeah," he says, going out as well.
[11:55] <Anastasia> ---

[Halbarad]

[11:56] <Anastasia> When the group gets downstairs, Ikkuko immediately sweeps Shingo into a large hug.
[11:56] * Rei-chan gives a melancholic smile at the display of motherly affection, going to stand beside her grandfather.
[11:56] * Usagi-chan smiles as she sees the pair embrace.
[11:57] <Anastasia> "Now," Ikkuko says as she lets go of the boy, "How about dinner before it gets cold?"
[11:57] <Usagi-chan> "I'll second that!" Usagi grins.
[11:58] * Makoto shakes her head at the quick perking up of Usagi and her mother. 'Knew she had to get that perkiness from somewhere...'
[13:13] <Rei-chan> "Can you excuse me a moment, I have to go to the bathroom?" Rei says, before leaving the room.
[11:59] * Usagi-chan sticks her tongue out at Makoto.
[12:00] <Anastasia> Going into the dining room, a huge feast is spread out... meats, cheeses, dishes, fruits... all of it smells wonderful.
[13:13] <Rei-chan> "Can you excuse me a moment, I have to go to the bathroom?" Rei says, before leaving the room.
[12:01] * V-chan rings the doorbell, looking around cautiously.
[12:01] * Usagi-chan's eyes sparkle as she takes in the sight of all the wonderful food, completely entranced.
[12:02] <Anastasia> "I'll get the doorbell," Ikkuko says. "Don't start without me."
[12:02] <Anastasia> Grandfather Hino has already sat down, eyeing the more tasty dishes.
[12:02] <Usagi-chan> "Uh huh..." Usagi murmurs, still eyeing the massive spread.
[12:03] <V-chan> "Umm." Minako looks at Ikkuko with discomfort. "This might sound crazy -" She winces. "- but is Usagi in trouble?"
[12:04] <Anastasia> "She's alright," she says. "Come in," she smiles.
[12:05] <V-chan> "I don't know if I should." Minako looks down. "I just thought... she was thinking weird things, and... well...." She laughs suddenly. "There had to be a logical explanation. Of course."
[12:06] <Anastasia> "Oh, come in," she smiles. "We're about to eat dinner."
[12:07] * V-chan is unable to refuse Ikkuko, and enters.
[12:07] <Anastasia> "Usagi, you have another friend here now," Ikkuko calls as she enters back in.
[12:08] * Usagi-chan manages to break her attention away from the food long enough to recognize Minako. "Mina-chan!" She moves over and gives the blonde a hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going out of town?"
[12:09] <V-chan> "We're leaving after Christmas, like I said," Minako replies, awkwardly returning the hug. "I see you've done something to your hair," she continues lamely.
[12:11] * Usagi-chan gives Minako a wry grin. "Yeah, unfortunately I had to." She raises the braid a bit higher on her forehead to reveal the glowing crescent underneath. "It was this or a headband, and this looks WAY better than a headband."
[12:12] <V-chan> "I could fix it for you," Minako offers, before giving Usagi a tentative smile. "When I said I'd make you look the part, I didn't have a built-in flashlight in mind."
[12:13] * Princess_Herb looks up and shrugs. "I liked it the way it was before," she says to Ikkuko.
[12:13] <Princess_Herb> "It suited her."
[12:14] * Usagi-chan gives Minako a blank look for a moment, then shrugs. "I'll manage - the braid doesn't look too bad, I think. I'll just have to be careful in gym class."
[12:16] <V-chan> "If you ever change your mind, I'll be here." Minako winks at Usagi. "Me and my compact."
[12:17] <Usagi-chan> "I'll be sure to ask if I need any help." Usagi keeps sneaking darting glances over at the fully-laden table.
[12:17] <Anastasia> "Well, why don't you sit down, Minako?" Usagi's mom asks. "Dinner's ready."
[12:17] * Makoto waves at Minako cheerfully, "Minako! Long time no see!"
[12:19] * V-chan recoils in shock. "Makoto? You're up?" She glomps the brunette suddenly. "You're okay, Mako-chan! When Usagi told me, I mean, there was all that stuff and she said so much and I never thought -"
[12:20] * Usagi-chan giggles a bit as she sees Minako's assault on Makoto. "I guess we never had time to tell you she was awake again, Mina-chan."
[12:20] * Makoto blushes at the full contact and hugs back the blonde, saying, "Yep, I'm fine now, Minako..."
[12:21] <V-chan> "If I didn't think someone was wrong and came here, I wouldn't know about this..." Minako whispers, sighing in relief. "Sometimes I'm happy I'm such an airhead."
[12:21] <Makoto> "Hey, you're not an airhead! You were just worried, and I'm glad to have a friend like you, Mina-chan," Makoto says.
[12:23] <V-chan> "I don't have a Christmas present for you," Minako says mournfully, breaking off the hug. Then spotting a metal fork lying on the table, she takes it and asks Ikkuko, "Could I buy this from you, Mrs. Tsukino?"
[12:24] <Makoto> "Heh," Makoto says at hearing Minako's first part and feeling sheepish. "I don't exactly have gifts for anybody, so no need to feel bad."
[12:25] <V-chan> Getting Ikkuko's agreement and ignoring her strange glance, Minako concentrates, and a soft orange glow surrounds the fork, reshaping it.
[12:26] <V-chan> The glow becomes brighter and brighter, Minako having to cover the fork with her other hand. Eventually, it fades away, and she offers a golden rose to Makoto, its stem in the shape of a lightining bolt.
[12:28] * Makoto stares with shock at the rose, holding it gently. "T-thank you, Mina-chan!" Makoto stutters out, alterneting between looking at the rose and her friend.
[12:28] <V-chan> "It's a friendly gift," Minako clarifies, just in case.
[12:29] * Makoto nods dumbly, thinking, 'Usagi never said anything about this sort when she explained what'd been happening!'
[12:30] <V-chan> "I always knew alchemy was right," Minako laments, turning towards Usagi. "But the science teachers would never believe me. And they kept flunking me." She frowns. "It's kinda unfair, don't you think?"
[12:31] * Usagi-chan breaks off of staring at the table again. "Huh? Oh sure, Mina-chan..." she mumbles before turning her gaze back to the food. 'I wanna EAT already!!'
[12:32] * Makoto shakes herself out of her stupor and looks at Minako with a smile. Impulsively, she reachers for her ear and pulls off one of her clip-on rose earrings. "Here," Makoto says as she hands the clip-on to Minako. "An IOU until I get you a present back."
[12:39] * V-chan accepts the earring, replacing one of her own with it and gives Makoto another hug.
[13:14] * Rei-chan re-enters the room, her breath catching in her throat as she spots the latest arrival. "Mi-Minako?" she says tremulously, "I thought you left yesterday?"
[13:16] * V-chan whirls around, facing Rei. "Mom's... Mom's taking us after Christmas. We're leaving tonight."
[13:17] * Usagi-chan blushes involuntarily as her stomach audibly growls.
[13:18] <Rei-chan> "Ah... really?" Rei says lamely, taking a seat at the table. "It's... good, that you stopped by."
[13:18] <V-chan> "I was worried, but I guess it was nothing," Minako replies.
[13:20] <Rei-chan> "Jadeite attacked, so I suppose your intuition was good," Rei answers, trying to put up an air of calmness. "But we... we took care of it."
[13:21] <V-chan> "Ah," Minako says simply, unable to stop herself from thinking, 'I bet they're all glad I was late, then.'
[13:22] <Usagi-chan> "It's all fine now, Mina-chan. Grab a seat and then we can EAT!" Usagi grins.
[13:23] * V-chan isn't sure where to sit, settling at Usagi's left in the end.
[13:23] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that sounds good," Rei smiles for Usagi's benefit, starting in on the meal.
[13:24] * Usagi-chan practically attacks the food as soon as everyone is seated. "Mmmmf, 'sabout time!" she mumbles around a mouthful of ham.
[15:09] <Usagi-chan> ----------
[15:10] <Usagi-chan> After a wonderful late lunch, the senshi head out to the living room and the presents, while their families remain in the dining room to chat for a while.
[15:11] <Usagi-chan> "All right! Time for presents!" Usagi grins. "Who wants to go first?"
[15:11] * V-chan hangs to the back of the group.
[15:12] <Rei-chan> "Well, I'll hand out mine first," Rei offers, before adding, "Minako, I brought the presents you left for me and Usagi," and indicating the pink and purple packages.
[15:13] <V-chan> "I hope you'll like them," Minako says, adding, "even though they're not the real presents."
[15:14] * Rei-chan decides not to ask what the 'real presents' would have been, instead going over to the pile of green wrapped presents she had brought in. From the top of the pile, she takes a small but thick rectangular package and hands it to Herb. "Merry Christmas, Herb," she says, smiling.
[15:16] <Princess_Herb> "Thank you," Herb says, bowing to the Princess of Mars.
[15:16] * Princess_Herb opens the present...
[15:16] <Usagi-chan> "Come on, open it already!" Usagi giggles. "I want to see what she got you!"
[15:17] <Rei-chan> Underneath the wrapping paper is revealed a good sized hardback book, entitled 'Splendid Monarchy: Power and Pageantry in Modern Japan'. It seems to be an account of the invention of the modern Japanese state through displays of Imperial power and pageantry.... A complete blueprint of political manipulation indicating what happened and how modern Japan was, in several senses, created.
[15:17] <Rei-chan> "It seemed like the kind of thing you'd be interested in," Rei smiles, though thinking 'When not looking at perverted dojins, anyway...'
[15:18] * Usagi-chan places a hand over her mouth, blushing just slightly as she looks at Rei. 'Rei-chan!'
[15:18] <Rei-chan> 'I didn't say it, Usagi,' Rei sternly thinks back.
[15:19] <Princess_Herb> "Thanks very much!" Herb says and goes to get her present for Rei-chan.
[15:21] <Princess_Herb> Princess_Herb hands over a parcel of what Rei-chan's heightened sense can tell must be a pile of lovingly wrapped tankobon. "I asked you grandfather what you'd like, and he suggested this..."
[15:22] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei accepts the package, hoping her grandfather hadn't decided to play a prank at both her and Herb's expense as she tears off the wrapping.
[15:24] <Rei-chan> "Oh, I don't have these ones," Rei says in a pleased tone, "Thanks, Herb!"
[15:26] * Rei-chan sets the next present on her stack aside, since it's for the absent Ami. "This is for you, Mako-chan," she says, handing over the fairly clunky box shaped present.
[15:27] * Makoto blinks, and much like with Minako, feels a bit awkward, but takes the present. "Thanks, Rei-chan."
[15:27] * Makoto proceeds to carefully open the present.
[15:28] <Rei-chan> Opening the package, Makoto finds none other than the original George Foreman Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine! Perfect for preparing quick, low-fat meals for one or two people. The double-sided grill surface heats in less than five minutes to an even temperature perfect for grilling most foods.
[15:28] <Rei-chan> "I've heard those are really good," Rei nods happily, expecting Makoto to be thoroughly pleased with her gift.
[15:29] <Makoto> "Thanks, it should be fun to cook in here," Makoto says honestly.
[15:30] <Rei-chan> Knowing Makoto hasn't had the opportunity to buy any gifts lately, Rei moves on, picking up the largest present, a big flat rectangular package. "And this is for you, Usagi," she smiles at the blonde. "Merry Christmas."
[15:31] <Usagi-chan> "Wow, it's a big one!" Usagi proceeds to utterly shred the wrapping paper in a matter of seconds.
[15:31] <Rei-chan> Shredding the wrapping paper reveals a large framed painting, showing several very familiar figures. In the middle, Princess Serenity is clearly identifiable, sitting on the edge of a fountain, her expression one of relaxed mirth.
[15:31] <Rei-chan> Arranged around her, the four Sailor Senshi are also recognisable, all dressed in ballgowns of their distinctive colours. Rei (though with black hair) is kneeling on the ground just in front and to the left of Serenity, leaning against her knees. Minako stands behind Rei, idly toying with one of the Princess' long ponytails.
[15:31] <Rei-chan> On her other side, Ami sits with her body facing off the picture, her head tilted to face the painter while a hand trails in the water of the fountain. Above her stands Makoto, a hand resting on Ami's shoulder.
[15:31] <Rei-chan> In the background, a star filled sky is visible, with a slim crescent of blue and white, which could be the Earth, hanging in the sky. A signature in the bottom left identifies the artist as Yumeni Yumeno.
[15:32] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath. "Rei-chan... this is beautiful!" She carefully sets the beautiful painting aside and gives the miko a warm hug. "Thank you so much!"
[15:33] * Rei-chan blushes slightly. "I was able to track Yumeni-san down and asked her to paint it for you..."
[15:34] * Princess_Herb admires the painting. "You all look gorgeous in it, especially her majesty."
[15:35] <Usagi-chan> "It's going right across from my bed, so I'll see it first thing when I get up every morning." Usagi smiles.
[15:35] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei says wistfully, "I'm amazed she was able to get such good likenesses..."
[15:35] <V-chan> "Who is she?" Minako asks.
[15:36] <Usagi-chan> "She was one of the nijizuishou carriers, back before you met up with us." Usagi replies, still admiring the painting.
[15:36] <Rei-chan> "She was one of the rainbow crystal carriers, like my grandpa and Ryo-kun."
[15:37] <Usagi-chan> "All right! It's time for your present, Rei-chan!" Usagi pulls out a rather small box wrapped in red with a tiny purple bow on top.
[15:37] * Rei-chan quickly and efficiently tears off the wrapping paper to reveal the present underneath.
[15:39] <Usagi-chan> Inside is a pendant in the shape of a phoenix in flight, picked out in three-tone gold. The detailing is extensive, the flames that compose the mythical bird's wings almost seeming to leap and flicker in the light; a small ruby marks the bird's eye.
[15:40] * Rei-chan puts a hand to her cheek, "It's beautiful..." she gasps, holding it up so she can examine it from all angles.
[15:41] <Usagi-chan> "I just knew it was perfect for you as soon as I saw it, Rei-chan." Usagi smiles.
[15:41] <Rei-chan> "I love it!" Rei replies, giving Usagi a quick hug, before donning the pendant, still admiring it.
[15:42] <Usagi-chan> "Okay! My turn!" Usagi draws a small rectangular package, wrapped in green and pink, from the pile of presents before handing it to Makoto. "I hope you like it, Mako-chan!"
[15:43] <Makoto> "I'm sure I will, Usagi," Makoto says with a smile as she takes the present and carefully takes off the pretty wrapping so as not to ruin it.
[15:45] <Usagi-chan> Inside is a cookbook of Jamaican recipes. "I didn't even think about it, but this will actually go great with Rei's gift. I know you like trying out new recipes and stuff, and this looked REALLY good."
[15:47] <Makoto> Makoto's smile lights up as she scrolls through it and sees many of the dishes are grilled. "Thank you Usagi. I'll make sure you're the very first to have something I make from this book."
[15:48] * Usagi-chan beams as she gives Makoto a hug. "And you've already given me your present - the best thing is just having you back with us."
[15:48] * Makoto blushes. "Thanks Usagi."
[15:49] * Usagi-chan nods. "Now, this one is for you, Herb!" Usagi hands a somewhat larger package to Herb, in pink and blue paper.
[15:49] * Princess_Herb takes the package and carefully opens it. "Thank you, Usa-chan."
[15:50] <Usagi-chan> The package contains a book of photo essays of a number of temples and ancient sites around Tokyo and Kyoto. "I remembered hearing you say once that you really liked the way Rei's temple looked, so I thought you might like something like this." Usagi smiles.
[15:52] <Princess_Herb> "They're beautiful. Thank you again, Usa-chan!" Herb smiles broadly and hands Usagi her own present. It's a large soft parcel, containing some kind of cloth from the feel of it
[15:53] * Usagi-chan opens this package a bit more carefully, making sure not to tear whatever is inside.
[15:54] <Princess_Herb> Princess_Herb has given Usagi-chan her own silk t'ai chi outfit, embroidered with dragons
[15:55] * Usagi-chan giggles. "It's wonderful, Herb-chan! Thank you!" 'Now I won't have to wear that scratchy old thing I bought myself any more...'
[15:56] <Rei-chan> "It certainly looks nice," Rei agrees, nodding.
[15:58] <Princess_Herb> "I asked your mother for your sizes and to keep it secret!"
[15:58] * V-chan twitches.
[15:58] <V-chan> 'I knew it,' she thinks to herself darkly.
[15:58] <Usagi-chan> "She did a good job with it then." Usagi smiles. "I had no idea!"
[16:00] * Makoto raises an eyebrow. 'You'd think Usagi would be a bit bothered by a guy other than Mamoru knowing her sizes...'
[16:00] * Usagi-chan goes bright red.
[16:01] * Rei-chan looks at Usagi curiously. "Usagi? Your face is all red. What's up?"
[16:01] <Princess_Herb> "I have something for the lovely Sailor Jupiter as well." Herb says, fetching a large parcel from under the tree.
[16:01] * Usagi-chan merely shakes her head as she thinks to Rei. 'Don't ask... just don't ask.'
[16:02] <Princess_Herb> "Here, Makoto. I'm beginning to spot a theme in your gifts, but I think it's a good one"
[16:02] <Rei-chan> 'Is it about Herb knowing your three sizes?' Rei asks with a mental smirk.
[16:02] * Usagi-chan growls low. 'Watch it, Rei,' she fumes mentally.
[16:03] * Makoto thanks the prince as she accepts the gift and opens it.
[16:03] * Rei-chan sniggers. 'Hit a nerve did I?'
[16:04] * Usagi-chan crosses her arms and looks away from the priestess, not bothering to reply.
[16:04] <Princess_Herb> Makoto's present is an ice-cream maker, with a book of recipes to go with it. "You have Usagi as a friend, so you'll need plenty of ice-cream. The lady in the store said that this one was the best there was!"
[16:05] <Rei-chan> 'I suppose you're right to be concerned...' Rei notes idly, 'I mean, Herb is hardly the most discrete person... how long before everyone knows Usagi Tsukino's three sizes?'
[16:05] <Usagi-chan> "Rei!" Usagi turns to glare at the white-haired girl.
[16:05] <Rei-chan> "Usagi?" Rei replies with an innocent tone.
[16:06] * V-chan looks at the two in confusion.
[16:06] <Makoto> "Thanks Herb," Makoto says with a grin. "I'm sure Usagi loves my present too."
[16:06] <Usagi-chan> "Don't play innocent with me!" Usagi huffs, oblivious to Makoto.
[16:07] <Rei-chan> "Okay, I'll stop," Rei pouts. "Besides, for that kind of uniform, he probably just asked about your height."
[16:07] <Princess_Herb> I'm sorry I didn't bring your present over, V-hime, but I thought you would be away tonight."
[16:08] <Usagi-chan> "Well, don't scare me like that!" Usagi pouts. "I didn't know that."
[16:08] <V-chan> "It's alright," Minako says with a shrug. "I wasn't really expecting any."
[16:09] <Rei-chan> "I wasn't going to say anything, but then when you blushed I couldn't resist," Rei says, grinning.
[16:09] * Usagi-chan merely sticks her tongue out at Rei, pulling down one eyelid as she does so.
[16:10] * Rei-chan retaliates in kind, making a loud "Biidah!" noise as she does so.
[16:11] <Princess_Herb> "It wouldn't do for you to be the only senshi not to get a present! Not at all!" Herb says with feeling. "But it will have to wait until you come back, I'm afraid."
[16:12] * V-chan takes the pink package out of the two remaining, and hands it to Usagi. "I thought it'd fit nicely with the other one. What I really got you." She looks at Usagi worriedly. "I don't know if they delivered in time, because it had to be custom made, and they said it would take time...."
[16:13] * Usagi-chan gives Minako a puzzled look. "I got the, um, other stuff already, if you mean the packages from Osa-P. Is there something else coming?"
[16:14] <Rei-chan> "Hmm?" Rei holds a finger against her lips as she looks at the two in mild confusion.
[16:14] * V-chan sighs in relief. "She made it in time, then. I'm so glad." Smiling, she points at the pink package. "This is the second part."
[16:15] * Usagi-chan opens the package somewhat slowly, hoping that it's not quite so... extravagant as her other gifts.
[16:16] <V-chan> Inside it a light-blue dress which has a bodice studded with rhinestones, with a narrow strap running around the back of the neck. The back is low-cut, and the full-length skirt flares slightly as it drops from the hips. Matching elbow-length silver-colored gloves and a pair of high-heeled shoes are also included.
[16:16] * Usagi-chan gasps as she stands up, holding the dress against herself to see how it looks. "It's beautiful, Mina-chan!"
[16:17] * V-chan blushes. "When I saw a similar dress, I knew that with a few changes, it'll work really well."
[16:18] * Usagi-chan lays the dress on the couch next to her painting and gives Minako a hug. "Thank you so much, V-chan!"
[16:19] * V-chan returns the hug. "Maybe I'll get to see you wear it, when I return."
[16:20] <Usagi-chan> "I'll be sure to wear it just for you." Usagi smiles.
[16:21] * V-chan smiles in return. "I wanted you to have something that wasn't a leftover from your past life. Something that wasn't holding you back, but taking you forward."
[16:22] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "Yeah... thanks, Minako." She says quietly, but with a smile.
[16:23] * V-chan lets go of Usagi, and stares at the purple package for a long while. "I guess it's obvious who this is for," she says lamely.
[16:24] <Rei-chan> "Ah, yeah..." Rei says, equally lamely.
[16:24] <V-chan> "It doesn't actually go with the song," she tells Rei, handing her the package, "But I thought you'd be stunning in it."
[16:26] <Rei-chan> "I listened to your song," Rei says, keeping her emotions in check, "It was very beautiful," she finishes, almost choking but keeping it in as she slowly opens the package.
[16:27] <V-chan> "Thanks," Minako whispers, looking away. "It had a very beautiful inspiration."
[16:27] <V-chan> Inside the purple package is another outfit, though much different than the one Usagi got.
[16:28] <V-chan> It's a spaghetti-strap dark-purple velvet dress, which has a bodice with ruffled decolletage; the back is cut low. The arms and chest are covered by a light, sheer organdy of a lighter shade of purple, with diamond-studded cuffs at the wrists and neck. The skirt has twin slits, reaching to the hip, and covers a sheer light-pink underskirt which reaches to the floor. Completing the attire are a shawl of that same light pink shade, and red high-heeled shoes.
[16:29] * Rei-chan holds the dress against her, looking down at herself. "It's gorgeous..." she says, slightly awed.
[16:31] <V-chan> "I liked your presents," Minako says, subconsciously brushing a finger against the necklace she wears. "Your and Usagi-chan's."
[16:32] * Rei-chan notes the gesture. "I'm glad..." she says softly.
[16:32] * Usagi-chan simply smiles.
[16:32] * Rei-chan replaces the dress in the box, and puts it with her other gifts.
[16:34] <V-chan> "So, what do you guys think of that new Sailor Moon game?" Minako asks suddenly.
[16:34] <Princess_Herb> "What new Sailor Moon game?" Herb asks, puzzled
[16:35] <Rei-chan> "We had words with Artemis about that..." Rei mutters darkly.
[16:35] * Usagi-chan smirks. "So did Luna."
[16:36] <V-chan> "Is something wrong?" Minako asks, glancing at Rei. "You didn't like it?"
[16:37] <Usagi-chan> "Did you play it at all?" Usagi asks.
[16:37] <Rei-chan> "Artemis shouldn't use us like that without permission. Besides, he was a secret character in the game, and totally overpowered... I'd like to see him take on the next enemy by himself," Rei huffs.
[16:38] * Makoto blinks and laughs. "Did his secret character have a bazooka?"
[16:38] * V-chan holds up a T-shirt, and gives a victory sign.
[16:38] * Princess_Herb looks at the t-shirt
[16:38] <Rei-chan> "I will admit the game was fun," the miko concedes, "But it doesn't change that Artemis shouldn't do stuff like that behind our backs."
[16:39] <Princess_Herb> "Ack! My seifuku's never that short! And my titties, I mean, my bust aren't that huge!"
[16:39] <Rei-chan> "Artemis was able to kill nearly everyone with a single claw-swipe," Rei tells Makoto. "The game was a nightmare for Mars and Moon, but the little cat breezed through it easily."
[16:39] <Usagi-chan> "Now you know why we had a little talk with Artemis." Usagi grumbles. "It's not like those skirts aren't short enough already."
[16:40] <V-chan> "But they're so cool!" Minako exclaims. "Isn't that why you guys fight in them, too?"
[16:40] <Makoto> "Why would anyone play the cat if he's so easy, then?" Makoto asks dubiously. "It's no fun then..."
[16:40] <Princess_Herb> "You all look a bit more *mature*, though," says Herb, thoughtfully looking at the Moon Princess on the shirt.
[16:41] * V-chan notices Herb's stare, and hides the shirt with a frown.
[16:41] <Rei-chan> "It does save money..." Rei replies to Makoto, "Usagi and I went through quite a bit of tokens to beat the game..."
[16:41] * Usagi-chan nods. "I can't BELIEVE how many times I died on that one stage." Usagi sighs.
[16:42] <Makoto> "Eh, but where's the fun?" Makoto says waving Rei's answer off. "I'd rather waste tokens on a good challenging game, than just waste through a simple easy game..."
[16:43] <Usagi-chan> "That's why Artemis in the game was so annoying." Usagi grumbles. "He did more damage than Moon did just by clawing people!"
[16:44] <V-chan> "Did you guys try to playing as Nephrite?" Minako asks, looking at Usagi and Rei. "He had lots of cool evil powers."
[16:44] <Usagi-chan> "I didn't know you COULD play as Nephrite - was he another secret character or something?"
[16:44] <Makoto> "Wait...you can play as the bad guy?" Makoto asks surprised.
[16:45] * V-chan nods. "You can, if you cheat."
[16:45] <Usagi-chan> "I tried playing as Tuxedo Kamen my second time through." Usagi makes a face.
[16:45] * V-chan grimaces as well, saying, "I feel your pain," before clamping a hand over her mouth.
[16:46] * Usagi-chan giggles. "It's okay, you can say it."
[16:47] <V-chan> "He's annoying and I never liked him," Minako says, obliging Usagi.
[16:48] <Usagi-chan> "He's back in town, you know." Usagi sighs.
[16:49] <V-chan> "I'm sure our enemies will be cowed by his presence," Minako says lightly, though her eyes narrow. 'Does the bandage still hold?'
[16:50] <Usagi-chan> 'No, I think it went when I got this.' Usagi draws the rose in its vase out of her subspace pocket, handing it and the accompanying note to Minako. 'It hasn't really bothered me though, so I guess I'm over it.'
[16:51] * V-chan scans the note quickly, and frowns. "Do you want me to delay my trip, Usagi-chan?" she asks, looking at the other blonde's face. "I'm sure Mom will understand."
[16:51] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "You go ahead, Mina-chan - I'll be fine." Usagi smiles weakly. "I think I can deal with him now."
[16:52] * V-chan nods. "Usagi... I was going to ask for it when I returned, but can I have my watch back?"
[16:53] * Usagi-chan nods, drawing the communicator and pen from her pocket and handing them to Minako. "I meant to wrap them up and give them back to you in a present, but I forgot to." She blushes slightly.
[16:55] * V-chan takes the communicator, and deposits it in her subspace pocket instead of wearing it. Then, she looks at the pen.
[16:56] <V-chan> "Keep it for a little while, Usagi-chan," she says finally. "I want to show everyone that I don't need it to get into Mugen."
[16:58] * Usagi-chan takes it back and nods. "All right, but I'm giving it back to you as soon as you pass your entrance exam." Usagi smiles.
[16:59] * V-chan smirks. "It's a pen that does my homework, so of course I'll need it back afterwards!"
[17:00] * Usagi-chan grins. "Makes me wish I had a pen instead of this locket!"
[17:02] <V-chan> "I won't mind if you use it for now," Minako offers with a shrug.
[17:03] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "That's okay, I'll manage on my own. At least I don't have to worry about my next entrance exams until next year." Usagi sighs.
[17:04] <V-chan> "You could always transfer to Mugen, too!" Minako smiles. "It'll be lots of fun!"
[17:05] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, I already KNOW there's no way I'd get into Mugen. It's okay though, I like Juuban."
[17:06] * V-chan shrugs. "I'm sure you'll change your mind next year. Escalator schools are really neat, and the uniforms at Mugen are very cute!"
[17:08] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I guess we'll see next year... no WAY I'm taking a test any time before I have to." Usagi grimaces in distaste.
[17:10] <V-chan> "So, umm--" Minako looks around. "--I think I should get going. I wanted to go rent a karaoke booth or something, before my folks take me to some places without those."
[17:11] * Usagi-chan nods. "Enjoy your vacation, Mina-chan. And stop by when you get back! I'll miss you." Usagi gives Minako a final hug.
[17:12] * V-chan hugs Usagi back, and then gives Makoto a hug as well. With a wave at Herb and a long glance at Rei, she finally leaves.
[17:14] <V-chan> ----------
[11:36] <Anastasia> Okay.
[11:38] <Anastasia> Arriving home late from the party, Princess Herb is rather tired. Her body is still sore in a few places, and she didn't get quite as much sleep as she would have wished last night.
[11:41] <Anastasia> In the living room, you see Ryuu, Mint and Lime. The latter two are keeping their distance from him while Ryuu is on the couch. He is awake, although he looks tired.
[11:42] * Princess_Herb calls for hot water from her loyal servants.
[11:42] <Anastasia> The warrior looks up, surprised. "Hello, ma'am," he says politely. "Are you the lady of the house?"
[11:43] <Anastasia> Your servants leap up, going to get the water so requested.
[11:43] <Princess_Herb> "Eh? No, I'm Herb, same as before. This is my cursed form, I'm afraid," Herb says, knowing that Ryuu must have come across Jusenkyo in his studies of Draconic lore.
[11:44] <Anastasia> Pause. Blink. Blink. Blink. "Um....I see," he manages, tearing his gaze away from your bosom. "Jusenkyo?"
[11:48] <Princess_Herb> "I had a sort of accident while I was visiting for, um, research purposes. A monkey I was using in my researches splashed me. This is the result." Herb says, striking the tragic hero pose.
[11:49] <Anastasia> Ryuu nods. Your servants return, with the hot water they keep on hand. A splash later...
[11:54] <Prince_Herb> "As you see, I bear my curse with dignity and without complaint..." Herb says, eying his servants sharply so that they don't disagree straight off the bat.
[11:54] <Anastasia> "Indeed," he nods. "I see... that you won again," he says, moving on. "At least that's what my ribs tell me."
[11:56] <Prince_Herb> "Yes, you fell unconscious a few seconds before I did, so I think I can claim a moral victory." Herb says, with a lopsided attempt at a grin. It's lopsided because he's trying to avoid sparking off the pain from where Ryuu elbowed him in the face again.
[11:57] <Anastasia> "As I promised... I will show you the scrolls you seek," he goes on, leaning back into the plush couch.
[11:59] <Prince_Herb> "For which I thank you. Perhaps the next time I challenge you, though, we should play chess. These fights are getting dangerous!"
[12:00] <Anastasia> Ryuu smiles, despite the pain in his ribs. "Indeed. I still can't understand how that last blow didn't knock you out..." he sighs. "I thought I'd won then."
[12:02] <Prince_Herb> "You very nearly had."
[12:04] <Anastasia> He sighs. "At any rate, when do you wish to see the scrolls?"
[12:05] <Prince_Herb> "It's late, though, and we both need rest. If you have no objection, I'll turn in now, and we can go and examine your father's scrolls tomorrow morning. And, in exchange, I'll show you some of our Musk fighting techniques that may help you."
[12:05] <Anastasia> He nods, smiling. "I would be grateful. Thank you."
[12:06] <Anastasia> ---
[12:06] <Anastasia> The night passes quickly, slumber coming rapidly.
[12:07] <Anastasia> After a light breakfast, you are off. In one of the many upper middle class wards and neighborhoods of Tokyo, Ryuu has a small house and dojo. It's squeezed in terminally space-hamstrung Tokyo, but it's there.
[12:08] <Anastasia> Leading you into the traditional Japanese interior, he motions you on. "I live here alone, so you don't need to worry about making noise," he says.
[12:10] <Prince_Herb> "Do you teach here?" asks Herb, looking at the dojo
[12:11] <Anastasia> "Not yet. I plan to one day," he says as you go past the main room and out a back kitchen door. "but I'm still learning so much myself. I don't need the money, so... I'd rather train."
[12:12] <Anastasia> The dojo is a medium sized affair, taking up most of the property.
[12:12] <Anastasia> Inside, wood flooring and various martial arts weapons and symbols hang tastefully.
[12:14] <Anastasia> On the back wall, a rack of scrolls sits, several of them. All of them seem to promise new martial mastery to you... relics of a bygone master who left his skills behind.
[12:16] <Anastasia> "This is it," Ryuu comments. "On that wall, the records my father left me are waiting for me to be ready and worthy."
[12:16] <Prince_Herb> Prince_Herb inspects the decor and nods in approval. "It's a very fine place you have here, Ryuu. I wish I had something like it, but luxury apartments with integral dojo are thin on the ground here in Tokyo."
[12:18] * Prince_Herb inspects the tags hanging from the scrolls, looking for the Scale-breaking manouevre.
[12:19] <Anastasia> Walking up, Ryuu shuffles through the scrolls a moment, picking one out as you look at them. "I think this is it... it's a rather advanced skill," he comments, handing the scroll to you.
[12:20] * Prince_Herb nods and opens the scroll. He gulps. "So I see... Your father devised this technique? He must have been a genius."
[12:20] * Prince_Herb puzzles his way through the technique.
[12:20] <Anastasia> "Indeed. I can barely understand the basic chi flows involved... let alone the major parts of it," he sighs.
[12:21] <Anastasia> The skill described is on an extremely high level. Someone who made and perfected this skill was very good, no doubt.
[12:22] <Prince_Herb> "This is going to be hard. Very hard."
[12:22] <Anastasia> "It isn't one you learn in a few days," he agrees.
[12:24] <Anastasia> "I've only mastered a few basic skills, like the Fire Blow I used when we battled," he goes on. "It's not even a noteworthy skill from this collection."
[12:25] * Prince_Herb gets out his notebook and begins to make notes so that he can work on the technique later. "He must have been quite a man, your father."
[12:27] <Anastasia> "He was," Ryuu agrees, "an incredible warrior. I hope to live up to him."
[12:29] <Prince_Herb> "I should be honoured to help you. It's a worthy goal. I have other duties that keep me from training full-time at the moment, but I'll spar with you when I can." Prince_Herb offers his had to the other fighter. "Friends?"
[12:30] <Anastasia> He looks at your hand and smiles. "Sure, why not? I need to win my sword back sooner or later," he laughs.
[12:30] <Anastasia> He takes your hand in a strong, firm grip.
[12:31] <Prince_Herb> "I won't make it easy." Herb says, smiling
[12:32] <Prince_Herb> "Now, let's get to work!"
[12:32] <Anastasia> ---
[08:49] <Anastasia> After spending the later afternoon cleaning up the various messes made. Usagi got stuck doing dishes, resulting in a long bit of work for her.
[08:50] <Anastasia> It's past six PM whem it's all finally done. Shingo is napping in his room while your parents sit in front of the TV and relax.
[08:52] * Usagi-chan heads into the living room, flopping down on the couch between her parents. "Thanks for letting me have the party today, Mom." Usagi gives her mother a tired smile.
[08:56] <Anastasia> "Sure, Usagi," she nods. "And the house is still standing and the carpet isn't ruined, so I think it was a good day."
[08:58] * Usagi-chan looks over at the tree, the last few gifts still piled underneath it. "Oh man... I just realized I haven't even given YOU your presents yet!" Usagi gets up and heads over to the tree, picking up the two small packages in silver and gold and handing one to each of her parents.
[08:59] <Anastasia> "You didn't have to, Usagi," Kenji says as he shakes his present a bit. He smiles despite that.
[09:01] <Usagi-chan> "I hope you like it, Daddy." Usagi waits, knowing she'll have to explain her father's present once he opens it.
[09:01] <Anastasia> Ikkuko is the first to open hers, tearing off the wrapping paper...
[09:03] <Usagi-chan> Inside is a box, containing a pair of simple round gold earrings. "Those once belonged to Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, Mom. I thought it would be cool to give something of my past mother to my current one." She smiles, giving Ikkuko a hug.
[09:05] <Anastasia> "Oh, Usagi... they are beautiful," she smiles, hugging her back.
[09:07] <Anastasia> As you hug your mother, Kenji opens his gift as well.
[09:08] <Usagi-chan> Inside Kenji's box is a small plastic canister, containing a roll of film.
[09:08] <Anastasia> "Um...Thanks, Usagi," he says, a bit confused. "I'll be sure to use it soon."
[09:11] * Usagi-chan giggles. "It already is used, Daddy - you just need to get it developed. I didn't do it myself because they probably would have wondered how I managed to get those particular pictures. I took a camera up to the Moon and took some pictures of the ruins." Usagi smiles. "There's a really cool shot of the Earth rising through the windows in there, I think."
[09:12] <Anastasia> "Shots of the Moon?"
[09:13] <Usagi-chan> "Shots ON the Moon. You'll see when you get the pictures developed."
[09:15] <Anastasia> He nods, a bit surprised.
[09:20] <Usagi-chan> "I guess I'll give Shingo's to him when he gets up - it's not wrapped though." Usagi frowns a little.
[09:22] <Anastasia> ---
[09:42] <Anastasia> It's a few days past Christmas... Makoto's vitality has slowly recovered from her coma. The Tsukino household was a pleasant place to rest, even if one of the tenants was annoying.
[09:43] <Anastasia> But, life goes on, and that includes a return to school...
[09:43] <Anastasia> Walking back to class, you find that several people stare at you as you go through the halls. When your first class teacher arrives...
[09:44] <Anastasia> "Miss Kino," she begins after her lookover of the class, "You've been gone for quite a while. Do you have a note from the guidance office?"
[09:48] <Makoto> "No ma'am," Makoto replies, not wanting to go into details just now if not needed.
[09:48] <Anastasia> "I'm afraid that since you were gone so long that you'll need permission to reenter classes, Makoto," she says.
[09:50] <Makoto> "Oh," Makoto states, a bit dissapointedly. She'd faintly hoped her absense could have just pushed out of sight somehow. Ah well. "...I'll go to the guidance office then."
[09:51] <Anastasia> "Thank you, Makoto. I'll have your make up work ready tomorrow, once you hand me the note," she nods.
[09:52] * Makoto thanks the teacher and walks back out of the room, closing the door behind her. Heaving a sigh, Makoto walks to her doom.
[09:52] <Anastasia> In the guidance office, a girl behind the desks gets you to sign in and says you'll be seen shortly.
[09:53] * Makoto crosses her fingers as she signs in, thinking, 'Please let Mrs. Suzuki be busy, please let Mrs. Suzuki be busy, please let...' over and over again.
[09:54] <Anastasia> "Miss Kino, Ms Suzuki will see you now," the girl finally announces, after a long wait.
[09:56] <Makoto> '...FUCK!' Makoto curses mentally with a frown, and with her head down, walks into Mrs. Suzuki's office.
[09:58] <Anastasia> The old lady fixes you with her glare the moment you enter. It's not a good feeling to have those eyes on you. "Miss... Kino... oh yes, the gang banger," she says. "You seem to have been cutting school the last few weeks." She holds a folder and reads out of it.
[10:02] <Anastasia> "I'm amazed you even came back from your den of juvenile deliquency and drugs," she goes on. "To disgrace our school again!"
[10:04] <Anastasia> Her old voice is shrill as she accuses you of things you would never do in your right mind. What a piece of work...
[10:05] * Makoto glares back. "I am -not- a gang banger or a drug user, Mrs. Suzuki. For your information, the reason I've been absent is that I was attacked. I've been recovering all of this time."
[10:05] <Anastasia> "By a rival gang, of course," she nods. "Do you have a doctor's note, maybe?"
[10:05] * Makoto doesn't go into the facts that her recovery was more of a coma.
[10:09] * Makoto rolls her eyes at her insistence of a rival gang. Did the woman not listen when she said she wasn't in a gang? "I don't have a doctor's note, but I should be able to get one," Makoto says, hoping she can get Ami to do her a favor.
[10:09] <Makoto> She didn't mention Usagi or her mom, yet, not if she didn't have to. She didn't want Usagi to have to deal with the nutcase.
[10:10] <Anastasia> "I bet," she laughs harshly. "Can you really? You're probably just making that up!"
[10:12] <Makoto> "I am -not- making it up," Makoto says defiantly. "If I bring in a doctor's note, will that be enough to satisfy you?"
[10:12] <Anastasia> "If it's a real one, and not some made up gang thing," she says.
[10:15] * Makoto frowns. "I'll get her business card along with the note, Mrs. Suzuki. You can contact her yourself if you need to," Makoto states with a confident tone.
[10:16] <Anastasia> "Ha," she chortles. "Now get out before you bring your MARIJUANANA into here!"
[10:19] * Makoto bristles at the accusation, but stands her ground. "Mrs. Kiromoto asked that I be given a note granting me permission to go back to class," she forces out, not liking having to stay in that room any longer now that she'd been dismissed.
[10:20] <Anastasia> "You won't get one without a note," she smiles. It's not a nice smile, though. "Until I see a note, you're just another gang member who got dropped from school."
[10:21] * Makoto growls under her breath, but nods. "Fine."
[10:22] * Makoto walks out of the office, resisting the temptation to slam the door behind her.
[10:26] <Anastasia> ---
[10:27] * Makoto shakes off most of her anger, and instead finds herself feeling some trepidation as she walks over to Ami's classroom. While she could have waited for after school, she wants to get this over with.
[10:28] <Makoto> Knocking on the door to Ami's classroom, she slides the door open and peeks her head in. "Sorry, could I borrow Ami for a while?"
[10:28] <Anastasia> The teacher looks up. "Ami, there is someone here for you."
[10:28] * Ami looks up, surprised.
[10:29] * Makoto waves a bit nervously at Ami, "Heya Ami."
[10:29] * Ami rises quickly and meets Makoto outside the door. "What's going on? Is it another attack?"
[10:31] * Makoto shakes her head, as she walks away from the classroom and any prying ears, "No, I needed to talk to you, Ami."
[10:32] <Ami> "Ok," Ami says, following closely.
[10:33] <Makoto> "You know how I've been unco...wait, of course you know," Makoto starts babbling before taking a deep breath and rushing out, "Ineedyoutosuckeryourmomintowritingmeadoctor'snoteformyabsence."
[10:33] <Ami> "...What?"
[10:33] * Ami looks confused.
[10:34] <Makoto> There, she'd said it, Makoto thought happi... damn.
[10:34] <Makoto> "I wanted to know if you could ask your mom to write me a doctor's note," Makoto said more slowly.
[10:35] * Makoto cringes, thinking of what Ami will have to go through to convince her mom to write a fake note.
[10:36] <Ami> "Oh!" Ami says. "So you can get back into class, right? That won't be a problem." She looks embarrassed for a moment. "I had forgotten all about that."
[10:37] * Makoto looks a bit confused. "No... problem? But Ami, how are you going to convince your mom? You can't exactly tell her why I... oh..."
[10:38] * Makoto looks a bit thoughtful. "Did you tell your mom like Usagi did?"
[10:38] <Ami> "Oh?"
[10:38] <Makoto> "About, you know, the senshi?"
[10:39] <Ami> "Yes. Everyone but Minako did. And my mom did look you over when we got you back. Didn't anyone tell you?"
[10:39] * Ami looks confused.
[10:39] <Ami> "I mean, you're asking for a note from that, right?"
[10:40] * Makoto shakes her head. "No, I only knew about Usagi."
[10:40] * Makoto looks sheepish at that. "Actually, I was kinda expecting you to beg your mom to fake one. Sorry..."
[10:40] <Ami> "Oh." Ami looks pensive.
[10:44] * Makoto suddenly smiles as she realizes all her problems are gone. She almost shouts, "In your face, bitch!" but controls herself, remembering they're still on school grounds. Instead, she decides to celebrate by picking Ami up into a strong hug. "Thanks Ami!" she says.
[10:45] * Ami turns beet red. "Er, y-you're, welcome?"
[10:49] <Makoto> Setting the smaller girl down, Makoto asks, "Well, I'm guessing you'll want to go back to class. So you're sure it's okay to just go ask her for a doctor's note?"
[10:49] * Makoto figures she might as well go now and ask, just to rub it in Mrs. Suzuki's face as soon as possible.
[10:50] * Ami calms her breathing, a hand over her chest. "Yes. It shouldn't be a problem."
[10:53] <Makoto> "Well, I'll see you later then. Again, thanks," Makoto states, her smile still sunny.
[10:53] <Ami> "Yes, see you later, Mako-chan."
[10:54] * Ami small-waves to the departing girl, wondering what she's so happy about.
[10:57] <Anastasia> ---
[11:03] <Anastasia> Tokyo Hospital isn't too busy when you go to find Dr. Mizuno, at least. The receptionist at the front desk is helpful, saying she'll page the doctor and for you to have a seat in the lobby.
[11:04] * Makoto nods her thanks and goes take a seat, waiting for the doctor to show up.
[11:06] <Anastasia> You sit. None of the magazines in the lobby take your interest, nor is anyone nearby to chat with. You stare at a nearby window, idly daydreaming...
[11:10] <Anastasia> "OUCH!" a man behind you yelps. "Damn stupid static electricity!" A business man complains, 4 chairs down from you.
[11:13] * Makoto ignores the cry from the man as she settles into her pleasant daydream, muttering, "Oh Kazan, those are lovely flowers..."
[11:15] <Anastasia> "DAMN!" A woman calls out. "You're right, this place is crawling with static electricity!" she complains. "This is the third time I've been shocked in five minutes!"
[11:15] * Makoto blinks, hearing the cry this time, and blushes, realizing she must somehow have been responsible.
[11:16] <Anastasia> Sure enough, the entire lobby is complaining of static electricity now. All seven people besides you are grousing about it.
[11:17] * Makoto desperately tries to figure out how she's doing this, before she does something dangerous.
[11:18] * Makoto closes her eyes in concentration and tries to focus on her powers.
[11:20] <Anastasia> You feel the electric enegy of the room subside... and feeling it, you do think you were the cause.
[11:21] * Makoto bites her lower lip in worry. She was beginning to recall Rei saying how she set the headmaster's desk on fire just by thinking of it. This was worse though. She hadn't even been thinking about anything...
[11:22] <Anastasia> "Makoto," Your thoughts are disrupted by Dr. Mizuno. "The receptionist said you needed to see me?"
[11:25] <Makoto> "Oh, Dr. Mizuno!" Makoto states a bit startled before recovering and responding to her question. "Yes, uhm, my school says I needed a doctor's note for me to go back after my...uhm, extended absence."
[11:26] * Makoto blushes a bit. While Ami said that her mom knew about the senshi, she was still a bit uncomfortable talking over the matter with other people.
[11:28] <Anastasia> "I see. Certainly, Makoto," she smiles momentarily. "Tell you what...I'll get some hospital stationary and do that for you right now."
[11:33] * Makoto sighs in relief and thanks her. "Oh, if you have a business card, could you give me that as well? My advisor thinks...err, crazy stuff about me, and I need some way for her to contact you so she doesn't think it's a fake note."
[11:33] <Anastasia> "I can put my office number on the paper," she says.
[11:34] <Makoto> "Thank you," Makoto replies, hoping that'll be enough.
[11:36] <Anastasia> She nods, and goes off. A few minutes later she comes back with a folded note. "That should do it. I'd like to talk, but I just got paged walking back. If you'll pardon me," she says with a quick nod.
[11:37] <Makoto> "That's fine. Thank you very much for your help," Makoto replies before giving a small bow.
[11:39] <Anastasia> ---
[11:44] <Anastasia> By the time you reach school again, it's getting onwards towards noon. The halls are still quiet, as classes haven't quite let out yet.
[11:45] <Anastasia> In the guidance office..."Makoto?" Kazan asks, sitting up in his chair behind the office desk. "Hey, where have you been?"
[11:48] * Makoto blushes at the sight of Kazan, remembering her daydream earlier. "Oh, uhm, I was recovering from an... accident, Kazan. I'm here to give Mrs. Suzuki my doctor's note so I can come back to school."
[11:48] <Anastasia> "Oh, are you okay? You've been gone for weeks," he says, concerned.
[11:48] * Makoto is not quite sure why, but she didn't want to say she was attacked to him.
[11:49] * Makoto smiles at his concern. "I'm fine, thank you."
[11:59] <Anastasia> "Great," he smiles. "I was really worried, no one knew where you went off to."
[12:00] <Makoto> "Sorry for having worried you. Look, I'll talk with you later, I want to give Mrs. Suzuki the doctor note before school ends, alright?"
[12:01] <Anastasia> "Ooooh. Good luck," he says. "She's been crabby lately."
[12:03] <Makoto> "If it was as of this morning, I'm probably to blame," Makoto says with a shake of her head and a smile. That said, she knocks on the office door.
[12:05] <Anastasia> "Come," the old hag says. "Back already?"
[12:06] <Makoto> "I have your doctor's note," Makoto says with a triumphant smile.
[12:06] <Anastasia> "Really? Show it to me," she commands.
[12:08] * Makoto does just that, as she puts the note in front of the woman forcefully, though not quite slamming it into her desk.
[12:08] <Anastasia> The wrinkled woman picks it up and reads it, flopping it open with as much force as she can muster.
[12:09] <Anastasia> "It looks real enough," she finally admits. "Go talk up front for the note," she concedes. "And don't let me catch you again, you gangbanger."
[12:10] <Makoto> 'YES! Sayonara, hag!' Makoto thinks as she walks out with a smile and heads back to the front to get her note.
[12:11] <Anastasia> "You escaped alive," Kazan comments. "So she didn't try to call the police on you or something?"
[12:11] <Makoto> "I think she wanted to, but that doctor's note proved I wasn't cutting," Makoto says happily.
[12:12] <Anastasia> "Heh. One for the good guys," he says with a honest smile.
[09:03] <Makoto> "Yep!" Makoto chirps cheerfully.
[09:05] <Anastasia> "About time," he replies. "I think Ms. Suzuki got a kid thrown out this week. It's a good sight to see her shut down again."
[09:09] <Makoto> "Bah, she should just retire already. But anyhow, enough about her. I feel like celebrating, and since I don't want to go back to class just yet, there's a shade under a tree calling out for me, my bento, and the arm of a young man to keep them company!"
[09:13] <Anastasia> Kazan's face lights up with a wide smile. "Yeah, I think I can get away from this desk right about now."
[09:16] <Makoto> "Why, Kazan, whoever said you were the young man in question?" Makoto asks coyly before sticking out her tongue at him.
[09:19] <Anastasia> The young man huffs for a moment, then blinks. "Er....Wishful thinking?"
[09:22] * Makoto giggles and leans down a bit to kiss Kazan in the forehead. "You're a cute guy, you know that, right?"
[09:22] <Makoto> "Now, c'mon, let's celebrate!" she says dragging him away.
[09:23] <Anastasia> He doesn't put up much of a fight as you get him away from the office, you note.
[09:24] <Anastasia> ---
[09:25] <Anastasia> You debate going outside, but it is rather cold...
[09:27] <Anastasia> Instead, you find a nice table in an empty classroom. It's a bit big, but it's nice and private...
[09:29] <Anastasia> "So...," Kazan goes on, catching you up on three weeks or so of gossip. "That's why Aiko is so embarrassed these days,".
[09:30] <Makoto> "Y'know, I never figured you for a gossiper," Makoto says with a raised eyebrow, but thankful for the news nonetheless.
[09:30] <Anastasia> "It's something to kill the time. One of the new girls in the office likes to talk, and it's something to listen to," he blushes a bit.
[09:38] * Makoto shakes her head at Kazan's blush with a smile.
[12:14] <Anastasia> ---
[09:30] <Anastasia> It's the 29th, several days after Christmas. Things have returned to normal, with no youma or criminals to bother Usagi. Is life finally going back to... being bearable?
[09:31] <Anastasia> It's lunch hour at school, Naru and Umino chatting along with you as you munch your lunch.
[09:31] <Anastasia> The relaxation of lunch is broken by Miss Haruna calling for you, sadly.
[09:31] <Anastasia> "Usagi," she calls, poking her head into the room. "There's something for you in the school office."
[09:32] * Usagi-chan looks rather puzzled. "Wonder what it could be?" She waves to Naru and Umino and heads down the hallway to the school office.
[09:33] <Anastasia> Entering the school office, you find what is probably the problem - A set of twenty four red roses, bound in a wicker vase. It sits on a side table.
[09:34] * Usagi-chan stops rather suddenly at the sight of the roses, just staring at them for a minute.
[09:35] <Anastasia> "Oh, Miss Tsukino," one of the office secrateries knows you by sight, "These came for you." she says, pointing a pen at the roses.
[09:36] * Usagi-chan slowly walks over to the large bouquet, looking for something like a card or note.
[09:36] <Anastasia> Tucked in amoung the roses is a small, folded card. "To my beloved: May we meet again soon - Your knight in shining armor."
[09:38] * Usagi-chan sighs, pocketing the note as she looks over at the secretary. "Is it okay if I leave these here for now? I don't know where I could put them in my classroom."
[09:38] <Anastasia> "I was going to ask you to do something with them after school," she nods. "Not to take them to class."
[09:39] * Usagi-chan nods. "I'll pick them up on my way home then." Usagi gives her a half-hearted smile and heads back to her interrupted lunch.
[09:41] <Anastasia> Getting back to class, Naru and Umino immediately grill you. "What was that about, Usagi-chan," Naru asks. "Yeah, did you get in trouble again?" Umino follows up.
[09:43] <Usagi-chan> "No, I'm not in trouble again!" Usagi snaps, then deflates a bit. "Sorry, I'm just a little edgy right now. I got flowers from someone."
[09:43] <Anastasia> "Flowers? Usagi has a special friend, doesn't she," Naru smiles, a bit halfheartedly. Umino just hmmphs and looks away.
[09:45] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I'm just... not sure who they're from."
[09:46] <Anastasia> "A secret admirer?" She gasps. "How romantic..."
[09:47] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah..." Usagi doesn't sound too enthused with the idea, however.
[09:48] <Anastasia> "Any idea at all who it is," Naru presses. "Maybe you'll have a romantic date with this person..."
[09:49] <Anastasia> Naru sighs. "You're so lucky, Usagi..."
[09:49] * Usagi-chan doesn't reply, lost in thoughts of Mamoru and Endymion and the last conversation they'd had.
[09:50] <Anastasia> As lunch finishes, Usagi finds herself lost in thought the rest of the day... until a fateful meeting at the ice cream parlor...
[09:51] <Anastasia> Sitting down at the Crown Arcade in front of a sundae and Motoki makes the world somehow right-er...
[09:51] <Anastasia> "You look down today, Usagi," he notes as he puts down your favorite frozen treat.
[09:52] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." Usagi starts spooning the ice cream into her mouth, the large arrangement of roses sitting on the counter next to her.
[09:53] <Anastasia> "Something to do with the flowers, I'd guess. Bad date?"
[09:54] <Usagi-chan> "You could say that. Someone's trying to make up after a bad date, is more like it."
[09:56] <Anastasia> "So you have a boyfriend now," he smiles as he polishes the counter.
[09:56] <Usagi-chan> "I'm... not sure." Usagi wavers.
[09:58] <Anastasia> "Really?" He smiles, and opens his mouth again, but something surprising comes out. "Hi, Mamoru! Finally back from vacation?" Turning, you see Mamoru Chiba standing behind you. He wears a green T-shirt and slacks and is quite tanned.
[10:00] <Usagi-chan> The color drains from Usagi's face as she turns to face Mamoru, her mouth suddenly dry as a bone. "Hi, Mamoru." She manages to get out.
[10:01] <Anastasia> "Hello, Usagi," he smiles, all charm and none of the normal standoffishness that you saw from him for so long.
[10:01] <Usagi-chan> "Looks like you, um, enjoyed your vacation." Usagi says, taking in his tanned frame.
[10:02] <Anastasia> Reaching into his pants pocket, he nods. "Yeah, I found myself," he says as he takes out a small jewelry box. "This is for you," he says, putting it in your stunned hands. "I'll see you soon, okay?" he walks out with a final smile at Usagi.
[10:03] * Usagi-chan just holds the box, staring at it for nearly a full minute.
[10:03] <Anastasia> "...Usagi...?" Motoki's voice nags the edge of your stunned awareness.
[10:04] * Usagi-chan shakes her head slightly, making her pigtails dance. "Huh? Oh, sorry 'niisan, I must have spaced out there for a minute."
[10:05] <Anastasia> "Is your boyfriend MAMORU?" he asks, surprised and a bit stunned himself.
[10:07] <Usagi-chan> "Like I said, I'm not exactly sure." Usagi drops the jewelry box inside her bag without opening it, collecting the roses from the counter. "I'd better get going, Motoki. I'll see you later." Usagi hurries out of the arcade without waiting for a reply, headed for her house.
[10:07] <Anastasia> ---
[10:09] * Usagi-chan struggles with the door to her house, trying not to drop the large flower arrangement. Finally managing to get the door open, she announces her arrival. "Mooom, I'm home!"
[10:09] <Anastasia> Looking around, you see that the house is empty. Damn. You remember that your Mom had a late luncheon and a day out with some friends...
[10:12] * Usagi-chan closes the door behind her, carefully carrying the flowers up the stairs to her room where she places them on her desk. That done, she flops down on the bed to stare at them for a minute. 'Why did this have to happen NOW? I was just getting used to things being quiet again...'
[10:14] * Usagi-chan fishes in her bag, pulling out the jewelry box and giving it a hard stare, as if daring it to make a move. After a minute of so during which the box remains completely inanimate, she finally opens it.
[10:16] <Anastasia> Inside is a small necklace, studded with diamonds and sapphires. It shines in the light, white and blue. A note beneath is reads - "The Gray Moon and the Blue Earth meet again. I love you."
[10:18] * Usagi-chan lets the hand holding the box fall to her lap as she falls back flat on the bed. "But who do you mean, Mamoru? Do you love me? Does Endymion love me? Or does Endymion love Serenity?" Usagi shakes her head.
[10:22] <Usagi-chan> -----

[Halbarad]

[10:59] <Anastasia> ---
[10:59] <Anastasia> A few days after Christmas...
[11:00] <Anastasia> "Oh, USAGI!" Naru starts to greet you when you walk in, but is taken aback by your new hairstyle.
[11:01] * Usagi-chan waves cheerily, then gives Naru a puzzled look. "Hi... Naru-chan? What's wrong?"
[11:02] <Anastasia> "You changed your hair, that's what's up," she replies, surprised.
[11:03] * Usagi-chan touches the braid and smiles. "I just thought I'd try something a little different, that's all."
[11:05] <Anastasia> Naru dashes over, rapidly inspecting your hair from all angles. "Wow...it's different, alright."
[11:06] <Usagi-chan> "What, you don't like it?" Usagi looks a bit disappointed.
[11:09] <Anastasia> "It's like a hair tiara or something," she says, leaning in close to your forehead to get a closer look.
[11:10] <Anastasia> "Well, I like it," Umino says, walking up.
[11:10] <Usagi-chan> "I guess, kinda." Usagi gives a short laugh and hopes the braid doesn't move around much while Naru is giving her the once-over. "Thanks, Umino-kun."
[11:11] <Anastasia> Naru even gives it a curious poke, but it stays in place, while Umino breaks into a grin. "Well," Naru goes on, "It's not bad...just different."
[11:13] <Usagi-chan> "It's definitely different. I'm still getting used to it myself." Usagi checks the fastening for the braid, making sure it's not going to slip around or anything.
[11:14] <Anastasia> It's secure. "At least you didn't hack it all off," Naru comments. "That would have been terrible!"
[11:15] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, no WAY I'd ever cut it! I love having my hair long like this." Usagi smiles. "But anyway, enough about my hair! What did you end up doing while we had all that time off from school? And how did Christmas go?"
[11:17] <Anastasia> Naru sighs a bit. "I spent it all working in the Osa-P since the holiday season is so busy," she comments. "No free time at all." "Yeah," Umino butts in, "I couldn't even get Naru out of there when I came over," Naru looks annoyed at this, sweatdropping. "There wasn't but a few people there, though. Oh well."
[11:19] * Usagi-chan giggles. "What were you doing at the Osa-P, Umino? I can't see you being a big jewelry shopper."
[11:20] <Anastasia> "I came over to visit Naru," he says. "I made a lunch for her and everything!"
[11:21] <Anastasia> Naru sweatdrops again, and looks a bit embarrassed.
[11:21] * Usagi-chan grins. "How sweet of you!"
[11:22] <Anastasia> The brown haired girl sends you a quick, dagger filled look. Before you either of you have a chance to say anything else..."Good morning class! Take your seats, you three," Miss Haruna says as she walks by. "I have your test results here from last week."
[11:23] * Usagi-chan quickly heads for her seat, still grinning. Umino's crush on Naru was just so CUTE...
[11:24] <Anastasia> Putting her things down, Miss H takes out a set of papers. "Usagi Tsukino?" she calls out first.
[11:24] * Usagi-chan raises her hand, dreading the inevitable lecture. "Yes, Miss H?"
[11:27] <Anastasia> She walks over and puts your test paper face down on your desk. "Usagi, do you have anything to tell me?" she says in her suspcious teacher voice, looking into your eyes.
[11:27] <Usagi-chan> "Um... no?" Usagi sweatdrops, wondering what the heck this is all about.
[11:27] <Anastasia> "Are you SURE?" she presses, an inch away, face to face.
[11:28] * Usagi-chan draws back slightly to keep their noses from touching. "I... think so..." 'What did I do wrong THIS time?'
[11:29] <Anastasia> She goes back, straightening back up and walking away to the next des to hand out more test papers.
[11:29] * Usagi-chan turns over the paper carefully, hesitant to get the bad news.
[11:30] <Anastasia> Written on top of the paper in red ink: 65. D.
[11:31] * Usagi-chan blinks. "I... passed?"
[11:32] * Usagi-chan looks at the paper closely to make sure she didn't misread it.
[11:32] <Anastasia> You did, by the look of it. It's a 65, D.
[11:34] * Usagi-chan jumps out of her chair, waving the test paper around. "Oh my god, I actually PASSED a math test!"
[11:37] <Anastasia> "Yes, you did, Usagi," Miss H comments. "A miracle has occured."
[11:39] * Usagi-chan dashes over to her teacher and gives her a giant bearhug. "Thank you, Miss H!"
[11:45] <Anastasia> "Gah!" she gasps as you clutch her. The entire classroom is watching in a state of shock. "Usagi PASSED?" one student says. "It's the end of the world!" Naru comments back.
[11:45] * Usagi-chan releases Miss H and twirls her way back to her seat, giggling all the way. "I passed my math test, I passed my math test..." she repeats in a singsong voice.
[11:50] <Anastasia> ---
[09:07] <Anastasia> December 28th... Christmas came and went, and with it the end of Jadeite.
[09:08] <Anastasia> Yes, things are finally settling down...the last few days have had no massive battles, life or death struggles or Hellish invasions.
[09:08] <Anastasia> Walking home from school, Ami runs into another one of those damn Mau.
[09:09] <Anastasia> "Hi, Ami," Luna cals from the fence above. The black cat is staring down at you, as usual.
[09:10] <Ami> "Hello Luna," Ami calls back, smiling at the dark-haired cat.
[09:11] <Anastasia> Luna hops down from the fence. "Usagi got detention again, even though she knew I was waiting for her after school," the cat sighs.
[09:12] * Ami kneels to pick up the cat. "That's Usagi for you."
[09:13] <Anastasia> "Yep," the Mau agrees. "It's just a miracle she didn't get a triple detention this time," Luna comments.
[09:13] * Ami chuckles.
[09:14] <Anastasia> "So," she says, curling into Ami's warm arms, "Things look to be finally calming down."
[09:15] <Ami> "I hope so," Ami says, walking once more. "First Beryl and Metallia, then all these other people show up. We could use a break."
[09:17] <Anastasia> Luna snuggles in deeper. "Hopefully, we'll have a long break after this," she agrees. "I think that some of the girls are close to the breaking point."
[09:18] * Ami nods, thinking of all the stress everyone has been through. "So, how was your Christmas, Luna?"
[09:19] <Anastasia> "It was good. Usagi had a party at her house...you heard about that and Jadeite," she asks.
[09:19] * Ami nods.
[09:21] <Anastasia> "I'm glad that he's dealt with before he could cause any more trouble. If something had happened to Shingo..." the cat sighs.
[09:21] * Ami pats the kitty. "But nothing did happen. So let's put it behind us!"
[09:24] <Anastasia> "I guess," she says. "There are still a few more out there, though, but they haven't turned up."
[09:26] <Ami> "And hopefully they will not. And if they do..." Ami shrugs. "We'll deal with that as it happens, I guess."
[09:32] <Anastasia> "Yes...Say, Ami," Luna squirms to look at your face. "I wanted to ask you something."
[09:32] <Ami> "Oh? What is it, Luna?"
[09:35] <Anastasia> "Are you worried about Usagi at all?" she asks.
[09:37] * Ami blinks, taken aback by the question. "What do you mean? Is she in trouble?"
[09:38] <Anastasia> "She's been under a boiler of pressure and problems... I'm worried that it might boil over," she admits.
[09:41] <Ami> "Oh," Ami says, both relieved and sadened at once. "Yes, I have thought of that. But she's holding up like a champ so far. Better than I could have under the circomstances."
[09:44] <Anastasia> "Yeah," the cat says. "But if it does blow..."
[09:45] <Ami> "If she does blow we'll be there to help her pull herself back together. That's what friends are for, you know?" Ami says in a quiet voice.
[09:46] <Ami> "Of course, making sure she doesn't blow in the first place would be good as well."
[10:10] <Anastasia> "I'm afraid something worse will happen if Usagi does break down," Luna says finally, staring off. "Look at what happened with Minako...on a much grander scale."
[10:11] * Ami winces. "That... would be bad. Very bad."
[10:13] * Ami sighs. "But what can we do to stop it? These problems aren't just going to go away if we ask nicely."
[10:14] <Anastasia> "I think with time Usagi will wind down, it's just a matter of having enough of it."
[10:16] <Ami> "Time," Ami mutters. She shakes her head. "I don't really think we have much of that, Luna."
[10:16] <Anastasia> The cat goes on. "If Mamoru stays away, no more criminals attack, Minako doesn't snap and if no new threat comes..." she sighs.
[10:17] <Ami> "That's a lot of ifs."
[10:18] <Anastasia> "Too many," Luna agrees. "I want to plan, in case... the worst does happen."
[10:19] * Ami nods silently.
[10:22] <Anastasia> "What to do, though... Ami, you've known Usagi the longest of the girls. Any ideas?" the cat sounds hopeful that you'll have some breakaway idea.
[10:24] <Ami> "About the criminals, there isn't really anything we can do. I can't control when they show up. Maybe we'll get lucky and that others have fled?" Ami doesn't sound too convinced of that, though.
[10:25] <Ami> "And Mamoru, there's just no avoiding that. Unless you want to jump him and lock him away for a few weeks?"
[10:28] <Anastasia> "I hope so..." she says, nodding. "And maybe he'll stay in Hawaii a while longer."
[10:29] <Ami> "And maybe the sun will raise in the west," Ami puts in. "We can't do much with maybes, Luna."
[10:32] <Anastasia> "I know, I know," she repeats. "Are we nearly to your house, yet," the cat asks as you walk on.
[10:33] <Ami> "Still a bit to go," Ami says.
[10:34] <Anastasia> "Mmmm, but yes. What if Usagi totally loses it? Minako came close, but she retained control on the end? What if... she..."
[10:37] <Ami> "Snaps? Loses control? Goes an a rampage?" Ami says, a bit of heat in her voice. "I don't know, Luna. I can't, and I mean can't, see her doing something like that. But that might be easier to deal with than the depressions she goes into. I don't want to see her hurt herself."
[10:38] <Anastasia> "Yes... and for once, I'm glad she lost her Crystal," the Mau comments.
[10:40] * Ami shakes her head.
[10:40] <Ami> "If we had the crystal we might have avoided a lot of this."
[10:41] <Anastasia> Luna falters for a moment. "Perhaps," she admits.
[10:42] <Ami> "What's done is done. We just keep moving ahead I guess. Can you keep an eye on Usagi for me?"
[10:42] <Anastasia> "I was planning to," she notes.
[10:44] <Ami> "For me, Luna," Ami smiles.
[10:44] * Ami glances up, spotting her apartment building.
[10:44] <Anastasia> "Of course," she smiles back.
[10:44] <Ami> "We're almost home."
[10:45] <Anastasia> Luna moves, hopping out of your arms. "I probably should get home now. Usagi won't be in detention forever, even if Miss Haruna is running it," she chortles. "Let's keep our fingers crossed."
[10:46] * Ami visibly crosses her fingers. "Done."
[10:47] <Anastasia> Luna nods, smiling before she runs off.
[10:48] * Ami heads to her apartment, the smile slipping from her face.
[10:51] <Anastasia> ---
[10:24] <Anastasia> December 30th... Life has settled down from the terrible last few months. Between studying and your temple duties, the last few days have passed quickly.
[10:25] <Anastasia> It's about 4 PM as you sweep the courtyard... your mind a million miles away from the mundane task.
[10:26] <Anastasia> Rei doesn't even take note of the girl approaching until she says, "Rei...Rei?"
[10:26] <Rei-chan> "Hm?" Rei blinks a few times, coming out of her reverie and looking up at the new arrival.
[10:27] <Anastasia> Your vaguely good mood is slashed by the apperance of Kotono, dressed in the uniform of T*A. "Hi, Rei," she says hesitantly.
[10:29] <Rei-chan> "Ah!" Rei stumbles a little. "Kotono... it's ah, been a while... how've you been?" she asks lamely.
[10:30] <Anastasia> "Yeah, it's been awhile. I'm doing okay," she says, blushing.
[10:32] <Anastasia> She stammers on. "Um...so, how are you post T*A?"
[10:33] <Rei-chan> "I'm glad you're doing okay," Rei says, smiling for her benefit. "I've been spending most of my time studying lately. I'm trying to get into Mugen Gakuen now, and the entrance exams are next week."
[10:33] <Anastasia> "Oh, right... right, since you got..." she says, fishing for a way to break through the ice. "Anyway, I wanted to talk to you."
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "Ah... sure... " Rei nods slowly, deciding she should at least be a good hostess, "Why don't we go inside? I was meaning to take a break soon anyway."
[10:36] <Anastasia> "Sure," she says. As you walk down, she blurts, "How's Minako?"
[10:37] <Rei-chan> Rei's expression tightens. "Minako and I broke up," she says, leaving her broom by the door as she leads Kotono to her room.
[10:38] <Anastasia> "Oh... um... I see," she manages as you enter your room. She sits down politely. "Well... I wanted to talk to you, Rei."
[10:39] * Rei-chan sits down opposite the other girl. 'Please, please, please say you've given up on me,' the miko begs silently, even as she asks "What did you want to talk about?"
[10:39] <Anastasia> "About... you," she says, not meeting your eyes. "I wanted to say I'm sorry."
[10:40] * Rei-chan sighs. "You have nothing to apologise for, Kotono."
[10:41] <Anastasia> "No... I had a big part of why you got kicked out of T*A and had your reputation there trashed," she says.
[10:41] <Anastasia> She stares at the carpet. "I wanted to personally apologise for that... have you talked to anyone else from T*A since you left?" she asks quietly.
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "No. What have they been saying?" Rei asks guardedly. 'Surely it can't be worse than all that crap about me being the 'creepy psychic girl' that I've been putting up with for years...'
[10:45] <Anastasia> "Lesbian witch, mostly, along with pervert girl and pyro. The rumor mill had a field day with what happened," she sighs. "Once your expulsion for 'perversion' was announced, it just exploded."
[10:46] <Anastasia> Kotono idly moves her finger across her skirt. "It's still a hot rumor, even now."
[10:46] * Rei-chan slumps. "Well, not like I lost any friends over it... I was never very close to anyone at that school." Even so, it still hurts...
[10:47] <Anastasia> Kotono slumps herself when you say you weren't close to anyone there, like a slap across her face. "Yeah... Rei the lesbian witch girl..."
[10:49] * Rei-chan notices Kotono's reaction. "Well come on, Kotono, we weren't that close. We talked a bit and said hello if we saw each other, but how often did we ever do stuff together? How much do we really know about each other? That's why I was so surprised when you confessed."
[10:50] <Anastasia> "I know," she admits, still staring at the ground, the wall, anything but you. "It still hurts, though."
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "I'm sorry for that, Kotono," Rei says earnestly. "I don't want to hurt you, or anyone else... it's just something I have a knack for," she finishes, slightly bitterly.
[10:52] <Anastasia> Kotono doesn't reply, instead looking away from you. "Rei... I think I'll go now," she says quietly. "I hope you find someone, okay?" she gets up, making a point not to look at you.
[11:26] <Rei-chan> "Wait!" Rei says, scrambling to her feet and grabbing the other girl's arm.
[11:27] <Anastasia> "Rei," she asks, looking away, but her voice wavering.
[11:30] <Rei-chan> "Ah, look... I know I'm useless at this kind of thing, but I want you to know I don't blame you at all for my getting expelled. That was purely mine and Minako's fault." 'Mostly Minako's...' "I don't want you thinking I hate you or anything, because it isn't true."
[11:32] <Anastasia> "...Rei..." she says, slowly turning to you. Her eyes are full of unshed, barely held tears. "Thank you... for saying that."
[11:33] <Rei-chan> Impulsively, Rei gives Kotono a quick hug, though being careful to keep body contact to a minimum. "I'm no good to anyone right now, Kotono-chan, but I'm sure you'll find someone who can love you like you deserve."
[11:34] <Anastasia> Kotono nods, tears beginning to falls down her face. "Silly me... I'm crying again," she whispers, wiping her face with her hand. "I should go now, really," she gets out, leaving.
[11:35] <Rei-chan> "Good luck, Kotono-chan," Rei says as she leaves, feeling a bit better than she did last time she and Kotono parted.
-------
[12:28] <Anastasia> New Year's Eve. The Western New Year is something of an event in Japan now, as Western influences have creeped in.
[12:29] <Anastasia> Despite that, it's not a huge day. School goes on for Usagi, the events of Mamoru still in her mind.
[12:31] <Anastasia> As you walk home, you find yourself drawn to a park bench, somehow not ready to go home. Those roses are still around, as well as that necklace...
[12:31] * Usagi-chan sits down on the bench, lost in thought as has become somewhat usual for her over the past couple of days.
[12:32] <Anastasia> Looking up at the winter sky, you see the moon is out early in the dusk. It faintly glows as darkness begins to creep in...
[12:33] * Usagi-chan thinks of the past as she gazes up at what used to be her home, smiling wistfully at some of the memories.
[12:34] <Anastasia> The breeze blows lightly, stirring the air a bit... It's getting cold, you notice.
[12:35] * Usagi-chan shivers slightly, her light sweater not quite enough to keep out the chill in the air. Rubbing her arms for a little extra warmth, she stands up, preparing to head for home - and the roses.
[12:36] <Anastasia> As you walk out of the small park, you see Mamoru sitting on a bench on the other side of the park, wrapped in a warm, black winter jacket. He is staring at the Moon as well, and lost in his own world.
[12:37] * Usagi-chan's breath catches in her throat as she sees Mamoru. Pausing only for a moment to collect her wits, she quickly hurries out of the park, hoping he won't notice her.
[12:38] <Anastasia> Mamoru doesn't get up, and shows no signs of having seen Usagi.
[12:38] <Anastasia> ---
[12:38] <Anastasia> Once home, you begin to relax a bit. Dinner smells good, and you don't have that much homework.
[12:39] <Anastasia> As you enjoy video gaming, you hear the doorbell ring and your mother goes to get it.
[12:41] * Usagi-chan glances over at the door as her mother answers it.
[12:41] <Anastasia> "Usagi, you have a visitor," she calls from the doorway.
[12:42] <Usagi-chan> "Who is it?" Usagi calls back, wondering if she needs to put her braid up first.
[12:45] <Anastasia> "He says he's a friend," she shouts back.
[12:45] * Usagi-chan shrugs, tying her braid in place to conceal the mark before she goes to answer the door.
[12:47] <Anastasia> On the front step is Mamoru, in the same black jacket as before. He smiles at you. "Hi, Usagi."
[12:48] <Usagi-chan> "Oh..." Usagi's face falls a bit. "Hi, Mamoru."
[12:49] <Anastasia> "Want to go for a walk," he asks. "The Moon is pretty tonight."
[12:50] <Usagi-chan> "Um... sure, I guess. Just let me go get my coat." Usagi disappears from the doorway and pops her head into the kitchen. "Erm... I'm going out for a few minutes, Mom. I'll try to be back before dinner though."
[12:50] <Anastasia> "Okay, Usagi," she nods.
[12:51] * Usagi-chan heads back to the door, only stopping to pick up a white winter coat from the hall closet before heading outside to join Mamoru.
[12:52] <Anastasia> You walk outside with him, going down the street. "How have you been, Usagi," he asks.
[12:53] <Usagi-chan> "Uh... all right, I guess. We were kind of busy while you were gone, but things seem to have quieted down now."
[12:54] <Anastasia> "Yes, I thought you would be able to handle things," he says, putting his hands in his jacket pockets.
[12:55] * Usagi-chan stops in the street where she is. "Look, I can't put this off any longer, Mamoru. You nearly scared me to death in that cafe before you left - you almost sounded like you were half-crazy. What's going on with you? I have to know!"
[12:57] <Anastasia> Mamoru turns, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight. "Yes... It's been a long road," he begins. "When I regained all my memories, I regained EVERYTHING. I didn't know what to do at first... it was unbearable."
[12:58] <Usagi-chan> "I know the feeling, a little anyway." Usagi sounds slightly mollified. "I got a pretty big chunk of my own memories back while you were gone."
[12:58] <Anastasia> "I remembered dancing with you in the Royal Palace step in step with bowing before Queen Beryl... it was so many worlds clashing."
[12:59] <Anastasia> "So I left... and I found myself," he goes on, his smile growing.
[12:59] * Usagi-chan remains silent, letting the black-haired man continue.
[13:01] <Anastasia> "It's been so long, Princess," he grins. "I missed you, and I fell in love with you again as Usagi and as Sailor Moon."
[13:05] <Anastasia> He gently takes Usagi's hand. "I don't know how much you remember of the past, but I know you remember the present...and I care about you, no matter if you are Usagi Tsukino or Princess Serenity. It doesn't really matter to me anymore, it's still the same person."
[13:08] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I... I'm just... I'm not even sure who I am anymore, Mamoru. There's just been so much that's happened..."
[13:10] <Anastasia> "It's okay. No matter who you end up as, you'll still be you," he says, squeezing your hand.
[13:12] <Usagi-chan> "And then YOU show back up without even announcing yourself, and start sending flowers!" Usagi spits somewhat angrily. "For all I knew you were still crazy, or evil and trying to get me off my guard... it's had me worried half out of my mind!"
[13:13] <Anastasia> He smiles despite this. "I thought about that...but I couldn't stop myself from some means of showing my love," he admits. "And...I was a bit nervous, too."
[13:15] <Usagi-chan> "I just.. don't know if I can do this right now." Tears begin to run from the corners of Usagi's eyes. "There's just so much going on in my head right now... I can't handle this on top of everything else."
[13:16] <Anastasia> "Trust me," he says, not letting his smile waver, "I can understand that. Do you need some time?"
[13:16] * Usagi-chan nods in reply, sobbing brokenly. "I'm sorry..." she whispers.
[13:17] <Anastasia> "It's okay," he says soothingly, patting your back gently, drawing you into a loose hug. "I understand that now just as much as you do, about having too much going on mentally."
[13:19] * Usagi-chan doesn't reply, simply crying in Mamoru's arms.
[08:48] <Anastasia> Usagi's tears finally run their course as she is held by Mamoru, all her grief, worries and stress flowing outward.
[08:49] * Usagi-chan finally manages to step back from Mamoru, wiping the tears from her face with the sleeve of her coat. "I'm sorry..." she whispers.
[08:49] <Anastasia> He smiles a bit lopsidedly. "It's fine, Usagi," Endymion says.
[08:52] * Usagi-chan turns her face up to the dark-haired man, a pleading look in her eyes. "Just... I need some time, okay?" She takes another step back from him.
[08:53] <Anastasia> "I understand," he nods. "I'll be around, so you can look me up when you're ready."
[08:54] * Usagi-chan nods slowly and turns away from Mamoru, starting on the short walk back to her home.
[08:56] <Anastasia> As you walks away, "See you around, Princess," he waves.
[08:57] * Usagi-chan feels a chill run down her spine at his words and quickens her step slightly, getting home rather quickly.
-------
[12:24] * Rei-chan stands outside the Tsukino house and rings the doorbell, dressed in a black and red yukata. While the weather is rather cold, the air around Rei is warm, almost like a nice Spring day.
[12:26] <Anastasia> The door opens. "Hello, Rei," Ikuko Tsukino smiles to the temple maiden. "Usagi's in her room," she says as she moves to allow Rei to enter.
[12:28] * Rei-chan enters, slipping off her shoes as she does so. "Good afternoon, Mrs Tsukino," she smiles in return, "I just thought I'd come along and wish you all a happy new year. I'm not disturbing you, am I?"
[12:30] <Anastasia> "Oh, no," she smiles. "Happy New Year," the woman nods.
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "And to you. I'll just go up to see Usagi. It'll give her a break from all the studying I'm sure she's doing right now," Rei smiles at the total unlikelihood that Usagi is actually doing any work as she heads on up to the Dumpling Head's room.
[12:32] * Usagi-chan is laying on her bed, staring up at the painting she got from Rei for Christmas. A faraway look is on her face, as if she's deep in thought.
[12:33] <Rei-chan> Standing outside the room, Rei knocks on the door. "Usagi, it's Rei," she calls in.
[12:34] * Usagi-chan snaps out of her reverie and sits up in the bed. "Come on in, Rei!"
[12:36] * Rei-chan enters, closing the door behind her. "Happy new year," she greets her friend, smiling as she notices her Christmas gift. "I hope you remembered to clean your room yesterday, or you'll have bad luck," she reminds, checking the room for tidiness.
[12:37] <Usagi-chan> "Hmm?" Usagi looks up distractedly. "Oh, I kind of forgot about that." She gives Rei a sheepish smile.
[12:38] * Rei-chan sighs, though indulgently. "I won't tell the kami if you won't. I think we'd all like to avoid bad luck this year..." Her eyes then alight on the bouquet of roses, and narrow. "Mamoru-san pay another visit?"
[12:39] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah." Usagi replies absently. "He came over to talk last night."
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "He actually stayed to talk?" Rei goes over to take a seat on the bed next to Usagi. "What happened?"
[12:41] * Usagi-chan sighs. "He at least seemed a lot more in control this time. He said that he loved me and he wanted to be with me, but I told him I needed time to think."
[12:42] * Rei-chan nods slowly. "So..." she hems, unsure how to phrase this delicately, before deciding to heck with it and blurting it out, "Did he mean he loved you as Usagi, or you as Serenity?"
[12:43] <Usagi-chan> "He said he loved me as both Serenity and as Usagi, and he still loves me no matter what I become." Usagi smiles just a bit at that.
[12:44] <Rei-chan> "At least that's good," Rei agrees, before noticing Usagi doesn't exactly seem giddy at the prospect. "So how do you feel about him?" she asks gently.
[12:45] <Usagi-chan> "...I don't really know right now." Usagi says quietly.
[12:47] <Rei-chan> "So you're trying to figure it out? And no progress at all?" Rei queries.
[12:48] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I've been thinking about it ever since I got back home last night, and it's just such a mess... I don't even know where to get started!"
[12:52] <Rei-chan> "Well... can you see yourself as Mamoru-san's girlfriend? I know you disliked him at first, but I could tell there had to be something there, otherwise you wouldn't let him upset you so much... and after you and he found out each other's secret identities you seemed to be getting along pretty well... Are you still worried about that last conversation with him, or is there something else?"
[12:54] <Usagi-chan> "It's just..." Usagi gestures in the air with her hands. "I'm not even sure where to start explaining it, Rei-chan! I mean, he sounded so much like Endymion, but he said he didn't care about whether I was Usagi or Serenity and he seemed so nice but he called me Princess and I just don't know what to DO!" Usagi blurts out in a rush.
[12:56] * Rei-chan grimaces. 'He might just be saying that to humour her while he waits for her to turn into the Princess like he turned into Endymion...' she thinks uncharitably. Though she says, "Well, you shouldn't rush into anything, definitely," She sighs, "I wish I could help you, but I think you've seen how badly I do at romantic matters..."
[12:57] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a wan smile. "I'll be fine, Rei-chan - you don't need to worry about me. I just need some time to sort through this."
[12:59] * Rei-chan purses her lips in thought as she considers that for a moment. "Well... sometimes just dwelling on things doesn't help. You just wind up going round in circles..."
[12:59] <Rei-chan> "Right! As your friend, I've decided, you need a distraction!" the miko proclaims dramatically. "Why don't you come to the Shrine and help out at the festival tonight? It'll be lots of fun, I promise!" 'Besides, I already told grandpa I'd get Usagi to help...' she thinks, somewhat guiltily.
[13:00] * Usagi-chan brightens up a bit at the prospect of going to a festival, then giggles as she catches Rei's thought. "Sure, I guess I can do that. Maybe it'll help me get my mind off of things for a while."
[13:04] <Rei-chan> "Great!" Rei nods happily, pleased that her idea actually seems to have cheered Usagi up a bit. "You can wear a yukata and help run some of the stalls we have. We already set most everything up this morning, and the festival starts in just over an hour, so do you want to go over now?"
[13:05] <Usagi-chan> "Sure, I guess that'll work. I'll be down in a few minutes, I just need to get dressed first." Usagi smiles.
[13:06] <Rei-chan> "Okay, I'll wait downstairs," Rei nods, exiting the room and going down to wait in the hallway.
[13:08] <Usagi-chan> A few minutes later, Usagi joins Rei in the living room, now dressed in a pink kimono. "I hope this is okay, it's the only one I have."
[13:10] <Rei-chan> "It looks nice," Rei nods approvingly. "It's a bit cold outside," she warns, "But if you stay near me it won't be a problem. The Shrine is also having unseasonally warm weather," she adds with a conspiratoral wink.
[13:10] * Usagi-chan giggles. "It pays to have friends who play with fire, is that what you mean?"
[13:11] <Rei-chan> "It can be surprisingly convenient," Rei agrees cheerfully. "I used to think it was useless except for burning things, but after what happened with Celcia, I've developed a new appreciation for more low key uses of my power."
[13:13] <Usagi-chan> "I just wish I could do it." Usagi grumbles. "I hate cold weather." She steps into a pair of sandals and nods. "Ready to go when you are!"
[13:13] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'll be glad when Winter's over," Rei agrees, slipping her own shoes on and heading out the door.
[13:14] * Usagi-chan walks behind Rei, staying close enough to get the benefit of the warmth surrounding her. "You know, this is only the second time I've ever gone to a real New Year's festival."
[13:16] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei asks, a little surprised. "I can't remember the last year I missed one. Even before I came to live at the Shrine..."
[13:17] <Usagi-chan> "We've just never really gotten into New Year's all that much, I guess." Usagi says quietly. "I think the only other one I've been to was when I was about three, before Shingo was born."
[13:18] * Rei-chan nods, "Well, I suppose it's different for different people. I'm surprised you can remember that far back, though."
[13:19] * Usagi-chan is silent for a moment before replying. "I don't remember much of it, just hearing the bells ringing a lot. And the fireworks at night, too."
[13:20] <Rei-chan> "I always liked the fireworks," Rei says, grinning. "Maybe this year I could add in my own special contribution to them?"
[13:22] * Usagi-chan doesn't reply. A muffled sound comes from behind Rei a few moments later, like a short sigh.
[13:22] <Rei-chan> "Usagi?" Rei turns round, giving the blonde a concerned look.
[13:22] * Usagi-chan is laying in a heap on the sidewalk, unconscious.
[13:23] <Rei-chan> "Usagi!" Rei cries, getting down on her knees to check on the other girl.
[13:26] * Usagi-chan seems to be breathing normally, but doesn't respond to any attempts to rouse her.
[13:27] * Rei-chan closes her eyes for a moment, trying to sense if any dark presence is responsible for Usagi's predicament, or if she has had her energy drained.
[13:28] * Usagi-chan seems perfectly normal, although her energy seems a bit weaker than usual.
[13:28] <Rei-chan> Sensing nothing untoward, the miko hoists Usagi up onto a fireman's carry on her shoulder. "This is becoming a habit," she grumbles, even while wracked with worry as she rushes back to the Tsukino house with her passenger.
[16:01] <V-chan> -----

And so ends Arc II, on a bit of a cliffhanger. I'll begin posting the logs for more of the Arc II-III downtime in the Arc III topic tomorrow.

[Anastasia]

Post 1 comments go!

Re - Princess Serenity and Queen Serenity on the Moon.

I'd forgotten how brisk and powerful this confrontation was. Direct and brutal, it got to the meat of the affair and Queen Serenity's last wish. It's painful to read in light of both how Game 1 went and Game 2's Serenity(Who was intentionally the opposite of this Serenity in many a way). I'd meant for it to be a passing the torch scene - passing the torch into rest. The Moon Kingdom was long gone, and Serenity only wished for her beloved daughter to have a happy life on Earth now, not moon over the relics of a forgotten land.

While Queen Serenity did not get her last wish filled, I suspect she's happy with Usagi anyway. This was one of the major factors in her growth, and was the first true seed to lead to the restoration of the Lunar Kingdom.

Re - Usagi's memories on walking the Moon Palace.

I wish I had held off the Cynthia memories just a little longer, and instead had given Usagi a few nicer ones. Oh well. I'm glad I set up Cynthia early on, however, and gave it plenty of time to sink in IC. Well, relative to the pace of arc 2, anyway.

Re - Moon Kingdom Relics.

I like the idea of Beryl managing to use one of the leftovers from the Moon Kingdom. With all the time they had, it only makes sense. Of course, for both previous consistency issues as well as game balance, I couldn't have them get to the real goodies. This is just as well even if some may think it fails making sense; did you need to see Kunzite with the Silence Glaive?

Re - Crystal Prison breaking.

To be honest, it was partly just Usagi being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Moon Healing Escalation might've helped heal one or two of them under better circumstances, but it was more stress on a structure stressed by forced use by Beryl and all the shockwaves from the last battles.

As an aside, I just love Rei's line after Luna says 'super beings'. For some reason I get the idea of a mentally dented cleric looking for a new god to worship.

Re - Usagi's mini breakdown.

>_< and probably unavoidable after this went down. It's still painful to read for poor Usagi. Also, I like how that thematically contrasts with the snow falling as they return to Rei's temple. It's already begun. Since this brushes against it, Celcia took advantage of the situation there with snow. It was also an excuse to whore out snowy motives for several more arcs! <_<

[Anastasia]

Post 2-2 comments:

Re - Minako's comment on having an advantage since they work as a team.

Hi, Dark Kingdom! Hi, Orestes! Hi, Cynthia! Hi, Oxyite! You're just lucky Pytha wasn't a team player? <_< Okay, cheap shot ahoy, but I couldn't resist.

Re - Ami's magical computer

I wish I'd regulated it more. I never quite like the quasi techno elements of the Moon Kingdom that ended up getting incorporated, but maybe that's just me. It worked well enough later in some aspects, but I really wish I'd thought of a better way for you girls to get info on the criminals.

Re - Minako hugging Usagi

That's the sort of compassion that would've really saved Minako, as well as something she lacked as events continued on. It felt like she lost that into her own issues and sorrows, which made her even less relatable. A pity.

Re - Sailor Neptune's fate

Poor Michiru. I might've changed this a bit if I'd known we'd get such a strong Haruka down the line. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that good rubbish. Anyway, it did do what I wanted it to do - hype up Oxyite a few levels. So it's all good in the end, and hey, Haruka scored with Viluy. That's a damn good rebound relationship!

Re - Criminals Metallia didn't want to deal with.

I never got to do an omake with this - Metallia using the Space Criminals as generals. I touched on it in Quantum Hop, but that could've been an interesting combat heavy omake. Damn.

Re - Nian.

Once again I find myself wondering, 'What the fuck was I thinking with him, anyway?' I'm just sayin'.

Re - Usagi's breakdown part 2.

Ow. This is pretty much a continuation of post one's tears, but it's still owwie to read. Poor Usagi and growing up pains - but it's easier to read now that we know that Usagi turns out fine, just like Rei-chan's dominations. I suppose that's why the Minako stuff is still a lot more painful to read, hm?

Re - Ami's frigid soaking(Not her panties!)

I don't blame Ami. Hell, I vaguely recall mildly encouraging her in PM at the time, someone needed to do something due to that nasty argument. This is a bit of a wince worthy scene in retrospect, since it highlights the flaws in Panda's Ami build, I think. That just didn't feel even remotely close to Ami and unsupported by changes.

Re - Herb.

Herb once said his main tripping point in Sailor Moon was the shift from comedy to seriousness. It shows all too well in this scene; does saying 'boobies' fit in at all with the mood the others were portraying?

Re - Minako's threats.

I can almost understand these after that fight and getting soaked by Ami. They highlighted less pleasant things to come, sadly. I see what she meant to do with those, just that they fell really bloody flat in retrospect. She was completely right about fighting as a team, however.

Re - Scene in general.

OH TEH ANGST; Pressure cooker+1. But we all knew this.

Re - Usagi's tears round 3.

It's notable that Rei and Usagi are already beginning to relate and cling to each other. Shared sorrow and grief in entirely different ways. This didn't help Minako, as we'll see down the line.

Re - Minako's nightmare wakeup.

I can't remember what the hell that was about for the life of me. Anyone else?

Re - Usagi/Reiism 1.

Yep, Minako noticed. It was purely innocent and platonic at this point, but it didn't help that it turned into a phobia for Minako. Crack in sanity ahoy - a lot of the problem with her fragility is that it manifested in very divise ways, the cracks of Rei and Usagi brought the Sailors closer together instead.

Re - Rei's Ash Rods.

I like these on pure style, but it took forever for Rei to figure 'em out. Also, I'm further amazed there weren't more phallic jokes with them.

Re - Ami's bracelet being sealed by Minako's power.

Really stupid in retrospect and aided another bit of idiocy down the line. Got over complicated there; bleh. On rereading that holds up piss-poor, moreso since it was probably the weakest of the Talismans as is. It's a shame, since +1 EC in Redux would be godly. Sorry, Panda and Bean!

Re - Magic boxes.

Am I the only one remembering Chrono Trigger and it's magically sealed black boxes when reading this? Random observation go.

Re - Rei and the Silence Glaive.

Rei-chan once asked me what would've happened if she'd tried using the Silence Glaive or kept it on her longer. I find the what if amusing enough to repost here since I was reminded of it. Imagine if Rei forced the issue - using the dread powers of Saturn for her own bidding. Using the most deadly token of the Messiah of Silence; such an act is not without consequinces. She would begin to feel removed from fire, attracted to darker things instead. If she pushed it? A new Sailor Saturn would be born.

This would've fucked up Germatou something fierce, obviously, and made for a very interesting Rei and Hotaru, respectively. Also, I wonder how Rei and DK Rei would've taken Rei becoming such a dark Sailor Soldier?

[Halbarad]

Post 1 comments go!

Re - Princess Serenity and Queen Serenity on the Moon.

I'd forgotten how brisk and powerful this confrontation was. Direct and brutal, it got to the meat of the affair and Queen Serenity's last wish. It's painful to read in light of both how Game 1 went and Game 2's Serenity(Who was intentionally the opposite of this Serenity in many a way). I'd meant for it to be a passing the torch scene - passing the torch into rest. The Moon Kingdom was long gone, and Serenity only wished for her beloved daughter to have a happy life on Earth now, not moon over the relics of a forgotten land.

While Queen Serenity did not get her last wish filled, I suspect she's happy with Usagi anyway. This was one of the major factors in her growth, and was the first true seed to lead to the restoration of the Lunar Kingdom.

Yeah. This was the point where I was finally starting to bring Usagi into her own, and the confrontation was due. Usagi admittedly escaped Metallia's bitching herself with flying colors (go criticalling the soul check for that despair thingy) and was rather seriously ticked off at Queenie for being such a downer right before the fight. It turned out all right in the end, but yeah - she wasn't in the mood to really mince words and was so from the get-go - as should be evident from the warning she gave Luna.

Re - Usagi's memories on walking the Moon Palace.

I wish I had held off the Cynthia memories just a little longer, and instead had given Usagi a few nicer ones. Oh well. I'm glad I set up Cynthia early on, however, and gave it plenty of time to sink in IC. Well, relative to the pace of arc 2, anyway.

There was definitely that. Quite a lot of speculation over the ~6 weeks wherein the arc took place over just exactly who Cynthia was and what significance she had.

Re - Moon Kingdom Relics.

I like the idea of Beryl managing to use one of the leftovers from the Moon Kingdom. With all the time they had, it only makes sense. Of course, for both previous consistency issues as well as game balance, I couldn't have them get to the real goodies. This is just as well even if some may think it fails making sense; did you need to see Kunzite with the Silence Glaive?

Doesn't fail make-sense to me. The Crystal Prison and the Talisman shields were just different applications of magic. It's quite possible that they could have unraveled one without managing to make progress on the other.

And NO EVILDEATHBAD STICK FOR KUNZY. BAD GM.

Re - Crystal Prison breaking.

To be honest, it was partly just Usagi being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Moon Healing Escalation might've helped heal one or two of them under better circumstances, but it was more stress on a structure stressed by forced use by Beryl and all the shockwaves from the last battles.

As an aside, I just love Rei's line after Luna says 'super beings'. For some reason I get the idea of a mentally dented cleric looking for a new god to worship.

OOC I figured as much, but of course IC the poor rabbit panicked and blamed herself - a recurring theme with her in game 1, really starting here more than anywhere. Just out of curiosity, DID her healing have any effect on Jadeite? He was the one she actually aimed at, after all.

Re - Usagi's mini breakdown.

>_< and probably unavoidable after this went down. It's still painful to read for poor Usagi. Also, I like how that thematically contrasts with the snow falling as they return to Rei's temple. It's already begun. Since this brushes against it, Celcia took advantage of the situation there with snow. It was also an excuse to whore out snowy motives for several more arcs! <_<

Yeah, and that was the moderated version - I'd planned some rather radical stuff for her due to that, but thankfully cooler heads prevailed. Still, Usagi was notably freaked out and stressed for the entire arc thanks to what happened - leading to her eventual breakdown at the END of the arc.

[Halbarad]

Post 2-2 comments:

Re - Minako's comment on having an advantage since they work as a team.

Hi, Dark Kingdom! Hi, Orestes! Hi, Cynthia! Hi, Oxyite! You're just lucky Pytha wasn't a team player? <_< Okay, cheap shot ahoy, but I couldn't resist.

Punk. As if we NEEDED to lose advantages on this arc. Worked out in the end, at least, although I shudder to think what might have happened if we'd ended up fighting Oxyite with any of the others around.

Re - Ami's magical computer

I wish I'd regulated it more. I never quite like the quasi techno elements of the Moon Kingdom that ended up getting incorporated, but maybe that's just me. It worked well enough later in some aspects, but I really wish I'd thought of a better way for you girls to get info on the criminals.

Not sure what we COULD have done there, though. It's addressed a bit in the abandoned plot ideas thread, but the only other real solution would have been someone with solid memories of the Silver Millenium that could have given us the information directly. We got a little of that with Starfire and Pluto, but yeah - that's about all I could see for that.

Re - Minako hugging Usagi

That's the sort of compassion that would've really saved Minako, as well as something she lacked as events continued on. It felt like she lost that into her own issues and sorrows, which made her even less relatable. A pity.

Pushes into a point that was made at the time - part of Minako's growing disconnect during this period was the fact that she pushed almost all of her significant relationship ties to Rei completely. The clingy wasn't good for Rei IC, and a bit of balance from a wider range of friends might have kept Minako a bit more balanced. Purely speculation at this point, however.

Re - Sailor Neptune's fate

Poor Michiru. I might've changed this a bit if I'd known we'd get such a strong Haruka down the line. Hindsight is 20/20 and all that good rubbish. Anyway, it did do what I wanted it to do - hype up Oxyite a few levels. So it's all good in the end, and hey, Haruka scored with Viluy. That's a damn good rebound relationship!

I'd say it worked out fine in the end. Taking Viluy as Neptune led to a lot of expositional moments for a LOT of characters down the line, from Usagi having to take her royal duties seriously to Haruka's attempts at romance.

Re - Criminals Metallia didn't want to deal with.

I never got to do an omake with this - Metallia using the Space Criminals as generals. I touched on it in Quantum Hop, but that could've been an interesting combat heavy omake. Damn.

I remember the last world in QH well enough... just... ow. That's all I'll say.

Re - Nian.

Once again I find myself wondering, 'What the fuck was I thinking with him, anyway?' I'm just sayin'.

Put. Down. The crackpipe.

Re - Usagi's breakdown part 2.

Ow. This is pretty much a continuation of post one's tears, but it's still owwie to read. Poor Usagi and growing up pains - but it's easier to read now that we know that Usagi turns out fine, just like Rei-chan's dominations. I suppose that's why the Minako stuff is still a lot more painful to read, hm?

The rabbit was pretty damn traumatized by what had happened. I still hold that this arc was really the forge that turned the PCs into what they remained for the rest of game 1. Their personalities were shaped in this arc more than anything else, aside from Ami and Makoto - the former due to player swapping, the latter due to missingness.

Re - Ami's frigid soaking(Not her panties!)

I don't blame Ami. Hell, I vaguely recall mildly encouraging her in PM at the time, someone needed to do something due to that nasty argument. This is a bit of a wince worthy scene in retrospect, since it highlights the flaws in Panda's Ami build, I think. That just didn't feel even remotely close to Ami and unsupported by changes.

Yeah, one of those OOC-Ami moments that got addressed later on. This one only stands out to me as it was something that Usagi actually talked to Ami about IC specifically - most of the rest were just 'wtf?' moments.

Re - Herb.

Herb once said his main tripping point in Sailor Moon was the shift from comedy to seriousness. It shows all too well in this scene; does saying 'boobies' fit in at all with the mood the others were portraying?

It does, yes. I know I talked with him at one point during the arc about it, and he did improve for a bit - he's got an excellent scene a bit down the line - but it never really caught with him to any degree.

Re - Minako's threats.

I can almost understand these after that fight and getting soaked by Ami. They highlighted less pleasant things to come, sadly. I see what she meant to do with those, just that they fell really bloody flat in retrospect. She was completely right about fighting as a team, however.

Personally, I saw this as a bit of OOC bleeding over into IC. Ami's OOCness was rubbing a lot of people the wrong way, and Minako taking a one-off shot like that so personally and holding onto it for so long... eeeh.

Re - Scene in general.

OH TEH ANGST; Pressure cooker+1. But we all knew this.

It's ARC II. You expected anything else?

Re - Usagi's tears round 3.

It's notable that Rei and Usagi are already beginning to relate and cling to each other. Shared sorrow and grief in entirely different ways. This didn't help Minako, as we'll see down the line.

This scene, to me, really starts to mark the major changes that Metallia's brainwashing spurred into Rei - most notably the fact that she's much less quick to be critical of Usagi or anyone else.

Re - Minako's nightmare wakeup.

I can't remember what the hell that was about for the life of me. Anyone else?

Herb hit on it later in the scene - something about Usagi and Rei being together in the Silver Millenium or somesuch.

Re - Usagi/Reiism 1.

Yep, Minako noticed. It was purely innocent and platonic at this point, but it didn't help that it turned into a phobia for Minako. Crack in sanity ahoy - a lot of the problem with her fragility is that it manifested in very divise ways, the cracks of Rei and Usagi brought the Sailors closer together instead.

Mmmmmf. Yeah, it was purely platonic at that point, and I'd say this is even a bit too early to be part of the groundwork for the eventual Usagi/Rei relationship that formed. Eb and I were already starting to get a fairly good scene chemistry going, though, which is I think part of what spurred that so much. I don't really hold that any romantic possibilities existed between Usagi and Rei until after Rei's fight with Minako and Usagi comforting her afterwards - but we can get to that once we get to that post.

Re - Rei's Ash Rods.

I like these on pure style, but it took forever for Rei to figure 'em out. Also, I'm further amazed there weren't more phallic jokes with them.

Yeah, although that wasn't ENTIRELY Rei's fault. She pushed for it a good bit in the Starfire/Setsuna scene, and afterwards we had too much else to deal with - until they got recalled during Arc IV in the leadup to the Grail summoning, I think.

Re - Ami's bracelet being sealed by Minako's power.

Really stupid in retrospect and aided another bit of idiocy down the line. Got over complicated there; bleh. On rereading that holds up piss-poor, moreso since it was probably the weakest of the Talismans as is. It's a shame, since +1 EC in Redux would be godly. Sorry, Panda and Bean!

That always did confuse me. A couple of the Talismans were sealed by other senshi's powers, and a couple were sealed by the user's power. Confused us about several of them for a while.

Re - Magic boxes.

Am I the only one remembering Chrono Trigger and it's magically sealed black boxes when reading this? Random observation go.

Yeah, except that we couldn't come back 400 years later for an extra powerup. Sadness. ;_;

Re - Rei and the Silence Glaive.

Rei-chan once asked me what would've happened if she'd tried using the Silence Glaive or kept it on her longer. I find the what if amusing enough to repost here since I was reminded of it. Imagine if Rei forced the issue - using the dread powers of Saturn for her own bidding. Using the most deadly token of the Messiah of Silence; such an act is not without consequinces. She would begin to feel removed from fire, attracted to darker things instead. If she pushed it? A new Sailor Saturn would be born.

This would've fucked up Germatou something fierce, obviously, and made for a very interesting Rei and Hotaru, respectively. Also, I wonder how Rei and DK Rei would've taken Rei becoming such a dark Sailor Soldier?

First I'd heard of it, although I suspect Eb will have more to say about it.

[Anastasia]

Post 2-3

Re - Ami's elemental control over snow.

*Grins*

If nothing else I really dug that little snippet. Such a nice, reasonable solution to a difficult problem, yeah?

Re - Minako summoning coats.

I'm utterly blanking on where Minako got those coats? Subspace? Random? I can't remember for the life of me, but it's a minor point.

Re - Herb, REi and others getting snowballed.

*Grins*

*Flees*

Re - Icemen.

These were purely meant to be little distractions and EP wasters. They worked for what they were, and there was a childlike amusement to attack the Sailors with snow and ice. After all the hell they'd been through, it's a child's weapon to attack with!

Re - Mall.

This presentation of the mall is very typical and to the point. I like the one in Splinter far more, this was pretty much a minor background for a Celcia fight.

Re - <Sailor_Mercury> "Wow. I'm going to have to ask whoever did this for tips."

The pure level of irony in this scene is utterly massive, isn't it? I just find myself laughing over and over at little things like this.

Re - Jadeite taking Celcia's energy.

A quickie timeline to help elaborate certain points during and after this arc.

- Jadeite takes the last of Celcia's power.

- Jadeite dies a few weeks later.

- Celcia escapes, and true to her nature, begins to regroup and reform. You can only survive winter, you can never banish it forever, can you?