The Great Log Posting: Arc III

Halbarad · June 22, 2006, 11:59:01 PM

Once again, thanks to Ebiris for the synopsis which I am unabashedly stealing.

ARC III - Deathbusters & Elves

After being in educational limbo during December following their expulsion from T*A, Rei and Minako both took the Mugen entrance exams in January to gain admittance to the elite school. Oddly, the entrance exam included a physical examination which involved being scanned by a strange machine...

Meanwhile, Usagi had decided to face up to her destiny as Queen of the Moon Kingdom, and set about putting things in order up in her ruined palace. Enlisting Ami's help, the pair started work in earnest, restoring the library and a few other areas of the Moon Palace to their former splendour - all in secret from the other senshi.

After attending Mugen for about a month, Rei was pulled out of her classes by an upperclassman named Eudial, who seemed aware of the miko's powers over fire, and told her all about a special club Mugen ran for 'talented' students, named the Witches 5 (soon to be 6). Perhaps a bit too trustingly, Rei went along with her and was brought before Professor Tomoe and the 'Mistress' of the Deathbusters. Before she could react, she was injected with a strange chemical which knocked her out and brainwashed her. Again.

Unlike her treatment at the hands of Metallia, the Deathbusters brainwashing was far more subtle, instilling loyalty to their cause but otherwise leaving her unchanged. So aside from a moral blind spot concerning taking peoples' heart crystals, Rei was still the same sailor suited soldier of love and justice she'd always been.

Not long after Rei got brainwashed, Usagi and Ami had done enough work on the Moon that they felt confident in revealing the fruits of their efforts to the other girls, garnering very impressed reactions from Rei and Makoto, who both offered to help out themselves in restoring the Moon Kingdom. Minako, for her part, seemed rather apathetic to the whole thing, and quickly made excuses to leave while Ami and Usagi gave the other girls the grand tour.

A few days later, Artemis informed the senshi that Minako had left Tokyo, using her disguise compact to appear as the idol singer 'Full Moon' she abandoned her duties as a Sailor Senshi in favour of pursuing her dreams as a singer.

This was rather unfortunately timed, as around the same time, a strange meteor landed in Tokyo, and a few days later Sailors Moon and Mercury battled the first of Alan and Ann's Cardians at the Osa P jewellery store!

The senshi weren't the only ones aggrieved by this new menace from beyond the stars, though. The Witches 6 frequently found themselves caught in the middle of energy draining monster attacks while out on heart snatch raids, a situation that the Deathbusters sought to rectify by assigning Rei and Eudial to locate the source of the attacks and exterminate it by whatever means necessary.

Lucky for Rei that her Witch job and her Senshi job had the same goal, although she did have reason to be extremely concerned after the Professor ordered the Witches to kill the Sailor Senshi should they interfere.

Meanwhile, Makoto was becoming enamoured of the new transfer student at Juuban Junior High, one Alan Grangier. Her interest was reciprocated, and the two began dating, much to the consternation of Alan's 'sister', Ann.

With Usagi commited to restoring the Moon Kingdom, she recieved a surprise visit at her home from the mysterious Sailor Pluto. Setsuna explained that as Queen of the Moon Kingdom, it fell to Usagi to designate a new holder for the title and powers of Sailor Neptune - since the original had been slain by Oxyite long before Queen Serenity's spell sent the senshi forard to be reincarnated.

Of course, people with the magical potential to become Sailor Senshi aren't very common, and Setsuna hadn't given her Queen any hints as to where she should look. A lead was provided when Rei mentioned she went to school with several magically powerful girls, but the miko was quick to insist Usagi avoid looking around Mugen - for her own safety, mostly since Rei wasn't on great terms with any of the other Witches besides Eudial, but also because she was starting to have very definite doubts regarding the Deathbuster's agenda.

Sadly for Rei, this only made Usagi worried for her friend's safety at Mugen, and she disguised herself as a student at the prestigous school to investigate. Alas she didn't get far before freaking out due to the thunderstorm raging outside. Her panicked yelps from inside an empty classroom attracted the attention of Professor Tomoe, who Usagi fed a bunch of lies to convince him she was a genuine student. Taking her up to his office, the Professor called for Rei to investigate 'Yuki Shirata' in case she was a spy, and Rei of course immediately recognised her as her Princess. Quickly dissuading the Professor of anything suspicious regarding the girl, Rei had Usagi safely removed from the school before anything nasty could happen to her.

The following night, Rei had a prophetic dream that put the Deathbuster's plans into perspective for her, revealing that the Mistress desired nothing less than the complete destruction of the Earth! Voicing her doubts to Eudial the next day, both girls shook off their brainwashing and quickly made tracks from the school, Rei calling for a senshi meeting at the Shrine. Spilling all she knew about the Deathbusters, the girls quickly planned out their attack on Mugen, stopping by Tellu's house to purify her on the way.

Proceeding to the Professor's underground lab, the senshi plus Eudial were confronted by the Professor himself, along with Kaolinite, Cyprine, and Ptliol. Acknowledging that the senshi had won this round, the Professor collapsed as the Daimon possessing him escaped, leaving his lackeys behind to battle the senshi. After a fierce battle, the twins were purified while Kaolinite was brutally slain.

In the aftermath, the girls learnt from Professor Tomoe about how he had been possessed by the Daimon Germatou, along with his daughter becoming the vessel of Mistress 9. Germatou had taken Hotaru as he fled, and the senshi swore that they would find her. Mimette and Viluy were also purified without much fuss, as they had no clue what had happened and were easily caught off guard by the senshi and other witches.

During the battle at Mugen, the senshi had had their identities blown, but it worked to their advantage as the Professor offered the girls scholarships at Mugen and the use of the school's resources in battling the energy draining elves, in addition to joining forces to hunt down Germatou and rescue Hotaru.

Meanwhile, Alan and Makoto drew ever closer, to the point of Alan outright rejecting Ann for his new girlfriend, which devastated the female elf. Rather than taking it out on Makoto, however, she became increasingly violent in her energy draining raids, nearly killing Sailor Mercury and Viluy during one battle before reinforcements from the other senshi and witches drove her off.

She didn't just cope by going psycho on her victims, though, as Ann also started dating Herb to take her mind off Alan, although their relationship wasn't nearly as close as the one Alan enjoyed with Makoto.

While Hotaru still eluded them, the girls caught a break when Rei had a dream leading her to a Talisman holder - one Haruka Ten'ou. Checking to see if she really did possess a Talisman, so that they could protect her from Germatou, the girls were shocked to discover she was Sailor Uranus - and none to happy about them going after her Talisman! Luckily Usagi was able to calm her down, and the senshi added another to their ranks.

However, the bliss of Makoto and Alan's relationship couldn't last forever, as during an attack at the Mall, Sailor Jupiter recognised Alan's flute song, prompting the girls to pay an official visit to the Grangier's apartment the following day. Discovering Alan at the Doom Tree in a pocket dimension within the apartment, Makoto tried to reason with her love, but the elf was resolute that he needed to drain energy for the tree to live, and that would forever make them enemies.

Ann's reappearance at the tree marked the battle beginning in earnest, with the senshi and witches on the defensive as they still tried to reason with the energy vampires on Makoto's behalf. That lasted until Usagi was badly injured, prompting Sailor Mars to take off the kid gloves and burn their precious tree to smoking ash. But as the senshi of fire ignited the tree, it surprised all present by screaming! The Doom Tree was sentient, and no one knew, not even Alan and Ann.

Psychically linking with Rei, the tree used her as a voice to remonstrate the elves for nearly killing it with their stolen energy - for all it really needed to bloom was love, which it was starting to get from Alan and Makoto's blossoming relationship. Still badly crippled by fire and stolen energy, the tree asked Sailor Moon to purify it, so it could be reborn and grow in a world filled with love. Gladly obliging, Moon did so, and the sapling Tree of Life was planted on the Moon, which was being restored at an even faster pace with the help of the former Deathbusters, and now Alan and Ann had joined the fledgling kingdom as well.

Using its new host, Germatou continued searching for the Talismans, and finally caught a break by attacking at a beauty pageant Haruka was observing, revealing the Space Sword Talisman she carried!

Help was at hand, as Moon and Mars stalled Germatou long enough for Haruka to recover and transform, while Germatou revealed who it had found as it's new host - Guinvain, the treacherous Sailor Dragon who had been imprisoned during the Silver Millenium, and released in the events of last December!

Impossibly seeming to brush off everything our heroines threw at it, the Daimon possessed (and evil even if not possessed) senshi seemed invincible, until the three senshi combined their powers, utterly annihilating it! With Germatou no longer screening her from detection, Hotaru was quickly located by Cyprine and Ptliol, and purified of the Mistress' possession by Sailor Moon.

And so, peace once more returned. With the energy draining elves finding it possible to live peaceful lives on Earth, while Pharaoh 90 was forever denied access to the planet with both his servants dead and no way to open a gate from either end.

Halbarad · June 22, 2006, 11:59:44 PM

[11:48] <Rei-chan> Hefting Usagi's weight over her shoulder, Rei hurries as best she can back to the Tsukino household, doing her best not to jostle her passenger. Luckily they hadn't gotten far when Usagi collapsed...
[11:49] <Rei-chan> Knowing the door is unlocked, Rei enters unannounced, before loudly calling out, "Mrs Tsukino!"
[11:51] <Anastasia> "Rei, is something wr-" She cuts off the moment she sees Usagi's unconcious form. "What happened," she asks as she rushes over.
[11:53] <Rei-chan> "I don't know, we were just walking and talking and then she collapsed!" Rei babbles, "She seemed a bit quiet, but I just thought she was depressed. I don't know what's wrong with her," the miko heads into the living room and sets Usagi down on the couch so her mother can better examine her.
[11:59] <Anastasia> Ikkuko nods and begins to check her daughter over from head to toe...
[12:00] * Usagi-chan has a few bruises from her unexpected collapse to the ground, but seems otherwise unhurt.
[12:00] * Rei-chan frets worriedly, not doing much good at all.
[12:02] <Anastasia> "I think she's just asleep...at least I hope so," Ikkuko nods, proping her head up on a pillow.
[12:03] <Rei-chan> "I can't sense anything spiritually wrong... she just seems really tired," Rei agrees, "But what if she's sick?"
[12:03] <Anastasia> "Then we'll take her to the hospital," she says.
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "Maybe we should call Dr. Mizuno?" Rei suggests, "I mean, if a doctor saw what's on her forehead..." she trails off.
[12:06] <Anastasia> "That's not a bad idea if we need to," she nods. "I'd rather wait a bit first, however."
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, maybe she's just tired?" Rei laughs nervously, "We all know how much Usagi likes to sleep, heh..."
[12:12] <Anastasia> "Yeah..." she says.
[12:15] <Anastasia> ---
[12:24] <Anastasia> The hours pass as you keep watch on Usagi.
[12:24] <Anastasia> Her breathing is fine and deep, as if she's taking a long nap
[12:30] <Ami> A knock is heard at the door.
[12:30] <Rei-chan> Seeing Ikkuko is otherwise occupied, Rei goes to answer.
[12:32] <Ami> Opening the door, the increasingly familiar face of Dr. Mizuno greets Rei. Ami stands slightly behind her, worry on both their faces.
[12:33] <Rei-chan> "Ami-chan, Mizuno-sensei," Rei bows, gesturing them in, "I'm glad you could make it. Usagi's been unconscious for a few hours, and we don't know what's wrong with her..."
[12:34] <Anastasia> "She passed out? What are the details of the event," the doctor asks as she walks in.
[12:34] <Ami> Ami follows close behind, casting worried glances toward Rei.
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "We were walking to the Shrine, but we hadn't got too far from the house... one minute we were talking, the next she just drops," Rei says worriedly, leading the two to the living room where Usagi is still laid out on the couch.
[12:36] <Anastasia> "Did she complain of being dizzy or disoriented at all?" Dr. Mizuno inquires as she starts by giving Usagi a good lookover.
[12:37] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei shakes her head, "She was sounding a bit quieter than usual, but I just thought..." she sighs, "Well, Usagi's got a lot on her mind right now, so I expected her to be preoccupied."
[12:41] <Anastasia> "Right," she nods. "Anything out of the ordinary for her? A lack of sleep? Sickness? Vomiting?"
[12:41] <Anastasia> "A blow to the head?"
[12:42] <Rei-chan> "Um... you'd have to ask Mrs Tsukino. I just came over to visit, and she didn't seem physically ill in any way to me," Rei explains. "I think her mother should be back in a minute."
[12:43] * Rei-chan suddenly remembers something, "Oh, last week she mentioned she wasn't sleeping well, lately. I doubt things have improved much for her..." she trails off sadly.
[12:44] <Anastasia> "She looks okay bodily, and she has no visible injuries. I would say she's sleeping," she concludes. "At least off the cuff."
[12:47] <Rei-chan> "I just hope she wakes up soon... I've been worried half to death..." Rei mutters, before her eyes widen, "I mean, that stupid Dumpling Head, making a big drama out of everything!" she exclaims half-heartedly.
[08:57] <Anahatesmornings> ---
[08:57] <Anahatesmornings> It's here... the day of the Mugen entrance exams. The day you have been frantically studying for ever since T*A threw you out on your asses is here.
[08:58] <Anahatesmornings> The exams start at 10 AM sharp, with instructions that all supplies will be provided for you.
[08:58] <Anahatesmornings> The letter that gave you that information further gave you directions to the school and the exam room.
[08:59] * Rei-chan arrives at Mugen Gakuen ten minutes early, dressed in a smart but casual skirt and blouse combination, totally focused on passing the exam she's been studying so hard for lately.
[08:59] <Anahatesmornings> On getting there, you find perhaps two dozen office-sized desks spread out about a large room, each one stocked with various things like pencils, scrap paper and so on. Half are already filled by nervous students, ones waiting to take this rigorous exam.
[09:00] * Rei-chan glances around the other students, wondering if she'll see Minako...
[09:01] * V-chan runs into the classroom, panting.
[09:02] <Rei-chan> Seeing Minako, Rei gives her a small wave, before gathering up the supplies she'll need and taking a seat at the front of the room.
[09:02] * V-chan returns the wave, and looks for an open seat near the window.
[09:02] <Anahatesmornings> The other students around are too absorbed in their own worlds to really pay attention to Rei or Minako, keeping to themselves.
[09:03] <Anahatesmornings> At 10 AM sharp and with 17 students, the instructor enters. He is a short man, in the classical Japanese style with black hair and tanned skin. He wears glasses and a jacketless suit.
[09:06] <Anahatesmornings> "Welcome to the Mugen entrance exams. I am Mr. Yoshimitsu, your test instructor. The test will be given in segments, starting with Mathematics. Are there any last questions?"
[09:07] * Rei-chan has no questions, silently waiting for the exam to begin.
[09:07] * V-chan is kinda glad the topic she crammed the most will be first, before she forgets anything.
[09:08] <Anahatesmornings> None of the students have any questions, all radiating nervousness.
[09:09] <Anahatesmornings> The instructor passes out the sheets for math. Once he has done that, he takes a seat at the main table. "And...begin the Math segment."
[09:09] <Anahatesmornings> OOC - Along with RPing it a bit, make a Mind check for each segment.
[09:10] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[09:10] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:10] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[09:10] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[09:10] * Rei-chan plods her way through the maths section, barely recalling the quadratic formulae she worked on with Ami a few weeks ago... it's tough, but she thinks she's got it handled.
[09:11] * V-chan picks up the pencil, and starts solving the problems that resemble those she studied with her mother during her vacation first, before moving on to things she recalls working on with Artemis and Ami.
[07:57] <Anahatesmornings> "And... time out," the instructor calls. Getting up, he goes around and collects the math exams. "Next is Japanese History. Are there any questions?"
[07:57] * Rei-chan has no questions, and looks forward to doing well on her favourite subject.
[07:58] * V-chan very carefully keeps an expression of disgust off her face.
[07:58] <Anahatesmornings> "No questions? Very well, let's begin part 2," he nods, passing out another test.
[07:58] <Anahatesmornings> OOC - Declare any points burned, THEN roll.
[07:59] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[07:59] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[07:59] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[07:59] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:00] * V-chan finds this part of the test strangely easy, perhaps due to a last minute cramming she had done with Artemis the day before.
[08:00] * Rei-chan finds some of the questions surprisingly difficult, as they hadn't been covered at T*A, but she is able to answer them to her satisfaction by recalling books she's read on the subjects in her free time.
[08:01] <Anahatesmornings> "Time is up," the man calls out. "The Japanese portion of the exam is over. Next will be World History. Are there any questions?"
[08:01] * V-chan smiles, liking this subject much more than the previous two.
[08:01] <Rei-chan> Biting her lip in worry, Rei remains silent. She's not so good on world history...
[08:02] <Anahatesmornings> One girl asks a question about the times covered, and the instructor replies by saying all times in history are in play.
[08:02] <Anahatesmornings> Again, the tests are passed out...
[08:02] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:02] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[08:02] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:02] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[08:02] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:02] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:03] <Rei-chan> It's a struggle, and she isn't entirely sure on all of her answers, but Rei manages to at least put someting down for every question. 'I might scrape a pass on this section...' she thinks.
[08:04] <Anahatesmornings> As the test for this section goes on..."Oh, GOD! I can't take it, it's not fair," a boy cries up, jumping up from his seat and running from the room in a crying fit. "IT'S TOO MUCH!"
[08:04] * V-chan is grateful for all the books she's read on this while trying to take her mind off things over her vacation, since the textbooks didn't seem to cover most of the material on this part of the exam.
[08:05] * Rei-chan watches the boy go with some pity, thinking she might be in the same position if she hadn't studied so much with Ami. This test is a lot harder than anything she ever did at T*A.
[08:05] <Anahatesmornings> Mr. Yoshimitsu grimly stares at the running student... "And, time." he calls, collecting this set of papers.
[08:06] <Anahatesmornings> "The next segment is Japanese Government. ARe there any questions?"
[08:06] * Rei-chan grimaces. She knows plenty about this, though she wishes she didn't.
[08:07] <Anahatesmornings> "No questions? Good luck on the next part," he comments as yet another test is passed out...
[08:07] * V-chan unknowingly echoes Rei's grimace, as her knowledge there is spotty at best.
[08:08] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:08] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:08] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:08] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:08] * Rei-chan gets through this section easily enough, calling on knowledge she learnt at T*A, as well as what she knows about her father's job.
[08:09] * V-chan just tries to write what makes the most sense on the open questions, and guesses at the multiple-choice questions.
[08:09] <Anahatesmornings> "And... finished." Collecting the papers, he says, "The next part is World Government. Questions?"
[08:10] <Rei-chan> Much like World History, Rei isn't so hot on this... still, she's studied a lot, and hopes for the best.
[08:11] * V-chan hopes the things she picked up during her travels around the globe would help... somehow. She sighs.
[08:11] <Anahatesmornings> "And... go."
[08:11] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:11] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[08:11] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:11] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[08:12] <Rei-chan> The questions are actually surprisingly simple, and the hardest ones are things she discussed with Ami just yesterday. Making a note to thank her genius friend, Rei speeds through this section with confidence.
[08:13] * V-chan does indeed finds her knowledge helpful, to her great surprise.
[08:14] <Anahatesmornings> "And... pencils down," he calls. "Next is Earth Science. Questions?"
[08:14] * Rei-chan patiently waits for the test to be given. Science isn't her specialty, but she's not bad at it by any means.
[08:14] * V-chan reminds herself to answer what they want to hear, not what is obviously and really true.
[08:15] <Anahatesmornings> "Good luck, and start."
[08:15] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:15] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[08:15] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:15] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[08:15] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:15] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[08:16] * Rei-chan stares at her paper in confusion. None of it makes any sense at all! She doesn't recall learning this kind of stuff at T*A, nor having it covered by Ami! It's all going horribly wrong!
[08:17] * V-chan makes sure to carefully do what Ami and Artemis explained to her, ignoring what her instincts are telling her.
[08:17] * Rei-chan scribbles down some answers that sound vaguely right. Or at least semi-relevant.
[08:17] <Anahatesmornings> "Time is up. The next part consists of Oceanography. Questions?"
[08:18] * V-chan glances at Rei.
[08:18] <Rei-chan> 'Oceanography?! What the hell kind of subject is that?!' Rei does NOT say.
[08:19] * V-chan returns her eyes to studying her desk, wishing this were Ami. Or that she had kept onto that silver bracelet a while longer, at least.
[08:19] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Begin."
[08:20] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:20] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:20] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:20] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[08:20] <Rei-chan> Funnily enough, this doesn't seem that hard. It's not that different from geography, just underwater, so Rei gets through it without as much trouble as she expected.
[08:21] * V-chan finds this part of the exam about as legible as the lunar porn, only without the pretty pictures.
[08:22] * V-chan sighs again.
[08:22] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Done." he calls, as he gets up yet again for test collecting. "Physics is next. Questions?"
[08:22] * V-chan blanches, but manages to keep herself collected.
[08:23] <Rei-chan> 'Ah, good old Physics! I can do this stuff easy,' Rei thinks, cheerfully going over the equations she has memorised.
[08:23] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Go."
[08:23] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:23] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[08:23] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:23] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:24] * V-chan feels elated as she sees the questions, and realizes a lot of them rely on mathematical calculations the likes of which she'd gone over with her mother during her vacation a lot.
[08:24] <Rei-chan> 'Huh?' Rei is disconcerted to find that precious few of her memorised equations are needed here. This all seems to be several years ahead of what they taught at T*A... 'Maybe I'm making a mistake... I'll never make it in this school!' she thinks, starting to feel depressed. And tired.
[08:25] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Time is up. The final segment of the testing phase is general knowledge. Are there any questions?"
[08:25] * V-chan catches herself just in time before she shakes her head.
[08:25] <Rei-chan> 'Final segment?' Rei thinks in some relief, 'Right, I'll have to give this my all!' she mentally psyches herself up for the last part of the test. 'Do or die time, Hino!'
[08:26] * V-chan feels her hands tiring, but resolves to see this exam through.
[08:26] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Good luck...and begin."
[08:26] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[08:26] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[08:26] <V-chan> roll 2d6
[08:26] * Musk-bot --> "V-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[08:27] * Rei-chan feels like crying as she realises she doesn't have the first clue about most of these questions. She answers what she can, but a lot of the page is left distressingly blank...
[08:29] * V-chan finds the questions full of useless stuff she gathered from all over, quickly writing the answers down.
[08:29] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "And...you are finished with the testing phase, students." he says, with the first smile of the day. "Refreshments will be brought momentarily." he says, leaving the room. Sure enough, a cart full of cold drinks and snack food is wheeled in. That's unexpected.
[08:30] <Rei-chan> "That's nice of them," Rei notes to the student sitting next to her, before going to get something to eat and drink.
[08:31] * V-chan dreams some coke, though doesn't touch any snacks.
[08:31] * V-chan also looks at Rei again, to see how she's doing.
[08:31] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Minako," Rei says, noting the look. "Boy, that test sure was hard, huh?"
[08:32] * V-chan grimaces. "Study of oceans. Isn't that for mermaids or something?"
[08:34] <Rei-chan> "It was just like geography, but underwater," Rei says, before sighing. "It was Physics that really sucked for me. I thought I was quite good at that, but the questions were so advanced, I was totally lost!"
[08:34] * V-chan blanches, fearful, since it went so easy for her....
[08:35] <V-chan> "Don't worry, Rei-chan," she says instead. 'I'm sure we'll both get in! Good luck, and work hard, Rei-chan!"
[08:35] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, you too, Minako," Rei says, managing a smile.
[08:35] <Exam_Giver_Ana> About 15 minutes pass before the instructor returns, the snack cart having left a few minutes ago.
[08:36] * Rei-chan is back in her seat, waiting for what comes next.
[08:36] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "The next segment of the Mugen entrance exams is a physical examination. We believe that a strong body is an integral part of a powerful mind, and thus we encourage the two to go hand in hand. You will be escorted, separated by gender, and taken to the school clinic for the exam. Are there any questions?"
[08:37] <Rei-chan> "Ah, just how personal an exam will this be?" Rei asks, keeping a blush from her face.
[08:38] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "I am not familiar with the processes for the female examination. You will need to ask at the clinic, I am afraid," he replies.
[08:38] <Rei-chan> "Right..." Rei slouches in her seat.
[08:39] <V-chan> 'Separated by gender,' Minako thinks, snickering. 'Fools.'
[08:40] <Exam_Giver_Ana> The students are escorted outward and into the hall, lead to the clinic. Outside, the male teacher takes the men while a cute, perky female nurse aide takes the women into another part of the clinic offices.
[08:41] * V-chan follows with elegance, eager to show Mugen her real talents!
[08:41] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Hi," she says. "I'm sure that you are worn out from the exams, so I won't hold you too long. You'll need to strip to your undergarments, please, for the exam. Is anyone having their time of the month? That will require a slightly different test."
[08:43] * Rei-chan shakes her head to the question, as she makes sure she's far away from Minako before removing her outer layers of clothing. 'This is REALLY not what I expected from an entrance exam...'
[08:43] * V-chan shakes her head to the negative, before taking her shirt off, followed by her jeans.
[08:44] <Exam_Giver_Ana> She nods. No one is having their special time of the month, it seems. "Okay, who wants to go first?"
[08:44] * V-chan waves her hand.
[08:44] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Right," she says. "Follow me?" she motions to a doorway leading to the next room.
[08:45] * Rei-chan stands around awkwardly with the other semi-naked girls. "Did you know we had to do this?" she asks the one nearest to her.
[08:45] * V-chan follows with a smile, keeping herself to a casual walk instead of skipping like she really wants to, deep down.
[08:45] * V-chan waves at Rei, before disappearing into the next room.
[08:45] <Exam_Giver_Ana> Inside, there is a small medical table to lay down on, with a odd machine over it. It looks like some sort of scanning device from a bad movie, wired and hung from the ceiling.
[08:46] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Would you lay on the table, under the medical scanner?" she asks. "Don't worry, we don't have to do cumbersome physical examinations now, the machines can scan you quickly and painlessly."
[08:47] <V-chan> Minako's smile drops somewhat at the device, becoming forced, but she nods. Laying on the table, she tries to take her mind off the weird scanning device by concentrating on her recent training.
[08:48] <Exam_Giver_Ana> The machine hums a minute, the screen above pulsing white, then black, then stopping. "Okay, you're done. Would you have the next girl come in? Oh, and you're free to go home now."
[08:49] <V-chan> "Umm, thanks," Minako says, getting off the table. Bowing to the nurse, she leaves the room, asking the next person to enter for the examination before making a beeline for Rei.
[08:50] <Exam_Giver_Ana> The next girl goes in dutifully, he bra not quite stopping a slight jiggle.
[08:50] <V-chan> "I'm done," she tells Rei with a frown. "That's it. Could you believe it?"
[08:51] <Rei-chan> "That's nice, Minako," Rei says awkwardly, all too aware of their mutual state of undress.
[08:52] <V-chan> "There's this weird scanner thing, and it... umm, I guess, scans you. And they tell you to go home afterwards." Minako frowns again. "They didn't even say when the results would be in."
[08:52] <Rei-chan> "Probably mail them to us within a few days or a week," Rei replies.
[08:52] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "You're next," the girl who came in a minute ago is coming out now, and addresses Rei.
[08:53] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei says, moving around Minako and heading into the room.
[08:53] * V-chan waves at Rei as she goes, and then heads to dress herself.
[08:53] <Exam_Giver_Ana> Inside, you see the same set up as Minako did. "Could you lie down on the table? The scanner will do it all in a few moments."
[08:54] * Rei-chan eyes the scanner doubtfully, but does as she's told.
[08:54] <Exam_Giver_Ana> The scanner glows white, then black and then stops. "Right, it's over for you. You'll get test results in a week or so, and have a nice trip home."
[08:55] <Rei-chan> "Thank you," Rei says, bowing before she leaves the room, saying to the girl nearest the door, "You're next," and then getting dressed.
[08:56] <V-chan> "They told you to go home, too?" Minako asks, coming up to Rei again, dressed this time.
[08:56] <Rei-chan> "Yep, all done," Rei replies, already wondering what other schools she could try for now...
[08:57] <V-chan> "Umm..." Minako shrugs awkwardly. "I guess I'll see you later?"
[08:58] * Rei-chan nods distractedly before pulling her sweater on.
[08:58] * V-chan waves, and leaves for Village Pro, not really in the mood to go home.
[09:09] <Usagi-chan> -----
[09:09] <Rei-chan> Having went home and had a lunch after the exam, Rei then decides to go visit her convalescing friend. Arriving at the Tsukino residence, she rings the doorbell and waits patiently for an answer.
[09:11] <Exam_Giver_Ana> The door opens to Shingo. "Usagi's upstairs," he says, walking past. "See ya."
[09:12] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei says, entering and removing her shoes, before heading up the stairs and knocking on Usagi's door. "Usagi, it's Rei."
[09:13] <Usagi-chan> There is a shuffling noise inside Usagi's room and a thump. "Ow... come on in..." she says grumpily.
[09:13] * Rei-chan opens the door and looks around, wondering what the thump was.
[09:14] * Usagi-chan is sitting on the floor, looking like she just managed to fall down. Her boombox is sitting facedown on the floor next to her, the cord near Usagi's feet. "Hi Rei-chan..." Usagi says unhappily as she slowly struggles to her feet.
[09:15] * Rei-chan walks over and offers Usagi a hand up. "You shouldn't be walking around, Usagi. You still need to rest," she says in an almost out of character patient tone.
[09:16] <Usagi-chan> "I was just trying to turn on the radio!" Usagi protests, allowing Rei to help her back over to the bed. "It's just so BORING in here with nothing to do all day."
[09:19] <Rei-chan> "Well, here's something to keep you amused," Rei says, reaching into her bag and pulling out this week's Nakoyashi, as well as a couple of volumes of Kakedashita Cupid manga. "Don't want you dying of boredom, after all," she smirks, putting them on the bed beside Usagi.
[09:20] * Usagi-chan squeals with excitement as she scans through the magazine. "Thanks, Rei-chan!"
[09:21] * Rei-chan then kneels down to pick up Usagi's radio, setting it on the nightstand and tucking the cable away so it won't be a trip hazard.
[09:24] * Usagi-chan looks through the manga for another minute or so, then stops as she recalls something. "What the heck IS oceanography, anyway? I'm guessing it's something from your test today - I heard you think it earlier but I didn't say anything because I didn't want to distract you."
[09:25] <Rei-chan> "Heh, it's kinda like geography, but underwater. Funnily enough, that wasn't even the hardest part of the test..." Rei sits down on the edge of the bed. "It was so much harder than anything I've had to do at T*A before... Mugen really does deserve it's reputation."
[09:26] <Usagi-chan> "How do you think you did?" Usagi looks at Rei curiously.
[09:28] <Rei-chan> "Ah... I really don't know. I did get through most of it without any real problems, but I totally bombed at least two sections." She then gives Usagi a funny look, "Did you know they put us through medical exams? I had to lie in my underwear while they had this big machine scan me. It was weird."
[09:29] <Usagi-chan> "For an ENTRANCE exam?" Usagi gives Rei a quizzical look. "I've never heard of anything like THAT before."
[09:29] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, it was really weird..."
[09:30] <Rei-chan> "Anyway, I'll find out in a week if I passed or not, so nothing to do but wait until then..."
[09:30] <Usagi-chan> "So how many sections were there? Maybe bombing two of them won't be too bad."
[09:31] <Rei-chan> "Lets see..." Rei goes over them in her head, before announcing, "Seven. Not counting the medical."
[09:33] <Usagi-chan> "Well, if you did really well on some of the other sections maybe it'll balance out." Usagi smiles. "And you never know - maybe you didn't do as bad on those two parts as you think."
[09:33] <Rei-chan> "I hope so... some of it was so far advanced of anything I've studied before." She pouts, "Times like today I wish Ami-chan was telepathic..."
[09:34] <Usagi-chan> "Well, if you DO get in at least you can be proud of the fact that you did it all on your own, right?"
[09:35] <Rei-chan> "Well, I have to thank the Kami, of course," Rei smiles mysteriously.
[09:36] <Usagi-chan> "Even if the kami did help out you did most of the work yourself, Rei-chan. I know I wouldn't even stand a CHANCE of getting into Mugen." Usagi makes a face.
[09:37] * Rei-chan doesn't dispute that statement. But then, she's doubtful enough of her own chances, so it's fair.
[09:37] <Usagi-chan> "Did they say when you'd get your results?"
[09:38] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I'd find out in a week. So all I can do is wait until then," Rei repeats herself.
[09:39] <Usagi-chan> "I'll keep my fingers crossed for you then." Usagi smiles. "All I have to look forward to with school is a HUGE pile of homework to make up when I finally get back."
[09:41] <Rei-chan> "I've missed a lot, too. And with Mugen being so advanced, when I do get in I'll have to catch up. Mako-chan will have to catch up a lot as well with the time she's missed... I think Ami-chan is the only dutiful student among us..."
[09:42] <Usagi-chan> "I just don't get how she can actually LIKE studying - I mean, there's just so many other things that are WAY more fun, like video games and manga and watching TV..."
[09:43] * Rei-chan shrugs. "We all find joy somewhere. If learning new things makes Ami-chan happy, more power to her,"
[09:45] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so." Usagi pauses to think, then hears the soft tones of the radio behind Rei. "Oooh, turn it up! I love this song!"
[09:46] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei turns around, and increases the volume, her expression falling when she hears Eternal Snow playing. "It is a beautiful song," she admits, sounding melancholy.
[09:47] * Usagi-chan listens for a minute, then sees Rei's downcast expression. "You don't like it?"
[09:49] <Rei-chan> "It's not that," Rei shakes her head. "I just... Minako wrote it for me, she said. Hearing it makes me feel bad over what happened..." she snorts, "As if I didn't already."
[09:49] <Usagi-chan> "Minako... wrote it for you?" Usagi looks completely lost.
[09:52] * Rei-chan blinks, then figures it out. "Oh, she never told you..." she sighs, "I guess I forgot that she kept a lot of stuff secret from everyone but me."
[09:52] <Rei-chan> "Minako is Full Moon. She uses her Crescent Compact to make herself look older, and she's an incredibly successful idol singer. She wrote Eternal Snow as her 'confession' to me..."
[09:53] * Usagi-chan is dumbfounded. "Minako... is Full Moon?" She gapes for a minute. "REALLY Full Moon? She's been one of my favorite singers - I've gotten all of the singles she's released so far!"
[09:54] <Rei-chan> "Surprised me, too," Rei admits.
[09:56] * Usagi-chan looks thoughtful for a minute. "I guess that explains one thing that's been bugging me for a while, at least. Full Moon could definitely afford it."
[09:57] <Rei-chan> "Hm?" Rei arches an eyebrow. "Afford what?"
[09:58] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Go into my closet if you would, and look behind the big pile of shoes - there's a blue shoebox back there. Pull it out for me if you would; I'd get it myself, but I'd probably fall down trying to get out of bed." Usagi frowns.
[09:59] <Rei-chan> Wordlessly, Rei does as asked, foraging through the clutter in Usagi's closet for a moment before retrieving the box and returning to put it on the bed next to Usagi.
[10:00] * Usagi-chan opens the box, revealing the ornate silver jewelry she received just before Christmas. She sets each piece out on her comforter separately, so Rei can get a good look at each of them.
[10:01] <Rei-chan> Rei's eyes bug out and she clutches her chest as she stares at the jewellery. She works her mouth a few times before she can get the words "That must have cost a fortune!" out in a hoarse whisper.
[10:03] * Usagi-chan nods. "I got all of it a couple of days before Christmas. There was a note in the box with the scepter and the earrings in Minako's handwriting. I had NO idea how she could afford all of it though - until just now."
[10:07] * Rei-chan shakes her head, before looking at the shoebox, then at Usagi's closet. "What on Earth will you ever do with all of this? If anyone knew you owned it, your house would get robbed before you knew it!"
[10:10] <Usagi-chan> "You don't have to tell me." Usagi sighs. "I have NO idea what to do with any of it - it's not like I can go around wearing any of it, anyway. Well, except maybe this." She picks up the silver choker.
[10:11] * Rei-chan snickers, suddenly getting an image of Usagi in her school uniform showing up for class with all that stuff, waving the sceptre around and crying that Miss Haruna is being mean.
[10:17] <Usagi-chan> "To be honest, I haven't even tried most of it on yet, just the choker. It's simple enough that I can wear it, but it makes me feel like I'm in my senshi outfit." Usagi sticks her tongue out a bit.
[10:17] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it's certainly not casual wear," Rei agrees.
[10:19] * Usagi-chan picks up the tiara and regards it thoughtfully. "I'm half inclined to return it to her - it's just so expensive, and I'm never going to get any use out of it."
[10:21] <Rei-chan> "Minako does tend to go a bit overboard when spending money on her friends..." Rei says thoughtfully, "Still, she might be offended if you refuse her gift."
[10:23] <Usagi-chan> "I know, that's why I haven't done anything about it yet." Usagi replies glumly. 'At least she doesn't know about the note...'
[10:24] * Rei-chan slaps a hand against her forehead. "Usagi, that telepathy trick of yours works both ways. What note?"
[10:24] * Usagi-chan winces. "I thought I was getting better about that..." Slowly she reaches into the box, pulling out the note that Minako sent along with the jewelry and handing it to Rei.
[10:26] * Rei-chan quickly glances over the note, then returns it to Usagi with a sigh. "Well, at least she didn't say she'd make you a Queen, right?" she offers in a rather pitiful attempt at mirth.
[10:27] * Usagi-chan doesn't reply, a rather distant look in her eyes.
[10:28] <Rei-chan> 'Probably not the best thing I could have said...' Rei thinks to herself sadly.
[10:30] * Usagi-chan shakes her head slightly, snapping out of her reverie as she picks up on Rei's thought. "It's not your fault, Rei-chan. I've just been doing a lot of thinking lately. Not a lot else for me to do in here, really." She glances up at the painting, hung on the wall just past the foot of her bed.
[10:30] <Rei-chan> "Come to any conclusions, yet?" Rei asks gently.
[10:31] <Usagi-chan> "A couple." Usagi replies, still not looking at the miko. "I'm not real sure about whether they're right or not, but I have to decide something." She sighs.
[10:33] <Rei-chan> "So which way is the decision leaning towards?" Rei asks, leaning forward slightly with her curiousity. After all, what Usagi decides will affect the rest of them just as much.
[10:36] <Usagi-chan> "I have to be what I am." Usagi replies, an unusually serious but calm expression on her face. 'All I have to do from here is figure out HOW...' she sighs mentally.
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "And what are you, Usagi?" Rei asks quietly. "Princess Serenity? Sailor Moon? Queen Serenity II?" she pauses for a moment, regarding the blonde seriously, "Usagi Tsukino?"
[10:39] * Usagi-chan smiles wanly. "All of the above - and with my luck, probably even a few more things that I don't even know about yet."
[10:41] <Rei-chan> "So you're going to try and reconcile all of them together? Not the easiest of paths..." she then smiles warmly, "But probably the best one in the long run."
[10:49] * Usagi-chan shrugs. "I can't deny that any of those is a part of who I am. I may not want to be the queen, but then I didn't want to be Sailor Moon either - and look at where trying to deny that got me." She shakes her head. "I don't want to make the same mistake twice."
[10:51] * Rei-chan nods approvingly at Usagi's rationale, before frowning. "But Sailor Moon is a lot less complicated than being a Queen... how exactly are you going to sort that out? Besides us senshi and the two cats, you're rather lacking in subjects, your Majesty." She has an impish smile as she speaks, but it is a serious point.
[10:52] <Usagi-chan> "I'm... still working on that. I didn't think it was going to be easy, but there has to be something I can do." Usagi gets a distant look on her face again. "I'll figure something out."
[10:55] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure you will. Just give it time," Rei says. "Just remember, protecting people is more important than ruling them. The world needs Sailor Moon more than it needs Neo Queen Serenity II," she adds seriously. "Make sure you really do balance all of your identities."
[10:59] * Usagi-chan lays back on the bed, still holding the tiara. She turns it in her hands as she looks at it. "I just hope this is the right choice, Rei-chan..."
[11:06] <Rei-chan> "Hey, if you screw up, I'll be there to put you back on track!" Rei declares confidently.
[11:10] <Usagi-chan> "How far though, Rei?" Usagi asks quietly. "The bigger things get, the worse things are going to be if I screw up. Would you really stay behind me if something I did was the reason people died?"
[11:14] * Rei-chan has a brief flashback to those terrible moments when she had attacked her friends at Metallia's urging, and then what had come after her purification. "I could do nothing less," she says in a hoarse whisper, looking away from Usagi.
[11:17] * Usagi-chan sees the look of horror on Rei's face and turns away, tears appearing in the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rei-chan... I shouldn't have said anything. It's just... everything is getting so BIG now - I'm absolutely terrified of what could happen if I mess things up now." Especially if her screwups would drive her friends away from her, she does not add.
[11:20] <Rei-chan> "You won't, Usagi," Rei says earnestly, though still looking away. "I know that when things are really important, you're the most dependable person I know."
[11:24] * Usagi-chan sits up in bed, embracing the miko from the side. "Thanks, Rei-chan... it means a lot to me to hear you say that." She lays her head on Rei's shoulder. "I couldn't stand the thought of losing you because of something I did wrong."
[11:31] <Rei-chan> "Usagi..." Rei says softly, returning the hug, "As long as I'm able to, I'll stand by you."
[11:35] * Usagi-chan releases the other girl and smiles. "Guess I'll have to make sure you're able to for a long, long time then. Thanks for being such a good friend, Rei-chan."
[11:36] <Rei-chan> "Even if I'm always so mean to you?" Rei asks with a teasing smile.
[11:39] <Usagi-chan> "I'll have to think about that..." Usagi puts on an air of mock appraisal.
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "Figured," Rei grins. "Want me to put this stuff away before I leave you to think?" she indicates the jewellery.
[11:41] <Usagi-chan> "Nah, I can take care of it. I'll just shove it under the bed for now - it's not like I won't be around in case someone tries to come in here and steal them." Usagi makes a face at the thought of her continued 'imprisonment'.
[11:44] <Rei-chan> "Alright, then." Rei rises from the bed, "Just make sure to keep resting, and you'll be up and about in no time. Then you can go back to school!" she finishes brightly, giving a jaunty wave before exiting the room.
[11:44] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks for coming by, Rei-chan! I hope Mugen calls back soon with good news!" Usagi calls after the retreating Rei.
[22:30] <Usagi-chan> -----
[22:33] <Usagi-chan> It's late afternoon, a couple of days since Usagi's untimely collapse on the way to the New Year's Festival. Usagi is becoming increasingly restless as the time passes, although both her mother and her cat seem to be conspiring to keep her in bed for as long as the doctor told her to.
[22:34] * Usagi-chan is laying back on her bed, a pair of headphones on her head as she reads a manga she borrowed from Rei.
[22:35] * Makoto knocks softly on Usagi's door and peeks into the room, checking that Usagi isn't sleeping. Noticing that she isn't, she waves in greeting as she steps in. "Hey Usagi."
[22:36] * Usagi-chan lights up with a bright smile as the tall brunette enters the room. She quickly pulls off the headphones. "Hi, Mako-chan!"
[22:39] <Makoto> "So how's our favorite princess feeling?" Makoto asks, now next to the bed, smiling at Usagi.
[22:41] * Usagi-chan grumbles. "Frustrated! I feel fine already, but Mom and Luna won't even let me get out of bed for any longer than it takes to go to the bathroom."
[22:43] * Makoto shakes her head. "Not even to watch TV? That's kinda being a bit overprotective."
[22:44] * Makoto grins as she adds, "Although you're worth overprotecting."
[22:47] <Usagi-chan> "Not even for that. I mean, it's not like I can't walk or something." As if to prove the point, Usagi climbs out of the bed, standing up in her pajamas. While she seems to be standing without any problems, it's fairly clear that she's still wobbly on her feet. "Look, see what I mean?"
[22:49] <Makoto> "Hmph," Makoto says, "I think they're right about you staying in bed for a while longer, you know."
[22:50] <Makoto> "I think I'd have to give you a piggy back ride for you to make it to the TV, even if you can walk somewhat."
[22:52] * Usagi-chan flops back down on the bed. "Not you too, Mako-chan! I'm fine, really!" she complains. "Everyone's been treating me like I'm made of glass or something."
[22:53] <Makoto> "Hey, I'm at least willing to act like your pack mule and give you a piggyback ride if you want to go places. That's a step up, right?" Makoto grins at the annoyed blonde.
[22:55] * Usagi-chan smiles a little. "I appreciate the offer, but Mom would get mad if she had to help me up the stairs again. I was only looking for a snack!"
[22:56] <Makoto> "Well, would some manga do? I can go bug Rei and...'liberate' her manga for you," Makoto offers.
[22:58] * Usagi-chan giggles. "That's okay, she came by after her tests at Mugen." Usagi indicates a small pile of manga sitting next to the bed. "Anyway, enough about me - how's school going? Did you have any problems from being out for so long?"
[22:59] <Makoto> "Thankfully, no," Makoto says grinning. "Mrs. Suzuki tried to give me trouble, but I showed her!"
[22:59] <Makoto> "...well, with some help from Ami and her mom, anyhow," Makoto amends.
[23:01] * Usagi-chan gives Makoto a wry grin. "I'm just hoping I don't have to meet her... I've missed so many classes lately myself that Miss H has been threatening to send me to the guidance office as it is." Usagi sighs.
[23:02] <Makoto> "Eh, you probably don't have to worry," Makoto says with a dismissing wave. "Students are usually handed out to the counselors by their last names. Tsukino isn't anywhere near Kino."
[23:04] <Usagi-chan> "God, I hope not. I've just heard too many horror stories about Suzuki." Usagi shudders slightly.
[23:05] <Makoto> "A good deal from me, I bet," Makoto mutters, while shaking her head.
[23:07] <Usagi-chan> "Even from before you came to my school - she's been around forever, and she treats almost everyone like that. I don't even know why they keep her around - I've heard she won't even listen to parents, most of the time." Usagi shakes her head.
[23:09] <Makoto> "Well, Kazan said it was just because she's been with the school so long and that the principal respects her. They feel bad about kicking her or some such," Makoto explains.
[23:10] <Usagi-chan> "Well, THAT explains it." Usagi makes a face. "I at least know the principal, and he never listens to anything either. He makes a good match for her, I guess."
[23:11] * Makoto shrugs. "Eh, he's never accused me of the BS that Suzuki has, so I don't particularly care about him."
[23:13] * Usagi-chan sighs as she flops back on the bed. "I just hope Miss H isn't ready to kill me when I get back. She was already annoyed with me BEFORE this happened."
[23:15] <Makoto> "Don't you usually just get detention from her?"
[23:18] <Usagi-chan> "She's threatened to send me to the guidance office a few times after I've skipped classes." Usagi grumbles. "And when she's in a bad mood, she ships me off to the principal's office rather than give me detention."
[23:21] <Makoto> "Well, considering the principal has more authority than the guidance office, I don't see the point if she already sends you to him..." Makoto says somewhat confused.
[23:25] <Usagi-chan> "Only the 'real' problem students get sent to the guidance office, usually." Usagi sighs. "I still don't know how you ended up meeting up with old Suzuki when you first got here, unless it's because of that reputation you have for fighting."
[23:26] <Makoto> "I kinda ran out on class twice because of the youma," Makoto explains. "The guidance office saw it as a sign of my 'troublemaking' tendencies acting up and had me brought in."
[23:26] * Makoto grumbles. "Stupid youma..."
[23:27] * Usagi-chan groans. "Tell me about it... I've lost count of the number of detentions I've gotten because of youma attacks."
[23:34] <Usagi-chan> "Even with as bad as school is, it beats being cooped up in here all day." Usagi grumbles.
[23:35] <Makoto> "I dunno, I wouldn't mind getting to stick around here. It's better than an empty apartment, anyhow," Makoto says with a somewhat weak smile.
[23:36] <Usagi-chan> "Come on over whenever you want to!" Usagi smiles. "Believe me, I enjoy the company - it beats staring at the ceiling all afternoon, that's for sure."
[23:39] <Makoto> "Oh, you'd probably get tired of me if you had me around all the time, you know," Makoto says, somewhat quietly.
[23:41] <Usagi-chan> "Of course I wouldn't, don't be silly! I've missed having you around for so long, actually. Rei's not much of a cook." Usagi winks.
[23:47] <Makoto> "Heh, well, you do have your mom to cook for you, you know," Makoto says.
[23:48] <Usagi-chan> "I know, but she's stingy with the snacks." Usagi makes a face. "Besides, those ginger cookies you make are even better than hers are!"
[23:51] * Makoto blushes. "I'll remember to make some next time I come, then, just for you."
[23:53] <Usagi-chan> "Really? That's great!" Usagi grins. "I haven't had them in what seems like forever..."
[23:55] <Makoto> "Well, at least a month, right?"
[23:57] <Usagi-chan> "A month is a long time! I'm just glad to have you back more than anything though, Mako-chan." 'Although I wish I could have gotten the last of it out of you...' she thinks sadly.
[23:59] * Makoto blinks. "Last what? Last cookie?" Makoto asks confused.
[00:00] <Usagi-chan> "Huh?" Usagi looks up, startled. "Did I say that out loud?"
[00:02] <Makoto> "Uh no. That telepathy thingie that you said we share, actually," Makoto replies. "Anyhow, last what?"
[00:04] <Usagi-chan> "I..." Usagi sighs. "One of the things that's come up while you were gone is that I've started to see... well, I guess seeing auras is the best way to describe it."
[00:06] <Makoto> "Auras?" Makoto asks somewhat confused. "You mean like when people shine in manga? We don't shine, do we?"
[00:08] <Usagi-chan> "To me you do, actually." Usagi smiles slightly. "But yours is... there's something else in there that doesn't belong, and it's been there ever since we got your powers back from Orestes." She sighs. "I tried to get as much of it out as I could, but there are two fragments of it buried REALLY deep, and I couldn't get them out when I tried."
[00:09] <Makoto> Makoto's blood feels like it's running cold, and she shivers at the thought that something from Orestes is still around to haunt her.
[00:11] * Usagi-chan lowers her head as she sees Makoto tremble. "I.. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, Mako-chan, but I didn't know how to tell you. I promise, I'll do everything I can to get rid of it - I've talked to Rei-chan already, and she thinks she might be able to help me out if I try it again."
[00:18] * Makoto smiles weakly. "Don't worry too much over it, Usagi. Just hearing about Orestes shocked me a bit. It hasn't really hurt me yet, or anything, right?"
[00:19] <Makoto> 'Yet...' she thinks sadly. 'Why do I keep thinking yet?'
[00:20] * Usagi-chan keeps her eyes lowered. "I'm sorry... I should have tried harder to get rid of it."
[00:29] <Makoto> "Well, you said you were getting Rei's help, right? That's trying harder right there," Makoto states.
[00:32] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so..." Usagi mumbles, then turns a very tired smile to Makoto. "We'll get it taken care of in no time, I'm sure."
[00:39] <Makoto> "Well, anyhow..." Makoto says, trying to change topics. "Doing good with hiding the moon crescent?"
[00:39] * Makoto realizes that's probably not the best topic, but it should hopefully be less painful for the both of them. Hopefully.
[00:41] <Usagi-chan> "All right, I guess. I've been getting a few funny looks because of the hair braid, but no one's asked me about it yet at least. I'm kind of surprised that Naru hasn't mentioned anything about it, actually."
[10:18] <Makoto> "Well, she has been looking at Umino a lot lately, you know..." Makoto teases. "She's gonna be a bit distracted."
[10:21] * Usagi-chan giggles. "They make a cute couple, don't they? I'm just glad to see she's doing better these days - she was down for so long after Nephrite died."
[10:22] * Makoto just nods, not able to really say much on the matter of Nephrite.
[10:24] <Usagi-chan> "What about you, Mako-chan? Have you got your eye on anyone right now?" Usagi grins.
[10:25] * Makoto blushes. "...Maybe yes. Maybe not."
[10:25] <Usagi-chan> "I knew it! Who is it?" Usagi leans forward eagerly.
[10:26] <Makoto> "W-we're just friends right now," Makoto stutters, trying to stall.
[10:27] * Usagi-chan pokes Makoto in the chest. "Come on, you at least have to tell me who it is..."
[10:28] <Makoto> "His name is Kazan. He's just such a sweetie," Makoto says with a blush.
[10:29] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I don't think I know him... I'll have to keep a lookout for him. Has he asked you out yet?"
[10:33] <Makoto> "No, we just hang out... well, whenever I have to go to the guidance office, anyhow," Makoto said, a bit embarrassed.
[10:35] <Usagi-chan> "Ow... not exactly the best time to make a good impression, huh? I bet things will work out for you two though." Usagi smiles. 'At least you know exactly who likes you...' she thinks somewhat sadly.
[10:42] * Makoto blushes. "Well, he kinda understands that Suzuki's a bitch, so that was nice." Frowning though, she asks, "But what about Mamoru?"
[10:44] * Usagi-chan looks up, startled, before realizing what happened. "I keep forgetting you can hear my thoughts too," she says with a wry grin. "I'm still not completely used to it myself. As to Mamoru... I wish I knew what was going on with him myself. He just got back a few days ago, and he's been... well, you can see for yourself." Usagi points to the large bouquet of roses, still fresh, in a vase on her desk.
[10:47] * Makoto raises an eyebrow. "So he gave you some roses, isn't that good?"
[10:47] <Usagi-chan> "I didn't tell you what happened before he left, did I?" Usagi sighs.
[10:51] <Usagi-chan> "I went to go talk to him, but when I did he was... strange. Really strange. He said he could remember EVERYTHING and talked about killing me and kissing me in the same sentence. I can't tell you how much that freaked me out."
[10:52] * Makoto gets an image of Orestes ranting at her and shivers. "I think I can relate somewhat."
[10:53] <Usagi-chan> "He hasn't seemed like that since he got back from his vacation, but... I don't know. He seems a lot more like the Endymion I can remember from the Moon Kingdom than the Mamoru I know now." Usagi sighs. "I'm just not sure WHAT to do there."
[10:55] * Makoto frowns. "Well, if you're that uncomfortable, you don't have to be his girlfriend."
[10:56] <Makoto> "Not push him away," Makoto quickly clarifies as best she can. "Just don't rush into things..."
[10:57] <Usagi-chan> "It's just..." Usagi waves her hands around. "He's being so NICE about everything! It's weird hearing all these wonderful things he's saying come out of Mamoru-baka's mouth. I can't say I don't appreciate it, but it's hard to get used to. I'd almost rather he still called me Dumpling Head." Usagi sighs.
[10:59] * Makoto smiles softly. "Why were you with Mamoru if you fought so much, anyhow?" Makoto asks, not quite understanding her feelings on the man.
[11:02] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know! We just always used to run into each other, and then there were a few times that he seemed... I don't know, different somehow, back when we were looking for the rainbow crystals. Like when he and I both posed for Yumeni-san's painting."
[11:05] <Makoto> "Are you sure you didn't just love the Endymion part of him then? That you're not just used to having a bit Mamoru's remarks along for the ride?" Makoto asks with a somewhat strained smile. She feels a wavering opinion on Endymion ever since Usagi's description reminded her of Orestes. But if he made her happy...
[11:08] <Usagi-chan> "That's just it, I don't really KNOW. Just when I was starting to get to know Mamoru better - and even starting to like him a little - Kunzite and Beryl took him away at the Starlight Tower. And then the next time I saw him, he tried to kill me." Usagi runs a hand through her hair. "I guess I'm more afraid of him being in love with Serenity, not me. I don't want someone to love me for who I was, I want them to love me for who I AM."
[11:14] <Makoto> "Well, I can't really give you advice. I'm not exactly sure how -I'd- handle him if I were in your shoes," Makoto says with a sigh.
[11:15] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, I know." Usagi shakes her head. "It's just one more thing I have to figure out how to deal with, as if I didn't have enough already."
[11:17] <Makoto> "Try not to worry too much over things, alright, Usagi?" Makoto asks. A smirk pops up as she adds, "Otherwise you'll never be let out of bed"
[11:18] <Usagi-chan> "Don't even joke about that!" Usagi fumes, her melancholy evaporating almost immediately. "I can NOT get out of here soon enough!"
[11:20] * Makoto snickers. "Then worry less, and focus on getting outta here. You'll get no help from me in staging a 'jailbreak'."
[11:22] * Usagi-chan crosses her arms huffily. "Only if you promise to bring me those ginger cookies." Usagi crosses her fingers, hoping her ploy is successful...
[11:23] * Makoto sticks her tongue out at you. "I already promised, didn't I?"
[11:24] <Usagi-chan> "Just making sure, since you said you're not going to help me get out of here." Usagi grumps, returning the gesture.
[11:27] <Makoto> "Well, enjoy yourself for the rest of the long, long, looooooooooooooooooooong day," Makoto says with a giggle as she starts to move outside.
[11:31] * Usagi-chan throws a pillow at Makoto as she makes her escape from the room. "Fine then, be that way!" She lays back in the bed huffily, but smiles a moment later. 'Thanks for coming, Mako-chan.'
[11:33] * Makoto goes "Oomph" as the pillow impacts the back of her head. She turns her head around and flashes Usagi a smile. 'You're welcome...Dumpling Head.'
[11:33] * Makoto ducks out of the room.
[11:35] * Usagi-chan shakes her head and giggles as she lays back down on the bed, soon drifting back off into a nap.

Halbarad · June 23, 2006, 01:11:20 AM

[10:14] <Usagi-chan> -----
[15:24] <Usagi-chan> Finally, the last day of Usagi's prescribed convalescence has arrived. The past several days have sorely tried her patience, but she's holding out well enough for the final stretch.
[15:25] * Usagi-chan lies back on her bed, staring up at the painting Rei gave her as a Christmas gift.
[15:28] <Ami> A light rapping is heard at your door.
[15:28] * Usagi-chan snaps out of her light reverie and turns to face the door. "Come in!"
[15:29] * Ami enters, arms full of books and whatnot and a smile on her lips. "Hello, Usagi."
[15:32] * Usagi-chan smiles brightly. "Ami-chan! Thanks so much for coming by!"
[15:34] <Ami> "It's no problem. I brought your homeworks so you don't fall behind," Ami says, lifting the books.
[15:35] * Usagi-chan puts on a wry grin. "Probably waaay too late for that. I'm sure Miss H is going to kill me when I finally get back to class no matter what I do."
[15:36] <Ami> "There's still hope!" Ami says, laying the books out around the blonde.
[15:38] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I doubt it.... I bet she'll stick me in remedial classes for the rest of the year." Usagi draws her legs up, resting her chin on her knees glumly.
[15:39] <Ami> "Not for the rest of the year. I'm sure I could get you out in the first month," Ami jests.
[15:40] * Usagi-chan groans. "I just don't want to do any extra school!" She glances up at the painting once again, then turns back to Ami. "How have you been doing while I've been cooped up in here?"
[15:42] <Ami> "Me? I've been well. I was worried about you, though. How are you holding up? Not passing out anymore I hope." Ami looks on with concern.
[15:44] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No, and I'm not wobbling on my feet anymore either, although Mom STILL insists that I stay in bed until tomorrow. At least I can go downstairs to watch TV now."
[15:44] <Ami> "Or you could go pick up a book," Ami hints, not so subtly.
[15:46] <Usagi-chan> "Believe me, I've tried. I've been reading some of those Lunar books you gave me, but every time I go over to my desk to work on homework, Luna comes in and bullies me back into bed before I can even get started on it."
[15:47] <Ami> "I'll have to have a talk with her, then," Ami says. "So, how are you enjoying what you have read?"
[15:49] <Usagi-chan> "It's helping a lot, actually." Usagi smiles. "I'd just started to remember a few bits and pieces of the language after... my dream," Usagi says, slightly uncomfortably. "Being able to see it laid out like that is helping me pick up more of it again."
[15:51] <Ami> "I was hoping it would. I have my translator program to use, but with no real memories I'm feeling my way through it as well. Though I do know a few tricks to help me out."
[15:53] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I'm just hoping I remember enough to translate Rei's manga for her soon."
[15:55] * Ami chuckles. "I bet she'd love that."
[15:56] <Usagi-chan> "I was just glad I remembered enough to actually FIND it for her... I knew they had some up there, but it took me a while to recall where it was kept in the library." Usagi shakes her head.
[15:55] * Ami glances at the picture on Usagi's wall, not having noticed it until now. "Where did you get that?"
[15:59] <Usagi-chan> "Hmm? Oh, that's something Rei-chan gave me for Christmas." Usagi smiles. "You remember Yumeni-san, the painter? Rei talked to her and she painted that picture of all of us back in the Silver Millenium."
[16:01] * Ami smiles. "That was nice of her." She stares at the picture a bit longer, her eyes taking on a faraway look.
[16:01] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, it's really beautiful. I don't know how she managed it, but it's almost a perfect likeness of all of us back then." Usagi smiles wistfully.
[16:04] * Usagi-chan notices that Ami is rather quiet after a few moments. Looking over at the blue-haired girl, she notices the distant look on her face as she stares up at the picture. "Ami-chan?" she asks hesitantly.
[16:05] <Ami> "Usagi..." Ami mutters softly. That far away look focuses on the blonde. "I've been thinking..."
[16:06] * Usagi-chan looks at Ami curiously, a small smile on her face. "Why am I not surprised... what's on your mind?"
[16:08] <Ami> Another pause, and then, "I want to go back."
[16:08] <Usagi-chan> "Go back? Go back where?" Usagi looks slightly puzzled.
[16:09] <Ami> "To the moon. I want to go back up there, Usagi." Ami turns to the picture once again.
[16:09] * Usagi-chan falls silent for a few minutes before she replies. "Why?" she asks quietly.
[16:13] <Ami> "It's drawing me, you know? Ever since we found that library I've been feeling this... longing. Like there's something up there I'm meant to find. And the knowledge, Usagi. Do you have any idea what kind of knowledge is held up there?"
[16:15] <Usagi-chan> "More of an idea than you might think, Ami." Usagi says, still speaking very softly.
[16:18] * Ami lets a companionable silence fall for a few minutes, just enjoying the atmosphere. "I can't recall much about the Silver Millennium. Did I ever tell you that?"
[16:20] <Usagi-chan> "I don't think we ever really talked about it that much before, actually. I've talked with Rei about it here and there, but most of the others seem to be content to forget about the past." Usagi smiles once again, as memories of the golden times in her past life drift through her mind.
[16:22] * Ami nods. "I figured as much. I haven't fought any memories emerging, but I haven't gone out of my way to find them, either. It never seemed that important at first. Whoever she was, the former Sailor Mercury is dead and gone."
[16:24] <Ami> "And I was fine with that, until I found the library. It was... a rush. She was just like me. And now I'm starting to wonder..."
[16:25] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "She's not dead, Ami-chan. She still lives on in you, whether you remember much about her or not. It's kind of funny, actually." Usagi smiles. "Ever since I got this moon mark on my forehead, I've started to notice so many similarities between all of you and all of your past lives. I'll see you or Rei or Makoto do something, and it'll remind me of something that happened back then when you reacted the exact same way."
[16:28] <Ami> "I don't know about the others, but from what I get when I'm in the library is that she was just like me." A small smile comes to her lips. "Though I think I've read more than she has."
[16:30] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, I wouldn't count on that." Usagi winks. "You wouldn't believe how hard it was to winkle her out of that library back then - I remember one time when she was reading some new treatise on philosophy and we'd planned to all go out on a picnic that afternoon. Rei and Makoto almost had to drag her out of there." Usagi giggles.
[16:32] <Ami> "Hmph. If she was so smart she would have taken the treaty with her so she could eat Mako-chan's food and read at the same time."
[16:33] <Usagi-chan> "That library wasn't like the ones we have now, Ami-chan. They didn't allow anyone to remove the books without a VERY good reason. Most of the time people would just go down there and read for a few hours - you remember how comfortable the chairs in there were."
[16:35] <Ami> "I do. I also recall siting on the floor in a corner a lot."
[16:36] <Usagi-chan> "I almost NEVER went in there. I could barely stand the few hours a day I had to deal with my tutors - none of them were as bad as school was here, but I didn't like learning any more back then than I do now." Usagi makes a face.
[16:38] <Ami> "Heh. Funny, I recall really liking my tutors."
[16:40] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I know, there are a lot of good memories from back then. Walking around in the gardens, watching Rei and Makoto sparring, going over all of the gossip with Minako... I just wish you could all remember more of what it was like. It was such a wonderful time..." Usagi looks a bit sad.
[16:42] <Ami> "Let's go up there," Ami says suddenly.
[16:43] <Usagi-chan> "...what do you want to do up there?" Usagi asks after a minute.
[16:45] <Ami> "The library. I can't just leave it there. It's like a," she pauses, thinking in Usagi terms. "A cupcake. A big, tasty cupcake (not too wet, not too dry) will extra frosting and sprinkles!"
[16:46] * Usagi-chan giggles at the idea. "Now you're making me hungry! But yeah, I want to go back too." Usagi looks thoughtful.
[16:49] <Ami> "There are some books that were referenced in my cache that I want to look at. Very interesting reading. Plus, I want to make sure that we didn't miss anything. Another computer or something would give us a huge advantage, I think, should something like this happen again. My computer's database has holes big enough to drive trucks through."
[16:51] * Usagi-chan nods. "All right, but Luna and Mom would kill me if I tried to leave now." Usagi sighs. "We should arrange a time to go up there after I finally get out of here."
[16:51] <Ami> You get out tomorrow, right?"
[16:52] * Usagi-chan nods. "Unless Luna decides I need to be stuck here for another few days." Usagi grumbles. "But yes, I'm supposed to be able to get out of bed tomorrow."
[16:54] <Ami> "How about the day after, then? Everyone is going to want to see you when you can come out again, so disappearing tomorrow would be a bad idea." She hmms.
[16:55] <Usagi-chan> "Sounds okay to me, I guess. We can go after school." Usagi nods.
[16:58] * Ami nods. "Just you and me?"
[16:59] <Usagi-chan> "Sure, unless you want to invite one of the others along."
[17:00] * Ami ponders that for a moment, but shakes her head. "No, just us is fine. We'll have to stay up there a bit to recharge, though."
[17:01] * Usagi-chan looks to the side. "Maybe not as long as you might think," she says softly.
[17:03] <Ami> "What was that?" Ami queries.
[17:03] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Nothing important, Ami-chan, just thinking out loud." Usagi smiles.
[17:04] <Ami> "Okay, so it's a date then. Now, time for study!" Ami points in the air dramatically.
[17:06] <Usagi-chan> "All right already!" Usagi opens the nearest book - just her luck, Algebra - bad-temperedly and flips through to the last thing she remembers doing. "I think this is where I left off..."
[17:07] * Ami looks at it and sweat-drops. "Um. Wow. That's... back a ways."
[17:08] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I've been really busy for the past month and a half!" Usagi pouts. "I don't always have time to get to my homework."
[17:09] * Ami does not comment on her being ahead of the class, substantially.
[17:10] <Ami> "Well, time to play catch up." Ami unleashes the full force of her tutoring skills!
[17:12] <Ami> -----
[11:29] <Anastasia> The bulk of Prince/Princess Herb's time has been consumed by school and martial training, his days taking on a pattern quickly.
[11:30] <Anastasia> However, one day at school...
[11:35] <Anastasia> "Kendo exhibition! Today at 5 30 PM! Watch the brightest in the field spar in both men and women's divisions! This poster is plastered on thes student bulletin boards all over school.
[11:38] * Prince_Herb looks at the poster. The fatal combination of martial arts and Hiroe has done its work and he feels strangely compelled to attend.
[11:38] <Prince_Herb> "It could be a lot of fun, after all!"
[11:39] <Anastasia> The rest of the school day goes without incident, with an afterschool trip to the dining hall killing the time between your last class and the meet. When you get there through the line, you get a decent seat, a few rows back.
[12:06] * Prince_Herb settles down to watch the display.
[12:07] <Anastasia> The matches begin, people filling the stands all around you. Next to you, a girl with glasses sits down, her reddish hair falling a good ways down her back.
[12:09] <Anastasia> She turns to you briefly with a pleasant nod, and sits down to watch the show.
[12:09] * Prince_Herb can't help but check the girl out... Damn these hormones!
[12:10] <Anastasia> She's not bad...a touch above average, but nothing that'll win beauty pagents.
[12:10] <Anastasia> The first set of sparring occurs, the male fighters giving you a decent martial show. They aren't bad, but they aren't great, either.
[12:12] <Anastasia> "C'mon, Yoshi!" the girl besides you calls out as the spars go on.
[12:19] <Anastasia> The fighters spar on, winners and losers being determined in the male bracket...
[12:19] <Prince_Herb> "Excuse me," Prince_Herb says to the red-headed girl, "which one of the fighters is Yoshi?"
[12:21] <Anastasia> "Hum? Oh, he's over there," she points to a black haired man who won his spar. "He's my boyfriend," she smiles.
[12:22] <Prince_Herb> "He's not bad," Prince_Herb allows. "I really came to see how one of the girls in my history of art class does. Her name's Hiroe..."
[12:23] <Anastasia> "Oh, yes, I know her," she goes on. "Are you her boyfriend?" the girl teases a bit, with an impish smile.
[12:25] * Prince_Herb blushes. "Eh, no... I haven't had the courage to approach her."
[12:26] <Prince_Herb> "I'm Herb, by the way."
[08:04] <Anastasia> "I'm Kasumi," she smiles. "Kasumi Yuuki," she sticks out her hand, Western sytle, to shake. "Pleased to meetcha."
[08:04] * Prince_Herb shakes Kasumi's hand.
[08:05] <Anastasia> She shakes it quickly and with energy to spare, but not with overmuch strength. "Hiroe should be up in a few matches, if I have the schedule right," she says.
[08:08] <Prince_Herb> "Do you know if she's spoken for? Maybe not, if you thought I might be her boyfriend..." Herb says, perhaps more than half to himself
[08:08] <Anastasia> "
[08:09] <Anastasia> "She's been free for the last few months," she nods. "She's wide open right now to be swept off her feet," she grins, entering her own world as she says this. "Swept off her feet..."
[08:10] <Anastasia> Kasumi weaves a bit, as if dancing in her mind.
[08:12] * Prince_Herb watches Kasumi curiously for a moment, then smiles and turns back to watch the sportsmen and women below.
[08:13] <Anastasia> "Lalalalalala," she hums to herself as she slowly sits back down. Meanwhile, another match has gone, with a victor crowned and the loser being helped out of the sparring area. He looks to have taken a vicious shot that his pads didn't totally stop.
[08:15] <Anastasia> After this, it shifts to the women's division... the first two girls who come out are unfamiliar to you, but put on a decent show.
[08:16] <Anastasia> "Go, Jen!" she calls to one of the sparrers, a Western girl who has blonde hair. "Knock'em out," Kasumi goes on, totally into the match.
[08:18] <Anastasia> Jen ends up losing, however. The next match... Hiroe comes out, her body decorated in the traditional kendo garb and an outward air of calm.
[08:18] <Anastasia> Her opponent is an unremarkable girl, short brown hair and a bit on the dumpy side.
[08:19] <Anastasia> "Hey, it's Hiroe's turn," Kasumi calls, tugging on your arm. "You were waiting for her, right?"
[08:20] <Prince_Herb> "Sure. Who's her opponent?" Herb asks, as he sizes up the two fighters, trying to determine which of the two is the stronger
[08:21] <Anastasia> "Some girl from another school," she says. "I didn't catch her name." Hiroe looks ready and able while the other girl is a bit less composed, but not helpless. You'd bet on Hiroe.
[08:22] * Prince_Herb watches intently.
[08:23] <Anastasia> The match begins, kendo blades whirring in the air! Hiroe's opponent is more able than you would have guessed, holding her own.
[08:24] <Anastasia> "Hit her right in the zone, Hiroe! Get her good!" Kasumi jumps up and down, a breach of manners, but she doesn't seem to care.
[08:26] <Anastasia> The women spar on... the battle drawing out as both swing and poke for that one decisive blow...
[08:29] * Prince_Herb cheers Hiroe on, for the honour of the History of Art class.
[08:34] <Prince_Herb> "Yuuki-san," Prince_Herb says, "would you introduce me to her after the event?"
[08:48] <Anastasia> "Sure," she says distractly, "There's a party afterwards." As she speaks, the two women clash swords, grunting and competeing in pure power now!
[08:49] <Anastasia> With a flip of her wrist, Hiroe disarms her opponent, sending her wooden sword flying!...right at you! Shit! (Make a dodge roll, +2 due to surprise)
[08:50] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6+2
[08:50] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[08:50] <Prince_Herb> "Ouch!"
[08:51] <Anastasia> The sword flies edge first, smacking straight into Herb's face across the nose and forehead! (10 damage) Stars and bright light erupt with the requisite pain that brought.
[08:52] <Anastasia> "Hey, Herb!" Kasumi calls as you're struck. You feel her grab your arm and steady you so you don't fall in a heap. "Hey, are you okay?"
[08:54] <Prince_Herb> "Damn, they make those practice swords solid!" Herb says, waving Kasumi away. "I'm fine... I just wasn't expecting that. Ouch."
[08:54] <Anastasia> Distantly, you hear the crowd quiet as they turn to look at you. A mortified expression is on Hiroe's face as she stares right at you.
[08:56] <Prince_Herb> "Nothing to see," Herb says to the crowd. "It's only a scratch." He tosses the shinai back down to the disarmed woman.
[08:57] <Anastasia> The shinai clatters on the floor after you throw it. The crowd slowly turns away, as does Hiroe. She is still blushing, however, when she leaves after being declared the winner.
[08:58] <Prince_Herb> "I hope she's not going to be too embarassed to speak to me..." Herb says. "That could have happened to anyone."
[09:02] <Anastasia> "It's fate's way of getting you two together," Kasumi comments, nodding to herself. "You two must be meant to see each other!"
[09:05] <Prince_Herb> "Fate must have it in for me." Herb says. "I can think of gentler ways of attracting my attention." He fingers the red weal across his face. "That's going to be a bumper bruise."
[09:06] * Prince_Herb's concentration is now rather broken, and the next few bouts don't get the attention they properly deserve
[09:07] <Anastasia> "Tell you what; I can get you into that party after the match," Kasumi comments. "You need to see Hiroe, right?"
[09:11] <Prince_Herb> "That would be so *cool*!" Herb says, "You're an angel, Yuuki-san."
[09:12] <Anastasia> "Thanks," she blushes and grins. "This is nearly done, so why don't we leave now and beat the rush out of here? We can get to the party on time that way."
[09:19] <Prince_Herb> "Sure! That sounds like a smart move." Herb follows Kasumi's lead
[09:21] <Anastasia> You wiggle and walk your way out of the crowd and out of the gym all together...
[09:22] <Anastasia> "The party's in a college room they use after hours," she says. "They already have the booze and the food in there, so it's all good."
[09:25] <Anastasia> "I hope you can hold your sake, they tend to drink a lot at these. The tradition is to get wasted after a good competition, especially if you win," she explains.
[09:27] <Prince_Herb> "Ah." Herb says, wondering if it would be manly to admit that he's not really much of a drinker. "I'm a driver, so I shouldn't drink too much."
[09:31] <Anastasia> "Ah, don't worry about that. We have futons in there if you get plastered, so it's no big deal," Kasumi pauses, stops walking and laughs. "I have a few good memories of spending a night drunk off my ass on one of those futons..."
[09:33] <Anastasia> Going again, she grabs your arm and drags you along. "C'mon, you'll have fun! It's free sake, anyway."
[09:35] * Prince_Herb follows, keen anyway to meet the kendo players.
[09:37] <Anastasia> Leading you onward, you end up in a large room at the tail end of the sports department.
[09:38] * Prince_Herb looks around to see who's already at the party.
[09:44] <Anastasia> The room is decorated a bit with banners and streamers, as well as a large table taking up one end of the room. Various drinks and coolers of food are on the table, including enough alcohol to make an entire legion drunk.
[09:44] <Anastasia> The mentioned futons are against the other way opposite the food, about ten of them.
[09:44] <Anastasia> No one else is here yet, and you note Kasumi had a key to unlock the door.
[09:44] <Anastasia> "Hmm, a bit early. Oh well," she shrugs.
[09:46] <Anastasia> "Anyway, why don't you sit down and relax? They'll be along shortly."
[09:47] * Prince_Herb inspects the food, and idly tries to detect any disturbance in the force.
[09:48] <Anastasia> None of the food smells like it's been spiked, if that's what you're looking for. Besides you, Hiroe opens a bottle of sake, pouring two tiny cupfuls. "Here," she says, handing you one as she guns hers down.
[09:49] <Prince_Herb> "Aren't you meant to savour sake, to appreciate its fine aroma and delicate taste? Or was that something else that my guide to Japan misled me about?"
[09:50] <Anastasia> "Ah, it's just good stuff to get wasted on," she laughs. "Just try it."
[09:52] <Prince_Herb> "Maybe a little taste," Herb agrees
[09:52] <Anastasia> "Yeah, give it a shot or five," she encourages you.
[09:53] <Prince_Herb> "Let's wait until someone else gets here," Herb suggests, "I don't want to get drunk and pass out too early. I also don't want to be hammered when Hiroe arrives..."
[09:53] * Prince_Herb does take a sip of the sake, though.
[09:54] <Anastasia> The sip sears your mouth and burns your throat as it goes down, a small flare of heat exploding in your stomach afterwards. Strong, but it's good stuff.
[09:55] <Prince_Herb> "Wow... It's like dragon breath." Herb says.
[09:57] <Anastasia> As you say that, the door opens and a mess of tired but excited people come in. The kendo teams, you think. "Hi, guys," Kasumi calls, already on her second sake. "You saw Herb, right, the guy who got hit with the flying sword?" the girl giggles lightly. "I thought I should invite him to make up for it!"
[09:58] <Anastasia> A few guys nod and comment back, but most are intent on getting to the booze.
[09:59] * Prince_Herb sips the sake and looks for Hiroe.
[09:59] <Anastasia> Hiroe is at the back of the crowd and freezes in a blush when she sees you.
[09:59] <Prince_Herb> "Yuuki-san, would you do me the honour of introducing us?"
[09:59] <Anastasia> "Hey, Hiiiiiroooooeeeeeee!" she calls, grinning right after her third cup of saki. "Over here, Hiiiiiirrrrrrrrrroooooooeeeeeeee!!"
[10:00] <Anastasia> The girl blushes even deeper, but does manage to come over. She has shed her kendo outfit for a casual red sweater and jeans, you note.
[10:01] * Prince_Herb bows.
[10:01] <Anastasia> "Um...Herb, isn't it," she starts, trying to sound calm. "I'd like to apologize for what happened today," as she speaks, Kasumi staggers over and hands her a not so small cup of sake, which she takes absently.
[10:02] <Anastasia> She bows once to punctuate her comment, then takes a long sip of her booze.
[10:04] <Prince_Herb> "Eh, it's OK. I've had many worse in my martial arts career, I guess. It was a bit of a surprise, though."
[10:04] <Anastasia> "Oh, you study martial arts?" she asks, moving past her gaffe.
[10:06] <Prince_Herb> "I'm a practitioner of t'ai chi; I train in the park most mornings, before class."
[10:15] <Anastasia> "Ah," she smiles, nodding and then taking a nice gulp of her drink.
[10:21] <Prince_Herb> "I really came along to see you fight. I didn't think I was going to get smitten, though."
[09:05] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> "I'm so, so sorry about that," she once again blushes at the mention of that. "I should have been more aware of the crowd."
[09:11] <Prince_Herb> "There is one thing you could do to repay me, I suppose." Herb says, deciding to go for it. "I've been invited to a gallery opening in Shinjuku next Tuesday, and I was wondering if you would do me the honour of accompanying me? I could bribe you with the offer of pizza or whatever on the way back as well..."
[09:13] * Prince_Herb smiles as engagingly as he knows how.
[09:20] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> The lovely lady smiles just a bit, hiding behind finishing off her drink. "Well... oh hell, why not? I suppose that it's the least I can do after what happened," she giggles a bit. "Another drink, Kasumi?"
[09:23] * Prince_Herb smiles happily and drinks some more sake himself as he writes down the details for Hiroe.
[09:31] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> She nods, getting another drink and gunning that down as you go.
[09:31] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> "Huh... the Tokyo Museum..." she murmurs, her cheeks red. That second drink is putting a dent in her.
[09:37] <Prince_Herb> "The Tokyo Museum." Herb affirms, and leaves the two girls to chat and become inebriated.
[09:37] * Prince_Herb goes off to chat with the partygoers about martial arts, fine art, and H-doujins...
[09:39] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> The rest of the part is concerned mostly with chatter, the music playing in the background, and getting totally bombed, you find.
[09:40] * Prince_Herb decides to get slightly bombed, leave the car in the car park and go home by the tube.
-------
[08:59] <Exam_Giver_Ana> One week later...
[09:01] <Exam_Giver_Ana> Minako has been waiting for the results of her test all week... and it's the time of truth.
[09:02] <Exam_Giver_Ana> The phone rings, right by Minako who is trying to relax by watching TV... and failing, really.
[09:02] * V-chan answers it, saying, "Aino residence."
[09:03] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Is Miss Minako Aino there? This is the Mugen School, calling about her test results."
[09:04] <Exam_Giver_Ana> The voice is female, and rather professional. It sounds like she could be chatting about anything in the world, not your future.
[09:04] * V-chan takes a deep breath, exhaling quietly, subconsciously following Ami's suggestion. "This is she," Minako replies.
[09:04] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "I see. Congratulations, Miss Aino," she says. "You have been accepted."
[09:05] <V-chan> "I have?" she asks, before a wide smile appears on her face. "I have! Thank you for calling and telling me!"
[09:06] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Yes. All the students that made it have been invited for a session with the school counselors, as well as their parents. It's on Janurary 12th, at 6 PM."
[09:07] <V-chan> "We'll be there!" Minako assures her, before thinking of something. "Do I need a uniform or something for that?"
[09:07] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "No, not yet. That will be discussed then, amoung other things. Casual wear is perfectly fine," she says nicely.
[09:08] <V-chan> "Ah, okay," Minako says, unable to keep the happiness out of her voice.
[09:08] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "It will be held in the..." she goes on, giving you directions and information. Meanwhile...
[09:09] <Exam_Giver_Ana> Rei - It's another day of temple chores that are a poor subtitute for the closure the final word from Mugen will bring.
[09:10] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Rei," Yuuichiro calls from across the yard, "The phone's for you. Some lady is lookin' for you."
[09:10] * Rei-chan emerges from the Temple, her hair once more black, though in this case it's because she's been cleaning the firepit and is covered in soot. "Coming!" she calls, rubbing her hands on a rag as she goes to get the phone.
[09:11] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Hello, Miss Rei Hino," the woman on the other end of the phone asks after you pick up.
[09:11] <Rei-chan> "Good morning, who is this?" Rei asks in her nice telephone voice.
[09:12] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "This is the Mugen Gakuen school calling about your entrance examination," she replies, her voice businesslike.
[09:12] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei twists the telephone cord around her fingers, "Do you have my results?" she asks nervously.
[09:13] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Yes, I do, Miss Hino," she replies.
[09:13] <Rei-chan> "And?" Rei prods.
[09:14] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Congratulations, Miss Hino. You have been accepted to Mugen Gakuen." she says simply.
[09:14] * Rei-chan slumps against the wall in relief. "I have? Great! What mark did I get for the test?"
[09:15] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "You passed," she replies. "More will be discussed during the meeting with you and your guardian on January 12th. This is the sit-down for new students, and will go over many things."
[09:16] <Rei-chan> "Oh? Do I need to bring anything for it?" Rei asks, standing up again.
[09:17] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Your parent or guardian. Beyond that, no," she says.
[09:17] <Rei-chan> "I understand. What time on the 12th?"
[09:17] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "6 PM sharp," she responds, and then gives out directions.
[09:20] <Rei-chan> "Thank you, Grandpa and I will be there," Rei says earnestly, still amazed that she had managed to pass that nightmarish test.
[09:20] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Who was it, Rei," Yuuichiro asks from the doorway of the room, prying a bit.
[09:21] <Rei-chan> "It was Mugen, I passed!" Rei gives a brilliant smile through her soot covered features.
[09:22] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Wow, Rei," he smiles. "Good for you..." he says as he walks off. He's still a bit distant over the entire Minako drama.
[09:23] * Rei-chan goes to tell her grandpa the good news.
[09:25] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "Congratulations, Rei," he breaks out in a wide grin when he hears the news. 'Now I can get temple assisants from Rei's school. Oh happy day!'
[09:26] <Rei-chan> "We have to go visit Mugen for some sort of orientation thing the day after tomorrow at 6pm. You're not busy then, are you?" Rei asks, still smiling and blissful over her unexpected pass.
[09:27] <Exam_Giver_Ana> "I can make it," he nods quickly. 'Advance scouting...oh yes, my temple will soon have more mikos.' He grins even wider, almost breaking his face.
[09:28] * Rei-chan grins also, pleased her grandfather is so happy for her.
[09:28] <Exam_Giver_Ana> ---
[11:51] * V-chan scales the familiar steps of Rei's shrine, bursting with a strange mix of giddiness, anticipation and anxiety.
[11:53] <Rei-chan> Inside the Shrine itself, Rei has resumed the thankless task of cleaning out the firepit. Well, not entirely thankless, she's pretty sure the Kami of the Shrine approve.
[11:53] <V-chan> "Rei-chan? Rei-chan!" Minako calls out, looking around the temple's grounds.
[11:55] * Rei-chan emerges from the temple again, still covered nearly from head to toe in soot. "Hi, Minako!" she waves, "Did you get your results from Mugen today?"
[11:55] * V-chan nods excitedly. "You too, right? Right?"
[11:56] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I passed!" Seeing Minako's cheerful countenance, she adds, "I take it you did as well?"
[11:58] * V-chan smiles widely. "I knew we could do it, Rei-chan! Well, not really, but I knew you could and I hoped I would get in, too!"
[11:59] <Rei-chan> "Heh, thanks for the vote of confidence, but I was actually pretty sure I'd failed. It really surprised me when they said I'd passed."
[11:59] <V-chan> "I know what you mean," Minako says with another nod. "But I talked with Ami, and she kinda helped me calm down. I really need to thank her...."
[12:02] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, Ami-chan really helped me with my studying before the test," Rei agrees. "So, what else is up?" Rei asks, rubbing her hands on a thoroughly stained rag. "I haven't seen you since the test, I've been wondering how you were doing."
[12:05] <V-chan> "I've been busy with Oneesan," Minako replies. "We're planning a small tour, and even my very first album!" Her eyes sparkle, as she continues, "It'll have Myself, and that song I recorded with Oneesan, Luv, and even New Future!"
[12:07] <Rei-chan> "I'm glad things are going so well for you," Rei says, before shrugging. "Nothing so exciting for me. Just working at the Shrine as usual."
[12:08] <V-chan> "Working at shrines is exciting, too!" Minako says, shaking her head at Rei's words. "It's really, really educational!" She giggles, then, adding in an embarrassed tone, "I can't believe I said that."
[12:10] * Rei-chan blushes, thinking Minako might be referring to some of the things they had done when Minako came over for 'miko training'. Luckily the thick layer of soot covers her blushes.
[12:11] <Rei-chan> "Yes, well... it's still nothing close to being a successful idol singer."
[12:11] <V-chan> "Let's go celebrate, Rei-chan!" Minako says suddenly. "I feel like singing, and you must be too, right? We can invite Usagi-chan, and Mako-chan, and Ami... everyone!"
[12:14] <Rei-chan> "Hm?" Rei blinks owlishly at the blonde. It HAD been a good long while since they had all done something as a group... "That's a pretty good idea, Minako. We'll have to wait for everyone else to get out of school, though."
[12:15] <V-chan> "Umm, sure." Minako shrugs. "Is it okay if I stay till then?"
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "Ah... I have a lot of chores to do..." Rei gestures evasively.
[12:18] <V-chan> "I could help - but I'd probably get in the way, right?" Minako sighs, before putting on a smile. "Call me when you're done, okay? I'll take everyone out to the best karaoke joint around."
[12:22] * Rei-chan has a sad look, before she considers that she and Minako have been split up for nearly the same length of time that they were together. 'She's probably gotten over me and is just trying to be friendly, I shouldn't turn her away.' "Actually," she speaks up, "If you don't mind helping, I'll be done in half the time, right?"
[12:22] <V-chan> "Right!" Minako agrees readily, nodding. "I've been training, so I could actually help around now."
[12:28] <Rei-chan> "Right, well I'm nearly done cleaning out the firepit. Just give me a bit to finish up and get myself cleaned, then you can help me write up omikuji," she gestures to the lines of fortune telling paper. "We're running low."
[12:29] * V-chan nods, and fishes in her subspace pocket, taking out a set of miko robes. "I could change in the bathroom or something in the meanwhile, then?" she asks.
[12:30] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, just wait inside. I won't be long," Rei says, going back into the Shrine to finish up her scrubbing.
[12:30] * V-chan nods, and goes to change.
[12:31] <Rei-chan> After about ten minutes, Rei emerges from the Shrine, coughing, before going to quickly wash up and change into a clean set of robes in the bathroom.
[12:32] * V-chan waits on the temple grounds for Rei.
[12:33] <Rei-chan> Her hair once more white, and her appearance spotless, Rei emerges. "Come on, we can do this inside," she waves to Minako.
[12:34] * V-chan follows Rei, saying, "You know, Rei-chan, I don't think there's another miko as talented as you in Tokyo."
[12:36] <Rei-chan> "Um... that's nice of you to say, Minako..." Rei says, taking a seat at the low table in the living room which is covered in small bits of paper.
[12:37] <V-chan> "I checked," the blonde offers in way of explanation, taking a seat opposite Rei. "The only one who even approached your level was... well, she was really, really old."
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "Okay..." Rei says doubtfully, before focusing on the current task. "Anyway, this is fairly easy. Just write either 'great good luck' or 'great bad luck' on the piece of paper," Rei does so to demonstrate, "Then fold it like this," again, she demonstrates. "Then we just put them out randomly on the lines with all the rest. Try to get a fifty/fifty mix of good and bad luck."
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "Use your best handwriting," Rei adds.
[12:42] * V-chan nods at the instructions. "I wish I got my pen back from Usagi-chan," she complains at Rei's last sentence. "It does calligraphy, too." Taking a piece of paper and writing utensils, she attempts to write the 'great good luck' phrase on it.
[12:44] * Rei-chan leans over to check Minako's penmanship, then nods in satisfaction. "Now do you remember how I folded it?"
[12:44] <V-chan> "I think so," she says, a bit unsure, but tries to follow the instructions from memory anyway.
[12:45] <V-chan> "Do you think your grandfather hates me now?" she asks casually, folding the paper.
[12:45] <Rei-chan> "What?" Rei asks in surprise. 'That sure came out of nowhere...'
[12:47] * V-chan shrugs helplessly. "Well, he doesn't talk to me anymore, when I see him. And since Yuuichiro seems really upset with me, I just thought... well, you know."
[12:50] <Rei-chan> "Yuuichiro is just jealous because of what happened between us," Rei says crisply. "I think Grandpa just doesn't want to get involved, so he's keeping his nose out of it." Rei then glances at the paper in Minako's hands, "You're doing it wrong!" she declares, grabbing it and reversing the last few folds. "Like this, see?" she demonstrates the correct method.
[12:52] * V-chan writes another 'great good luck' charm. "Actually," Minako says as folds it correctly this time. "I may not show it, but I was really worried about coming over today. It's great that I wasn't in the way, Rei-chan."
[12:54] * Rei-chan sets to work on her own charms, steadily amassing a pile of both good and bad luck ones, all jumbled together. "No, you're not in the way, Minako," she says patiently.
[12:55] <V-chan> "Do I have to write bad luck, too?" she asks, making yet another good luck charm.
[12:55] <Rei-chan> "Yes, try to make an even mix."
[12:57] * V-chan pouts. "It's too bad we can't wish everyone good luck...." She does write 'great bad luck' on the next piece of paper, though.
[12:59] <Rei-chan> "That's not how it works, Minako. There has to be balance - everyone gets both good and bad luck. But with these, they can appeal to the Kami for good fortune to come true, and bad fortune to be averted," Rei explains.
[13:00] <V-chan> "It would've been nice to affect luck," the blonde muses, before beginning to whistle a tune, writing another 'great bad luck' charm.
[13:01] * Rei-chan gives a noncommital grunt, continuing her work with the ease of long practice.
[13:02] <V-chan> "I'm going to write a new song, Rei-chan," Minako says after her fourteenth charm.
[13:03] <Rei-chan> "That's nice," Rei mutters.
[13:04] <V-chan> "Isn't it?" she smiles. "It'll be in the album, too."
[13:07] * Rei-chan turns a little red, but continues her silent work. The faint sound of teeth grinding is barely audible, though. She seems to be writing a lot more 'great bad luck' charms as well...
[13:08] <V-chan> "Actually, I think she wrote it," Minako muses. "It almost seems like a memory, sometimes."
[13:08] * V-chan writes a 'great good luck' charm.
[13:11] * Rei-chan grunts once more, seeming to be focusing very hard on her work.
[13:11] * V-chan goes quiet, and follows Rei's lead.
[13:14] <Rei-chan> After a while, all the strips of paper are neatly folded. "Right, now to put these out with the rest," Rei says, pushing them off the table and into a bucket. Rising, she goes outside to begin placing the omikuji out on the line for visitors to the Shrine.
[13:15] <V-chan> "I don't think I've ever done this before," Minako says in embarrassment. "Do you think you could show me a bit more slowly, first?"
[13:16] <Rei-chan> "Just fold them around the line like this," Rei says, holding the bucket with one hand as she deftly folds a strip of paper so it stays hanging on the line with her other.
[13:16] * V-chan follows it, a bit clumsily.
[13:21] <Rei-chan> After a while, the pair are done with the task. "Right, now we just need to clean the Komainu," she points to the two stone lion statues in the centre of the courtyard, "And then we're done. Wait here and I'll get the cleaning supplies."
[13:23] * V-chan settles down to wait, using the time to ask Usagi mentally, 'Are you planning something after school's out for you?'
[13:25] <Usagi-chan> 'Yeah, kind of. Why, did you have something you needed?'
[13:26] <V-chan> 'I wanted to go celebrate with everyone. Well, Rei-chan wanted it, too. Won't you come along for karaoke and some partying?'
[13:27] * Usagi-chan is silent for a few moments. 'I GUESS I can come today, I did get a lot done yesterday. What time and where are we meeting? And what exactly are we celebrating?'
[13:29] <V-chan> 'I'll tell you when you get here. To Rei-chan's shrine, here, I mean,' Minako responds, barely able to stop herself from babbling. 'Come just as school ends!' She smiles widely, thinking, 'I just need to call Mako-chan and Ami, now....'
[13:30] <Usagi-chan> 'I can grab them on my way out of here - Ami will be looking for me, anyway. We'll be there as soon as we can.'
[13:31] * Rei-chan returns a moment later with two plastic buckets filled with hot soapy water and cloths. "You just really need to clean the tops..." she grimaces, "I know Phobos and Deimos don't do it, but other birds aren't so considerate."
[13:31] <V-chan> 'Thanks! I'll tell Rei-chan!' Spotting the white-haired miko, Minako waves at her happily. "Rei-chan! Usagi said she could come, and she'll bring Mako-chan and Ami with her!"
[13:33] <Rei-chan> "Great!" Rei smiles, dumping off a bucket next to Minako. "Now remember, you have to really scrub hard to get rid of some of the crusty bits," she adds with the same smile, before going to start work on the far statue.
[13:36] <V-chan> This part is something Minako had actually done before, and quite recently, so gets down to it in her most professional manner.
[13:39] * Rei-chan soon finishes off the long familiar, but still disgusting, chore. Taking her bucket of dirty water, she empties it on the grassy tree-lined area around the courtyard.
[13:39] * V-chan is not far behind Rei, finishing a few minutes after her.
[13:40] <Rei-chan> "Okay. That's pretty much all the chores I had planned for today. Thanks for your help, Minako," Rei says cheerfully. "Still be a while before the others get out of school, though..."
[13:41] <V-chan> "Umm, I kinda have a request," Minako says shyly. "Could you show me a fire reading, again?"
[13:41] <Rei-chan> "Hm? Well, if you really want... why do you want to see that, though?" Rei asks, curiously.
[13:42] <V-chan> "For my training, of course," Minako answers without hesitation.
[13:43] <Rei-chan> "Uh... you still want to do that?"
[13:44] <V-chan> "Become a real miko?" she asks.
[13:44] * Rei-chan nods.
[13:46] <V-chan> "I really wanted to," Minako says quietly. "Even though you were grumbling about all the chores a lot, it seemed like such great fun.... And I still want to! I've kept on practicing, even!"
[13:47] * Rei-chan sighs. "Okay," she mutters, before leading Minako into the now spotless main Shrine.
[13:48] <V-chan> Minako's face lights up with a smile, and she skips inside after Rei.
[13:50] * Rei-chan kneels down in front of the fire, and scoops up some incense from the tray in front of it. Tossing it into the Sacred Flame, the white haired miko clasps her hands together and begins softly chanting, opening her soul to the Kami of Hikawa Shrine.
[13:51] * V-chan sits in the back, and watches it with wide eyes, as she had before.
[13:51] <Rei-chan> Long minutes pass, the miko continuing her steady, low chant before the dancing flames.
[13:52] * V-chan settles down, and watches Rei's actions in earnest, studying them.
[13:53] <Rei-chan> After nearly fifteen minutes, the Sacred Flame suddenly erupts to twice its previous size, Rei's long white hair flapping around her, being moved by the hot air. Though some of her hair enters the fire, it emerges seemingly unscathed.
[13:54] <Rei-chan> Rei's eyes take on a distant quality, at something only she can see. The fire continues to burn hotter and hotter, the heat is almost unbearable to Minako, though Rei shows no sign of discomfiture.
[13:57] * V-chan winces, and tries to bear the heat, since Rei doesn't seem to be having any trouble with it. 'The path of a true miko is fraught with peril,' she thinks sagely.
[13:59] <Rei-chan> Slowly, the heat begins to recede, as the Sacred Flame returns to its previous level. A few moments later, Rei blinks, coming out of her almost trance-like state. "There, I hope you got something out of that, because I really need to take a bath, now," she says, her hair plastered to her head with sweat.
[14:00] <V-chan> 'I almost got a burn,' Minako carefully doesn't say. "Well, I got inspired, if nothing else!" she jokes instead. "So, where can I wait for you?"
[14:01] <Rei-chan> "Just wait in the living room. I won't spend too long," Rei says, rising to her feet.
[14:02] * V-chan riases to her feet as well, following.
[14:02] <Rei-chan> ------

Halbarad · June 23, 2006, 01:40:17 AM

[12:37] * Usagi-chan calls out once she's close enough to the shrine itself. "Rei-chan, Mina-chan, are you here?"
[12:38] * Rei-chan emerges, "Hi guys!" she waves cheerfully.
[12:39] * V-chan exits, trailing slightly behind Rei. "I'm so glad you could all make it!" she says happily.
[12:42] <Ami> "Hello Rei, Minako," Ami calls.
[12:42] <Usagi-chan> "So what's up? You didn't say anything about WHY we all had to come when you talked to me earlier."
[12:43] <V-chan> "Usagi-chan, I want my pen back!" Minako declares proudly.
[12:43] <Makoto> "We're glad to be here too, Mina-chan," Makoto says with her own wave at the two.
[12:43] <Rei-chan> "You're looking at the two newest students of Mugen Gakuen," Rei declares proudly.
[12:43] * Usagi-chan grins. "Way to go! I knew you could make it!"
[12:44] * Ami claps. "Way to go!"
[12:44] * V-chan flashes a victory sign to the others.
[12:44] <Rei-chan> "Heh, most of the thanks should go to you, Ami-chan," Rei grins at her genius friend. "Thanks for all your help, I'd have failed for sure without it."
[12:45] <V-chan> "Thanks, Ami," Minako adds, nodding at the blue-haired girl.
[12:45] * Ami blushes. "No, you were the ones to take the test. I just helped a little."
[12:46] <V-chan> "The test was so brutal... but now it's time to kick back and relax!" Minako giggles. "It's time to party like it's ninety-five!"
[12:46] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I think you mean ninety-nine, Mina-chan."
[12:47] <V-chan> "We'll party like that, too!" Minako agrees readily. "Won't we, guys?"
[12:47] <Makoto> "Right!" Makoto cheers along with Minako.
[12:48] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, today calls for a celebration. Besides, it's been too long since we all did something together as a group," Rei agrees.
[12:48] <Usagi-chan> "Sounds like a great plan to me! So, where are we going to go?"
[12:48] * V-chan notices at the school uniforms Ami, Makoto and Usagi are wearing. "That won't do," she mutters, shaking her head. The crescent compact appears, and a short flash afterwards, four outfits appear out of thin air.
[12:50] * Usagi-chan takes one of the outfits, looking at it curiously.
[12:50] * Ami produces her pen, and with a call of 'Henshin!' appears clad in jeans and a sweater.
[12:51] * V-chan shrugs, and disappears the cool blue dress she created for Ami. "How about you, Mako-chan, Rei-chan?" she asks.
[12:52] <Makoto> "I'll go with your pick, Minako," Makoto says, liking that green ensemble that the blonde had created.
[12:53] <Rei-chan> "I'm happy enough wearing this," Rei says, not finding anything wrong with her snowflake patterned pale blue wool sweater and short dark blue skirt.
[12:54] * V-chan smiles gratefully at Makoto, before making the remaining red dress disappear as well, and using the compact once more, to transform the clothing on her this time.
[12:54] <Usagi-chan> "It's so cute!" Usagi runs off to change into the pink sweater and white jumper created by the compact. "I'll be right back!"
[12:55] * Makoto picks up her clothes selection and likewise follows after Usagi. "Don't have too much fun without us, you three."
[12:56] <Ami> "So," Ami says, watching the others disappear. "How hard was the test?"
[12:56] <V-chan> "Hard," Minako deadpans.
[12:58] <Rei-chan> "Oh boy was it. Some of that stuff was so far advanced of what I covered at T*A... I'm surprised I managed to pass at all," Rei puts in.
[12:59] <V-chan> "I'm surprised there wasn't more testing in other areas," Minako says, before shrugging. "But you won't hear me complaining!"
[12:59] <Ami> "Oh? What kind of things were on the test?"
[13:00] <Rei-chan> "Japanese and world history, Japanese and world politics. I did quite well in those, I think," Rei says, ticking them off, "Maths and Oceanography, which weren't too bad. Then Physics and General Knowledge, which I did pretty badly on..."
[13:01] <V-chan> "Math, Japanese boring stuff, gaijin boring stuff, physics, fun stuff," Minako corrects Rei.
[13:02] <Ami> "Oceanography? I wonder why that would be there?" Ami muses.
[13:02] <V-chan> "To try and fail me," Minako mutters with a scowl.
[13:02] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I always figured it was just a subset of geography," Rei nods, "I didn't expect it to get its own section."
[13:04] <Ami> "Oh well, you did well enough to get it. You should be happy. I've heard it's a tough school to get into," Ami says to Minako.
[13:04] <V-chan> "Tougher than Furinkan," Minako responds, shrugging.
[13:04] * Usagi-chan comes bustling back out a minute later. "How do I look?" She twirls in front of the other senshi.
[13:05] <Rei-chan> "You look fine," Rei nods in approval.
[13:06] * V-chan smiles at Usagi, giving her a thumbs up.
[13:06] * Makoto follows after Usagi some seconds later, nodding at the others. "All ready now," she says.
[13:06] <Rei-chan> "Okay, where are we going?" Rei turns to Minako.
[13:06] <Usagi-chan> "So, what did you guys have in mind for this party?" Usagi asks curiously.
[13:07] <V-chan> "Right," Minako agrees. "Let's go. Usagi is taking us out for karaoke, first, followed by some dinner. There's this nice place nearby, too...."
[13:08] <Makoto> "'Usagi' is taking us out?" Makoto asks amusedly.
[13:08] * Usagi-chan blinks in surprise. "I am?"
[13:08] <Rei-chan> "Such a good friend!" Rei declares theatrically.
[13:08] <V-chan> "Of course you are!" Minako puts an arm around Usagi's shoulders. "Aren't you?"
[13:09] <Usagi-chan> "Ummm..." Usagi sweatdrops as she tries to remember exactly how much money she has right now.
[13:10] <V-chan> "Don't worry, it's a nice, affordable place," Minako whispers, leaning over to Usagi.
[13:11] <Rei-chan> 'Don't worry, Usagi. I'm sure she's joking,' Rei thinks to her friend.
[13:12] <Usagi-chan> 'I hope so, Rei-chan... I've barely got enough money to get us all into the karaoke parlor.' Usagi thinks nervously. "Umm.. how affordable are we talking about, Mina-chan?"
[13:13] * V-chan smiles at Usagi. "You'll see." She moves back suddenly, before pulling on Usagi's arm. "Come on, let's go!"
[13:13] <Makoto> "Probably free, if you're 'inviting' us, Usagi," Makoto says with a small laugh.
[13:13] * Rei-chan falls in step with Ami and Makoto behind the two blondes, following them out the Shrine.
[13:13] * Usagi-chan allows herself to be dragged. "Yaah! Slow down, Minako!"
[13:19] <V-chan> The karaoke parlor is surprisingly close to Rei's shrine, and the walk takes under ten minutes. Just as the temperarute begins to affect the girls, they finally reach a small building looking much like the Crown Arcade from the outside, down to the sliding glass doors. A neon sign proclaims it to be 'The Oasis'.
[13:19] <V-chan> "It's new," Minako says in way of explanation. "I found it before I went on my vacation by accident, when I was just looking around Juuban. The owner said something about cheap land and some tax stuff when I asked why they moved, but it was boring so I kinda tuned him out." She giggles. "Anyway, there's a club here, too, if you like dancing. I don't think it's open just yet. The bar should be, though."
[13:21] * Usagi-chan begins looking around for prices as the girls enter the bar.
[13:21] <Rei-chan> "Karaoke is fine," Rei says, entering the building. Going up to the counter, she asks for a booth, and hands over enough money for an hour.
[13:22] * Makoto looks at the other people around, curious as to the sort of people that show up here. Well, besides them.
[13:22] * Rei-chan returns, "Come on, guys. I've got us a booth," she says, leading the gang to one of the soundproofed rooms.
[13:23] <Usagi-chan> "I was GOING to pay..." Usagi grumps.
[13:23] <V-chan> "Buy us drinks later!" Minako offers, patting Usagi on the shoulder. "We'll be thirsty, so it'd be great timing!"
[13:24] * Ami follows the others to the booth, closing the door after they've all entered.
[13:25] <V-chan> "Want the first song, Usagi-chan?" Minako asks, settling down on one of the comfortable couches in the room.
[13:26] <Usagi-chan> "Not me! You guys should go first, this IS your party after all." Usagi backs away from the microphones nervously.
[13:26] <Rei-chan> "I'll go," Rei volunteers, looking through the songbook.
[13:27] <V-chan> "Do you do requests?" Minako asks Rei.
[13:27] <Rei-chan> "Ah... sure," Rei says hesitantly. 'If she asks me to sing one of her songs...'
[13:28] <V-chan> "You know which song I want to hear," Minako says, smiling. "I told you, remember?"
[13:28] * Usagi-chan gives a bit of a start, then flushes slightly as she catches Rei's thought. 'I almost forgot about that...' she replies mentally.
[13:28] <Rei-chan> "New Future, right?" Rei flips through the book, looking for the song.
[13:28] * V-chan nods happily. "Thanks, Rei-chan!"
[13:34] <Rei-chan> Finding the number, Rei brings it up on the karaoke machine, holding up a microphone as she waits for the lead in. Though unfamiliar with the song, and starting off hesitantly, the miko soon gets into it, her alto voice suiting the song perfectly.
[13:37] <V-chan> 'I knew it!' Minako thinks triumphantly, once Rei gets into the song in earnest.
[13:39] * Makoto cheers as Rei sings, while tapping her foot on the floor to the music's rhythm.
[13:45] <Rei-chan> Rei's eyebrow twitches a bit when she reaches the Engrish part of the song, but maintains her rhythm as she gives it a hearty "Let's sing a song," anyway, finishing the song with a flourish, and giving her friends an exaggerated bow.
[13:56] * V-chan claps enthusiastically, standing up. "That was great, Rei-chan!" she gushes, gesturing with her arms to show her impression. "Really, really great! Just like I imagined!"
[13:59] <Rei-chan> "Eh... it's a pretty good song," Rei admits, blushing at the effusive praise.
[14:01] <Makoto> "It had a pretty good singer too," Makoto says with a smile. "Almost like it was made for you."
[14:02] * Ami nods. "You were great, Rei."
[14:33] * V-chan nods at Makoto. "A great song and a singer to match. That's how it should be."
[14:42] <Usagi-chan> "It sounded wonderful, Rei-chan." Usagi smiles softly.
[14:43] <Rei-chan> "Okay, who's next?" Rei holds out the microphone.
[14:45] * Ami stands up, a little embarrassed, and takes the mic. A few moments flipping through the soung list produces some surprising results.
[14:46] * Rei-chan sits down, waiting to hear what Ami will sing.
[14:46] * V-chan settles back down, sitting between Usagi and Makoto.
[14:46] <Ami> "Ahem," Ami clears her throat, waiting for the music to kick in.
[14:48] <Ami> The music starts slow, Ami a bit hesitant at first, but soon gets into the spirits of the song.
[14:49] <Ami> "Myyyyy myyyyy baaaaby blue! I've been thinkin bout you, Myyyyy myyyyy baaaaby blue! Yeah, your so jaded, and I'm the one that Jaded you."
[14:50] <V-chan> Minako's hair rises of its of volition, standing on end not unlike when she's preparing to unleash her most powerful attacks.
[14:51] <Ami> All too soon the song is over and a flushed Ami hands the microphone over.
[14:51] <Rei-chan> "Wow... you really gave that some gusto, Ami-chan..." Rei comments, more than a little surprised.
[14:52] * V-chan tries to think of something to say, before realizing she'd need to be able to speak again for that.
[14:52] <Usagi-chan> "That was... wow, Ami-chan." Usagi blinks a bit.
[14:53] * Ami is too flushed to blush. "Thanks."
[14:54] <Makoto> "It was nice, Ami," Makoto says. "I don't recall hearing the song before. What was it called?"
[14:56] <Ami> "Jaded. By Aerosmith. Dad likes all those American rock bands so I picked it up from him, I guess."
[14:56] <V-chan> "Mako-chan!" Minako exclaims suddenly, coming out of her stupor and clapping to encourage the brunette. "Go and sing for us! It's not really the season anymore, but Ave Maria is still a great song," she hints subtly.
[14:59] * Makoto frowns, a bit nervous about going up. 'Usagi, wouldn't you like going up first?' she asks, trying their telepathic link before she submits to the other blonde's request.
[14:59] <Usagi-chan> 'No WAY I'm getting up there!' Usagi replies, not bothering to shield her thoughts from the others.
[15:00] * Rei-chan turns a quizzical look at Usagi. 'Don't like to sing?'
[15:00] <V-chan> "Someone asked you to go and sing, Usagi-chan?" Minako asks curiously.
[15:01] <Usagi-chan> 'I sound like someone stepping on a frog.' Usagi shakes her head.
[15:01] * Makoto frowns and lowers her head, but gets up fidgeting her fingers. "Don't expect anything great, guys..." she mutters as she moves to look for that song Minako requested.
[15:02] * Rei-chan nods understandinly. 'Well, I don't think anyone will laugh at you, but we won't force you if you don't want to...' she says mentally, before turning her attention to Mako-chan.
[15:02] * Makoto quickly finds it and starts the song, before Usagi decides to answer Minako.
[15:02] * Usagi-chan shrinks back towards the rear of the booth as Makoto sings, hoping that Minako will forget about her while she listens to Makoto.
[15:03] * V-chan crosses her arms and turns away from Usagi in a huff, giving Makoto all of her attention.
[15:06] * Makoto gets a bit nervous as she feels the eyes all on her, and tries focusing on the words of the song, trying to put some of her soul into it.
[15:08] * Rei-chan gives her rapt attention to Makoto, enjoying her rendition of the song.
[15:09] * V-chan relaxes, hearing the song and forgetting being annoyed with Usagi.
[15:09] <Makoto> Slowly, almost too slowly for the nervous girl, the song finally ends, and she steps down in a hurry. Her face is all red as she pushes the mike into Usagi's hands. "Here."
[15:09] * Usagi-chan smiles at Makoto's rendition of the old Catholic prayer, enjoying the brunette's dulcet voice.
[15:10] <Usagi-chan> "Wh-what?! No way, I'm not singing!" Usagi quickly passes the microphone over to Minako.
[15:10] <V-chan> "No thanks, I came equipped," Minako replies, showing she already has a golden mic in her hands.
[15:11] * V-chan pushes the karaoke box's microphone back towards Usagi.
[15:11] * Usagi-chan takes it back, but quickly replaces it on its holder next to the machine, handling it as if it were red-hot.
[15:11] <Rei-chan> "Looks like you're up, miss Full Moon," Rei says dryly.
[15:12] * V-chan blinks. "But it's Usagi's turn," she protests.
[15:12] * Usagi-chan shakes her head vehemently. "I am NOT singing! You go ahead, Minako!"
[15:12] <Rei-chan> "If she doesn't want to sing, there's no point in forcing her," Rei says reasonably.
[15:13] * Makoto sits down, noticing nobody commented on her singing, but somehow missing the argument she's started between the two blondes. She continues to redden, covering her red face in her hands. 'I must have been soooooo bad up there...'
[15:14] * Usagi-chan stops suddenly. 'No way, you were awesome Mako-chan! Way better than I would be, that's for sure.'
[15:14] * Rei-chan goes over to sit beside Makoto. "Hey, what's wrong, Mako-chan?" she asks worriedly.
[15:16] * Makoto is startled at Usagi's thought. 'You're just saying that...' she thinks embarrasedly.
[15:16] <Usagi-chan> "No way, I really mean it!" Usagi says aloud. "You were great!"
[15:17] <V-chan> "Of course she was," Minako responds matter-of-factly. "Mako-chan could be a pro, just like Rei-chan."
[15:18] * Rei-chan winces slightly at Minako's words, before smiling at Makoto. "I liked it - you've got a great voice, Mako-chan, so you shouldn't be embarrassed."
[15:19] * Makoto groans, putting her head down on the table, still covering it with her hands. "You guys are just being nice. My voice must have been shaking like crazy," she mutters, even though she's feeling somewhat doubtful over her horridness thanks to the praise.
[15:19] <Usagi-chan> "I am not just trying to be nice! It really was beautiful." Usagi walks over to Makoto's side, placing a hand on the tall girl's back.
[15:19] <V-chan> "Everyone's embarrassed to start singing in front of a new crowd," Minako tells Makoto, moving closer to her. "But strangely, no one remembers that after a great performance. Just like yours."
[15:20] <Rei-chan> "Nah. You were a bit hesitant at the start, but that vanished real quick," Rei says confidently.
[15:22] <Makoto> "...R-really?" Makoto asks of the three, pulling her head up from the table, her face a twinge lighter of red.
[15:23] <Usagi-chan> "Absolutely!" Usagi beams a smile at Makoto.
[15:23] <Rei-chan> "Would we lie to you?" Rei asks seriously.
[15:24] * V-chan smirks. "I'll back my words, if you want to."
[15:24] <Makoto> "I guess not..." Makoto says in reply to Rei-chan, before smiling slightly. "...so who's next anyway?"
[15:24] <V-chan> "Usagi!"
[15:25] <Rei-chan> "Leave her alone, Minako," Rei says exasparatedly. "If she doesn't want to sing, she shouldn't be forced."
[15:25] <Usagi-chan> "No! I don't wanna!" Usagi crouches down, trying to hide behind Makoto.
[15:25] <V-chan> "How about a duet, then, Usagi-chan?" Minako asks the other blonde.
[15:26] * Usagi-chan goes white as a sheet. "M-me? No, I couldn't do that..."
[15:26] <V-chan> 'You're not just shy like Mako-chan? You really don't want to sing?'
[15:27] <Usagi-chan> "Just go ahead, V-chan... I don't want to ruin your song." Usagi turns red.
[15:27] * V-chan looks like she's having trouble accepting the very concept of someone not wanting to sing, but shrugs eventually. "Okay! That makes me next!" She moves to the small stage quickly, and smiles at her friends. "Any requests?"
[15:28] <Rei-chan> "Sing what you want to, Minako," Rei says, wondering what she'll pick herself.
[15:29] <Ami> "Do you know any Twisted Sister?" Ami asks.
[15:29] <V-chan> "Umm, no?" Minako says, looking at Ami apologetically.
[15:30] <Ami> "Oh well, nothing from me then." Ami shrugs.
[15:30] * Usagi-chan doesn't reply, still blushing furiously.
[15:31] * V-chan nods, and browses through the various titles, looking intrigued by American music for a while, before something catches her eye.
[15:32] <V-chan> "Confidence," she muses out loud, brushing a finger against the song's name slowly. "Don't think I've heard it before." Minako turns to look at the others. "You guys okay with that one?"
[15:32] * Rei-chan nods.
[15:35] * V-chan takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and gripping her golden microphone tightly. Her body then relaxes visibly, and she enters the song's number, her eyes opening as the music begins and following the lyrics. The song speaks to her, and she begins moving to the rhythm, her voice picking up at the climax.
[15:37] * Rei-chan has a wistful smile as she listens. 'That's the voice of an idol, alright...' she thinks to herself. "That was wonderful, Minako," she claps after the song finishes.
[15:37] <V-chan> "This song is wonderful," Minako replies quietly. "It really is."
[15:38] * Usagi-chan only half-listens to the song, still rather embarrassed at almost having been forced to sing.
[15:38] <V-chan> "Okay!" she exclaims, pushing her thoughts away for later. "Time for refreshments! Let's go pick something up for everyone, Usagi-chan?"
[15:38] * Makoto nods, her face back to normal after hearing Minako's voice. "That was great, Mina-chan," she says.
[15:39] * Usagi-chan nods, still silent as she gets up from her seat.
[15:39] * V-chan bows with flourish at Makoto.
[15:39] * V-chan takes Usagi's hand, and walks out of the booth with her.
[15:40] <Rei-chan> "Right, back to me, is it?" Rei says, going to look over the songbook.
[15:41] <V-chan> "What's wrong, Usagi-chan?" Minako asks her friend, as they slowly head over to the bar.
[15:41] <Rei-chan> "Actually..." Rei pauses, finding a good song, "Either of you two want to do this one with me? Or even all three of us?" she looks at Makoto and Ami.
[15:42] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Nothing's wrong, Mina-chan. I just don't want to sing."
[15:42] <V-chan> "You probably think you're bad, right?"
[15:43] <Makoto> "Uhm...what song, Rei?" Makoto asks, just slightly enboldened by Minako's singing.
[15:43] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I don't think I'm bad, I KNOW it."
[15:43] <V-chan> "Can you dance well, Usagi-chan?" Minako suddenly asks her.
[15:44] <Usagi-chan> "I... I'm not really sure, I've never really tried it except goofing around to the radio at home."
[15:44] <Rei-chan> "Sunshine Moonlight," Rei points at the entry in the book. "It's a pretty simple one, I think we'd sound good if we sang it together," she smiles encouragingly.
[15:48] <V-chan> "Well, I'm not really good at ballroom dancing and stuff," Minako confesses. "Waltzes scare me as much as penguins. But you know something?" She pauses, smiling in reminiscence. "Once, when Daddy took me to some boring party, there was a guy there who asked me out to dance. I don't really know why he chose me, but when he lead, it was wonderful! It seemed like I never missed a step!"
[15:49] * V-chan continues, "Singing's a lot like that, don't you think? If you sing with someone else?"
[15:49] <Makoto> With no one else offering to sing with Rei, Makoto decides to just give it a shot. "I guess I can try to sing with you Rei," Makoto offers, although still somewhat doubtful.
[15:50] <Rei-chan> "Thanks, Mako-chan," Rei grins, handing her another microphone from the machine, before keying up the song.
[15:50] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I know you're trying to make me feel better, V-chan, but I'm NOT going to sing."
[15:51] * Rei-chan bobs her head to the cheerful melody of the song, starting to sing at a higher vocal range than she normally uses, to complement Makoto's more dulcet tones.
[15:51] <V-chan> "Were you just making Mako-chan feel better earlier?" she asks. "Usagi-chan, it'll work out, if you only try!"
[15:52] <Usagi-chan> "Mako-chan really DOES have a beautiful voice though, Minako. I already know I don't - Mom once told me to stop torturing Luna when I got too loud singing with the radio in my room." Usagi frowns.
[15:53] <V-chan> "Did you ever try an English song?"
[15:53] * V-chan snickers. "Some of them are supposed to sound like that."
[15:53] * Makoto slowly gets into the melody, and following Rei's example, tries moving her head, as well as her body, to the melody of the song.
[15:53] <Usagi-chan> "I sound the same no matter what I sing." Usagi shakes her head. "I won't do it in front of anyone else, Mina-chan."
[15:54] <V-chan> "I think it's a shame your mother told you something like that," Minako says, but drops the issue as they get to the bar.
[15:54] <V-chan> "Ask the girls what they'll want?"
[15:55] <Usagi-chan> "All right, give me a second." Usagi thinks. 'What do you guys want to drink? Rei-chan? Mako-chan?'
[15:56] * Rei-chan doesn't miss a beat as she continues singing, answering Usagi with 'Coke is fine for me.'
[15:58] <V-chan> "7UP for me," Minako tells Usagi.
[15:58] * Makoto stumbles just a bit by the distraction, making her mouth "sorry" silently to Rei before catching up again, while answering Usagi with, 'Can I have a Sprite?' in her head.
[15:59] * Rei-chan grins at Makoto, not saying anything to disrupt the song, but hoping that gets the message across that she doesn't mind.
[16:00] * Usagi-chan walks up to the bar, placing the drink orders. "I'll get something for Ami once we get back with these, Mina-chan." She waits as the bartender fills the glasses, then winces at the cost as she pays the tab. She hands Minako her and Rei's drinks, carrying Makoto's and her own herself.
[16:01] * V-chan nods, and leads Usagi back to their karaoke room. "You know," she drawls out, "if you want to order something stronger, that's not a problem."
[16:02] * Rei-chan is swaying her whole upper body to the upbeat song as she reaches the end, singing alongside the tall brunette.
[16:03] * Usagi-chan gives Minako a quizzical look. "Why would I want anything stronger?"
[16:04] * V-chan blushes. "Well, that's what people always do while celebrating, right?"
[16:04] <V-chan> "That's what Oneesan does, anyway," she adds with a shrug.
[16:05] <Usagi-chan> "Green tea is strong enough for me, thanks anyway." Usagi takes a sip of her tea to prove the point.
[16:06] * V-chan shrugs, and opens the door for Usagi, balancing the two drinks on her left forearm carefully.
[16:06] * Usagi-chan ducks inside the room quickly, setting Makoto's drink down on the table just as the two finish their song.
[16:07] * V-chan walks over to the white-haired girl, handing Rei's drink to her with a smile. "Just what the miko ordered?"
[16:08] <Rei-chan> Finishing, Rei turns to her singing partner, "We sound pretty good together, I think," she enthuses, then accepting the drink from Minako with a nod of thanks.
[16:09] * Rei-chan takes a seat, sipping her coke. "So who's up now?"
[16:09] * V-chan takes a sip from her own drink, before her eyes snap open. "I almost forgot!" she exclaims.
[16:10] * V-chan flicks her right wrist, and a party popper appears in it, which she then gleefully pops. "I got lots of those on the way over to Rei-chan's!"
[16:10] * Makoto blushes at Rei's compliment as she also takes a seat and picks up the sole sprite on the table.
[16:10] * V-chan moves towards the table, and empties twenty of them on it from her subspace pocket.
[16:12] <V-chan> "Want to sing a song with me, Rei-chan?" she asks then. "I saw something really good in the foreign section, but it sounds better with a duet, so I skipped it the first time aroun."
[16:16] <Rei-chan> "Ah... maybe later, Minako. I have to pay a visit to the ladies..." Rei stands up and makes a beeline for the exit.
[16:17] * V-chan blinks, looking disappointed. "Umm, Mako-chan?" she asks.
[16:18] * Makoto blinks as Minako asks her to sing with her and blushes. "C-can you wait a while, Mina-chan? I just sang, and well..." Makoto asks.
[16:20] * V-chan looks even more disheartened. "Anyone?" she asks weakly.
[16:20] * Usagi-chan simply stares at her drink, still rather uncomfortable.
[16:22] <V-chan> "Aww, come ON!" Minako exclaims. "Fine, I'll sing it myself." She grabs the second mike, and orders ABBA's 'Money, Money, Money'. Once she begins singing, her voice comes out with an echo, due to the two microphones she's using, but she sings on regardless.
[16:24] * Rei-chan returns a few minutes later, catching the tail end of Minako's song.
[16:24] <V-chan> "How about now, Rei-chan?" Minako asks her, whining slightly. "No one else wants to sing!"
[16:26] * Rei-chan glances at the others. 'Traitors!' she thinks, before plastering her most winning smile on. "Sure, Minako-chan! What do you want to sing?" 'Oh man, I'm going to look like such a loser singing next to her...'
[16:27] <Usagi-chan> 'Don't start with me, Rei...' Usagi thinks to the miko, her mental voice dangerously low.
[16:29] <V-chan> "Umm...." Minako lists through the available songs. "Maybe this one...?" Nodding in satisfaction, she brings it up, and offers Rei one of the mikes, saying, "Pick one!" with a smile.
[16:29] <Rei-chan> 'Geez, what crawled up your butt, Dumpling Head?' Rei replies, taking the offered microphone. "What song, Minako-chan?" she asks the other blonde.
[16:30] <V-chan> "Summer Planet!" she responds brightly.
[16:30] * Rei-chan shrugs, unfamiliar with the song.
[16:31] <Usagi-chan> 'Just... don't, Rei-chan.' Usagi sighs mentally and rests her head on the table.
[16:31] <Rei-chan> Rei's expression falls at failing to get a familiar rise out of Usagi. 'Some celebration this is...' she thinks disconsolately.
[16:32] * Makoto looks between Rei and then Usagi as the blonde rests her head on the table besides her. 'Usagi? What's wrong?'
[16:33] <Usagi-chan> 'It's nothing to worry about, Mako-chan. I'm just tired, that's all.'
[16:34] <V-chan> "Was that a bad song, Rei-chan?" Minako asks worriedly. "Or you don't like it, Usagi-chan?"
[16:34] <Rei-chan> "I've never heard of it, but I'll try to sing it," Rei say replies to Minako.
[16:35] <Usagi-chan> "It's fine, Mina-chan. I'm just feeling tired right now, that's all." Usagi raises her head, smiling a bit weakly.
[16:36] <V-chan> "Two-Mix will pick you right up!" Minako proclaims confidently. "Let's go, Rei-chan!"
[16:36] * Rei-chan nods, giving a worried glance at Usagi as she waits for the song to start.
[16:37] * Makoto looks worriedly at Usagi, but tries to take her explanation at face value for now, and starts to look at the singing duo.
[16:37] * V-chan sings with all her heart, smiling at Usagi all the while as the cheerful melody erupts in the karaoke booth.
[16:39] * Rei-chan follows along as best she can, though she seems plainly uncomfortable, and stumbles over her words a few times, not really showing the same vocal range as she was earlier.
[16:40] * V-chan notices Rei's uncertainty, and matches her tempo to the other girl's, complimenting Rei's singing.
[16:40] * Usagi-chan doesn't pay much attention to the singing, letting her head rest on the table once again.
[16:43] <Rei-chan> Bringing her lacklustre performance to a close, Rei grimaces as she puts the microphone back on the karaoke machine. "Yeah, Mako-chan, that's what you call bad singing," she offers in a weak attempt at mirth.
[16:44] <V-chan> "No," Minako says quietly. "That wasn't it."
[16:44] <Rei-chan> "Sorry, Minako-chan, guess I ruined that song for you," she apologises to her partner.
[16:44] * Makoto bites her lower lip. "That wasn't bad, Rei!" Makoto tries to complain, but feeling her attempt will fall on deaf ears.
[16:45] <V-chan> "I wouldn't have really forced any of you to sing with me, guys," Minako says, heading over to the couch and sitting next to Usagi.
[16:46] <Rei-chan> "Nice of you to say, Mako-chan," Rei sits next to her taller friend, "But don't make me call you a liar."
[16:47] * Usagi-chan sits up and sighs. "Sorry guys, guess I'm not in much of a party mood right now. I should probably just head home - you don't need me dragging the rest of you guys down." She gives the other girls a wan smile as she rises from the table.
[16:48] * V-chan downs the rest of her drink. "I'll go get me another one," she says, standing up and heading outside.
[16:48] <Rei-chan> "You wouldn't drag us down, Usagi," Rei insists. 'We're already there...' "But if you want to go, that's fair enough."
[16:49] <Usagi-chan> "Congratulations again on getting accepted, Rei-chan." Usagi's smile is genuine. "I hope Mugen is really as cool as I've heard." She gives the remaining three senshi a small wave and heads out of the booth.
[16:50] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei says, waving at her departing figure.
[16:52] <Rei-chan> "Well... this party sure took a turn for the depressing," the white-haired girl says glumly to Makoto and Ami. "What do you guys want to do now?"
[16:53] * V-chan returns a little while after leaving, and plops down on the couch.
[16:54] * Makoto twiddles her fingers together, not sure how to answer Rei.
[16:59] <Makoto> "Uhm, I guess I'll try to sing again?" Makoto says, after a small while.
[17:00] <V-chan> "Go for it!" Minako cheers from the couch.
[17:00] <Rei-chan> "Sure, Mako-chan," Rei chirps, trying to get back into a more cheerful frame of mind.
[17:00] * Makoto smiles at the encouragement and slowly gets up. She heads up to the small stage, looking through the song selections.
[17:02] * Makoto stops as she goes through the artists, finding one she likes, and picks a song at random. She takes a deep breath as she makes the selection, briefly closing her eyes until the music for "Painted Black" by Aiuchi Rina begins to play.
[17:04] <Makoto> Tapping her foot to the beginning of the beat, she starts to sing off the lyrics. "Oh baby it's you I miss, Remember our final kiss..."
[17:04] <Makoto> Slowly, as the song picks up its beat, so does Makoto, remembering what she and Rei did, and moving not just her foot, but all of her body along with the beat.
[17:05] <Makoto> "Still loving you in my dream, Now, if I could only see..." Makoto sings, focusing on the emotion behind the words, continually getting more into the song.
[17:06] * Rei-chan leans forward, bobbing her head a bit in time to Makoto's singing.
[17:06] <Makoto> Two minutes later, the song was over, and like the times before, Makoto takes a hesitant deep breath. She stays on stage and looks at her friends, gauging for reactions somewhat nervously.
[17:07] * Rei-chan claps, "That was great, Mako-chan! You were a lot more confident in that one," she says approvingly.
[17:08] * V-chan nods blearily. "S'great, yeah. Sing another one?"
[17:09] * Makoto smiles brightly as Rei claps and Minako nods. Blushing at Minako's request, she says, "Oh no, I couldn't..." and quickly gets off the stage.
[17:14] <Rei-chan> "I'll go now," Rei says, standing up and taking the microphone from Makoto. She quickly skims through the book, looking for something.
[17:16] * Rei-chan keys up the song 'Kaze mo, Sora mo, Kitto' and begins to sing the soft, slow paced song. Swaying gently with her eyes closed, she gives a fairly accomplished performance. While technically good, there still isn't as much feeling as she was putting in her earlier songs.
[17:18] <Rei-chan> "Not bad..." she mutters after finishing. "You want to go now, Ami-chan?" she offers the microphone to the blue haired girl.
[17:18] <V-chan> "Punch up Love Revolution for me, will you, Rei-chan?" Minako asks from the couch, lying on it with a hand covering her eyes. "Unless Ami objects?"
[17:19] <Ami> "Um, no. You can go first," Ami defers.
[17:19] <V-chan> "Thanks!"
[17:20] * Rei-chan glances at the book and enters the desired song, before handing the microphone to Minako as she steps off the stage.
[17:23] * V-chan sings quietly from the couch, her voice barely carrying over the music at first. Midway, it picks up, and she moves from her reclining position to sit normally, concentrating on the familiar lyrics as she sings them, adding more and more feeling with each verse until the song ends.
[17:24] * Rei-chan is surprised that Minako never even got up, but applauds politely when the song ends. "Are you feeling alright, Minako?" she asks worriedly.
[17:25] * V-chan answers Rei's question with her own. "Why didn't you want to sing with me, Rei-chan?"
[17:25] <Rei-chan> "I did sing with you," Rei replies.
[17:26] <V-chan> "But you didn't want to," Minako points out. "Is singing with me that bad?"
[17:28] <Rei-chan> "Of course not," Rei says with a strained smile, "You're so much better than me, after all. I should be grateful at all to have the chance to sing alongside Full Moon."
[17:29] * Ami casts Makoto a look.
[17:29] <V-chan> "Screw Full Moon!" Minako snaps. "I wanted to sing with you. And... and I'm not better at all. If only you could hear yourself sing...."
[17:35] <Rei-chan> "I can, Minako," Rei says more gently. "And I know I don't stack up. And I don't like it... I don't like being reminded that you're living something I could only dream about."
[17:36] * Makoto feels uncomfortable in the seat as the party mood officially seems to end. She looks back at Ami, noticing her look, wondering if she has a way of ending the night on a pleasant note still.
[17:36] <V-chan> "You do too! You don't just stack up... you're a bright star, Rei-chan!" Minako insists. "You know that I don't lie!"
[17:37] * Ami shrugs, reading Makoto's glance and figuring her own probably mirrored it. She taps the silver bracelet and raises an eyebrow, throwing a glance back at the former couple.
[17:40] * Makoto blinks as Ami taps a bracelet and raises an eyebrow, confused as to what the girl genius was attempting to do or say.
[17:40] <Rei-chan> "I'm good, I know that. And I take pride in my ability," Rei agrees, "But I'll never be an idol like you are. For me it's just a childish dream I've had to sacrifice." She looks away sadly.
[17:42] <Ami> "Makoto!" Ami says, cutting through the conversation. "Let's get something to drink. I think they have some snacks up there too."
[17:42] <V-chan> "It doesn't have to be," Minako says softly, holding her head in her hands. "We've won, Rei-chan. Won against evil, won against tests... we're allowed to chase our dreams, now."
[17:42] * Ami heads to the door.
[17:43] * Rei-chan gives the other two girls a grateful smile as they leave, wondering why Minako couldn't have waited till they had some privacy before making such a scene in the first place.
[17:44] * Makoto scrambles after Ami, not wanting to be left in between the two girls as they're discussing their feelings. 'Sorry Mina-chan, Rei-chan, not the friendliest thing to do, but I'm getting while the getting's good.'
[17:45] <Rei-chan> "Minako, I remember a conversation we had. It was right before you started attending T*A," 'for all of two days', "It seems our positions are reversed. Back then, I wanted the normal life, to pursue my dreams. But you said we'd never be able to leave our duty behind. And now I know that you're right."
[17:46] <Rei-chan> "I have a duty, Minako. Something that is far bigger than I am," Rei says with feeling, "And it is something I will devote everything I have to, until my dying breath." She then deflates, sighing, "But it hurts to be reminded of what I used to want..."
[17:49] * V-chan is quiet, before she says, "I don't think they reversed that much, Rei-chan. I just... I'm trying to find a balance. It's not healthy to give your entire life for fighting. Just fighting. Someone told me that, I think, but for the life of me I can't remember who...." She smiles at Rei. "You don't have a duty. We have a duty. All of us. And I'm sure there's plenty of room in there for a girl following her dream and singing."
[17:54] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei says, quietly but firmly. "This is my choice. I want to concentrate on it fully, and give it my all." She laughs, abruptly. "Besides, I'm too young to make it as a singer, and I don't have a magic compact like you."
[17:57] * V-chan laughs as well, standing up and catching herself on the sofa for a moment. "Oops," she says in embarrassment.
[17:57] <V-chan> "Spent too much time lying down," she adds, flushing.
[17:58] * Rei-chan stands up as well. "Right," she nods at Minako's explanation. "Well, looks like this party came to an abrupt end... Guess I may as well go home myself, now."
[17:59] * V-chan picks up a popper, and pops it into the air. "Congratulations on getting into Mugen, Rei-chan."
[17:59] * Rei-chan pops one as well. "Congratulations yourself, Minako."
[18:00] * V-chan nods, before telling Rei, "I was serious. You have a great voice. I would love to sing with you again, if it doesn't bring you too much pain."
[18:01] * Rei-chan sighs. "Maybe... someday..." she mutters. "Anyway, I'm off. I guess I'll see you the day after tomorrow," she waves, exiting the booth and heading home.
[18:02] <V-chan> "Yeah, I'll see you then," Minako echoes, before leaving the booth herself.
[18:02] <Rei-chan> -------
[10:38] <Anastasia> "Excited today, are we," Nian comments as you get ready for your date. "Are you actually nervous?"
[10:39] <Prince_Herb> "Of course not. This facial tic is just a new fashion statement." Herb says, winking at his loyal advisor.
[10:39] <Prince_Herb> "What should I wear, though?"
[10:40] <Anastasia> "Black formal wear, perhaps? This is a fairly high society event, is it not?" the cat says.
[10:42] <Prince_Herb> "Yes, but maybe I should wear my robes? And are you sure that it's really not going to rain?"
[10:43] <Anastasia> "It's been sunny all day, and the weather says it won't," Nian shrugs. "That's no guarantee, but it is likely they are right."
[10:47] <Prince_Herb> "All right," says Herb and lays out his formal outfit.
[10:48] <Prince_Herb> "I'll trust to modern science this once." Herb says, as he gets dressed.
[10:48] <Anastasia> "Prince... should I expect you out late," he asks. "Further... you aren't planning on wearing your female formal wear, are you?" he laughs as he says this, framing his joke.
[10:49] * Prince_Herb scowls at his trusted advisor.
[10:49] <Prince_Herb> "Is this your way of offering me moral support?"
[10:50] <Anastasia> He grins, "I apologize, Prince. However, if you did go as a girl..." he trails off, amused.
[10:51] <Prince_Herb> "Hiroe would probably not be amused, to say the least. I still need to tell her about the curse, and I don't think shock therapy is going to be the best way."
[10:52] <Anastasia> "I'd wait until the second date, o Prince," he goes on. "No need to spring that on her if you do not need to."
[10:54] <Prince_Herb> "I don't know that the curse will leave me alone that long. Let's hope it's being kind tonight, eh?"
[10:54] <Anastasia> "Yes," he says, the sides of his feline mouth twitching.
[10:56] <Prince_Herb> "You know, if I didn't know that you were my trusted advisor, eager to aid me in all things, I'd begin to be suspicious about your motives about now." Herb says. "You sound awfully like a moggy that wants someone to end up falling flat on her face."
[10:58] <Anastasia> His last vestige of control evaporates at that, and Nian bursts into gales of laughter. "Hahah... oh, I am so sorry, but... This is rather amusing."
[11:01] <Prince_Herb> "Laugh it up, why don't you? Gah... Mooncats..."
[11:01] * Prince_Herb finishes dressing and admires himself in the mirror. "The epitome of manliness, I sincerely hope."
[11:02] <Anastasia> "I'm a Dragon still, remember," he notes. "Anyway, you look brilliant."
[11:03] <Prince_Herb> "Naturally," says Herb, his self-confidence boosted.
[11:04] <Prince_Herb> "Right, I have the invitation cards, I have the flowers, I have Hiroe's address, what else do I need?"
[11:07] <Anastasia> "Good luck and a cold water shield," he observes.
[11:09] <Prince_Herb> "I tried Seibu and they were out of both. I shall have to rely on my innate skills and quickness of mind."
[11:09] <Anastasia> "Then I'll wish you a good heaping helping of luck," he nods. "Good luck," he says, glancing at a wall clock.
[11:10] <Prince_Herb> "I'll see you later, furball!" Herb says, and heads for the door, checking carefully that no buckets of water have been propped above the lintel by his caring servants.
[11:10] <Prince_Herb> "And thanks!"
[11:10] <Anastasia> No such shenanigans are there, and you get to the car without being soaked. Thank God.
[11:10] <Anastasia> ---
[11:10] <Anastasia> The car ride is uneventful except for your nervous jitters.
[11:12] * Prince_Herb tries to calm himself by listening to Heiian court music on the car stereo
[11:13] <Anastasia> As you arrive at the preplanned meeting place, you find Hiroe waiting for you. Her hair is done up nicely, and she wears a black skirt and a sharp, dressy top.
[11:14] <Prince_Herb> "Hello there!" says Herb, bowing. "You look lovely. These flowers I brought for you look pale by comparison."
[11:14] * Prince_Herb offers the pretty flowers to the pretty lady.
[11:15] <Anastasia> "Flowers," she says instead of a greeting, "thank you," she smiles, taking the flattery.
[11:19] <Anastasia> Putting them down carefully on the seat of the car as she gets in, "I must admit that I didn't catch what was debuting tonight. What works of art are to be featured?"
[11:24] <Prince_Herb> "It's an exhibition devoted to the dragon in art. My father lent a few pieces from the family collection, but the rest is entirely new to me." Herb says. "There's a catalogue of the exhibition in the glovebox if you want to have a look."
[11:27] <Anastasia> "Your father, hm? He is interested in the arts as well?" she asks as she opens up the glovebox.
[11:30] <Prince_Herb> "No, not really. He's more interested in t'ai chi and family history."
[11:30] <Anastasia> She nods, reading over the leaflet in the glovebox. "It looks like an excellent exhibit," she comments as she reads along.
[11:34] <Prince_Herb> "I hope so; it wouldn't be much fun if we got there and had to agree with the curators and the other guests that it was lovely and not really mean it."
[11:37] <Prince_Herb> "It does look pretty good, though. There's a lot of rather nice jade carvings I'm looking forward to seeing."
[11:37] <Anastasia> She smiles a bit. "Oooh, I like jade. It's so pretty," she says.
[11:42] <Anastasia> ---
[11:43] <Anastasia> You arrive at the museum shortly there after, getting in without any hassles.
[11:44] * Prince_Herb thanks the gods, and checks out the gallery where the event is being held for any potential crisis points.
[11:44] * Prince_Herb notes the table with the glasses of wines and fruit juices as being danger number one.
[11:45] <Anastasia> There are a fair number of people about, but the booze does seem like the main issue...
[11:45] <Anastasia> Hiroe looks around, settling on the first picture and examining it. It's a beautiful painting of a dragon in flight over clouds.
[11:48] * Prince_Herb decides to stop worrying for the moment and enjoy the experience.
[11:49] <Anastasia> The art assembled here is of the finest type, paintings, sculptures and dragon vases about.
[11:53] <Prince_Herb> "What do you think, Hiroe? I can't decide which piece I like best at all. I came expecting to like the jades best, but I'm knocked out."
[11:54] <Prince_Herb> "Maybe that 16th century Italian silver St. George and the Dragon..."
[11:55] <Anastasia> She nods and speaks quietly, awed a bit by all the excellent artwork. "Yes...all of these pieces are top notch."
[11:57] <Anastasia> As you speak, she nabs a flute of champaign from a passing waiter.
[12:00] <Prince_Herb> "I know. It's really rather exciting, isn't it? And a bit of something for everyone, as long as they like dragons."
[12:07] <Anastasia> "Yeah..." she pauses to sip from her glass. "Dragons are kind of interesting," she goes on, "Mythical creatures almost like gods..."
[12:10] <Prince_Herb> "Handsome and terrifying in equal measure."
[12:14] <Anastasia> "Yes...Legends speak of Dragonfear, that a human can't even stand next to a dragon without abject terror ruining them."
[12:17] <Prince_Herb> "Thank goodness it's only a legend. That would make it very hard for a dragon to get a date, no?"
[12:18] * Prince_Herb chuckles. "My family is descended from a dragon, you know. I'll tell you the story sometime, though some people think it doesn't reflect very well on us."
[12:19] <Anastasia> "Really?" she asks, laughing. "A dragon?"
[12:23] <Prince_Herb> "Really. They were apparently much more common back then than they are today." Herb says
[12:23] <Anastasia> She nods along, finishing off her bubbly drink. "If they existed, I suppose."
[12:27] <Prince_Herb> "What?" teases Herb, "You think that none of these artists were working with live models?"
[12:31] <Anastasia> "Heh, live models..." she chortles. "Do you really think dragons exist," she asks, curious.
[12:35] <Prince_Herb> "Well, I'd hate to think my ancestors were liars. Wouldn't you?" Herb asks
[12:35] <Anastasia> She looks at you, smiling. "I'll trust your anscestors, then," she laughs, amused.

[10:07] <Anastasia> The night goes on as you tour the art works. You have a few short conversations with people and Hiroe while you take in the art. You note she's had a few drinks and is getting a bit tipsy.
[10:08] * Prince_Herb asks her if she's had enough of the art and wants to move on to the restaurant. "It's a little family restaurant my cat likes a lot."
[10:09] <Anastasia> "Well... yeah, I guess," she nods, smiling. She's been smiling pleasantly for the last half hour, leaning on your arm a few times. She seems to be enjoying herself.
[10:11] * Prince_Herb thanks the curator for a wonderful exhibition and takes Hiroe back down to where his car is parked.
[10:12] <Anastasia> "Thanks," she trumpets as well, grinning as you leave.
[10:13] <Anastasia> "What's the restaurant you have in mind," she questions after you get into the car.
[10:19] <Prince_Herb> "It's the Yamaguchi; maybe you know it?" Herb says, "It's not too far from Toudai, really."
[10:23] <Anastasia> "Yamaguchi," she says distantly, thinking. "Nope, doesn't ring a bell. What sort of restaurant is it?"
[10:26] <Prince_Herb> "A sort of traditional teahouse place that does great tobanyaki."
[10:27] <Anastasia> "Right," she nods. "And again, thanks for inviting me. I did enjoy the art," she replies with real warmth in her voice, patting your arm.
[10:29] <Prince_Herb> "I've enjoyed it as well," Herb says, smiling at her. "It's nice to do something that wasn't to do with classes or with martial arts, and your company made it even more pleasant."
[10:30] <Anastasia> She nods. "It does seem like if I'm not doing school work that I'm doing kendo. A break is pleasant indeed."
[10:33] <Anastasia> ---
[10:33] <Anastasia> A short drive later leads you to the restaurant in question. Once seated, you are served quickly and quietly with good service.
[10:38] <Anastasia> The food is served...
[10:38] <Anastasia> "It looks good," she says, working her chopsticks gracefully.
[10:39] <Prince_Herb> "It tastes good too," Prince_Herb says. "I love the way they cook tobanyaki at your table so that you can see the cook's skills in action."
[10:40] <Anastasia> "I guess, although watching them make it can be a bit much sometimes. It's nice just to see the food ready to eat and not worry about prepartation..." she starts, pausing to take a bit. "Mmm, this is good."
[10:42] * Prince_Herb nods. "It's another new taste I've acquired since I came to Tokyo."
[10:44] <Anastasia> "Speaking of that, you mentioned your father..and you aren't from around here. Where do you hail from," she asks, a bit blunt.
[10:46] <Prince_Herb> "It's nowhere you will ever have heard of, a little valley in the Bayankala range in south-west China."
[10:47] <Prince_Herb> "I had to learn something about the wider world, though, so I left to come here."
[10:51] <Anastasia> Hiroe nods twice at the right points. "How'd you get the money for your car and Toudai, though," he inquires. "If you came from a mountain villiag..." she cuts herself off, blushing a bit. "Ah, sorry. That's nosy, isn't it?"
[10:57] <Prince_Herb> "I come from our royal family. We're pretty wealthy, really, though the story of how that came about and how we dealt with the hard times of the Mao Dynasty is rather ugly at points."
[10:59] <Prince_Herb> "The fact is, I'm a Chinese prince, though you don't have to call me oji-sama unless you really want to." Herb says, with a wink.
[10:59] <Anastasia> "Ah..." she says. "I'm surprised. I thought no one was able to stand up to the central communist government," she says.
[11:02] <Prince_Herb> Prince_Herb shrugs. "We melted away like the winter snows in Spring. No one came looking for us, because they thought we were long gone."
[11:04] <Prince_Herb> "And now, they don't care. If you have money to invest in factories, your past is forgotten."
[11:04] <Anastasia> She nods along. "Hm, I guess that makes sense. Things have changed over there from what the news says... Do you have any thoughts on the matter?"
[11:05] * Prince_Herb nods.
[11:05] <Anastasia> "Well," she smiles a bit, "do tell."
[11:08] <Prince_Herb> "Things are bad; they need an Emperor again, so that Earth and Heaven can be in balance. In Japan, you're lucky. The Emperor gives you stability and balance."
[11:11] <Anastasia> She nods and takes a few small bites from her food. "You think that's it? I'm more inclined to think it's bad because the communists are corrupt morons," she chortles slightly.
[11:14] <Prince_Herb> "They lack the wise guidance of the Emperor and the stern governance of his magistracy," Herb says, "and in those circumstances terrible things can happen."
[11:16] <Anastasia> "I guess," she nods. "Anyway, what does you family do, besides ruling?"
[11:21] <Prince_Herb> Herb finishes his tobanyaki. "They're martial arts mad. Our dynasty was originally established to enable us to study the martial arts to perfection, and we still do. I've studied t'ai chi since the day I could walk, so I'm no exception to the rule. And my father studies our family history. Endlessly."
[11:22] <Anastasia> "Yes, I can," she reaches for her water glass, but her hand slips as she picks it up, causing it to fall and tilt towards you, water coming right at your face!
[11:23] <Prince_Herb> roll 2d6 to evade the water
[11:23] * Musk-bot --> "Prince_Herb rolls 2d6 to evade the water and gets 10."
[11:23] <Prince_Herb> *SPLASH*
[11:24] <Anastasia> "Oh crap," she says as the glass clatters on the table. "I'm so sorry, Her..." she stops, suddenly staring at you.
[11:24] * Princess_Herb looks sad
[11:25] <Anastasia> She continues to stare. "Um..." she blinks twice, rubbing her eyes.
[11:25] <Princess_Herb> "I also have an ancient Chinese curse... Cold water turns me into a girl, hot water turns me back until the next time."
[11:25] * Princess_Herb asks for some hot water from the waitress.
[11:26] <Princess_Herb> "I'm sorry: I should have mentioned this before, but I thought you might not believe me, or think I was odd..."
[11:26] <Anastasia> The waitress takes the order as Hiroe gapes openly.
[11:26] <Anastasia> "Um... Um..." she says, completely lost for words.
[11:27] * Princess_Herb orders some hot sake for Hiroe too. "You look as if you might need a drink."
[11:30] <Anastasia> "Yeah," she says distantly. "A curse...?"
[11:31] * Princess_Herb cringes. "An ancient Chinese curse. My shame."
[11:32] <Anastasia> "A... girl curse, right? Or are you really a girl?" she gets out, taking the sake and gulping it when as it arrives.
[11:33] <Princess_Herb> "Hey!" says Herb as she pours the hot water over herself. "I'm a guy!"
[11:34] <Anastasia> She shivers when you change again. "That's just insane..."
[11:34] <Prince_Herb> "Now you think I'm a freak... I'm sorry."
[11:37] <Anastasia> "Um...well..." she shakes her head firmly. "Oh damn. I dunno, it's just so odd, you know?"
[11:38] <Prince_Herb> "It's definitely that." Herb replies. "The most I can say is that you sort of get used to it."
[11:39] <Prince_Herb> "I don't know how long I could have kept it a secret at Toudai anyway. People were bound to spill sometihng my way sooner or later..."
[11:39] <Anastasia> "How...how in the world did you get something like this, though?"
[11:40] * Prince_Herb blushes. "You really want to know? Well..."
[11:41] * Prince_Herb fills Hiroe in on the Cursed Training Ground, and how he was 'experimenting' with a monkey, and what an idiot he was.
[11:43] <Anastasia> She nods a few times, trying to digest what you told her. "That's... quite a story," she comments when you finish.
[11:46] <Prince_Herb> "That's not all of it either, but enough for now. See why I believe in dragons?"
[11:47] <Anastasia> "Yep," she nods quickly.
[11:50] <Anastasia> "And...are you a real-real girl," she asks, curious. "Or is it just an illusion?"
[11:51] * Prince_Herb blushes. "My girl side's real. Real enough to need..." He clams up and blushes beetroot red.
[11:52] <Anastasia> "Oh." She says this simply, blushing.
[11:52] <Prince_Herb> "Yes." Herb agrees.
[11:55] <Anastasia> "Um... yeah, well..." Hiroe fishes for a conversational save now.
[11:56] <Prince_Herb> "How are you feeling now? You looked a little stunned." Herb says, shifting the topic of conversation to Hiroe
[11:57] <Anastasia> "I wasn't expecting you to be a girl too," she blurts.
[12:02] <Prince_Herb> "I'm not too comfortable with that part of it myself. Come on, I'll pay the bill and take you home. You probably need a good night's sleep after that shock." Herb says.
[12:22] <Anastasia> She agrees, and you soon drop her off. The car ride back is quiet, but not oppressive or unfriendly, at least.
[12:23] <Anastasia> "Good night," she says as she gets out of the car.
[12:24] <Prince_Herb> "Good night," says Herb, "and sleep well." He gets out of the car, and bows to wish her farewell.
[12:24] <Anastasia> "I'll see you at class," she returns the bow, and walks off.
[12:24] <Anastasia> ---
[12:25] <Anastasia> Later, once you arrive home, you find Nian waiting for you.
[12:26] <Anastasia> "How did it go?" he asks right off the bat.
[12:29] <Prince_Herb> "Pretty well up to the moment she spilled the water over me, o my advisor. It went a little downhill after that."
[12:34] <Anastasia> "I was afraid of that," he sighs. "How did she react?"
[12:37] <Prince_Herb> "Shock and astonishment, as you might expect. She didn't flee in abject terror, though, so it was better than it might have been. Maybe she felt sorry for me."
[12:42] <Anastasia> "Heh...yes, that's a small victory," he agrees.
[12:43] <Prince_Herb> "I promised to tell Usa-chan about what happened as well. There's no way to get out of that, I suspect."
[12:44] * Prince_Herb sighs and feels a little sorry for himself.
[12:44] <Prince_Herb> "Well, I'll feel better in the morning, I'm sure. Goodnight, Nian." Prince_Herb says, and goes to turn in.

Halbarad · June 23, 2006, 07:57:18 PM

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NOTE: This started as an off-the-cuff scene in the OOC channel, and we eventually decided to toss it in as canon. So the opening isn't clearly defined.
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[13:24] * Usagi-chan whacks Rei in the back of the head with a pillow and giggles. "Besides, I've been wanting to do this for a while!"
[13:26] <Rei-chan> "You Dumpling Head!" Rei yells, picking herself up and whapping the blonde's head between two pillows, "Don't start something you'll have no chance to finish!"
[13:27] <Usagi-chan> "Hey, no fair!" She scrambles over to grab another pillow. "You've got more than I do!" She starts to flail at Rei with both pillows, battering the miko's head.
[13:28] * Rei-chan brings up her hands to deflect the onslaught, backpedalling away from the blonde's furious assault.
[13:29] <Usagi-chan> "All right, gotcha now Rei!" Just as she says that, she manages to trip over her futon, landing on top of one of the pillows in her hands. "Oof!"
[13:29] <Rei-chan> Now that Usagi's guard is lowered, Rei pelts her with a strong overarm throw of one of her pillows to the back of her head!
[13:30] * Usagi-chan catches the pillow in the head just as she's trying to struggle to her feet, and the projectile sends her sprawling. "That does it! This means war!"
[13:31] <Rei-chan> "Hah! Just bring it, Dumpling Head!" Rei crows, confident of her impending victory as she contemptously gives Usagi a light slap across the face with the pillow still in her hands.
[13:32] * Usagi-chan grabs a pillow with both hands and starts beating Rei over the top of the head with it. "I... Am... Not... A... Dumpling... Head!" she says, punctuating each word with another shot of the pillow.
[13:34] * Rei-chan blocks with her own pillow after the sixth blow, pushing Usagi off balance and following up with the old one-two. "Sure you are!" she says cheerfully, reasserting her dominance in the battle.
[13:35] <Usagi-chan> "Gah!" Usagi falls on her bottom, cushioned by the futons spread out on the floor. "I am not! Pyro!" She hooks her foot around one of Rei's and pulls, trying to trip the white-haired girl.
[13:37] <Rei-chan> "Ack!" Rei flails her arms, but to no avail as she falls backwards. Quickly recovering, she dives forward to tackle Usagi, grabbing her two odango's. "Then what do you call these, Dumpling Head?" she asks, for once not rising to the bait of being called Pyro.
[13:39] * Usagi-chan tries to pull Rei's hands away from her head, rather unsuccesfully. "They're just buns! They do NOT make me a dumpling head!" She tries to roll over to get the miko's weight off the top of her.
[13:40] <Rei-chan> "I'm not going to call you Bun Head," Rei asserts, letting her escape, "That's not nearly as fun."
[13:40] <Usagi-chan> "Well at least I'm not a firebug." Usagi replies by sticking her tongue out at Rei.
[13:42] * Rei-chan finds herself lacking a witty retort, so settles for sticking her own tongue out, making a loud "Bidah!" noise as she does so.
[13:43] * Usagi-chan holds her pose for a minute, and then grins. Seating herself next to Rei's feet, she looks over at the other girl innocently. "You know, I've always been curious about one thing with you..."
[13:43] <Rei-chan> "Huh? Curious about what?" Rei asks, blinking. Something about Usagi's 'innocent' look unsettles her...
[13:44] * Usagi-chan quickly grabs one of Rei's feet and pulls it into her lap, tickling furiously. "I always wondered whether you were ticklish!"
[13:47] <Rei-chan> "Usagi, no!" is all the startled miko can get out before she starts convulsing in hysterical laughter, unable to move enough to effectively fend the assault off. "Haha-stop!-Hahahaha-Oh god!-hehehe-I'll wet myself!-hehaaahaha!" she gets out in between her uncontrollable paroxysms of mirth.
[13:49] * Usagi-chan starts giggling herself at the poor priestess' plight. After a minute or so of torture, she releases Rei's foot, still laughing at the situation. "I knew it!"
[13:50] * Rei-chan lies there, gasping for breath. "Usagi, don't you ever do that again!" she mutters, still shaking slightly from the aftereffects of the tickle torture.
[13:50] * Usagi-chan grins. "No way! Just remember: when you least expect it... expect it."
[13:52] * Rei-chan looks up to stare at Usagi's face with unusual intensity. It almost seems like she's looking *through* the other girl.
[13:53] * Usagi-chan blinks, a bit taken aback. "What? What'd I say?"
[13:53] <Rei-chan> A flying pillow suddenly impacts the back of Usagi's head.
[13:54] <Usagi-chan> "Hey! That's cheating!" Usagi yells before seizing her pillow once again and starting in on the telekinetic miko.
[13:54] <Rei-chan> "Didn't expect that, did you, miss high and mighty?" Rei gloats, scrambling out of Usagi's warpath and grabbing a spare pillow to block with.
[13:56] * Usagi-chan growls. "I'll give YOU miss high and mighty!" Usagi delivers a mighty whack to Rei's rear end as the white-haired girl attempts to scramble out of her way.
[14:04] * Rei-chan yelps, leaping up slightly with the hit. To retaliate, she brings her own pillow round in a massive overhand swing to land right on Usagi's head. "I hope you like your Dumplings squashed!"
[14:06] * Usagi-chan flops down on her bottom hard, seeing stars. 'I'm not going to start wailing, I'm not!' Slowly she gets back to her feet. "You're supposed to handle them delicately, Pyro!" With that, she unleashes a barrage of quick attacks on the miko.
[14:08] <Rei-chan> "Don't call me Pyro!" Rei yells, falling back from the assault, before suddenly firming her stance and diving forward through the barrage to tackle the blonde to the ground!
[14:09] <Usagi-chan> Acting quickly, Usagi frees her arms, grabbing a handful of Rei's hair in one hand and skillfully twisting it into an odango. "Ha! Now who's the dumpling head?"
[14:12] * Rei-chan inhales a shocked breath, touching a hand to her head. "What have you done to my beautiful hair?!" she cries, before growling, "I'll show you!" and quickly bringing her knees up to pin Usagi's shoulders. Now free to act from her dominant position, she undoes both of Usagi's odangos, letting the blonde locks flow freely. "Ha! Now... hey, my hair's still messed up!" she cries, realising she hasn't actually accomplished much.
[14:14] * Usagi-chan giggles. "You look good with odangos! You just need one to match it on the other side!" Usagi tries to reach up and grab Rei's hair again, but can't sit up with the miko's full weight on her shoulders. "Get off me, will ya?"
[14:15] * Rei-chan gets off Usagi, admitting to herself that she is slightly curious how she'd look with Usagi's trademark hairstyle.
[14:17] * Usagi-chan grins. "Now just hold still for a minute, that one I did is kind of messy anyway." Undoing the original bun, Usagi sits down behind Rei, carefully styling her white hair up into a pair of odangos just like the ones she usually wears herself.
[14:18] * Rei-chan fidgets slightly, getting the feeling that this is going to wind up horribly wrong. Still, she is curious, and surely it can't hurt?
[14:19] * Usagi-chan nods sharply as she finishes her task. "All done - you have a mirror in here anywhere?" Usagi grins as she surveys her work. Not bad, actually, although Rei's shorter hair doesn't quite give her the same look as Usagi.
[14:20] <Rei-chan> "Right there," Rei points to her dresser, going over to look at her reflection and adopting her most goofy 'Usagi-like' expression. "I don't think I pull it off as well as you..." she says after a moment, sticking her tongue out.
[14:21] <Usagi-chan> "True, not everyone has that much style and grace." Usagi places a hand behind her head, fluttering her eyebrows coquettishly.
[14:22] <Rei-chan> "You're certainly one of a kind," Rei grins, choosing not to elaborate further in either direction that comment could be taken.
[14:23] <Usagi-chan> "I'd better get my odangos back together before my hair starts getting all tangled up, actually." Usagi stands up herself, letting a cascade of long golden hair fall down her back to her knees.
[14:25] <Rei-chan> "It's surprising just how much hair you actually have," Rei notes, taking in Usagi's golden tresses which reach her calves. "Amazing how much of it gets bundled away in those dumplings of yours."
[14:26] <Usagi-chan> "Why do you think I wear them? It's not JUST a fashion statement." Usagi works her own hair skillfully, tying it up in her trademark buns. "They help keep it from getting into everything too, not just take up some of the length."
[14:27] <Rei-chan> "I suppose at least you haven't tripped over them lately," Rei says, fixing her own hair so it can flow freely down her back once more.
[14:28] <Usagi-chan> "I haven't really had a major klutz attack in ages, really. Kinda nice not to have to deal with bruised shins all the time." Usagi makes a face.
[14:29] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it's certainly making my life harder," Rei pouts, "I have to look out for other things to tease you about."
[14:30] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, you poor thing! Whatever shall you do?" Usagi poses with one hand against her forehead dramatically.
[14:32] <Rei-chan> "Well..." Rei assumes a thoughtful expression. "I suppose... I could do... THIS!" she suddenly kneels down and yanks the blanket Usagi is standing on from under the other girl's feet!
[14:33] * Usagi-chan shrieks in surprise as her feet slip out from underneath her! She lands hard on her butt, tears coming to the corners of her eyes as she lands on the hard wooden floor with a thump. "Owww!" She doesn't start wailing though... yet.
[14:38] * Rei-chan feels a bit bad, seeing Usagi didn't land so well. "Ah, you alright?" she goes over, offering a hand for the other girl to get up. "I didn't think you'd land so badly..." she offers, embarrassedly.
[14:38] * Usagi-chan takes the offered hand, wincing a bit as she rubs at her injured backside. "I'll be okay... owww..."
[14:41] <Rei-chan> "Of course you will!" Rei chirps, leading Usagi to the soft bed, "Now why don't you sit down and soothe your poor abused bottom?"
[14:44] <Usagi-chan> "If you... INSIST!" Usagi moves backwards, knocking Rei onto the bed and landing on her lap. She giggles. "You're right, I feel a lot better already!"
[14:49] <Rei-chan> "Getting comfortable, are you?" Rei smirks, putting her hands on Usagi's hips.
[14:50] <Usagi-chan> "I could get used to it." Usagi grins, leaning back against Rei as if she were a chair.
[14:52] * Rei-chan doesn't reply verbally, instead running her nimble fingers up Usagi's sides, retaliating for the tickle attack of earlier.
[14:53] * Usagi-chan twitches a bit, trying not to laugh. "Don't, Rei..." She starts to squirm on the miko's lap.
[14:54] * Rei-chan grins evilly, increasing the intensity of her tickling, as well as her range of movement as she tries to find any weak spots on the other girl!
[14:56] <Usagi-chan> "Noooo! Hahahaha... stoppit!" Usagi wriggles around wildly, falling off Rei's lap onto the bed. "Not fai-haheehee... quit it! Not the knees, not the kne-ahahahaha!" Usagi shakes in laughter, trying to escape Rei's wandering fingertips.
[14:57] <Rei-chan> "Not the what?" Rei asks innocently, focusing her attentions on Usagi's knees.
[14:58] * Usagi-chan roars with gales of laughter. "Nonononono! Not-heeheeheehee-anywhere but there!" Usagi pulls her knees up to her chest, turning away from Rei in an attempt to get away.
[14:59] * Rei-chan is merciless as she continues to torment the poor girl. "Really, Usagi, you shouldn't threaten someone with something if you're so weak against it yourself," she needles.
[15:01] * Usagi-chan pulls herself together and leaps, turning the tables on Rei! "How... haha... how do you think *I* got so good at it?" She continues to giggle as she follows through on her gentle torture of the white-haired priestess.
[15:05] <Rei-chan> With a shriek, Rei succumbs to the attack, the effectiveness of her own tickling being sharply decreased as she struggles to retain focus while convulsing in laughter. Before long, her sensitivity proves her downfall as she struggles just to breathe through her laughter, any attempt at retaliation being futile. "Haha-stop-heee-I-hahaee-really will-heehaha-wet myself!" she gasps.
[15:06] * Usagi-chan grins in triumph, letting up JUST as she figures Rei is at her breaking point. "Haha, call me queen!" She sits up on the bed, pointing one finger at the ceiling before collapsing in a fit of the giggles herself.
[15:07] <Rei-chan> "Just let... me catch my... breath, Queen..." Rei gasps, sounding rather dazed.
[15:08] <Usagi-chan> "Wow, you really ARE ticklish, huh?" Usagi sounds somewhat surprised. "I wasn't even trying THAT hard..."
[15:09] <Rei-chan> "It's my secret shame," Rei says seriously, though the effect is somewhat ruined by her still lying prostrate and dazed on the bed, her breath coming in deep gasps.
[15:10] * Usagi-chan grins. "I promise not to tell anyone else - but why be ashamed of it?"
[15:11] * Rei-chan sits up, facing Usagi. "I'm not really, I was being dramatic."
[15:12] <Usagi-chan> "Gee, now *I* feel stupid." Usagi groans and rolls her eyes.
[15:13] * Rei-chan pats Usagi on the head. "We all have our talents," she smiles mysteriously.
[15:14] * Usagi-chan frowns. "Thanks a lot, Rei." She shoves Rei over onto the bed.
[15:15] * Rei-chan falls over, still rather drained from being tickled, she elects not to move. "If you saw through that one, there's hope for you yet. I didn't expect you to get it," she lectures sagely from her prone position, her head lolling off the side of the bed.
[15:17] <Usagi-chan> "Your confidence in me is overwhelming." Usagi replies dryly.
[15:18] <Rei-chan> "Admit it, you wouldn't have me any other way," Rei challenges lazily.
[15:21] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, yeah." Usagi lays back on the bed herself. "Okay, time for something else-I'm too tired for another pillow fight."
[15:21] <Rei-chan> "Me too," Rei agrees, seeming content to lie motionless with her head hanging off the bed in what must be an uncomfortable position for her neck.
[15:23] <Usagi-chan> "You look like you're about to fall off the bed!" Usagi grabs Rei's arm and rolls her into a more normal position, her legs coming to rest across Usagi's lap. "Let's see, what else can we do..."
[15:25] * Rei-chan props her upper body up on her elbows. "Well... I dunno. What do you want to do?"
[15:25] <Usagi-chan> "I know! Why not a game of Truth or Dare? I know we usually do it with more people but it still works with just us."
[15:26] * Rei-chan arches an eyebrow. "Well, I suppose with telepathy, we won't be able to lie." She shrugs, "Why not?"
[15:26] <Usagi-chan> "I'll go first! Truth or dare?"
[15:26] <Rei-chan> "Truth," Rei responds automatically.
[15:27] <Usagi-chan> "Umm.... who was the first person you had a crush on?"
[15:36] * Rei-chan gets a far away look in her eyes. "Kaidou-san... my father's top assistant. He used to visit me after I went to live with Grandpa. When it was my birthday, he'd give me casablanca flowers and apologise for my father not coming. I think I started to get a crush on him last year, even though he's so much older than me..."
[15:36] <Rei-chan> "But... he never saw me as anything but a child. And he recently got married to someone else... it was an arrangement my father set up for political reasons, since Kaidou-san is said to be his successor..." the white haired girl sighs. "I'm over him, but the memories still make me sad..."
[15:38] * Usagi-chan blinks back tears. "That sounds so sad, Rei-chan! Did you ever say anything to him?"
[15:41] * Rei-chan shrugs embarrassedly. "Not really. The most I did was tell him we were kindred spirits once. I knew nothing could ever come of it..."
[15:43] * Usagi-chan takes a deep sigh. "It still sounds really sad... but anyway! We're here to have fun!" Usagi perks up rather quickly. "I'll take Truth too!"
[15:46] <Rei-chan> "Okay..." Rei considers what question to ask, deciding not to just return the same one back to Usagi. "What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done, that I don't already know about?" she asks. 'Given how often Usagi messes stuff up, this should be genius!'
[15:47] * Usagi-chan goes bright red. "Um... do I have to?"
[15:48] * Rei-chan blinks. "You do now!" 'With a reaction like that, it must be good!'
[15:50] <Usagi-chan> "Well... my family still calls this one the queen of all klutz attacks. It was when I was 10 - I was in the school play that year, and we were doing Sleeping Beauty - I was one of the servants in the castle, I didn't have any lines or anything." She takes a deep breath before continuing.
[15:50] * Rei-chan wonders if the Tsukinos made a movie of this particular play...
[15:52] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, we had the big scene where the princess pricks her finger on the needle and everyone in the castle is supposed to fall down asleep. I don't even know what I tripped over, but I ended up taking out ALL of the scenery, and somehow I ended up in the orchestra pit with my skirt around my ears." Usagi looks away, red as a beet.
[15:53] <Rei-chan> "You poor dear," Rei snickers, finding it a very amusing mental image. "Okay, your turn now. I'll take a Dare this time."
[15:56] <Usagi-chan> "Hmm... let me think for a minute..." Usagi taps her chin. "All right! I dare you to go and give Yuuichiro a kiss!" Usagi grins wickedly.
[15:57] <Rei-chan> "Wh-what?!" Rei stammers, "No way! I'm not going to send those kind of mixed messages to the poor guy, I already broke his heart! I'll take a Truth instead!"
[15:57] * Usagi-chan giggles. "All right, I'll ask an easy one then. What do you want to do when you grow up?"
[15:59] <Rei-chan> "That is easy," Rei agrees, "I'll run the Shrine, while continuing to fight for love and justice as the beautiful sailor suited soldier; Sailor Mars!" Rei poses triumphantly.
[16:28] * Usagi-chan giggles. "No no, that's not what I meant! I mean, if you could choose ANYTHING and you didn't have to worry about anything like being a senshi or what anyone else wanted you to be, what would you do?"
[16:30] * Rei-chan sighs. "Talking like this depresses me... I'm happy to be a senshi, and I love this Shrine," she smiles fondly, though after a moment it develops a melancholy edge. "But... there was a time when I wanted to be a singer..."
[16:33] <Usagi-chan> "You've certainly got the voice for it," Usagi smiles. "I remember when we all went out to karaoke that one time - you really sounded great."
[16:36] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei smiles. "I sang at the T*A school festival last year. It was nice... just for one day, I got to stop being the creepy psychic girl everybody whispered about, and people got to see a side of me I suppose I don't show as often as I should... I could tell my songs really had an effect on everyone." Rei has a wistful smile as she recalls the event.
[16:37] <Usagi-chan> "What did you sing?" Usagi looks at her curiously.
[16:38] <Rei-chan> "Oh, nothing you'll have heard of," Rei waves dismissively, "Just some things I wrote myself."
[16:39] <Usagi-chan> "You wrote your own songs? That's awesome, Rei-chan!" Usagi gets a gleam in her eye as she figures out exactly what her next dare is going to be.
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "Ah, well..." Rei blushes, "It's just something I do for fun. I'm no idol singer." She frowns slightly, but quickly masks it. "So, what'll it be for you? Truth or Dare?"
[16:41] <Usagi-chan> "I'll take a dare this time." Usagi nods.
[16:42] * Rei-chan adjusts her position so one palm is keeping her propped up while she uses her free hand to stroke her chin as she contemplates a suitable dare for the Dumpling Head.
[16:44] * Usagi-chan holds her chin high, willing to do anything the miko might possibly ask her to do!
[16:44] <Rei-chan> "Aha!" Rei suddenly gets a gleam of her own. "I dare you to ask the Luna Pen to turn you into a hunky bishonen guy!"
[16:46] * Usagi-chan swallows hard, then nods her head. "All right, here goes. Moon Power! Turn me into a really hot-looking bishounen idol!"
[16:47] <Rei-chan> 'Wow! I didn't think she'd actually do it!' Rei thinks, watching the disguise magic do its work.
[16:49] <Usagi-chan> In a flash, Usagi is transformed into a very good-looking blond bishounen, very much like Rei has seen on the covers of teen idol magazines down at the bookstore. The effect is only slightly ruined by the fact that she - he - is the same height as Usagi, not quite five feet tall. Usagi spins for Rei, a grin on his face. "Whaddya think?"
[16:51] <Rei-chan> "Oh my God!" Rei cries, still not believing Usagi had actually done it as she lets her eyes wander over Usagi-kun's form. "I can't believe you actually did it!"
[16:52] * Usagi-chan chuckles. "I figured it was worth a shot... wow, my voice really sounds weird now." Usagi heads over to Rei's dresser mirror to check himself out. "Not bad..." he grins.
[16:54] <Rei-chan> "You're a little short, but that's actually kinda cute," Rei says, standing next to the 'boy' just a few inches shorter than her. "Hey..." she glances at Usagi out of the corner of her eyes, "are you... anatomically correct?" she blushes as she finishes.
[16:55] <Usagi-chan> "Hey!" Usagi steps away from Rei. "I'm not checking now!" 'At least, not in front of you...' With that thought, Usagi lets the magic dissipate and reappears in her usual odangoed form.
[16:56] <Rei-chan> "Come on, it's not like it's really yours. I was curious," Rei pouts, going to sit back on the bed.
[16:58] <Usagi-chan> "You didn't say anything about that in the dare, so you couldn't make me." Usagi sticks her tongue out at the miko. "Anyway, it's your turn."
[16:58] <Rei-chan> "I won't if it makes you uncomfortable," Rei shrugs, "I just... I've always wondered what it looks like..." She blushes, before collecting herself. "Anyway, fair's fair, I'll do a Dare now."
[16:59] <Usagi-chan> 'Yes!' Usagi cheers inwardly. "You said you wrote some songs... I dare you to sing one of them for me, right now." She grins.
[17:02] * Rei-chan scratches her head. "Okay," she replies, not finding it to be a difficult request. Standing up once more, she goes to the middle of the room and faces her audience of one.
[17:02] * Usagi-chan sits on the bed with her legs crossed, listening intently.
[17:06] <Rei-chan> Clearing her throat, Rei bobs her head gently, establishing a rhythm to herself since she doesn't have the T*A Instrumental Club providing music for her here. "Shaded by the sunlight, In my heart you are here, Even without saying you love me, You are here in my heart..." she begins singing Eien no Melody, the lyrics coming softly, but with strong feeling behind them.
[17:07] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes as she listens, getting into the rhythm of the song.
[17:07] * Rei-chan goes through the slow song at a measured pace, putting all her heart into this performance, wanting to show off just a little bit.
[17:08] * Usagi-chan opens her eyes about halfway through the song, a broad smile on her face as she watches Rei.
[17:09] <Rei-chan> Reaching the climax, Rei's voice comes stronger and with more passion, before fading to almost a soft whisper in the final verse. "Even more than the blue sky and the sea, I will chase after my dreams with love, Your deep eyes told me to do that..." Bowing her head at the end, she waits a moment, before looking up and giving Usagi an inquiring look.
[17:10] * Usagi-chan bursts into loud clapping as Rei finishes the song. "Encore! Encore!"
[17:11] * Rei-chan blushes. "Well, I suppose it would be rude to deny such a wonderful audience..." she muses.
[17:12] * Usagi-chan whistles, grinning. "What's next for the concert?"
[17:15] <Rei-chan> "Actually..." Rei smiles, "I think I'll give you a very special treat. This song is called 'A More Beautiful Morning Will Come'. I wrote it just last month, and haven't sang it for anyone, yet."
[17:15] <Usagi-chan> "Cool!" Usagi giggles. "I get the first showing!"
[17:17] * Rei-chan takes a moment to centre herself, recalling the lyrics she wrote, before nodding as she begins. " The gentle breeze blows back just a little bit, Look! The season moves while I dream, I am a rascal when I want to, be, but I can stop, Even if I end up crying, I still win, But, someday, it will come easily..." The song is amazingly upbeat and cheerful, especially considering the state Rei was in last month...
[17:18] * Usagi-chan is somewhat surprised at the song's cheerful tone, but she listens attentively, wondering what the inspiration was for the song.
[17:20] <Rei-chan> Rei's performance is technically superb, though it does seem like the song was made for someone with a higher vocal range than the miko. However, she gives it all she has, the song seeming to emphasise her determination and confidence in the future.
[17:24] * Usagi-chan applauds once again, smiling as Rei concludes her song. "You're an amazing songwriter, Rei-chan! That was really good!"
[17:26] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei replies with flushed cheeks. "I enjoyed writing this song. It helped me deal with some of the things I was feeling after..." she shrugs helplessly, not elaborating verbally, though it's obvious what she refers to. "I'm not sure I can fully do it justice myself, but I writing it was a pleasure in itself."
[17:27] <Usagi-chan> "Well, it still sounded really beautiful." Usagi smiles.
[17:27] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei replies, going over to sit back on the bed herself. "So, Truth or Dare?" she asks with a grin.
[17:28] <Usagi-chan> "I'll try a Truth this time." Usagi nods. "Just name it!"
[17:29] <Rei-chan> "Okay..." Rei rubs her palms together as she considers this. "If you could have one wish, what would it be?" she asks, before waggling a finger and adding, "And no wishing for more wishes!"
[17:30] <Usagi-chan> "Wow, that's a tough one... just one wish, right?" Usagi looks over at Rei.
[17:30] * Rei-chan nods. "Anything at all."
[17:32] * Usagi-chan thinks for a few minutes, then nods. "I'd wish that the world would never need to have the Sailor Senshi around for anything else, ever again. I don't mind doing the duty, but I really just want there to be peace."
[17:37] <Rei-chan> "It would be nice to never have to worry about the kinds of things we have to fight ever threatening innocents," Rei agrees. 'Although I'm glad to be a senshi... I'd probably never have met my friends otherwise...' she thinks to herself a bit guiltily. "Anyway!" she claps her hands, trying to quickly change the subject, "It's your turn. I'll try a Truth myself this time."
[17:38] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, no way I'd want to give any of you guys up!" Usagi picks up on the thought. "Getting to know all of you has DEFINITELY been the greatest part of getting to be Sailor Moon. Even if you do keep calling me a dumpling head." Usagi grins.
[17:39] * Rei-chan blushes at having her thought read. "Yeah... So, have a question for me?" she quickly asks.
[17:40] <Usagi-chan> "Um... give me a minute, I'll think of something..." Usagi looks up at the ceiling, deep in thought.
[17:40] * Rei-chan waits patiently.
[17:41] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I've got a funny one, but it's something I've been dying to know. What's the weirdest thing you've ever caught your grandpa doing?"
[17:46] * Rei-chan snickers as she thinks of a fond memory. "This was about three years ago. He was doing his usual thing, trying to pick up girls to work at the Shrine. Well, the girls he was talking to suddenly got distracted by a bunch of biker guys, and started fawning over them instead. Grandpa was in one of his funny moods, and wasn't about to take that lying down..."
[17:47] * Usagi-chan covers a giggle, getting an idea of where this story might be headed.
[17:49] <Rei-chan> "He marched right up to the biggest guy with the most number of body piercings, and challenged him to a motorcycle race, 'The winner gets the pretty ladies!'" Rei giggles, "He borrowed an old bike from the priest at the Buddhist Temple down the road. It was a total lawnmower, at least thirty years old, and the other guy had an imported Harley Davidson..."
[17:50] * Usagi-chan's giggles increase in intensity at the thought of Grandpa Hino on a motorcycle.
[17:52] <Rei-chan> "The girls had already gotten bored and wandered off, but Grandpa was in this for pride. The rest of the bikers were all just laughing at him, and the guy he challenged was all worried he'd get bad luck for beating a priest." Rei shakes her head, "Anyway, they had their race, going on a circuit around Juuban. I only saw the start and finish, but... well, the biker guy was back in about twenty minutes..."
[17:53] <Usagi-chan> "When did Gramps get back?" Usagi can't hide her grin.
[17:54] <Rei-chan> "I was left sitting on the Shrine steps for nearly two hours before I saw grandpa again." She sighs, "I don't think I'll ever know exactly what happened on his trip, but his bike was covered in all kinds of muck, and Grandpa totally stank of fish for days afterwards..." She gives a fond smile. "At least he let up on the girl chasing for a while."
[17:56] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "He never gives up for long though, does he?"
[17:56] <Rei-chan> "No... he sure doesn't," Rei agrees, also shaking her head.
[17:56] <Usagi-chan> "Okay! My turn... I'll try a Dare this time." Usagi sits up straight on the bed.
[18:01] <Rei-chan> "Dare..." Rei tries to think of something suitably amusing to force her friend into doing. "I dare you... to..." the miko's eyes suddenly light up with a devilish gleam, "Pretend to be Miss Haruna's secret admirer for a week! Send her cards or flowers or stuff like that before class every day!"
[18:01] * Usagi-chan collapses in a fit of the giggles. "Oh come on, Rei-chan! You know she'd kill me if she ever found out!"
[18:02] <Rei-chan> "But if she doesn't find out, she'll be more lenient all week! You always say she's a nicer teacher when she's got a date or something," Rei explains reasonably.
[18:03] <Usagi-chan> "Well, true... as long as I make sure not to get in trouble the day after I stop sending stuff, I should be okay..."
[18:03] <Rei-chan> "And make sure Naru doesn't see you sending stuff as well," Rei adds.
[18:04] * Usagi-chan flushes guiltily. "Don't remind me... she already thinks I've got a thing for other girls."
[18:05] <Rei-chan> "Maybe she's just jealous that your eye hasn't wandered in her direction," Rei teases, remembering how she had misinterpreted Kotono at first.
[18:05] <Usagi-chan> "Naru? No way - she's got a thing for UMINO, of all people. I don't think she even knows it yet though." Usagi giggles.
[18:07] <Rei-chan> "Umino? That boy you dated once?" Rei clarifies, smirking.
[18:08] <Usagi-chan> "It was NOT a date! I just had him along as an excuse while I was spying on you and End... Mamoru!" Usagi sputters.
[18:09] * Rei-chan blinks at Usagi's verbal slip. Taking a moment to recover, she coughs, before saying, "Ah, well... I'm sure Naru sees something in him, then..."
[18:11] <Usagi-chan> "He's not really a bad guy - if you can get past his looks. Remember that time he sat outside Naru's apartment dressed up as Tuxedo Kamen?" Usagi giggles.
[18:12] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, he's certainly devoted..." Rei says diplomatically.
[18:12] <Usagi-chan> "And they make such a cute couple!" Usagi grins. "Although Naru would probably kill me if I said so."
[18:14] * Rei-chan chuckles. "So, it's my turn now? I'll take a Dare as well."
[18:18] <Usagi-chan> "Hmmm..." Usagi ponders for a moment. "I know! I want to see you kiss one of the other senshi. It doesn't matter who it is, and can't know you're going to do it - and I have to be there to see it when it happens." Usagi smirks.
[18:19] * Rei-chan blinks. "Hey, Usagi. What's that?" she points behind the blonde.
[18:19] * Usagi-chan blinks in surprise, turning to look in the direction Rei is pointing. "What?"
[18:20] <Rei-chan> While she's distracted, Rei leans forward and grabs her head to face her again, pressing her lips against Usagi's.
[18:21] * Usagi-chan opens her eyes wide in shock as Rei locks lips with her.
[18:22] * Rei-chan slips her tongue in for a brief moment, before withdrawing. "Really, Usagi. Of all the people to give that particular Dare to... it would have been funny to see Mako-chan or Ami-chan try it," she says, slightly flushed.
[18:23] * Usagi-chan simply blinks for a minute, a bit stunned from the kiss... more so from the tongue. "I... umm... that is, I..."
[18:24] <Rei-chan> "Didn't you like it?" Rei asks, tilting her head. "I suppose it's more fun if both people participate..."
[18:24] <Usagi-chan> "It was... wow. I mean, I've never kissed anyone like that before..." Usagi replies as her wits return, a flush climbing up her cheeks. "Or BEEN kissed like that, either."
[18:27] <Rei-chan> "Wait..." Rei asks, some concern building in her, "You HAVE kissed before, right?"
[18:28] * Usagi-chan shakes her head slightly, still trying to come to grips with the events of the past minute and a half. "Just my parents, that kind of thing."
[18:29] <Rei-chan> "Oh!" Rei claps a hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, Usagi... I shouldn't have done that! Your first kiss should be special..."
[18:31] * Usagi-chan rubs the back of her head embarrassedly. "It was definitely special..." 'Why pick me though? I didn't even think she'd think of me for that...' Usagi thinks somewhat dazedly.
[18:36] <Rei-chan> "Well..." Rei blushes, "I'm most comfortable with you... I couldn't do this with Minako, given our history. Herb is right out. I suppose Mako-chan and Ami-chan are both really pretty, but... I think I might be too embarrassed with them." She gives Usagi a smile, "I'm glad you think it was special. I wouldn't want to give you anything less."
[18:37] * Usagi-chan gives a short laugh. "I'll never forget it, that's for sure." Usagi blinks, still trying to sort out her spinning head. "I, uh, think I'm about ready to get some sleep if you are."
[18:39] <Rei-chan> "Ah... okay. You're not upset, are you?" Rei asks worriedly.
[18:40] <Usagi-chan> "No no, I'm just... I don't really know right now. It's kind of weird." Usagi shakes her head slightly.
[18:42] <Rei-chan> "Right," Rei nods. "Well, goodnight." She gets off the bed to fix the futon and sheets she yanked away earlier.
[18:44] <Usagi-chan> "Good night, Rei-chan." Usagi replies, still wondering why that kiss had set off such a storm of emotions inside her.
[18:44] * Rei-chan finishes fixing up the futon and lies down in it, since Usagi is the guest and gets the bed.

Halbarad · June 23, 2006, 07:59:16 PM

[11:19] <Anastasia> After another incident, it's come to a head.
[11:19] <Anastasia> Makoto, fearing for her powers, has decided to entrust things to Usagi and Rei.
[11:21] <Anastasia> They gather in Rei's room, ready to get to business.
[11:21] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, Mako-chan, we'll take good care of you," Rei reassures her tall friend.
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "All right, Mako-chan. Are you ready for this?" Usagi gives the tall brunette a serious look.
[11:21] * Makoto nods firmly, although inside she's quite nervous.
[11:22] <Rei-chan> "Just lie down and get comfortable," Rei indicates the bed, "We don't know how long this will take."
[11:22] * Usagi-chan nods slowly, closing her eyes as she transforms to the form of the Moon Princess.
[11:23] <Serenity-hime> "Don't worry, Mako-chan." Serenity smiles. "We'll have you good as new in no time."
[11:25] <Makoto> "I hope so," Makoto says with a weak smile. "All that static electricity makes combing my hair a bitch..."
[11:25] * Serenity-hime giggles briefly, then focuses intently on Makoto's aura, searching out the deeply buried fragments of Orestes' soul inside her.
[11:26] * Rei-chan closes her eyes, trusting her spiritual senses to show her where the problem lies with Makoto's aura.
[11:26] <Anastasia> Both of you feel forward... slowly plumbing the depths of Makoto's very being.
[11:28] <Anastasia> Deeper... deeper... there. Buried deeply in her soul like an infection, there are the two threads of energy. They have bonded themselves to the substance of the soul, and lines can be seen starting to branch out from there, lines of black on the green of Makoto's being.
[11:28] <Serenity-hime> 'It's spread since I saw it last, Rei-chan.' Serenity thinks in a serious tone.
[11:29] <Rei-chan> 'I can see it,' Rei responds mentally. 'The way it's spreading looks like it'll be tough to get out without damaging anything else in there...'
[11:35] <Anastasia> The two bands pulse and throb in your mental sight. The green right on the edge of the infection is pale and wan, you notice.
[11:35] * Serenity-hime examines the diseased area carefully. 'I don't think I can pull this out like I did with the others. We can try it first, but I don't know how much good it'll do.'
[11:36] <Rei-chan> 'Maybe if you can somehow split it into smaller sections, you can pull it the bits that are less entwined?' Rei suggests, biting her lip.
[11:37] <Serenity-hime> 'Let's try the direct approach first. I can always stop if it's not working.' Serenity focuses on Makoto's face. "Mako-chan, I'm going to try to pull this out directly first. If it hurts too much, let me know and I'll stop, okay?"
[11:37] * Makoto pauses, and nods. "Alright."
[11:38] * Serenity-hime takes a deep breath and focuses on the diseased area once again. Slowly, she attempts to grasp the first of the fragments and pull it away from Makoto, very gently.
[11:39] * Rei-chan wishes Orestes were a spirit or something so she could handle this with a simple exorcism. Not having much ability herself, she focuses on supporting Serenity as best she can, hoping she might be able to spot any changes in the aura that the less experienced girl might miss.
[11:39] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +7. It seems to be even more entrenched this time.
[11:40] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+6
[11:40] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+6 and gets 17."
[11:41] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+6
[11:41] * Musk-bot --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+6 and gets 17."
[11:42] <Anastasia> The thread doesn't move an inch. An overwhelming sense of pain and agony strikes Makoto all over, on a fundamental level that mere flesh doesn't reach.
[11:43] * Makoto screeches at the sensation, thrashing around in the bed.
[11:43] <Anastasia> The reverations of Makoto's soul shake both Usagi and Rei as well, the pain the girl feel shared for one moment.
[11:44] * Serenity-hime gasps in shock, releasing Makoto immediately.
[11:44] * Rei-chan clutches her head for a moment, before seeing Makoto's distress is far worse. "Mako-chan!" she cries, grabbing her to keep her from hurting herself (or anyone else) in her thrashing.
[11:45] * Makoto whimpers as the pain slowly, excruciatingly slowly, begins to vanish. Tears are forming at the tips of her closed eyes.
[11:46] <Serenity-hime> "It's... no good. It's rooted in now." Serenity takes several deep breaths, trying to recover her composure from the sudden shock of Makoto's pain.
[11:47] * Rei-chan winces, seeing the pain in Makoto's expression. "There has to be something we can do?"
[11:48] <Serenity-hime> 'I could try cutting it out, I guess, but I don't know what that will do to Makoto.' Serenity surveys the problem area again.
[11:49] <Anastasia> It's inflamed now, and the area around it looks like specs of black were thrown onto it from your pull.
[11:49] <Rei-chan> 'We have to be extremely careful. We're doing far more harm than good at this rate...' Rei thinks back sadly.
[11:51] <Serenity-hime> 'We have to do something though, Rei-chan. It's already spread beyond what I saw when I first looked at her.' Serenity replies.
[11:53] * Rei-chan produces her transformation pen. "My Pen acts like an amplifier for my powers, though it's nothing like the Ginzuishou used to be, I think if I focus through it, I'll be able to help a lot more." Left unspoken is the risk that she might use too much and cause even more damage. But desperate times call for desperate measures...
[11:54] * Serenity-hime nods slowly. "Anything is worth a try at this point."
[11:55] * Rei-chan settles herself in, concentrating very deeply on Makoto's aura, using her magical pen almost like a lens, focusing her limited psychic abilities on the brunette.
[11:56] <Anastasia> Sensing out again, the two threads are still there... mocking you as they sully Makoto's soul.
[12:04] <Rei-chan> Focusing her power against the foreign influence, Rei tries to cut into it, splitting it into more manageable chunks for Serenity to remove, rather than the bloated entangled mess it currently is.
[12:06] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3
[12:06] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 6."
[12:07] <Anastasia> Your power slices cleanly through it, severing it thinly into two threads.
[12:08] <Rei-chan> 'Okay, let me try and divide it up a bit more,' Rei tells Usagi, looking for any branches off the strands which look to be very entangled with the rest of Makoto's aura.
[12:08] * Serenity-hime nods. 'Be careful, Rei.' Turning to Makoto, she smiles. "Are you doing all right now, Mako-chan?"
[12:08] <Anastasia> The upper part is more entrenched than the lower part, on first inspection.
[12:09] * Rei-chan concentrates intently, trying to cut the top part away, so it can be removed seperately by Usagi, with less risk of unsettling the rest.
[12:10] * Makoto slowly nods, not currently feeling any pain.
[12:10] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3
[12:10] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[12:10] <Anastasia> The top part cuts most of the way, but a few strands are still there.
[12:11] <Anastasia> An echo of pain hits Makoto, not terrible, but enough to make her wince.
[12:11] * Rei-chan looks around for any other sections which look like they'd be problematic to retreive.
[12:12] <Anastasia> That was the worst... the rest are there as they were, just cut up
[12:13] <Rei-chan> 'Okay, Usagi. Try pulling the parts I've cut up out, one at a time. They shouldn't be so difficult to remove now,' Rei tells the blonde.
[12:14] <Serenity-hime> 'Just be ready to cut again. If they catch when I try to pull them, that may be the easiest way to get them out.' Serenity takes a deep breath and begins to draw out the least-attached of the three segments separated by Rei.
[12:15] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +2
[12:15] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+2
[12:15] * CyWyrm --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[12:15] <Anastasia> With a pull that sends a shudder through Makoto, that segment is lifted away and fizzles into nothingness as it leaves Makoto's soul.
[12:16] * Rei-chan watches over the procedure, ready to step in if necessary.
[12:16] * Serenity-hime smiles slightly as the first section comes out without too much trouble. Bracing herself once again, she reaches in for the second segment.
[12:17] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +3
[12:17] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+3
[12:17] * CyWyrm --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+3 and gets 9."
[12:19] <Anastasia> This one comes free as well, liberating a section of Makoto's soul. This time, the shudder through her is a bit less.
[12:20] <Anastasia> The bottom segment is left now.
[12:20] * Serenity-hime sighs in relief as the next segment disintegrates. 'Almost there...' She focuses on the final section, once again working it out of Makoto's soul gently and carefully.
[12:21] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +4
[12:21] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+4
[12:21] * CyWyrm --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+4 and gets 13."
[12:22] <Anastasia> The thread begins to move up...but suddenly, it jerks back, reburying itself into Makoto's spirit! The girl screams in pure pain and thrashes about at this, the mental feedback stunning the both of you.
[12:23] * Serenity-hime opens her eyes wide with the pain of the backlash, quickly moving to ease the tremors in Makoto's soul as soon as she has her bearings once again.
[12:23] <Anastasia> Looking at her body, a bit of blood begins to trickle from her nose, and a bruise is forming rapidly on her left arm. The damage seems to be manifesting on her body as well.
[12:24] * Rei-chan examines the after-effects in the girl's aura, seeing if the stubborn fragment has buried itself deeper this time.
[12:24] <Anastasia> It does seem to be a bit deeper, driven back with the rebound of Usagi's power.
[12:25] * Rei-chan tries to cut around the main bulk of the fragment, severing the branches tethering it to the rest of Makoto's aura.
[12:26] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3
[12:26] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 10."
[12:27] <Anastasia> This time, you cut out a good part of the middle... the edges are still filled with the energy, even as the guts of it fade away.
[12:30] * Serenity-hime moves in as Rei finishes her work, attempting to grasp the largest of the remaining web of threads and draw it out once again.
[12:31] <Anastasia> OOC - Soul check, +2
[12:31] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+2
[12:31] * CyWyrm --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+2 and gets 14."
[12:33] <Anastasia> You grasp it...and you yank! Not only does it not move, you feel Makoto's being around it rip as you fail to pull it. The girl howls in pain, her eyes opening wide and a cut appearing on her forehead, blood flowing down the smooth injury.
[12:33] <Rei-chan> "Oh, God, Mako-chan!" Rei cries out, seeing things start to go horribly wrong.
[12:34] <Anastasia> The backlash sends both Rei and Usagi into a world of pain themselves...
[12:34] * Rei-chan clutches her head, the Mars Pen falling from her nerveless fingers.
[12:34] * Serenity-hime reels back, the pain almost causing her to black out.
[12:36] <Anastasia> As the shared pain clears, you see that Makoto is awake now, albiet with an expression of incomprehensible pain written across her face.
[12:37] * Serenity-hime grits her teeth and focuses again, knowing that if she doesn't do this now, it's only going to become more difficult in the future. Setting her jaw, she makes another attempt to pull out the tangled mass, working very carefully to avoid damaging Makoto's soul any further than she already has.
[12:37] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+2
[12:37] * CyWyrm --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[12:37] <Anastasia> Finally, the segment is pulled and it's influcence is gone. Where it was is a tear, a wound in Makoto's spirit. It's disgusting and sickening to your eyes...
[12:39] * Serenity-hime shudders as she sees the damage she caused with her ill-advised yank. Reaching out, she attempts to smooth over the rip in Makoto's aura very gently.
[12:40] <Anastasia> Makoto thrashes as you try and smooth it, to no real avail.
[12:40] * Serenity-hime curses inwardly and stops, seeing that she's only furthering the damage.
[12:41] <Rei-chan> With still one thread left, Rei puts her effort to dividing it into smaller chunks like she did with the last time, this time putting more effort to remove any obstacles which will make things harder for Serenity when she comes to remove them.
[12:42] <Anastasia> This thread is more established and wider than the last, and is buried extremely deep in Makoto.
[12:42] <Anastasia> There may be one spot to cut it in two...but it's not an easy cut.
[12:43] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+4
[12:43] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+4 and gets 13."
[12:43] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+4
[12:43] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+4 and gets 8."
[12:43] <Anastasia> You sever it into two deeply buried parts now.
[12:45] * Serenity-hime examines the severed portions, wiping a bead of sweat off her forehead. 'I don't know if I should even try it, Rei-chan... it's just buried so deep.'
[12:46] <Rei-chan> "I know..." Rei says sadly. "Maybe there's some other way we can make it come out, rather than just yanking on it? It's not naturally a part of Mako-chan... perhaps we could bolster her soul somehow, so it could reject the foreign part itself? Kind of like increasing her immune system?"
[12:53] * Serenity-hime looks over at Makoto, noticing the girl is awake, although obviously still suffering a good deal of pain. "Mako-chan, can you hear me?"
[12:54] * Makoto mumbles incoherently.
[12:55] * Rei-chan reaches under her bed for her first aid kit, pulling out a cloth to wipe Makoto's forehead before putting a bandage on. "We can't keep up like this, Usagi..." she says sadly.
[12:56] <Serenity-hime> "I just don't know what to do, Rei-chan! If we stop now, it's only going to get worse from here. But I don't know if there's anything else we can do!" Serenity looks lost.
[12:58] <Rei-chan> "Maybe a Moon Healing Escalation would help?" Rei suggests, "It was able to remove youma possessing people, so maybe it could remove this taint from Mako-chan's soul?" Rei offers, wondering why trying that hadn't been their first idea.
[12:59] * Serenity-hime stands up. "It's better than continuing to hurt poor Mako-chan like this. I just hope it works." A pair of transformations later, Sailor Moon stands inside Rei's bedroom, looking down at Makoto.
[13:00] * Rei-chan continues observing Makoto's aura, waiting to see the effect this will have.
[13:00] <Sailor_Moon> "If it doesn't look like it's having any effect, let me know and I'll stop so we can try something else, okay?" Moon draws out the Lunar Rod, readying herself for the effort.
[13:00] * Rei-chan nods.
[13:02] * Sailor_Moon gestures with the rod, the end of it describing a circle around her body. With a cry of "Moon Healing Escalation!" sparkling motes of white light flying from the circle to impact Makoto's prone form.
[13:02] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:02] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[08:55] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> The light flows over Makoto...the lights shimmering and sparkling, hopefully promising salvation for Makoto.
[08:56] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> When it clears, the smaller flecks of the contamination are gone. The main, last thread is still there, however. It's clamped on tightly, like a tick on someone's leg.
[08:57] <Rei-chan> 'All the smaller bits are gone, but that thread is still there...' Rei says, trying to tell if it has at least shrank a little bit.
[08:58] * Sailor_Moon nods and continues to hold the magical healing effect in place, hoping that it can somehow affect the largest part of the contamination if she gives it enough power.
[08:58] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> If it has, it's so minor that it's trivial. If anything, it's starting to glow with a blackness that shields and surrounds it... the healing isn't having much of an effect on that big a chunk.
[08:59] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> You get the impression that it's too tightly wound up to her soul.
[08:59] <Rei-chan> 'It's not working anymore,' Rei thinks sadly, 'It's too tightly wound in her soul, it's resisting completely.'
[09:00] * Sailor_Moon halts the healing with a breath. "Wow... holding it like that takes a lot out of me..."
[09:21] <Rei-chan> "I have an idea, Usagi," Rei suggests, "If you can just pull on it a tiny bit, just enough to stretch it out, then I could cut off the bits tethering it to Makoto's soul. It should come out cleanly then, and you can just remove the remainder with another Moon Healing Escalation."
[09:22] <Sailor_Moon> "Sounds good to me... let's give it a shot." Usagi changes forms once again.
[09:24] * Rei-chan recentres herself for another focused attempt at cutting the infection away, knowing she'll need to be extra-precise for this one.
[09:25] * Serenity-hime begins to carefully draw on one of the two remaining segments, attempting to lift it out and away from Makoto's soul far enough for Rei to be able to cut most of it out.
[09:25] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+4
[09:25] * CyWyrm --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+4 and gets 8."
[09:25] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> The thread is lifted slowly, working it's way out under your guidance...
[09:26] * Rei-chan quickly moves in, bringing her own power to sever the threads tethering the infection to Makoto's soul.
[09:26] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3
[09:26] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 14."
[09:26] <Rei-chan> do-over!
[09:26] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3
[09:26] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 and gets 9."
[09:26] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> Snip...snip...snip...your spiritual advance severs the bins, freeing the thread to float away into nothingness.
[09:27] * Rei-chan breathes a sigh of relief, thanking the Kami for her luck. "Okay, last one, Usagi."
[09:27] * Serenity-hime smiles and nods. "We've almost got it, Rei." Turning back to the task at hand, Usagi attempts to grip the last segment and lift it out as before.
[09:27] <Serenity-hime> roll 2d6+4
[09:27] * CyWyrm --> "Serenity-hime rolls 2d6+4 and gets 12."
[09:29] * Rei-chan moves in once more, sweat dripping down her brow as she focuses for this most important effort.
[09:29] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6+3 burning 30 EP
[09:29] * CyWyrm --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6+3 burning 30 EP and gets 11."
[09:30] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> With a final push of mental will, you free up the last big chunk of the aura, allowing it to fade away from Makoto's soul. All that is left are a few fragments.
[09:30] <Rei-chan> "Alright, now to just clean out the residue," Rei gives Serenity a tired smile.
[09:31] <Serenity-hime> "Okay, one more Moon Healing and then I think I'm going to fall over." Serenity stands up, slipping back into her guise as Sailor Moon.
[09:32] <Sailor_Moon> "Moon Healing Escalation!" Sailor Moon directs the healing flows of energy towards Makoto once again, in an effort to eliminate the last residues of Orestes' energy from her.
[09:32] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:32] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:32] * Rei-chan observes the effect on Makoto's aura.
[09:33] <Soul_Doctor_Anastasia> The last shards of the darkness shrink and fade away, leaving Makoto's injured but intact spirit alone.
[09:33] * Sailor_Moon falls to her knees, breathing heavily. "Let's not do that again any time soon, okay?"
[09:34] * Rei-chan sighs. "We did it... but I think Mako-chan will still need some time to recover herself, now..." the miko turns a concerned glance at her unconscious friend.
[09:38] * Sailor_Moon looks at the sleeping brunette, grateful at least that the healing energies also healed all her physical injuries.
[09:46] * Makoto blearily opens her eyes, staring at her two friends. Weakly, she mumbles, "Well, I take it I'm not dead at least..."
[09:47] * Sailor_Moon gives Makoto a tired smile as she lets her transformation dissipate. "It's all gone, Mako-chan. We managed to get rid of it all."
[09:48] <Rei-chan> "I'm sorry, Mako-chan. I really didn't think it would be so difficult..." Rei mutters apologetically. "Can I get you anything to eat or drink? You should probably just rest for a while, now."
[09:49] * Makoto weakly tries to get up. "I've had enough of lying down resting last month, I think," Makoto mutters before stumbling. "Although I guess my body didn't get enough of it. Yeah, some water would be nice..."
[09:50] <Rei-chan> "I'll be right back," Rei says, rising and exiting the room.
[09:51] * Usagi-chan wipes the sweat from her brow. "I'm sorry it hurt so much, Mako-chan. I really tried hard not to hurt you, but I just couldn't manage it."
[09:52] <Makoto> "Hey, you got it out, right? That's what matters," Makoto says.
[09:53] * Rei-chan returns, handing Makoto a glass of water. "Here you go," she says.
[09:53] <Usagi-chan> "I couldn't have done it without Rei's help though... Wow, that was tough."
[09:54] * Makoto slowly sits up and grasps the glass, guzzling the cool refreshing liquid down her throat. "Thanks, Rei."
[09:55] <Rei-chan> "Hey, it was the least I could do for a friend," Rei says warmly. "It was a good team effort by both of us."
[09:56] * Usagi-chan nods, laying back on the floor. "We did it, and that's what's important. But now, I think I need a nap - I'm exhausted."
[09:58] <Rei-chan> "Well if you're going to nap, don't do it on the floor. You'll regret it when you wake up, trust me," Rei chastises the blonde. "Hold on, I'll grab a spare futon for you."
[10:02] * Usagi-chan struggles to stay awake until the miko returns with the futon, although it takes a large effort of will to do so.
[10:03] <Usagi-chan> roll 2d6+2
[10:03] * CyWyrm --> "Usagi-chan rolls 2d6+2 and gets 11."
[10:03] * Rei-chan soon returns, setting the futon on the floor next to the bed. "There you go. Just relax now, you worked way harder than me, today," she says fondly.
[10:04] * Usagi-chan manages to roll over on the futon before dozing off, her quiet snores sounding in Rei's bedroom.
[10:05] <Makoto> "Well, I guess I'll try sleeping too," Makoto says with a smile while looking at the sleeping blonde's form. Turning to Rei, she says, "Night, Rei-chan."
[10:06] <Rei-chan> "Sleep tight, Mako-chan," Rei replies going to sit at her desk and grabbing some manga to read.
[10:06] <Makoto> Plopping back down, Makoto yawns and goes to sleep.
[10:07] <Usagi-chan> -----
-------
Missing the first part of this scene, sadly. But not a lot. Rei and Minako attend their orientation for Mugen.
-------
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... it was so much harder than any exam I'd ever had to do at T*A..." Rei says, hoping that the entrance exam was just a difficult first hurdle, and things will ease up from here on out.
[11:39] <V-chan> "I wonder whether it's true that one of their majors is art," Minako muses. "That's definitely something I'd go for. Maybe some foreign languages, too...."
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "You'll find out in a few minutes, I guess," Rei shrugs.
[11:42] <V-chan> "I sure hope so!" Minako says, nodding. "This school is so mysterious, in some areas... I couldn't find out anything about the level of their volleyball team, since it's so new and they haven't competed seriously yet." She looks at the miko curiously. "How about you, Rei-chan? Going to try out for one of the clubs?"
[11:43] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "I don't have time for any clubs, what with my priestess duties and... other job..." she says, wondering how the hell Minako can find the time herself.
[11:44] <V-chan> "You'll have the time, if you just multitask and run like crazy!" Minako exclaims, beaming at her.
[11:44] <V-chan> "It's even good practice, if you're in one of the sports clubs!"
[11:46] <Rei-chan> "No, I don't think so," Rei replies. "I have more important things to deal with than playing around with clubs and societies."
[11:48] <V-chan> Minako face falls slightly. "There's nothing wrong with playing around sometimes."
[11:49] <Rei-chan> "Like I said," Rei shrugs, "I don't have the time or inclination to devote myself to a club."
[11:53] <V-chan> "They sure are giving us time to socialize," Minako changes the subject masterfully, glancing at Mrs. Edo.
[10:39] <Anastasia> Clearing her throat, Mrs. Edo gets the attention of the group.
[10:40] * Rei-chan turns her attention towards Mrs Edo.
[10:40] * V-chan settles back with her parents.
[10:42] <Anastasia> "As you all may be aware, we are currently over halfway through the current semester. We have found it better not to insert students past this point in a semester upon arrival. Instead, we offer a tutoring school to assess the exact level you are on and make sure each student is ready for the new semester, when they will be intergrated into the main school."
[10:43] * Rei-chan is a little disappointed that she won't be resuming proper schooling right away, having already missed quite a bit. Still, that tutoring thing sounds like it could ensure she doesn't let her studies slip too much...
[10:43] * V-chan is slightly confused, but isn't about to complain about further lack of school.
[10:46] <Anastasia> She goes on after allowing a few moments for this to sink in. "The tutoring takes place each weekday from 9 30 AM to 3 00 PM, just like a regular school day," she goes on. "In all respects, it's a normal schedule. Are there any questions?" she asks.
[10:47] <Rei-chan> "Will it just be us four in the class?" Rei asks.
[10:47] <Anastasia> "Yes, along with various students and teachers who will acts as the tutors," she nods. "One on one instruction for each student, each day."
[10:47] <V-chan> "Which majors could we pick next year?" Minako asks the woman.
[10:50] <Anastasia> "That will be determined as you go through your tutoring," she replies.
[10:51] <V-chan> "I was interested in which majors were available, actually," the blonde clarifies.
[10:53] <Anastasia> "We offer many choices, which are detailed in the Student Handbook that you will receieve today," she says. "I'll pass those out shortly."
[10:53] * V-chan nods.
[10:55] <Anastasia> "Excuse me," the young man who made it in asks, "What about elective courses?"
[10:56] <Anastasia> "Those will be outlined in the Handbook as well," she nods. "Are there any more questions?"
[10:57] * Rei-chan doesn't have any right now.
[10:58] * V-chan wants to know about the scanner, but isn't about to bring it up in public.
[11:00] <Anastasia> "The tutorial school will start this coming Monday," she says as she passes out a thick book along with several packets of paper. "The relevant information is included in these, and the booklet is the Mugen Student handbook. Should you have any questions after reading this, your tutors will be happy to elaborate and clarify."
[11:02] <Anastasia> "Now," she says, bowing to the class, "I will open the floor. Are there any more questions or comments you would like to make?"
[11:05] <Rei-chan> "Oh," Rei speaks up, suddenly remembering something, "Where can we buy our school uniforms?"
[11:07] <Anastasia> "Of course," she murmurs. "I nearly forgot," a hint of a blush creeps up her neckline. "The school uniform will be provided once you get into the tutoring program. This will be taken care of for you."
[11:07] <V-chan> "Could you tell me a bit about Mugen's volleyball club?" Minako asks next.
[11:07] <Rei-chan> "Ah," Rei smiles, nodding approvingly, "That's nice," 'Saves some money, at least.'
[11:08] <Anastasia> "The volleyball club? I'm afraid I don't follow the sports clubs too closely, but I know there is a good program for it."
[11:09] <V-chan> "Ah." Minako nods, and resolves not to ask what makes Oceanography a real science.
[11:11] <Anastasia> "What about a debate club?" the odd girl out inquires.
[11:13] <Anastasia> "We have a full debate club, and it has won several competitions over the past year," she says, going into the debate club a bit.
[11:14] * V-chan leafs through the handbook in boredom, trying to check out what it says about the arts.
[11:16] <Anastasia> It goes into a bit of depth, but there are a few art programs. As you just start to get into it...
[11:16] <Anastasia> "Is that it? Alright, I'll now turn things over to the refreshments," she smiles, bows and leaves. A cart full of drinks and food is wheeled in, and unloaded on a back table.
[11:17] <V-chan> "So, what do you think, Mom?" Minako asks.
[11:18] <Anastasia> "It looks very nice. Paying for the uniforms themselves is a classy touch," Yuri Aino comments.
[11:19] <V-chan> "And the uniforms themselves are cool," Minako agrees, nodding. "People alway stop to look at Mugen students, when they pass. And they don't even use an ultra-short skirt to do it, too!"
[11:19] <Rei-chan> "Well, do you think father will have any problems now that I'm in this school instead of T*A?" Rei asks her grandpa quietly, keeping to themselves.
[11:22] <Anastasia> "I think so," he whispers back. "It's a high ranking school...and it does seem to have enough cute girls," he says, fading from the serious into his own interests a bit.
[11:22] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei mutters, realising she won't get much out of her grandfather now. "You want anything to eat?" she asks, rising from her seat.
[11:23] <Anastasia> "Please," he nods, getting up himself. And thus, the food is attacked by hungry students and parents alike.
[11:23] <Anastasia> ---
[11:24] <Anastasia> After that, Mrs. Edo comes back again, and gives a short speech before concluding the affair. As she leaves, every one gets up, ready to go home.
[11:27] <Rei-chan> "Bye, Minako," Rei waves as she leaves with her grandfather.
[11:27] * V-chan waves back, before turning to her mother. "Want to go and celebrate a bit, before going home?"
[11:28] <Anastasia> "Sounds good," she says with a smile. "How about a nice dinner out?"
[11:28] * V-chan nods with a smile of her own. "I know just the place...."
[11:28] <Anastasia> ---
-------
Missing more logs here. Rei meets with Eudial for the first time, and Professor Tomoe calls the two in for a meeting...
-------
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> He goes on, you and Eudial following him. You note the shadow doesn't leave his face, strangely enough. He leads you down another hallway, this time into a wide room. Most of it is taken up by stuffed animals around what looks to be a throne.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> On the throne sits a little girl with short black hair, the rest of her in shadow.
[11:12] * Rei-chan looks oddly at the girl on the throne, but doesn't comment.
[11:13] <Rei-chan> Frowning, Rei gives the girl a more intent look, probing her aura.
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I have someone for you," Professor Tomoe says, reaching out and touching your arm.
[11:14] * Rei-chan starts slightly at the contact, starting to feel a bit creeped out.
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel the gaze of the woman on you, chilling. "...Yes. You may proceed," the not-childish voice says to the other two.
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "Proceed?" Rei repeats, unable to keep a trace of nervousness from her voice.
[11:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> You feel something like a needle where the Professor holds your arm... It hurts as you are injected.
[11:16] <Rei-chan> "Hey!" Rei pulls her arm away, "What are you doing!?"
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "YES," Eudial cries out. "I knew you'd make it, Rei!" She races forward and gives you a quick hug before putting you down. You feel odd, odd...something's wrong.
[11:17] <Rei-chan> "What..." Rei says woozily, "I don't understand..." she tries to discern exactly what has been done to her. "What have you done?"
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's a special something that we all get thanks to the Mistress," Eudial explains as the world spins.
[11:19] <Rei-chan> "My head hurts..." Rei complains... 'Usagi... something's wrong!' she tries to send a telepathic message to her friend.
[11:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you fall into blackness, you hear no response.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Waking up, your eyes slowly open. You're in the school infirmary.
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial is sitting on a chair beside your cot, reading a science magazine.
[11:22] * Rei-chan mumbles something unintelligible as she tries to sit up.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, you're up," she says. "How do you feel?"
[11:24] <Rei-chan> "Strange..." Rei says, going through what happened before she was knocked out. "What did you do to me?!" she suddenly demands accusingly, again trying to discern what has been changed within her.
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, we just did away with that annoying thing you call humanity," she cackles. "A step up, really."
[11:26] <Rei-chan> "Wh-what?!" Rei all but shrieks, scooting away on the bed away from Eudial. "I like my humanity!" she asserts.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's no great loss," she laughs again. Her laugh isn't creepy now, oddly enough.
[11:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> It sounds... normal.
[11:31] * Rei-chan shakes her head slightly. "I... I dunno. I don't really feel all that different... but it's still weird..." 'It's nothing like when Metallia controlled me...'
[11:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You aren't. You're just special now," she laughs. "Like all of us now."
[11:32] <Rei-chan> "I was special before..." Rei mutters, her head still spinning.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Then you are Super Special now," she laughs again. "Like a powerup."
[11:34] <Rei-chan> "I don't feel any stronger..." Rei shakes her head, still feeling rather foggy. "How long have I been out?"
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "All morning and most of the afternoon," she comments. "Heh, that's better than that little Mimette, she was out all day," she snorts.
[11:35] <Rei-chan> "Mimette, who's she?" Rei asks, swivelling so she can sit with her legs off the side of the bed.
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She's a prissy little girl who thinks she's a witch," she snaps off, female disdain dripping from her voice.
[11:37] <Rei-chan> "Ah. So I take it not everyone in Witches 5 gets along?" Rei asks, deciding she might need to watch her back around her new 'friends'.
[11:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not with that Mimette," she agrees. "She's nothing but a skank wannabe!"
[11:38] <Rei-chan> "So what kind of powers does she have to have been selected, then?" Rei asks, starting to feel a bit more energy return to her.
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nothing worth mentioning," she says. "Anyway, c'mon," she gets up. "It's time for your tutorial at Heart Crystal taking!"
[11:40] <Rei-chan> "Okay, sempai." Rei hops off the bed, following Eudial.
[11:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> She leads out downstairs again, but towards the lab. She leads you to where a car is parked by a tunnel. "Hop in, I'll drive," she says as she gets in the car.
[11:42] <Rei-chan> "Hey, does this mean I don't have to wear the uniform anymore?" Rei asks, noting Eudial's own attire as she gets into the front passenger seat and buckles up.
[11:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Nope! Wear whatever you want, girl!" she grins.
[11:43] * Rei-chan nods, thinking that she'll like being part of the Witches 5. "This is a lot better than the time I got brainwashed by an evil goddess who wanted to destroy the Earth," she comments.
[11:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh?" she says, her face puzzled. "Run that by me again?"
[11:44] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, you remember all those monster attacks that used to happen a few months ago?" Rei queries.
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, those? Mistress and the Professor said they weren't important," Eudial says. "Some amateur making noise," she giggles.
[11:46] <Rei-chan> "Metallia-sama was no amateur!" Rei asserts, before frowning. "I mean, Metallia was no amateur. She wiped out the entire solar system millenia ago, and almost did it again at the end of last year. She brainwashed me to serve her." Rei chooses to keep quiet about the Sailor Senshi, though.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "No big deal...I might ask the Professor about it, though. He'd know," she reasserts herself, before strapping in.
[11:48] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. She gave me a massive powerup, but totally messed with my head. I think this is much better, though. I'm powerful enough, and I don't need some stupid evil Goddess always yelling in my ear to 'kill this' 'burn that' and so on..." Rei gripes.
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wow, that does sound like it sucked. Bosses like that are no fun," she nods to herself before turning the key. With an alarming vigor, she puts her foot on the gas and GOES.
[11:50] * Rei-chan jolts back in her seat, very surprised at Eudial getting such acceleration from what looked like a mundane car.
[11:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> She zooms down lit underground roads, going what must be well past 100 miles per hour. This thing had better have mad airbags.
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Go, go, GO, GO!" Eudial cries out as the car shakes and vibrates from the massive speed.
[11:52] <Rei-chan> "I'm scared..." Rei whimpers.
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "This is GREAT, Rei!" As she says that, the car jumps and somehow makes it through a manhole, coming to a sudden stop on a street corner. It's late dusktime, and the street lights are on.
[11:53] <Rei-chan> "Well, we're still alive, at least..." Rei comments, her heart racing.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial pops out of the car. You're in a residential neighborhood, near a small park.
[11:54] * Rei-chan steps out as well, wobbling slightly.
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Over here," she says. She walks to the park and inside. Sitting on a swing is a child of perhaps ten, reading a book. She has blue hair and thick, thick glasses. Said hair is long and tied into a ponytail, about reaching to her butt.
[11:56] * Rei-chan follows Eudial. "So, you said something about heart crystals?"
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Go check out her Heart Crystal," Eudial says, pointing at her. "Don't worry, you'll know what to do."
[11:56] <Rei-chan> "Okay..." Rei shrugs, not entirely sure. She walks over to the swings. "Hi there!" she says brightly, examining the girl's aura.
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her aura is innocent and bright, normal for most children. "Hi there," she says, glancing up from her picture book.
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "What are you reading?" Rei asks, feeling something tickling at the back of her mind...
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "A Pooh Bear book," she smiles. The cover has the writing in English, you note. "Daddy's trying to teach me English early," she says. "He said it would make me a big girl if I could read two languages."
[11:59] <Rei-chan> "Aww..." Rei smiles. 'Such a dear child!' she thinks, "I bet a good little girl like you has a very pure heart crystal. Can I see it?"
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What's that," she asks, not connecting.
[12:01] <Rei-chan> "I'm not entirely sure myself," Rei says in a conspiratorial whisper. "But sempai says I have to look at yours, and I think I've figured out how." Stepping back, she begins a chant like she does when meditating, focusing on drawing the heart crystal out of the girl.
[12:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wh...ahhhh..." she shouts. She is levitated and turned on her back, like she's laying a few feet in the air. Her eyes go wide as a red and white, pointy object rises from her. It's a normal Heart Crystal, not a talisman... how'd you know that?
[12:02] <Rei-chan> "Not a talisman..." Rei mutters, then blinks. "What's a talisman?"
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's what we're looking for," Eudial says, having quietly come up behind you.
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "Oh. Well, I guess we don't need this, then," Rei says, stepping closer to gently lower the girl to the ground and letting the heart crystal be reabsorbed into her.
[12:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "C'mon, let's get out of here now," Eudial says after you do that. Walking away, she asks, "Why'd you bother putting the Heart Crystal back?"
[12:05] <Rei-chan> "Well, why not?" Rei asks, blinking. "She'd die without it. Do you think leaving a trail of dead bodies behind us would help find the talismans?"
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial shrugs. "Oh well...maybe you even have a point. Let's go, though," she says, running back up to her car, and running her hands over the smooth metal a few times.
[12:07] * Rei-chan gets in the car. "So, what exactly are these talismans?"
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They are the talismans that our Mistress needs. If we get all of them, we can get the Purity Chalice," she says, any further comments being driven out for the moment by her speedy driving.
[12:08] * Rei-chan closes her eyes and prays that they don't crash.
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite going on two wheels a few times, your prayer is answered. At least the rides are quick.
[12:09] * Rei-chan pants a little. "I think it's going to take a while for me to get used to that..."
[12:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's fun when you do," she gushes. "It feels great to go like that."
[12:10] <Rei-chan> "I'll take your word for it," Rei replies. "So, what now?"
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We'll report to the Professor," she says. She leads you back through the hallways to the lab, where he still is.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Tell him, Rei," Eudial whispers, leaning into your ear.
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "Ah, Tomoe-sensei!" Rei greets the man, a little of her nervousness returning. "I examined the heart crystal of a random girl, but she didn't have a talisman. Um... are we just going to take people at random until we stumble on the talismans by dumb luck, by any chance?"
[12:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We have a plan," he comments, not looking up. "That was just a bit of a test of your skills, at any rate."
[12:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, and Eudial. It's your turn to run to the corner market," he follows up.
[12:14] <Rei-chan> "Um... well, that's not really where my skills lie..." Rei says quietly. "Do you have some sort of item that can home in on the talismans?" she asks, recalling Zoisite's black homing crystal that he used to hunt the Rainbow Crystals.
[12:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We have our means," he nods. "Things are being worked on." Meanwhile... "Awwww," Eudial complains loudly, then sighs. "See ya, Rei."
[12:15] <Rei-chan> "Bye, Eudial-sempai," Rei waves to the older girl. "So, do you have anything more for me to do, Professor?"
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not tonight. You'll start your schedule tomorrow, report to room 666," he comments offhandedly.
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "Okay, then. I'm going home, now. Bye," Rei waves, turning around and heading back out of the school.
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> You find your way out with surprising ease. The crisp night air is refreshing...you feel good now.
[12:18] <Rei-chan> "I wonder where Minako-chan was, today..." Rei wonders aloud as she walks home.
[12:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[12:21] <Rei-chan> After her dinner at the Shrine, Rei decides to go visit Usagi, since she hasn't seen the other girl for a few days.
[12:23] * Rei-chan rings the doorbell, and waits patiently for an answer.
[12:23] <Usagi-chan> A muffled "Coming!" sounds from inside the house, and a few moments later the door opens to reveal Usagi. "Rei-chan!" She smiles.
[12:25] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Usagi," Rei greets her cheerfully. "I just thought I'd stop by for a visit, since I haven't seen you for a few days..."
[12:25] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a curious look, then shrugs. "Come on in, we just finished dinner. I had planned to get a couple of things done, but I've always got time to talk." She giggles.
[12:27] <Rei-chan> "Oh, still having to do makeup work for school?" Rei asks, stepping inside.
[12:28] <Usagi-chan> "Just something else I've been working on for a while. I actually managed to catch up with school." Usagi can't avoid giving Rei a few searching glances as she enters the house.
[12:28] <Rei-chan> "Something on my face?" Rei asks curiously, noting the glances.
[12:29] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "No, you just look a little... different today for some reason. I can't exactly put my finger on what it is though."
[12:30] * Rei-chan scratches the back of her head. "Really? Good different or bad different?"
[12:31] <Usagi-chan> "I'm... not exactly sure. Just different different." Usagi continues her examination. "Are you feeling okay?"
[12:32] * Rei-chan shrugs. "I do feel a little bit off..." she admits, before hastily adding, "Not sick or anything like that, though."
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "It doesn't LOOK like it's anything bad; I guess if you're feeling okay it's nothing to worry about."
[12:37] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, it isn't bad, just different... maybe I'm starting another growth spurt or something?" Rei suggests. "But anyway, how are you doing? You said you'd been working on something for a while?"
[12:38] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, just a project that Ami and I have been working on." Usagi says somewhat evasively. "It's almost done, and I was just going to put some finishing touches on it tonight. They can wait though."
[12:43] <Rei-chan> "Well, I don't want to keep you from anything," Rei says, deflating a bit, "Are you sure you're not upset about what happened when you stayed over at the Shrine?" she asks, a bit worriedly.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan looks at Rei, slightly confused for a minute. "Huh? What do you... oh." Usagi blushes a bit. "No, I'm not upset about that."
[12:45] <Rei-chan> 'Well, if it took her a second to figure out what I meant, she's probably not upset about it,' Rei thinks to herself. "Okay. It's just that you seem a little distant is all," she explains.
[12:47] <Rei-chan> "Well, anyway!" Rei says, quickly changing the subject, "One thing I did want to know about, what's been happening with Miss Haruna this week?" she leans a bit closer, eager to hear the details.
[12:48] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, all right! I sent her a bouquet of roses yesterday with a card." Usagi grins. "You should have seen her face this morning - she was over the moon!"
[12:48] * Rei-chan giggles. "I take it school was a lot easier for you?"
[12:48] <Usagi-chan> "Heck yeah! No detention in sight! Although that's been a lot better lately, since I've been getting better grades." Usagi nods.
[12:50] <Rei-chan> "Heh, I'm glad things are going better for you. Mugen has been pretty tough, but I think things'll be easier with my new sempai helping me," Rei says cheerfully.
[12:50] <Usagi-chan> New sempai? Who's that?" Usagi perks up a bit.
[12:51] <Rei-chan> "Her name's Eudial. She's a little bit weird, but kinda fun. A lot of the other students at Mugen are pretty boring, y'know, really studious types," 'No offence, Ami-chan,' "But Eudial-sempai isn't like that at all."
[12:54] * Usagi-chan smiles. "And you're not even in your real classes yet, right? Still doing that tutoring thing before the new year starts?"
[12:55] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods. "Hopefully I won't have too much trouble once I get into proper classes. The tutoring has been a big help."
[12:56] <Usagi-chan> "What kind of stuff have you been going over? Is it just like regular school stuff, or is it a lot harder?"
[12:58] <Rei-chan> "It's not as hard as a lot of the stuff on the entrance exam," Rei explains, "I think the exam was just a big hurdle to discourage slackers, but once you're actually in the school it isn't so bad. Still a lot tougher than T*A was, though." 'I was actually starting to miss that old place, but now I think Mugen is definitely for me,' the miko thinks cheerily.
[12:59] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying yourself." Usagi smiles. "I'm just looking forward to the end-of-semester break myself." She sticks her tongue out slightly.
[13:00] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, then you'll be in your last year of junior high after that," Rei reminds her. "Have you thought much about which high school you'll go for?"
[13:03] * Usagi-chan groans. "I don't even want to THINK about high school exams yet. Regular tests are bad enough."
[13:04] <Rei-chan> "Ah, don't worry too much about it," Rei pats Usagi on the back. "It's still some ways off, and you can always ask Ami-chan for help!"
[13:04] <Usagi-chan> "I guess so. I wonder where she's planning to go? She could get into almost any school she wants to, after all." Usagi muses.
[13:06] <Rei-chan> "She probably could," Rei smiles, "But I think she'd rather go to school with her friends than worry about getting the 'best' one. She's smart enough from studying on her own that she really doesn't need school to learn, she just needs to go for exams and stuff."
[13:09] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, but if she goes to Mugen with you guys she could have both." Usagi shrugs. "I guess we'll find out in a few months when we have to start applying." 'I just hope I don't wind up at whatever school I get into alone.'
[13:11] <Rei-chan> "Hey, you'll never have to worry about being alone, Usagi. You'll always have us here," she gently pokes Usagi's forehead, "Thanks to that telepathy thing of yours. Besides," she winks, "If worst comes to worst, I could help you get into Mugen as well."
[13:12] <Usagi-chan> "You could?" Usagi looks puzzled. "How? I mean, I'd have to pass that horrible test to get in, and there's no WAY I could make it if you just barely did."
[13:14] <Rei-chan> "I have my ways," Rei smiles mysteriously.
[13:15] * Usagi-chan is completely confused. Rei hasn't even started classes at Mugen and she's already implying she could pull strings to get her in? "I might take you up on that when it comes time for my high school exams then, Rei-chan."
[13:17] <Rei-chan> "Well, if it does come to that, I can help you out," Rei nods, "But still, don't take that as an excuse to slack off, Dumpling Head!" she adds sternly.
[13:18] <Usagi-chan> "Hey! I've been studying a lot more lately! Ami-chan knows, she's been helping me out a lot." 'It's not like there's a lot else we CAN do when we're resting, after all.'
[13:18] <Rei-chan> "Resting?" Rei cocks her head curiously. "Resting after what?"
[13:19] <Usagi-chan> "Oop... it's for that project I mentioned earlier." Usagi blushes, having forgotten that her telepathy works both ways.
[13:19] <Rei-chan> "What project?" Rei needles.
[13:20] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not telling." Usagi puts on a haughty air. "You'll find out at the same time everyone else does."
[13:22] <Rei-chan> "Oooh, you've got me all curious, now! When are we all going to find out yours and Ami-chan's big secret, then?"
[13:23] * Usagi-chan thinks for a moment. "We just finished up the biggest part of it last week, so hopefully we'll have it ready to show you guys in a week or so." Usagi nods.
[13:24] <Rei-chan> "Well, don't keep me waiting too long, or I might just have to investigate," Rei teases.
[13:24] * Usagi-chan grins. "You wouldn't even know where to start looking, Pyro."
[13:26] <Rei-chan> "Hah, you underestimate my skills!" Rei crows. "I could find out tonight, if I so chose," she announces haughtily.
[13:28] <Usagi-chan> "You think so, huh?" Usagi smirks. "All right, prove it!"
[13:29] <Rei-chan> "Alright, I will!" Rei announces. "I'll go home and ask the Sacred Flame to tell me about the big mysterious secret the Moon Princess is hiding. Now you're sure you don't mind me spoiling the surprise?"
[13:31] <Usagi-chan> "Well, if you insist on spoiling it I can't stop you anyway, now can I?" Usagi frowns. "That's IF that Sacred Fire of yours even gives you an answer."
[13:32] <Rei-chan> "It could," Rei grins, "But I won't ask it. I'll just trust you that this'll be a surprise worth waiting for."
[13:35] <Usagi-chan> "Believe me, it will be." Usagi grins. "We haven't even finished it yet and it already looks amazing."
[13:37] <Rei-chan> "Well, I'll try to keep my curiousity in check until you're ready, then," Rei says brightly.
[13:38] <Usagi-chan> "Like I said, I think we'll have it just about ready to show all the rest of you sometime next week, so you won't have to wait TOO long." Usagi smiles. "I bet it'll knock your socks off!"
[13:39] <Rei-chan> "Big words. We'll see if you can back them up, Dumpling Head," Rei teases, still smiling.
[13:41] <Usagi-chan> "I'll just have to wipe that smile right off your face then, Pyro." Usagi smirks. "But in a week. You'll get to see for yourself then."
[13:43] <Rei-chan> "Don't call me Pyro," Rei pouts.
[13:45] <Usagi-chan> "Then don't call me Dumpling Head." Usagi replies calmly, sticking out her tongue as she does so.
[13:46] <Rei-chan> "But it fits you so well!" Rei protests.
[13:48] <Usagi-chan> "And yours doesn't, Miss Fire Reader?" Usagi replies hotly.
[13:50] <Rei-chan> "Pyro has all sorts of connotation!" Rei argues, "Just because I make use of a fire in my religious observances, it doesn't mean I go around burning stuff willy nilly!"
[13:56] <Usagi-chan> "And Dumpling Head doesn't?" Usagi grumbles. "It makes me sound like I'm some kind of idiot!"
[13:58] <Rei-chan> "Well I already explained why I won't call you 'Bun Head'. I like calling you Dumpling Head. It just rolls right off the tongue..." Rei explains. "Dumpling Head, Dumpling Head, Dumpling Head," she grins, "I don't think I'd ever get tired of saying it."
[14:02] <Usagi-chan> "Have it your way then. Pyro!" Usagi sticks her tongue out at the miko.
[14:03] * Rei-chan replies in kind. "Bidah!"
-------
[07:51] <Anastasia> Sunday, March 3rd, 1:30 AM.
[07:52] <Anastasia> Having woken up in the middle of the night to nature's call, Ami staggers back to bed. Or she would have, if the sound of something very large crashing to the earth within a block or so didn't ring in your ears, or the ground didn't rock in an impact quake.
[07:57] * Ami grabs a wall in surprise, clinging to it until the shaking stops. 'What in the world was that?'
[07:59] * Ami heads out the front door, pausing briefly to use the disguise pen for some clothes and to summon the Mercury Computer. Ami scans for the disturbance rapidly.
[08:00] <Anastasia> Your computer's quick and dirty readings indicate that something crashed to the street below, something decently big. Once you get out your door, you see it easily. A third of a block down is a large crater, big enough to obstruct the entire street. A few people are scattered around the edge, peering in.
[08:02] * Ami heads to the crater's edge eagerly, hoping to see what hit.
[08:02] <Anastasia> You get a spot right at the edge, few people having made it down this quickly. The bottom of the crater is smoky, so it's a bit hard to see... but it doesn't look like there's ANYTHING down there, strangely enough.
[08:04] * Ami looks around, hoping to find a better vantage to peer into the crater from, or at lest one where she can scan it with her visor without drawing unwanted attention.
[08:04] <Anastasia> Meanwhile, your computer is still humming away.
[08:05] <Anastasia> There is an alley that could you use with a view...it may not stay unobstructed for long, though, as people are starting to swarm to the crater.
[08:06] * Ami moves there quickly, summoning her visor and running a more detailed scan.
[08:07] <Anastasia> Your scan picks up trace amounts of energy...it's not natural, but it's not the evil of the Dark Kingdom energy, either.
[08:09] * Ami tries to determine if the energy moved or simply dissipated naturally.
[08:10] <Anastasia> It looks like it dissipated naturally, but it's fading quickly... it's not 100%. As you scan, an annoying oaf moves and settles right in front of your view, blocking your scan line.
[08:13] <Ami> Frowning, Ami looks around the ally hoping to find a fire escape or something that will let her view well over the crowd.
[08:14] <Anastasia> There is a fire escape further up, but it's about ten feet up at it's lowest point. A jump would be needed.
[08:18] * Ami steps back for some sprinting room. Dashing toward the escape, Ami uses her momentum to propel herself upward.
[08:22] <Anastasia> With a graceful leap, Ami goes upward, grabs the rail and flips herself onto the fire escape.
[08:25] <Ami> Pleased with her new vantage Ami resumes scanning the crator again, logging the energy signature for later study.
[08:26] <Anastasia> The energy is already fading, however. But you do get some okay readings as more and more people gather... and the police begin to arrive.
[08:28] <Ami> Satisfied for the moment, Ami flips back to the ground and quietly makes her way back to the apartment for some shuteye. The mysterious crash would have to wait for morning.
[08:29] <Anastasia> ---

Halbarad · June 23, 2006, 10:21:00 PM

[08:45] <Anastasia> Getting to school, a quick change of clothes reveals to the world Rei's new 'uniform'...
[08:46] <Rei-chan> Rei wears a very short red skirt, and a white top, which looks like an abbreviated version of her miko robes, although showing far more skin than would be prudent for religious observances. It's a bit more showy than she normally wears, but considering how Eudial dressed, should fit right in with the other 'Witches'.
[08:49] <Anastasia> Going through the hallways, you find your way back into the abandoned section of the school easily, like you've been here before. Down another set of stairs leads to a metal door way with WITCHES 6 in red paint on the door. The six, however, is on a piece of paper tacked onto the door.
[08:50] * Rei-chan opens the door and enters.
[08:51] <Anastasia> Going inside, you see a wide room, full of junk of various items as well as six desks. Five are cluttered, and one looks new, a pile of junk besides it. It looks like various interesting things are in the junk... it's not trash, really. Eudial is in the center of the room, in the middle of an argument with a blonde-haired, labcoat wearing short girl.
[08:52] * Rei-chan keeps fairly quiet as she eavesdrops on the argument.
[08:52] <Anastasia> "...That's because you're a abject failure," Eudial hisses at the other woman. Both have masks of anger, contempt and general bitchiness on.
[08:53] <Rei-chan> "Good morning Eudial," Rei chirps, "You must be Mimette," she then says to the other girl.
[08:54] <Anastasia> "Ha, as IF," the blonde retorts. "I'll find the Talismans while you're still crashing into lampposts," Mimette turns from Eudial, and quickly sizes you up before turning back to Eudial.
[08:56] <Anastasia> "Nice outfit, Rei," Eudial manages before turning her wrath back to Mimette. "I'll have the Talismans while you're still chasing after idols in pretty skirts," she snaps, walking away.
[08:56] * Rei-chan decides to follow Eudial. "So, what exactly are the Talismans anyway? That wasn't made very clear, yesterday..."
[08:57] <Anastasia> "That blonde haired TRAMP," Eudial fumes, not catching your question as she heads to one of the desks, the closest to yours.
[08:58] * Rei-chan sighs, deciding to wait for a better time. Instead she goes over to her own desk, looking at the pile of junk beside it.
[09:00] <Anastasia> Getting there, there is a nice, comfortable office chair there, at least. The pile of junk looks like mechanical items...including TVs, computers, guns, and several items that defy easy classification.
[09:00] <Rei-chan> "Is this stuff all broken?" Rei asks, turning to Eudial and hoping she'll be a bit more responsive this time.
[09:01] <Anastasia> "Huh," she says, cutting off another tangent about the now departed Mimette. "Some of it is," she comments. "It's various items that we've used here and there in our work," she explains.
[09:02] <Rei-chan> "Right. I don't suppose you could explain a bit more about our work? The Professor wasn't very talkative after you left, last night," Rei complains, feeling a bit lost.
[09:03] <Anastasia> "Oh, sure. He's a bit unhelpful at times," Eudial says. "Anyway, we're looking for 3 Talismans for the Mistress," she explains.
[09:03] <Rei-chan> "Right. And the Talismans are hidden inside pure hearts, I get that. What do they look like?"
[09:04] <Anastasia> "Welllllll..." she begins. "I'm not really sure," she says in a small voice. "I know I'll know one when I see one, though."
[09:04] <Rei-chan> "Uh... huh," Rei nods slowly. "What about the 'plan' the Professor said he had for finding them?"
[09:06] <Anastasia> "Probably some gadget or magic Twister board or something," she says. She leans a bit closer, dropping her voice to a loud whisper. "I'm working on my own machine for it, though. It's a prototype, but I think it's going somewhere."
[09:09] <Rei-chan> "Well, I'm glad you seem to have it figured out," Rei smiles. "I'm just feeling really out of my depth here... my specialty is more with fighting demons and stuff, though I suppose I could do Fire Readings to try and locate the Talismans. Any idea why Mistress wants them?" she asks, recalling 'Mistress' being the little girl surrounded by all the stuffed animals...
[09:09] <Anastasia> "She just needs them," Eudial shrugs, answering like it's the most obvious thing in the world. It sounds somehow right to you...
[09:10] * Rei-chan nods. "That makes sense, I guess. So, what's the plan for today? You just going to be working on that machine you mentioned?"
[09:11] <Anastasia> "Yep," she nods. "And get that bitch Mimette, too," she mutters, just barely audible.
[09:12] <Rei-chan> "So where are all the others?" Rei asks, looking around.
[09:14] <Anastasia> "Oh, them. Kaolinite is out somewhere as always, Tellu is off in her greenhouse, don't know about Viluy and the twins," she says, summarizing quickly.
[09:17] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei nods. "I guess I might as well organise my desk or something, now..."
[09:17] <Anastasia> There really isn't all that much in the desk, it's the mess around it...
[09:18] <Rei-chan> "Hmmm..." Rei strokes her chin thoughtfully. 'I guess I could try and set up that computer...' she notices most of the other desks have computers after all. 'Dunno what I'd use it for, though...'
[09:19] * Rei-chan grabs the computer and puts it on the desk, along with all the peripherals and wires that look like they go with it.
[09:19] <Anastasia> As you yank it out of the pile, you find that the ends of the wires are color coded, along with the ports they go into. Installation looks simple enough.
[09:20] * Rei-chan quickly plugs everything in the way it looks like it should go, then switches the power on.
[09:21] <Anastasia> The screen comes to life...various white text scrolls by on the black background of it's own volition.
[09:22] * Rei-chan waits for it to boot up the OS, hoping it's not that Windows thing Ami is always maligning.
[09:23] <Anastasia> Finally, what you think is a desktop appears. There are a few icons, and the background has a WITCHES 5 lettering in red font.
[09:24] * Rei-chan begins searching for some sort of 'Witches Guide' or something to tell her a bit more about their job.
[09:26] <Anastasia> After some fiddling and the machine letting out a few high pitched sounds of protest, you find a search command.
[09:26] <Anastasia> Typing in 'Witches Guide' does pull up a document.
[09:27] * Rei-chan doubleclicks on the document!
[09:29] <Anastasia> Reading it...it seems to be a how-to on extracting Heart Crystals and such.
[09:30] <Anastasia> Of note, it mentions 'Death Busters', which is oddly familiar.
[09:30] * Rei-chan skims through it, looking for stuff on what the Talismans are and what they do. She also looks for any more references to 'Death Busters'.
[09:31] <Anastasia> Nothing about the Talismans beyond a few surface references, but it sounds like the 'Death Busters' are you guys.
[09:33] <Rei-chan> "Hey, Eudial-sempai," Rei gets the older girl's attention. "What's the difference between Witches 5 and Death Busters?"
[09:38] <Anastasia> She looks up from a magazine she was reading. "The Death Busters is a bit more of a broad term for all of us, not just the Witches," she explains.
[09:39] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei nods, "Sounds better than Dark Kingdom, I suppose."
[09:43] <Rei-chan> After a few more minutes of silence, Rei sighs loudly. "I'm bored." Noting that Eudial is doing nothing more than reading, she again turns to the other girl. "Say, Eudial-sempai, do you think you could teach me how to drive?"
[09:44] <Anastasia> "Drive? Oh yeah," she says, smiling widely.
[09:44] <Rei-chan> "Cool," Rei bounces out of her seat. "At least I'll be learning something, even if I'm skipping classes."
[10:16] <Anastasia> Going out back to where the car is, you see that it is undamaged from yesterday's shenanigans.
[10:17] <Rei-chan> "Right, I have a vague idea of how to drive from watching other people, and on TV... but still, it can't be as easy as it looks, right?" Rei asks as they approach the vehicle.
[10:20] <Anastasia> "It's easy, alright," she nods, still grinning. "Just hop in, turn the key, and go."
[10:20] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei gets into the driver's seat, waiting for Eudial to get in and give her the keys.
[10:21] <Anastasia> She does, and hands you the keys. "Now this is a car," she comments.
[10:22] <Rei-chan> "I get that," Rei nods, buckling up and turning the keys in the ignition.
[10:23] <Anastasia> "Then just put the petal to the metal and DRIVE," she loudly declares.
[10:25] * Rei-chan carefully pushes down on the accelerator, keeping her hands firmly on the wheel.
[10:25] <Anastasia> The car bursts to life and goes forward, zooming with a speed that shocks you.
[10:26] * Rei-chan eases up on the accelerator!
[10:27] <Anastasia> The car slows. "Hey, keep it going!" Eudial comments. "You don't get anywhere if you don't put gas into it!"
[10:28] <Rei-chan> "Just let me get my bearings!" Rei replies, trying to get comfortable with driving at a reasonable pace before she takes it up to the level Eudial uses.
[10:30] <Anastasia> Once you begin to get used to the insane acceleration this car has, it isn't that hard at all...
[10:31] <Rei-chan> "Hey, this is pretty easy," Rei says cheerfully, taking the speed up a bit. "Makes you wonder why people need to bother with licenses and stuff..."
[10:33] <Anastasia> "Yeah. Some people just worry too much," she says as you zoom through the underground tunnels. "Keep it faster!"
[10:34] * Rei-chan nods, speeding up even more, though still keeping focused on her driving in case she needs to react quickly to anything.
[10:36] <Anastasia> You pick up the basics quickly, even as Eudial keeps wanting you to speed up.
[10:37] <Rei-chan> "One of my friends has a Ferrari," Rei comments as she races around the labyrinthine underground tunnels. "I wonder if I could borrow it sometime... although I'm actually not sure if it would be faster than this..." she spares a quick glance at the speedometer.
[10:38] <Anastasia> It's past 145 mph and slowly rising. This thing can jet.
[10:38] <Anastasia> "It won't be! This thing has enough power to outrace a jet," she brags.
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "I believe it," Rei nods.
[10:40] <Anastasia> "Let me see how fast you can get it up," she encorages you.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "So, sempai, how did you get into the Witches 5... uh, 6..." Rei asks, making conversation as she drives along.
[10:41] <Anastasia> "I was recruited by Professor Tomoe and Kaolinite," she shrugs.
[10:41] * Rei-chan confidently pushes harder on the accelerator, trusting in her newly discovered driving ability.
[10:41] <Rei-chan> "How long ago was that?"
[10:45] <Anastasia> "A few years ago, maybe," she says, as she glances at your speedometer.
[10:46] <Rei-chan> "And you've been looking for the Talismans all this time?"
[10:58] <Anastasia> "It took a lot of setting up at first," she comments.
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "Ah," Rei nods, still not understanding much about their mission. "Well, I'm sure we'll find them, soon!"
[09:32] <Anastasia> ---
[10:46] <Usagi-chan> It's the last weekend before the start of the new school year, and Usagi and Ami have called the rest of the senshi together at Usagi's house for a mysterious announcement.
[10:47] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks for coming, you guys. I... we-" Usagi looks over at Ami. "have a little surprise for you guys today. Some of you know that I've been kinda busy for a while, working on a special project with Ami." Usagi looks over at Rei.
[10:47] <Rei-chan> "So, we're finally going to find out your big secret?" Rei asks eagerly.
[10:47] <V-chan> "And some of us don't really know anything," Minako agrees, nodding.
[10:49] * Usagi-chan nods, grinning slightly. "You finally get to find out. Everyone's going to need to transform first, though."
[10:50] * V-chan looks at Usagi questioningly. "Why? Do we have to fight?"
[10:50] <Usagi-chan> "Nope... just trust me." Usagi smiles. "Ami, would you take everyone to the library? I want to go over everything one last time to make sure it's ready."
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "Library... are we teleporting to the Moon?"
[10:51] * Usagi-chan nods, still smiling.
[10:51] <Makoto> "What could possibly be on the moon of interest?" Makoto asks.
[10:52] * Ami looks up from her computer belatedly. "Oh... OH, right."
[10:52] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes as she changes to the form of the Lunar princess.
[10:52] * Rei-chan holds up her transformation pen. "Mars Power, Make Up!"
[10:53] * Makoto follows Rei and Usagi, shouting "Jupiter Power, Make UP!" while raising her own pen
[10:54] * Ami transforms into Sailor Mercury!
[10:54] <V-chan> "Venus Power! Make Up!"
[10:54] * V-chan makes sure she has enough room, and then her wings erupt from her back, covering her in a feathery cocoon, which glows golden. The wings then disappear, leaving Sailor Venus standing in the room.
[10:55] <Sailor_Mars> "Okay, Ami-chan, lead the way," Rei says, offering her hand to the blue haired girl.
[10:55] <Serenity-hime> "See you guys on the Moon!" With that, Serenity begins to chant, and disappears a few moments later in a bright flash of light.
[10:56] * Ami takes Mars and Jupiter in hand. "Ok, lend me your power."
[10:56] * Ami begins to glow.
[10:56] * V-chan raises an eyebrow at the strange teleport, and offers her hand to Makoto.
[10:57] * Sailor_Mars takes Minako's other hand to complete the circle.
[10:57] <Sailor_Mars> "Sailor Teleport," Mars echoes, lending her power while letting Mercury guide them.
[10:57] * V-chan lends her power to Ami, saying, "Sailor Teleport," as well.
[10:58] * Sailor_Jupiter holds Minako's and Ami's power as she also lends her power. "Sailor Teleport."
[11:10] <Ami> Taking the torrent of senshi energy in hand Mercury focuses on her destination, her mind centering on the place that had become a second home to her. "Sailor Teleport!"
[11:10] <Ami> With a rush of power the four friends disappear from the Earth...
[11:11] <Ami> ...And in a flash of light reappear on the Moon. As the four settle out of the teleport they have a chance to look around. For those who had been there before the place looks transformed. While the library had certainly not been in the shambles that the rest of the palace had when they had first entered it, it was obvious now that it had been a far cry from its heyday.
[11:11] <Ami> Now, it is restored, the former glory renovated and rejuvenated thanks to much hard work. Lights have been aesthetically rigged about the place, banishing most of the shadowed areas. No longer are there huge cracks along the walls nor are the bookcases in disrepair. Even the tomes look polished, their leather and gold-penned covers shining softly in the light.
[11:12] <Ami> "Welcome to the Lunar Library," Ami says, turning to you with a self satisfied grin.
[11:12] * Ami bows deeply, dropping her senshi form.
[11:13] * Sailor_Mars looks around in surprise. "You did all this?"
[11:13] <V-chan> "Did you translate them all, too?" Minako asks eagerly.
[11:14] * Sailor_Jupiter just stands looking impressed as she looks all around.
[11:14] * V-chan drops her transformation, following Ami's example.
[11:14] * Ami nods at Rei. "Most of it, though a lot of the crystal had to be repaired with Usagi's help." She taps one of the bookcases.
[11:15] * Ami turns to Minako. "I haven't touched even one percent of the information in here. That task is a bit much in so limited a time."
[11:16] * Ami turns, leading the group between the shelves, pointing out areas of interest.
[11:17] * V-chan pouts. "Well, I might be able to read a few of the simpler ones, at least."
[11:17] * Sailor_Mars follows, looking around with interest.
[11:17] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Is the Library the only thing you guys have worked on?" Makoto asks, curious to see what else they might have fixed up.
[11:18] <Ami> "This was my focus," Ami says elusively.
[11:18] <Sailor_Jupiter> "And what was Usagi's then?" Makoto asks before smirking. "The kitchen by any chance?"
[11:19] <Sailor_Jupiter> Notably, she'd love to see a palace kitchen in it's restored form, even if just to cook for Usagi
[11:19] <Ami> "...And over here are the books on Lunar spirituality. I think you'd find them most entertaining, Rei," Ami says, coming to a section at the far end of the rather lengthy library.
[11:19] <Sailor_Mars> "You've done a great job. No wonder you and Usagi have been so busy, lately," Rei says, following Ami's direction to the books. "Well, I can't really read them... but if I ever remember the language, I'll want to take a look."
[11:20] <Ami> "I can help you learn it if you'd like. Usagi seems to be taking to the lessons quite well."
[11:21] <V-chan> "No wonder," Minako says. "Your notes alone are really helpful."
[11:21] <Sailor_Mars> "Would you?" Rei asks eagerly, "That'd be great, Ami-chan."
[11:22] * Ami just smiles. "It would be my pleasure."
[11:23] * Ami looks down the row of shelves toward the back, taking off suddenly.
[11:23] <Sailor_Mars> "Great. It'd be easier if I could just remember it myself, but I doubt that'll happen any time... hey, where are you going?" she says in surprise as Ami dashes away.
[11:25] * Ami continues around a corner, not pausing.
[11:26] <Sailor_Mars> "Um... should we follow her?" Rei asks her other two companions.
[11:27] * V-chan shrugs, and breaks into a run after the blue-haired girl, calling out, "Hey, Ami, wait up!"
[11:27] * Sailor_Mars follows.
[11:28] <Ami> At the far end of the library you see a large wooden desk, not unlike the kind you'd find at a checkout counter in an Earth library. Odd, you think, because it is the first bit of wood you've seen in here. Two computers hum quietly on the desk, one facing you and showing an SD Sailor Mercury chasing a flying book.
[11:28] <Ami> Behind it you spot Ami coming out of a room separated by curtains matching the crystalline bookshelves in color. She's carrying refreshment.
[11:28] <Ami> "Almost forgot these," she says, blushing.
[11:29] <Sailor_Mars> "You didn't need to run off like that," Rei chastises her.
[11:30] * V-chan smirks. "So you did fix up the kitchens after all."
[11:34] <Ami> "Here," Ami says, pushing the tiny snacks forward. "I just want everything to be perfect for this presentation."
[11:34] * V-chan takes the proffered refreshments.
[11:35] * Sailor_Mars gratefully takes something to eat. "Thanks," she mutters.
[11:35] * Ami passes around some napkins as well. "Sorry Mako-chan, but we haven't gotten around to the kitchens yet."
[11:36] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Oh? Where did this come from then, Ami?" Makoto asks as she takes her share. "You guys just bring food with you?"
[11:38] <Ami> "Pretty much," Ami shrugs. "Now if you'll follow me..."
[11:38] * Sailor_Jupiter nods and follows
[11:38] <Sailor_Mars> "Where to now? Have you guys fixed up more of this place?" Rei asks as she follows.
[11:39] * V-chan follows silently, munching on a snack.
[11:40] * Ami leads the others back to the front, pointing out the small brass plates with the Dewey decimal system numbered on them and other small odds and ends that make navigating the large room manageable.
[11:41] <Sailor_Mars> "I still can't believe how much you've done here," Rei says, shaking her head in admiration.
[11:42] <Ami> "It was tough, but well worth the effort. Mako-chan, would you like to learn the language as well? I'm sure there are things here you would like to read."
[11:43] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Uhm, I guess it'd be fun," Makoto says, a bit surprised at the offer. "Although considering my grades at school, maybe I shouldn't. Even Usagi seems to be doing better than me these days..." She seems a bit galled by the last part.
[11:44] <V-chan> "Join Mugen!" Minako offers. "They're really cool about this stuff."
[11:44] * Sailor_Jupiter snorts. "I wish. But with my grades? No way I could get in, even if I studied like a demon," Makoto says.
[11:45] * Ami giggles. "You have been missing the study sessions lately, and I have been tutoring her a lot up here. I could tutor you, too."
[11:46] <Sailor_Jupiter> "That'd be nice, Ami-chan. Thanks," Makoto says with a smile.
[11:46] <Sailor_Mars> "Mugen is really competitive. It's not for everyone," Rei says reasonably.
[11:46] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Yeah, though I do kinda wish I could, just to study botany there," Makoto says.
[11:47] * Ami leads the others out of the room into a dismal-looking hallway. "I agree. If you're worried about your grades you probably shouldn't transfer schools."
[11:48] <Ami> The trip through the building is without note. Where the library showcases what the past glory may have been, the rest of the building seems to be depressingly modern in its decay.
[11:48] * Sailor_Mars doesn't feel her usual pang of nervousness whenever wandering around the dark and scary areas of the Moon. 'Guess I'm getting over it...' she thinks to herself.
[11:49] * Serenity-hime smiles as she sees the small group coming down the dim corridor. "Everything's ready!" she says excitedly. A soft white glow can be seen coming from one of the entryways a bit further down the corridor. "I just hope you all like it."
[11:51] <Ami> "Don't worry, Usagi-chan," Ami says reassuringly. She steps to the side, allowing the others to move first.
[11:52] * Serenity-hime nods nervously. "All right, guys, just follow me."
[11:52] * Serenity-hime leads the group into the great hall of the Moon Palace. Tall, silvery marble columns, gracefully fluted, stretch almost thirty feet into the air to support the ceiling. A number of beautiful paintings line the walls, interspersed with marvelously detailed sculptures on marble stands every few feet.
[11:52] <Serenity-hime> Everything in the room, including the white marble floor, has been polished to a brilliant shine. A series of softly glowing white orbs are suspended from the ceiling, providing ample light for the entire room; the open series of arches at one end of the room look out over a crescent Earth, rising over the gray Lunar landscape beyond.
[11:53] <Sailor_Mars> Rei's jaw drops. "No way... how on Earth were you able to do all of this?" she asks, looking around in wonder.
[11:54] * Sailor_Jupiter nods quietly in shocked agreement, as amazed as Rei.
[11:54] * Serenity-hime giggles. "How on the Moon, you mean. And the answer is: really, really slowly. Ami and I have been working on this more or less since the beginning of January, several days a week."
[11:55] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, but even so..." Rei gestures at the really big pillars, which she last saw shattered all over the floor.
[11:56] * V-chan observes the room quietly.
[11:56] * Serenity-hime grins. "I'll have to show you that sometime, although I don't have anything handy that I can use right now. The worst one of those pillars took us almost three days to recover completely, and that was with Ami-chan's help." Serenity sighs. "It wasn't easy work, that's for sure."
[11:57] <Sailor_Mars> "Was it magic? I could imagine the Crystal could take care of this easily, but I had no idea you could do it yourself," Rei says, giving Serenity a wondering look.
[11:58] <Serenity-hime> "It is; it's something I remembered from the Silver Millenium, although I don't think it was ever intended to be used on something this big. It still works though." Serenity smiles.
[11:59] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head in wonder, before giving Serenity a more penetrating look. "So you're set on restoring the Moon Kingdom, then?"
[12:00] * Serenity-hime pauses for a moment, then nods, giving Rei a calm look.
[12:01] <Sailor_Mars> Seeing no real hesitation or doubt, Rei nods as well, though otherwise remains silent. She has a thoughtful expression, though.
[12:01] <V-chan> "Why?" Minako asks simply.
[12:01] <Serenity-hime> "It's... what I need to do." Serenity answers in kind.
[12:02] * V-chan shrugs. "Okay, then, I guess."
[12:03] <Serenity-hime> "So... what do you all think?" The princess looks around at her friends, trying to gauge their reactions.
[12:04] <Sailor_Jupiter> "I think this is all pretty damn cool," Makoto says impressed. "Where do we sign up to help out?"
[12:04] <V-chan> "It's nice, and tidy, and pretty." Minako shrugs again. "And empty."
[12:04] <Serenity-hime> "You really want to help, Mako-chan?" Serenity seems surprised.
[12:04] * Sailor_Mars looks around once more, this time with slightly more jaded eyes. "I think, that if you truly want to make the Moon a place to live, it'll take a lot more than what's been done already. But," she adds firmly, "I'll do everything in my power to help you make it happen."
[12:05] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Of course! I kinda wish you'd asked sooner, seeing what this is all turning out like, Usagi," Makoto says with a grin. "Besides, I could have taken advantage of Ami's tutoring sooner, then."
[12:06] * V-chan looks at the others, before turning to Usagi. "I'll lend my help if you need it."
[12:06] * Serenity-hime giggles. "We usually either do homework or work on the Lunar books when we get too worn out to do much more in the way of repairs." Serenity turns to Rei and smiles. "I do... I don't know if it's the right thing to do or not, but I think the Moon Kingdom could live again. And I don't think I'll ever know if it's right or not unless I try to make it happen."
[12:11] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, if we're all in it now, what's to be done?" Rei asks.
[12:12] <Serenity-hime> "I'm not going to ask any of you to help unless you really want to do it. If you think I'm being foolish in this, that's fine; you don't have to agree with me. But if you want to help on your own, I'll never be able to thank you enough."
[12:14] * V-chan simply nods.
[12:14] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi..." Rei says softly, "You know I'll support you if you're really commited to this."
[12:17] * Serenity-hime smiles. "Thanks, Rei-chan. And all of you guys. I know this is going to take a long time to put back in order, but the more of us there are to share the work, the faster it'll go in the end, too." Serenity smiles. "Besides, we can party up here in REAL style." She giggles.
[12:21] <V-chan> "Say, did you manage to fix some of the old Lunar technology, too?" Minako asks suddenly.
[12:22] * Serenity-hime glances over at Ami. "We've gotten a LITTLE of that working, but it's not as easy to fix as stuff like this is. Ami's been working on that more than I have, you really need to talk to her about most of that stuff."
[12:22] <V-chan> "We'll chat later, then," she says, giving Ami a meaningful glance.
[12:23] * Ami shrugs. "There isn't really anything to chat about."
[12:24] <V-chan> "You're keeping it a secret, then?"
[12:25] * Ami sighs, a little annoyed. "Like Usagi said, there isn't much up here that works, Minako. It's all trashed. The little bit that does work isn't anything so spectacular that we don't already have something similar on Earth."
[12:26] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "All I really remember doing was something about the water. We got that working for the garden."
[12:27] <Sailor_Mars> "There's a garden? Plants are actually growing?" Rei asks in astonishment.
[12:27] <V-chan> "You have technology that creates water?" Minako asks incredulously. "And you call it something similar to what you can find on Earth?"
[12:28] * Sailor_Jupiter blinks at the mention of a garden, and asks excitedly, "Oh, can we go see the garden?"
[12:28] <Serenity-hime> "The water's created magically, Mina-chan. I don't exactly understand how it works, but Ami-chan had me sort of 'jump start' the machine that does it." She turns to the others and grins. "Yeah, we've got a garden growing again. It's not much to look at yet, but we've got a few shoots coming up."
[12:30] <V-chan> 'I wonder if the palace defenses and long-range sensors could be 'jump started' as well,' Minako thinks, frowning.
[12:31] <Ami> "Not exactly, Usagi," Ami says. "The machine doesn't produce the water, it just pulls it out of the aquifers underground."
[12:32] * Serenity-hime frowns. "Well, the last time you tried to explain it I got confused."
[12:33] <Ami> "Don't worry about it. We have water; that's all that really matters."
[12:34] <Serenity-hime> "Come on, let's go check out the garden." Serenity smiles and beckons for the other senshi to follow her.
[12:35] * Sailor_Jupiter nods, eagerly anticipating what a royal garden, even in its sproutling stage, would look like.
[12:35] * V-chan sighs quietly, and follows, plastering a smile on her face.
[12:36] * Sailor_Mars follows as well, wondering what's got Minako so upset but deciding not to make an issue of it.
[12:37] * Serenity-hime gives Minako a sideways glance, but shakes her head and continues on the short trip to the palace gardens, stopping in a small open courtyard. "Here we are!"
[12:37] <Serenity-hime> Several rows of tiny green shoots can be seen poking their way above the surface of the gray soil.
[12:38] <Sailor_Mars> "How can you keep them growing, though? Isn't night here nearly a month long?" Rei asks.
[12:39] * Sailor_Mars also finds it odd that the plants seem to be growing in actual Lunar ground, not soil transplanted from Earth. 'And how can the plants get nutrients from that stuff?'
[12:39] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "There is no night here, Rei-chan. I do remember that much at least. The Moon doesn't rotate like the earth does."
[12:40] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, but it orbits the Earth. It has one side always facing the Earth, but that side isn't always lit, remember..." Rei prods.
[12:41] <Serenity-hime> "It goes around the Earth about once a month, but it doesn't turn on its own. That's why it has phases." Serenity nods. "Ever notice how the Man in the Moon is always in the same place every time the full moon shows up?"
[12:43] <Sailor_Mars> "Yes, I can see the Man in the Moon when it's a full Moon, but then as it phases, the Man in the Moon becomes covered in darkness," Rei explains.
[12:46] <Serenity-hime> "Oh, that's right." Serenity sighs. "The same side of the Moon always faces the Earth, not the sun." 'I hate science...'
[12:51] <Sailor_Mars> "Ah, simple mistake," Rei shrugs.
[12:52] <Serenity-hime> "Anyway, it's not like day and night on the Earth. The stars are in the sky even in the daytime, although I'm not sure why. But you can look up and see the sun and the stars all around it at the same time."
[12:53] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, there is no atmosphere... which doesn't really explain why we aren't suffocating right now..." Rei looks around nervously.
[12:53] * V-chan smirks. "Almost as if by magic, wouldn't you say?"
[12:55] <Ami> "Ahem," Ami clears her throat. "The atmosphere around this area is, well, there is an atmosphere around this area," Ami mutters lamely. "Ok, let's try that again. There is an atmosphere around this part of the moon, though I'm not 100% sure how that is. It could be magic or it could be ancient Lunar technology. Either way, that atmosphere pretty
[12:55] <Ami> much kills the drastic temperature changes that take place across the rest of the moon, so that the temperature doesn't freeze-dry or bake anything living in here."
[12:55] <Ami> "Haven't you thought it strange to be the same basic temperature through the entire complex?"
[12:55] * Sailor_Jupiter, who has been looking over the garden, admiring the well set-up irrigational system, as well at how well the shouts are doing, finds her eyes glazing over from the discussion she was only half-heartedly listening to, especially once Ami started up. She shakes her head to clear it. 'Ewww, even Usagi is boring me with school talk stuff. This sucks.'
[12:56] * Serenity-hime covers her mouth with her hand. 'Sorry Mako-chan, it's just that the Moon is one of the few things I'm really trying to learn about now. I AM supposed to be queen of the place, after all.'
[12:56] * Sailor_Jupiter blinks. 'Whoops, I keep forgetting about this telepathy thing,' she says, somewhat embarrassed.
[12:57] <Sailor_Jupiter> She can relate to wanting to learn about something in particular though. She had a similar interest in plants.
[12:57] <Serenity-hime> 'Don't worry about it - you'll get used to it after a while.' "How do the plants look, Mako-chan? I know you're a lot better at taking care of them than I am."
[12:59] <Sailor_Jupiter> "I'm actually pretty impressed. The irrigational system is well set out, the plants are distanced just enough that their roots won't be competing for the same nutrients, yet still avoid leaving ugly gaps once they've grown between them, they also seem to be growing healthily and are well colored. It's amazing really," Makoto says, a bit more comfortable in this subject.
[13:00] <Serenity-hime> "Ami figured out how to lay most of the plants out; I really only helped some with the digging and planting. The sprinkler system takes care of the watering, since we can't really come up here every day to do it ourselves."
[13:01] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah... not much chance of rain, here..." Rei says, wondering if it ever rained back in the Silver Millenium, or if they just used magic and technology to keep things running.
[13:02] <Ami> "Not yet," Ami agrees. "But sooner or later we'll get an atmosphere up and going."
[13:02] <Serenity-hime> "Yeah..." Serenity looks rather glum at the thought, not looking forward to trying to figure out how THAT magic works.
[13:03] * Sailor_Mars smirks. "I wonder how people on Earth will react when all this stuff starts getting noticed."
[13:04] <Serenity-hime> "I'm hoping they DON'T notice anything for a while." Usagi makes a wry face. "I mean, even the Americans didn't notice anything when they sent people to the Moon, so I'm guessing the magic helps to protect the palace from being seen. I don't know if that'll change as we get things in order more, though."
[13:05] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, if we try to restore the entire Moon to support life, it'll be hard to miss. But while we focus around here, I doubt anyone will notice," Rei says.
[13:06] * Serenity-hime looks back at the massive form of the palace. "And we'll be busy here for quite a while, that's for sure."
[13:06] * Sailor_Mars nods. "It'll be quite a job, I'm sure of that."
[13:07] <Serenity-hime> "Just imagine though... if we can get everything back to looking the way it used to - the way the great hall looks now..." Serenity smiles brightly.
[13:07] <Ami> "Yes. This is certainly going to cut into my study time," Ami says, bending the water around the group as the sprinklers cut on.
[13:07] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah... I hope Mugen doesn't keep me too busy..."
[13:09] <Serenity-hime> "Don't worry about how much time you can spare... just come talk to me whenever you've got some time you think you can spare and we can do it whenever." Serenity nods. "We can at least do homework up here; when you're resting up here, there isn't a lot else you CAN do."
[13:12] <Ami> "You too, Mako-chan," Ami says. She grins brightly, "You have to catch up with Usagi-chan afterall."
[13:14] * Sailor_Jupiter colors red, blushing at the thought that she's actually behind Usagi.
[13:15] <Ami> "Ready to head back inside?"
[13:15] <Sailor_Mars> "Sure. What else have you guys done up here?" Rei asks, starting back towards the palace.
[13:16] <V-chan> "And did you go and take a look at the spaceships the Americans sent over here?" Minako asks, following Rei.
[13:17] * Serenity-hime giggles. "Not yet. I'm not even sure where they are, to tell the truth. We've just stayed in the palace for the most part, unless Ami-chan stepped out while I was taking a nap or something."
[13:18] <Ami> "That's outside the atmosphere, Minako. We don't have the suits to go bouncing around there, yet."
[13:19] * Ami heads back in, the bubble of bending water following.
[13:19] * Serenity-hime follows Ami quickly in order to keep her dress dry.
[13:25] <Serenity-hime> "Not a lot besides what you've seen so far, Rei-chan. We've done some exploring in the castle and so forth, but not a lot in the way of fixing stuff or anything."
[13:26] * Sailor_Jupiter follows Ami, even if she can't see that she's following, as she's looking ahead instead of back at her as she moves in following of Ami.
[13:26] <V-chan> "Ami's got a map of it, I bet," Minako comments.
[13:27] <Sailor_Mars> "A map is no substitute for seeing with your own eyes. And the palace is huge..."
[13:27] <Serenity-hime> "Of the castle? I think there's one on her computer, but I do at least remember the palace inside out. It's mostly exploring to see what kind of shape things are still in rather than for figuring out what's there."
[13:27] <V-chan> "Well, I'll just have to ask her to email it to me, when she can."
[13:28] <Ami> "This place is pretty abandoned. Hallways have fallen in all over the place. Thankfully there aren't any giant mutant rats or anything running around," Ami says with a light chuckle.
[13:29] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah... it's good that all the Dark Kingdom stuff is gone," Rei says, paling a little bit at the recollection.
[13:29] * Serenity-hime shudders at the thought of mutant rats. "Yeah... and it figures that ceilings are just about the hardest thing to fix."
[13:29] * V-chan shudders. "Trust you to come up with something so evil."
[13:30] <Ami> "What? Giant mutant rats?"
[13:30] * V-chan shudders again.
[13:32] <Ami> "Well there aren't any. No giant rats, no golems, no slimes; this place was empty."
[13:32] <V-chan> "You almost sound disappointed," Minako says, pouting.
[13:33] <Serenity-hime> "I'm not." Serenity makes a face. "It's going to be enough work without having to deal with rats and stuff like that."
[13:34] * Ami chuckles. "I guess I am a bit. My first real dungeon crawl and there's nothing crawling."
[13:34] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Well, there could always be traps. Just keep looking, and I'm sure an arrow or two will whizz by your head," Makoto jokes.
[13:35] * Ami waits at the door, allowing the others in without geting wet.
[13:35] <Serenity-hime> "Only down in the cells, and we haven't been down there yet." Serenity replies offhandedly.
[13:35] <Ami> "I still have hopes for a mad robot or three," Ami jests.
[13:36] <V-chan> "Ooh!" Minako exclaims. "Like in Laputa?"
[13:36] <Ami> "Laputa?" Ami queries.
[13:37] <Serenity-hime> "I remember that." Serenity grins. "That would be kind of cool, actually."
[13:39] <V-chan> "Wouldn't it?" Minako agrees, smiling. "They were totally cool, and the laser beams... well, that took the cupcake!"
[13:39] <Serenity-hime> "At least we don't have to worry about anyone looking for this place. I doubt anyone even knows it exists anymore."
[13:40] <V-chan> Minako's smile disappears, and she nods half-heartedly.
[13:40] <Ami> Ushering the others in Ami drops the bubble. "So, back to the hall or to the library?"
[13:41] <V-chan> "The library would be nice," she says, changing the topic. "You have more refreshments there, right?"
[13:43] * Serenity-hime nods. "We've been staying in there most of the time while we're up here, so we've got a few snacks and such stockpiled in there." 'At least when I don't eat them all before we get up here.' Serenity thinks guiltily.
[13:44] * Ami leads the way back to the library.
[13:45] * Sailor_Jupiter snickers as Usagi's thought appears in her head.
[13:45] <Ami> Once there she heads back to the once hidden room in the back.
[13:46] * V-chan heads towards a bookcase at random, and picks a book, trying to make sense of it.
[13:47] * Serenity-hime glances over at Minako's book and covers a giggle.
[13:49] * V-chan glances back. "Something's wrong, Usagi?"
[13:50] <Serenity-hime> "I didn't know you liked geology that much, V-chan." Usagi points to the book in Minako's hands.
[13:50] <V-chan> "I'm just browsing," Minako says, shrugging. "I've got all the books I really wanted from this place, remember?"
[13:51] <Serenity-hime> "Have you made a lot of progress in learning to read them? Ami-chan told me she gave you translated copies, too."
[13:53] <V-chan> "A translated copy, actually. But I'm working my way through the others." Minako smiles fondly. "I'm almost done with a cookbook."
[13:54] <Serenity-hime> "I'm ALMOST back to regular speed - well, regular speed for me, anyway. I still have to ask Ami-chan to look up some of the harder words, and half the time I don't even know what the Japanese word is that should be there." Serenity blushes a bit.
[13:55] <V-chan> "The idioms are the worst." Minako sighs, putting the book back on the shelf.
[13:55] <Serenity-hime> "THOSE at least I get, thanks to my memories. Ami even asks ME about those sometimes." Serenity giggles.
[13:56] <V-chan> "I guess I'm no good with those." She sighs again. "Who would've thought, eh?"
[13:57] <Serenity-hime> "Hey, it's not like I haven't been working on it really hard. And I'd never have gotten this far without Ami-chan's help."
[13:58] <V-chan> "Yeah, without those notes of hers it'd have been really, really difficult," Minako agrees.
[13:59] <Serenity-hime> "I don't think I'd ever have gotten anywhere without the translations." Usagi makes a face. "It just looked like chicken scratches for the longest time, until I really started to concentrate on the letters."
[14:00] * V-chan nods in agreement. "I wonder if actually speaking the language would be easier."
[14:01] <Serenity-hime> <You mean like this?> Usagi grins.
[14:01] <V-chan> "Show off," Minako says, pouting.
[14:02] * Serenity-hime giggles. "It's not all that hard, really, once you know what the words sound like."
[14:03] <V-chan> "I suppose." Minako shrugs. "If I didn't have a lot of studying and stuff to do, I'd have worked on the language more."
[14:04] <Serenity-hime> "It's not really all that important, I guess. There's a lot of information here, but not all of it's incredibly useful or anything." Usagi shrugs. "I really just wanted to learn it for myself, that's all."
[14:05] <V-chan> "Yeah, that's why I want to know it, too."
[14:06] <Serenity-hime> "I haven't really read that many new books up here - there were a couple of history books that were kind of fun to read, but other than that it's a lot of junk like philosophy and science." Serenity sticks her tongue out.
[14:09] * V-chan makes a face. "Science is junk, alright."
[14:11] <Serenity-hime> "It's just so BORING!" Usagi grumbles. 'And magic is easier anyway...'
[14:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, science is a lot easier than magic for most people," Rei says, emerging from amongst the bookshelves with a fairly hefty tome in her hands.
[14:14] * Serenity-hime sighs. "And most people don't even believe it exists anyway. I can just see me trying to explain to Miss H about how there was a civilization on the Moon that existed by magic."
[14:14] <V-chan> "Just teleport her over," Minako suggests, before smiling. "Or, come to think of it, why not show this place to our families?"
[14:15] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, not everyone has a hard time believing it..." Rei says, glad that at least Mugen is so accepting of the paranormal.
[14:16] <Serenity-hime> "Right." Usagi smirks. "Just change into Serenity in front of the whole class, start chanting, and disappear with the teacher. Not that I think the other students would MIND, but still. And actually, I have thought about bringing my family up here, but I want to get more of the palace restored before that. I'd at least like one of the sitting rooms done, so we have a good place to rest and talk."
[14:18] <V-chan> "Why not just bring furniture from Earth over?" Minako asks.
[14:18] <Sailor_Mars> "It's cheaper to magically restore than to buy new?" Rei smirks.
[14:18] <Serenity-hime> "No real need, unless something's been burned or something like that. I can repair just about anything except for machines." Serenity smiles proudly.
[14:20] <V-chan> "Aww, and here I was thinking Herb would buy something nice for his Usa-chan if she asked...."
[14:21] * Serenity-hime rolls her eyes. "As if... Yeah, I might bring a few things up from Earth, but I don't really see why we'd need to replace much. Most of the stuff here is just broken or dirty, not really destroyed. A little magic and elbow grease can take care of that."
[14:22] <V-chan> "Why don't we take care of our old rooms next, then?"
[14:22] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, I can't magically restore stuff... but I can move things around!" Rei says brightly. "And if you need anything exorcised, I'm your girl," she hooks a thumb at her chest proudly.
[14:25] <Serenity-hime> "I was going to see what everyone wanted to do, actually. And Rei-chan, EVERYONE can clean. And even aside from the actual repairs, there's a TON of cleaning to do." Usagi sighs. "At least it doesn't get messed up again once it's done since we don't actually LIVE here yet."
[14:26] <Sailor_Mars> "Ha, there isn't anyone better at sweeping than I am!" Rei announces.
[14:28] * Serenity-hime giggles. "No trees here to drop leaves! Well, for the moment. I want to plant some, but those are going to take a LONG time to grow."
[14:28] <V-chan> "Not with Mako-chan, I'd think," Minako adds.
[14:29] <Sailor_Mars> "I can sweep dust, too," Rei points out.
[14:29] <Serenity-hime> "I know, I'm just playing around with you." Usagi grins. "And you should see Ami when she gets going with the water... wow!"
[14:30] * V-chan grimaces. "Yeah, some people get lots of cool powers which are useful in day-to-day life."
[14:31] <Serenity-hime> "Oh, like mine are really handy every day." Usagi makes a face. "If I wasn't working on this, my abilities would be TOTALLY useless. And if you can still do that metal stuff, you're going to be a BIG help up here, believe me."
[14:31] <Sailor_Mars> "I can burn any garbage we find..." Rei mutters.
[14:31] * V-chan grins suddenly. "Oh, I can do the metal stuff, alright. It's not easy, but I can do it...."
[14:32] <V-chan> "I just wish less of my powers centered around destruction."
[14:32] * Sailor_Mars snorts, but otherwise remains silent.
[14:33] <Serenity-hime> "You can keep the place a little warmer too, Rei-chan. It's not like freezing up here, but it's colder than I like it to be, anyway." Turning to Minako, she nods. "I can put metal things back together, but I can't straighten them out if they're bent or anything - I've tried it a couple of times, and it just doesn't work."
[14:34] * V-chan snorts, before smiling. "I'm your welding torch, then."
[14:36] * Serenity-hime smiles. "There are TONS of bent-up railings and chandeliers and stuff like that - I've put a couple of them back together, but the arms are all facing the wrong directions."
[14:37] <V-chan> "Well, we can start on some of that now, unless you have something better to do," Minako suggests.
[14:38] <Serenity-hime> "Oh, we don't have to start on anything tonight unless you really want to. I was just hoping to find out what you guys all thought of the idea, and maybe have a little party or something while we were here."
[14:41] <Sailor_Mars> "A party sounds fun," Rei smiles.
[14:42] * V-chan nods uncertainly, trying to appear enthusiatic about it.
[14:42] * Serenity-hime smiles. "I thought a sleepover up here might be kind of fun. Ami and I have slept up here a few times - a lot of last week actually - and other than being a little chilly, it's fine."
[14:44] <Sailor_Mars> "A sleepover?" Rei looks a bit surprised. "Well, sure, if you want. And I can keep us warm," she says, before hastily adding, "Magically, I mean!"
[14:45] <V-chan> "I have things to do back home, actually," Minako says suddenly. "Homework, that kind of stuff. You think you could teleport me back, Usagi? I couldn't make the trip alone, and I'd hate to ruin the sleepover for the rest of you guys."
[14:46] * Serenity-hime grins. "I'm not sure how many futons we have up here, but I can always run back down to Earth and get a few more if we need them. Come on, I'll bet Ami's back in her room right now - she's always messing around with stuff back in there, and that's where we usually sleep anyway." She motions to the other two girls. "Come on, it's up this way!"
[14:47] * Sailor_Mars follows, casting her mind to their last sleepover. 'I wonder if we'll play Truth or Dare again...'
[14:47] <V-chan> "Umm, Usagi?" Minako waves at her, not moving. "You can't do it after all?"
[14:48] <Serenity-hime> "Oh sure, I can take you back if you really need to go, Mina-chan." Serenity sighs sadly. "I was hoping we could make it a big party with everyone though."
[14:49] <V-chan> "Well, I'm not in a festive mood, so it works." Minako shrugs. "I can always study here, I guess, if it's that much trouble."
[14:51] <Serenity-hime> "Oh no, you don't have to stay if you have other stuff to do. Let me find out how many futons we'll need from Ami-chan first though, so I don't end up making a ton of trips back and forth." Serenity finally gets back up to the curtained-room at the rear of the library. "Are you back there, Ami-chan?"
------- Meanwhile.... -------
[13:59] * Sailor_Jupiter goes to check up on Ami, while Minako and Usagi chat about the past. While the restoration project is interesting, the past itself isn't to Makoto.
[14:01] * Sailor_Jupiter makes her way to the back, spotting movement behind the curtains Ami had run into earlier.
[14:02] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Hey Ami, what're you doing?" Makoto asks as she pushes the curtains away.
[14:08] <Ami> "Getting things ready!" she calls back. "I just have to-ack!" Makoto sees Ami go down hard as the curtains part, what looks like a doll having tumbled onto her head.
[14:09] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Are you alright Ami?" Makoto asks worriedly as she quickly comes in and checks up on Ami, ignoring the doll thing.
[14:12] <Ami> "Fine, fine," Ami says, rubbing her head. "It's just a bump, really." She picks up the little figure, its blue and silver uniform glittering brightly in the light.
[14:14] * Sailor_Jupiter finally takes attention of the doll, and curious at the care Ami puts in handling it, asks, "What is that, Ami?"
[14:15] <Ami> "Oh this? This is..." she pauses, looking outside to see if anyone is listening. "This is my pet project," she finally whispers.
[14:16] * Ami sets the little figure on the low table in the middle of the room. "Take a seat," Ami insists, giving Makoto the chance to look around the room.
[14:17] * Sailor_Jupiter nods, curious as to what Ami means about her pet project if not the restoration of the palace grounds. She looks around the room, as she waits for Ami to speak up.
[14:26] <Ami> The room is huge, leaving you with the impression that it was used for something other than living quarters at on point. Be that as it may, though, it certainly is one now. The crystalline bookshelves have been pushed back to the wall, many filled with titles you're familiar with from Earth. There are several futons toward the front, and you also note plenty of appliances about.
[14:26] <Ami> Single burner stoves, a microwave, and a small fridge occupy what has to be the smallest kitchen you've ever seen, complete with a few spices and boxes of dry food on the shelves closest to them.
[14:26] <Ami> Further back the humming of a generator can be heard and the shelves are filled with clutter of all sorts. Spokes, sprockets, and other clockwork pieces are scattered about in an organized mess. Other less identifiable objects also protrude out of the mess.
[14:32] <Ami> While Makoto is sitting, gazing around she feels a weight settle in her lap.
[14:33] * Sailor_Jupiter looks down at her lap, blinking.
[14:34] <Ami> The mechanical eyes of the little white doll stare back at you, unblinking.
[14:34] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Uhm...Ami?" Makoto asks, a bit nervous at the way she's getting stared at by a doll. "How did your doll get on my lap, and why is it staring at me?"
[14:36] <Ami> "Oh, just sit her back on the table. I'll be there in a moment," Ami calls back. You can hear something squeaking from her direction.
[14:37] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Uh... okay?" Makoto says, somewhat uncomfortably as she picks up the doll in her hands.
[14:41] <Ami> The doll is heavier than it looks, you realize once you take it in hand. Once on the table it stands up, facing you. Another moment of staring commences. It then smiles, a bit of, warmth perhaps?, making its way into its eyes. The doll bows slowly, green hair cascading over its topknot.
[14:43] * Sailor_Jupiter is a bit confused by the doll, and gingerly says, "Uhm... hello." to the doll.
[14:44] <Ami> It waves back.
[14:45] * Sailor_Jupiter looks at the doll, starting to find her confusion and shock replaced with fascination. "Do you have a name?" Makoto asks before pausing. "Can you even talk?"
[14:47] <Ami> It nods at the first question, but shakes it head at the second. All the while its topknot waves vigorously.
[14:47] <Sailor_Jupiter> 'Smart little thing. Figures if it's connected to Ami...' Makoto thinks before asking, "Can you write your name? I would imagine you don't want to be called doll all the time."
[14:48] * Sailor_Jupiter supposes she could wait for Ami to give her the name, but she finds it fascinating figuring out how intelligent the little doll is.
[14:52] * Sailor_Jupiter hears Usagi's call and says, "She's doing something right now and left me minding the shop."
[14:52] * Sailor_Jupiter goes back to looking at the doll after answering Usagi.
[14:53] <Ami> The doll turns around and lifts its hair to reveal a nametag on the back of its neck.
[14:57] * Sailor_Jupiter squints her eyes to look at the small nametag, reading the name.
[14:58] <Ami> In tiny scroll Makoto can just make out the word 'LITA' with the characters writen beneath it.
[14:59] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Lita? What a cute name!" Makoto says with a smile.
[15:01] * Serenity-hime pushes inside the curtained room, looking for the blue-haired senshi.
[15:02] <Ami> Upon hearing her name, Lita leans forward into a handstand. Using only her hands she turns, pushing off the table into a flip, only to land in a kneeling position facing the Jovian senshi.
[15:05] <Sailor_Jupiter> "How cute!" Makoto gushes, before noticing Usagi come in. "Usagi! Has Ami shown you Lita? She's utterly adorable!"
[15:07] <Ami> Lita stands again. Reaching behind her she pulls out six tiny balls and begins juggling them. Music box music can be heard coming from her body.
[15:08] * Serenity-hime grins. "I've seen her around before, but only a glimpse here and there." Serenity gasps in surprise as the tiny robot starts juggling. "I had no idea it could do THAT though!"
[15:09] <Sailor_Jupiter> "She's so adorable. Did Ami make her, or just fix her up?"
[15:10] <Serenity-hime> "I think she made her. I don't remember anything like that from the Silver Millenium." Serenity crouches down to get a closer look at the tiny doll.
[15:12] * Ami returns with a converted grocery basket full of clockwork pieces. "Lita's entertaining company?" she say, a bit surprised.
[15:13] <Serenity-hime> "I had no idea she could do all this stuff, Ami-chan!" Serenity beams. "She's amazing!"
[15:13] <Sailor_Jupiter> "She's more than that, she's adorable," Makoto says.
[15:13] * Serenity-hime giggles. "That too."
[15:13] <Sailor_Jupiter> Makoto just can't get past Lita's adorableness.
[15:14] * Ami blushes, watching Lita backflip in the midst of the juggling without missing a beat. "You were calling for me, Usagi-chan?"
[15:15] * Serenity-hime shakes off her fascination with the doll. "Yeah, I just couldn't remember if we brought any extra futons up here. I thought it would be fun to have a sleepover up here tonight, if that's okay with you."
[15:16] <Ami> "We have the extra one, but there are five of us up here."
[15:17] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "Only four. Mina-chan says she has something she needs to take care of back home, so I'm taking her back. I guess I only need to pick up one more then?"
------ Back with the others... ------
[14:52] * V-chan leans against a bookcase in the meanwhile, crossing her hands in front of her chest.
[14:53] <Sailor_Mars> "What's wrong, Minako-chan?" Rei asks, giving the blonde a concerned look.
[14:53] <V-chan> "What makes you think something's wrong?"
[14:54] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, you don't want to spend time with us, for one thing," Rei shrugs.
[14:55] * V-chan is silent for a few moments, before saying, "My power goes haywire."
[14:56] <Sailor_Mars> "What?" Rei says, not really comprehending.
[14:57] <V-chan> "It's started happening recently. Around Usagi." Minako shrugs. "It comes and goes, and when it does... it's really unpleasant."
[14:59] <Sailor_Mars> "Usagi is making your powers go haywire?" Rei clarifies doubtfully. 'Haywire like when she went nuts and killed Cynthia?' she wonders to herself.
[15:00] <V-chan> "Not my powers. My power."
[15:01] <Sailor_Mars> "Um... help me out here, Minako-chan, you're really not making much sense. What exactly is happening with your power when you're near Usagi?" Rei asks, struggling to understand just what the hell Minako is on about.
[15:03] <V-chan> "It hurts a lot." Minako bites on her lip, looking down. "I don't know why. I can use my senshi powers just fine, but this one..." She snorts. "I guess it didn't come from being a senshi after all."
[15:04] <Sailor_Mars> "What powers do you have besides your senshi ones?" Rei asks, blinking.
[15:05] <V-chan> "Just two," Minako responds, looking at Rei again. "My wings, and the sealed power."
[15:06] * Sailor_Mars shakes her head, not really getting any of this. "But you don't have your wings out, so how can they hurt? And what sealed power? If it's sealed, you wouldn't be using it, so it wouldn't matter if it went haywire."
[15:07] <V-chan> "I know." Minako frowns. "It shouldn't matter, but it does, somehow."
[15:07] <Sailor_Mars> "Well, how long has this been going on, then?"
[15:08] <V-chan> "Maybe for the past month, on and off?" Minako guesses.
[15:09] <Sailor_Mars> "And you haven't told Usagi? She might be able to figure out what's causing you to react in that way if you do," Rei points out reasonably.
[15:10] <V-chan> "And tell her what? Usagi, when I'm around you, it suddenly hurts inside?"
[15:12] <Sailor_Mars> "Well if you know it's coming from those two specific powers, why not start there? She's gotten really good at reading auras - she might be able to see what's causing it, either on your end or hers," Rei says, a bit of irritation creeping into her tone.
[15:12] <V-chan> "I don't want her to know," Minako states categorically.
[15:14] <Sailor_Mars> "Why the hell not?" Rei snaps, "So you can just keep avoiding her without ever explaining why?"
[15:14] <V-chan> "I gave her a perfectly believable explanation!" Minako snaps back.
[15:15] <Sailor_Mars> "But it's not the truth! And what 'perfectly believable explanation' are you going to use next time?"
[15:15] <V-chan> "I'm good at improvising," Minako says, shrugging.
[15:16] <Sailor_Mars> "At lying, you mean?" Rei snorts. "So much for all that talk about how you never, ever lie. Fine, I don't know why I bother." With that, Rei turns and stalks into the room the others are in.
[15:17] <V-chan> "I never lie to you!" Minako yells after her.
[15:18] * Sailor_Mars gives no indication of having heard.
[15:19] * V-chan wishes she could teleport on her own....
[15:19] * Serenity-hime raises an eyebrow as Rei comes storming into the room, then blushes in embarrassment... leaving Rei and Minako alone together MIGHT not have been the best-advised move she could have made. "I'll... be back in a few minutes then, guys." She quickly scurries out to where Minako is waiting.
[15:21] * Serenity-hime looks at the red-faced Minako, still rather upset with herself for leaving the two alone. "Um.. are you ready to go? I know what I need now."
[15:22] <V-chan> "Yes, take me home," Minako snaps at Serenity, before shaking her head. "I never lied to her. Never," she says quietly.
[15:23] * Serenity-hime draws back slightly, then gently places her hands on Minako's shoulders. The white glow spreads out to encompass Minako, and as Serenity's incantation completes the two vanish, only to reappear in Usagi's room back on Earth.
[15:24] <V-chan> "Close enough, I guess," she mutters. "Have fun at your party, Usagi."
[15:24] <Serenity-hime> "Sorry you couldn't stay, V-chan." Serenity says sadly. "We'll have to get together some other time to make up for it."
[15:25] * V-chan grunts noncommittally. "I have to go. Tell her I never lied to her when you get back, alright?"
[15:26] <Serenity-hime> "Um... okay." Usagi looks distinctly uncomfortable. "I will. See you later, Minako." She waves somewhat hesitantly.
[15:27] * V-chan leaves without another word.
[15:28] <Serenity-hime> 'Was it something I did?' Serenity wonders to herself as she heads to the linen closet to pull out a spare futon. Minako had never snapped at her like that before...
[15:30] * Serenity-hime holds the bundled futon in her arms as she teleports back to the Moon once again, thankful that it's light enough not to require any extra energy to transport. She appears next to the wooden desk in the library, just outside Ami's room, and sighs.
[15:32] <Sailor_Mars> S

Halbarad · June 23, 2006, 10:46:00 PM

[15:43] <Serenity-hime> "I'll try to talk to her after she cools down some. Maybe we can figure out what the problem is if we put our heads together."
[15:44] <Sailor_Mars> "Yeah, better that than just pretending it doesn't exist and letting it fester," Rei says,
[15:46] * Serenity-hime stands up straight. "Enough about Minako! I came up here to have a party tonight, and I'm not going to let my worries about her get me down!" She picks up the futon and grins. "Come on, Rei-chan - let's enjoy ourselves tonight!"
[15:47] <Sailor_Mars> "Sounds good to me!" Rei says, heading back into Ami's room.
[15:47] <Sailor_Mars> ---------
[12:00] * Serenity-hime pushes past the curtains into Ami's hideaway, still carrying the futon. "I'm back with the extra futon!" She lays it down on the floor next to the pair already there.
[12:03] * Sailor_Jupiter continues to play with Lita, only giving a brief show of noticing Usagi had returned.
[12:03] * Sailor_Mars notices the doll, having been preoccupied the last time she was in the room. "What's that?" she asks, moving to get a closer look.
[12:04] <Ami> "Usagi-chan, Rei-chan," Ami nods to the two.
[12:04] * Serenity-hime moves over to see what Lita is up to now. "It's amazing, Rei-chan! Just watch for a minute."
[12:06] <Sailor_Mars> "Hm?" Rei watches curiously, her eyes widening as the doll performs a variety of tricks. "How does it do that?!" she asks, amazed.
[12:06] <Ami> Lita is currently spinning plates on sticks while one one foot. So far there are seven plates; three on each arm and one beeing spun by her mouth.
[12:06] * Serenity-hime shakes her head and giggles. "I have no idea, but it's really cool! How long have you been working on her, Ami-chan?"
[12:07] <Sailor_Mars> "You built it?" Rei turns her attention to Ami.
[12:09] * Ami nods, blushing. "I've been working on her every since we first found the library. I found the most fascinating book on clockwork machines up here. At around the same time I was doing some research on robots. It just clicked together."
[12:10] <Sailor_Mars> "Wow. I'm impressed!" Rei says as she returns to watching the little doll go through its routines.
[12:10] <Serenity-hime> "She's just so ADORABLE! When are you going to make me one?" Usagi grins.
[12:11] <Sailor_Mars> After a moment, Rei frowns. "Hmm. If we're here to have fun, there's really no need for me to be 'in uniform'," she gestures to her Sailor Fuku, before letting it fade away to be replaced by her casual attire.
[12:12] <Ami> "She's not finished yet," Ami says in a hurry. "She can't even speak yet and I need a new power supply. She eats DD batteries almost as fast as Usagi eats Mako-chan's cooking"
[12:12] * Sailor_Jupiter nods at Rei's statement and likewise detransforms into her normal clothing.
[12:13] * Serenity-hime glares at Ami indignantly. "I do not eat THAT fast!"
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "I find it hard to believe it could possibly eat batteries that fast," Rei says, shaking her head.
[12:13] <Serenity-hime> "Rei!" Usagi says, scandalized.
[12:14] <Ami> "I did say almost," Ami grins.
[12:14] <Rei-chan> "Usagi, you can finish one of Mako-chan's bentos in less than a minute." She gestures at the doll, "That's been going for longer than that, wouldn't you say?"
[12:14] * Serenity-hime grumbles and settles her arms across her chest, muttering to herself.
[12:15] * Rei-chan snickers.
[12:17] * Serenity-hime glances up at the other girls after a few moments, noticing that the rest have reverted to their street clothes. As everyone's attention turns back to Lita, she does the same herself.
[12:20] <Ami> A loud beeping suddenly fills the air. Lita tosses plates, sticks, and all into the air, backflips, and lands holding a stack of plates in one hand and a bundle of sticks in the other.
[12:20] <Ami> The beeping is clearly coming from the doll.
[12:20] * Usagi-chan applauds, grinning. "Bravo!"
[12:21] <Rei-chan> "You could make a fortune if you patented her, Ami-chan..."
[12:22] <Usagi-chan> "And she's so small! How did you ever fit all the parts and stuff inside there, Ami? They must REALLY be tiny."
[12:23] * Ami sighs. "Time for another recharge, eh Lita-chan?" Lita nods, making a running leap into Ami's arms. "Like I said, she's not quite ready yet."
[12:24] <Ami> "It was actually a bit easier than I thought it would be. There's a lot of shortcuts that we have now that they didn't know as much about in the Silver Millenium. Guess they weren't quite so far ahead of us as we first thought, eh?"
[12:25] <Usagi-chan> "I don't even know about any of that stuff, Ami-chan. I didn't like science any more back then than I do now." Usagi sticks her tongue out slightly. "It's always been boring stuff."
[12:27] * Ami walks over to the pushcart and shifts a few things around, finally revealing a car battery. She does something that you can't quite see, but ends with Lita hooked up to the battery.
[12:27] <Makoto> "So what do we do now that the show is over?" Makoto asks, somewhat saddened to see the doll out of action for now.
[12:27] <Rei-chan> "I guess they were a lot more advanced magically, but it was a lot more common back then... now technology is more common, so people on Earth have advanced it beyond what the Moon Kingdom used..." Rei muses.
[12:28] * Usagi-chan grins and hefts a pillow, before hurling it at Rei.
[12:29] <Rei-chan> "Hey!" Rei sputters indignantly as the pillow smacks against the side of her head, catching it before it falls. "Oh, you're starting up with that again, are you, Dumpling Head?" she asks, a malicious gleam in her eye.
[12:30] <Usagi-chan> "I won the last time!" Usagi grins. "Pyro!"
[12:30] * Ami giggles, hiding it behind her hand.
[12:31] <Rei-chan> "Ha! I went easy on you. But you'll get no mercy, this time!" Rei crows, rearing back and hurling the pillow at Usagi's head.
[12:31] * Usagi-chan ducks quickly, the pillow hurtling over her and smacking into Makoto. "Missed me!"
[12:31] <Rei-chan> "Ah... sorry... Mako-chan..." Rei backs away nervously.
[12:32] * Makoto twitches as she bends over, picking up the pillow. "Oh, you'll be sorry," she says as she walks up Rei and whaps her good. "Take that!"
[12:33] <Usagi-chan> "Uh oh..." Usagi dives out of the way, snatching up Ami's pillow. "Hey! I was going to do that!" Usagi whacks Makoto in the back of the head with the pillow.
[12:33] <Rei-chan> "It was Usagi's fault!" Rei insists, shielding herself from Makoto's fury.
[12:34] * Makoto nods as Usagi whaps her. "Alright, you're right, she deserves it too."
[12:34] <Makoto> With that, Makoto whips around and whaps Usagi as well!
[12:35] <Rei-chan> Seeing an opportunity, Rei tackles Makoto from behind, sending all three of the currently fighting girls in a heap on the floor!
[12:35] * Ami sneaks around the warring group picking up Usagi's discarded pillow and lightly baps her on the head with it.
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "Hey! Get OFF me!" Usagi struggles from the bottom of the heap. "Someone needs to go on a diet!" Ow!" Usagi grabs Ami's leg. "Stop that!"
[12:37] <Ami> "Eep!" Ami cries, going down into the heep.
[12:37] * Rei-chan grabs a discarded pillow from the floor and begins randomly whacking the flailing Usagi and Makoto beneath her. "I win!" she cheers, before being knocked over by the falling Ami.
[12:38] <Usagi-chan> "Can't... breathe..." Usagi gasps out from the bottom of the pile. "Too... heavy..."
[12:39] <Makoto> "I am -not- heavy!" Makoto yells. "Why do you people keep insisting I am in some form?!?"
[12:39] * Ami rolls off the top of the pile, snatching up a pillow and wacking the first person to follow her up.
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "I think you're perfectly formed, Mako-chan," Rei says, poking her in the ribs as she disengages herself from the pile, before being hit by the waiting Ami. "Hey!" she cries, retaliating against the blue-haired girl.
[12:40] <Usagi-chan> "Just... get... OFF!" Usagi manages to force herself up, dislodging Rei and Makoto as she struggles to her hands and knees. "It's probably more Rei's fault anyway!"
[12:42] <Makoto> "Well, you're the one who called me fat, so..." A pillow comes crashing on Usagi's head as Makoto finds herself more free to move with Rei moving off -her-.
[12:42] <Ami> "Pile on the Rei!" Ami calls, pillow tackling the white-haired miko.
[12:42] <Rei-chan> "Ack!" Rei falls to the floor, unprepared for the sudden attack!
[12:43] * Makoto takes the opportunity to whap Ami from above. "Now I've gotten you all!" Makoto says with satisfaction.
[12:43] <Usagi-chan> "Hey!" Usagi covers her head with her arms, then seizes her chance as the miko goes down. "Time to exploit Rei's weakness!" She grabs the miko's foot, fingers at the ready.
[12:44] <Rei-chan> "No! Stop it! Mako-chan, stop her!" Rei begs the taller girl as she senses Usagi's intentions.
[12:44] * Usagi-chan very lightly tickles the bottom of Rei's foot with one finger. "Stop what, Rei-chan?" she giggles.
[12:45] * Rei-chan giggles, but manages to keep from going completely hysterical. "No fair exploting my weakness!" she cries, trying to dislodge herself, but finding that she's pinned pretty well.
[12:46] * Ami blinks. "You're ticklish?" An evil grin forms on her face.
[12:47] <Usagi-chan> "Like you wouldn't believe!" Usagi grins, giving Rei's foot another tiny tickle.
[12:47] <Rei-chan> "I'm-heehee-Not! Haahee-Honest!" Rei manages to gasp out.
[12:48] * Ami rubs her fingers along Rei's side. "Are you ticklish here?"
[12:48] * Makoto just watches as Usagi and Ami tickle Rei, and shrugging decides to help the helpless miko. "Oh, Usagi... you're not ticklish, are you?"
[12:48] * Makoto grins as she waves her fingers while approaching the blonde.
[12:49] * Usagi-chan releases Rei's foot, jumping away from the tall brunette. "Don't even start, Mako-chan..."
[12:49] * Rei-chan writhes underneath Ami. "Oh god! Haaahaa! Stop it! Heehaahaa! Please!" Rei manages in between paroxysms of laughter.
[12:50] * Ami stops, letting her ger her breath back for a moment. "How about here?" Ami says, going for the neck.
[12:53] <Rei-chan> Beathing heavily as she recovers, Rei gives Ami a level look. "Actually, that isn't very ticklish." That said, she then grabs Ami and rolls the pair over. "But now the tables have turned!" she proclaims from her new position. "Lets see how ticklish you are, Ami-chan!" she cries, beginning to tickle Ami up and down her sides.
[12:53] <Ami> "Noooohahahahaha," Ami screams, trying to protect herself.
[12:54] <Rei-chan> "I have you, now!" Rei cheers, continuing her merciless attack!
[12:54] <Makoto> "Sorry Usagi, but you need a good tickling," Makoto says as she jumps the blonde.
[12:55] * Ami tries to hold the laughter in, turning an interesting shade of red.
[12:56] * Rei-chan leans down closer to Ami's face, slowing down her tickling just a little. "Come on, Ami-chan, just let it out. You'll feel a whole lot better after a good laugh," she carols.
[12:58] <Usagi-chan> "Noooo!" Usagi tries to dive out of the way, knocking over Rei in her panic.
[12:58] * Ami waits until Rei is off balance before twisting.
[12:58] <Rei-chan> "Ow!" Rei cries, being knocked clear off of Ami by the collision.
[12:59] <Makoto> "Whoops..." Makoto says, with an embarrassed expression before moving to the two. "You two alright?"
[13:01] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, fine," Rei says, getting to her feet and getting enough distance to prevent anyone suddenly tackling her back to the floor.
[13:01] * Ami gasps, crawling away.
[13:02] <Usagi-chan> "I'm fine, really..." Usagi gets up unsteadily, slightly stunned from crashing into Rei.
[13:02] <Rei-chan> "Um... I guess Mako-chan won that, then..." Rei says with a lopsided grin.
[13:03] * Usagi-chan falls heavily on her rear, still shaking her head slightly. "Okay... sounds good to me."
[13:03] <Makoto> "Do I get a prize?" Makoto asks, happy the two hadn't hurt each other.
[13:04] <Ami> "You *gaspuff* get to *gasp* cook!"
[13:04] * Usagi-chan leans over and whispers in Rei's ear.
[13:05] * Rei-chan gives Usagi a scandalised look, which quickly turns into an evil grin as she nods.
[13:05] * Usagi-chan grabs a pillow, then jumps up and starts pounding on Makoto with it. "Here's your prize!"
[13:06] <Rei-chan> All the other pillows lying around the room suddenly float up and fly at Makoto with alarming velocity!
[13:06] * Rei-chan looks innocent.
[13:06] * Makoto oofs. "Hey! You guys said I won already!" she yells while giggling and fighting off the pillows.
[13:07] <Rei-chan> "The champion must always be wary of challengers to the top spot," Rei nods sagely, continuing to telekinetically guide the pillows to batter Makoto. And Usagi, since she's not really being all that careful...
[13:08] * Makoto grabs onto one of the incomming pillows and throws it at Rei's head. "Hey, no using of powers! That's cheating!"
[13:09] * Rei-chan staggers with the hit, all the other flying pillows instantly dropping as she loses her focus. "Alright, then!" she cries, catching it and leaping forward to join Usagi's attack on Makoto.
[13:09] * Usagi-chan stumbles forward as one of Rei's pillows beans her in the back of the head. "Watch your aim, Pyro!"
[13:10] <Rei-chan> "You knew the risks!" Rei replies quickly.
[13:11] * Ami calms down finally and grabs a camera, snapping pictures of the trio's tussle.
[13:11] * Usagi-chan catches the flash out of the corner of her eye and turns to the blue-haired girl. "Hey! No pictures!" She bonks Ami over the head with her pillow.
[13:12] * Makoto bends down to grab two pillows from the ground as Rei and Usagi are distracted, throwing one at Rei again, while bopping Usagi with the other.
[13:12] * Rei-chan finds herself unbalanced, and the hit from Makoto is just enough to send her toppling to the ground once more.
[13:15] <Usagi-chan> "Quit it!" Usagi tries to scurry out of the way of Makoto's attack, leaving Ami alone.
[13:15] <Makoto> "Hey, you guys are the one who continued the fight!" Makoto says. "That cannot go unpunished!"
[13:16] * Makoto throws the pillow in her hands at Usagi as she tries to scurry away.
[13:16] <Rei-chan> "You're far too good at this," Rei complains. "Consider me punished!" she says, unsteadily rising and backing off from the victorious Makoto.
[13:17] <Ami> "Hail the conquering hero!" Ami says, snapping a few shots.
[13:17] * Usagi-chan trips as the pillow catches her between the shoulders, and she falls to the ground with a grunt. "Okay, I give!"
[13:25] * Makoto giggles. "Well then, if there are no more challengers, what next?"
[13:26] <Ami> A small pillow bops you from behind.
[13:26] * Rei-chan sits down on a futon. "I dunno. Any suggestions?" she looks at Ami and Usagi.
[13:26] <Ami> "We could study?" Ami comments.
[13:27] * Makoto scrunches up her face. "That's... no fun. Not today, at least, alright?"
[13:27] <Rei-chan> "Bad Ami," Rei says, lazily throwing a pillow in her direction, which misses anyway. "Something fun."
[13:30] <Ami> "Um, we could play truth or dare?" Ami says, trying to recall what people did at these kind of get-togethers.
[13:30] * Usagi-chan glances over at Rei and blushes.
[13:31] * Rei-chan notes the gaze and blushes herself.
[14:47] <Makoto> "Truth or dare is fine with me," Makoto says with a shrug, not really noticing Rei and Usagi's blushing. "Who gets to go first?"
[14:48] <Rei-chan> "It was Ami's idea," Rei suggests.
[14:48] <Usagi-chan> "Sounds fair to me... Ami-chan?"
[14:52] <Ami> "Uh-uh. I came up with the suggestion, you go first."
[14:53] <Makoto> "I think she meant that you get to pick one of us to say a truth or pick a dare, Ami, not that you have to do that first," Makoto says with a giggle.
[14:54] * Rei-chan nods. "That's how it works, right?"
[14:54] <Ami> "Oh," Ami blushes. "I've never done this before."
[14:54] <Usagi-chan> "Just pick someone already!" Usagi grins.
[14:54] * Ami picks up some pillows and flops down on them. "Ok. THen I pick you. Truth or dare?"
[14:56] * Usagi-chan thinks for a minute. "I'll start with a dare."
[14:57] <Ami> "Um, ok," Ami mutters, not quite sure what to dare. "I daaaare you to, um, do a handstand?"
[14:58] * Makoto boos. "Lame, Ami, lame!"
[14:58] * Makoto then starts laughing.
[14:58] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "That's not a very good dare at all, Ami-chan..."
[14:58] * Usagi-chan grins. "It still counts! Here goes..." Usagi puts her head to the ground and unsteadily manages to stand on her head. "That good enough?"
[15:02] <Ami> "Good enough for me."
[15:03] * Ami hides her head.
[15:03] * Usagi-chan quickly gets back to her feet, smoothing down her skirt. "All right, it's my turn!" She looks around for a moment with a predatory gleam in her eye. "Mako-chan! Truth or Dare?"
[15:04] <Makoto> "Uh..." Makoto says, while looking at the predatory gleam and remembering the earlier booing and pillow loss. "Truth?"
[15:05] * Usagi-chan grins triumphantly. "I want to know if you've gone out on a date with Kazan yet, and if you did, what did you do?"
[15:08] <Makoto> "Usagi!" Makoto shouts, while coloring red. She frowns, but after a while answers, after her color returns to a more normal shade. "I already told you the last time I was with him, so you know I've never gone on a date with him."
[15:09] * Ami perks up. "Hm? Who?"
[15:09] * Makoto sticks out her tongue at Ami. "Nobody important."
[15:10] <Rei-chan> "I've never heard of Kazan... what's he like?"
[15:10] <Makoto> 'Gods, I can't believe you remembered him. I mentioned him what, twice?' Makoto thinks towards Usagi.
[15:10] <Makoto> "I already answered. I don't have to say anything else," Makoto says smugly.
[15:10] <Rei-chan> "Fine," Rei says, crossing her arms. 'I can ask later...'
[15:12] <Ami> "Mako's got a booooyfriend," Ami chants happily.
[15:13] <Makoto> "I do not!" Makoto says with a blush.
[15:13] * Usagi-chan giggles. "I have a very good memory for certain things, Mako-chan."
[15:13] <Rei-chan> "But you want one, right?" Rei asks with a grin.
[15:13] <Makoto> "Right, just for that, you're next, missy," Makoto says crossly while pointing to Rei. "Truth or Dare?"
[15:14] <Rei-chan> "Hah, do your worst, Mako-chan. Dare!" Rei replies challengingly.
[15:14] <Makoto> "Dare, eh? Hmmm..."
[15:15] * Makoto decides to maybe cheat a little and thinks, 'Hey Usagi, any thoughts?'
[15:15] <Usagi-chan> 'Oh no you don't, you picked her.' Usagi grins in reply.
[15:18] * Makoto would stick her tongue out at Usagi, but didn't want to give away the conversation. After a brief thought, Makoto says, "Okay, I dare you to take Yuuichiro on an expensive date, Ms. "But you want one, right?"!"
[15:19] * Usagi-chan smirks and waits for Rei to ask for a Truth.
[15:19] * Rei-chan frowns. "No way! Things are weird enough between Yuuichiro and me without sending those kind of mixed signals. I'll take a Truth instead," she says grumpily.
[15:19] <Usagi-chan> 'I knew it! '
[15:20] * Makoto pouts. "And I bothered to make it just evil enough..."
[15:21] <Makoto> "Ah well, truth then..." Makoto says in thought, while tapping her chin and looking upwards. "Hmmm...okay, what was the best romantic moment of your life? Explain in detail and say why you thought it so."
[15:27] * Rei-chan suddenly looks very uncomfortable. "Dammit... you've given me no choice, have you?" She sighs loudly. "It was not long after Minako and I got together. We were at the temple, shovelling snow and talking... she was acting all nervous about something..."
[15:27] <Rei-chan> "Then she showed me those angel wings of hers... she just looked so beautiful then. And then we kissed... it wasn't our first kiss, but it's the one I'll always remember best..." Rei has a far away look as she recalls the event.
[15:27] <Rei-chan> "We didn't get much else work done at the Shrine that day," she adds as an afterthought.
[15:29] * Usagi-chan smiles. "That sounds really beautiful, Rei-chan."
[15:30] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. Shame things never worked out..." Rei says gruffly, before shaking her head. "Anyway, that's all in the past."
[15:30] * Makoto blushes, but nods with Usagi's statement, though at Rei's statement Makoto has the decency to look embarassed. "Sorry for bringing up the memories, Rei."
[15:31] * Usagi-chan wisely remains silent, not wanting to drag the topic out any further than necessary.
[15:32] * Rei-chan waves it off. "It's alright. Better than dating Yuuichiro," she says with a smile. "Anyway, Usagi - Truth or Dare?" she asks, deciding that the last Dare the blonde got wasn't very good.
[15:32] * Usagi-chan makes a long face, knowing that Rei won't let her off the hook as easily as Ami did. "I'll take a truth this time."
[15:45] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei rubs her hands together. "What really happened to my signed Caravan Kidd manga? The one you claimed you lost when several crows flew into my room and attacked you before stealing it while I was in the bathroom?"
[15:47] <Usagi-chan> "Well..." Usagi mumbles. "The crows thing WAS true, but they didn't steal it." She touches her fingers together in embarrassment. "Your two birds at the shrine started squawking at something really loud, and I was so startled that I ripped two of the pages really bad. I hid it in my bag and took it home to try to tape it up, but I ended up getting the tears all crooked so I never gave it back to you."
[15:48] * Rei-chan massages her temples. "Well, I suppose it's so long ago that I won't yell at you now like I would have at the time. But I could have fixed it a lot easier if you'd just told me."
[15:50] * Usagi-chan perks up as she realizes something. "Actually, I can fix it myself now, and it'll be just as good as new. I completely forgot about it, so I never thought to try out my little repair thing on it."
[15:50] <Rei-chan> "Oh yeah. Hey, you can fix ALL my manga you've ruined!" Rei says brightly.
[15:50] * Makoto snorts.
[15:51] * Usagi-chan blushes. "Not ALL of it. It doesn't get out stains or anything like that, so the ones I've gotten ice cream on I can't do anything about."
[15:51] <Rei-chan> "Those are the worst ones!" Rei cries.
[15:51] <Usagi-chan> "Well, I can't pick and choose the way it works!" Usagi complains. "It just does what it does."
[15:52] * Rei-chan just mumbles something about "limited edition" and "sentimental value".
[19:40] * Ami giggles.
[19:41] * Usagi-chan rounds on the blue-haired girl. "I heard that! All right, Ami-chan., Truth or Dare?"
[19:42] * Ami blinks in surprise. "Um, truth?"
[19:50] * Usagi-chan grins. "I want to know about your first crush. Who was it and what did you really think about them? And you can't tell me you haven't had one - I saw the way you looked at Urawa-kun."
[19:54] <Ami> "Um, er," Ami mutters, blushing furiously. "It was *mummblemuttermubble*"
[19:54] <Makoto> "What was that? We couldn't hear..." Makoto states with a grin.
[19:54] <Usagi-chan> "Come on, speak up!" Usagi grins.
[19:55] * Rei-chan perks up a she waits for Ami to come clean.
[19:55] <Ami> "I said," Ami begins a bit louder. "It was *cough*Urawa*cough*"
[19:56] <Usagi-chan> "I thought so! What about the rest of it? I said you have to say what you really thought about him, too!"
[19:56] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei asks in surprise. "Have you ever actually contacted him since the time we rescued him from the Dark Kingdom?" She always thought Urawa would be pretty good for Ami, but nothing ever seemed to come of it.
[19:58] <Ami> "Sorry, only one question please," Ami says, sticking her tongue out at Rei.
[19:59] <Rei-chan> "Aha! That's a yes!" Rei says triumphantly.
[19:59] * Usagi-chan pokes Ami in the side. "You still haven't answered the rest of mine though, Ami-chan."
[20:01] <Ami> "Well, at first I thought he was the second smartest person I knew, which was a definite plus," Ami says, her eyes taking a far off look. "And he wasn't bad looking, though he's no Albert."
[20:01] <Rei-chan> "Albert?" Rei quirks an eyebrow.
[20:03] <Ami> "I was a bit disapointed once I found out HOW he was getting such good grades," Ami says quickly. "But after that he showed so much bravery trying to protect me from himself even though he knew he was going to turn into a monster."
[20:03] <Ami> "He was... nice," Ami finishes, a bit lamely.
[20:03] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I thought so too. He was a dependable sort of guy," Rei nods.
[20:04] <Usagi-chan> "I think Rei-chan is right. You should go look him up again, Ami-chan!" Usagi nods.
[20:05] <Ami> "Maybe," Ami says. "When there's some time."
[20:05] <Rei-chan> "Don't keep putting it off," Rei chastises her, "Before you know it, some other girl might steal him away!"
[20:05] <Ami> "Oh, I'm next, right? Um, Makoto, I choose you!" Ami says, pointing dramatically!
[20:06] <Makoto> "Oh? Hmm...I'll take a dare," Makoto says, remembering the last time Ami offered a dare.
[20:09] <Usagi-chan> "Make it something really tough or embarrassing, Ami-chan!" Usagi smirks.
[20:09] <Makoto> "Hey, you're only saying that because you got an easy one!" Makoto protests.
[20:11] * Usagi-chan sticks her tongue out at Makoto. "All's fair in Truth or Dare!"
[20:12] <Makoto> "I hope you understand that statement says it all about who my target's gonna be..." Makoto says with a syrupy-sweet voice.
[20:13] * Usagi-chan smiles sweetly. "I can take whatever you can dish out, Mako-chan!"
[20:13] * Rei-chan wisely keeps her mouth shut.
[20:14] <Ami> "I dare you to, um, I know!" Ami datrs off suddenly, only to come back with a small pile of comic books. "I dare you to read one of these outloud in English."
[20:14] * Usagi-chan looks rather puzzled. "What are they, Ami-chan?"
[20:14] * Rei-chan groans. Hopefully Ami will figure out some decent dares for next time...
[20:17] <Makoto> "Ooooh, Batman comic books..." Makoto says recognizing the cover of one of the issues.
[20:19] <Makoto> "...dad used to show off his collection when I was a kid," Makoto says with a bitter-sweet sigh. "I used to really like it when he read them to me."
[20:19] <Usagi-chan> "I've heard of those! I never read any though since they're all in English." Usagi says with a blush. "I can't understand what's going on in them."
[20:20] <Ami> "They're the best!" speaks up. "Action, romance, and the coolest guy uses his brain."
[20:20] * Ami sighs.
[20:21] * Rei-chan listens with some interest, knowing of the comic, but never having read it before herself.
[20:21] <Makoto> Using her knowledge of English from school and what her father taught her, Makoto begins to read the first issue. Though her English is somewhat accented, she makes up for it with her enthusiastic sound effects, much like her dad used to do for her.
[20:22] * Rei-chan grins, listening to Makoto do all the different voices and hearty sound effects. Maybe this dare wasn't so bad...
[20:22] * Usagi-chan listens carefully, although she gets lost rather quickly. She smiles at Makoto's enthusiastic reading though, despite being unable to understand what's going on.
[20:25] <Makoto> "Heh, that was a fun dare..." Makoto mumbles, with a blush before remembering Usagi's challenge.
[20:25] <Makoto> "Now it's time to see if the princess really can take anything I dish out..."
[20:25] * Makoto grins like a cat.
[20:25] <Usagi-chan> "Hah, bring it on, Jupiter-chan!" Usagi grins.
[20:26] <Rei-chan> "Give her hell, Mako-chan!" Rei cheers.
[20:26] <Ami> "That was pretty good, Mako-chan. I didn't know you spoke English so well."
[20:27] <Usagi-chan> "I'll take a truth." Usagi nods to Makoto.
[20:27] <Makoto> "Just because of school and my dad's readings," Makoto says almost absently as she focuses on what to ask Usagi.
[20:30] * Makoto snaps her finger as she thinks of something. "Have you ever done anything with the disguise pen not for senshi business, like for a prank or something? If yes, describe the most recent thing you've done with it and why."
[20:30] * Rei-chan gives Usagi a guilty look.
[20:32] * Usagi-chan winces, but bears up bravely. "I have, lots of times - DESPITE Luna yelling at me about it all the time." She looks Makoto square in the eye. "And I'll only tell you what I did on the condition that I don't hear it again tonight, got it?"
[20:32] <Rei-chan> 'That just makes it sound worse...' Rei thinks to herself.
[20:33] <Usagi-chan> 'I'm not going to do it again, Rei-chan. That's all I'm making sure of,' Usagi replies mentally.
[20:33] <Makoto> "Oh?" Makoto asks, getting really curious and she begins to debate whether to accept the condition or not.
[20:33] <Rei-chan> 'Good point,' Rei agrees.
[20:33] <Usagi-chan> "Take it or leave it. I'll tell you, but it was for a game of truth or dare and I won't do the same thing as a dare again tonight."
[20:34] <Makoto> Deciding that Usagi had thrown her enough of a bone, Makoto nods. "Okay, I'll take your condition."
[20:34] <Makoto> "Now SPILL!" Makoto grins.
[20:35] <Usagi-chan> "I was sleeping over at the temple with Rei-chan and we were playing truth or dare there. She dared me to use the disguise pen to change myself into a cute bishounen guy like you see in the idol magazines." Usagi blushes slightly. "So I did it."
[20:35] <Rei-chan> "'He' was cute, but pretty short," Rei nods.
[20:36] <Usagi-chan> "I can't help that!" Usagi retorts. "I'm always the same height when I use the pen."
[20:40] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, my turn!" Usagi stretches out her arm, pointing her finger as she rotates past the other girls. "I pick... you, Rei-chan!"
[20:40] <Rei-chan> "The shortness just made you cuter!" Rei giggles. "Brings out my nurturing instincts."
[20:41] <Usagi-chan> "Oh, be quiet!" Usagi grumps.
[20:41] <Rei-chan> "Dare," Rei replies, crossing her arms.
[20:41] * Makoto just tries to get past the image of Usagi as a guy. 'Blast, I shouldn't have accepted the condition, now I can't see Usagi as a guy,' Makoto laments mentally as Usagi and Rei banter.
[20:42] * Usagi-chan grins. "I didn't say anything about any of the OTHER dares from the other day. I want to hear your song again."
[20:43] * Rei-chan scratches her head. "Eien no Melody? Or the other one?" she asks, wondering why Usagi is wasting a dare on this when she'd be happy to sing any time...
[20:44] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, Eien no Melody. I thought that was really cool." Usagi nods.
[20:46] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei stands up, clearing her throat and establishing the tempo in her head. Her eyes closed as she sways slightly to the unheard melody, the white-haired girl begins to sing. "Shaded by the sunlight, In my heart you are here, Even without saying you love me, You are here in my heart..."
[20:47] * Usagi-chan leans back on her elbows, smiling as she hums along to the tune.
[20:49] * Makoto smiles while listening to the song
[20:49] <Rei-chan> Relaxed and comfortable, Rei gives a fine performance of the song, her emotions shining through the lyrics. "The throbbing building up warmly, Eternally whoever's heart it is in, It will resound loudly, the magical melody,
[20:49] <Rei-chan> Even more than the blue sky and the sea, I will chase after my dreams with love, Your deep eyes told me to do that..." she trails off, ending the song before looking around at the girls for their reaction.
[20:50] * Usagi-chan grins and applauds, her eyes shining. "That was really good, Rei-chan!"
[20:51] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei smiles, sitting back down. "It's always been my favourite of all the songs I've wrote."
[20:52] <Makoto> "I can see why it might be, Rei-chan. Usagi's right, that really was good," Makoto says.
[20:54] * Rei-chan beams at the praise. "Thanks, guys," she says earnestly.
[20:55] <Usagi-chan> "It's a lot better than I would have done, that's for sure." Usagi sticks her tongue out. "I can't sing worth a darn."
[20:56] <Rei-chan> "You could always take lessons," Rei suggests charitably. "You have a very nice voice, I'm sure if you got some teaching you'd be amazed at the difference."
[20:57] <Makoto> "We haven't even heard you sing, so we wouldn't know," Makoto says sticking her tongue out at Usagi. 'Hell, I thought I sucked too, but if two singers like Rei and Minako say I'm okay...'
[20:57] <Usagi-chan> "More classes? I don't think so." Usagi makes a face. "I'm not that crazy about singing."
[20:58] * Rei-chan shrugs. "Think of it as a hobby rather than a class, but fair enough. There are more important things in life."
[21:01] <Usagi-chan> 'No, you really were good, Mako-chan. Minako and Rei were right.' Usagi smiles as she thinks to the tall senshi.
[10:28] <Rei-chan> "Anyway!" Rei suddenly declares, rounding on the blue-haired girl. "Ami-chan - Truth or Dare?"
[10:30] <Ami> "Truth."
[10:34] * Rei-chan rubs her hands gleefully, wondering what she could get innocent little Ami-chan to confess to. "Ami-chan, have you ever stolen anything, and if so, what?"
[10:38] <Ami> "Hasn't everybody?" Ami says, waving the question off. "A few pieces of candy here, a pencil there; it isn't that bad." 'Buy it, buy it. PLEASE buy it!'
[10:38] <Rei-chan> "Well, yeah," Rei nods, "I was just hoping you'd get really embarrassed by it... you always seem so straight-laced..." Rei says, rather disappointed in the reaction to her question.
[10:40] * Ami shrugs. "Such is life. Now, truth or dare, Rei?"
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "Oh ho! Right back at me, eh?" Rei chortles. "I'll take another dare, thank you very much."
[10:42] <Ami> "Ok," Ami says. "I dare you to kiss Mako-chan! And I don't mean a peck on the cheek, either," Ami declares.
[10:43] <Makoto> "W-w-whaaaa?" Makoto screeches, and backpedals away from Rei and Ami
[10:43] * Usagi-chan freezes, not moving a muscle. A pink tinge colors her cheeks, although she fights it every inch of the way.
[10:43] <Rei-chan> "Yikes! You're getting better at coming up with these dares, Ami-chan..." Rei says, her face paling as she considers her options.
[10:44] <Ami> "It took me long enough to come up with a good one," Ami laments.
[10:45] <Makoto> "That is -not- a good dare!" Makoto says, keeping her eye on Rei.
[10:45] <Rei-chan> Noting Makoto's reaction, Rei sighs. "I'll take a Truth instead, I think," she says, her eyes flickering towards Usagi for a brief second.
[10:45] * Makoto sighs in relief.
[10:45] * Usagi-chan notices the brief look and colors a bit more, still remaining very still.
[10:46] <Makoto> "Sorry Rei, I have no doubt you're a good kisser, but... well... yeah," Makoto finishes lamely.
[10:46] * Usagi-chan flushes a bit more. She can certainly attest to that... but she watches her thoughts VERY carefully.
[10:46] <Rei-chan> "It's alright, Mako-chan, I understand," Rei says noncommitally.
[10:46] <Ami> "Ok," Ami says, a bit disappointed. "Um, is there someone you have a crush on, and if so who is it?"
[10:48] * Rei-chan sighs. "Not really... I just haven't given any thought to romance since Minako and I broke up," she shrugs. "Not a very exciting answer, I'm afraid."
[10:51] <Rei-chan> "Okay, then. Mako-chan," Rei turns to the tall brunette, "Truth or Dare?"
[10:53] <Makoto> "Hmm...I guess I'll take a dare," Makoto says.
[10:59] * Rei-chan taps her chin thoughtfully as she tries to come up with something suitable. "I dare you... to... tell us the dirtiest joke you know!"
[11:03] <Makoto> "Uhm, you might want to think up another dare, I honestly don't know any dirty jokes..." Makoto says.
[11:03] <Rei-chan> "None at all?" Rei blinks, surprised. "Oh... well... give me a minute to think up something else..."
[11:04] * Rei-chan looks thoughtful as she wracks her brain for an entertaining dare.
[11:10] <Rei-chan> "I dare you to..." she shrugs helplessly, honestly drawing a blank. "Use Usagi's disguise pen to transform yourself into..." her eyes are drawn to the Batman comics, and the woman on the cover of one of them. "Her!" she holds up the comic with Poison Ivy on the front.
[11:11] * Usagi-chan grins and produces the pen, holding it up for Makoto to take. "It's all yours, Mako-chan!"
[11:11] * Makoto blinks, and stares at Poison Ivy, then at the disguise pen offered. "Uhm... okay?"
[11:11] <Rei-chan> "And do a villain type speech!" Rei adds eagerly.
[11:14] * Makoto takes the pen and looks at it, unsure of things before shrugging, and lifting the pen shouts, "Moon Power, Transform me into Poison Ivy!"
[11:19] <Makoto> The power of the disguise pen flows around her as it does its work, her skin turning a light green yet still fleshy shade and her hair takes on a more reddish hue. Her clothes dissolve into a form-fitting outfit of leaves covering her body, but leaving her legs and arms free, except for the vines wrapped around her hands. As the transformation ends, a laurel tiara forms around her ears.
[11:20] * Rei-chan whistles. "Good look for you, Mako-chan!" she cheers.
[11:21] <Makoto> Remembering Rei's last part of the dare, to do a villain speech, she moves slinkily to Rei, putting her finger on Rei's chin, and saying coyly, "Come with me. My garden needs... tending."
[11:21] * Ami claps. "That's perfect, Mako-chan!"
[11:21] * Rei-chan blushes. "You're good at that," she says approvingly.
[11:22] * Usagi-chan smiles. "It looks really good, Mako-chan."
[11:24] <Makoto> "Mmm, I believe it's my turn then," Makoto says, not shedding the disguise just yet. Tapping her finger on her own chin, she turns and looks at Ami. A grin forms in her face, looking somewhat frightening yet sexy in her villainesque body. "Ami, truth or dare?"
[11:25] * Rei-chan leans over to Usagi. "I think I've created a monster," she says in a stage whisper.
[11:26] <Ami> "Um, dare?" Ami meeps out.
[11:26] * Usagi-chan nods silently, just staring at Makoto.
[11:31] * Makoto giggles internally as she gets Ami to meep. 'Acting in character is fun,' she thinks while keeping her expression seductive. Moving next to Ami's ear, she breathes heavily, "Remember Rei's dare? I dare you to kiss her just like you expected her to kiss me."
[11:31] * Makoto then pulls back and giggles for real as she takes off the disguise.
[11:31] <Makoto> "So Ami, gonna do it?" she asks innocently.
[11:32] * Rei-chan blushes, staring at her lap.
[11:32] <Ami> "Um, Rei-chan?" Ami looks embarassed.
[11:33] * Usagi-chan covers her mouth, wondering if Ami is really going to do it.
[11:33] <Rei-chan> "I don't mind if you don't, Ami-chan..." Rei says quietly, before suddenly looking up at Ami. "Unless it's your first kiss? That wouldn't be fair." Her eyes flicker slightly to the side in Usagi's direction.
[11:35] <Ami> "Um, it's ok, Rei-chan." Ami takes a deep breath, firming her resolve. "I'll do it!"
[11:35] * Usagi-chan again notices the look in her direction, and she shrinks down slightly.
[11:36] * Makoto is too caught up in the moment, to notice the exchange of glances between Usagi and Rei, and scratches her head. 'Huh...I'd thought she'd back out like Rei did with me.'
[11:36] * Makoto then shrugs. Ah well, gonna be interesting anyhow.
[11:36] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei shuffles slightly towards Ami, managing a flirtatious grin. "Be gentle with me, Ami-chan,"
[11:37] * Usagi-chan resists replying to Makoto's mental comment. She closes her eyes, not wanting to watch.
[11:38] * Ami takes Rei gently in her arms, like in the movies. "ReadY?"
[11:39] <Rei-chan> "I'm all yours," Rei replies, draping her arms over Ami's back. 'Why do I keep getting into these situations?' she thinks to herself.
[11:40] * Usagi-chan flushes a bit as she picks up on Rei's thought, her eyes still closed.
[11:49] * Ami leans in slowly, closing her eyes, until the warm o rei's lips press against her own.
[11:50] <Ami> 'This isn't so bad' Ai thinks after a few moments, leaning more fully into the kiss. 'It's kind of nice, actually.'
[11:51] * Rei-chan opens her mouth slightly as she feels the other girl's lips against her, but makes no more aggressive move than that, leaving it up to Ami to decide how far to take it.
[11:51] * Usagi-chan cracks one eye open, then squeezes it shut again as she sees her two friends kissing.
[11:53] <Ami> 'So this is what it feels like?' Ami thinks. 'No wonder people get so obsessed over it. I wonder...'
[11:54] * Ami slowly adds a little tongue, not quite sure how far to take it.
[11:55] <Rei-chan> Rei's eyes flicker open for a second, surprised Ami actually took the silent invitation. They close again as she relaxes 'Wow, Ami sure is a fast learner in all things...' she thinks, moving her own tongue against Ami's and just enjoying the long kiss.
[11:57] * Usagi-chan lets out a tiny noise and hunches down further, still not looking.
[11:57] * Ami blinks, only just recalling that there is an audience.
[11:58] * Ami pulls back slowly, a bit flustered. "That... wasn't so bad."
[11:58] * Rei-chan nods, releasing her hold on the other girl. "You're a quick study," she says approvingly.
[11:58] * Usagi-chan peeks with one eye again at the sound of Ami's voice. Seeing that the two have separated, she relaxes a bit and opens both eyes.
[12:08] <Ami> "Well, that was fun," Ami says. "And now it's my turn. Usagi, truth or dare?"
[12:09] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Umm.... I'll take a truth."
[12:11] <Ami> "Ok. What positions were you planning to give each of us once this place was back up and running?"
[12:12] * Usagi-chan laughs. "I wasn't really planning to GIVE you guys any position - I was thinking if this ever gets that far, I'd just let each of you choose what you wanted to do."
[12:15] <Ami> "Mako-chan would be the head cook, right?" Ami jokes, nudging Rei.
[12:16] <Rei-chan> "That or the head gardener," Rei replies, grinning as she recalls Makoto's Poison Ivy look.
[12:16] <Usagi-chan> "Well, if she WANTED to be the head chef I wouldn't put up any argument." Usagi daydreams of big fancy meals prepared by Makoto every day...
[12:16] <Ami> "And I'd bet Rei-chan would be Chief of Manga. A very important position on the moon."
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "I could dictate what manga gets written, and how the plot goes!" Rei says, a dreamy expression on her face.
[12:17] * Usagi-chan makes a wry face. "In that case you'd be my Royal Test-taker, Ami-chan."
[12:19] * Ami giggles. "I bet you'd outlaw the Queen having to take any tests."
[12:19] * Usagi-chan grins. "First thing." Usagi gets a slightly more serious look. "I did think about the kind of stuff you guys might really want to do though."
[12:22] <Ami> "like?" Ami says, making herself comfortable.
[12:22] <Rei-chan> "Oh? What did you come up with?" Rei asks, wondering what position Usagi thinks she would fit.
[12:23] <Usagi-chan> "Well... I thought Ami-chan would be really good to be in charge of stuff like either scientific research or education, but I'm not sure which one she'd like to do more."
[12:26] <Ami> "Science or Education?" Ami muses aloud. "Science is like the fiery redhead, always surprising you with her antics, while education is the steady and dependable friend you've had all your life."
[12:26] * Ami poses dramatically. "I cannot decide! I must have them both!"
[12:27] * Rei-chan giggles at Ami's posturing.
[12:27] * Usagi-chan giggles at the analogy. "For Rei-chan, I thought you might do something like be a spiritual or religious advisor - I know there used to be one back in the Silver Millenium, but I don't remember exactly what he did. Or you could organize where people would work, since I know you're pretty good at organizing stuff like that."
[12:30] <Rei-chan> "Well, I did have a look at those Lunar religious books Ami-chan pointed out, though I can't read them yet... Though I doubt I'll be converting from Shinto anytime soon," she makes a face. "But yeah, I'm good at organising stuff. I did pretty much run the festival committee at T*A last year. Not that those ingrates cared when they kicked me out..."
[12:32] <Usagi-chan> "I don't really remember all that much about the religion back on the Moon... I don't think I ever did much with it back then, other than a couple of festivals I remember going to about once a year."
[12:33] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that book I grabbed earlier has a bunch of diagrams of star charts and stuff that determine what time certain rituals are done at. I'm sure it'll be interesting when I can read it," Rei nods.
[12:34] <Ami> "if you want, we can start on that first," Ami speaks up. "Though I'd rather we started smaller."
[12:35] <Rei-chan> "Best to just learn the basics of the language first, I think," Rei says in reply to Ami. "Start simple, right?"
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway! For Mako-chan... I'll admit, the idea of appointing her as the royal chef has a lot of appeal." Usagi grins. "But it's not a very important job, really. I thought since she likes plants so much, she could be in charge of agriculture. Making sure everything's growing okay and then making sure everyone has enough food, that kind of thing."
[12:36] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, I'm sure she could get lots of people to help 'tend her garden'," Rei sniggers in Makoto's direction.
[12:36] * Ami giggles as well, casting her gaze at the brunette.
[13:59] * Makoto blushes at Rei's and Ami's stares. "Hey, you told me to be villainy!" Makoto weakly counters.
[14:00] * Usagi-chan grins.
[14:01] <Rei-chan> "If only more villians were like you, Mako-chan," Rei sighs dramatically.
[14:01] * Makoto continues blushing
[14:02] <Usagi-chan> "Anyway, unless you had any more questions about that, I think I'm done." Usagi nods. "And I don't know about you guys, but I'm about ready for bed. To be honest, I can't think of anything to ask anyone else." She flushes in embarrassment.
[14:02] <Ami> I don't know," Ami grins. "I think Rei-chan could be a good Harley Quinn."
[14:03] <Rei-chan> "Maybe we can try that one some other time, Ami-chan," Rei says, backing off a bit from the blue-haired girl. "Sleep sounds good to me, right now."
[14:03] <Makoto> "That's fine with me, I don't think we could top seeing such a warm and... active kiss scene," Makoto says after Usagi's comment, while looking back at Rei and Ami, matching their earlier stares.
[14:04] <Makoto> "So sleep sounds good to me too, now."
[14:04] * Usagi-chan ducks her head again, not looking at Rei this time.
[14:04] <Rei-chan> "Yes, just think of what you missed out on, Mako-chan," Rei grins at her. "Sweet dreams," she adds, wiggling her fingers at the taller girl.
[14:04] <Ami> "Er, yeah. Sleep." Ami blushes.
[14:06] * Usagi-chan dives into her futon, facing away from the other senshi to hide her crimson cheeks. "Night guys..." she mumbles.
[14:10] * Ami calls Lita over before slipping into her own futon. "Night everybody!"
[14:13] <Makoto> "Night Ami-chan, night Usagi-chan, night Rei-chan," Makoto says as she goes to her futon, trying to ignore the image burning into her mind of her and Rei having a kiss more powerful than the one Ami had. 'Damn dirty mind...'
[14:13] * Rei-chan chuckles to herself as she curls up in her own futon, closing her eyes.
[14:14] <Rei-chan> "'Night everyone," she mumbles into her pillow.
[14:15] * Usagi-chan squeaks into her pillow, burying her face even deeper as she picks up on Makoto's thought. Now she wonders exactly what the taller girl must have been thinking of to elicit that reaction.
[14:20] <Usagi-chan> -----

Halbarad · June 24, 2006, 09:52:30 AM

[12:39] <Rei-chan> --------
[12:40] * Usagi-chan lies back in her futon, her eyes open as she stares at the ceiling. After tossing and turning for almost an hour after the lights have gone out, Usagi finds herself still unable to sleep. Quietly she rises from her futon, pulling her braid aside to provide a bit of light as she pads quietly out of the library.
[12:42] * Rei-chan cracks open an eye, seeing Usagi depart from her position lying on her side. Assuming the other girl is just going to the bathroom, she shrugs it off and resumes trying to get to sleep.
[12:43] * Usagi-chan walks down the long corridor outside the library slowly, rubbing her arms against the chill of the Lunar atmosphere as she thinks over the events of the evening.
[12:46] <Rei-chan> After about ten minutes, and still wide awake, Rei gets a bit concerned. Usagi has been gone for a while... unless the bathrooms are just far away from the library... But still, now that the thought has settled, it nags at her.
[12:47] <Rei-chan> Quietly getting up, trying not to disturb the apparently sleeping Makoto and Ami, Rei follows the direction Usagi took out the library, picking a direction which 'feels' right and heading down the hallway in search of the blonde, keeping an eye out for her 'nightlight'.
[12:48] * Usagi-chan reaches the end of the hallway, where a small balcony looks out over what used to be the grounds of the palace, now simply a dusty gray expanse. She rests her arms on the railing of the balcony, staring out at the broad plains ahead of her.
[12:49] <Rei-chan> Spotting Usagi at the distant balcony, Rei stealthily pads across the cold stone floor on her bare feet, getting within a few feet of the other girl. "Can't sleep?" she asks, smirking slightly as she expects Usagi to jump in fright from her sudden appearance.
[12:50] * Usagi-chan starts up quickly, turning around quickly with a hand to her chest. "Rei! Don't DO that, you scared me!"
[12:51] * Rei-chan doesn't conceal her grin. "Sorry," she says, sounding less than sincere. "So, what are you doing out of bed?"
[12:52] * Usagi-chan half-turns away from the miko, a somewhat melancholy expression on her face. "You had it right, I couldn't sleep. I was tossing and turning so much I was afraid I'd wake the rest of you up, so I just decided to go for a walk."
[12:53] <Rei-chan> Getting rather concerned with the sad expression Usagi has, Rei goes to lean against the balcony, facing her companion. "Want to talk about it?" she asks gently.
[12:53] * Usagi-chan blushes slightly, ducking her head. "It's nothing that important, Rei-chan. Just me being silly, really."
[12:55] <Rei-chan> "You're sure?" Rei asks, stepping forward so she is only about a foot away as she holds Usagi's gaze.
[12:57] <Usagi-chan> "It's no big deal, I promise." Usagi colors a bit more and looks away from Rei somewhat quickly. "Just can't stop my mind from running, that's all."
[12:59] <Rei-chan> "I know the feeling," Rei sighs, backing off. "Oh well, if you don't want to talk about it, would you mind some company while you think? It is fairly cold out here, after all." Rei closes her eyes, concentrating for a moment as the temperature climbs to something more comfortable.
[13:01] <Usagi-chan> "I guess that's okay, but I don't want to keep you up on my account." Usagi sighs. "I was trying not to wake you guys up, but I guess I didn't do a very good job at it."
[13:03] * Rei-chan waves it off. "That's alright. I'm a light sleeper, anyway. Besides, you're a lot easier to deal with than what normally wakes me up," she says with a lopsided grin.
[13:05] * Usagi-chan appears not to hear Rei's last comment, somewhat lost in thought. After a few moments she turns her head to look at Rei, speaking in a small voice. "What... what was kissing Ami like?"
[13:06] <Rei-chan> "Wh-what?!" Rei stammers, surprised at the sudden question. "Why are you asking that?"
[13:07] * Usagi-chan turns her head back to the gray plains ahead of her, blushing. "You don't have to answer it or anything." she stammers quickly. "I... was just curious, that's all."
[13:09] <Rei-chan> 'Curious? Does she want to kiss Ami herself?' Rei thinks, feeling totally thrown by the concept. "Ah... well, it was very nice. Um... I was surprised, really, since that was her first kiss, but she figured out what to do so quickly..." the white-haired girl looks away, blushing furiously.
[13:11] * Usagi-chan ducks her head as she picks up on Rei's thought, but she listens to the miko's answer without interrupting. As Rei finishes, she rests her head on her arms, still staring out at the bleak landscape. 'Guess she was a lot better than I was then...' she thinks glumly.
[13:13] <Rei-chan> Rei's jaw drops as she hears Usagi's thought. "Is that what this is about?" she asks, dumbfounded. "You feel bad because Ami gave me a better kiss than you did?" She looks at Usagi, making no effort to hide her disbelief.
[13:14] * Usagi-chan goes crimson, realizing that she'd left her thoughts unguarded again. "No!" she replies quickly. "Well.... maybe a little... I don't know!"
[13:15] * Rei-chan slaps a hand against her forehead, suddenly feeling very tired. "Usagi, the comparison is totally unfair. Ami kissed me, and we both knew what we were doing beforehand. What I did to you... it was just me taking you by surprise, it's no wonder you didn't participate!"
[13:16] <Usagi-chan> "I know, it's just..." Usagi turns around suddenly, throwing her hands in the air. "I don't even know why I care! It's not like it means anything, but for some reason I just can't stop thinking about it!"
[13:18] <Rei-chan> "Are you worried that I'll think less of you because Ami-chan 'performs' better?" Rei asks, unable to fully repress a smirk.
[13:19] * Usagi-chan fumes. "Don't start with me, Rei." she retorts, not wanting to reveal how close to the mark that comment actually hit.
[13:21] * Rei-chan sighs, putting a reassuring hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Calm down, I was only teasing," she says placatingly. "But really, what's the problem?"
[13:24] <Usagi-chan> "I don't KNOW!" Usagi wails. "I mean, I wasn't expecting it when you did it but it happened and it was my first kiss and I'm afraid I was really bad at it and now I don't know if I'll ever BE any good at it and I'm just so confused!" she blurts out in a rush. "And then Mako-chan dared Ami to kiss you and she actually did and you said it was good and I couldn't even watch it for some reason and now I don't know WHAT to think."
[13:28] * Rei-chan leans back a bit, taking a second to absorb Usagi's tirade. "Um... kissing you wasn't BAD, Usagi. It's just, it wasn't a real kiss since it was just me surprising you. A stolen kiss, really," she smirks slightly, recovering her footing. "I'm sure if you really wanted to kiss someone, you'd be good at it. It'd be impossibly for someone as caring and loving as you to be bad at something like that," she consoles her friend.
[13:30] * Rei-chan does wonder about the fact that Usagi couldn't watch her kissing Ami, however...
[13:32] <Usagi-chan> "But I don't knoooow...." Usagi bawls. "I know I kissed Endymion a lot when I was the princess but I can't remember much about it except that I did it and I never asked him so what if I really AM bad at it and no one ever told me?"
[13:35] <Rei-chan> Shaking her head, Rei steps forward and embraces Usagi, stroking her back in a comforting manner. "There, there. Even if you are bad, I'm sure you could find someone willing to help you learn." She tilts Usagi's chin up to look into her eyes. "Practice makes perfect, after all."
[13:38] * Usagi-chan deflates a bit. "I don't even know if anyone would TELL me if I was bad at kissing - I mean, they'd say I was good at it just to make me feel better, right?" Except for Rei, a small voice at the back of her head prompts. Usagi's eyes light up at the realization and without warning, she leans up and kisses the miko without further preamble, putting her feelings into it this time. Remembering Rei's action from their first kiss, she lets her tongue slide between Rei's lips, all the while wondering whether she's doing it right this time.
[13:41] <Rei-chan> "Mmph!" Rei exclaims in surprise, totally caught off guard by Usagi's sudden action. She very quickly relaxes, however, as Usagi begins exploring her mouth. Responding just a bit, Rei allows the blonde to dictate the pace as she loses herself in the moment. Her hands lower from their position on the middle of Usagi's back, resting just above her pert bottom as she leans further into the kiss.
[13:43] * Usagi-chan starts slightly as she feels Rei's hands shift, but lets her instincts take over a moment later, closing her eyes as she continues the kiss for a few moments longer. Finally she breaks away from Rei, looking up at the white-haired priestess expectantly. "Was... was that any better?" she asks hesitantly.
[13:47] * Rei-chan swallows, licking her lips in a slightly dazed manner. After a moment, she shakes her head, trying to clear it as she disengages from her partner. 'Wow... it's been a long time since I- ' she abruptly clamps down on the thought, recalling Usagi's telepathy. "Yeah," she nods, "That was definitely very good, Usagi."
[13:49] * Usagi-chan smiles hesitantly. "You really mean that?"
[13:50] <Rei-chan> "Whoever you wind up with will be a lucky person," Rei agrees, nodding. She feels a brief twinge in the back of her head at those words, but shakes it off.
[13:52] * Usagi-chan's smile fades a bit at those words. "Yeah..." she sighs. 'If I wind up with anyone.' she thinks to herself somewhat despondently.
[13:52] <Rei-chan> "What does that mean?" Rei asks, frowning.
[13:54] <Usagi-chan> "Huh?" Usagi looks up, startled. "What does what mean?"
[13:56] <Rei-chan> "'If I wind up with anyone'," Rei repeats the thought she overheard. "Don't tell me you've given up completely? Even if you decide not to pick things up with Mamoru-san, I bet you could still find love easily!" the miko declares earnestly.
[13:57] <Usagi-chan> "I don't know, Rei-chan." Usagi leans back against the railing, resting her elbows on it as she slumps slightly. "How many guys do you really think are going to be able to handle everything I do? I mean, between the Moon Kingdom and Sailor Moon and this thing on my forehead, I bet most of them would run off screaming." She shakes her head. "And Mamoru..." she trails off, looking to the side.
[14:03] * Rei-chan rests a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "I suppose nothing I say will convince you otherwise, but I don't agree with that at all. You'd be surprised at how accepting people can be sometimes," she thinks of how Mugen accepted her, even knowing of her strange powers.
[14:05] <Usagi-chan> "I know you're trying to cheer me up, Rei-chan, but you're right. I mean, if I don't find someone in between now and when this place gets up and running again - if it does - I don't think I'll ever find them. Once that happens, I expect everyone who comes to me is going to be looking for power or prestige from being connected to the throne, not because they're interested in me."
[14:09] <Rei-chan> "Well that's some time away, I doubt we'll really have a functioning kingdom for at least a decade. You have time," she gives Usagi's shoulder a squeeze. "But one thing," she leans forward so her face is next to Usagi's. "Don't you dare get together with someone just because you're scared you won't find someone else. Settling like that is no way to live," she says seriously.
[14:11] * Usagi-chan lowers her head, ashamed that she would be so transparent. "I just don't know, Rei-chan... I mean, I can tell that Mamoru is really in love with me, or what he thinks is me, and I don't want to deny him that - but I just can't bring myself to trust him at all."
[14:16] * Rei-chan backs off a bit, giving Usagi some space and looking out over the balcony herself as she speaks in a far away tone. "That's a bad idea, Usagi. Getting together with someone who loves you when you aren't sure yourself... Yeah, it's nice to be loved and appreciated, but it can lead to resentment. Being everything for someone, and not getting the same in return... it can only end badly."
[14:18] <Rei-chan> Snorting, Rei turns to Usagi once more. "Listen to me, talking like I know it all. Feh, maybe you should just ignore me..." she sighs, "I really am the worst person to be giving this sort of advice. I just don't want to see you miserable is all..."
[14:19] * Usagi-chan slips to the floor, tucking her oversized shirt underneath her to offer a bit of protection from the cold stone of the floor. "I guess that's what I'm afraid of. But on the other hand, what if this really is destiny or whatever you want to call it? If I walk away from this, I may be losing the only chance at love I'll ever have." She sighs. "Not to mention the fact that I can remember how Serenity felt about Endymion, which only makes things worse. I KNOW what it feels like to love someone, and to be loved in return. I miss it." She looks down at her lap. "And right now, I don't know if I'll ever find it again." she says in a very small voice.
[14:26] <Rei-chan> /me sits down opposite Usagi, concentrating to increase the temperature a bit more since Usagi still seems cold. "Take it from someone who gets prophecies all the time. Destiny is a crock. Life is what you make of it, not what some stupid 'Fate' hands to you," she says, rather annoyed by Usagi's defeatist attitude.
[14:26] <Rei-chan> "Love has a way of surprising you. Even if you're not looking, it can creep up on you. And neither you nor I know what the future will bring - you could meet the love of your life tomorrow, or maybe it's happened already and you just haven't realised it yet." She shrugs. "I just think you'll be making a terrible mistake if you get together with Mamoru-san while you have these doubts. For both of you."
[14:30] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, leaning her head back against the railing. "But that doesn't help me, Rei-chan. I told him I needed time to sort things out - he won't wait for me forever. It's been two months; I expect he's going to want an answer soon, and I still don't know what to tell him." 'He still scares me too much.', she does not add.
[14:30] <Rei-chan> "He scares you?" Rei asks, narrowing her eyes.
[14:31] * Usagi-chan nods slowly, not giving any further response.
[14:32] <Rei-chan> "I think that says it all, Usagi," Rei says. "How could you even think about being with someone who actually instills fear in you?" she asks, disbelieving.
[14:34] <Usagi-chan> "But I don't know!" Usagi protests. "I may just be overreacting - he did seem really nice the last time I talked to him. And he wasn't all that bad before Met-" she bites off the rest of her words, realizing that the subject of Metallia might not be such a good one to raise with Rei.
[14:37] <Rei-chan> "Before Metallia?" Rei completes the sentence. "Well, even if you are overreacting, and I can't say if you are or not, since I haven't even seen him myself for so long, what does it matter? Those are your feelings, justified or not, how can you not act on them?" 'Besides, I still think he sounds a bit too much like Orestes from what I've heard...' the miko thinks disgruntledly.
[14:40] * Usagi-chan cringes slightly at the comparison with Orestes - the thought had occurred to her before as well, much to her dismay. "But I don't KNOW, Rei-chan, that's the whole point. What if I'm throwing away something that could be really good because I've misjudged him? And then on the other hand, you could be right - I could get myself caught in something really bad if I go against my gut feeling and get back with him anyway."
[14:40] <Usagi-chan> "I just don't know what to do." Usagi hangs her head.
[14:43] <Rei-chan> "I'm sorry, Usagi, but I just don't think you should get involved in something when you have those kinds of doubts," Rei says apologetically. "Getting together with someone because you're scared you'll never find anyone else - especially when you have these doubts... it scares me to hear you talking like this, Usagi," she finishes quietly.
[14:46] <Usagi-chan> "I don't either, but I don't know what to do about them either." Usagi says softly. "Mamoru isn't going to wait forever; he's either going to start coming after me again like he did back after Christmas or he's going to become completely disinterested and forget about me entirely. I don't know which one worries me more."
[14:47] <Rei-chan> "I'd be scared if someone left flowers in my room while my back was turned," Rei snorts.
[14:47] <Usagi-chan> "You think I wasn't creeped out by that?" Usagi shudders.
[14:53] <Rei-chan> "Well, it may sound trite, but all I can suggest is to follow your heart. And from what you're saying, your heart isn't leading towards Mamoru-san," Rei says consolingly, before perking up a bit. "Maybe you won't find someone immediately, but I refuse to believe someone capable of as much love as you is doomed to a life alone. It just couldn't happen," she declares honestly.
[14:54] * Usagi-chan draws her knees up to her chest, putting her arms around them and resting her chin on her knees. "I hope you're right, Rei-chan... I don't want to be alone." she says quietly.
[15:03] * Rei-chan leans forward and takes Usagi by the shoulders, staring intently into her eyes. "You won't be alone, Usagi. I promise," she says, not sure herself just how deeply she really means that vow.
[15:05] * Usagi-chan returns Rei's stare with a smile tinged with sadness. "Thanks, Rei-chan... it means a lot to me to hear you say that."
[15:07] * Rei-chan smiles, not fully convinced by Usagi's words, but deciding it's at least some progress. "Anyway, have you stayed up brooding enough? We should probably get back to bed, I think."
[15:09] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "You can go ahead if you want to, Rei-chan. I doubt I'll be getting any sleep tonight though." She gives a short laugh. "This isn't the first time thinking about Mamoru's kept me awake at night." She smiles up at the miko. "Thanks for talking to me though - you go ahead and get some rest."
[15:13] <Rei-chan> "Nuh uh," Rei shakes her head. "I'm not leaving you out here in the cold by yourself. If you don't want to talk, that's fine, but I'm not leaving you by yourself. Besides, like I said, I'm used to getting hardly any sleep."
[15:14] <Usagi-chan> "I don't want to keep you up just on my account..." Usagi protests halfheartedly. "I don't mind the cold all that much, really."
[15:16] <Rei-chan> "It's not a problem at all," Rei says, scooting over to lean against the wall where the balcony joins with the building proper. "You won't even know I'm here if you don't want to talk."
[15:19] <Usagi-chan> "It's not that I don't want you here, I just don't want you to feel like you have to stay with me." Usagi replies, inwardly grateful for the miko's company. The nights she's spent thinking about Mamoru in the past are some of the loneliest she can recall in recent memory.
[15:21] * Rei-chan smiles, "I really don't mind, Usagi. What are friends for, after all?" she explains, grateful just to have someone in her life important enough that she'd so readily do this.
[15:25] * Usagi-chan scoots over on the balcony's floor to sit closer to Rei, wanting to get a little extra warmth from the priestess's proximity as well as from the heat she's producing with her powers. "Thanks, Rei-chan..." She leans her shoulder against Rei's leg, simply glad that she has a friend who cares about her enough to stay with her through her own perceived 'silliness'.
[15:27] <Rei-chan> ------
[07:35] <Usagi-chan> Several hours have passed, and Usagi and Rei are still on the balcony, sitting together in silence. Usagi lets out a quiet sigh as she turns over a problem in her head, still not quite sure of what to do about it.
[07:37] * Usagi-chan glances over at her friend before speaking quietly. "Rei? Are you still awake?"
[07:38] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei mutters, shifting her position slightly and turning her gaze to Usagi.
[07:39] <Usagi-chan> "Mind if I ask you something?" Usagi gives her a hesitant look.
[07:41] <Rei-chan> "Go right ahead," Rei replies, stifling a yawn as she tries to get into a more alert state.
[07:43] <Usagi-chan> "I've been thinking about Mamoru some more - not that that's a real surprise. I just can't figure out what to do about him. After thinking about it for a while, I think you're right - I probably shouldn't get back together with him right now, but how do I tell him that?"
[07:48] * Rei-chan shifts her position again, noting that she seems to have lost all feeling in her bottom. "Well, just be honest. Tell him you don't feel comfortable around him. Just because you can remember what it was like for Serenity to love Endymion, your feelings are still your own, and they tell you that just picking up where your past lives left off would be a mistake."
[07:48] <Rei-chan> 'Of course, he might not accept that...' she thinks to herself, 'but I'll take care of him if he tries anything...' the thought trails off nastily.
[07:51] <Usagi-chan> "Rei!" Usagi slaps Rei's bare leg lightly. "You don't need to be mean about it - I don't think he'd do anything if I said no to him." She sighs. "I just don't want to close that door all the way either; Serenity DID love Endymion once, and I know I felt things for Mamoru myself, so it's not JUST the past. I'm afraid if I say no he'll get mad and disappear and then there's absolutely no hope." Usagi rests her chin on her knees.
[07:57] * Rei-chan frowns slightly, wishing things weren't so complicated. "You're scared he'll disappear, I'm scared he won't take no for an answer..." she says quietly, before sighing loudly. "I'm not sure what to tell you, Usagi... I don't want to see you get hurt by him. And honestly, I don't trust him at all, myself."
[08:00] <Usagi-chan> "I don't either, it's just... I know he's not that bad a guy, and maybe if he really has changed there COULD be something there. It's... it's like I said before - I'm afraid to let him go because it may be the only chance at love I get." Usagi stares at a point on the floor a few inches from her toes.
[08:03] * Rei-chan leans forward to rest a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "It's not. I really wish I could make you believe that..." she says, feeling a twinge in her heart as she knows mere words won't sway her friend.
[08:06] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, giving a short self-deprecating laugh. "I'm so hopeless... I already know what I should do, but I can't bring myself to actually do it because I'm afraid of what will happen." She lowers her voice, her next words barely loud enough for Rei to hear. "I'm holding on to a dream and praying I never wake up, but I have to sometime."
[08:11] * Rei-chan pulls up her legs and then moves herself up and forward so she is kneeling next to Usagi, almost falling over as her tingly legs don't respond exactly as they should, but managing to recover. "You have to wake up, Usagi. Real life can hurt, but it can also be a hundred times more wonderful than the pale recollections of any dream," she says, gazing intently into Usagi's sapphire eyes. "But you'll never experience that if you cling to the dream."
[08:13] <Usagi-chan> "I know, Rei-chan... I'm just afraid. I'm so afraid of spending the rest of my life alone..." She buries her face in her arms, crying softly.
[08:28] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei says, feeling her heart ache at how beaten Usagi sounds. "That won't happen," she wraps her arms around the smaller girl, gently rubbing her back. "You're a beautiful and caring girl with so much to offer... I refuse to believe the world could be so cruel as to let that happen to you."
[08:31] <Usagi-chan> "I wish I'd never even HEARD of Sailor Moon!" Usagi spits out angrily through her tears. "It's turned my life upside down and I'm tired of it, Rei... but it doesn't matter." Her anger subsides. "No matter how much I wish I didn't have to deal with all of this, I still do."
[08:33] * Rei-chan looks away, feeling ashamed. "If it weren't for Sailor Moon... we'd probably have never met..."
[08:34] * Rei-chan disengages herself from Usagi and stares at the ground.
[08:36] <Usagi-chan> "Oh no, Rei, that's not what I mean at all!" Usagi looks up quickly, putting one hand on the miko's shoulder. "I'd never give you up as my friend - it's just... everything in my life has gotten so complicated ever since Luna showed up a year ago. I just sometimes wish things could go back to the way they were before, where I never had to worry about anything other than getting grounded for failing another test."
[08:40] * Rei-chan looks up at Usagi, trying and failing to manage a smile. "There have been times when I wish I'd never had to become Sailor Mars..." 'Like Metallia...' she admits. "But... my life before I met you wasn't exactly fun, anyway." She snorts, "Having friends I can depend on more than makes up for occasionally having to save the world..." 'Or being brainwashed into trying to destroy it...'
[08:44] * Usagi-chan wraps her arms around Rei, giving the miko a squeeze. "I wouldn't want to give up any of the friends I've made since becoming Sailor Moon, Rei-chan - you most of all. To be honest, I doubt I ever would have made it this far without your help." Usagi sighs. "Don't pay any attention to what I said - it was just something stupid I said because I was upset."
[08:47] <Rei-chan> "I just wish I could convince you that it's not so hopeless..." Rei says sadly. "You're normally so cheerful and vibrant. Seeing you like this really hurts." Indeed, she's rather surprised at just how much it stings to hear Usagi talk about never finding love...
[08:51] <Usagi-chan> "It's okay, Rei-chan. I'm sure I'll get used to it." Usagi says quietly. "I just don't think anyone who doesn't already know about everything I have to deal with is ever going to want to put up with all of it - I know I'd have a really hard time with it if someone else told me my own story."
[08:54] <Rei-chan> "I think you're underestimating people - and yourself. But I suppose if my words don't convince you, only time will tell..." Rei replies, wishing she knew the magic words to make everything better.
[08:56] * Usagi-chan nods. "You're definitely right about that." She sighs. "I guess I'd better tell Mamoru that I'm not ready to get into a relationship when we get back to Earth."
[08:58] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, hoping that Usagi's prediction for Mamoru's reaction comes true rather than her own. Not that it'll be a picnic either way...
[08:59] * Usagi-chan stands up and stretches, trying to get some feeling back in her rear end. "Wow... I've been sitting for way too long. I think my butt went to sleep." She grins slightly.
[09:01] <Rei-chan> "I know mine has," Rei replies, also standing up and trying to rub some feeling into her buttocks.
[09:03] <Usagi-chan> "You mind taking a walk or something? I'd like to stretch my legs some if that's okay with you, since I'm still not even close to falling asleep." Usagi glances back down the hallway. "There's not a whole lot to see, but it beats just sitting here for the rest of the night."
[09:04] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, sure," Rei nods agreeably. At the very least it'll serve as a distraction.
[09:07] * Usagi-chan smiles. "I'll give you the grand tour then!" She begins to lead the way through the palace, pointing out various rooms and what they once held back in the glory days of the Silver Millenium. She can't help but feel a small tinge of pride at getting to show Rei her once and hopefully future home.
[09:24] <Rei-chan> As she follows Usagi around the palace, Rei feels a vague sense of familiarity with much of what she sees, along with the tingling in the back of her mind she has come to identify with her past life. For once, she chooses not to deny herself, and allows the feelings to come as they will. While no tangible memories arise, she does feel far more at ease on the Moon than she ever has before.
[09:27] * Usagi-chan leads the way through a part of the palace unfamiliar to Rei, coming to a stop before a large pair of double doors, almost fifteen feet tall. The doors are covered in intricate carvings, although the dim light isn't quite enough to make out what the carvings ARE. Usagi turns to face Rei with a smile. "I thought you might like to see this."
[09:28] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei turns her gaze from the ornate door to Usagi with a curious expression.
[09:30] * Usagi-chan opens the doors with a good bit of effort, the large door creaking on long-disused hinges as it opens slowly. "This... is the palace's temple. I'm not REAL familiar with it, since I didn't spend much time down here, but I know you were interested in Lunar rituals and stuff so I thought you might like to see it."
[09:39] <Rei-chan> Past the doors is a large chamber, reminding Rei of a Christian cathedral. A semi-circular arrangement of pews are arrayed past the doors, although most of them are ruined. The high walls boast huge windows, though the stained glass is shattered all over the floor and around the pews. The ceiling is an empty framework, exposed to the stars above, though a few coloured shards of jagged glass glint in the pale sunlight.
[09:39] <Rei-chan> At the centre of the hall is a raised dais, with a shattered pedestal lying across it. Defaced and broken statues surround the room.
[09:39] <Rei-chan> Ignoring the physical state of the place, Rei closes her eyes, taking in the feel of it. After a moment, she smiles and looks at Usagi. "I can feel it. This is a very holy place... or it was... it's more of a pale shadow right now. But... I think it can be nurtured. I'd like to restore it once I understand more about the religion it was dedicated to."
[09:42] * Usagi-chan smiles happily. "I'll give you all the help I can with that, Rei." She takes a look around the room, examining the ruined windows and ceiling light. "Other than the furniture, it doesn't look like this place is really in too bad a shape. Maybe a couple of weeks worth of work and we can have the room back in order."
[09:44] <Rei-chan> "Yes," Rei smiles, "These things can be fixed and replaced. But if the... Kami," she shrugs, knowing that Kami probably isn't how the Lunarians thought of it, but that's the only way she can interpret it with her training, "The Kami of this place is still here. Otherwise it'd just be a fancy looking waste of space."
[09:46] <Usagi-chan> "I'll have to take your word for that, Rei-chan... it just seems like another room to me. But if it is still here, we'll turn it into a place that any kami would be proud to live in!" Usagi smiles brightly.
[09:48] * Rei-chan nods. "I think I'm going to really enjoy rebuilding this place... it has a lot of potential."
[09:51] * Usagi-chan grabs Rei's hands in her excitement. "I knew you'd like it, Rei!" She looks around at the room again, picturing what it will look like when it's been restored. "I feel that way about the whole palace... there's just so much that could be done up here."
[09:55] <Rei-chan> Affected by Usagi's infectious excitement, Rei grins, surprised at how her attitude towards the Moon Kingdom has changed lately. While she doesn't want to ignore the Earth, the thought that the Silver Millenium had been destroyed before its time and could deserve a chance to flourish again is taking root in her mind.
[09:55] <Rei-chan> "If we all work together, we really could make a paradise up here..." she says thoughtfully.
[09:57] <Usagi-chan> "That's EXACTLY what I want to do." Usagi smiles. "I don't know how it will turn out in the end, but I'd like to make the Moon Kingdom live again. Who knows what it could become?"
[09:59] <Rei-chan> "Who knows? But I'm definitely curious, now," Rei smiles.
[10:02] * Usagi-chan takes Rei's hand. "We'll find out together, Rei-chan." Usagi turns to give the miko a brilliant smile.
[10:04] * Rei-chan is about to reply, but her breath catches in her throat for some reason. Instead she just nods, her expression thoughtful.
[10:04] <Rei-chan> ---------
[09:01] <Anastasia> It's Sunday afternoon, time for your big weekly 'Sailor Meeting'. Lately, these have consisted of hair pulling, gossip, eating and laughing instead of dealing with intergalactic threats.
[09:02] <Anastasia> Of note, there was what the news is calling a 'meteorite impact' in downtown Tokyo, right by Ami's apartment...
[09:04] <Anastasia> "Girls," Luna starts, trying to get Rei and Usagi's attention from their 'debate' about Gundam Wing. "Did you hear about that meteor crash last night?"
[09:04] <Rei-chan> "Um... I think I saw something in the paper this morning. I didn't really pay it much attention, though..." Rei admits.
[09:05] <Ami> "I saw the impact site," Ami says. "It wasn't very far from my apartment. Shook me out of my sleep and everything."
[09:05] <Usagi-chan> "I thought it was just a minor earthquake or something." Usagi shrugs.
[09:05] <Rei-chan> "Wow... if it had hit a building, it could have been nasty..." Rei says, hearing Ami.
[09:05] <Anastasia> Luna looks to Ami, disregarding the others. "You did, Ami? What did you see? Did anything unusual happen?"
[09:08] <Ami> "Hm. There didn't actually seem to be anything in the hole, and there were trace amounts of energy the computer picked up. Not dark energy. Something different."
[09:08] <Usagi-chan> "How did it leave a hole if there was nothing there?" Usagi looks puzzled.
[09:09] <Rei-chan> "Energy? Like the energy from something alive?"
[09:09] <Anastasia> "It could have been torn apart in impact," Luna notes. "But if there was energy, I'm worried. What if it's another space criminal?"
[09:10] <Ami> "Then we'll deal with it," Ami says as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
[09:10] <Rei-chan> "Why would they have taken so long to get to Earth from the Moon?" Rei asks, "Even if they couldn't teleport, it wouldn't take several months for them to fly to Earth, right?"
[09:11] <Anastasia> Luna paces a bit, coming to a stop in from of Usagi. "What if he or she went somewhere else first?"
[09:12] <Ami> "I was actually hoping you or Usagi might have sensed something," Ami says, turning toward Rei. "Whenever the other criminals acted in the city you were usually able to sense it."
[09:12] <Rei-chan> "It's possible. Starfire did say some of them left the solar system. They could have returned. Or this could be something new entirely..." Rei suggests.
[09:12] * Prince_Herb looks interested. "I remember an old story about nine dragons riding to Earth on a meteorite, during the reign of the Yellow Emperor..."
[09:12] <Usagi-chan> "Then I'd think they'd have been gone a lot longer than two months, Luna." Usagi gives the cat a level look.
[09:13] <Anastasia> "It would depend on where they went," she shrugs a bit, going down onto Usagi's warm lap. "As it stands, I'm worried about this."
[09:14] <Anastasia> As soon as she does, she looks up. "Wait," she says, looking at Herb.
[09:14] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe we should go check out the place where it landed ourselves then?"
[09:14] <Anastasia> "Wasn't one of the criminals a Dragon outcast," Luna asks.
[09:15] <Rei-chan> "Yes, a renegade Sailor Dragon... but we haven't seen or heard anything about her... or him..." Rei gives Herb an odd look. "Do all Dragons change like you?"
[09:16] <Rei-chan> "I haven't sensed anything unusual lately, Ami-chan," Rei says to the blue-haired girl.
[09:18] <Ami> "We shouldn't jump to conclusions," Ami points out at the direction the conversation is going.
[09:19] <Rei-chan> "True," Rei nods. "We don't really have anything to go on, yet."
[09:20] <Anastasia> "It's probably cordoned off by the police now," Luna says to Usagi. "They have plenty of practice playing clean-up lately."
[09:21] <Usagi-chan> "Then what are we supposed to do about it?" Usagi looks at the Mau. "I mean, I haven't seen anything unusual lately."
[09:22] <Prince_Herb> "They're not all cursed, but they can all turn into humans. They're usually very good-looking, but unearthly in human form."
[09:22] * Prince_Herb points to his eyes and ears.
[09:22] <Anastasia> "Just stay on guard, I guess," Luna shrugs.
[09:23] <Usagi-chan> "Same as always then." Usagi replies.
[09:23] <Ami> "Such is the fate of a guardian. Always waiting for someone else to make the first move."
[09:24] <Anastasia> "Yes," Nian pokes his head up from his curled up perch on Herb's lap. "But we shall make sure that they do not get a second move," he says.
[09:25] <Rei-chan> "That's about it, really," Rei nods.
[09:26] <Ami> "Now that that is out of the way, time to study!" Ami declares, much to the groaning and moaning of the others.
[09:27] <Rei-chan> "Ugh... may as well, I guess," Rei mutters 'Not like I get much actual studying done at Mugen these days...'
[09:27] * Usagi-chan looks over at Rei curiously, but doesn't reply.
[09:28] <Anastasia> ---
[09:29] <Anastasia> Later that evening...it's dark and chilly now as Ami and Usagi walk home. They are passing by the Osa-P on this brisk night when a frantic scream is heard from inside.
[09:30] * Usagi-chan doesn't even pause for a moment. She rushes into the building. "What's going on?"
[09:32] * Ami follows closely behind.
[09:34] <Anastasia> Inside, you see that the patrons and owner all lie on the floor, unconcious. Standing amoungst them is a monster. Its upper body is human, if blue skinned. It's lower body is that of a spider, down to an end to spin silk. Webbing is all about, making movement incredibly difficult, covering much of the area. The victims look to be drained of energy.
[09:36] * Usagi-chan doesn't even hesitate. Taking her locket in one hand, she shouts the words of her transformation phrase. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[09:36] * Ami is a half step behind. "Mercury Power, Make UP!"
[09:38] <Sailor_Moon> "Hold it right there, ugly! I'm not going to let you get away with stealing energy while I'M on duty! I'm Sailor Moon, the champion of love and justice - and on behalf of the Moon, I'll punish you!" Moon poses.
[09:42] <Sailor_Mercury> "And on behalf of Mercury, for the travesty of endangering such precious and irreplacable commodities (oh, and the people too) Sailor Mercury shall punish you!"
[09:43] <Anastasia> "Spideru!" the monster shouts. From above, a male voice echos, a bit on the deep side. "Get their energy, Spideru!"
[09:44] * Sailor_Moon takes a quick glance up to try to spot the source of the voice, although she doesn't take her eyes off the creature for long.
[09:45] <Anastasia> You don't see anything, although the webbing is making things difficult on that count.
[09:45] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[09:45] * CyWyrm --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[09:46] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+10
[09:46] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+10 and gets 15."
[09:46] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+9
[09:46] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+9 and gets 12."
[09:48] <Sailor_Moon> "Try some of THIS energy!" Removing her tiara, Moon forms it into a glowing disc before hurling it at Spideru. "Moon Tiara Action!"
[09:48] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[09:48] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:50] <Anastasia> The tiara goes forward, cutting through thick strands of webbing!
[09:50] <Anastasia> However, the youma merely bats it away as it is slowed by having to cut through so much thick spider silk!
[09:53] * Sailor_Mercury crosses her arms, a sphere of blue light coalescing in front of her. Throwing her arms open she yells, "Shabon Spray Freezing!" sending the attack at the spider-woman!
[09:53] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[09:53] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:54] <Anastasia> The bubbles go out, freezing the webbing, forming a heavy layer of ice all over the webs!
[09:54] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[09:54] * CyWyrm --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:55] <Anastasia> Ice forms on the spider creature, slivers of ice and patches of white getting her!
[09:56] <Anastasia> "SPIDERUUUUU!" it moans from the attack as it begins to work its silk spinner! It goes on its back and points the spinner out, sending huge, white, sticky streams of webbing all over!
[09:56] <Anastasia> OOC - Both of you dodge, at +2.
[09:57] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6 (absorbing the +2)
[09:57] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 (absorbing the +2) and gets 6."
[09:57] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[09:57] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[09:59] <Anastasia> Leaping, ducking and running out of the way, Sailors Moon and Mercury avoid being caught in any of the webbing!
[10:00] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+10
[10:00] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[10:00] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 1d6+9
[10:00] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 1d6+9 and gets 13."
[10:01] <Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:01] * CyWyrm --> "Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 2."
[10:08] * Sailor_Mercury crosses her arms again, a glowing blue sphere forming ounce more in front of her. "Shabon Spray Freezing!" she screams, sending forth another icy deluge.
[10:09] <Sailor_Mercury> roll 2d6
[10:09] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Mercury rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:10] <Anastasia> Ice again covers both old and new webbing, a few of the thinner strands falling to the ground under the weight of the frozen water!
[10:10] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:10] * CyWyrm --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:10] <Anastasia> The creature is hit head on, covered in ice up to it's chest when the dust clears!
[10:17] * Sailor_Moon holds her hand in the air, the Lunar Rod appearing in it. Swinging it around in a complicated arc, she finally points it at the spider creature, calling out her attack. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[10:17] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[10:17] * CyWyrm --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:17] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:17] * CyWyrm --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:18] <Anastasia> Cutting through the icy webbing like it's nothing, your Hallation slams into Spideru! "Spideru!!!" It screams out as it dies, vanishing in a puff of air as a card falls to the ground, goes black, and fades to dust.
[10:18] <Anastasia> The webbing fades away as well, the ice clattering to the ground and to the display shelves.
[10:20] * Sailor_Moon takes a sigh, then looks around again to see if the deep-voiced person is still around.
[10:20] * Sailor_Mercury summons the computer and checks on the victims.
[10:21] <Anastasia> There is no sign of anyone else, only the now ice-checkered drain victims on the floor.
[10:21] <Anastasia> Mercury - The victims have indeed been robbed of their vitality, to a good degree. It's going to be a little while before they wake up, you'd guess.
[10:22] * Sailor_Moon turns back to her fellow senshi and sees what she's doing. "Is everyone here okay?"
[10:22] <Sailor_Mercury> "They've been drained pretty good," Ami speaks up. "It's going to take some time for them to recover fully. But they should come out ok."
[10:23] <Sailor_Moon> "We should probably get moving ourselves." Moon walks over and retrieves her tiara, placing it back on her head. "The police will probably be here any minute."
[10:23] * Sailor_Mercury steps through the store, using her elemental control over water to clean up the ice a bit, all the while moving closer toward a certain display case...
[10:26] * Sailor_Moon glances over at Ami. "Come on, Mercury! We don't have time to mess around!" Stopping only to check on Naru - and completely unsurprised to see her there - Usagi heads for the door to the store, detransforming as she does so.
[10:26] * Sailor_Mercury sighs, luck not being with her this time. The items are far too cheap to bother with taking. "Coming!"
[10:27] * Ami drops her transformation. "I think we should call the hospital on this one."
[10:38] * Usagi-chan nods, heading for a nearby phone booth and dialing the emergency number.
[10:39] <Anastasia> "Emergency services," the woman on the other end of the line says.
[10:40] <Usagi-chan> "There's been some kind of accident at the Osa-P jewelry store... I think we're going to need an ambulance."
[10:41] <Anastasia> "Osa-P Jewerly," she says. "What sort of accident?"
[10:42] <Usagi-chan> "I... there's a lot of people in there unconscious, I don't know exactly why. Just hurry and send an ambulance!"
[10:43] <Anastasia> "Alright, stay on the line," she says, businesslike. "Are they breathing okay?"
[10:43] <Usagi-chan> "They seem to be okay for right now... just hurry!" Usagi hangs up the phone and exits the booth, nodding to Ami. "They should be on their way any minute."
[10:47] <Ami> "Good. Let's get out of here."
[10:48] * Usagi-chan nods, heading away from the scene quickly.
[10:49] * Ami follows just as quickly. "Guess the meteor wasn't so harmless after all."
[10:49] <Usagi-chan> "If this was connected to that, yeah." Usagi nods. "So much for peace and quiet," she grouses.

Halbarad · June 24, 2006, 10:25:56 AM

[19:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[19:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Okay.
[19:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> The day after the Osa-P monster wrecked havoc, it's back to school for Usagi. By chance, she runs into Makoto on the way, Usagi being unusually early today.
[19:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> And by the law of Usagi, running into means that in quite a literal sense.
[19:59] * Usagi-chan lands hard on her rear end, rubbing at her backside. As per usual, she scrambles up quickly and bows to the poor person she just collided with without even looking at them. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going!"
[20:01] * Makoto blinks and shakes her head before looking at Usagi with a small smile, "Well you really should, Usagi. It's just me."
[20:03] <Usagi-chan> "Mako-chan!" Usagi looks up and breaks into a smile. "Sorry about that, I was running to school like usual and I didn't see you." She scratches the back of her head in embarrassment.
[20:05] <Makoto> "You're not -that- late, you know. Actually, it's still semi-early. But c'mon, if we stick around and chat we will be," Makoto says as she slings her school bag over her shoulder and resumes walking to school.
[20:08] * Usagi-chan trots along by Makoto's side. "I guess I'm so used to having to make a mad dash to school that I just kinda did it automatically today."
[20:11] <Makoto> "Figures," Makoto snorts. "So what's up?"
[20:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk along, you see Naru ahead. Her head is hanging, like she's tired. Images of yesterday's incident pop up in Usagi's head.
[20:13] <Usagi-chan> "Um... just thinking about last night." Usagi gives Makoto an apologetic look for a moment, then runs ahead to meet Naru. "Naru-chan, are you okay? You don't look so good..."
[20:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Naru looks up, her face gaunt. "Hi, Usagi..." she murmurs, looking and sounding exhausted.
[20:15] * Makoto walks up to the pair, giving a greeting to the tired Naru. "Yo."
[20:16] * Usagi-chan places one hand on Naru's arm. "Naru-chan, you look terrible! What happened?" Usagi asks, knowing full well exactly what did happen.
[20:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Naru's head raises a tiny bit higher. "Hi...Makoto..." she managed. "I dunno...I think I fell asleep early, but I'm still tired..."
[20:17] * Usagi-chan glances over at Makoto. 'I guess she doesn't remember any of it...' Turning back to her friend, she halts the girl. "I'd head home if I were you, Naru-chan. You really look like you could use some more sleep."
[20:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm okay," she smiles wanly. "I don't want to miss school...I'm just having a rough morning."
[20:18] <Makoto> 'Would you -want- to remember stuff like that?' Makoto replies back mentally, looking somewhat worriedly at the redhead.
[20:20] <Usagi-chan> "At least stop by the nurse's office, okay? I'll let Miss H know why you're running a little behind - I'm sure she'll understand." Usagi smiles at Naru.
[20:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm okay... really......." Naru murmurs again, this time her body betraying her as she falls to the sidewalk.
[20:22] <Usagi-chan> "Naru-chan!" Usagi grabs the red-haired girl before she can hit the ground, staggering a bit as she takes Naru's weight.
[20:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The girl is unconscious. Her aura is weak and wan, lacking in vitality.
[20:24] * Makoto looks at Usagi. "What's wrong with her?"
[20:25] * Usagi-chan shakes her head slightly, easing Naru to the ground slowly. "She's just exhausted - she needs rest. Her energy is still very weak."
[20:26] * Makoto grabs Naru and props her on her back. "Why don't you head on to class and tell them Naru won't be coming and I'll probably be late? I can take Naru back home."
[20:27] * Usagi-chan studies Naru for a moment before shaking her head slowly. "Take her to the hospital, Mako-chan - better yet, I'll go with you. This looks really serious."
[20:28] <Makoto> "That bad, huh? Alright, let's go. We can call the school from the hospital once we get there," Makoto says with a nod as she starts heading towards the hospital as fast as she can without being too uncomfortable for her ride.
[20:29] * Usagi-chan hurries along next to Makoto, keeping a close eye on Naru.
[20:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> The trip to the hospital goes reasonably well, with no interruptions.
[20:31] <Makoto> "Hey docs, we have a problem here!" Makoto shouts roughly as she comes in through the hospital door, hoping to get someone's attention for Naru.
[20:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once there, the ER leads you to a doctor who takes one look at Naru before bringing her to a bed inside the emergency room.
[20:33] * Usagi-chan stays by Naru's side, holding the redhead's cold hand tightly. "What did they do to you, Naru-chan?" she says quietly.
[20:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The doctor, a cute young man with a professional demeanor, looks her over. "She looks completely exhausted. It's the third person this morning we've had with these symptoms," he notes to himself. "Odd."
[20:35] * Usagi-chan glances up at the doctor. "There are others that are like her?"
[20:36] * Makoto gets a bit starry-eyed as she stares at the doctor instead of paying attention. 'He looks just like my old sempai...'
[20:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Two others," he nods. "Both passed out this morning and were brought here." He brushed back a loose bang out of his pretty face.
[20:37] * Usagi-chan covers a smile at Makoto's thought. "Um... I know this might sound kind of odd to ask, but could I see them? I'm just wondering if it might be anyone else I know."
[20:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um...you really shouldn't," he says. "Now that you mention that, I really wasn't even supposed to say that much."
[20:38] * Usagi-chan nods, wondering if she might be able to get Ami to help her get in to see them. "Is it anything really serious, or does she just need some rest?"
[20:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think she'll just need several days of rest, along with plenty of fluids," he nods. "Do you know this girl's name? Family members?"
[20:41] * Usagi-chan nods. "I'll give her mom a call in a few minutes to let her know Naru's here. I just wanted to make sure she was okay first."
[20:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright. We'll have her up in a room shortly. Could one of you stay with her?" he asks.
[20:42] <Makoto> "I'll do that, Usagi. You know Naru's mom better," Makoto says. "Oh, and remember to call the school."
[20:44] * Usagi-chan nods and heads back out to the waiting room to find a phone.
[20:45] <Makoto> "So doc," Makoto says as she wraps her arm around one of the young doctor's arms. "Which way to Naru's room?"
[20:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> He grins as Makoto wraps around him. "Third floor, probably. Want me to take you up there now?" he seems quite pleased with the position Makoto has taken.
[20:47] <Usagi-chan> Finding the phone, Usagi dials the Osa-P store, hoping Naru's mother is there - or at least able to answer.
[20:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Ring... ring... ring... ring... "Hello," Naru's mother says. "You have reached the Osa-P Jewelry store. Please leave a message and we'll get right back to you." BEEP.
[20:48] * Makoto smiles. "Just to make sure I don't get lost, of course."
[20:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of course," he grins back, leading you away from Naru and up to the doctor's elevator...
[20:50] * Usagi-chan sighs as she leaves her message. "Mrs. Osaka, this is Usagi Tsukino. I just wanted to call and let you know that I brought Naru-chan to the hospital - she fainted on the way to school today. I'll call back as soon as I know her room number so you can come down to see her." With that, she disconnects the line and dials the school's number.
[20:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Juuban Middle School office. How can I help you?"
[20:54] <Usagi-chan> "I need to talk to someone about an absence - would that be you?"
[20:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, ma'am," she says.
[20:55] <Usagi-chan> "This is Usagi Tsukino from class 8-B. I was on my way to school this morning with Naru Osaka and Makoto Kino when Naru just fainted! We're at the hospital with her right now, so that's why we haven't made it in to class yet."
[20:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is the sound of typing. "Mmm... Alright, we'll pass on word to your teachers. Thank you, Miss Tsukino."
[20:57] <Usagi-chan> "Thank you!" Usagi hangs up the phone and heads back into the emergency room, looking for either Naru, Makoto, or the doctor.
[20:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see Naru being put on a stretcher by two orderlies, ready to be taken upstairs.
[20:59] * Usagi-chan runs over to the stretcher, staying out of the orderlies' way as they move her to the elevator.
[20:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> They let you follow, going up a service elevator to the third floor.
[21:01] * Usagi-chan stays with the stretcher as it's being moved, making a note of Naru's room number as they wheel her in.
[21:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Besides the room, you find Makoto wrapped around one of the arms of the doctor, who looks to be enjoying it.
[21:04] <Makoto> "Hey Usagi," Makoto waves with her free hand. "Oh, there's Naru, we were wondering why Naru hadn't gotten to the room yet."
[21:05] * Usagi-chan shakes her head slightly, suppressing a smile at the sight of Makoto enjoying herself. "I just followed them up with the stretcher. Naru's mom wasn't answering, and I left word at the school that we weren't going to make it in."
[21:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> The doctor nods. "Alright, I'll have a nurse get the contact information from you," he says.
[21:10] * Usagi-chan nods. 'I'm going to go check on Naru's mom as soon as we're done here, Mako-chan. I want to make sure she hasn't fainted too.'
[21:11] <Makoto> 'Alright. You want company?' Makoto thinks back, although she looks a bit reluctant to let go of her current hunk catch.
[21:12] <Usagi-chan> 'I think I'll be okay. I'll let you know if anything's wrong when I get there, okay?'
[21:13] * Makoto nods.
[21:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[21:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going to the Osa-P, you find it locked up and unopened today.
[21:17] * Usagi-chan sighs, not liking the looks of that. She heads over to the apartment entry at the side of the store, climbing the stairs to knock on the door of the Osakas' apartment. "Mrs. Osaka? Are you there?"
[21:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> No response... the door is unlocked, though, and goes off slightly when you knock on it.
[21:19] * Usagi-chan opens the door slowly, looking around to make sure she's not intruding on anything before she steps inside. "Mrs. Osaka?"
[21:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> It's quiet. The living room is empty and cool, without a sound.
[21:21] * Usagi-chan walks through the apartment quietly, looking for Mrs. Osaka's bedroom.
[21:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going into the hallway, you find Ms. Osaka lying there in a bathrobe, unconscious. Her aura is like Naru's, weak and sickly.
[21:23] * Usagi-chan sighs before heading over to find the Osakas' phone. She dials the emergency number, telling the operator on the line that Mrs. Osaka is unconscious and she needs an ambulance.
[21:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> The call goes, sending an ambulance to the Osaka residence in short order.
[21:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[17:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Another day passes at Mugen school. As the day winds by...
[17:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Rei," Eudial calls, poking her head into the Witches 6 main room. You're the only witch in there, as Kaolinite just stepped in briefly and Tellu is gone again. The others have ben away all day. "Want to come with me for another Heart Snatch," the red head asks, which has become fairly common.
[17:53] * Rei-chan shrugs. "Sure." Not like they ever seem to find the Talismans on these seemingly random excursions, but it gives her something to do. Besides, if she didn't go, Eudial was quite likely to just leave the dud heart crystal alone while the victim slowly died...
[18:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial grins. "Great, let's get out of here before any of those other Witches show," she says as she holds the door open for you.
[18:01] * Rei-chan springs out of her chair and leaves the room ahead of Eudial. "So, any idea about the target today?" she asks her sempai.
[18:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> The red haired Witch nods briefly. "She's a school girl from across town," she says as you traverse the maze of underground passages.
[18:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Her name is Kotono, I think. She goes to the T*A academy, that rich Catholic school," she further comments, her voice haughty. "Bunch of stuck up rich girls."
[18:07] * Rei-chan stops, slightly stunned. "I used to go to T*A..." she says, sounding rather dazed. 'I can't do this to Kotono!' she thinks to herself, although even as she thinks that, she starts rationalising it. 'Well, Kotono probably doesn't have a Talisman anyway, so there won't be any harm in it, right? Besides, if there is a Talisman, the Mistress is more important than Kotono.' Somehow, though, she isn't convinced.
[18:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh, you did?" Eudial stops, staring at you in largely overdone surprise. Shock arches across her face.
[18:12] <Rei-chan> "Didn't you know?" Rei blinks, "I'm pretty sure I mentioned it back when we first met. And I thought you'd have seen my student record or something before you recruited me into this group."
[18:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial blinks a moment, before laughing with embarrassment. "Oooh yeah," she says, rubbing the back of her head. "Anyway," she recovers quickly, "Let's go."
[18:16] <Rei-chan> "Right..." Rei says, deciding it probably wouldn't be best to mention her history with their target. 'Why couldn't it be one of those bitches who always spread rumours about me?' she thinks dejectecly. Of course, none of them would be likely to have very pure hearts...
[18:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going on, you are soon at Eudial's suicide mach... er, car. A quick jaunt under the city goes without note, and you manage not to freak out too badly this time to her almost berserk driving methods.
[18:19] * Rei-chan is lost in thought as she tries to think of how she's going to handle this one...
[18:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> Parking just outside the school, you see Kotono and another girl walking outside, discreetly holding hands. The second girl is blonde haired, and around your age. Her brown eyes are open and friendly. Kotono looks quite happy with her as they go about. "Coming, or are you going to wait here?" Eudial asks after spotting them.
[18:24] <Rei-chan> "Um..." Rei bites her bottom lip as she considers her options. Hiding in the car does have its appeal... "I'll come," she says at last. "I should be able to get Kotono somewhere reasonably private where I can check her heart crystal. You could distract the other girl or act as lookout?"
[18:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You want to do it," she asks, interested in your enthusiasm. "If you want to... yeah."
[18:29] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, why would I mind?" Rei asks with a fake grin.
[18:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's your old school... say, do you know her?" she inquires.
[18:31] <Rei-chan> "She was in my class," Rei answers evasively.
[18:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial considers that as she examines the target. "Hum. She seems close to that girl, so distracting them may not be easy," she notes.
[18:37] <Rei-chan> "I can be very distracting when I want to be," Rei answers tightly. "Anyway, lets go," she says, exiting the car and looking for an out of the way place that would be good for taking Kotono for a private 'chat'.
[18:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> There isn't much in the way of convienet alleys near T*A, but there are a few quiet stores that could be used. Eudial follows you quietly for the moment.
[18:42] * Rei-chan sighs, really wishing she didn't have to do this. "Okay, I think I have an idea," she says at last, marching over towards Kotono and her girlfriend.
[18:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...So, Yuki-chan," she start, her words stopping suddenly as she sees Rei approach. "Rei?" she asks, drawing back a bit in surprise, into her companion. She ogles you, taking in your abbreviated miko outfit.
[18:45] * Rei-chan squirms slightly, the outfit that seemed so natural to wear around her fellow witches suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. "Hi Kotono-chan, ah, Yuki-san?" she waves slightly to the two girls. "I'd, um, like to talk to you, Kotono-chan. Privately if that's alright?"
[18:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kotono doesn't reply at first, seeming to make a study of your chest, and how your top shows it off. "Um... okay," she nods. "I'll be right back, Yuki-chan." "Okay, Kochan," the other girl says, innocent and kind in her words.
[18:48] <Rei-chan> "Thanks. I won't keep her long," Rei says reassuringly to Yuki, before leading Kotono away, taking her into an empty looking shop and leading her towards a deserted aisle near the back.
[18:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Kotono follows along, behind you. You can feel her eyes on your rear, and a backwards glance confirms it. "It's... good to see you again, Rei," she nods. "Those look good on you." Kotono stumbles along, stammering a bit due to your attractive dress.
[18:51] <Rei-chan> "Ah heh," Rei chuckles nervously. "Mugen is surprisingly liberal..." she says, her eyes flickering around the shop to look for any security cameras or anything else that might give her away. Well, give her away before Kotono starts screaming...
[18:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> There isn't much in this shop, it's a small antique store that has a sleepy owner sitting behind a desk. The old woman barely glances up from her book, nodding and going back to reading. Any security cameras that are here aren't visible.
[18:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see that," she manages. "That's the Mugen uniform?"
[18:55] <Rei-chan> "Not exactly..." Rei hedges, before deflating. "I'm sorry, Kotono-chan," she mutters, before clasping her hands together and quietly performing the chant to rip the innocent girl's heart crystal from her body.
[18:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Wh... Rei!" she yelps before being caught in the incanation. Her body stiffens as her Heart Crystal emerges. It's vibrant and glowing... but completely normal. Not a Talisman.
[18:59] * Rei-chan sighs in relief, catching Kotono before she can fall to the ground and returning the heart crystal to her body. "I'm glad I don't have to make Yuki cry..." she mutters, hefting Kotono's weight and heading towards the exit. "Don't mind us," she tells the sleepy shopkeeper as she leaves, "My friend just has these fainting spells from time to time," she explains lamely.
[19:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay..." she murmurs, not looking up from her paper. "Fuu..."
[19:01] * Rei-chan ignores the shopkeeper, carrying Kotono back to where she left Eudial and Yuki.
[19:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial walks up to you as you approach, breaking away from Yuki. "Anything?" she asks quietly.
[19:12] * Rei-chan shakes her head minutely, her lips a drawn in thin line. Walking past Eudial without a word, she carries her burden to Yuki. "I'm sorry, Yuki-san, it looks like Kotono-chan fainted," she says, carefully keeping her voice sounding normal. "She should be back up and about in ten minutes or so, I expect..."
[19:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh my! Is Kochan okay?" she asks, sounding worried and a touch brainless. "Oh, Kochan," she murmurs, coming up to stroke her hair.
[19:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "...bah..." Eudial mutters. "Another strikeout."
[19:14] <Rei-chan> "She should be fine soon enough," Rei reassures her, looking around for a bench or something where she can deposit the girl.
[19:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> There isn't a bench nearby, but there is one across the street. "Oh God," Yuki says, holding a Crucifix she wears with her uniform. "I hope she is."
[19:18] <Rei-chan> "Come on," Rei nods her head towards the bench across the street. "I'll just set her down there and you can keep an eye on her. She's fainted like this before," she lies, "And she's normally back on her feet in a few minutes."
[19:18] * Rei-chan looks both ways then crosses the street after making sure it's safe.
[19:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial stays behind, near the car. Yuki follows, her big, brown eyes filled with worry.
[19:22] <Rei-chan> "Here we go," Rei sets Kotono gently down on the bench. Turning to Yuki she speaks, "When she wakes up, tell her I'm sorry." She hesitates for a moment, "Also, tell her I'm glad for her," she gives Yuki a wan smile, "You seem like a nice girl, Yuki-san. I hope you and Kotono-chan are happy together."
[19:22] <Rei-chan> Not waiting for a reply, Rei turns and heads back to Eudial's car.
[19:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> She doesn't give you one, barely registering your words as she fusses over Kotono. "Oh, Kochan..." you hear as you cross the street again.
[19:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you approach, Eudial gets in the car and slams the door, seemingly out of sorts.
[19:24] * Rei-chan gets in the passenger seat. "Something wrong, Eudial-sempai?" she asks, more than a bit concerned. She didn't want Eudial driving if she was distracted...
[19:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Another loser... I'll have to listen to Mimette going on all high and mighty about how I can't find the Talismans," she grates out, clamping down on the steering wheel. Anger and annoyance flow off her in not so gentle waves.
[19:26] <Rei-chan> "It's not like Mimette has done any better," Rei points out reasonably. "If only I knew more about the Talismans myself, then I might be able to figure something out, maybe predict where they'll appear..." she sighs.
[19:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's true. Like Ayumi Hamasaki would have a pure heart," she comments, bringing Mimette's choice of targets to light. "How much do you know about them," she asks, changing gears with you.
[19:30] <Rei-chan> "The Talismans exist in the Pure Hearts of certain humans. The Mistress wants them," Rei recites faithfully, then blinks as she turns to Eudial. "Damn, I really do know squat! This is depressing..."
[19:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, isn't it," Eudial agrees. "With so many goody-good people in Tokyo, it's taking forever!" she exclaims.
[19:33] * Rei-chan frowns, the image of the purest-hearted person she knows flashing in her mind's eye. She abruptly forces the thought down. It'd be a cold day in hell before she put Usagi at that kind of risk, Mistress be damned!
[19:34] <Rei-chan> "If I had something to focus on, I think I could probably divine more about the Talismans, but I'm just operating blind here..." she complains.
[19:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Bah," she mutters after a few minutes of silence. "Let's go somewhere besides back to Mugen," Eudial declares suddenly, making a sharp, two wheeled turn down a side passage.
[19:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> As she zooms down the series of underground networks, "I dunno, Rei. Pure hearts is about all we have to go on."
[19:38] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei looks at Eudial with some curiousity. Despite their good working relationship, they never see each other outside of Witch business. "Where do you have in mind?" she asks, deciding not to bother talking about work related matters right now. Eudial seems just as clueless as her, anyway...
[19:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "There's a party place the Witches have an account at, one of those arcade-slash-karaoke bars-slash-dance club places," she says. "Professor Tomoe said it's for good work or something," she shrugs. "He's strange like that sometimes, but it is a free pass."
[19:42] <Rei-chan> "Oh, that's pretty cool. I could do with unwinding," Rei says agreeably, hoping that Eudial doesn't plan on driving back if she unwinds too much...
[19:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles a bit, kicking up the speed another notch. Frankly, it's one that you wished she didn't. She must be breaking some law of physics, right? Cars aren't supposed to go on two wheels that much.
[19:44] <Rei-chan> While this is scary, a part of Rei still thrills to it. Driving with Eudial is better than an all-day pass on a rollercoaster in some respects...
[19:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a final burst of speed, she pops out of a manhole. You're SURE that you got zero Gs for a moment before the car landed on the street.
[19:46] * Rei-chan closes her eyes, just hoping they'll stop soon. Just not the kind of stop associated with sudden impact...
[19:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The car comes to a merciful stop, just outside a garish, neon-encrusted building in the downtown area. "Matsui's Parlor" is written in blue neon, along with the images of various games and attractions. Quite stylish.
[19:48] * Rei-chan unbuckles her seat belt and exits the car, staggering slightly.
[19:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting out herself, Eudial sends a glare to the front of the car. "Hm, it must need another tune up. That wasn't nearly fast enough," she says reproachfully to the car.
[19:50] <Rei-chan> "I guess that gives you something to do tomorrow, but for now let's try to relax, hmm?" Rei suggests.
[19:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she nods, with a final glance at her car.
[19:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[19:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going inside, an assault of light and sound hits you.
[19:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Arcade games, music, chatter and myriad other sounds bombard your ears, along with a visual display that is stunning.
[19:52] <Rei-chan> "Wow, this is some place," Rei comments, rather impressed. Admittedly she'd prefer someplace more relaxed and quiet, but she's still willing to give this place a go.
[19:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It is," Eudial half shouts to be heard over the din. She goes right to a change machine, putting a bill in and getting several shiny tokens back. All the while, she eyes the latest racing game, a determined grin on her face.
[19:55] * Rei-chan goes over to get change for some tokens herself, following Eudial. "I'll probably regret this, but want a race? It'll be interesting to see how well my lessons took," she says with a grin at the redhead.
[19:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're on," she grins back, relishing the challenge. Getting into the left side seat of the two-seater racer, she puts in her tokens and gets ready. The game is Tokyo-cross 200000, the 'Latest and best racing simulator! Outspeed and outdo your friends all day!'
[19:57] * Rei-chan takes the remaining seat, inserting her own tokens and preparing for what is likely to be a horrible defeat.
[19:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The game starts up...nice graphics, you note. Eudial has a red Corvette while you have a blue Ferarri. Ready...set...
[19:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> Go!
[19:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Roll 2d6 to see how well you race.
[19:58] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[19:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Eudial gets a -1 bonus due to skill.
[19:58] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[19:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6-1
[19:59] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6-1 and gets 10."
[20:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Going out, the both of you pour on speed...only for Eudial to miscalcuate early and crash right into you. One overdone explosion later, it's game over for both of you. That was... painfully short, as a mock ambulance drives up to the wreckage.
[20:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Banging her hand on the wheel, Eudial gives the game a piece of her mind. "You load of crap! There is no way I'd crash right off the bat like that!" The Witch fumes, glaring at the screen with dagger eyes.
[20:02] * Rei-chan sweats nervously. "Um, maybe it was my fault for banging into your car?" she suggests.
[20:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Without answering you, she plunks more tokens into the machine for another go. "This time, you're mine," she murmurs.
[20:06] * Rei-chan puts her tokens in the machine, hoping things go a bit better this time...
[20:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again the game starts, ready to go...
[20:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:07] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[20:07] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:07] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the first false start, things go much better this time. Eudial zooms along, her computerized car doing a good imitation of her real car. Rei does good as well, but is unable to really keep up with the insane driving of Eudial.
[20:09] <Rei-chan> "Well, you really nailed it that time," Rei compliments her fellow Witch.
[20:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she stays, intensely into the game as she crosses the finish line. "Yeah!"
[20:10] * Rei-chan looks around, wondering if this arcade has the Sailor Moon game.
[20:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> It does. In fact..."Sailor Senshi versus the Negaverse Remixed!" is emblazoned on the arcade cabinet.
[20:13] * Rei-chan quirks an eyebrow, wondering if Artemis paid heed to their complaints. Nudging Eudial, she points out the Sailor Senshi game. "Want to play that one? One of the characters in it shoots fireballs," she says, hoping to cajole her into it.
[20:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm? Isn't that the game based on those girls in the news all the time?" she asks, looking up at it through the crowd of people.
[20:14] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. Remember I mentioned Metallia? The Sailor Senshi are the ones who defeated her," Rei says, leaving out the fact that she was far more deeply involved than her story had implied.
[20:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really? You know those girls?" she asks, still curious. "Are they really magical fighters?" Her voice goes from curious to interested at the second part.
[20:16] <Rei-chan> "I only saw them briefly when Metallia ordered me to fight them," Rei hedges. "I didn't do so good though, and they knocked me out. When I next woke up, Metallia was gone," she outright lies.
[20:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh," she hums. "Oh well, maybe they'd make good Witches," she shrugs, before turning back to the game.
[20:19] <Rei-chan> "If we could ever find them. They always seem to disappear before anyone can ever get to talk to them," Rei says a tad uncomfortably. "Anyway, want to play the game? The old version was fun, and I'm interested in seeing what this remix is like."
[20:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright, sure," she nods, shrugging away the previous conversation. She walks up to the machine, taking one of the positions.
[20:20] * Rei-chan takes the other and inserts her tokens, waiting to see which character Eudial will pick.
[20:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> She puts in her coin and picks Sailor Jupiter.
[20:20] * Rei-chan is slightly surprised that Eudial didn't pick the fiery Sailor Mars, but shrugs it off, deciding to play as Sailor Mercury this time as a change of pace.
[20:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The game starts... this time, the first stage is a park.
[20:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:21] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[20:21] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:21] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> The first stage goes by quickly enough... the boss is a Jadeite wannabe.
[20:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh, this isn't too hard," Eudial says. "If this is all those girls had to face..."
[20:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:22] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:23] * Rei-chan blinks, noting that 'Jadeite' isn't as good a likeness as before. Maybe Artemis did pay attention...
[20:23] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:23] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> The boss dies quickly, not much of a challenge.
[20:23] <Rei-chan> "I dunno. Remember that thing on the news back in December with all the lightning at the TV station? I heard they were involved in that... it sounded pretty scary to me," Rei comments as she blasts the boss with a Shabon Spray.
[20:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> The difficulty curve also seems to be lower.
[20:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "During all those disasters," Eudial asks as a Supreme Thunder roasts Jadeite. "The Professor shruged them off, mostly. He said the Mistress said they weren't that important."
[20:25] <Rei-chan> "Well, they probably didn't directly affect the Mistress, so they wouldn't matter to her. All she cares about are the Talismans, right?" Rei says, waiting to punch and kick her way through the next stage.
[20:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next stage is the mall that was stage 1 in the last version. Youma come right at you, not letting your girls get a chance to rest.
[20:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:26] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:26] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:26] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[20:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> This stage is more grist for your fighting skills!
[20:27] * Rei-chan turns many a youma into icicles with her array of cool attacks!
[20:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, mostly. You remember that big apartment explosion near the bay," she asks as she polishes off another monster. "He was interested in that, but he said it was a missed chance."
[20:28] <Rei-chan> "A missed chance?" Rei looks interested, "Like it had something to do with the Talismans? Or something else?" 'Maybe the Talismans are something like Oxyite's sword?'
[20:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Whatever it was, it caused his machines to go off the charts," she frowns. "It wasn't a terrorist thing like the TV said, I think."
[20:29] <Rei-chan> "Only an idiot would believe terrorists did that," Rei remarks. "It was done in a residential area when most people were at work, and no one ever claimed responsibility."
[20:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "True," she says.
[20:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:30] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:31] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:31] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[20:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> A Nephrite kinda wannabe is the boss...he goes down easily as well to your combined assault.
[20:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, a bomb wouldn't have interested the Professor like that," she nods.
[20:32] * Rei-chan wonders what the Professor would have made of Metallia. She sure didn't see any evidence of the Deathbusters on her rampage through Tokyo, although she never went all that close to Mugen at the time...
[20:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But whatever it was, nothing came of it," she says as stage three starts.
[20:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, it's the Starlight Tower with pitfalls and more monsters. YAY.
[20:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:35] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[20:35] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I doubt he would have had time to react, really... it all happened so suddenly."
[20:35] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:35] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[20:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really?" she asks.
[20:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The boss of this stage is a Zoisite wanna be, rose petals and all.
[20:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:37] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[20:37] <Rei-chan> "Well, yeah," Rei replies. "It was just a sudden massive explosion out of nowhere, and then there was nothing left."
[20:37] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:37] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[20:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, Zoisite has the last laugh, pulverizing the both of you.
[20:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Gah," Eudial mutters, putting in another coin.
[20:38] * Rei-chan doesn't really feel like continuing, but doesn't want to leave Eudial alone, so sticks a token in herself.
[20:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> The battle goes on...
[20:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[20:39] * Shai`Hulud --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[20:39] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[20:39] * Shai`Hulud --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[20:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, the boss has his way with you, turning you into shredded Senshi.
[20:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ah, blargh," Eudial spins the arcade stick, stepping away from the game.
[20:41] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, I've had enough," Rei steps away as well. "Want to get something to drink?"
[20:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure," Eudial nods, leading the way to the bar. "What do you want, Rei?"
[20:43] * Rei-chan looks around to see what's available, eventually shrugging, "I'll just have an orange juice, thanks."
[20:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mountain Dew," she orders. Your drinks come quickly, nice and cold.
[20:45] * Rei-chan sips her drink, her gaze wandering over to the dance floor.
[20:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You know, Rei..." Eudial starts after a gulp of her drink. "You aren't too bad." Her smile is genuine, and rather nice. She looks pretty when she smiles like that. "I've had fun today."
[20:50] <Rei-chan> "Thanks, sempai," Rei smiles, "You're not so bad yourself." The day hadn't been a great one, having to deal with Kotono and all, but still... hanging out with Eudial was nice. While different from most other people she knows, the older girl is always interesting.
[20:50] <Rei-chan> "Today hasn't been bad at all," Rei says, finishing off her glass. Her eyes track from the dancefloor and back to her companion. "Want to go dance for a while?" she asks, smiling.
[20:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," Eudial laughs a bit, warmly. "Sure, since it seems all the guys here have girls with them."
[20:54] * Rei-chan almost launches into a speech about how to hot young girls like themselves could easily lure away the guy's attentions, but then recalls her romantic cruise with Ami... "Eh," she shrugs, "You don't need a guy just to have fun dancing. Come on, let's show off our stuff," she grins, leading the older girl onto the dancefloor.
[20:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> She follows, loosening up as she walks.
[20:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting on the dance floor is simple. Currently, some techno pop is playing, cheery and catchy.
[20:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial begins to dance, shaking her hips to the music.
[20:57] * Rei-chan begins dancing energetically, trying to just forget her troubles and lose herself in the music.
[20:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> The dancing goes on, the music becoming more techno. Soon enough, you lose yourself in the rhythmic motions of the music.......
[20:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Whew!" Eudial cries, finally stopping and getting you out of your sweaty dancing frenzy. Her hands are on her knees as she takes a few deep breaths, winded.
[20:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> It was warm before in here, but with the movement and body heat of the dancers and dancing... it's hot now.
[21:01] <Rei-chan> "How about a break? I don't know about you, but I could use a cold drink," Rei suggests, inwardly a bit miffed that no one had bothered trying to approach them while they danced.
[21:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh yeah," the sweaty red head nods. "Let's get to one of the booths." She half staggers over to a comfortable booth, plopping down a good ways from the dance floor.
[21:02] <Rei-chan> "Just sit there, I'll be back in a sec. You want another Mountain Dew?"
[21:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure," she nods.
[21:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial leans back, closing her eyes. That looks to have taken some energy out of her.
[21:03] * Rei-chan goes to the bar, ordering a Mountain Dew and an orange juice for herself.
[21:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> When you get back, Eudial is waiting, having started to fan herself with a napkin.
[21:06] <Rei-chan> "Here you go," Rei says, handing over the cool drink and taking a seat next to the redhead, sipping her own.
[21:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> She takes and and chugs most of it in one go. "Phew... A flamethrower is one thing, but these clubs are another," she comments.
[21:08] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, sure is hot," Rei comments, not all that bothered herself. It's rather comfortable for her, actually.
[21:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So," she asks after finishing her drink, "Any luck in the romantic department? This place always reminds me that I'm not so lucky there."
[21:14] * Rei-chan sighs. "No... things haven't been going my way in that department for some time..." she snorts, thinking of all the problems her relationship with Minako had. "Hell, maybe forever."
[21:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, feeling connected to Rei in the way all those unlucky in love feel connected to each other. "I'll second that."
[21:16] * Rei-chan clinks her glass against Eudial's. "Here's to the losers," she says self-deprecatingly, before looking around at all the happy couples in the club with a mixture of envy and resentment.
[21:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's almost enough to make you start dating girls," she says with a small laugh. "Since all the guys drop the ball." she shakes her head sadly.
[21:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> She clinks her glass with yours as well, taking a sip from the dregs of her cup.
[21:19] <Rei-chan> "Been there, done that," Rei snorts. "At least she paid me more attention than my last boyfriend, but it still didn't work out," she says bitterly.
[21:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial freaks slightly, but managed to regain her cool. "Another girl, eh? How'd it go? Still a bomb?" Eudial asks, curious. "I didn't think you were that way or anything."
[21:22] <Rei-chan> "I never thought I was that way either," Rei shrugs. "Then all of a sudden I had two girls declaring their love for me. One of them was my best friend... so I gave her a chance." Rei swirls her juice around as she looks away. "It wasn't all bad, but... I miss my friend. We haven't been the same since we broke up."
[21:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial looks away herself. "What happened? Did becoming romantically inclined ruin things?"
[21:28] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. She... she would never give me any space. She had to be with my all the time... I loved her, but there's only so much I can take," Rei says, wondering at how easily she can say this to Eudial when she hasn't even told any of the other senshi. "It scared me, to see her becoming so obsessive. I had to break up with her, for her own good." She sighs, slumping in her seat. "I don't think she saw it that way, though."
[21:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> She says quiet as you speak, soaking up Rei's words. Finally, "I'm sorry," she says quietly. "Losing your best friend and girlfriend... heh. And let me tell you," she goes on, sighing, "Being a Witch isn't great for the ol' romance hopes. If it's not missing a date to Heart Snatches, it's not being there because of business."
[21:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> She looks down at the bottom of her glass, somber. "Ugh, this took a turn for the depressing."
[21:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sitting up firmly, she smiles. "The only cure is to have some fun before it gets too late," she nods.
[21:34] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah... it's a hard life, alright..." she drains the last of her drink. "I think I'll call it a day... maybe just go home and meditate on the Fire for a few hours. That normally helps when I feel down."
[21:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "I was going to recommend some karaoke," she comments, "But I won't keep you."
[21:36] * Rei-chan smiles faintly. "Maybe tomorrow?" she suggests nicely. "I doubt I could sing anything except depressing songs right now, and that wouldn't help at all."
[21:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh. I'll even drive you home," she says, getting up herself.
[21:37] <Rei-chan> "Thanks," Rei replies gratefully, not really wanting to deal with the kind of attention she might attract in her current attire on the long walk back to the Shrine.
[21:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you drive home, Eudial keeps the speed relatively sane.
[21:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Rei," she says as you drive to the Shrine, "Thanks. It's hard to really have fun with those other Witches," her inflection leans towards a rhyming word, "around."
[21:40] <Rei-chan> "I can imagine," Rei replies, thinking of how she's barely exchanged more than five words with the other Witches. "I guess people with 'talents' like ours just make up for it in lacking social skills..."
[21:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That does make sense, and why those girls are such bitches," she nods. "Kaolinite, Tellu, Mimette," that one is said with real venom, "and the rest... ugh."
[21:43] * Rei-chan nods. "It is annoying having to work alongside people who'd cheerfully stab you in the back without a moment's hesitation..."
[21:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Some of them deserve it, though," she mutters.
[21:45] <Rei-chan> "True enough," Rei says agreeably, "The way they act is only setting themselves up for a fall, really."
[21:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial grins. "And when they do fall...splat."
[21:48] * Rei-chan nods. "It's bound to happen."
[21:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial continues to grin as she drives Rei home....
[21:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---

Halbarad · June 24, 2006, 09:32:01 PM

[17:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[17:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the Sailor meeting on Sunday, it's time for class at Toudai. Going to class, you find yourself mentally distracted, not noticing when you bump into a warm body on your way to class.
[17:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oof! Hey," A familiar female voice calls out. Looking up, you see Hiroe balancing herself after the bump.
[17:55] <Prince_Herb> "Ack! Sorry! I didn't mean to do that!" Herb says, looking rather embarassed
[17:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, it's Herb," Hiroe says, her voice distantly friendly. "Hi."
[17:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um..." she stumbles along, uncertain. "How's it been going?"
[18:02] <Prince_Herb> "Pretty good, pretty good." Herb says, "Apart from the curse thing, you know. How've you been getting along?"
[18:03] <Prince_Herb> "Oh wait, I won something at the arcade you might like to have." Herb says, reaching into his bag and bringing out a very cute Sailor Dragon UFO Catcher plushie
[18:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Er, thanks," she says, fumbling verbally. "It's cute."
[18:08] * Prince_Herb smiles. "Did you ever... I mean, have you..? I mean, eh..."
[18:09] * Prince_Herb tries to figure out the best way to put things, but fails
[18:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh...I kind of thought about it," she nods, blushing. "Herb...you're a nice guy. A really nice guy, a super nice guy," she goes on. This spiel is starting to sound bad. "And I think you'll make someone a great boyfriend, really. But..."
[18:14] <Prince_Herb> "But not you? Ah, too bad." Herb says, trying not to look downhearted.
[18:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm sorry," she says quickly. "It's just not for me."
[18:19] <Prince_Herb> "I understand. God forbid, my life is weird enough." Herb says.
[18:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm sure it is," she agrees. "I'd like to be friends, though."
[18:22] * Prince_Herb nods. "That's cool with me. You're a nice person to be around. Just don't ask me for my fashion tips..."
[18:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> She smiles and lets out a small, relieved breath. "I promise," she says.
[18:25] * Prince_Herb bows. "Shall we go on into class, then? I need to sit down so that I can fix my broken heart with the Scotch tape I have in my bag." Herb winks and smiles.
[18:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Hiroe smiles wider. 'He's taking it well, thank God,' is tattooed on her face. "Yeah, let's go." she nods and follows Prince Herb into class.
[08:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[08:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> Naru and her mother wake up later in the day, tired but otherwise alright. They stay in the hospital overnight, while the girls go home to a new day of schooling.
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The morning goes by quickly enough... until lunchtime, where Ami and Usagi are eating lunch together.
[08:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> From your seating outside, the most wonderful flute music drifts through, ethereal and pretty.
[08:44] * Usagi-chan looks up, wondering where the beautiful music is coming from.
[08:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking over, you see a small crowd around a table on the other side of the grounds, where the music is coming from. Its haunting melody is stunningly pure and beautiful. Whoever is playing is extremely skilled.
[08:46] * Usagi-chan heads over to the table, her curiosity aroused.
[08:47] * Ami follows the blonde.
[08:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting to the crowd, you push through enough to see who is playing. A new student is playing a white and green embossed flute, his eyes closed and his attention fully in his music. He is a year older than you, and has brown hair and pale skin. He's not Japanese, you note.
[08:49] <Ami> "Who is he?" Ami asks someone in the crowd.
[08:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The music goes on, deep and soothing. The girls in the crowd are looking at him with visible crushes in their eyes, enraptured by his music.
[08:50] * Usagi-chan raises an eyebrow as she takes a close look at the new guy. "He's really good with that flute, whoever he is..." Usagi murmurs to Ami, having overheard her question.
[08:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "He's Alan Grangier, an exchange student from America," Umino pops up besides Ami, holding a notepad. "Just started this week."
[08:52] <Ami> "Oh, hello Umino," Ami whispers to the bespectacled boy, not wanting to interrupt the music. "He plays very well."
[08:52] * Usagi-chan half-listens to Umino, still paying more attention to the haunting notes of the flute.
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hmmph, he does," he notes. "All the girls seem to like him already," he grouses.
[08:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a final drifting note, he finishes his song. His eyes open, his brown bangs covering the upper half of his eyes. Quite bishonen... The other girls in the crowd squeal in delight as one.
[08:55] * Usagi-chan smiles, definitely admiring the newcomer's handsome appearance.
[08:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, Alan!" "That was beautiful!" "Share my lunch with me, Alan!" These cries come out, but he merely bows his head and pushes past the crowd. "I'm sorry... but excuse me," he says quietly in accented Japanese.
[08:57] * Usagi-chan steps aside, still unabashedly staring at Alan as he walks past. 'Definitely one of the cuter ones around here, that's for sure...'
[08:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> After he clears the crowd, he makes haste and gets out of sight, going back into the school building. The memory of his music seems to linger, however.
[08:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What does he have that I don't." Umino grumbles as he gauges the reactions of the female popluation.
[08:59] <Usagi-chan> "Good looks, several inches, and a LOT of skill at playing the flute," Usagi answers him absently.
[09:00] * Ami nods absently.
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hmmmp!" he mutters again, annoyed.
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Later, when Usagi goes back to class for the afternoon session...
[09:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Class," Miss Haruka annouces, "We have a new student starting this afternoon," she says, instead of starting the history lesson.
[09:02] * Usagi-chan perks up a bit. 'Another new student?'
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Come in, Ann," Miss H says, calling outside. A girl of your age comes into the room. She is American as well, with the same light skin as Alan and similarly colored hair. She looks rather haughty though, down to her slightly cold brown eyes.
[09:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> She comes up besides Miss Haruka and bows to the class. "I'm Ann Grangier, a student from America," she says to the class.
[09:04] * Usagi-chan gives the girl an appraising look, noting something slightly odd about her.
[09:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself, Ann," Miss H presses politely. Nodding, Ann goes on. "My brother and I are here from America," she says.
[09:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Miss H nods. "Take the empty seat next to Usagi Tsukino, please. Usagi, would you raise your hand," Miss H asks.
[09:08] * Usagi-chan dutifully raises her hand, giving the new girl a friendly smile.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> She walks over to the desk, not returning your smile right off. She sits down and looks ahead, ready for the lesson.
[09:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the day goes on, she is mainly disinterested, only paying the teacher enough attention to get by. Once the last bell rings, she makes haste to leave...
[09:10] * Usagi-chan watches the girl beat a hasty retreat from the classroom as she gathers up her books. 'Wonder what's got HER in such a rush?'
[09:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Usagi and Ami are walking home, they stop at the Crown Arcade for fun and pleasure...
[09:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Inside, the normal array of lights and sounds greet them, as Motoki serves sundaes and keeps the entire thing running.
[09:22] * Usagi-chan stretches as she walks in the door of the arcade. "Man, I'm just glad that I don't have to listen to any more lectures about algebra!"
[09:24] <Ami> "Hm. I still haven't tried that game yet," Ami muses.
[09:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hi, Usagi," Motoki calls out as you enter, waving from behind the counter.
[09:25] <Usagi-chan> "Huh? Which one?" Usagi waves, giving Motoki a bright smile as she comes in. "Hi, oniisan!"
[09:26] <Ami> "Hello Motoki," Ami waves. "The Sailor Senshi versus the Negaverse."
[09:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Do you girls want anything," he asks, "Since I'm back here right now."
[09:26] <Ami> "You guys talked about it so much now I want to try it."
[09:27] * Usagi-chan grins at Ami. "I'll meet you over there in a second - right now there's a sundae back there with my name on it!" She marches over to the counter, grinning at Motoki. "The usual, please!"
[09:27] * Ami heads off to do battle with the forces of digital evil.
[09:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, smiling. "Sure thing," he bends down as he picks up a scooper and some tools... and pauses. "Hm, out of whipped cream." Turning back, he calls out to the room behind the counter. "Could you bring back some whipped cream while you're there?" he calls.
[09:30] * Usagi-chan looks towards the back room curiously. "You got some more help here, oniisan?"
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure, Motoki," Your heart skips a beat when the voice of Mamoru Chiba calls back. A few scant seconds later, he comes out, carrying a can of whipped cream. He's dressed in his normal clothes, slacks and a black shirt.
[09:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, Mamoru's helping out a bit this week, since we're busy and he needs some extra spending money," he replies.
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Here you..." Mamoru starts, before catching sight of Usagi. "Hi, Usagi," he says, smiling nicely.
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> He hands the can to Motoki absently, paying attention to you and not to the whipped cream.
[09:32] <Usagi-chan> "Oh... I see." Usagi trails off a bit. "Hi, Mamoru-san." Usagi smiles a bit.
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Motoki takes a look to Usagi, then to Mamoru. "Um... here's your sundae, Usagi," he hands it over and makes haste away, catching the tension on the air.
[09:33] * Usagi-chan hunches down slightly on her stool, concentrating on the chocolate sundae in front of her and hoping Mamoru takes the hint.
[09:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Not taking it, Mamoru lingers. "How are you holding up, Usagi," he asks quietly, still smiling nicely, and now with all the charm he can manage. "School going well?"
[09:36] <Usagi-chan> "Uh... yeah, school's great." Usagi glances up at Mamoru briefly. "I've finally started to get my grades up some."
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Good... that's good to know," he says. "So... yes. How's it been going otherwise?" he touches that iceberg.
[09:38] <Usagi-chan> "It's been... all right, I guess." She gives a half-laugh. "Although it looks like 'work' may be picking up again."
[09:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh?" he asks, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I see..."
[09:41] <Usagi-chan> "Hopefully nothing to worry about." Usagi tries to keep her tone light. "Although poor Naru-chan looks like she's still as unlucky as ever."
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods slowly. "Usagi... do you feel like talking now," he asks, his tone not betraying the emotions that rage underneath the surface.
[09:44] * Usagi-chan feels her heart leap in her chest as she runs through her options, knowing what needs to be said. Licking a pair of lips that have gone dry, she nods slowly. "If you want to," she says quietly.
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I do..." he nods firmly. "How about we go outside, I can take a break."
[09:45] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath, then nods slowly.
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Okay," he says. Raising his voice, he calls out, "Motoki, I'm taking a break. Be back in a few, okay?" Motoki calls back his consent. Stepping out from the counter, he leads Usagi outside...
[09:47] * Usagi-chan follows Mamoru slowly, still not looking directly at him.
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> After you step outside, he glances around. "How about that coffee shop from before? Unless... you want to discuss this publicly," he comments, glancing around at the passing citizenry of Tokyo.
[09:49] * Usagi-chan feels a chill run down her spine. She tries - with only moderate success - to keep her voice steady as she replies. "Sure, I guess that's okay with me."
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> He leads you on, back to the cyber cafe/coffee shop that you met Mamoru in before, just before he left. You get a table in back and he orders tea for for the both of you.
[09:51] * Usagi-chan takes another deep breath, trying to keep her heart from pounding out of her chest the way it seems like it's going to. She waits for Mamoru to speak, not even sure where she should start.
[09:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> After sipping his tea, he speaks. "Usagi... Serenity." he starts with your name, but shifts back to Serenity with the force of someone having made up his mind. "I love you. I've loved you here in this era and in the bygone Moon Kingdom."
[09:55] * Usagi-chan rests her hands on the table, fidgeting slightly. She still doesn't look up at Mamoru as he speaks.
[09:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> He reaches forward, taking your hand. "If you call yourself Usagi or Serenity, it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if you have the wealth of a nation or of only your family. I want you for you, not for the past or the future or now."
[09:59] <Usagi-chan> "Mamoru..." Usagi says hoarsely, her mouth very dry. "I don't know exactly how to say this..." She closes her eyes for a moment, then finally looks up at Mamoru - blue eyes meeting blue. "I loved you as Serenity, and I think I even loved you as Usagi. But... I don't think I can do this." Her voice catches in her throat.
[10:02] <Usagi-chan> Taking a moment to compose her thoughts, she goes on. "I..." She glances around at the coffee shop. "The last time we talked here, you said some things that really scared me to death, Mamoru. I've tried to put that behind me, but I just can't no matter how hard I try." She drops her gaze again. "I just don't feel like I can trust you right now... I'm sorry."
[10:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> He closes his eyes, but grasps your hand tighter. "Usagi... I love you... and I trust you. You can trust me..." he murmurs softly.
[10:06] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, wishing this wasn't so difficult. "I know you do, Mamoru, and I wish I COULD trust you, I really do... but I just can't, not right now." A tear trickles from the corner of her eye.
[10:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> He sighs. "We have time, though. Time enough for me to win your trust," he says, opening his eyes and showing resolution. "I promised you that I wouldn't leave you a long time ago, and I'll live up to that. Even if it takes me years."
[10:09] <Usagi-chan> "Mamoru..." Usagi looks up at him, her eyes pleading. She lowers her tone a bit more. "You said you wanted to kill me... I don't know how I CAN trust you after that! I've honestly tried, I really have, but it's just not working."
[10:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That was... that was the remnants of Dark Prince Mamoru, though, not me," he replies. "Nothing but the leftovers from Metallia... nothing but a sad echo."
[10:13] * Usagi-chan sighs. "That may be, Mamoru, but it doesn't change the fact that you did say it and I was scared out of my wits. I can't just wave my hand and make it go away, as much as I might want to."
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But time will make it better, Usagi. And you have to understand I didn't mean that," he says back quickly. Is that a note of franticness you detect?
[10:17] * Usagi-chan gently pulls her hand away from Mamoru, rising from the table. "I'm sorry, Mamoru... I just can't do this right now!" Turning on her heel, she quickly runs out of the cafe, trying to fight her tears. 'Oh god, I never knew it would be so hard...' she thinks to herself as she blindly runs through the streets, not really caring where she ends up as the tears spill down her cheeks.
[10:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "SERENITY!" Mamoru's voice echos from behind you as you flee...
[10:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[09:30] * Ami goes to get some coins first and returns, ready for action!
[09:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The game is set up for 6 players total, and the screen is running an eyecatch of all 6 Senshi.
[09:32] * Ami selects the senshi of wisdom, Sailor Mercury!
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> The game begins! Youma come at Pretty Sailor Mercury from all angles, attempting to kill her in the park!
[09:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check.
[09:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> You progress through the first stage, but the onslaught of youma is surprisingly hard. Sailor Mercury goes down to a minature rushing jet plane near the end of the first stage...continue?
[09:34] * Ami drops another token.
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Continuing on, you make it to the first boss...It's a bad Jadeite ripoff.
[09:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check.
[09:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> You battle well, but too many shots from the General get through. Splat goes Mercury, a chibi Mercury angel drifting away...
[09:36] * Ami drops another token.
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The boss battle continues on, Sailor Mercury vs. Jadeite!
[09:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check.
[09:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Again, a crackling Dark Energy bolt reams poor Sailor Mercury before the boss falls!
[09:39] * Ami mutters darkly before dropping another token.
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> The battle still rages on!
[09:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:41] <Ami> OOC Sure
[09:41] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:41] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:42] <Ami> Pass!
[09:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a final Aqua Illusion, Jadeite falls! The stage is cleared!
[09:42] <Ami> "Hm, this is harder than I though it would be."
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next stage starts, this time a mall setting. More youma attack!
[09:43] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:43] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:43] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[09:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sailor Mercury left a nice impression on the steel door covering when the youma crushed her against it, you note. Continue?
[09:44] * Ami drops another token.
[09:44] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:44] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Charging forward, Sailor Mercury decimates the hordes of youma throughout the mall! Nephrite waits ahead for your challenge!
[09:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:46] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:46] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> But the long haired General is no match for Mercury Power! He falls, leading the way to stage 3!
[09:48] <Ami> "Yes! Ok, I think I'm get the hang of this. Let's see who else wants some?"
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next stage is the Starlight Tower! Stairs chock full of youma await Sailor Mercury!
[09:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:49] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:49] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[09:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Mercury progesses well up the stairs... only to meet her end when a cat youma pitches her down several flights of stairs to a boneshattering finish. Continue?
[09:51] * Ami continues!
[09:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:52] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:52] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, the stairs full of youma are no match for Sailor M! Progressing upwards, she comes to a section with no youma...just only a few stairs and plenty of pitfalls. Extremly good jumping will be needed to clear this and not become a pancake. At the top, Zoicite awaits, taunting you.
[09:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:53] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:53] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Nimbly leaping up the stairs, Mercury clears the pitfalls and reaches the Gay General! Time to rock!
[09:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:55] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:55] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[09:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Gay General is a weak a battler as his name indicates, soon taking his own plunge to a splattery end!
[09:57] * Ami laughs!
[09:57] <Ami> "Hehe that was... hehe too much."
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The next stage is a a crater pocked, moon like ruin. Youma come at you from the very start, tons on screen!
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:58] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:58] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[09:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Narrowly managing to survive the onslaught, Ami progresses into the ruins...
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> When Kunzite descends from above, his energy blades ready to wound and slay Mercury!
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[09:59] <Ami> roll 2d6
[09:59] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[09:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> With an amazing speed, the two blades fly forth, cutting Sailor Mercury into three chunks, all dead! Continue?
[10:00] * Ami kicks the machine. How could they let the boss just auto-hit like that?
[10:00] * Ami drops another token.
[10:00] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:00] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, you manage to avoid becoming Sailor Kabobs, slaying him with your strongest skill! The final stage is here!
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> A black void awaits, swirling with terrible Dark energy...Youma form from it, ready to slay!
[10:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[10:01] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:01] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Somehow, Ami winds her way through it... until when the energy forms great gaping black holes that youma fly out of. She must cross these while managing not to be slain by the monsters!
[10:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Body check. Say, -1 mind bonus and -1 acro bonus?
[10:02] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:02] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> One of the youma disrupt Ami's jump enough so that she falls into the abyss instead of landing safely. Only a blood splatter coming up hints at the fate Mercury met down there... Continue?
[10:03] * Ami drops another token before the clock reaches 8.
[10:03] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:03] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[10:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, two youma knock her into the abyss. Continue... and you note no angel flies up when you die in one of those holes. Eeep.
[10:05] * Ami drops another token.
[10:05] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:05] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:06] <Ami> OK, taking it slow this time," Ami mutters.
[10:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Finally progressing past this, you come to the throne of Queen Beryl! Raising her staff and cackling, she launches her assault!
[10:07] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:07] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> A bolt of energy from her ball ends Mercury's career as anything but a medical specimen. Continue?
[10:08] <Ami> "This is geting difficult," Ami admits, popping in another coin.
[10:08] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:08] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, you smash both Beryl and her Crystal Ball with a well placed Shabon Spray Freezing! It is over...?
[10:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a rumble, the throne vanishes, revealing the massive form of Metallia behind it!
[10:12] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:12] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> The battle roars on, Mercury punishing Metallia! As the battle goes, the creature raises it's arms, invoking some power! Images of the Senshi appear, each warped into a servant of the Dark Kingdom. Metallia vanishes as these corrupted warriors come at Ami!
[10:13] <Ami> "Hm, better take out Moon first," Ami mutters, ready for battle!
[10:14] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:14] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[10:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> The ensuing scene of total beatdown is mercifully short at least, as Mercury is blasted with a black energy, changing as her now insane laugh echos throughout the room. Continue?
[10:15] * Ami plops two tokens in. "Ok, you're going down."
[10:15] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:15] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> This time, the Dark Senshi fall, Moon dying last to a Aqua Illusion to the face!
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> Metallia reappears, this time ready for a real battle!
[10:16] <Ami> roll 2d6
[10:16] * Musk-bot --> "Ami rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[10:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> With a tremedous push of gaming skill and bravado, the final shot lands! Metallia screams as she vanishes and the credits begin to roll! You won!
[10:17] <Ami> "Yay! I won!" Ami resists the urge to dance, instead watching the credits roll.
[10:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the credits roll, a screen that says, "New characters unlocked" flashes.
[10:18] * Ami takes a peek at the new characters.
[10:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> TWo characters. The first is Tuxedo Kamen. Nothing to note there. The second is a roster of the 'corrupted Senshi'.
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> The demo runs Dark Sailor Moon and Dark Sailor Jupiter playing through stage 2, you notice.
[10:21] * Ami chooses Evil Mercury, just to see what she's like.
[10:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> She's a color swapped version of Sailor Mercury, black and blue. Her attacks are black ice versions of her normal skills, and she can fly!
[10:24] <Ami> "Hey, she can fly!" Ami giggles. She sees if she can do Akuma-style 'fireballs' from the air, too.
[10:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> She can fire off Illusions from the air, at least. That's kinda close.
[10:25] * Ami continues playing, testing the powers of Evil Mercury.
[10:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> She's a somewhat powered up version of Mercury, in effect. The first stage goes better than it did last time thanks to this.
[10:31] * Ami finally gives up on the game, not really seeing what all the fuss was about, and heads back toward the eating area. "Usagi must have gotten free extras or something," Ami muses.
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> Motoki is still behind the counter, and waves to Ami. "How'd your game go?"
[10:36] <Ami> "It was fun!" Ami enthuses, gifting him with a winning smile. "I really liked playing as Sailor Mercury. She reminds me of someone." Ami looks around briefly. "Hm. Where's Usagi? I thought she was still eating."
[10:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Motoki smiles honestly. "I haven't seen you worked up over a game like that," he says, but his smile vanishes when Usagi is brought up. "Um... she and Mamoru went to talk," he says, a bit uncomfortable.
[10:39] <Ami> "Mamoru?" Ami says, surprised. "Um, any idea which way they went?"
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "They left outside," he says, glancing over at a wall clock. "Mamoru's running late on break, but I'm not surprised," he sighs.
[10:43] <Ami> "Thanks, Motoki." Ami calls back, heading out the door.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite her searching, however, Ami does not come across Mamoru or Usagi... both seem to be gone for now.
[10:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Usagi runs blindly, she is finally stopped by the one thing that often stops her - tripping.
[10:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "OOOOOUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A cry of pain is heard. Did you just step on something?
[10:49] * Usagi-chan looks up from where she landed, startled out of her tears. "What... huh?" She scrambles up quickly, looking around for the source of the cry. She was sure she didn't hit anyone when she fell THIS time...
[10:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Looking behind you, you see a white Mau lying on the pavement, with a footprint over his back. "Oooooooh... ooowwwww... what was that for, Usagi?"
[10:55] <Usagi-chan> "Artemis?" Usagi wipes away her tears on her sleeve, although her eyes are still puffy. "What are you doing here?"
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> The battered Mooncat looks up. He doesn't look so good himself, his eyes are red and he looks tired.
[10:57] * Usagi-chan picks up the bedraggled-looking Mau. "You look about as bad as I probably do - what happened?"
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I was heading to your house," he says, "Before we met mid-stride."
[10:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's about Minako," he sighs. "What else?"
[10:58] * Usagi-chan sighs. "I almost don't want to ask... what is it now?"
[10:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Staggering to his feet, he looks around. "How about... how about we get to your house first," he says. "Privacy and the fact that I need to sit down for this."
[10:59] * Usagi-chan nods, her composure returning somewhat as Artemis' mysterious news pushes thoughts of Mamoru out of her mind. Cradling the white cat in her arms, she heads for her house.
[11:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once you arrive at home... "Hi, Usagi," Mom calls out from the kitchen. "Stew for dinner in an hour."
[11:03] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks, Mom. I'll be up in my room." Usagi says absently, taking Artemis up the stairs into her own room.
[11:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once upstairs, Artemis leaps out of your arms and down onto your bed. Luna is napping there, who is woken up by a quick paw shake from Artemis.
[11:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Mmmm? Artemis? Usagi? Something the matter?" the cat asks as she wakes up.
[11:05] * Usagi-chan sits down at her desk chair, facing the bed. "So what's the urgent news, Artemis?"
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Minako's gone, Usagi," he says, slumping down onto his belly on the bed. "She's left."
[11:06] <Usagi-chan> "Gone?" Usagi stares at the cat. "What do you mean, 'gone'?"
[11:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna blinks herself, but lets the cat go on. "She's gone, and she took her parents with her," he says, tiredness and a mess of other emotions coming to the surface.
[11:08] * Usagi-chan mouths silently for a few seconds. "But gone where?"
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Touring, as Full Moon." he says, then laughs bitterly. "We had another argument, Usagi."
[11:09] * Usagi-chan rubs her temples. 'I did not need this today, of all days.' "What about THIS time?"
[11:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "About her as a Senshi... as a person." he says, not elaborating. "She said she would leave this time, and... she meant it."
[11:10] * Usagi-chan shakes her head, not understanding. "But why? I mean, what got into her this time? And why would she just pack up and leave without saying anything to any of the rest of us?"
[11:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis sighs again, deeply, before going on. "I don't know. Hell, I haven't known about her for a while now."
[11:13] <Usagi-chan> "I know what you mean, Artemis. After the way she acted before the sleepover the other day... I have no idea what goes through her head, anymore, and I can hear her thoughts for crying out loud!" She sighs deeply. "Well, this just makes the perfect end to the perfect day."
[11:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What else happened, Usagi," Luna asks as Artemis settles in and closes his eyes. He looks like he's about to pass out.
[11:16] * Usagi-chan moves over to the bed to pet Artemis, who looks like he needs it. She keeps her eyes on the white Mau as she speaks to Luna. "I... had a talk with Mamoru today."
[11:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna steels herself for a moment before replying. "And... how did it go?"
[11:19] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, pausing in her petting for a moment. "I told him I couldn't trust him and that I couldn't be in a relationship with him like that." The corners of her eyes glisten with unshed tears once again as she speaks.
[11:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," she says, echoing Mamoru's words. "Are you alright now, Usagi?"
[11:21] <Usagi-chan> "I don't really know, Luna." Usagi whispers. "It's all just such a mess right now..."
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh, no rest for the weary," Luna laughs lightly, amused. "It works out, Usagi. It has twice now."
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[10:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Herb's day is going without note. Save for a study group that has him leaving late, it's a routine day...
[10:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you walk out, you pass the kendo club practicing outside in the pleasant weather. Both groups are working on the basics.
[10:22] * Prince_Herb stops to watch.
[10:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Setting a fair bit outside, you watch the groups go through practice..."RACY!" A voice from above gets your attention. A kimono-clad... thing... is floating above, sparkling white tendrils draping among the club! Suddenly, you see the members moan and collapse, their energy suctioned away by this thing!
[10:25] * Prince_Herb ducks into a copse of trees, and transforms.
[10:26] * Prince_Herb calls out "Dragon Prism Power Makeup!" and transforms into the silken-thighed fighter for love and justice, Sailor Dragon!
[10:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you transform, you hear a voice from above, a male voice. "Finish draining them dry and come back!"
[10:28] * Sailor_Dragon flies out of the copse. "Kendo serves to strengthen the mind and body, not to provide energy for monsters to devour. Prepare to be punished by the beautiful girl soldier, Sailor_Dragon!"
[10:28] * Sailor_Dragon poses briefly and flies towards the monster.
[10:28] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 15."
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> The monster flying above looks down, surprised, but quickly ready for your challenge! "RACY!"
[10:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[10:30] <Sailor_Dragon> "Dragon Spirit Blast!" Sailor_Dragon cries out, sending a bolt of ki to strike down the offender.
[10:30] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[10:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[10:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> The monster does not react fast enough, clipped by your ki strike for massive pain and damage!
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> Racy is knocked back by this, but recovers quickly and shoots out thin strands from its arms at you, just like it used on the kendo club!
[10:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:31] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> But her aim is awful, the strands going too low to get Sailor Dragon!
[10:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative.
[10:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:33] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[10:33] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[10:33] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 17."
[10:34] * Sailor_Dragon continues the Dragon Spirit Blast on the strange creature. "Die already!"
[10:34] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[10:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 2."
[10:34] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6
[10:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[10:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:34] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[10:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Flying to the left quickly, the monster avoids having anything cut but its kimono as the blast cuts through its clothing, but nothing more.
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> As it drifts to the side, it fires off more of the silvery strands at Herb!
[10:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:36] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[10:37] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[10:37] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her aim is better this time, but no competition to Herb's midair agility!
[10:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> OOC - Initiative
[10:39] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[10:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 13."
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you steady yourself for the next round, the male voice calls out again. "You have enough energy now, Racy! Come back!"
[10:39] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[10:39] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[10:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> The monster shimmers for a moment, disappearing in a flash of magic! Its tendrils vanish from the kendo club, but they remain there. They are not moving and so no signs of recovering quickly.
[10:41] * Sailor_Dragon tries to sense where the creature has gone to.
[10:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> It seems to have vanished completely. You do not detect it anywhere.
[10:42] * Sailor_Dragon drops to the ground and back into the copse where she detransforms.
[10:43] * Prince_Herb phones the emergency services first, then runs out to see how the kendoists are.
[10:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> They are all sallow and breathing shallowly. THey seem to have been energy drained quite severely.
[10:49] * Prince_Herb curses under his breath and uses his communicator to try and raise the Queen and tell her about the new crisis.
[10:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> You get no answer from Usagi, oddly.
[10:59] <Prince_Herb> "Damn..." Herb says, and decides to call the next most sensible senshi, Ami-chan.
[11:03] * Ami answers. "Hello?"
[11:10] <Prince_Herb> "Ami-chan. Sailor Dragon just fought some kind of monster. It sucked the life energies out of the kendo club in the park."
[11:12] <Ami> "What? Are you ok? I'll be right there," Ami says, abandoning her hunt for the moment.
[11:14] <Prince_Herb> "No, it's OK. It fled when its master told it it had sucked enough energy, and I lost track of it. The kendo players are in a bad way, but I've called the ambulance service."
[11:14] <Prince_Herb> "I didn't see its master, only heard him. Otherwise, I would have gone straight for the organ-grinder, and avoided the monkey."
[11:17] * Ami blinks. "O-okay. Sure."
[11:21] <Prince_Herb> "I couldn't get hold of the Queen, so if you see her, let her know."
[11:21] <Ami> "Will do," Ami says, signing off.
[11:26] * Prince_Herb sighs and goes on his way to his weekly swim at the Toudai pool.
[11:26] <Prince_Herb> ----
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> After the events of Tuesday, a scout meeting afterschool on Wednesday is inevitable.
[11:54] * Rei-chan is back in her regular clothes, having changed out of her Witch outfit before leaving Mugen.
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Senshi pile in to Rei's temple for snacks and gossip... and maybe even Sailor business.
[11:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis and Luna are there early. Artemis looks rather downcast and sullen, you notice.
[11:56] * Usagi-chan trudges into the temple almost ten minutes late, looking rather haggard herself, as if she hasn't gotten much sleep. She flops down in the main room of the temple, her bookbag landing on the floor next to her. "Sorry I'm late, guys."
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, Usagi. For once you're not the last one here," Rei comments. "What the hell is keeping Minako anyway?"
[11:57] * Usagi-chan blanches and looks down at her lap.
[11:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Artemis coughs as well, like he just swallowed something bad.
[11:58] <Ami> "Usagi-chan, are you alright?" Ami asks, taking in her reaction and her state of unkemptness.
[11:58] <Rei-chan> "What?" Rei looks between the two, picking up on the tension.
[11:58] <Usagi-chan> "Minako's not coming." Usagi says quietly. "She's gone."
[11:59] <Rei-chan> "Gone?" Rei blinks. 'I haven't seen her at school lately, but I'm normally busy doing other stuff while she's in class...'
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She left," Artemis says flatly. "Off to tour."
[12:00] <Rei-chan> "What?" Rei says hoarsely, turning to the cat. "She just... left? Without a word?"
[12:01] * Usagi-chan nods silently, her features tight.
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not without a word," he comments, looking down at the floor. "Oh, she had words."
[12:01] * Rei-chan massages her forehead. "What happened, Artemis?"
[12:01] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe to you, Artemis, but she never said a word to me about it. The first I knew of it is when you told me."
[12:01] <Ami> "What?" Ami says, surprised as well. "What happened, Artemis?"
[12:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We had an argument, and she said she'd go off to tour after it. She meant it." The Mau doesn't elaborate on his story.
[12:02] <Rei-chan> "I don't believe this..." Rei sighs, then shakes her head. "No, actually... I can believe it. Dammit..."
[12:03] * Usagi-chan doesn't say anything more, although from the look on her face she's obviously unhappy about the situation.
[12:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She talked her parents into going, too," Artemis picks up on a different tack. "I... stayed."
[12:05] * Ami sighs. "I wish I could say I didn't see something like this coming," Ami says.
[12:05] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "Fine. I don't care anymore. If she thinks her stupid songs are more important than being a Sailor Senshi, then let her go." The miko puts her face in her hands.
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I..." the white cat goes on, "I don't really believe she did it, but... here I am, without a place to stay and short my Sailor partner."
[12:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> He slumps down further, depressed and sad.
[12:08] <Ami> "You can stay at my place," Ami offers. "I certainly have the room."
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thanks, Ami," he says, but he doesn't really perk up at that.
[12:12] <Rei-chan> "Well, we managed without Sailor Venus before, we'll just have to do it again," Rei says, deciding the subject is closed as far as she's concerned. "So have we learnt anything more about the new enemy?"
[12:12] <Ami> "One person shorter with a new threat apparently here. Did Herb tell you about the attack yesterday?"
[12:13] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "First I've heard about it... what happened?"
[12:13] <Rei-chan> "News to me," Rei says, waiting for Herb to explain what happened.
[12:13] <Rei-chan> Or Ami, if she knows about it...
[12:16] <Ami> "I'm not sure exactly. He called me after it took place and I was..." Ami glances toward Usagi for a moment. "Anyway, another monster and a 'voice' controling it. Sounds like what happened last time."
[12:16] <Ami> "Herb couldn't stop it from getting away with the energy."
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What sort of voice," Luna asks. "Familiar at all?"
[12:16] * Usagi-chan's eyes flicker to Ami as she catches the blue-haired girl's look, but she says nothing.
[12:17] <Ami> "Herb didn't mention any familiarity, but then again he wasn't at the last attack."
[12:18] <Rei-chan> "I hope we can find out who's behind these attacks and stop them soon... the more energy they gather, the harder it'll be for us," Rei puts in.
[12:19] <Usagi-chan> "I wonder what these guys want energy for... I just hope we're not looking at another Metallia." Usagi sighs.
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah, let's nip them quickly and be done with it," Lun agrees.
[12:19] * Rei-chan shudders at that pleasant memory. "I really hope it's not another Metallia..."
[12:22] * Usagi-chan stirs a bit. "Anyway, if there isn't anything else I think I'm going to go work on the palace this afternoon. Miss H didn't give us much homework today, so I don't have a lot else to do."
[12:22] <Ami> "I'll go with you," Ami speaks up. "There are still some things I need to do."
[12:24] <Rei-chan> "Need any help?" Rei asks, "I could do with something to distract me..."
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "What in the WORLD are you talking about, Usagi," Luna asks, having been puzzled by the path the conversation took.
[12:29] * Usagi-chan looks over at Luna for a second, nonplussed, then realizes what threw the cat off. "I forgot, you didn't even know about it yet." She smiles a bit. "Want to come with us?" She pokes Artemis gently. "You too, buster, you look like you could stand to get your mind off of things too."
[12:29] <Rei-chan> "You haven't told them?" Rei asks, a bit surprised.
[12:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Told us what?" Luna presses? "What are you girls hiding?"
[12:31] * Usagi-chan shakes her head to Rei's question. "Just didn't think about it really. It'll make a good surprise for them too, don't you think?" She grins slightly.
[12:32] <Rei-chan> "I think they'll approve," Rei nods, standing up.
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Of what?" Luna tries again.
[12:32] * Ami grins. "I suppose we'll have to tour again."
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her calm is rather dented, and she seems honestly curious about what you're going about.
[12:33] * Usagi-chan taps the black Mau on the nose. "You'll get to find out in a few minutes, Luna." She turns to Artemis. "How about you, Artemis? You want to come, too?"
[12:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sure," he says. "I don't have anything better to do right now, do I?"
[12:36] <Rei-chan> "Well, have to get changed to get up there," Rei says, holding up her transformation pen. "Mars Power, Make Up!"
[12:37] <Ami> "Mercury Power, Make UP!" Ami yells, casting her hands heavenward.
[12:37] * Makoto pauses, as she's shaken out of her thoughts by the transformation cry, still shocked at the statement about Minako leaving. Realizing they planned on going to the moon, she too raises her transformation pen, and shouts, "Jupiter Power, Make Up!"
[12:38] * Usagi-chan nods. "Best to do it the old-fashioned way this time, Ami-chan. Taking this many people would really wear me out." Taking hold of her locket, Usagi shouts the words of her transformation. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[12:38] * Sailor_Jupiter brightens out of her funk over losing a friend, as she realizes this also means playing with Lita again.
[12:39] * Sailor_Mars picks up Artemis and puts him on her shoulder before holding out her hands for whoever will take them.
[12:40] * Sailor_Moon scoops up Luna and places her on her own shoulder, taking Mars' and Jupiter's hands.
[12:41] * Sailor_Mercury holds Rei's hand and Makoto's hand.
[12:41] <Sailor_Mars> "Will we aim for the main hallway?" Rei asks Usagi.
[12:42] <Sailor_Moon> "Might as well. Everyone ready?" Usagi looks around at her friends.
[12:42] * Sailor_Mars nods.
[12:42] <Sailor_Mercury> "Sure thing, Usagi-chan."
[12:43] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Ready as always."
[12:43] * Sailor_Moon closes her eyes, focusing on the restored great hall of the Moon. "Sailor TELEPORT!" she shouts.

Halbarad · June 24, 2006, 09:55:41 PM

[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> --
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> The blur and rush of teleporting clears from your eyes, now a familiar sensation.
[12:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh... oh, Usagi..." Luna murmurs the moment she looks around.
[12:45] * Sailor_Moon shakes her head, a bit unused to the 'old-fashioned' way of teleporting. She looks at the mooncat perched on her shoulder and smiles. "So, what do you think, Luna?"
[12:45] * Sailor_Mars sets Artemis down so he can look around on his own.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's wonderful," she says, eyes wide as saucers.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "This is GREAT! How did you do it, Usagi?" Artemis asks, finally perked up.
[12:46] <Sailor_Jupiter> "She let Ami do all the work," Jupiter jokes for the cats.
[12:46] * Sailor_Moon giggles quietly, letting her transformation lapse. "Magic!" she answers simply.
[12:47] * Sailor_Mars also reverts back to her normal form.
[12:48] * Sailor_Jupiter likewise detransforms
[12:48] <Ami> "Well, when you're done here come to the library, ok? We still have the futons and some food," Ami says, heading off.
[12:48] * Usagi-chan sets the amazed Mau down to let her take a look around the great hall. "This and the library are the only rooms finished so far, but I've been working on a few other places in the meantime."
[12:49] <Rei-chan> "I'll just help you with whatever you're working on right now," Rei says to Usagi. "I'd rather not start on the Church until I have a better understanding of the religion."
[12:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two cats look around, wandering a bit as they inspect the work.
[12:52] * Usagi-chan nods to Rei. "I've just been working on my bedchamber for now, nothing too serious. Although the balcony is going to be a royal pain to raise." Usagi makes a face.
[12:53] <Rei-chan> "I don't mind," Rei shrugs, "It'll keep my mind occupied."
[12:56] * Makoto ignores the others as she heads to Ami's workshop to play with Lita.
[12:59] * Usagi-chan turns to the two Mau. "I'm assuming you two still know your way around the palace, so if you need any of us we'll either be in the library or in my old bedchamber, most likely." She turns to leave, beckoning for Rei to follow her.
[13:07] * Ami picks her way through the ruins, eventually comming to her home away from home. The atmosphere alone in the ancient library is enough to calm her soul and allow her to gather her thoughts.
[13:07] * Rei-chan follows after Usagi, trying to focus on the work they're about to do and not think about the subject of their meeting today...
[13:09] * Usagi-chan makes the short journey through the abandoned halls and rooms of the palace in silence, her face unusually morose as she turns over her thoughts about Mamoru and Minako's second abandonment. Her footsteps, echoing on the dusty marble floors, are the only sound she makes as she finally draws up outside the princess' bedchamber.
[13:11] <Rei-chan> Sensing Usagi's depressed state, Rei draws up behind her and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry Usagi, we'll be fine without Minako," she says consolingly, surprised at how easily she can honestly believe that herself.
[13:13] * Usagi-chan snorts slightly. "I wish Minako was all I had to worry about." She steps inside the room, glancing at what has been done so far. Most of the loose pieces of rubble have been swept into the center of the room, and while several pieces of furniture still appear to be wreckage, a vanity, a dresser, and a small lacquered chest all appear to be in mint condition.
[13:14] <Rei-chan> "What's that mean?" Rei asks, looking over towards the collapsed balcony.
[13:15] * Usagi-chan appears not to hear Rei at first. She tosses her head back, her eyes closed as she changes into the form of the Lunar princess.
[13:15] <Serenity-hime> Still not looking at her friend, Usagi walks over to a ruined desk, running one hand over the broken wood slowly. "I talked with Mamoru yesterday."
[13:16] <Rei-chan> "You did?" Rei asks, feeling a knot in her stomach. "How did it go?"
[13:18] <Serenity-hime> "Not so well." Serenity replies somewhat tersely, placing her hands on the remains of the desk's matching chair and beginning to chant softly. Slowly, pieces of wood scattered throughout the room rise into the air, moving into place as the chair reforms itself. As the spell completes, Serenity opens her eyes again and sits down in the newly-restored chair, giving a sigh.
[13:19] <Rei-chan> "He didn't take it well?" Rei surmises, walking a bit closer to where Serenity sits.
[13:21] * Serenity-hime covers her eyes with one hand, resting her elbow on the remains of the desk as she replies. "He didn't want to accept it - not that I can really blame him for that, I guess. I know he really does love me." Usagi looks up at Rei, her eyes moist. "I ran, Rei-chan. I couldn't take any more of it, so I ran away from him."
[13:24] * Rei-chan hunches down on the floor in front of Serenity, telekinetically dragging the chest over so she can sit on it. "It's never easy," she says sadly, "Having someone offer their heart to you and knowing you have to reject it." She thinks back to how Usagi comforted her after Minako and Kotono's double confession. "I don't blame you for wanting to get away."
[13:25] <Serenity-hime> "I didn't want to do it, Rei-chan... I want him to love me, and I want to love him, but I just can't, not with what he's said and done." Serenity begins to sob into her hand quietly. "It hurts, Rei... I never thought it would hurt this much."
[13:30] * Rei-chan wishes she knew what to say to make things better. Reaching out and taking Serenity's other hand, she speaks haltingly. "I know it does... but it won't hurt forever. Just give it some time..."
[13:33] * Serenity-hime continues to cry, letting out the pain and anguish of a love lost through her tears.
[13:35] <Rei-chan> Feeling rather awkward at dealing with Usagi when she isn't wailing over something trivial, Rei just holds her hand through her tears, silently encouraging her to get it all out.
[13:37] <Serenity-hime> Gradually Usagi's tears cease, although she still sniffles a bit. "I'm sorry, Rei... you don't need me to bother you with my problems." She pulls her hand away from Rei, half turning away from the miko. "I didn't mean to drag you into this." She lowers her head.
[13:38] <Rei-chan> "It's alright, Usagi," Rei says honestly. "You helped me when I was at my worst, I don't mind returning the favour."
[13:40] * Serenity-hime turns a sad smile to Rei, her eyes still red and puffy from crying. "Thanks, Rei-chan... I just... it's... I don't know what to do anymore, Rei. I feel so bad now, I half wonder if I didn't make a mistake by telling him that."
[13:42] <Rei-chan> "You'd have made a mistake if you went along with him when you had so many doubts," Rei says, squeezing her hand. "What you did wasn't easy, but the right thing often isn't."
[14:48] <Serenity-hime> "Oh, Rei..." Serenity begins to sob again, her face a picture of anguish. "I'm just so afraid I'm making the wrong decisions all the time... I don't even think I KNOW what the right thing to do is anymore."
[14:50] <Rei-chan> "Hey, you've got me to tell you when you screw up, remember?" Rei says, trying a small smile. 'Of course, given how messed up my own life is, I'm hardly in any position to pass judgement...'
[14:52] * Serenity-hime manages a small smile at Rei's words. "Thanks, Rei-chan... at least I know I can always count on you."
[14:53] <Rei-chan> "Damn right," Rei nods emphatically. "I'll always be here to point out whatever you're doing wrong."
[14:54] * Serenity-hime sticks her tongue out at the miko for a second and then giggles, wiping the tear tracks off her face. "I'll be sure to thank you properly when you do, too!"
[14:58] * Rei-chan smiles a bit more cheerfully now that Usagi is perking up. "It's normally such a thankless task, too," she sticks her own tongue out, briefly.
[14:58] * Serenity-hime blows out a short breath, then nods. "Okay, enough moping around for one day. I came up here to work, and it's about time I started DOING some work." She gets up from her chair and looks around the room for a minute.
[15:00] <Rei-chan> "That's the spirit!" Rei cheers, getting up herself. "So, what are we going to do here now, then?"
[15:02] <Serenity-hime> "Well, I'm not really sure what you want to do here... I was going to work on repairing the rest of the furniture first. I'm going to need a LOT of help to take care of the balcony, and we'll probably want to rest up before we tackle that." Serenity spots a ruined table over by the hole leading out to the former balcony, far too damaged to repair. "Why don't you make us a fire? There's a fireplace right over there, and you can use that table for wood."
[15:03] <Rei-chan> "Okay," Rei gathers up the splintered wood, dumping it in the fireplace. A brief second of concentration later, and it starts merrily burning away.
[15:05] * Serenity-hime busies herself with the desk while she's near it, placing her hands on it and repeating the incantation she used earlier to fix the chair. A minute or so later, the fine mahogany writing desk looks as good as the day it was made, probably several thousand years earlier. Serenity smiles as she opens her eyes. "I love doing the small stuff like this."
[15:05] <Rei-chan> Watching the process of the desk reforming, Rei shakes her head in wonder. "It really is amazing..."
[15:07] * Serenity-hime grins. "All it takes is time and effort, really. Even the big stuff can get fixed like this, but it's a LOT harder to do something like those pillars in the great hall than it is to do furniture like this." Serenity moves from the desk over to the giant four-poster bed in one corner of the room, looking it over for scorch marks or other such damage.
[15:09] <Rei-chan> Not really having much she can actually do herself, Rei busies herself by checking through the various smaller debris on the floor, sorting out stuff that looks like it can be reassembled.
[15:11] <Serenity-hime> "You can just take it easy if you want, Rei-chan." Serenity glances over at Rei. "The spell sorts out the pieces it needs from anything that's in the area, which is why the floor in here is still so messed up. Until I get all the broken stuff repaired I don't bother cleaning anything up." Serenity finishes her inspection and nods to herself.
[15:13] <Rei-chan> "Oh," Rei blinks, disappointed. "I figured it would have mixed everything up into a horrible mess..." She looks around, wondering if there isn't at least something she can do.
[15:15] * Serenity-hime gets down on her knees and places her hands on the bedframe, concentrating intently as she begins the spell once again. Again the dance of splinters and chips of wood in the air begins, although a look of strain appears on Serenity's face as she continues the magic. Almost five minutes elapse before she completes her task this time, her head falling gently to the slashed and tattered mattress in front of her as she finishes.
[15:16] <Rei-chan> "Hey!" Rei cries in alarm, hurrying over to where Serenity lies prone over the bed. "You okay, Usagi?" she asks worriedly, "You shouldn't strain yourself!"
[15:17] * Serenity-hime struggles upright once again, waving Rei off. "I'm okay, Rei-chan - it's just a little heavier than it looks, I guess." A thin film of sweat coats her forehead, and her face is slightly flushed. "I've done worse by myself up here, and there's worse still to come I'm sure. I just feel a little tired for a minute or two after I finish something big."
[15:20] <Rei-chan> "Well, is there anything I can do to help?" Rei asks, plainly frustrated at being so useless.
[15:22] * Serenity-hime smiles as she sits down on the bed. "Just keep me company, Rei-chan." She looks out at the stars through the broken hole in the wall where the balcony once hung. "It's nice just not having to do this alone."
[15:27] <Rei-chan> "That's something I can do," Rei says, sitting down next to Serenity. After a moment of looking at the stars, she smiles slightly, recalling the hours they spent on the balcony staring at the stars just a few days ago. "Sometimes it's nice to just sit and enjoy the company of a friend."
[15:29] <Serenity-hime> "That's for sure." Serenity smiles. "That's been the only part of working up here that I really haven't liked all that much. Ami-chan is usually busy with something or other down in the library, so I end up working on stuff like this by myself. She helped me fix the pillars in the great hall and get everything cleaned up for you guys, but other than that we've pretty much worked separately."
[15:31] * Rei-chan smiles, "I don't think Ami-chan has ever been happier than when she's busy with all those books in the library... it's probably the greatest treasure imaginable for her."
[15:32] * Serenity-hime giggles. "When I go down there to rest it's like watching a kid in a candy store... she's always got the biggest smile on her face, and the way she laughs when she finds something exciting is really cute."
[15:35] <Rei-chan> "I remember when she was helping me with my studies to get into Mugen, she was always so serious, but when I see her in that library... it's really nice to see just how much she honestly enjoys learning as much as she possibly can," Rei says with an indulgent smile.
[15:36] <Serenity-hime> "I'm just glad to see someone else who really enjoys spending time up here." Serenity says with a faint smile.
[15:38] <Rei-chan> "You'll be seeing the same from Mako-chan and me before long, I expect, once we start dealing with our own specialties up here," Rei says, before hastily adding, "Not that I'll ditch my duties at the Shrine to work on the Church up here. I'm still Shinto, through and through."
[15:40] * Serenity-hime giggles. "I didn't say you would! You can even turn the temple up here into a Shinto shrine if you want to, I'm not really very fussy about that kind of thing." She smiles. "It's just the more time I spend up here, the more I start thinking about this place as somewhere to live, not just as some creepy old ruin." She smoothes out a wrinkle in the mattress.
[15:44] <Rei-chan> "We'll see... I'd prefer to keep the religious places up here in the tradition that befits them. But Hikawa Shrine will always be my spiritual home..." Rei gets a slightly distant expression as she talks. "The Kami of Fire lives there, after all. Ever since I became Sailor Mars I've felt my connection to it growing stronger..."
[15:46] * Serenity-hime shakes her head slightly. 'I wish I understood more of that stuff...' She smiles at Rei. "It's always wonderful to have some place you can call home, no matter where it is or what it's like." She looks around the room, remembering it in its glory. 'And this is becoming home for me.' She smiles, a somewhat distant look in her eyes.
[15:48] <Rei-chan> "I wish you could understand," Rei says, still with that same distant look, "But I don't think I have the words to explain it properly... what it's like to lose myself completely, to become the fire..." She shakes her head, clearing it. "But you don't have to understand. You accept it, and me, and that's what matters as far as I'm concerned," she says with a warm smile for her friend.
[15:51] <Serenity-hime> "As long as it makes you happy, that's all that matters to me." Usagi nods in agreement, still smiling.
[15:54] <Rei-chan> "Thank you," Rei says sincerely. "And I'm happy to help you make this place into a proper home once again."
[15:54] * Serenity-hime takes Rei's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thanks, Rei." She smiles warmly at the miko. "Speaking of which, I'm about ready to get going again. Go on, you pick something out and I'll fix it." She grins with excitement.
[16:01] <Rei-chan> "Hmm..." Rei puts her index finger against her chin as she looks around, "How about the nightstand?" she suggests, pointing at the wooden nightstand which looks to have been split right down the middle.
[16:03] * Serenity-hime grins. "Okay, pay close attention. I want you to describe what it looks like to me when I get done." Serenity bounces off the bed, rubbing her backside a little. "And then I'm going to try the mattress, if I can." Moving over to the nightstand, she repairs it magically, the process taking about half a minute this time.
[16:07] * Rei-chan hunkers down next to the nightstand, watching as the two halves of it align, the myriad splinters smoothing out and being absorbed into the wood. She stifles a small gasp as several large splinters fly off the floor by her feet, merging with the main body as the seam between the two halves smooths up from the bottom to the top, like a zipper...
[16:08] * Serenity-hime stands back as she finishes, opening her eyes to see the restored nightstand. She gives Rei a curious look. "So what does it look like? To be honest, I've never seen it myself, and everyone always looks so amazed when I do it, so I was wondering."
[16:08] <Rei-chan> Standing up, Rei pulls the drawer out, seeing it is likewise entirely repaired. "That's really weird to watch..." Rei says, shaking her head before she describes the process to Serenity.
[16:11] * Serenity-hime blinks, her own eyes going wide. "The pieces fly around? No wonder everyone always looks so shocked..." Usagi runs her hand over the dusty top of the nightstand, dusting her hands off as she pulls it away. "I just wish it CLEANED when it fixed stuff... that's the part that really takes elbow grease." She makes a face.
[16:12] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei says, although she briefly wonders just what would make dust on the Moon, she soon recalls the Dark Kingdom's long term residency here. "Do you have cleaning supplies up here?"
[16:13] * Serenity-hime nods. "Most of them are down in the library - like I said, I don't usually bother to clean much up until I finish doing repairs, since it gets harder the farther away the pieces are scattered." She gives Rei a questioning look. "Although... we could start cleaning up the furniture that's fixed already if you want to."
[16:15] <Rei-chan> "Well, it does beat just doing nothing," Rei shrugs, not wanting to just sit around uselessly while Usagi does all the work.
[16:16] * Serenity-hime grins, an idea coming into her head. "Okay then... lead the way down to the library! We'll see if you can find your way around up here yet."
[16:17] <Rei-chan> "Uh... okay..." Rei says, frowning slightly as she goes over her mental map of the palace, which unfortunately features a rather large blank spot between their current location and the library. "Follow me," she says, leading Serenity back the way they came to the hallway, since she knows the way to the library from there.
[16:18] * Serenity-hime follows along behind Rei, still smiling. She lets the miko choose which paths to take, only occasionally offering a word of correction or a hand on the shoulder when she's on entirely the wrong track.
[16:20] <Rei-chan> After reaching the great hallway, Rei goes back on the track Ami led them from the library to this area the other day.
[16:21] * Serenity-hime nods approvingly, as Rei unerringly picks out the most direct path to the library without any prompting at all.
-------
Snippet missing here, as Usagi and Rei meet Ami and Makoto in the library and depart.
-------
[16:37] * Serenity-hime leads the way this time, stopping in at a small bathroom - this one restored. Serenity puts a small amount of water in the bottom of the bucket from a hose attached to the faucet.
[16:38] <Rei-chan> "Is that water hot?" Rei asks.
[16:40] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "We haven't gotten the power working yet, so we've been making do with cold water. Ami says it's perfectly safe to drink though." Serenity hefts the bucket, trying not to get water on her silk dress. "I swear, this outfit is more trouble than it's worth sometimes..."
[16:42] <Rei-chan> "Well, I can heat it," Rei says before responding to Serenity's other comment. "It is a bit odd. I can understand needing to be Sailor Moon for some things, but transforming to Serenity, especially when you've already got the marking all the time, just seems a bit redundant. Have you tried doing any of those spells without transforming?"
[16:43] * Serenity-hime nods, struggling a bit with the bucket as she takes a more direct route up to the princess' chambers. "Doesn't work. I've tried it as both Sailor Moon and Usagi, and for some reason the magic doesn't seem to work for either one of them. I wish I knew why."
[16:47] <Rei-chan> "Hmm..." Rei mulls over this, making no move to help with the bucket. "I don't know... maybe you'll figure it out eventually. I can only do some things like this when I can do a lot more transformed as Sailor Mars, but it wasn't that long ago that I couldn't use any of my powers over fire without transforming."
[16:50] * Serenity-hime snorts. "The only thing I seem to be able to do as Usagi is see in dark hallways and look at people's auras. Although I'm not that bothered by it, it IS kind of weird that you and Ami and... Minako could do so much without being senshi."
[16:52] <Rei-chan> "I was really surprised when I set fire to the headmaster's desk... and a little afraid," Rei admits. "It came so close after I used my powers with such... abandon, when I was serving Metallia. I was scared I'd lose control completely..."
[16:53] <Serenity-hime> "Well, other than that one time you never have, right?" Serenity looks over at Rei and smiles. 'Unlike some other people I could name...' she mutters to herself in the privacy of her own head.
[16:55] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei shakes her head. "After that I was really careful, and now I have the same amount of control I'd have as if I was transformed. I have to properly concentrate to do anything, it doesn't just happen on an idle thought," she says, deciding not to comment on the thought she just picked up.
[16:57] * Serenity-hime nods as the two reenter the bedchamber, Serenity setting the bucket down next to the desk with a small grunt of effort. "Well, it's not like I can do anything that useful with the skills I have now anyway. If I wasn't working on this project, it would all pretty much be useless."
[16:58] <Rei-chan> "I think hundreds of spiritualists the world over would give their eye teeth to be able to see auras like you can," Rei notes.
[17:00] * Serenity-hime gives Rei a wry grin. "Maybe... it's definitely not all it's cracked up to be though."
[17:03] <Rei-chan> "If you say so," Rei says with a mysterious little smile. Walking over to the dresser, she sprays some cleaning solution on it before wiping it down with her rag. "The water should be hot enough, now," she adds absently as she sets to work.
[17:07] * Serenity-hime dips a finger in the water, pulling it out quickly as she feels the heat of it. "All right, you've made your point - as if you didn't already with the fire." She sticks her tongue out at Rei and dampens her washcloth, using it to start to scrub the walls near the bed. "Hot water really does make a difference though..." she muses as the scrubs several centuries' worth of grime off the wall. "Takes a LOT more time to do this with cold."
[17:08] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, and your hands get cold as you're cleaning. That's no fun," she says, rubbing hard over an annoyingly persistent stain.
[17:11] * Serenity-hime places a hand on a small crack in the wall, repairing it almost instantly as she continues to scrub. "It's kind of weird though..." she muses, thinking back on the earlier subject. "It's not just people that I see auras for, and not even just for animals. Even stuff like power lines have a sort of glow to them that I don't remember seeing before."
[17:12] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei looks up, pausing for a moment. "That's odd... do you see auras for things like rocks?"
[17:26] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "Nothing like that, but anything that's moving has a REALLY faint glow to it. It's almost not there, but I've seen it a couple of times with things like trains going through the station really fast. I started looking for it after I saw that once or twice. I don't know what it is though - which is the problem with this stupid aura stuff. Half the time I don't know what I'm looking at."
[17:28] * Rei-chan scratches her head, discarding her initial theory. After spending a moment of thought, she speaks, "Maybe you're not just seeing spiritual energy, but all kinds: electrical energy in powerlines and kinetic energy in moving objects?"
[17:31] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "Whatever it is, I've just gotten used to seeing it. I don't really care what it is. It does make things look really pretty sometimes though." She smiles. "That's all I ever notice it for these days, really."
[17:32] <Rei-chan> "Really?" Rei stops her cleaning for a moment to focus more fully on her friend. "What's mine look like?" she asks curiously.
[17:34] * Serenity-hime gazes at Rei intently, almost as if she's looking THROUGH her friend rather than at her. "Well... the most obvious part of it is fire - you look like you're standing in the middle of a bonfire with bright red and orange flames leaping out of you all the time. It was kind of weird when I first started seeing it, but I've kind of gotten used to it now." She gives Rei a curious look. "How detailed do you want me to describe it?"
[17:35] <Rei-chan> "As detailed as you can?" Rei says, looking at her hands and imagining what Serenity describes.
[17:38] <Serenity-hime> "I'll start at the top and work my way down then." Serenity nods, turning to look at Rei's face intently for a minute. "Well, like I said there are flames coming out of you everywhere, but they're the weakest around your head. Normally they show up really detailed, but right now the area around the top of your head is kind of fuzzy, like it's out of focus. It didn't always look like that though - I first noticed it a few weeks ago, but I still haven't figured out why it changed."
[17:39] <Rei-chan> "That's odd..." Rei says, scratching her head before she recalls what Eudial had said about her losing her humanity. 'But I don't feel any different...' she thinks.
[17:41] <Serenity-hime> "Yeah, I know - kind of threw me a little when I first saw it." Serenity shrugs. "You don't seem to have changed at all since I noticed it though, so I guess it's nothing to worry about."
[17:42] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei says in a slightly doubtful tone as she decides to ask a few questions next time she sees the Professor.
[17:43] * Serenity-hime moves her gaze lower, studying the miko's chest. "Around your breasts or so, the flames are the brightest and hottest - like they're coming from your heart. They sometimes look yellow and white when you're really excited about something, but they darken when you're really angry or upset about anything too - almost black sometimes." She continues to stare at Rei's breasts, her gaze flickering between them as she examines the aura closely.
[17:45] <Serenity-hime> "It's not really that unusual though - not everyone has a fiery aura like yours, but when they really get angry or upset I can see swirls of dark colors around their hearts. They usually don't last very long though - yours included." She leans forward. "Huh, I never noticed that before..."
[17:45] * Rei-chan fidgets a little. 'She's looking at your aura, not at you,' she mentally reminds herself to keep getting too unnerved at the intent gaze on her chest. "Noticed what?"
[17:47] <Serenity-hime> "There's a couple of faint little lines running through your aura, mostly centered on your heart." Serenity thinks for a minute, trying to come up with a good way to describe them. "You know what a cracked mirror looks like, right? It's sort of like that, only MUCH fainter and I can really only see it close to your heart - the lines sort of fade away the further away from there."
[17:48] <Rei-chan> "Do you have any idea what it means?" Rei asks, a trace worriedly.
[17:51] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "No idea - I only just noticed them when I was looking at you so closely. I don't THINK it's anything bad, but I have no way of knowing for sure." She raises one finger, drawing a short stroke in the air in front of Rei's left breast and breastbone. "There's one here..." she moves her finger up and to her right, near Rei's shoulder, where she draws another short line. "And one here."
[17:52] <Rei-chan> "Well... I don't feel bad. Maybe they've always been there and are perfectly normal?" Rei suggests. "You did say you haven't noticed just because you haven't paid such close attention before."
[17:55] * Serenity-hime nods. "Yeah, they're so faint I may have just missed them before. I wouldn't worry about them or anything, I doubt they're anything serious with how small they are." She removes her finger, then stares very intensely right in the center of Rei's chest. "The very center of your aura... it seems almost like there's a gap there of some kind. It's natural looking, whatever it is, it just looks something should fit in there and it's missing."
[17:58] <Rei-chan> "A hole in my heart?" Rei muses dryly.
[18:00] * Serenity-hime shrugs. "Like I said, it looks like it's supposed to be there, but that something would fit in it - no idea what it would be though." She peers at it closely. "Actually, it looks a little rough around the edges for some reason, no idea why it would though."
[18:02] <Rei-chan> "Well, why wouldn't it be rough rather than smooth? We have no idea what it's supposed to be. Do other people have holes like that, or is this the first time you've analysed an aura close enough to see such a thing?"
[18:03] <Serenity-hime> "I haven't looked at anyone else's nearly this close before - normally it's just a quick glance when I see someone and I only get a general impression. Mako-chan's aura was the only one I've really concentrated on before now, and you know what I was looking at then."
[18:04] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei grimaces, "I wonder how well that's healing up? She seems okay, now..."
[18:05] <Serenity-hime> "I try not to look at it too much." Usagi looks uncomfortable.
[18:06] * Rei-chan nods. "It felt... awful. I can't imagine it would be pleasant to look at."
[18:07] * Serenity-hime nods, changing the subject quickly. "Anyway, do you want me to go on?"
[18:08] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, sure," Rei says just as quickly.
[18:10] * Serenity-hime looks further down Rei's body, studying her legs and feet. "Actually, there's not a lot else to describe... it looks like most of the detailed stuff is all centered around your head and upper body. There's one place where the flames seem to be brighter a bit further down... um... almost straight below your heart." Serenity blushes a bit.
[18:12] * Rei-chan puts a hand over her lower abdomen. "The place where I could potentially create a life..." she says with a small, slightly frightened smile.
[18:14] * Serenity-hime nods slowly, still blushing. "Most women tend to have a bright spot right around that area almost all the time. For a pregnant woman, it's REALLY bright - and if they're fairly far along, I can even catch glimpses of the baby's aura, but it's hard to see past the mother's."
[18:14] <Rei-chan> "Heh, it's kinda weird to think about..." Rei says, rather dazedly.
[18:15] <Serenity-hime> "Yeah, I know... I sometimes wonder if I have one too." Serenity says thoughtfully.
[18:17] <Rei-chan> "I wish I could describe your aura like that," Rei says regretfully, "But I can't make out anything like that detail - I don't 'see' it at all, in a visual sense. It's like trying to describe colour to a blind man..."
[18:18] <Serenity-hime> "It's okay, Rei-chan... gives me something to daydream about sometimes anyway." She smiles. "Anything else you want to know about your aura?"
[18:20] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "You've already told me more than I could have imagined," she says gratefully, "But we should really get back to work."
[18:21] * Serenity-hime nods. "Guess so... I ought to try looking at the others a little more closely sometime, see what's different about them." Serenity smiles and picks up her washcloth.
[18:26] * Rei-chan slowly returns to cleaning the dresser, a thoughtful expression on her face. After several moments, she speaks. "Usagi?"
[18:26] * Serenity-hime halts her scrubbing, glancing over at Rei. "Hmm? What is it?"
[18:27] <Rei-chan> "Your aura... when I feel it, it's like..." Rei fumbles, struggling for the right way to describe it, "It's like jumping into a spring on a hot day after hiking through the mountains. It's clear and pure and... refreshing," she smiles half-heartedly before shaking her head. "Sorry, I'm just no good at putting it into words," she chuckles lamely.
[18:30] * Serenity-hime smiles. "All that, huh?" She shakes her head. "I wish I could feel them the way you do... somehow it seems more personal than just seeing them." She turns to Rei, giving the miko a smile. "All I know is that looking at your aura makes me feel... I don't know, peaceful for some reason. It's kind of surprising, considering the way it looks - I could swear you're going to start a fire sometime just walking into a room, but you never do."
[18:32] <Rei-chan> "Be really inconvienient if I did," Rei grins. "I'd never get invited anywhere." 'Oh, wait... I never do...' she thinks, somewhat embarrassedly.
[18:34] * Serenity-hime giggles. "I never really thought about it, but it looks about right." She sets her washcloth down and walks over to Rei, putting her hands on the priestess' shoulders.
[18:34] * Rei-chan looks at Serenity curiously, wondering what she has in mind now.
[18:35] * Serenity-hime glances at her arms for a second. "Take a wild guess how far out those flames of yours come." She looks back at Rei with a grin.
[18:36] <Rei-chan> "A couple of inches?" Rei hazards.
[18:38] * Serenity-hime lets go with one hand, tapping a point just above her other elbow with it. "About this far. I wanted to check to be sure, though - it's hard to judge distances with this. Your grandpa has a fiery aura like yours, but his isn't more than a few inches or so I think."
[18:39] <Rei-chan> "Wow, that far?" Rei says, sounding rather impressed. "Does the size of my aura change with the colour when I'm really emotional?"
[18:41] * Serenity-hime nods. "I think it's when you're feeling something really intense, but it blazes up sometimes and gets HUGE - makes you look really tall when I'm standing back from you. I'm not really very good at figuring out what changes in someone's aura mean yet though; I'm pretty sure it's all caused by their emotions but I don't know how to tell them apart very well yet."
[18:44] <Rei-chan> "That's pretty cool," Rei says with a grin. "Maybe before long you'll be able to accurately tell people's emotions from their auras. You'd be unbeatable at poker!"
[18:46] * Serenity-hime giggles. "I guess I would, huh?" She looks at Rei, a twinkle in her eye. "I never really paid all that much attention to it before, but.... well, what the heck? I'll take a look for real!" She moves forward and hugs Rei, looking around her as she does so. "This is really neat... I'm completely inside the flames from your aura right now."
[18:48] <Rei-chan> "Oh?" Rei quirks an eyebrow. "And how does it look from the inside?"
[18:49] * Serenity-hime looks around slowly, still holding on to Rei. "It's beautiful... I can see little bits of fire leaping up around me all the time, but they just sort of flow around my arms like water."
[18:50] <Rei-chan> "It sounds wonderful... I wish I could see," Rei says softly, settling for admiring the enraptured look on Serenity's face.
[18:51] <Serenity-hime> "I wish I could take a picture sometime, but auras don't show up in anything like that. I can't even see them in a mirror." Serenity steps back, shrugging. "It's still really cool though, Rei-chan."
[18:52] <Rei-chan> "I believe it," Rei nods earnestly.
[18:54] <Serenity-hime> "I like the way Ami's aura looks the best out of all the senshi, but I could watch yours all day... kind of like watching a fireplace, sort of." Serenity smiles softly. "Yours is definitely a close second."
[18:55] <Rei-chan> "What's hers like?" Rei asks, her interest piqued.
[18:56] <Serenity-hime> "Hers is... it's like a crystal, sort of. It's a really pale blue, and it's... it reminds me of ice, somehow. It's hard to describe it very well."
[18:57] <Rei-chan> "That fits," Rei nods, wishing she could see it for herself.
[18:59] <Serenity-hime> "Mako-chan's is a vivid green, with lots of lightning bolts and stuff crackling all over her all the time." Serenity puts on a wry grin. "Hers is like yours sometimes - I'm almost afraid to get too close for fear of getting shocked, or burned in your case. It's just the way it looks though."
[19:01] * Rei-chan smiles. "Yeah, when I sense Mako-chan's aura, it's like smelling ozone. Really sharp and tingly."
[19:03] <Serenity-hime> "And when SHE gets upset... oh man, the sparks start flying literally then!" Serenity grins. "Flying out in all directions and hitting the ground, sometimes other people but they never notice it when it happens."
[19:03] * Rei-chan chuckles slightly, imaging the reactions if they did notice.
[19:08] <Serenity-hime> "And when she gets that dreamy look on her face whenever she sees a cute guy," Serenity continues, still grinning. "Then all the electricity starts surging back towards her, moving towards her heart. Her aura brightens a lot when it happens, too."
[19:09] * Rei-chan giggles. "I'd really like to meet her old sempai at least once, just to see the guy who had such a profound effect on her."
[19:11] <Serenity-hime> "Me too! I just wonder what he was like, since it seems like every cute guy reminds her of him." Serenity giggles as well.
[19:12] <Rei-chan> "Mr Generic..." Rei snorts.
[19:13] * Serenity-hime grins. "Anyone else you're curious about?"
[19:15] <Rei-chan> 'I'd rather not talk about Minako, right now...' the miko thinks disgustedly. "No, not really," she says, rather annoyed now that she's reminded herself of Sailor Venus' desertion.
[19:17] * Serenity-hime frowns a bit as she picks up Rei's thought. "Anyway, most people have relatively dull auras - it's hard to make much out about regular people since their auras are so dim. The senshi have the brightest auras I've seen so far, but there are a couple of others that have been unusual - like the new students at Juuban today, for example."
[19:18] <Rei-chan> "New students?" Rei asks, perking up.
[19:20] <Serenity-hime> "Yeah... Alan and Ann Grangier, if I remember their names right. They're both transfer students from America - Alan is REALLY cute, and Ann's in my class." Serenity giggles a little. "I heard him playing a flute today at lunchtime - it was really beautiful."
[19:21] <Rei-chan> "What were their auras like?" Rei asks curiously, also wondering what Usagi would make of the auras of her fellow Deathbusters.
[19:23] <Serenity-hime> "I didn't get that close a look at them, but both of their auras were a LOT brighter than a regular person's would be. Not as bright as the senshi's, but still more than I usually see." She shrugs. "Some people have stronger auras than others though, so maybe they're just unusual that way."
[19:24] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, "There's a few people at Mugen who have strong auras, though I never saw anyone like that at T*A."
[19:25] <Serenity-hime> "That's kind of funny." Serenity replies. "Before Ann and Alan, I never saw anyone that I'd say had an unusually strong aura at Juuban either, except for Ami-chan and Mako-chan of course."
[19:27] <Rei-chan> "There are people with unusual talents - like me being psychic has nothing to do with being a sailor senshi. And you remember that psychic girl at the 'haunted' beach-house we visited that one time?" Rei explains, still rather unsure on the exact nature of the powers wielded by her fellow Witches.
[19:29] <Serenity-hime> "Oh yeah... I wonder what her aura is like?" Serenity muses. "I don't think I've run into any psychic people since I started being able to see auras."
[19:30] <Rei-chan> "Well, Sailor Pluto did say that Orestes was psychic," Rei says, slightly uncomfortably.
[19:31] <Serenity-hime> "His was..." Serenity makes a face. "I don't even like THINKING about what the criminals' auras looked like. All twisted up and full of black streaks and misshapen-looking... ugh."
[19:32] * Rei-chan nods. "An aura is more than just a display of powers, it's a reflection of your inner soul. His certainly wasn't a very nice one."
[19:33] <Serenity-hime> "There's an understatement." Serenity sighs. "At least he's gone now, and good riddance as far as I'm concerned."
[19:35] <Rei-chan> "Definitely," Rei sighs. "Poor Mako-chan. I'd absolutely hate having to deal with someone who was obsessed with my past life... I'm glad none of those criminals seemed to have any familiarity with me at all." She snorts, "Except Jadeite, obviously..."
[19:37] <Serenity-hime> "I'm still really impressed that you managed to fight him off all by yourself the way you did though..." Serenity sighs softly. "I still wish we could have done something more for him, but it's too late to go back and change things now."
[19:39] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei says sadly, "I didn't want things to end that way..." she sighs. "But you're right, it's too late."
[19:40] <Serenity-hime> "Same for..." Serenity murmurs, then glances up at Rei, biting off the rest of her sentence and hoping that the miko didn't hear her.
[19:41] * Rei-chan gives Serenity a curious look. "For?"
[19:42] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "Never mind, not important." She doesn't particularly relish the idea of bringing up Cynthia again, especially with the latest stunt Minako has pulled. Her lips twist into a frown as she thinks of the golden-haired senshi again.
[19:43] <Rei-chan> "If you say so..." Rei says dubiously, but respecting Usagi's desires if she doesn't want to talk about it.
[19:44] <Serenity-hime> "Anyway, that's all in the past now. All we can do is learn from it and move on, right?" Serenity gives Rei a small smile.
[19:45] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, getting bogged down in 'what ifs' is no way to live," Rei agrees.
[19:46] <Serenity-hime> "Been there, done that, Mom's got the scars to prove it." Serenity shakes her head reproachfully.
[19:49] * Rei-chan winces, recalling the hot springs attack when Ikkuko had been injured. 'If only I'd transformed back then...' she thinks bitterly.
[19:50] * Serenity-hime shakes her head. "It's not your fault, Rei-chan. If anyone, it's mine. I should have done more to help you, but I was too busy wallowing in self-pity over Mamoru being captured to raise a finger on my own." Serenity frowns at the memory.
[19:53] <Rei-chan> "It was a rough time for all of us," Rei concedes, recalling how confused her own feelings had been at discovering her boyfriend was really her best friend's destined lover... 'Not that destiny worked out,' she thinks philosophically.
[19:56] <Serenity-hime> "I'm still disgusted with how selfish I was being then..." She snorts. "Funny, isn't it? Four months ago I was so obsessed over my boyfriend - who I barely even remembered as being my lover from the Silver Millenium at the time - I was obsessed over him so much that I let my mom get hurt by a spirit. Yesterday, I dumped the exact same guy." She shakes her head. "Life is weird sometimes."
[19:58] <Rei-chan> "Can't argue with that," Rei says, recalling her childish crush on Mamoru. "We've all changed so much these past few months." She gives Serenity a small smile, "Some of us for the better," her thoughts then turn to Minako and Mamoru, "And some of us for the worse."
[19:59] * Serenity-hime gives Rei a grateful smile at the compliment. "I'm not the only one who's gotten better in the past few months." She smirks. "You've learned not to yell at me so much, and I appreciate it." She nods once, grinning.
[20:01] <Rei-chan> "Yeah..." Rei's expression becomes contemplative. "I've faced my own flaws... though I'm still working on them..." she bites her bottom lip as she thinks over the kind of person she is.
[20:04] <Serenity-hime> "And you think I'm not?" Serenity gives Rei a curious look. "I mean, I'm trying to learn to be more confident and be a better leader, but I still question myself every day whenever I make a tough decision. I'm never sure I'm right, even when I try to make it look that way." She deflates a little.
[20:06] <Rei-chan> "Oh, you've improved a lot," Rei hurries to reassure her friend, "Seriously, all I have to complain about is little things these days," she laughs a bit nervously. "I was actually thinking that I'm starting to fall behind you..."
[20:10] * Serenity-hime laughs. "Yeah right! You always seem confident about what to do, Rei-chan - I've been trying to improve by being more like I see you." Serenity smiles. "You probably would make a really good leader, but since it seems I'm supposed to be the leader here I'm doing the best I can with it."
[20:14] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "Funnily enough, that's my biggest flaw. I'm horribly arrogant... and no matter how many times it gets me in trouble, I never seem to learn..." She holds up a lock of her bone-white hair. "I always thought my hair was my best feature... it was so beautiful, and I was so very proud of it..."
[20:14] <Rei-chan> "I was stupid and vain to think I stood a chance on my own against Metallia, and it nearly cost me everything." She gives Serenity a wan smile, "You saved me... brought back everything I destroyed, everyone I killed..." She lets the strands of hair slip through her fingers. "I have this as a constant reminder of the price of my pride..."
[20:18] <Serenity-hime> "Rei-chan..." Serenity takes Rei's hand in her own. "Don't think I didn't notice it back then! You used to be REALLY pushy, almost too much so sometimes. But ever since Metallia was destroyed you HAVE been a lot better." She gives the miko's hand a squeeze. "And don't think I haven't noticed it SINCE then, too. You may not be perfect at it yet, but I haven't worked out all of my flaws yet either, so I can't criticize you that much myself."
[20:20] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, no one can ever be perfect," Rei grins, "Much as I might like to think I am."
[20:21] * Serenity-hime gives Rei a light shove in the shoulder. "Yeah, right, Pyro! A perfect pain!" She sticks her tongue out at the miko playfully.
[20:22] <Rei-chan> Deciding to forgo a witty retort, Rei replies in tried and true fashion. "Bidah!" she sticks her tongue out as well.
[20:23] * Ami enters the room, followed by the senshi of Jupiter. "... And here we are."
[20:23] * Serenity-hime breaks down in a fit of the giggles, turning at the sound of Ami's voice. "Oh hi there, Ami-chan! You guys finish touring the garden?"
[20:24] <Makoto> "...are you guys fighting or finishing frenching?" Makoto asks.
[20:24] * Makoto hopes the last part makes Rei embarrassed after her garden comment.
[20:25] * Rei-chan flushes at Makoto's comment. "Mako-chan!" she yells with as much indignation as she can muster, which is a fair bit.
[20:25] * Serenity-hime yells almost simultaneously with Rei. "Mako-chan!"
[20:25] <Ami> "Yes. Everything appears in order. No broken lines or anything like that first time," Ami says, still a bit embarrassed about that.
[20:27] <Makoto> "What? I had to get you two back, you know," Makoto chirps out with a grin.
[20:27] * Serenity-hime fights down her blush, wondering if Makoto's somehow figured out about her and Rei kissing. "Anyway, Ami-chan, I was hoping you might have a better idea of how to take care of the balcony in here." She walks over to the large hole in the wall, looking out at the shattered stone balcony on the ground far below.
[20:28] <Rei-chan> "Yeah... good one," Rei reluctantly concedes.
[20:32] <Ami> "That - is going to take some doing," Ami comments, surveying the devistation. "You can't do this one alone, right? Do you just need to borrow some power or does this need a more creative touch?"
[20:33] <Serenity-hime> On the ground about twenty feet below the large hole in the wall lie the shattered remains of a large balcony, made of gray marble. Not too many details of the ruins on the ground can be made out from this distance, but four broken stone brackets can be seen protruding from the outside wall of the palace, apparently to support the balcony's weight.
[20:34] * Rei-chan goes over to join them at the hole in the wall. "Yeah... that's way beyond my ability to lift..."
[20:35] * Serenity-hime leans out of the hole carefully, supporting her weight against the wall at the edge of the hole. "It's going to be even worse than those pillars were, I think, and we only managed the worst of those in sections. And I don't think we can do this one a little at a time - I'm afraid if we try to just bring part of it up, it'll collapse again as soon as the spell stops since there's nothing to hold it up."
[20:36] <Rei-chan> "Do you think you can manage if all three of us lend you power?" Rei asks.
[20:37] <Ami> "Hm. All we need to do is get it back into position and mend it. The only problem is lifting it into place. But I'm sure I can use my water control to lift some of it and hold it in place. I think."
[20:37] * Serenity-hime looks down at the ruins doubtfully. "Maybe... I'm not very good at figuring out how much it takes for the really big stuff like this though. It could wear us all out if we tried it."
[20:37] * Ami frowns.
[20:38] <Rei-chan> "You mean freeze it in place with ice?" Rei asks, recalling what Celcia had done at the mall. "Can you manage something that big, Ami-chan?"
[20:41] <Ami> "It shouldn't be too difficult if we mend the base enough to support the weight of the rest of the pillar. Once that's done we the rest should be easy. Long, yes, but not too difficult. And your telekinesis should come in handy as well."
[20:42] <Ami> "Mako-chan can donate energy so that Usagi doesn't pass out. I think we could do this."
[20:46] <Rei-chan> "I'll do what I can to help. My telekinesis isn't any use on something this big, so I'll just lend my energy to Usagi?" Rei offers.
[20:50] * Serenity-hime rolls up the sleeves of her dress, a determined look on her face. "Right... I'm pretty sure I can do this with everyone helping." She glances back at her friends. "I'd get on your knees first just in case you fall over when I finish, but everyone needs to put a hand on me - I'll need both hands free for the spell.
[20:52] * Rei-chan puts her hand on Serenity's right shoulder, waiting for her to kneel before she can do the same.
[20:52] * Serenity-hime gets down on her knees, her hands on the floor next to the broken edges of the hole.
[20:52] <Ami> "I know," Ami nods, placing a hand solidly on Usagi's back. "Let us begin, shall we?"
[20:53] <Rei-chan> "Wait, I can focus energy better transformed," Rei says, quickly producing her wand in her free hand. "Mars Power, Make Up!"
[20:53] * Ami releases her energy, feeling the familiar tide flow into Usagi's sea.
[20:54] * Sailor_Mars begins concentrating on feeding her energy to Serenity.
[20:54] * Serenity-hime nods as she feels Makoto place her hand on her back as well. "All right..." She takes a deep breath. "Here goes nothing!" Her eyes close and the Lunar princess begins to chant, slowly at first. Channeling her friends' energy through her into the spell, she focuses intently, picturing the balcony in place and whole.
[20:55] <Serenity-hime> The gray stones below are surrounded by a faint white glow, which grows in intensity as Usagi continues. With a soft groan of tortured stone, the enormous pieces of the balcony lift into the air - and Serenity staggers on her knees as if she's been struck. A moment later, the other senshi feel it as well - as if they themselves are bearing the immense weight of the balcony on their own backs.
[20:56] * Sailor_Mars grits her teeth, continuing to feed as much energy as is necessary into Serenity even as she feels her reserves being stressed to their limit.
[20:58] <Serenity-hime> With a growing rumble, the pieces of stone tilt and tumble as they rise into place, fitting back into position one by one as the magic seals the cracks between each of the massive pieces together. For several minutes the rumbling continues, then abruptly stops, Serenity pitching forward as she falls silent. "Okay..." she pants. "I think... that got it..."
[20:59] <Rei-chan> Her transformation dissipating, Rei sags, not even close to getting up. "That really took a lot out of me... I won't be teleporting home anytime soon..." she gasps.
[20:59] * Ami yawns, feeling the pleasent tiredness move over her. She takes in the scene. "Good work, Usagi."
[21:00] * Serenity-hime groans softly. "Me either..." she mumbles from her position prone on the floor, half on the repaired balcony's floor. "I'm 'bout ready for a nap now..."
[21:00] * Rei-chan looks up to examine the restored balcony, "At least we did it... looks brand new," she sighs.
[21:01] * Serenity-hime looks up herself and smiles. "Sure does... just like I remember it. Well, maybe a little cleaner than that, but it's the right idea."
[21:01] <Ami> "That's what the futons are for!" Ami enthuses. "Looks like another sleepover. Anyone need to call home?"
[21:02] * Rei-chan mumbles an unintelligible negative.
[21:02] * Serenity-hime struggles into a sitting position. "I'd planned to come up here after the meeting anyway, so I already told my parents I'd be out late."
[21:03] * Rei-chan uses the wall to pull herself to her feet. "Come on then, I'd rather lay down on something soft and warm than this stone floor," she yawns.
[21:04] * Serenity-hime nods, slowly managing to rise to her own feet. "I'll second that idea."
[21:13] * Ami kneels next to Makoto, helping the taller girl to her feet again. Lita does likewise, or at least as much as she can, on Makoto's other side. "Ah, feels good, doesn't it? Using all that power?" she asks no one in particular.
[21:15] * Serenity-hime grumbles at how cheerful Ami seems. "Feels like someone took a vacuum cleaner to my insides," she complains. "Let's get down to the library and get some rest, anyway." With that, the princess leads an exhausted group of senshi - plus one sickeningly chipper senshi and a small robot - off to rest and relaxation in the warmth of the library.
[21:15] <Serenity-hime> -----

Halbarad · June 24, 2006, 10:52:08 PM

[17:37] <Usagi-chan> -----
[17:38] * Usagi-chan lays back in bed, trying to lay her worries and fears from another day to rest as she drifts into a deep slumber. She dreams....
[17:40] * Serenity-hime glances around the fully restored Moon Palace, looking around in delight at seeing the palace full of warmth and light just as she remembers it. She runs through the hallways of the palace, marveling at each new wonder around every corner, her footsteps echoing dimly around the empty corridors of the palace.
[17:41] <Serenity-hime> Down halls and through passages she runs, her delight slowly turning to puzzlement. Where are all the people? The palace is a wonder to take her breath away, but in all her searching through its rooms and chambers she has yet to see another living soul. As she enters the throne room, she continues to look around, her confusion changing to worry. Is she the only one here?
[17:43] * Serenity-hime walks up to the marble throne, placing one hand on its arm as she looks around. "Hello?" she shouts. "Is there anyone here?" The echo of her own voice is the only answer she receives. "Is anyone out there?" she calls plaintively. "Anyone at all?" Again, her only reply is silence.
[17:44] * Serenity-hime falls onto the throne, a look of shock on her face. "I'm alone... aren't I?" she whispers. "There's no one else here...."
[17:48] <Serenity-hime> She shrinks down into herself, huddling on the huge marble chair. "No... I don't want to be by myself.... This is beautiful, but it isn't worth that." She draws her knees up to her chest, encircling them with her arms. "I don't want to be alone..."
[17:49] <Rei-chan> "Hello?" another voice calls out softly. "I thought I heard something..." a familiar raven-haired girl steps into the enormous throneroom, blinking curiously as she looks around.
[17:51] * Serenity-hime stays hunched in a ball, not hearing immediately. She cries softly to herself, repeating the same words over and over like a mantra. "I don't want to be alone... I don't want to be alone..."
[17:52] <Rei-chan> "Oh!" Rei gasps, hearing the sobs. "Miss? Are you alright?" she asks, her voice concerned as she rushes over, stopping at a respectful distance from the crying Moon Princess.
[17:53] * Serenity-hime looks up, her eyes red. They open wide as she recognizes the girl in front of her. "...Rei? Is that you?"
[17:54] * Rei-chan blinks. "Yes, I'm Rei Hino. How did you know my name?"
[17:55] * Serenity-hime sits up, giving the girl an odd look. "Of course I know your name, Rei-chan! It's me, Usagi!"
[17:57] <Rei-chan> "I'm sorry, Usagi-san, but I don't believe we've met," Rei says, frowning slightly at the familiar usage of her name. She then looks around somewhat embarrassedly, "Actually, perhaps you could help me anyway? I'm not entirely sure where I am or how I got here..."
[17:59] * Serenity-hime takes on a look of shock as Rei's revelation hits her. "You... don't know me?" Her voice catches in her throat.
[17:59] <Rei-chan> "Should I?" Rei asks curiously.
[18:02] <Serenity-hime> "Should you?!" Usagi splutters out. "Of course, you're my best friend!" Usagi's face crumples as the realization hits her. "You really don't remember me, do you?" Tears begin to spill down her cheeks again.
[18:03] * Rei-chan scratches her head, obviously lost. "I'm sorry, Usagi-san, but this is definitely the first time we've met. I do have an excellent memory," she nods, before adding as an afterthought, "Besides, Minako-chan is my best friend."
[18:07] <Serenity-hime> The color drains from Usagi's face at Rei's words. "No...." she whispers. "No, you're Rei Hino and you're my best friend and you're Sailor Mars and why can't you remember me?" Usagi's face is a mask of anguish.
[18:09] <Rei-chan> "Sailor Mars?" Rei looks confused, "Is that like Sailor V in the manga?" Rei is plainly confused, though she does wear a concerned expression as she sees how upset her new acquaintance seems to be getting.
[18:11] <Serenity-hime> "You.... you don't even remember that?" Usagi's throat goes dry. "You've been a senshi with me for almost a year now, Rei-chan! You HAVE to remember at least that much!"
[18:15] <Rei-chan> "Senshi?" Rei repeats, almost laughing. "I'm a priestess, not a soldier!" She stops from getting too mirthful, giving the blonde a worried look. "Are you sure you don't have me confused with someone else, Usagi-san?"
[18:17] <Serenity-hime> "No! You're Rei Hino and you live at the Hikawa Shrine with your grandpa and Yuuichiro and you're a miko and you're SUPPOSED TO BE MY FRIEND!" Usagi screams out at the end, rushing off the throne and grabbing the miko by her shoulders. Tears stream down her face as she shakes the girl roughly. "Why don't you remember me, Rei? Why?!"
[18:21] * Rei-chan looks almost frightened, but quickly covers it up with anger. "Get your hands off me!" she yells, wriggling out of Usagi's grasp. "I don't know how you know those things about me, but I have NEVER met you before in my life, and I'm starting to regret this meeting." She backs away, keeping her eyes on Usagi. "I suppose I'll have to find my own way out of wherever here is..."
[18:23] * Serenity-hime falls to her knees, sobbing her heart out. "No.... no, it can't be true.... I don't want it to be true...." She raises her head and screams at the ceiling. "IT'S NOT TRUE!"
[18:26] * Rei-chan fidgets uncomfortably, sensing the genuine despair from the other girl. "Look... um... Usagi-san," she says hesitantly, before realising she doesn't have a clue what to say. Biting her lip, she decides to take a chance and kneels down next to Usagi, putting her arm over her shoulders and wordlessly trying to comfort her.
[18:28] * Serenity-hime continues to cry her eyes, out, slumping on her knees. "I'm still alone.... I hate being alone, I want to be with someone!"
[18:29] <Rei-chan> "You'll find someone," Rei says, not sounding entirely convinced. 'I guess some guys go for the beautiful insane ones...'
[18:32] * Serenity-hime glares up at the raven-haired girl. "I am NOT insane, Rei! I'm Usagi Tsukino, damn it! Why don't you remember me?"
[18:33] <Rei-chan> "Gah!" Rei leaps away as if Usagi were on fire. "I did not say that out loud!" she says, visibly freaked out.
[18:34] <Serenity-hime> "I know you didn't!" Usagi stands up slowly, still looking rather angry. "I heard you think it, and it is NOT true!"
[18:35] <Rei-chan> 'Oh crap! She's psychic AND crazed! I've got to distract her and escape!' Rei thinks frantically. "Oh my God! What the hell is that?!" she cries, pointing behind Usagi's shoulder.
[18:36] <Serenity-hime> "I am NOT CRAZY!" Usagi raises her head and shouts again. "Why won't you believe me, Rei?"
[18:37] * Rei-chan doesn't pay any heed to the words, having already turned tail and began sprinting out of the throneroom, her long black hair trailing behind her.
[18:40] * Serenity-hime looks down quickly at the sound of running footsteps. She starts to give chase, but loses the miko quickly in the maze of hallways. "Rei! Don't leave me!" She shouts after the fleet-footed priestess. "Don't leave me alone..." she trails off as she comes to a halt. She falls to her knees once again, letting out a final cry as her surroundings fade into grayness. "Noooo!!!"
[18:42] * Usagi-chan's eyes snap open, her eyes meeting the now familiar sight of the library's ceiling as she sits up. She puts one hand on her chest to steady her pounding heart, looking around the room frantically. The forms of her friends are visible, still asleep in their futons from the evening's work.
[18:43] <Usagi-chan> She scrambles out of her covers, crawling on her hands and knees to find the one containing Rei. She lets out a deep sigh as she sees the white-haired miko asleep in her own futon, snoring quietly.
[18:47] <Usagi-chan> "Thank god, it was only a dream..." Usagi says quietly, sitting back on her heels. "Only a dream."
[18:49] * Rei-chan shifts in her sleep. "Ngh..." she whines, drawing her knees up to her chest as she lies on her side.
[18:50] <Rei-chan> Stretching her legs back out, Rei wrinkles her nose, her eyes slowly fluttering open.
[18:50] * Usagi-chan covers her mouth in embarrassment. "Oh no... I didn't mean to wake you up, Rei-chan..."
[18:51] <Rei-chan> "Usagi...?" Rei mutters blearily, before yawning and propping herself up on her elbow. "What time is it?" she asks, rubbing her eyes with her other hand.
[18:53] * Usagi-chan bites her fingernails in panic for a second, then grabs Rei by the shoulders. "Promise me you won't forget me, Rei-chan!" she says in a hoarse whisper.
[18:53] <Rei-chan> "Huh?" Rei smacks her lips, still not fully awake. "What are you talking about, Dumpling Head?"
[18:55] <Usagi-chan> "Just promise me!" Usagi whispers urgently.
[18:55] <Rei-chan> "Why, are you going somewhere?" Rei asks, becoming a bit more alert and looking at Usagi worriedly.
[18:57] <Usagi-chan> "Rei!" Usagi looks almost panicked. "Just promise you won't forget me!" The blonde looks to be almost on the verge of tears.
[18:59] <Rei-chan> "Okay, okay, I promise," Rei says, though rather grouchily. "Now what the hell is this all about, Dumpling Head?"
[19:00] * Usagi-chan sweeps Rei into a hug, forcing the miko into a sitting position. "Thank you, Rei-chan.... just don't leave me alone."
[19:01] * Rei-chan pats Usagi on the back, rather weirded out by this awakening. "So I take it that's a 'no' on explaining this, then?"
[19:02] * Usagi-chan makes no reply, simply clinging to Rei like a lifeline. 'I don't want to be alone...'
[19:03] <Rei-chan> Picking up on the thought, Rei shifts herself into a more comfortable sitting position and returning the embrace, even as she wonders what could have possibly spooked Usagi so badly.
[19:05] * Usagi-chan just holds the miko for a long time, sniffling quietly as she cries tears of relief. "Rei-chan...." she finally manages to get out, hiccupping a bit from all her crying. "Rei-chan, it was just awful!" She finally releases the miko, looking at her friend through tear-stained eyes as she relates the tale of her dream.
[19:10] <Rei-chan> "Don't worry, Usagi, it was just a dream," Rei says consolingly. "I'll always remember my Dumpling Head," she adds with a teasing smile.
[19:14] <Usagi-chan> "I was so scared, Rei-chan.... I don't ever want to be alone like that again." Usagi buries her face in the miko's shoulder, crying softly once again.
[19:15] <Rei-chan> "You won't be, Usagi," Rei says, softly stroking the blonde's back. "I promise."
-------
Missing logs. Rei consults the Sacred Fire for more information about the Talismans, and doubts begin to form about the Mistress' intentions as a result. She and Eudial also head to Clear Blue High School for a Heart Snatch, where they confront and defeat the Cardian Racy, previously seen by Herb at Toudai.
-------
[08:31] <Anastasia> ---
[08:40] <Anastasia> It's another long day in the Witches 6. You did a Heart Snatch right off the bat with Eudial, one that was routine and unsuccessful.
[08:40] * Rei-chan is still preoccupied by her nightmare and thoughts of how she could find out more about the Mistress without getting herself in trouble...
[08:40] <Anastasia> Afterwards, you find yourself in the Witches 6 room after Eudial goes off to work on something or the other. Unusually enough, Kaolinite is in there and at her desk, reading some odd tome.
[08:42] <Rei-chan> Deciding to try and strike up conversation with the most senior Witch, and perhaps subtly pump her for info, Rei looks over at the redhead. "Hey, Kaolinite-san, what are you reading?"
[08:44] <Anastasia> She doesn't respond at first, deeply into her dusty book. "Classical Wizardry," she says distantly, turning a old and yellowed page.
[08:48] <Rei-chan> "Wizardry?" Rei blinks. "Is it a... real, magic book? Or is it just theory?" she asks, definitely interested, now.
[08:48] <Anastasia> "It's real magic," she says absently. She seems wholly into the book, barely registering your questions.
[08:50] <Rei-chan> Deciding that she probably won't get much out of the older woman, Rei has just one more question before leaving her in peace. "Where did you get it?"
[08:51] <Anastasia> THAT question gets her attention. Carefully closing the old tome, she looks up at you with her icy eyes. "Curious, aren't you?"
[08:56] <Rei-chan> "Well, yes," Rei shrugs. "Even if I prefer a more spiritual approach, magic is still very interesting - not to mention useful. Why wouldn't I be curious about learning more?"
[08:58] <Anastasia> Her gaze bores into and through you, it feels, like you a flimsy nightgown that hides nothing. "Really? Why don't you come over here for a moment, then?"
[09:00] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei says, approaching the other woman. In spite of her quick acceptance, she keeps all her physical and spiritual senses tightly focused on the woman in order to anticipate whatever she might do, not wanting to get surprised like when the Professor caught her off guard with his 'injection o' evil'.
[09:02] <Anastasia> Kaolinite's spiritual aura is very strong and controlled, speaking of a depth of power. She opens the book to a seemingly random page as you approach and puts it down on her desk for you to read, her face neutral.
[09:03] * Rei-chan looks at the page.
[09:04] <Anastasia> The page is filled with odd runes and symbols, all in dull red ink. Each is a mystery of twisted lines and warped angles, flooding your mind with incomprehesible meanings and thoughts...
[09:09] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "I can't read this..." she says, squinting slightly.
[09:12] <Anastasia> The elder Witch smirks. "Of course you can't," she says. As you continue to look, your head spins.
[09:13] * Rei-chan rubs her head, realising that this is far from an ordinary book. Ignoring the Witch, she tries to discern the tome's aura, since it's fairly likely to have one to elicit this kind of reaction.
[09:15] <Anastasia> It does indeed have an aura, one of electric blue with darker strands of purple. It would be a pretty light show, really.
[09:17] * Rei-chan looks away from the book, refocusing on Kaolinite. "So what was on that page?"
[09:18] <Anastasia> The Witch considers that for a moment. "This," she says, pointing at your desk.
[09:19] * Rei-chan turns to look at her desk, somehow getting a sinking feeling in her stomach.
[09:19] <Anastasia> "Itxrevis durvyea rhotylli!" she murmurs with force. Your desk shimmers for a moment before falling apart down the middle! "A simple blade of force, you see."
[09:19] <Rei-chan> "And of course, you know the simple spell for repairing it, right?" Rei asks, her eyebrow twitching something fierce.
[09:20] <Anastasia> "Of course," she agrees, chuckling coldly. "For you, however, I would recommend duct tape and superglue, since it would obviously be out of your depth."
[09:43] <Rei-chan> "Oh, I think you can show me the repair spell," Rei says in a sweet tone, narrowing her eyes as she steps away from Kaolinite's desk and concentrating intently to burn the thing to ash in an instant without damaging the surrounding area.
[09:45] <Anastasia> The desk glows for a split second, before falling to ash. The magic book lands on the floor completely undamaged, however, and not the slightest bit singed. Kaolinite gasps for a moment, then turns back to you with eyes that are daggers of icy rage. "BitCH," she hisses, clearly annoyed. "You want to play with someone above you," she says dangerously.
[09:47] * Rei-chan gives Kaolinite an equally angry look. "You started this. I just thought you could use a little reminder of the dangers of playing with fire."
[09:49] <Anastasia> "Uppity little Witch," she says, her voice dripping with venom. "Girrepin Vtrec Wvvvilu Firangi," she says in the same voice, a aura of flame sprouting out around her. "Do you really want to play with fire, little girl?" It's fairly obvious she's losing her temper...
[09:51] <Rei-chan> "I don't play with Fire," Rei says, summoning a similar aura with none of the fancy magic words. "I AM Fire."
[09:52] <Anastasia> Before Kaolinite can respond, you hear the door to the Witches 6 open. Mimette walks in and takes in the scene, a bit surprised. "Wha?"
[09:53] <Anastasia> "Stay out of this, bitch," Kaolinite says, waving her arm and muttering another smattering of arcane words that send Mimette flying out of the room.
[09:56] * Rei-chan waits, ready to see what Kaolinite will do next, and to counter it if necessary.
[09:57] <Anastasia> There is a crash of body on wall as Mimette impacts outside the room. "Woah," a male voice from outside says, and a moment later the Professor steps in. Oddly, his face is not covered in shadow as per usual. "Hello, girls," he says, glancing around the room.
[09:58] * Rei-chan quickly loses the aura. "Hello, Professor," she says respectfully.
[09:58] <Anastasia> Kaolinite does the same quickly as well. "Good day, Professor Tomoe," she nods politely.
[09:59] <Anastasia> "Oh, Cyprine isn't in here," he says, sounding slightly annoyed.
[09:59] <Rei-chan> "I haven't seen her all day," Rei informs him, thinking that she rarely sees the reclusive Witch on any given day...
[10:00] <Anastasia> "I'm afraid not, Professor," Kaolinite says at the same time Rei speaks.
[10:01] <Anastasia> "Oh, I see. How troubling," he murmurs, shaking his head. When he looks back up, his face is covered again with shadow. "Would you two be kind enough to run out and get the snacks then?" he asks, as he turns to leave. "Oh, and do play nice, girls."
[10:01] <Rei-chan> "Of course, Professor," Rei says, nodding. 'Lucky escape, bitch,' is her unspoken thought as she glances at Kaolinite.
[10:02] <Anastasia> "Yes, Professor," is Kaolinite's response. "I'll make sure to get the chips you like."
[10:03] <Anastasia> As he exits, you hear him address the likely fallen Mimette, "Do be more careful, Mimette. Falling into walls like that can't be healthy."
[10:04] <Rei-chan> "Well, lets get to the shopping then, Kaolinite-san," Rei says tightly, leaving the room and ignoring Mimette.
[10:06] <Anastasia> "Yes," she says as well, walking stiffly. As you exit, you see a very dazed Mimette deeply embedded into the wall outside the door. Ouch.
[10:07] * Rei-chan makes her way out of Mugen, heading towards the nearby supermarket.
[11:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[11:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the gossip spreads, you hear about a new student at school. The girls are all gushing about his bishonen good looks and his talent playing the flute...
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, he's so handsome...He's dreamy!...He's just PERFECT!" is the general consensus.
[11:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> Makoto had the bad luck to be in the bathroom when the lunch bell rang, so she's rather late getting outside to the warm spring air.
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is a gaggle of girls surrounding a table today, as there has been all week. The last notes of a flute are heard, and a tall man breaks through the crowd and outward...
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thank you," he murmurs in a soft, sexy voice as he gets through the crowd, his face covered by his brown bangs.
[11:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> As he departs the crowd, head down, he's coming in your direction. With his Western skin tone and light brown hair, topped with his lean yet muscluar height, he's quite a looker.
[11:32] * Makoto gets a dreamy eyed look as she stares at him.
[11:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> He walks by, not taking notice of you as he goes inside... but even in your distraction, you notice a small, shining object falls out of his pocket as he goes inside.
[11:34] * Makoto blinks and grabs the object from the ground, calling after him. "Hey, you! You dropped something!" Makoto shouts, before mentally cussing at herself. 'Hey, you? Ugh...'
[11:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm," he turns, looking at you. His eyes peek out from behind his bangs, bright and pretty. "Did I?"
[11:36] * Makoto almost reverts back to her dreamy eyed state at seeing his eyes, and she raises the object, looking at it as she moves closer to hand it to him. "Yeah, here."
[11:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Getting a good look at it yourself, you see it's a small metal key. "Oh, my apartment key," he says, taking it. "Thanks," he nods, causing his hair to go down, hiding his eyes again.
[11:39] <Makoto> "No problem," Makoto says with a smile. Deciding to try and be more social now that she was talking to him, she asked, "So how're you enjoying school here? You're new right?"
[11:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, I just started this week," he says. His Japanese is accented, giving his voice an exotic quality. "It's not bad, really."
[11:44] <Makoto> "That's good," Makoto replies, still smiling. "I'm still kinda new here in a way, but I've gotten to treasure this school and the friends I've made here. I hope you have as nice an experience."
[11:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods. "Thank you... oh," he says, a bit self reproachfully. "I'm Alan. Alan Grangier."
[11:48] <Makoto> "Nice to meet you, Grangier-san. I'm Makoto Kino," Makoto introduces herself in return politely.
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Well, thank you again, Makoto," he says, smiling. "I'm keeping my sister waiting, so..." he says, turning to leave, only leaving his faint scent behind, the smell of fresh leaves.
[11:51] * Makoto almost misses him leave as her mind plays out a scene where he goes "Oh, call me Alan, Grangier-san is too fancy for me." and then she went "Only if you call me Mako-chan, like my friends do." "Of course Mako-chan" and then they fall in love and into a deep and sensual love affair...
[11:51] * Makoto sighs, catching his tail end, and waves goodbye. "Later Grangier-san!"
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Bye," he waves briefly, going down the halls of the school. What a hunk....
[10:08] <Anastasia> ---
[08:34] <Anastasia> As the time goes by, so does Herb's training in the secret arts of the Dragonslaying techquince.
[08:35] <Princess_Herb> "I feel like a character in a sports anime sometimes..."
[08:36] <Anastasia> One sunny spring morning, one that lacked classes, you meet Ryuu to train...
[08:38] * Princess_Herb trudges into the dojo, somewhat damp.
[08:38] <Anastasia> Walking in, you see Ryuu practicing a kata, going through the motions while his arms burst into flames at times.
[08:39] <Princess_Herb> "Good morning, honoured Ryuu. A fire hydrant burst as I was passing it, so..." Herb says.
[08:42] <Anastasia> "Heh," he says as he winds down from his kata. "That seems to happen more often than not."
[08:46] <Anastasia> "In any event," he moves on, "How is your practice with the scroll coming?"
[08:46] <Princess_Herb> "Well, it's getting better. I don't think I'm anywhere near being able to pull the technique off, but I'll show you what I've got so far."
[08:47] <Anastasia> He nods. "Go right ahead," he says, stepping back to give Herb plenty of room to work with.
[08:47] * Princess_Herb demonstrates the Scale Breaker in progress to Ryuu. It looks a lot less ragged than before, but still lacks something.
[08:49] <Anastasia> "Hmmm," he comments after you finish. "That does look better, at least on the technical end."
[08:53] <Princess_Herb> "It's still not right, though. I can feel the ki building up, but I can't quite focus it properly. I need a dragon to practice on." Herb says, smiling.
[08:53] <Princess_Herb> "What have you been working on yourself?"
[08:54] <Anastasia> "Good luck finding one," Ryuu replies. "Anyway, speaking of that..." Ryuu breaks into a grin. "I mastered a new skill yesterday. Want to see?"
[08:58] <Princess_Herb> "Sure," says Herb, with more enthusiasm than she really feels. 'Damn! Ryuu masters new skills at such a rate, he's sure to outstrip me soon.' she thinks to herself.
[09:00] <Anastasia> He nods, his grin childish and full of enthusiasm. "Okay..." he drops into a simple stance, both fists ready. "Venom of the Serpent!" he cries he punches forward, his fist covered in a sickly purple mist. The sweetly rotten smell of bad fruit fills the room as the strike finishes and the mist vanishes.
[09:03] <Anastasia> "It infuses a single blow with a toxin that eats away at the innards of a foe," he explains after he finishes. "It's meant to attack the opponent on the inside while you attack on the outside."
[09:05] <Princess_Herb> "Looks pretty good. The scent's less foul than I would have imagined as well. What circumstances do you think you'd use it in?" Herb asks. "And is there a counter-technique in the scrolls?"
[09:07] <Anastasia> Ryuu shrugs. "The toxin is fairly powerful, so it's only useful when you battle to kill. A counter technique is there, of sorts. It's more of a Chakra that purifies the body and spirit, it covers various things like that."
[09:10] * Princess_Herb nods, wondering once more how Ryuu's father managed to devise all these techniques himself in one lifetime.
[09:13] <Anastasia> "Sadly, the Purity Chakra is far more advanced than this ability, it was one of his strongest and crowning achievements. It's said to even be able to dispel dark magic and mind control," he smiles.
[09:16] <Princess_Herb> "I like the sound of that. These are dark times, I'm afraid. If it's more advanced than the scale breaker, it's going to be a long time before I get to master it, though." Herb sighs.
[09:17] <Anastasia> "I wonder if I'll master in my lifetime myself," Ryuu agrees, matching your sigh. "Father was truly a genius at this...I feel like I'm splashing along in his rainy footsteps."
[09:22] <Princess_Herb> "Well, enough chatting for now. Let's practice."
[09:22] * Princess_Herb bows to Ryuu and beckons him to begin.
[09:23] <Anastasia> As you go into practice, Ryuu bows. "Sparring, or a more relaxed practice," he asks respectfully.
[09:26] <Princess_Herb> "More relaxed today, unless you have some hot water. This girl body's not as tough as my guy body, after all." Herb says
[09:27] <Anastasia> Ryuu nods. "That sounds good," he says, beginning a simple warm up. As he does so, he continues the conversation. "How are your studies going," he broaches.
[09:32] <Princess_Herb> "At Toudai? Quite well, I think. I'm working on a report on Qing dynasty porcelain for the export trade right now. Very interesting, in its way."
[09:33] <Princess_Herb> 'And I'm trying to learn the ancient Lunar language from the others, which is as HARD as your father's Scale Breaker.' Herb thinks.
[09:33] <Anastasia> Ryuu grunts a confirmation as he winds up into a more advanced form. "I see... heh. I don't see why you bother with those studies when you have so much talent in the arts. I'd spend every hour practicing if I were as gifted as you," he admits.
[09:38] <Princess_Herb> "A leader should know more than the arts of war, my father says."
[09:39] <Anastasia> After finishing a flashy air kick combo and landing, he replies again. "'Guess so. Still, though..." Ryuu shrugs.
[09:42] <Princess_Herb> "Once I finish at Toudai, though, I can devote my every waking hour to beating you!" Herb says. "I mean, um, to perfecting the arts." Herb grins as she demonstrates one of her favourite punches, crackling with ki energy.
[09:43] <Anastasia> Ryuu laughs. "Oh yes, I reckon so." He matches it with a flaming kick, his foot laced with red flame.
[09:50] <Anastasia> "You know," he goes on, "I've been looking for better opponents lately," he says, "To spar with instead of just practicing myself. You're good and all, don't get me wrong, but I need variety."
[09:50] <Princess_Herb> "What about the old guys at the temple dojo?" Herb asks.
[09:52] <Princess_Herb> "There aren't many more top-notch martial artists around here apart from them. You could go to China, and look for the real masters there, though I advise not stopping off at any Cursed Training Grounds...."
[09:52] <Anastasia> "They are extremely good," Ryuu agrees, "But I know most of their tricks, and vice versa. I need new talent to battle with right now."
[09:56] <Anastasia> He nods, taking in Herb's words. "Perhaps... hopefully, this is just a phase I'm going through."
[10:01] <Princess_Herb> "So," Herb-chan says, "What are you going to do? You can tell me, you know. EXTREME CUTENESS ATTACK!"
[10:02] * Princess_Herb gives Ryuu a big-eyed look that would make most men weak at the knees
[10:02] <Anastasia> Ryuu gahs at the cuteness, stumbling. "Woah, Herb. It's kind of creepy seeing like that," he mutters. "Um..."
[10:02] <Princess_Herb> "Secret manouevre. You were wide open there." Herb says.
[10:05] <Anastasia> "Heh, point," Ryuu concedes. "Well, I'm in no hurry to go wandering to the ends of the Earth yet," he shrugs. "I'm going to poke around here first... maybe one of those monsters from the news would be a good fight, or those skirted girls?"
[10:08] <Princess_Herb> "I think those girls might well have mastered the Extreme Cuteness Attack. I'd fight the monsters, if I were you. There seem to be enough of them wandering the streets picking fights at the moment." Herb says. "A group of the kendo players at Toudai were hospitalised by one the other day, you might have heard. If you meet one, give it a boot in the head from me."
[10:15] <Anastasia> Ryuu nods. "Yeah, the TV said something about that," he frowns. "Who would do that to a group of kendo students, though?"
[10:19] <Princess_Herb> "I don't know, truthfully. If there's a pattern to the attacks, I haven't worked it out yet." Herb says, realising that she's been a bit remiss by concentrating too much on trade porcelain and the Scale Breaker, and not enough on the monster attacks. "I'm sure those Sailor Senshi have it all in hand, though." 'Yeah, right.' she thinks.
[10:20] <Anastasia> "Somehow," he says, "I still have trouble believing wet dreams who fight crime can handle monsters," he deadpans.
[10:24] <Princess_Herb> "You have wet dreams about schoolgirls in skimpy outfits? I thought your life was nothing but study!"
[10:25] <Anastasia> "Gah," Ryuu blushes, waving his arms. "Not like THAT! I mean... well... they look like schoolgirl strippers in those outfits, yeah?" he struggles, trying to regain his balance. "Like those advertisements in bad phone booths?"
[10:29] <Princess_Herb> "I'm seeing another side of you that I never knew existed!" Herb laughs.
[10:31] <Anastasia> "Gah gah gah!" Ryuu blushes like a tomato. "Not that I frequent those, I just happen to have needed to use the phone when I was passing through those areas!"
[10:33] <Princess_Herb> "But you shouldn't let a skimpy outfit distract you from their combat skills. They've earned their spurs, after all, fighting those youma." Herb pauses. "OK, I mean, I'm not entirely immune to female charms myself, but respect where respect's due, you know...?"
[10:35] <Anastasia> "I won't argue the theory..." he starts, "But it's hard to take them seriously when they show that much skin," he shrugs, calming down.
[10:35] <Anastasia> "It makes me wonder if they're looking for a fast boyfriend, not if they can battle well."
[10:37] <Princess_Herb> "If I meet any, I'll recommend you to them, then."
[10:38] <Anastasia> Ryuu just blushes, unable to reply at first. "Well... um... I'd like a more traditional girlfriend, one that doesn't run around in slutty costumes," he says.
[10:42] <Princess_Herb> "OK, I'll just date them myself, then." Herb says, smiling because she knows how unlikely that is.
[10:42] <Anastasia> "Works for me," he nods, finally going back to his martial arts...
[10:15] <Anastasia> ---
[10:15] <Anastasia> One day later...
[10:15] <Anastasia> "Hey, Rei," Eudial gets your attention from the boring book you were reading. "Up for another Heart Snatch?"
[10:16] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei nods agreeably, marking her place and closing the book. "Who's the target, today?"
[10:17] <Anastasia> "Some park mime," she shrugs. "Didn't get a name, but he's supposed to be easy to find." Eudial says as you walk along. Lately, Eudial has become warmer and friendier to you, more like a regular person than a Witch.
[10:18] <Rei-chan> "A mime, eh?" Rei rubs her hands, "Well, if he has a Talisman, he won't talk."
[10:19] <Anastasia> "And if he doesn't, at least we won't have to watch him mime," she agrees.
[10:20] * Rei-chan nods. "Never was a big fan of that particular art-form."
[10:21] <Anastasia> Eudial nods. "It's creepy more than anything," she says as you work your way to the car.
[10:22] * Rei-chan gets in the front passenger seat. "Hey, have you seen Kaolinite today?" she asks, changing the subject.
[10:23] <Anastasia> "Nope, and no great loss," she comments as she gets the car going. "She's generally an antisocial bitch."
[10:26] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. I tried to be nice to her yesterday and she trashed my desk," Rei sniffs. "I fixed her, though."
[10:27] <Anastasia> "What happened," she inquires as you zoom through the underways and passages.
[10:28] <Rei-chan> "She was reading a magic book, so I asked her about it. You know, just making conversation. Then she 'demonstrates' a spell by slicing my desk in half." Rei shakes her head. "I burnt her desk to ash, and we were just about to come to blows when the Professor came in. Oh, and she nearly put Mimette through the wall when she showed up," she adds, knowing that last fact will likely please Eudial.
[10:30] <Anastasia> "That's her, alright," Eudial says, "A total prick who likes to show off her powers," As if to accent this, Eudial takes a turn on what must have been one wheel at over 160 MPH.
[10:32] * Rei-chan nods. "Arrogant bitch, that she is."
[10:33] <Anastasia> Instead of replying, Eudial gets the car out of the tunnels, landing to a stop a on a pleasant side street in the Tokyo suburbs.
[10:33] <Anastasia> It's a dark and cloudy day with rain and general gloom, you notice. Despite it, you do see a black-clad mime in the nearby park...
[10:33] <Anastasia> The park itself is wide, with trees and a surrounding wall to protect it from the urban sprawl.
[10:34] <Rei-chan> "I suppose if anything you have to admire his dedication to his work..." Rei comments, half disgusted, half approving.
[10:34] <Anastasia> "I guess," Eudial shrugs, walking up. "Coming?"
[10:35] <Rei-chan> "Sure," Rei hops out the car and follows Eudial, heating the air around them both against the cold drizzle. "You going to do this one?"
[10:37] <Anastasia> "Yep," Eudial says, taking a moment to glare at the rainy sky. As you approach, the mime walks up... without pausing, Eudial pulls out her gun kit and fires once, the Heart Crystal flying out as the mime falls to the ground. Even from here, you can tell it's a dud.
[10:37] <Rei-chan> "Bah, worthless," Rei comments, walking over to pick up the heart crystal and tossing it onto the mime so it can be reabsorbed.
[10:38] <Anastasia> As you walk over..."World SHAKING!" The shout echos and a blast of energy clips by you! (DCV check)
[10:38] <Rei-chan> roll 2d6
[10:38] * Musk-bot --> "Rei-chan rolls 2d6 and gets 4."
[10:39] <Anastasia> With a nimble leap back, you avoid the sphere of energy. It impacts into the wall, leaving a large section of it in rubble. You briefly see a shadowed figure at the Heart Crystal..."It's not a Talisman," he/she says, jumping away quickly.
[10:40] <Rei-chan> "I could have told you that!" Rei snaps, "What's the big idea, attacking me?"
[10:40] <Anastasia> "Hey, that's our dud Heart Crystal," Eudial shouts, firing off a quick flamethrower shot!
[10:40] <Anastasia> roll 2d6
[10:40] * Musk-bot --> "Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[10:40] <Anastasia> The shot is good, but the figure is already gone, too fast for Eudial's fire.
[10:41] <Rei-chan> "Whoever that was, they were fast... Did you get a good look at them?" Rei asks, again going to replace the Crystal.
[10:41] <Anastasia> "Dammit," Eudial mutters, "No, I didn't."
[10:41] <Anastasia> She kicks the ground in annoyance. "What is it with random freaks interefering lately?"
[10:42] <Rei-chan> "Did you hear what they said, though?" Rei says, a bit worriedly. "They were looking for the Talismans as well."
[10:58] <Anastasia> "Hey, yeah," Eudial realises, blinking away her anger. "The Professor isn't going to like that."
[10:59] <Rei-chan> "No, he sure won't," Rei agrees glumly. "Guess we better head back and give him the bad news..."
[10:59] <Anastasia> "Yeah," she agrees, "And get out of this damn rain."
[11:00] * Rei-chan nods, getting back into the car. 'Hope that mime doesn't catch a cold...'
[15:17] <Usagi-chan> -----
[11:53] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sunday, a week after the attacks started. It's time for another Sailor Meeting, all the girls ready to use that as an excuse to gossip and chat...
[11:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So," Nian goes on, "We've had two attacks confirmed so far, with one of the monsters escaping?"
[11:55] * Usagi-chan nods. "Sounds right to me - the one at Toudai and the one at the Osa-P."
[11:56] <Rei-chan> "There was an attack at Clear Blue High School the day before yesterday," Rei puts in, "I took care of it, though."
[11:56] * Usagi-chan looks over at Rei curiously. "There was?"
[11:56] * Rei-chan nods. "Thing called Racy started draining the students as they left school. It was allergic to fire, though..."
[11:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Really," Nian asks, looking at the white tressed Sailor of Mars. "How'd it go?"
[11:57] <Rei-chan> "Thing was really pathetic... barely had time to look surprised before it got roasted," Rei smirks. "I didn't find out anything about who was controlling it, though."
[11:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "So you fried it," Luna says. "Good. One less, then."
[12:00] * Rei-chan nods. "Just wish we knew more about who was sending them out and why..."
[12:01] * Usagi-chan frowns. "Me too... all I know was there was a man's voice at the one at the jewelry store, but I couldn't get a good look at who it belonged to - too many spiderwebs in the way."
[12:04] <Rei-chan> "I saw him. He had sort of green skin and blue hair, with pointed ears," Rei puts in, "He wasn't too happy after his pet monster got killed, but didn't actually try anything to retaliate. Just vanished..."
[12:05] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Not a whole lot more to go on than what we already had."
[12:06] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods glumly. "Hopefully we'll find out more before he gets too far along with whatever he's up to."
[12:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Have you tried a fire reading, Rei?" Luna pipes up.
[12:08] <Rei-chan> "It was actually a Fire Reading that led me the Clear Blue High School just before the attack," Rei says, which is basically the truth. "But I haven't learnt anything about what the enemy really is or what they have planned."
[12:10] <Princess_Herb> "The one I fought was the same one that Mars killed, I think. Its master teleported it out before I could destroy it." Princess_Herb says.
[12:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You should have called the other girls, Rei, and not gone alone," Luna frowns as she comments. "It's risky to do it all by yourself."
[12:14] <Princess_Herb> "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, honoured Luna." counters Herb. "She couldn't be sure that it would stick around long enough for that. And I think these ones do more damage to their victims than the other ones we had before."
[12:16] <Usagi-chan> "I know they do, Herb." Usagi frowns. "Poor Naru-chan is STILL in the hospital from the first attack, and it's been a week!"
[12:16] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She could have used the communicator as she traveled there," Luna returns. "With a new threat, I don't want anything bad to happen because one of us gets overly aggresive."
[12:17] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, well, I wasn't entirely sure there would be an attack," Rei frowns, "I just knew that I had to be there, and then when I saw the monster I blasted it straight off. I didn't expect it to go down so quickly..."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And what if you get drained? You girls heal fast, but this is serious stuff."
[12:18] <Usagi-chan> "Luna, let it go. You're right - she probably should have called someone, but the important thing is that she's okay now." Usagi sighs.
[12:18] * Rei-chan nods. "Like I said, the thing never stood a chance."
[12:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna sighs. "We just lost Minako, I don't want to lose anyone else, Usagi."
[12:19] <Usagi-chan> "I understand that Luna, but it's already done and over with. She knows for the next time if it happens again, right Rei-chan?" Usagi looks over at the miko.
[12:21] * Rei-chan frowns at the reminder of their absent member. "We can get by just fine without her," she mutters before giving Usagi a small smile. "Of course, Usagi. I'll make sure to call you guys, but if I'm the only one at an attack, I'm not going to stick around and wait for help before trying to do something."
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna nods at this, seemingly satisfied. "Alright, Rei. Just be careful, okay?"
[12:22] <Usagi-chan> "I understand, just don't take any huge risks if it's bigger than you can handle by yourself, all right?"
[12:22] <Princess_Herb> "What happened with Minako? I never quite got the story about that." Herb asks.
[12:23] * Usagi-chan frowns. "Long story short, she left. I can fill you in on the details later, Herb-chan."
[12:23] <Rei-chan> "I won't, Usagi," Rei says seriously, before sighing at Herb's question. "She decided to abandon her duty is what happened."
[12:26] <Princess_Herb> "I would appreciate that, Usa-chan."
[12:28] * Makoto sighs distractedly, her eyes glazed over as she mutters, "sempai..." while thinking of an amalgam of lips not quite Alan's, Kazan's or the doc's.
[12:29] * Usagi-chan glances over at the tall brunette, having heard the murmur. "Uh.... Mako-chan?"
[12:29] * Rei-chan looks at Makoto oddly. "Uh oh, looks like Mako-chan's in one of her funny moods again..."
[12:30] * Usagi-chan waves her hand in front of Makoto's face. "Earth to Makoto! Come in, Mako-chan!"
[12:30] * Makoto just smiles distractedly, her cheeks tinged with red.
[12:31] * Usagi-chan grins. "I recognize that look... what does he look like?"
[12:31] <Rei-chan> "Wonder if she's actually remembering her sempai, or thinking of some guy who reminds her of him?" Rei muses, grinning at the brunette.
[12:31] * Makoto blinks as something obstructs her nice view of... nothing, replaced with Usagi's distractingly perky face
[12:32] <Makoto> "Huh, whaa? Oh, right Naru in danger, yeah..." Makoto says, trying to recall what was going on.
[12:32] * Usagi-chan giggles. "Come on, Mako-chan - what's his name?"
[12:33] * Makoto sighs dreamily. "Alan Grangier. He's a new student at school, and he's just so... exotically handsome."
[12:33] * Rei-chan perks up, recalling what Usagi said about the new students. "So how far have you gotten with him?" she asks teasingly.
[12:34] <Rei-chan> "And what about that Kazan guy you mentioned the other day?" she adds a moment later.
[12:34] <Princess_Herb> "Exotic?" Herb asks, "or inhuman?"
[12:34] * Usagi-chan smiles. "Oh yeah, Alan. I keep hearing him play that flute at lunchtime, but I haven't really gotten a chance to talk with him or his sister much."
[12:36] <Makoto> "Kazan? Oh him," Makoto says. "Well, the cute lil' bum hasn't asked me out, so a girl has to keep her options open!"
[12:36] * Makoto grumbles. "Not that I see him asking me out any time soon."
[12:36] * Rei-chan giggles, "Maybe you need to show him what he's missing?"
[12:36] <Usagi-chan> "So go ask him out yourself!" Usagi gives the brunette a playful shove.
[12:36] <Makoto> "But that's not romantic!" Makoto argues.
[12:37] <Rei-chan> "It'll be romantic when you're dating him. Sitting around doing nothing isn't romantic, either," Rei argues.
[12:37] <Usagi-chan> "So? Maybe Rei-chan's right - you just need to show him what he's missing out on." Usagi winks.
[12:38] <Makoto> "Ehh...." Makoto says unsure.
[12:39] <Usagi-chan> "Okay then, go ask Alan out!" Usagi grins. "If you think he's so cute, anyway."
[12:39] <Rei-chan> "Come on, Mako-chan, you have to be assertive! Clearly show him you're interested!" Rei encourages her friend.
[12:39] <Makoto> "I think Alan's only eye-candy. He's been surrounded by girls all day. Why would he want me?"
[12:40] <Makoto> "Anyhow, call me old fashioned, but I'm the sort of girl that likes to be asked out," Makoto says firmly.
[12:40] <Usagi-chan> "Okay, you're old-fashioned." Usagi giggles.
[12:40] <Rei-chan> "He's surrounded by girls, but he's not dating any of them, is he?" Rei asks, "He's probably waiting for that special someone - which could be you!"
[12:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Um, girls.." Luna tries to get your attention. "We still have a new threat to discuss."
[12:41] <Princess_Herb> "Maybe he has a girl curse too..." Herb suggests.
[12:42] <Rei-chan> "Maybe he's a girl with the opposite curse?" Rei asks, fighting to keep in her laughter.
[12:42] * Usagi-chan turns to glare at the cat. "And what else is there that we can say about it, Luna? Live a little, we'll take care of it if they show up again!"
[12:42] <Princess_Herb> "I should date her, then. I might get more understanding..."
[12:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But..." she replies by habit.
[12:43] <Usagi-chan> "Luna, we've already gone over it! Yes we'll keep our eyes open, and yes we'll be ready when they show up, but honestly - what else do we have to say about them right now?"
[12:43] <Rei-chan> "Wouldn't that be incredibly confusing?" Rei blinks at Herb.
[12:44] <Makoto> "Not really, if they get splashed, they'd just have to switch clothing!"
[12:44] <Makoto> "And they'd be fine then!"
[12:45] * Rei-chan doesn't restrain her laughter any more.
[12:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna sighs, conceding the point and sitting down.
[12:47] * Usagi-chan swivels back around, Makoto firmly in her sights. "So, Miss Old-Fashioned, how are you going to get one of these two guys to ask you out?"
[12:48] <Makoto> "Tease until they break!" Makoto replies cheerfully.
[12:49] * Rei-chan calms down to give Makoto an approving look. "That's actually a very good plan."
[12:49] * Usagi-chan sticks out her tongue. "I think you need to hit Kazan over the head with a clue - how many months have you known him now?"
[12:52] <Makoto> "Well, seeing as I don't see him much unless I'm in trouble with Suzuki... two weeks?" Makoto guesses, counting the number of times she's had to see Suzuki, or made up a reason just to meet with Kazan.
[12:53] <Rei-chan> "Don't you ever see him during the day? Or outside of school?" Rei asks, "Why don't you make him walk you home or something?"
[12:56] <Makoto> "Hmm... I suppose I could try that," Makoto says
[12:57] <Usagi-chan> "As for Alan... I'm not too sure about him. According to what I've been hearing from Umino, he sounds kind of cold - he barely ever even talks to anyone else. Ann's in my class, and she's the same way - I've tried to talk with her a few times but it never gets anywhere."
[12:57] * Rei-chan nods, "And then you can invite him inside to help tend your garden," she adds brightly.
[12:58] * Usagi-chan breaks out in a burst of the giggles at Rei's quip.
[12:59] <Princess_Herb> "They're foreigners, aren't they? It may be that they just don't know your Japanese ways, so they seem cold and unapproachable." Herb suggests. "Why not invite them to some kind of social Welcome to Japan kind of event."
[12:59] * Makoto stares at Rei with a dirty look, before remembering how embarrassed the two got in the moon and replies sweetly, "But he's a man, he'll surely prefer to watch two beautiful ladies such as yourself kiss passionately."
[13:00] * Princess_Herb laughs. "Only if he thinks he has a chance to join in."
[13:00] * Usagi-chan glares daggers at the brunette. "That's not funny, Mako-chan!"
[13:01] <Makoto> "I think it's as funny as my garden," Makoto says with a dramatic sniffle.
[13:01] * Rei-chan blushes, "Okay, I'll quit with the garden jokes..." 'Damn, it was really funny, too...'
[13:02] * Makoto shrugs. She didn't see what the big deal was, it wasn't like Rei kissed Usagi. It was Ami after all that had the kiss. But if it stopped the garden joke...
[13:02] * Usagi-chan sighs. 'Great... Mako-chan gets out of being teased about the garden and I'm still stuck with Dumpling Head...' she mutters to herself mentally. 'It's not fair!'
[13:04] <Rei-chan> Shaking her head at Usagi's complaint, Rei turns the subject back to Alan and Ann, "It could be that they're just uncertain about how to relate to Japanese people, but it's still possible that they're just anti-social. A lot of people at Mugen are that way..."
[13:06] <Princess_Herb> "Maybe they're pod people, and you'll soon be growing in Makoto's garden?" Herb laughs more.
[13:06] <Makoto> "I don't think Alan was unapproachable. He seemed fairly polite, and the only reason he left was because he was worried about his sister, which is sweet," Makoto says, glad the subject's shifted out of hersel...maybe not.
[13:07] * Makoto glares at Herb. "Don't make me bring a few buckets of hot and cold water in here, mister..."
[13:07] <Princess_Herb> "Hey! That's Ami-chan's trick! Don't make her sad!"
[13:08] <Rei-chan> "I think she'd be glad to have someone join in her fun," Rei notes.
[13:08] <Makoto> "Yep!"
[13:08] * Usagi-chan doesn't participate, still pouting over the unfairness of the world in general and Rei Hino in particular.
[13:11] <Rei-chan> "What's wrong, Dumpling Head?" Rei asks Usagi with a grin, knowing that that term is exactly what is wrong.
[13:12] * Makoto snickers, having heard Usagi's mental outburst.
[13:12] * Usagi-chan glares at the white-haired miko. "Just.... don't... start... Pyro."
[13:13] <Rei-chan> "Why, are you going to finish?" Rei inquires challengingly, leaning towards the blonde.
[13:15] * Usagi-chan leans in towards Rei, her eyes flashing with anger. "Only if you start it!"
[13:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna, who has been quiet since being told off by Usagi, watches the antics with a tired if amused eye.
[13:16] * Rei-chan pokes Usagi on the forehead. "Dumpling Head!" she giggles at her own wit.
[13:18] * Usagi-chan throws her arms in the air. "Reeii!!" she shouts angrily. "I AM NOT A DUMPLING HEAD!"
[13:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Your hairstyle does resemble dumplings, Princess," Nian butts in. "To be fair to Rei. Or maybe even tennis balls."
[13:20] <Makoto> "Tennis ball head doesn't have the same ring to it though," Makoto offers.
[13:21] * Usagi-chan turns an angry glare to Herb's cat, one eyebrow ticking fiercely. "You stay out of this!"
[13:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hmm, you have a point. Baseball head? Meatball head? Orange head?" he muses, going through each.
[13:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> His calm is unruffled, but a small smile is crossing his face.
[13:22] * Usagi-chan's face is a mask of fury. "I DO know where there's a violin factory here, you know."
[13:22] * Princess_Herb puts her hand over Nian's mouth.
[13:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh, I know," he says, taking that in stride. "Usagi is a mmmph mmmp mmpp!" Nian's new name is covered by Herb's hand, however.
[13:23] <Rei-chan> 'Man... I don't think I've ever seen Usagi this angry...' Rei thinks, rather impressed. "What's wrong, Usagi? Haven't you had any dumplings today? Is that why you're all cranky?"
[13:23] <Princess_Herb> "Those are very cheap violins, honoured advisor. I feel it is my duty to prevent you ending up a part of them."
[13:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna snickers from her position on the floor. "You know...I have to admit I like Meatball Head. It fits in it's own way."
[13:24] <Makoto> "Well, I'm sure a cat stew is a better end than a violin. Plus he can become one with his advisee that way, and feed you well, Herb," Makoto says jokingly.
[13:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> "MMM MMM Mmmmmm!" Nian's retort is still smothered by the hand of Herb.
[13:25] * Usagi-chan smirks. "I might like to try that myself, Mako-chan - got any good recipes?"
[13:27] <Makoto> "I think there might have been one in that recipe book you gave me," Makoto says, although she hasn't honestly looked yet.
[13:28] * Usagi-chan fixes her stare on Luna. "Well I know of ONE cat that should be plenty plump and juicy...." she grins.
[13:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna scowls. "Hush, Usagi. You're just jealous because I'm getting in the way of Sailor Marshmellow," she retorts.
[13:29] * Rei-chan laughs. "Your motives are purely selfless, eh, Luna?"
[13:30] <Usagi-chan> "I'm sure not the one having double helpings of salmon twice a day." Usagi sniffs. "Ever since Mom found out about you you've just been packing on the pounds."
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Exactly," Luna colors a tragic tone. "To prevent Sailor Marshmellow and save the Earth from being eaten, Luna must stop Usagi at the source, the dinner table," she giggles.
[13:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And I am NOT packing on the pounds, Usagi," she fires back. "I'm still in perfectly good shape."
[13:30] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah. Round!" Usagi giggles.
[13:31] * Rei-chan picks up Luna, feeling around her belly. "Getting a little bit soft round the middle, I have to say, Luna. Maybe you should start exercising a bit more?"
[13:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I am NOT!" Luna declares this again. "I'm fit as a fiddle!"
[13:32] <Rei-chan> "You used to run around town with us for all our battles, but these days you just stay at home... you're becoming sedentary," Rei says seriously.
[13:33] <Usagi-chan> "Not quite so funny when the shoe's on the other foot, is it Luna?" Usagi sticks her tongue out at the black Mau.

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 12:37:01 AM

[13:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Aaaahhhh!" A shout comes from outside. "MINOTARON!" "Mommy!"
[13:33] * Usagi-chan spins around quickly, scrambling to her feet. "Energy drain!"
[13:34] <Rei-chan> "Mars Power, Make UP!" Rei yells, her transformation pen appearing in her hands as she rises to her feet.
[13:34] * Makoto quickly rises as well, raising her transformation pen. "Jupiter Power, Make UP!"
[13:34] * Usagi-chan grabs her locket, shouting out the words of her own transformation phrase. "Moon Prism Power, Make UP!"
[13:34] <Sailor_Mars> Instantly springing into action, Sailor Mars opens the door and dashes outside to confront whatever evil has befallen the Shrine. Again.
[13:35] * Princess_Herb calls out "Dragon Prism Power Makeup!" and transforms into the silken-thighed fighter for love and justice, Sailor Dragon!
[13:35] * Sailor_Moon runs after Mars, exiting the shine less than a second after her friend.
[13:35] * Sailor_Dragon flies out of the shrine, in hot pursuit of the other senshi
[13:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> Rushing out to the courtyard, there is a mess of students lying in the middle of the courtyard. By the identical uniforms, it looks like a 5th grade class out on a field trip.
[13:36] * Sailor_Mars looks for the creature responsible for this attack.
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> In the center of the fallen is a huge creature, at least thirty feet tall. It's a bull/man hybrid, with long, wicked horns.
[13:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> Its snort rattles the ground, as does its pounding its hoof into the ground.
[13:36] <Sailor_Mars> "The Shrine is a sacred place of peace and contemplation! I, the sailor suited soldier of fire and passion, Sailor Mars, cannot forgive this! In the name of Mars, I'll chastise you!" Mars poses, a little bit rattled by just how big the creature is.
[13:37] * Sailor_Moon feels her heart sink as she sees the fallen children. 'Not kids...' She turns to the beast, an angry scowl on her face. "That does it! No one drains poor innocent kids while I'm on the job! I'm Sailor Moon, the champion of Love and Justice! On behalf of the Moon, I'll punish you!"
[13:42] * Sailor_Dragon sighs as all the best speeches have already been made. "Minotaurs are supposed to live in mazes, not places like this. I'll make you wish you never left your hole!"
[13:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[13:42] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 6."
[13:43] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[13:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 12."
[13:43] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[13:43] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+10
[13:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 15."
[13:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+10 and gets 14."
[13:43] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[13:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 18."
[13:45] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Eat this! Supreme Thunder Dragon!" Jupiter shouts as a dragon of electricity flies from her towards the monster.
[13:45] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[13:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:46] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:46] <Sailor_Dragon> "Nice dragon-based attack," thinks Herb.
[13:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Thunder Dragon surges forward, crackling with blue electricity! Minotaron cannot react quickly enough, the Dragon wreaking havoc on the gigantic, hulking abomination!
[13:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite that, the beast reacts quickly, charging out right at Sailor Moon!
[13:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:50] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[13:57] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[13:57] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[13:51] <Sailor_Dragon> "Flying sword of the Dragon!" Herb calls out, sending knife-like ki springing from her hands towards the bulky neck of the minotaur
[13:51] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[13:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[13:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[13:51] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[13:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> The monster charges forward, right at Sailor Moon! Diving out the way, limbs akimbo, Sailor Moon narrowly avoids the viscious horn thrust!
[13:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> As it does so, Sailor Dragon's attack rips into its side, causing damage!
[14:00] * Sailor_Moon scrambles away quickly, regaining her feet from her rather ungraceful escape. "All right, buddy, that does it!" With a wave of her hand, Sailor Moon produces the Lunar Rod from subspace before leveling it at the gigantic creature. "Moon Princess Hallation!"
[14:00] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[14:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[14:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:00] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[14:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> The Hallation slams into the creature, who is still recovering its balance from the charge! It staggers but stays up, only swayed by Sailor Moon's massively powerful attack! Like a skyscraper, its top still is far above you...
[14:03] <Sailor_Mars> Taking a step back from the swaying behemoth, Sailor Mars holds up her crossed forearms, and with a cry of "Mars Snake Fire!" releases a burning viper's head aimed right up at the creature's face!
[14:04] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[14:04] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> Sending the viper straight up, it sears its head, causing it to roar yet again!
[14:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:05] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[14:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> As the battle goes, Sailor Moon sees fine silver tendrils coming behind her, out of the corner of her eye! (+2 DCV mod due to being caught offguard.)
[14:06] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6+2
[14:06] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[14:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> Metallic tendrils wrap around Usagi, draining away her vital energy and binding around her body, making it difficult to move! (30 EP drained)
[14:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[14:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[14:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[14:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 4."
[14:10] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[14:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[14:10] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[14:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 16."
[14:10] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+9
[14:10] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[14:12] * Sailor_Moon lets out a sharp cry of pain as she feels the energy being sucked out of her, struggling against the threads wound around her body.
[14:12] * Sailor_Mars turns in surprise, looking to see what has caused Sailor Moon's predicament.
[14:13] <Sailor_Anastasia> Turning, you see the floating image of an armor clad elf, the one you saw before with green skin. The transparent image has silvery cords coming from it, wrapped around Usagi!
[14:13] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+9
[14:13] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+9 and gets 15."
[14:16] <Sailor_Mars> "Jupiter, follow my lead!" Mars calls out to the brunette, readying an ofuda to stop the creature from draining Moon's energy and hopefully force it to become corporeal. "Akuryo Taisan!" she yells, throwing the suddenly rigid scroll right at the elf.
[14:16] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[14:16] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[14:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> The scroll is thrown, and the elf makes no move to stop it! It latches onto the air where his face is, causing the image to flicker and vanish, along with the cords!
[14:19] <Sailor_Anastasia> Usagi falls to the ground, having had a bit more energy drained before the binds were severed. (5 EP)
[14:20] * Sailor_Jupiter seeing that the elf has vanished, turns back to the minotaur, shouting, "Guess you're left to take the fall, you slab of meat! Supreme Thunder Dragon!"
[14:20] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[14:20] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[14:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:21] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 10."
[14:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> A second Thunder Dragon rocks it, but amazingly the behemoth stays afoot! Its body is so massive that your attacks seem to be having problems really damaging him.
[14:24] * Sailor_Dragon hovers above the creature, amazed that it's taken so much damage, yet is still upright. Checking that there are no children about who might be harmed by the attack, she cries out "Soaring Dragon Spirit!" and unleashes a scorching wave of red-hot ki!
[14:24] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[14:24] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[14:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:25] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[14:25] <Sailor_Anastasia> This attack cuts into the monster as well, cutting open a wound in its huge side! Still, it stands, against all logic! Is it unkillable?
[14:25] <Sailor_Jupiter> "What is this thing made of?" Jupiter shouts, frustrated.
[14:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> It bows its head again, charging at Sailor Jupiter!
[14:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[14:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> But the attack is hampered by its size, allowing Jupiter to roll out of the path of destruction!
[14:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:26] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 12."
[14:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> As Jupiter rolls, more strands come from the side at her, but they are errant! Another elf image is there, a female who wears red instead of green armor.
[14:28] * Sailor_Dragon is distracted. "Goddess, she's cute!"
[14:28] <Sailor_Moon> "Moon Princess Hallation!" The other senshi turn in surprise to see Sailor Moon, up on one knee as she hurls her most powerful attack at the minotaur once again!
[14:28] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[14:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 9."
[14:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:28] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[14:29] * Sailor_Mars glares at Herb, "She's also trying to drain the energy of innocents, you idiot! Think with your other head!"
[14:29] <Sailor_Anastasia> The monster wobbles under the impact of the Hallation, but stays up like a slab of granite resisting the slow wearing of the tides.
[14:29] <Sailor_Dragon> "Which other head?" says Herb-chan, confusedly.
[14:30] <Sailor_Jupiter> "She's really a guy, can you expect anything else from him?" Jupiter says while keeping her eye on the monster and the elf girl as best she can.
[14:30] <Sailor_Mars> "Never mind..." Mars groans, deciding it's not worth trying to explain.
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[14:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 1d6
[14:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 1d6 and gets 3."
[14:30] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 1d6+13
[14:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 1d6+13 and gets 18."
[14:30] <Sailor_Mars> roll 1d6+10
[14:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 1d6+10 and gets 13."
[14:30] <Sailor_Moon> roll 1d6+10
[14:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 1d6+10 and gets 16."
[14:30] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 1d6+11
[14:30] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 1d6+11 and gets 16."
[14:30] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Blah," the elf girl pouts at Jupiter's dodge. "C'mon, girls! Let's get your energy!"
[14:33] <Sailor_Mars> "We'll give you energy alright," Mars mutters angrily.
[14:33] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Nah, I have a better idea, let's kick your ass!" Jupiter says, figuring she'll try to go for the boss of the monster, seeing how it keeps soaking up their attacks. "Supreme Thunder Dragon!"
[14:33] <Sailor_Jupiter> roll 2d6
[14:33] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Jupiter rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[14:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> The bolt is amiss, going too high to strike the ghostly image.
[14:35] * Sailor_Dragon continues the Soaring Dragon Spirit attack on the minotaur
[14:35] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[14:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[14:35] * Sailor_Moon grits her teeth with the effort, the stream of energy from her attack not letting up as she trains it on the monster.
[14:35] <Sailor_Moon> roll 2d6
[14:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Moon rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[14:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 8."
[14:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:35] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 5."
[14:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> The beam of Hallation smacks the creature continusly, while another Dragon Spirit zings the Minotaron!
[14:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> Minotaron rocks like a drunken sailor, but stays up!
[14:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Ha, Minotaron is too much for you girls to handle," she crows, opening her hand for a blast! A barely visible ball of energy flies out towards Sailor Dragon!
[14:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[14:38] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[14:40] <Sailor_Dragon> roll 2d6
[14:40] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Dragon rolls 2d6 and gets 11."
[14:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> The sphere hits Sailor Dragon right in the gut, a blast of concussive force sending her back into the green bushes on the other side of the Shrine. Dragon's head echoes and rumbles with the aftereffects of such a blast! (60 damage)
[14:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh yeah, here we go now," The elf calls out, enjoying herself. "That's how the Sailors go down like dominoes!"
[14:42] <Sailor_Dragon> "Call that an attack?" Herb calls back.
[14:42] <Sailor_Mars> "Still think she's cute?" Mars asks sarcastically.
[14:43] <Sailor_Dragon> "Cuter than you, Pyro!"
[14:43] * Sailor_Mars leaps high into the air towards Minotaron's head, even as she telekinetically grabs a broom from by the Temple door, calling it into her hands as she makes her jump.
[14:43] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-4
[14:43] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-4 and gets 7."
[14:44] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6-4
[14:44] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6-4 and gets 4."
[14:44] <Sailor_Mars> Catching the broom as she reaches the apex of her jump, Mars points it down as she descends, aiming to stab it into one of Minotaron's eyes!
[14:45] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6+2
[14:45] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[14:45] <Sailor_Mars> As it stabs, she channels flames right through the wooden object, hoping to burn the thing's brain!
[14:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> The broom sinks into its eyeball, flaming and burning! A scream of pain is shouted as the creature thrashes about in agony! It swings at Sailor Mars with one huge hand as it moves in pain, trying to blindly strike the Senshi!
[14:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6+2
[14:47] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6+2 and gets 9."
[14:48] <Sailor_Mars> roll 2d6
[14:48] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Mars rolls 2d6 and gets 3."
[14:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> The shot is far off, however! It staggers and stumbles as it clutches at its eye, and finally, with a slip, falls straight down! As it does so, it crumbles into dust and a card, which turns black and vanishes thereafter.
[14:50] * Sailor_Dragon turns to see what the cute green girl does now.
[14:50] * Sailor_Mars performs a graceful flip as she kicks off the disintegrating creature's nose to land on the ground. "Who was too much for who?" she asks the elf girl sweetly.
[14:50] <Sailor_Jupiter> "Good job, Mars!" Jupiter says as she also stares at the elf girl, curious to see what she'll do.
[14:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> She frowns... but a moment later, the male elf appears besides her in spiritual form again. "Not bad, girls, but that's enough. We got plenty of energy!" he taunts, vanishing with the other elf a moment later.
[14:52] <Sailor_Mars> "Cuter than me, my ass..." Mars mutters in irritation as she tries to sense any lingering trace of the elves.
[14:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> There is only the faintest traces of them, and it's fading. They seem to be gone from the area.
[14:53] <Sailor_Mars> "They're gone," Mars says before dashing behind the temple to detransform.
[14:53] <Sailor_Dragon> "Sorry. I guess I need to do a hundred lines of 'I must not mentally undress my enemy during battle' or something."
[14:53] <Sailor_Dragon> "She was cute, though..." Herb says, a little dreamily.
[14:54] * Rei-chan then dashes into her home to call the emergency services.
[14:54] * Sailor_Dragon drops her own transformation, screened by the shrubbery
[15:01] * Sailor_Jupiter yawns, a bit tired from the exertion, but checks on the kids to see how they're doing before anything else.
-------
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> The day after the events at Rei's shrine, school life goes on for Makoto...
[11:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> Due to a dream involving Kazan, a decent proposal and an indecent proposal, Makoto is running late for school. Literally.
[11:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> As she sprints towards Juuban, she brushes past a student in the Juuban outfit, sending him to his knees as she passes.
[11:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Gwah," he grunts as he slips, his accented voice familiar.
[11:10] * Makoto screeches to a halt, shouting, "Eeep!" and looking back to see who she hit.
[11:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> You see Alan on his knees, slowly getting up. "Hey, watch it," he says, a touch annoyed before seeing who it is. "Oh, hi Makoto." he nods.
[11:13] <Makoto> "Oh, Alan, sorry about that, it's just that I'm late for clas... hey! wait a minute, if I'm late, so are you!" Makoto says while moving to help the guy up. "C'mon!"
[11:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> He glances at his watch, shrugging. "Late?"
[11:17] <Makoto> "Yes, late!" Makoto says with a groan. "Now come on!"
[11:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Alright," he agrees, unconcerned with being late. Odd, that. He sets a decent walking pace, showing no signs of hurry.
[11:20] * Makoto gives up with a sigh of frustration. "Look, you wanna be late, fine. But as your friend, I'm telling you that's bad."
[11:20] <Makoto> With that, Makoto continues running to school.
[11:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> Still unconcerned, Alan notheless follows Makoto at her pace, the both of you making it to your classes just in the nick of time. Whew, no detention or hallway stands today.
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Later...
[11:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Glancing out the window just before lunch, you can see that a strong spring shower has moved into the area. No going outside today, it seems.
[11:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Your class agrees, most of the students break off into groups come lunch, leaving you predictably alone to eat...
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> You eat quietly beginning to enjoy your food...when...
[11:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> Soft notes of flute music drift down the hallway, echoing and reverbrating through the area.
[11:31] <Sailor_Anastasia> The class murmurs and looks around as the music plays, the girls smiling at the memories of Alan playing his flute most days.
-------
May be more here... placeholder for now, in case I find it. Doesn't look hopeful, though.
-------
[14:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[14:37] <Sailor_Anastasia> The day after the Minotaron attack, the news takes note of the battle. The morning anchors describe a 'tower-like creature' wreaking havoc at the Hikawa Shrine, only to be thwarted by the mysterious Sailor Senshi. This isn't a huge event in Juuban these days, but the sheer immensity of the creature attracts notice.
[14:40] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Rei!" Eudial greets you the moment you arrive at the Witches 6 room, standing instead of buried in a pile of mechanical parts like usual. "You live at that Shrine that was attacked yesterday, don't you," she asks. "What was that all about?"
[14:42] * Rei-chan waves in greeting. "Yeah, it was some huge energy draining monster attacking the visitors. I was out shopping at the time, but I came back to find the place trashed and Grandpa telling me about how the Sailor Senshi beat it up," she lies blatantly. "Probably has something to do with that stupid monster you fried the other day."
[14:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Huh," she says. "That alien jerk!" Eudial snorts. "So you're okay, Rei? You weren't drained?" Her voice is concerned, although her face doesn't give it away, still pleasant enough. Now that you think about it, she's looked happier lately, and less arrogant.
[14:46] <Rei-chan> "Nah," Rei waves it off, smiling, "Like I said, I missed all the fun. Looked to be a bunch of schoolkids on a field trip that got the worst of it - I was there when the ambulances came." She frowns a bit, "If I run into those stupid green morons again, there's going to be trouble."
[14:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If we run into him, we're gonna have roast alien," she mutters, annoyed. "That's really low, going after you when you're at home. He could at least have the guts to do it when you're on the job." Her voice is disdainful, but she lays a hand on your shoulder.
[14:53] <Rei-chan> "I don't know if they actually knew I lived there - it looked more like a random attack like the one at that high school," Rei puts her hand over Eudial's, grateful for the support. "But if I ever find out where he lives, I'll return the favour with interest. It's not even funny the number of times monsters have attacked the Temple..." she trails off, sighing.
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah," she agrees. "Oh, and the Professor wanted to talk to you about yesterday. I think these elf freaks have his attention now." She smiles. "They'll regret messing with the Witches."
[14:55] <Rei-chan> "Oh, they sure will," Rei grins, "Is he in the lab?"
[14:55] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Maybe you'll get to return that interest sooner than you thought," she matches your grin. "Yeah, he should be."
[14:56] <Rei-chan> "I shouldn't bother to ask," Rei chuckles, "He practically lives down there," she says, starting to head off down the familiar dark corridors to Tomoe's lab.
[14:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I think I'm starting to live in the Witches room lately," Eudial agrees amicably, as she opens a keycarded door and leads you onward. Oh well, it's a pain to get the keycard out, anyway. "It's a shame that most of the current tenants need to be evicted..."
[15:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Meanwhile - After Rei and Eudial leave the Witches room, Mimette comes out from under a pile of junk. After grumbling a bit about oil on her shirt, she laughs. "Rei and Eudial are getting close, are they? Heh..."
[15:01] <Rei-chan> "I dunno," Rei shrugs, "I hardly ever see most of them. Not something I'm inclined to complain about, really..." she muses as she walks along with Eudial.
[15:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> WIth a fair amount of venom, Eudial replies. "Kaolinite is probably trying to get under the Professor's desk while Mimette is laying any guy who says he's an agent," she spits as you go down a flight of stairs. "Not to mention those freaky twins and whatever the hell Tellu spends time doing in the greenhouse all day."
[15:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I just want to..." she goes on, making a strangling motion with her hands in front of her. "Stuck up..."
[15:03] * Rei-chan snickers slightly. "Explains why Kaolinite is so cranky all the time. The Professor only cares about his work."
[15:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once the other Witches are brought into the fray, you notice Eudial's good mood vanishes like sunshine in March. "She can't get her fix of c..." Eudial pauses, opening the door to the Professor's lab. In a calmer voice, she calls out. "You wanted to see us, Professor?"
[15:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Eudial. Rei," he turns around, the normal jester's mask of shadows present, "If the news is correct, a monster attacked your residence?"
[15:06] <Sailor_Anastasia> He seems to find the concept funny, a bit of a chuckle coming out at the end.
[15:06] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, "Hardly the first time, either... I've actually lost count of how often it happens... you'd think monsters would want to stay away from a Shrine?" she grumbles.
[15:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> "How much of the festivities did you see occur," he asks, not replying to your comment. "Was it another monster like the one you saw last week?"
[15:09] <Rei-chan> "This one was a heck of a lot bigger," Rei begins, "I could see it from half way across Juuban. But it basically did the same thing - draining energy for those green elf things."
[15:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I see," he chortles. "The Mistress believes that these elves may become an annoynace if they continue to interfere in our activities. If one of the Talisman bearers were to die..." The dim mask shifts to a frown. "...Things would not be good for us. At all. So..." It flips back up to a mad grin. "Eudial and Rei, you are reassigned to tracking down and eliminating the source of these attacks, by word of our Mistress."
[15:14] <Rei-chan> "Yes, Professor," Rei nods obediently, privately thinking that there's no way in hell the Talismans will get found if the two best Witches are no longer on the case.
[15:15] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yes, Professor," Eudial mimics you a moment later. "But it seems that the Sailor Senshi were the ones who defeated the most recent monster. What should we do if we encounter them?" she asks.
[15:15] * Rei-chan frowns slightly as that angle comes up.
[15:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If they don't get in your way, ignore them," he replies immediately. "If they do, use as little force as possible. This is a assignment to lessen our worries, not to expand them. The Mistress believes these Sailors could be powerful opponents if alerted to our presence." The shadow vanishes from his face, showing that his expression is serious.
[15:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> "But if needed," he smiles, and not the ghost smile that normally adorns his face. This is far colder and nastier, with real malice. "Examine their Heart Crystals and make sure they are not a threat again."
[15:18] * Rei-chan pales. "I've fought the Sailor Senshi before, Professor, and I would not want to do so again," Rei says seriously, "But if they are opponents of this other threat, why can't we work together with them?"
[15:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "The thought did cross my mind," he says, the mask returning. "But, ideally you will not encounter them at all. What they don't know about, they cannot oppose," he laughs.
[15:20] * Rei-chan nods hesitantly. "Yes... it would be best if they didn't know about... us."
[15:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Having to kill them is a last resort," he nods, going on once he laughs. "Use stealth and intelligence instead. Save the brutality for the interlopers."
[15:22] <Rei-chan> "Yes," Rei still looks rather pale, "We'll take care of those energy draining elves and their pet monsters," she tries to show some bravado, "They won't be an issue for long, Professor."
[15:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Not with the two best Witches on it," Eudial nods, speaking up for the first time in a while. "Can we go now?" she asks. The Professor nods, going back to his work. Once outside... "Rei, are you alright?" she asks. "You're white as flour." That concerned voice is back, instead of the calm and obedient tone she used with the Professor, or the hate-filled sniping at her fellow Witches.
[15:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Once the Sailors came up, it looked like you nearly lost it all."
[15:25] * Rei-chan nods shakily. "Like I told you before, I fought the Sailor Senshi when I worked for Metallia. It's... it's not something I'd ever want to do again."
[15:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Are they that powerful, that fearsome?" she asks, taking your hand again. "You're shaking, Rei!"
[15:30] * Rei-chan sighs, leaning against the wall. "Yes, they are very powerful, but that's not it." She fixes Eudial with an intense look, "They're good people, Eudial! They fight to protect everyone, and when I attacked them, they tried to help me!" She makes a noise between a laugh and a sob. "After all I had done, while I was screaming about killing them in the most awful way, they actually tried to help me and remove Metallia's control."
[15:31] <Rei-chan> "I don't want to ever fight against them, Eudial-sempai," Rei says seriously, "I'd die first."
[15:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial takes that in, her face troubled. She doesn't reply quickly, her eyes unfocused. Finally, they come back into focus, and the girl shakes her head before speaking. "We won't fight them then, Rei," A smile lights up her face. "We'll take care of the elves without it being a problem."
[15:34] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods slowly, "I mean, they want to get rid of them too, so there's no reason for us to fight. So why did the Professor even suggest it?" she's calmed down a little, but is still troubled.
[15:35] <Sailor_Anastasia> To your surprise, she shakes her head again. "Ummm..." She looks back at you. "I'm sorry, what was that, Rei? I must've spaced out somehow for a moment." Her smile has settled into a more neutral expression, her face normal again.
[15:38] * Rei-chan looks at Eudial somewhat hesitantly. "I was just saying how we'd have no reason to fight the Sailor Senshi since they're fighting the elves as well..."
[15:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Makes sense," she agrees. "The Professor told us to use stealth, so that's what we'll do."
[15:41] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei nods, composing herself, "I suppose the first thing we should do is try and figure out a pattern to their attacks - we don't really have much else to go on at this stage. I can try Fire Readings as well to maybe gather information..."
[15:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "We may just need to be lucky or smart enough to be at an attack scene and get them there," she nods. "The Fire Readings and some research could help with that."
[15:45] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, the problem is that they just seem to be sending their monsters to gather energy while they lurk in the shadows. We need some way to track them to their base of operations, wherever that is," Rei says, getting back in her stride as they discuss the immediate problems.
[15:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial matches pace as you stride through the hallways, back to the Witches room. "Indeed. If we could capture one of the monsters for study, it might be traceable back to them," she suggests as Rei opens the door to the Witches 6. To your vague relief, someone finally changed it to a real painted 6 instead of a paper over the old 5.
[15:48] <Rei-chan> "That's an idea," Rei nods. "The creatures are definitely supernatural, so I have a few abilities that will help us in that department."
[15:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good, good," Eudial says, the gears in her mind turning already. As you enter, you notice Mimette is sitting at her desk. She puts down her book when you enter, smiling a vicious smile. "Heard you two got demoted," she jeers. "Back to the minor leagues?"
[15:50] <Rei-chan> "Feh," Rei snorts, "I think battling monsters is more challenging than beating mall security to yank the heart crystal out of some semi-famous idol."
[15:51] <Rei-chan> 'But how did she find out so fast?' the miko wonders.
[15:51] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial hisses, quite literally. "Ha. We got a new, special assignment," she fires back. "And besides, Rei," she says, going with your line, "you have it wrong. It's not the Heart Crystal that she yanks when it comes to idols," she smiles icily.
[15:52] * Rei-chan bursts into loud laughter at that one.
[15:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> In response to Mimette, you can almost feel the cold, palpable disdain that Eudial puts on to counter her.
[15:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "WHAT WHAT WHAT?!" Mimette shouts at the top of her lungs, turning crimson. "I'd NEVER do that!" Her denial is loud enough to echo in the room. "Besides, I'm not a part of the pair of resident Witch perverts." Mimette lowers her voice to a loud, insulting whisper, like she's gossiping. "I'm not one of the two Witches that are holding hands and the Mistress knows what else," she smirks.
[15:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> Despite her counter volley, her face still spills over with red embarrassment.
[15:55] <Rei-chan> "Witch perverts," Rei snorts, "You sound just like those bitches at T*A. Except... stupider, I guess..."
[15:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial's eyes narrow to tiny slits, hot anger melting away her icy facade. "That's IT, Mimette," she hisses again, her fists clenched. "You and me," she shouts, running up to and diving over Mimette's desk to body tackle her with a shout of rage long bottled up... but no longer.
[15:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> To the floor clatter pens, books and other objects, knocked over as the two tumble to the floor in a mess of hair-pulling and other such shots.
[15:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> Various colorful insults are shouted as the two roll on the floor in an all out catfight!
[15:58] * Rei-chan considers pulling them apart... "Eh, she has it coming," she shrugs. "Come on, Eudial! Kick her ass!"
[15:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[15:58] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 6."
[15:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> roll 2d6
[15:58] * Musk-bot --> "Sailor_Anastasia rolls 2d6 and gets 7."
[15:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> The two continue to roll behind Mimette's desk, causing a horrible ruckus. "What the hell is going on here," Tellu says, having sprinted in when she heard the noise from the hallway and coming up beside Rei.
[16:00] <Rei-chan> "Mimette got a little too mouthy," Rei remarks to Tellu, watching the fight. "She's had it coming for a while..."
[16:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her confusion melts away into a nasty smile. "Heh," she says and no more, settling back to watch the two beat the tar out of each other. 'Either way, it's prime entertainment,' she thinks as they tumble under Mimette's desk, out of sight.
[16:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> There are a few more loud grunts, clatters and pounding sounds...and then a few more hitting sounds...and then several seconds of silence...
[16:03] <Rei-chan> "Uh..." Rei looks over to see what's happened.
[16:05] <Sailor_Anastasia> As you do so, you have to lean back as Eudial is stumbling up, dazed. A cut is across her right cheek, as well as what's going to be a shiner on her left eye. Her top looks to have been somehow ripped off in the exchange, proving that her Witch top came with a built in bra - because you see no evidence of a separate one at the moment. Unaware of her state, she staggers, trying to regain her balance.
[16:06] * Rei-chan offers Eudial a hand up, "You alright, Eudial-sempai?" she offers uncertainly, glancing down to see what state Mimette is in.
[16:08] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oooohhh...." she murmurs, her face out of it. She doesn't even seem to be aware that she's naked from the waist up save for her earrings. Mimette, on the other hand, has a broken nose that is gushing blood, as well as what's probably going to be a broken jaw. It looks like she got her face slammed into the hard floor at some point. Laying over her midsection is Eudial's torn top - it looks like her nails got caught on it.
[16:10] * Rei-chan leads Eudial over towards her desk, grabbing the lab coat from over her chair and wrapping it around the older girl. "You probably shouldn't have let her get to you like that..." she comments uselessly.
[16:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She had it coming," she says distantly. "Bitch had it coming..." she hugs the lab coat, stumbling over to her desk and chair, sitting down hard. "Whew..."
[16:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tellu, who just now got a look at Mimette, laughs to herself and smiles. "Heheheheheheh..."
[16:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> * Rei-chan leads Eudial over towards her desk, grabbing the lab coat from over her chair and wrapping it around the older girl. "You probably shouldn't have let her get to you like that..." she comments uselessly.
[16:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> > "She had it coming," she says distantly. "Bitch had it coming..." she hugs the lab coat, stumbling over to her desk and chair, sitting down hair. "Whew..."
[16:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> > Tellu, who just now got a look at Mimette, laughs to herself and smiles. "Heheheheheheh..."
[16:42] <Rei-chan> "I won't deny that," Rei replies, going to get the first aid kit from her own desk before cleaning up Eudial's cut and applying a band-aid. "Should probably get some ice for your eye..." she muses, showing no concern for Mimette's state.
[16:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah..." she says, still mostly stunned. Tellu, while still amused, picks up Mimette's phone from the floor and makes a call. "Clinic? Yes, please send someone down here... check that. A stretcher, and someone to clean up the bloody mess she made," she says into the phone.
[16:44] <Rei-chan> "Ask for some ice," Rei calls over.
[16:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And some ice... yeah, an ice pack sounds fine," she says, then hangs up. "No need for one of us to haul her to the clinic," she notes, taking another glance to where the downed blonde lies.
[16:46] * Rei-chan nods. "I'm not about to put my back out picking up her fat ass."
[16:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Tellu nods, agreeing. "This will be an amusing story for my plants," she says idly, getting up and walking out. "Even the plants don't like Mimette," she laughs, still relishing her beating.
[16:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> 'Or Eudial or that stuck up Rei,' Tellu finishes mentally, but she has the good grace not to say it out loud after what just happened.
[16:48] * Rei-chan shakes her head, turning back to Eudial. "Do you want to go lie down somewhere after we get you some ice?"
[16:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm fine," she says, shaking her head a few times. "I think... I think I bumped my head." she comments. "When we rolled."
[16:50] <Rei-chan> "Let me check," Rei gently feels around Eudial's skull for any contusions.
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> The back of her head has a nasty knot forming... no blood, but it's going to be a spectacular bruise.
[16:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial winces when you move the hair around it, sucking in her breath suddenly.
[16:53] <Rei-chan> "Oh," Rei moves her hands away, "That's going to be a really nasty bruise. You might even have a concussion... I think after we get some ice I should take you home."
[16:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Naw... I shouldn't go home yet," she says, perking up a bit. "We still have to research those elves," she blinks and tries to focus, succeeding somewhat.
[16:55] <Rei-chan> "No," Rei shakes her head firmly, "The elves will still be there tomorrow. I think today it's best if you just rest up. I really don't like the look of that bruise on your head."
[16:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Bah," she mutters, but she gives up arguing and instead leans back in her chair and closes her eyes.
[16:57] * Rei-chan waits for someone to show up to take Mimette away and give her some ice, occasionally sneaking worried glances at Eudial.
[16:58] <Sailor_Anastasia> It takes about twenty minutes for two nurse aides to show with the stretcher and ice, which Eudial takes gratefully. She appears to be slowly recovering her wits during this time, shaking off the fog that blanketed her thanks to the bump. Mimette is taken quite unceremoniously out on the stretcher to parts unknown...
[16:59] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I hope her jaw isn't broken," one of the aides says to the other as they exit, "They'll have to wire it shut and she'll be mute for a month or two."
[17:00] <Rei-chan> "That'd be a crying shame," Rei notes sarcastically as they leave. "Alright, come on, sempai. I'll take you home, now."
[17:01] <Sailor_Anastasia> She gets up without argument, less shaky this time. "Laying down sounds good," she agrees... but as you walk out, you almost run right into the Professor. His grin is huge, to the point of seeming to be ready to break. "Oh, I caught you before you left. Good."
[17:01] <Rei-chan> "Professor?" Rei looks at him expectantly, wondering how he knew they were leaving. "What is it?"
[17:03] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I heard you and Mimette," he nods to Eudial, "had quite the fracas. Now, girls..." his voice shifts, to the strangely familiar tone of a parent repremanding a wayward child. "I don't really care what you do, but keep the violence within reasonable levels when in Mugen, hm? The Mistress was not amused to see Mimette being carried to the clinic."
[17:05] * Rei-chan sighs. "We're sorry, Professor. I'm sure it won't happen again," 'Now that that bitch has learnt her lesson.'
[17:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> He nods, seemingly satisfied. "I also happened to see Mimette. I must say... you have a mean right cross, Eudial," he laughs, going back off.
[17:18] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial manages a smile at that, but remains silent, letting Rei do the speaking.
[17:19] <Rei-chan> "I'm sure Mimette won't cause any more problems after today," Rei smiles, leading Eudial down to the garage.
[17:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once in the car, Eudial sits in the passenger seat while you drive under her direction...
[17:20] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Go right there," she says as you navigate the passages. Getting in the car seems to have reinvigorated her further, and she appears to be mostly normal now.
[17:22] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And keep going that way..." she nods. "At least I finally shut her up," she says between directions. "Hopefully for several weeks."
[17:22] * Rei-chan drives defensively today, not wanting Eudial to get jostled around too much as she wonders just what Eudial's home will be like. "Yeah, it'll be nice to have some peace and quiet without her snippy comments every day," she nods.
[17:23] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Yeah...I dunno, though," she frowns. "I did really lose my temper. Rei... you aren't attracted to me, are you," she asks out of the blue. "Because you said you had a thing with a girl and all and... you aren't just trying to pick me up?"
[17:27] <Rei-chan> "What?!" Rei only barely manages to keep her attention on the road. "No! That was a one time thing," she sobers a bit, "I haven't really looked at anyone, male or female, like that since that broke up. I'm your friend, Eudial, but I've got no interest in making it something... intimate, like that. Why would you even think it?"
[17:27] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial breaths a sigh of relief, leaning back into her seat. "When Mimette said that, it struck a nerve." She doesn't elaborate immediately.
[17:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're...you're my friend, Rei," she finally gets out, like it's hard for her. "Look at the rest of the Witches and how they act. I'd forgotten what it's like to enjoy being with someone."
[17:31] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "It doesn't really bother me. You should hear all the rumours at T*A about 'Rei the lesbian pyromaniac perverted witch'," she snorts, "It was nothing I haven't heard before." She gives Eudial a small smile. "I'm glad to have you as my friend, Eudial. I just wish the rest of the Witches didn't have such horrible attitudes."
[17:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> Eudial nods, looking ahead at the road. "It was fun to knock around Mimette, but it would be better if they weren't all bitches," she sighs. "At least working colleagues instead of rivals, you know?"
[17:34] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, we're supposed to be on the same side, but all everyone seems to care about is one-upping each other," she sighs, "At times I think I should be more worried about my fellow Witches than about monsters and elves and whoever the hell it was that interrupted our last Heart Snatch."
[17:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Heh," she laughs a bit. "Yeah. And you know what? Until recently, I was perfectly happy with it that way. Maybe I'd forgotten what it's like to be nice, too." Eudial turns to you, smiling brightly again, like she did this morning. No headshakes come this time, however. "Make sure I don't start to act like them, okay?"
[17:37] * Rei-chan grins. "I'll just give you a little knock on the head before you ever reach the stage where I'd have to do what you did to Mimette."
[17:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> Her grin matches yours. She looks so much prettier when she's not preening or arrogant or vicious. "And I'll do the same for you. Not nearly as much fun to bash your head into the floor."
[17:40] <Rei-chan> "That's the truth," Rei nods. "But I'm sure it won't ever come to that. We just have to look at the others to know we don't want to wind up going down that road."
[17:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods, still looking at you. "You know, now just need to find those Talismans and get rid of the elves for things to be good," she notes.
[17:44] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. I wonder what'll happen when we find the Talismans," Rei muses out loud. "Will the Mistress have something else for us to do, or will she just go off and do whatever it is she wants to do with them and leave us to ourselves?" Rei shivers slightly as a flicker of memory from the dream where she found the Talismans passes through her head.
[17:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I don't know," she says. "Kind of funny when you think about it. You would think we'd at least be told what the big deal is..." she frowns, like thinking about it for the first time this way.
[17:48] <Rei-chan> "Yeah. I mean, it must be important, but just what exactly do they do?" Rei snorts, "I'd hate to think they were just fancy trinkets she wants because they look pretty."
[17:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That couldn't be it. There must be an impor... hey, turn there and go right up," she says, pointing at the right hand turn. "We're almost to my place."
[17:49] * Rei-chan nods, taking the turn. "Just tell me when we get there."
[17:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> You drive down a middle class apartment section of Tokyo. Nothing overly rich or poor is here, simply average apartments for the average person or family. "Right in front of that one," she points to a six story apartment building. Redhouse Apartments, and the paint job matches the name. "You can park on the side there," she says, noting a row of parking spaces near the building.
[17:52] * Rei-chan pulls into the parking spot, shutting off the engine. She gets out the car and goes round to help Eudial at the other door.
[17:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Thanks," she says as you hold her door open, and she's able to get out on her own power. "You'll need a ride home, won't you," she says when she gets out. "Or back to Mugen?"
[17:53] <Rei-chan> "I'll call for a cab," Rei shrugs.
[17:54] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You can drive back," she offers. "I'll catch a ride with Mom tomorrow." She winces a bit in reflex to offering her car out, but her voice is sincere.
[17:56] <Rei-chan> "Well, if you're sure. I promise I'll take good care of it," Rei says gratefully. "I'll just make sure you get inside okay and then I'll go back to Mugen - Grandpa would wonder about me coming home so early."
[17:57] <Sailor_Anastasia> "And the car might be another tipoff," she laughs. "Okay," she nods as you walk along to the front door. "We'll get started tomorrow. Those elves won't know what hit'em."
[17:58] <Rei-chan> "Oh, they'll know, alright. Can't have them wondering just who it was that kicked their asses," Rei grins.
[18:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> Walking in, you see that it starts in a hallway with apartment doors. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow," she says at the front door. "Have a good day."
[18:01] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, you just take it easy, Eudial," Rei waves to her friend. "See you tomorrow," she waves, heading back to the car.
[18:02] <Sailor_Anastasia> The rest of the day passes without incident, except that when you get back, there is a fruit basket on your desk. A note attached reads, "Glad to know someone finally shut that hack up." It's unsigned.
[18:05] * Rei-chan smiles as she kicks back in her chair and eats some grapes, deciding to put aside half of the fruit for Eudial tomrrow.
[18:15] <Ana-brb> ---

Halbarad · June 25, 2006, 10:27:28 AM

[18:18] <Ana-brb> Monday afternoon. Another day of school went by as it tends to do, down to Usagi having a lunch detention and Miss H keeping her late to chat. Well, almost the same...
[18:19] <Ana-brb> "Usagi, I'd like to talk to you about your studies," she begins once the rest of the class files out. She wears her normal reddish brown outfit, and looks to mean business. Uh oh.
[18:19] * Usagi-chan grimaces, then looks up at Miss H with the best smile she can manage. "Um... yes?"
[18:20] <Ana-brb> "At your September report card, you were failing or borderline failing many of your classes. You remember that, correct?" she says, not mincing her words in the slightest. "And how I said repeating a grade would be a crying shame?"
[18:21] * Usagi-chan winces. "Yeah, it'd be kind of hard to forget." Usagi blushes, remembering the tirade and the look of shame on her parents' faces when she'd handed them the note.
[18:22] <Ana-brb> She nods, then pulls out three papers from her desk. All three are put in front of your, your last three tests. 64, 71, 74. To your surprise, she smiles. "You've pulled up all your grades to passing, and if this trend continues, you'll pass without being in danger." She twitches, as if holding in happy, excited energy.
[18:24] * Usagi-chan breaks into a smile. "Thank you SO MUCH, Miss H!" Her eyes sparkle as she looks at the wonderful scores again.
[18:25] <Ana-brb> "You're going to PASS, USAGI!" she shouts, losing control. "NO MORE FAILING EVERY TEST BY FORTY POINTS! MORE MORE HAVING TO STAY LATE FOR LOW GRADE DETENTION!" Miss H chirps.
[18:26] * Usagi-chan breaks out a smile and grabs her teacher, dancing around the room with the older woman unashamedly. "NO MORE GETTING GROUNDED FOR FAILING TESTS! TONS MORE TIME TO SPEND AT THE ARCADE!"
[18:27] <Ana-brb> The two dance, happy for the same reason but for such difference causes. "NO MORE HAVING TO TURN DOWN DATES TO TUTOR USAGI!"
[18:28] * Usagi-chan twirls around the room. "NO MORE GETTING YELLED AT ABOUT MY GRADES!"
[18:30] <Ana-brb> The two go on... only finally interrupted by the realization that a crowd of teachers and after-school students have been attracted, watching the strange show.
[18:31] * Usagi-chan does a double take, an embarrassed flush creeping up her cheeks as she notices the crowd.
[18:31] <Ana-brb> "Is something the matter," One of the teachers pops his grey haired head in, confused.
[18:32] <Ana-brb> "Gah! USAGI'S PASSING! SHE'S NOT GOING TO FAIL!" Your teacher says. The assorted teachers doubletake, as if this is a story beyond belief. "Usagi the terrible...passing?" A female teacher manages, stunned.
[18:32] <Usagi-chan> "Usagi the terrible?" Usagi mutters to herself.
[18:33] <Ana-brb> "Heheheheheh," Miss H blushes. "That's a miracle," the gray haired teacher says, his eyes popping out of his head. "Good Lord, I must go PRAY," he dashes off as if the forces of hell were chasing him.
[18:33] <Usagi-chan> "Come on, it's not THAT big a deal, is it?" Usagi looks over at Miss H. "Is it?"
[18:34] <Ana-brb> "Well...you tell a few stories in the Teacher's Lounge, you show a few single digit scoring test papers..." Miss H tries to sugar it with her voice, but it's not quite working.
[18:35] * Usagi-chan looks devastated. "You mean the whole SCHOOL knows about my grades?" the blonde shouts.
[18:35] <Ana-brb> "Just the teachers," she says, blushing even more. "We... tend to talk about students a lot," she explains, the crowd nodding with her.
[18:36] * Usagi-chan sighs, dejected - and then perks up with a grin. "Well at least I'm passing now! I don't have to be embarrassed about it!"
[18:37] <Ana-brb> "That's right!" Miss H says, quickly salvaging the scene while she tries to shoo away the crowd. To her fortune, they get the idea, leaving quickly enough.
[18:39] * Usagi-chan grins as she scoops the test papers up from Miss H's desk. "Just WAIT until Mom and Dad see these..." She holds up the math test with a triumphant grin. "And I'm going to make Shingo EAT this one!"
[18:39] <Ana-brb> Miss H nods. "Have a good trip home, Usagi, and don't forget to study!"
[18:40] * Usagi-chan dances her way out of the classroom, giving Miss Haruna a brilliant smile as she leaves. "I will!"
[18:41] <Ana-brb> Usagi virtually floats as she leaves the school for home. As you walk out, something catches both your eye and your heart. Mamoru is arm in arm with Ann from class, going to the movie theater across the street. As you watch, you see him buy two tickets and go inside...
[18:42] * Usagi-chan feels her heart jump at seeing Mamoru with Ann, but she shakes her head a moment later. 'Hope she has better luck with him than I did...' she thinks ruefully, then continues on her way home with a smile..
[18:43] <Ana-brb> However, Usagi just misses Alan and Makoto going in the same direction as she turns the corner...
[18:44] <Ana-brb> Walking inside, you can hear your mother chatting with someone in the living room. Not really that unusual, although it usually means dinner will be a bit late.
[18:45] * Usagi-chan looks into the living room on her way to the stairs, giving her mother a sunny smile and not incidentally looking to see who she's talking with.
[18:47] <Ana-brb> In the living room sits a tanned woman, with strikingly long green hair, the color a deep green. She wears a simple housedress, almost the same as Ikkuko. If it wasn't for something nagging at the back of your mind and the fact that you've never seen her before, she could be a next door neighbor over to visit.
[18:48] * Usagi-chan stops for a moment, her smile fading slightly as she studies the woman's aura a bit more closely.
[18:49] <Ana-brb> Her aura is cold. Not emotinally, but in it's very composition. The way it penetrates your mind and bones... it's the same aura the endless void of the Time Stream had, as did the Guardian of the Time Gates, Sailor Pluto.
[18:50] * Usagi-chan connects the dots and steps into the living room, setting her test papers down on an endtable next to the sofa. "Hi...." she says slowly, concentrating as she tries to remember the name that Starfire used for Sailor Pluto.
[18:50] <Ana-brb> "Have a good day, Usagi," Your mom asks as you stare at the woman. "This is Setsuna, she said she wants to talk to you, Usagi."
[18:51] <Usagi-chan> "Setsuna, that was it." Usagi nods, giving the woman a nod. "I... asked to talk to her, a while back."
[18:52] <Ana-brb> "Let me introduce myself," she starts, in the same voice Sailor Pluto used. "I am Setsuna Meiou," she smiles, a Mona Lisa smile if there was ever one, nodding when you said that. "I see that you were able to overcome the challenges of your past quite well."
[18:53] <Usagi-chan> "I... we did what we could." Usagi swallows, remembering the near disasters with both Oxyite and Orestes.
[18:53] <Ana-brb> Ikkuko doesn't seem perturbed by this at all. "I already spoke with Setsuna, so I'll go tend to dinner now," she smiles at you again, getting up to go to the kitchen.
[18:54] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks, Mom." Usagi gives her mother a smile, then turns to Setsuna. "Will you be staying for dinner, or is this just a quick visit?"
[18:54] <Ana-brb> "You did fine," she nods. "Better than I honestly anticipated. I nearly intervened when the gate to Hell cracked open, yet you were able to finish the affair."
[18:54] <Ana-brb> "I'm just visiting, I'm afraid. Your mother's cooking smells delightful," she smiles that same smile all the time, an effective poker face.
[18:56] <Usagi-chan> "I just wish that had... ended better." Usagi says quietly.
[18:57] <Ana-brb> "Many of the threads I saw that could happen ended worse. Many ended in the very fall of the Earth. By all standards, you did superbly. You are alive here instead of a prisoner in Dis," she maintains a level tone and smile at this, even when discussing what could have been your fate.
[18:58] <Usagi-chan> "I still think there was plenty of room for improvement." Usagi mutters to herself. She falls silent for a minute, then looks at the green-haired woman. "Look, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but why are you here? Is there some other trouble that we don't know about, or are these elf-alien things really that dangerous?"
[18:59] <Ana-brb> "Very well," she nods, her smile fading a tad. "I'll get down to tacks, then. Do you remember the story about how Oxyite slew the current Sailor of Neptune," she asks.
[19:00] * Usagi-chan nods slowly. "Kind of hard to forget about that."
[19:01] <Ana-brb> Reaching into a pocket sewn into the side of her simple dress, she removes a transformation stick. The symbol on it is of a trident, with a line through the vertical shaft. "The transformation stick of the fallen Sailor, Michiru of Neptune," she says solemnly. She holds it dearly, her fingers wrapped tightly around it.
[19:03] * Usagi-chan lets out a long, sighing breath as she sees the object. "That's... that's her actual transformation pen?" she says quietly.
[19:04] <Ana-brb> "It is, it was," she nods. Quietly, she speaks. "It was buried with her," she says. "As she was the last of the line of Neptune, and never had a daughter."
[19:06] <Ana-brb> "Therefore, there is no Sailor Neptune now. It died before the Dark Kingdom could even hope to cut it short." she sighs, then goes on. "No matter how many Sailors you would find, you would never find the Senshi of Neptune in this era as it stood."
[19:06] * Usagi-chan closes her eyes, offering a moment of silence for the fallen senshi. She looks up at Setsuna a moment later. "Wait a second... if it was buried with her, why do you have it?" She grimaces slightly at the thought of someone...
[19:07] <Ana-brb> "I exhumed it, far after her worldly remains turned to dust and ash," she says, a hint of sorrow poking through her composure. "Because with the rise of a new Queen, the line of Neptune may revive as well."
[19:07] * Usagi-chan feels a pang at the mention of the queen. "How?"
[19:09] <Ana-brb> "It is your right to bestow the power of Neptune on who you see it, if they qualify to recieve such an honor..." she pauses, and puts the pen on the table. "As the Queen of the Moon, I entrust this to you. As you are the Queen, you will know when you find your Senshi and understand what to do." She bows her head, her sadness finally breaking through her mask.
[19:11] <Usagi-chan> "Setsuna, I..." Usagi glances between the woman and the pen, her 'duty' as queen warring with her compassion. Eventually, one side comes to a victory, and she reaches out to take Setsuna's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry, Setsuna. I know this... this must be hard for you."
[19:11] <Ana-brb> She looks up, composed again. "It's alright, Serenity. I just ask that you choose well and honor the line of Neptune."
[19:12] <Ana-brb> "Further, not everyone is qualified to become a Sailor," she goes on. "Your friend Naru may be a sweet girl, but has nowhere near the magical potential to use the powers of the water planet."
[19:13] <Usagi-chan> "I... can kind of tell, I think. There's... something different about the way the senshi 'look'." Usagi nods.
[19:14] <Ana-brb> She nods. "Yes. The main component is magical aptitude. Without it, even the truest heart is not suitable to be a Sailor. Beyond that, you will understand when the time comes."
[19:15] <Ana-brb> "And I see your aura sight has improved," she notes to your comment. "You're growing up."
[19:15] * Usagi-chan smiles at the compliment. "Thanks... I'm trying."
[19:17] <Ana-brb> She smiles back for just a moment, a real smile unlike before. "I should be going now that I have given you the stick," she rises. "Be well, Serenity." She exits, walking past Shingo as he enters. "Who was that," he asks you out of curiosity.
[19:17] * Usagi-chan picks up the pen, holding it reverently. "I promise I'll do my best, Setsuna." She sighs, not really paying attention to Shingo at first.
[19:18] <Ana-brb> Plunk! A rolled up piece of paper bounces off Usagi's head. "Hey, dog face! Who was that girl you were talking to?"
[19:19] <Usagi-chan> "Pipe down, slimebreath!" Usagi retorts to her younger brother. "That was one of the senshi, if you HAVE to know."
[19:21] <Ana-brb> "Wow, she was old! She looked like she could be Mom with color swap," he notes. "That's almost as creepy as you being Sailor Moon, sewer breath!"
[19:21] * Usagi-chan snorts. "She's a lot older than Mom, believe me. Now was there something in particular you wanted, weasel?"
[19:23] <Ana-brb> "Not really," he shrugs, throwing another wad of paper at you, this one hitting your arm.
[19:23] * Usagi-chan puts the pen in her subspace pocket, frowning at Shingo. "Will you stop that already!"
[19:24] <Ana-brb> "Make me, wide butt," he grins, chucking a third ball at you, It grazes your face.
[19:25] * Usagi-chan gets up out of her seat, rolling up one sleeve. "Don't make me come over there, Shingo-baka!"
[19:25] <Ana-brb> "Ha," he calls, running up the stairs to his room. "Too slow, jelly roll!"
[19:27] * Usagi-chan rolls her eyes, turning her back to the stairs. "Whatever..." She thinks about Setsuna's words for a minute, then sighs and retrieves her test papers from the endtable before heading into the kitchen.
-------
[11:45] <Sailor_Anastasia> Over a quickly thrown together dinner of noodles and meat, Usagi has a chance to show off her grades...
[11:46] <Usagi-chan> "I had a talk with Miss H today after school," the blonde tells her family - with none of the usual dread that accompanies that phrase.
[11:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Oh boy," Kenji says around a bite of food. He puts his fork down, as if bracing for the storm. "What time is the parent teacher conference this time?"
[11:48] * Usagi-chan grins. "There isn't one THIS time." Usagi proudly produces her test papers, passing them over to her parents for inspection. "She says I'm actually going to pass!"
[11:49] <Sailor_Anastasia> "That's wonderful, Usagi," Your mother beams, while your father adjusts his glasses as he reads the papers. "I'll be..." he says, clearly surprised.
[11:50] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I know!" She shoves the math test over at Shingo with a smirk. "Read it and weep, slimebrain."
[11:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> "You're kidding me," Shingo says, taking the paper. "Gah, Usagi PASSED? Did you hypnotize the teacher," he says, disbelieving it himself. "Shingo," your mother says in warning. "Don't antagonize your sister!"
[11:53] * Usagi-chan sticks her tongue out at Shingo. "No, I've been spending a lot more time studying lately."
[11:56] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shingo frowns, but doesn't rise to the bait after Ikkuko scolded him. "So you're going to pass now, Usagi," she asks. "I was a bit worried, especially with all the time your Sailor stuff takes up."
[11:58] <Usagi-chan> "Well, aside from these new attacks it HAS been pretty quiet for a while - I actually managed to catch up on my homework with Ami-chan's help. Hopefully we can take care of these new guys without too much trouble." Usagi nods.
[12:00] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Good work, Usagi," Dad says, getting back to his dinner. "Did you study with Umino-kun as well?"
[12:02] * Usagi-chan snorts as she pictures Umino up on the Moon at one of their study sessions. "No. Not even close."
[12:03] * Usagi-chan takes a few more bites of her dinner, then looks up at her mother. "The woman who came to talk to me this afternoon - Setsuna - did she talk to you much?"
[12:04] <Sailor_Anastasia> "She said she was a friend of yours and had to give you something," she says. "Did that go alright?" there is a trace of concern in her voice, mostly masked.
[12:05] <Usagi-chan> "Oh yeah, there weren't any problems with that." Usagi says quickly, smiling. "I just wondered if you guys talked about anything - I WAS a little late getting home from school thanks to that talk with Miss H."
[12:07] <Sailor_Anastasia> She nods. "She mentioned that she had something for you. Setsuna was rather secretive, though," Ikkuko frowns a bit. "She didn't volunteer much information."
[12:10] <Usagi-chan> "She didn't volunteer a whole lot to me either - I think she's just used to keeping secrets." Usagi sighs. "Anyway, she gave me what she brought - nothing you guys need to worry about, just a little extra senshi business."
[12:12] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Senshi business," Luna perks up from her place at the table, where she had been assaulting a plate with vigor. "What exactly?"
[12:15] * Usagi-chan sighs briefly, having forgotten about the Mau. "She asked me to keep my eyes open and select someone to become Sailor Neptune."
[12:17] <Sailor_Anastasia> "GURK!" Luna chokes on her bite of pasta, taken aback. She coughs a few times befor settling down and taking a breath, then replies. "Select a Senshi of Neptune? How so?" Luna is now interested and pressing for details.
[12:19] <Usagi-chan> "It can wait until after dinner, Luna." Usagi grumbles, taking another bite of her noodles.
[12:21] <Sailor_Anastasia> "If you say so," Luna shrugs, going along and going back to dinner. The family settles back into the meal after that, normalcy reigning...
[12:23] * Usagi-chan finishes dinner somewhat quietly, still thinking about Setsuna's request.
[12:24] <Sailor_Anastasia> Once Usagi finishes eating, the family breaks apart to do whatever - usually homework time for Usagi.
[12:24] * Usagi-chan heads up to her room, deciding to take a break from the Lunar repairs this evening to relax.
[12:26] <Sailor_Anastasia> Shortly after you sit down, Luna comes up. One look at her tells you that you're going to be doing some explaining.
[12:26] * Usagi-chan flops back on her bed and groans. "All right already, I'll explain! You know who Setsuna is, right?"
[12:28] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sailor Pluto, I'd guess," the cat says, hopping into the bed herself. "Go on," she prompts you.
[12:31] <Usagi-chan> "She said that since Oxyite killed Sailor Neptune before the Dark Kingdom invaded, she won't be reincarnated like the rest of us were." Usagi looks a bit sad. "She said that as the queen of the Moon, I have the ability to grant Neptune's power to someone else though." She looks thoughtful for a moment. "I'll do it, but the only thing I'm wondering is - why now?"
[12:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm," Luna says, lying down and pondering. "Until you defeated the Dark Kingdom, perhaps she didn't consider you the Queen," she proposes. "Regardless, another ally would be excellent in the face of a new threat."
[12:35] <Usagi-chan> "I sure don't have any problem with that... I'm just going to be really careful about choosing someone though." Usagi keeps the same thoughtful expression as she pulls Neptune's transformation pen out of subspace, examining it carefully.
[12:44] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna eyes the pen. "Do you have anyone in mind, Usagi-chan? Did Pluto recommend anyone?"
[12:46] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Not yet, and Pluto didn't give me any names. She just said that they need to have enough magical potential to handle being a senshi, and I think I can judge that well enough now."
[12:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> Luna sighs. "Not so easy and ready, then. Then choose well, Usagi."
[12:48] * Usagi-chan nods absently, still thinking about how to even begin this task.
[12:48] <Sailor_Anastasia> ---
[15:48] <Rei-chan> Having just spent most of the day researching what she could of these 'elves' with Eudial, blissfully undisturbed by the other Witches following the events of yesterday, Rei returns home to the Shrine. Not having any real chores today, she retires to her room to get in some actual educational study, since Mugen doesn't provide much of that these days...
[15:49] * Rei-chan hunches over her desk, working at the same math problems she's seen other students in her year working at, but without the benefit of actual teaching, she's finding it a tad more difficult...
[15:50] * Usagi-chan very quietly slides open the door to Rei's room. Moving as quietly as she can, she tiptoes up behind the studious miko, slipping her hands in front of Rei's eyes. "Guess who?" she giggles.
[15:53] <Rei-chan> "Hmm..." Rei ponders, "My intuition tells me it's something hideous, so maybe I'd be better off not knowing?"
[15:54] <Usagi-chan> "Hey!" Usagi says indignantly. "When's the last time you had that intuition of yours checked, anyway? Sounds like it's got a wire loose or something."
[15:56] * Rei-chan swivels her chair around to face the blonde. "Ah, I can see my intuition is one hundred percent accurate as always," she notes, grinning impishly. "What's up, Dumpling Head?"
[16:01] * Usagi-chan sticks her tongue out at Rei. "I just thought I'd come see what my favorite Pyro is up to today, since I don't have any homework for once." She smiles happily.
[16:02] <Rei-chan> "How'd you manage that?" Rei asks skeptically.
[16:04] <Usagi-chan> "Miss H had a little talk with me yesterday - I'm actually going to PASS this year without any problems at all!" Usagi giggles excitedly. "You should have seen the look on Mom and Dad's faces when I took my tests home, all of them with passing grades!"
[16:05] * Rei-chan smiles genuinely. "That's great, Usagi," she says happily, "I knew you could do it if you really tried."
[16:07] * Usagi-chan grins. "I think Miss H was more excited about it than I was - she said as long as I keep handing my homework in on time she'll stop giving me extra assignments, so I don't have ANYTHING for a change."
[16:08] * Rei-chan turns around briefly to close her books before facing Usagi again. "Well, I was just doing a little extra studying myself, but I don't actually have any real homework right now myself."
[16:10] <Usagi-chan> "How are your classes going?" Usagi says with a smile. "I can't believe I just asked that!" She makes a face, then grins. "Really, though - is the stuff at Mugen a lot harder? I know the test was an absolute killer, so is the actual class stuff that hard?"
[16:11] <Rei-chan> "Eh," Rei shrugs, gesturing for Usagi to take a seat on the bed, "The work isn't really that hard..." she looks like she might be about to say more, but trails off rather awkwardly.
[16:12] * Usagi-chan flops down on the bed, still smiling. "That's good, I guess." She gives Rei a conspiratorial grin as she leans towards the miko, lowering her voice. "You'll never guess what I saw on the way over here..."
[16:13] <Rei-chan> "I probably wouldn't," Rei agrees amiably, looking more comfortable to be off the subject of Mugen. She leans in herself and matches Usagi's grin, "So why don't you tell me?"
[16:14] <Usagi-chan> "Makoto was talking with the new guy from school, Alan Grangier - and I heard from Umino that he took her out to the movies yesterday!" She smirks.
[16:16] <Rei-chan> "Oh ho!" Rei chortles, "Looks like Mako-chan listened to our advice on Sunday after all. Wonder if this means Kazan is history?"
[16:18] <Usagi-chan> "No idea, but I've been trying to find out. It's kind of hard though since he's not in my class. I'd ask Umino to look into it, but he'd probably get suspicious and I don't want to mess up Mako-chan's chances with Alan." Her smile dims slightly as she recalls the OTHER couple she saw entering the movies the day before.
[16:19] * Rei-chan misinterprets the reason for Usagi's decreased cheer. "Yeah, don't want to interfere too much when they're just getting together... still, I'm pretty curious about this guy, now."
[16:20] <Usagi-chan> "No one at school knows too much about him OR his sister... although guess who SHE went to the movies with yesterday." Usagi makes a wry face. "The one and only Mamoru Chiba! Guess it didn't take him too long to get over being dumped."
[16:21] <Rei-chan> Rei's eyes bulge out. "You're kidding!"
[16:25] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Nope, I know that one for a fact - I saw them go into the theater myself on my way home from school." Her face shows a complex mix of emotions.
[16:27] <Rei-chan> "Damn..." Rei shakes her head. "Suppose I shouldn't be too surprised..." she frowns slightly, recalling the end of her own relationship (if it could even be called that) with the guy.
[16:30] * Usagi-chan gives a half-laugh. "I don't even know how I'm supposed to feel about that... on one hand, I'm glad he's given up on me - I was half-afraid he wasn't going to after I told him I didn't want to keep things going. On the other hand, it kind of hurts that it took him less than a week to forget about me completely." She sighs.
[16:32] * Rei-chan gets up to go sit on the bed beside Usagi, putting her hand on the blonde's shoulder. "I know, even though you didn't want the relationship anymore, it still hurts to be cast aside so easily?" she says understandingly.
[16:34] * Usagi-chan nods. "It's like I didn't even matter to him at all, and it really feels bad - he made it sound like he really cared about me and I guess that was all just a lie so I wouldn't leave him." Usagi rests her head on her hands. "I guess I really am better off without him, but I don't like being thrown away like that."
[16:39] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei squeezes Usagi's shoulder reassuringly. "I know it hurts, Usagi. I know it..." she sighs before shaking her head. "Anyway, if you don't feel like waiting for time to heal your wounds, I do know something that'll help," she offers a small smile.
[16:40] * Usagi-chan looks over at Rei curiously. "What's that?"
[16:40] <Rei-chan> "Ice cream, of course!" Rei chirps brightly.
[16:41] * Usagi-chan breaks into a grin. "That's the BEST idea I've heard all day!"
[16:42] <Rei-chan> "I thought you'd approve," Rei matches the grin. "Come on, let's go to the Crown," she stands up.
[16:43] * Usagi-chan hops up with a bright smile. "Triple-hot-fudge sundae, here I come!"
[16:44] * Rei-chan picks up her purse from her desk as she heads out the door.
[16:45] <Rei-chan> -------
[16:52] <Usagi-chan> The two girls arrive at the Crown a short time later, and a few minutes after that finds the pair ensconced in a booth with a pair of hot fudge sundaes. Usagi giggles as she sets hers down on the table in front of her. "My first love..." She gives the cherry on top of the sundae a quick kiss and grins.
[16:54] <Rei-chan> "Indeed," Rei nods sagely, starting in on her own sundae. "And such a less complicated love, too."
[16:57] * Usagi-chan digs in, the ice cream already disappearing rapidly under the blonde's spoon. "No kidding! Why can't guys be like that? You just go out and get one when you want one and they never argue with you about it." She licks some stray chocolate off her lips and giggles. "Although it'd take one heck of a guy to compete with a chocolate sundae."
[16:58] <Rei-chan> "And it never leaves you, too," Rei giggles, leaning over to poke Usagi's belly.
[16:59] <Usagi-chan> "Hey!" Usagi says indignantly around a mouthful of ice cream. "I have a perfectly trim figure, thank you very much!" She sticks out a chocolate-coated tongue at Rei.
[17:01] <Rei-chan> "I guess you're not as bad as Luna, these days," Rei agrees, not getting much give when she presses her finger against Usagi's stomach before retracting it.
[17:02] * Usagi-chan nods primly. "It'd take a lot more than a triple hot fudge sundae to get me in the same shape as Luna is." She grins. "She's turning into a real fat cat - I swear, Mom just spoils her rotten."
[17:05] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, that cat needs to go on a diet, or at least get more exercise than she gets lazing around the house and riding around on people's shoulders wherever she goes..." Rei shakes her head before eating some more of her own dessert. "She used to be so energetic, too."
[17:08] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I know - she was always going out with me fighting youma or running around all night talking to 'Central Control'." Usagi giggles at the memory of Artemis' little "prank". "These days all she does is lay around the house watching soaps all day while Mom does the housework. I'm surprised she even comes upstairs on her own to go to bed."
[17:09] * Rei-chan chuckles slightly. "Funny how things change over time, isn't it?" she remarks, thinking of a lot more than just Luna.
[17:10] <Usagi-chan> "No kidding - she just about choked on her noodles when I told her Setsuna had been over for a visit." Usagi smirks. "She probably slept through the entire thing."
[17:12] * Rei-chan starts, some of her sundae going down the wrong way. She coughs several times and thumps her chest before giving Usagi the evil eye. "Setsuna?!" she looks around hurriedly before leaning over the table again, "As in Sailor Pluto?"
[17:12] * Usagi-chan covers her mouth, blushing. "I can't believe I forgot to mention that - yeah, as in Pluto. She was waiting for me at home after school yesterday."
[17:14] <Rei-chan> "What for?" Rei whispers hoarsely, "I thought she couldn't leave those Time Gates she mentioned last time?"
[17:15] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "I didn't ask her why she left the Time Gates, but she had something for me." She glances around for a moment to make sure no one is looking in their direction before producing Neptune's transformation stick from her subspace pocket.
[17:17] <Rei-chan> "That looks like one of our transformation pens..." Rei notes, uncertain of its significance.
[17:18] <Usagi-chan> "This one belonged to Sailor Neptune." Usagi says quietly, her voice solemn. "The same one that Oxyite killed back in the Silver Millenium."
[17:20] <Rei-chan> "That's..." Rei thinks about how Luna had all of their transformation pens, "Does that mean... there is a reincarnated Sailor Neptune somewhere out there?"
[17:21] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "It means there ISN'T one." Usagi decides not to give the details of how Pluto came by the pen. Not wanting anyone else to see the object, she stores it away again before continuing. "She said that since Neptune was killed before the Dark Kingdom invaded, she wasn't included in the spell that made all the rest of us be reincarnated."
[17:22] <Rei-chan> "That's what I figured at first," Rei says, rather confused, "But then why do you have it? Isn't it useless to anyone else?"
[17:23] * Usagi-chan takes a deep breath, then looks up at Rei. "She said that as the queen of the Moon Kingdom, I have the ability to grant Neptune's power to someone else with it. She asked me to look for a new Sailor Neptune."
[17:25] <Rei-chan> "Wow..." Rei leans back, exhaling heavily. "Do you have anyone in mind?"
[17:27] <Usagi-chan> "Not yet." Usagi wears an unusually serious look. "It has to be someone with enough magical potential to actually USE Neptune's power, and to be honest there aren't many people out there with any magical potential at all - much less enough to become a senshi."
[17:31] * Rei-chan nods. "Yeah, and I can think of a few people who might actually have that potential, but I'd never trust them with that power." She looks rather unhappy as she speaks, but trails off with a slightly contemplative expression. "Maybe one, but she's more of a 'fire' person, and..." she gives Usagi a sad look, "Honestly, I'd feel bad about making her a senshi. It's not an easy life."
[17:34] * Usagi-chan looks at Rei curiously as she talks about people that might have the potential, then her expression falls as Rei squashes the idea almost immediately. "I know, that's the hardest part of this. It's not even finding people with the potential - they're going to have to be trustworthy enough not to misuse it and responsible enough to do a good job of it." She sticks her tongue out at a memory. "God knows I sure wasn't ready to become a senshi when it happened to me."
[17:37] <Rei-chan> "You grew into it rather well," Rei points out, then sighs, "But you, and the rest of us, have destiny and our past lives all leading us towards being senshi. Just picking someone out might not turn out so well..." Rei sighs, looking very unhappy, "Hell, things didn't turn out well for an original member of the team," she adds, thinking of Minako.
[17:39] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I know. I don't know of anyone that would choose to do this if they really knew what it meant." Usagi says glumly. "Setsuna didn't say it was urgent that I find someone right away, but I don't think she would have asked for it just as a favor, either."
[17:39] <Rei-chan> "Maybe she did it because we suddenly have a gap in our numbers," Rei says, crossing her arms sullenly.
[17:42] <Usagi-chan> "That's the only thing I really wish I knew about this - why is it important now? If it was that important, why didn't Mother do it back before the Dark Kingdom invaded? And if we needed the help that much, why not ask me to look earlier?"
[17:45] <Rei-chan> "Who knows? Maybe because you wouldn't have found a good candidate before, but 'destiny' will lead you to someone appropriate in the near future?" Rei suggests, shrugging and eating a bit more sundae.
[17:47] <Usagi-chan> "Maybe... hard to say I guess." Usagi takes another bite of her ice cream. "I just wish I knew what to do about it - I'm not even sure where to start looking for people." The blonde perks up slightly as she remembers something. "Wait - you said you knew a FEW people who might have enough potential? Where - I've never even seen one, although I HAVE seen people around with a little bit."
[17:48] <Rei-chan> "Remember last time we were up on the Moon when I mentioned knowing a few people at Mugen with strong auras?" Rei asks, fidgeting a little.
[17:50] <Usagi-chan> "Really?" Usagi looks thoughtful. "I'm just not even sure where to start looking - checking out Mugen would be as good a place as any to start, I guess."
[17:51] * Rei-chan shakes her head. "Trust me, Usagi, that's one avenue you don't want to explore. These people I'm talking about are bad news."
[17:53] * Usagi-chan sighs. "Are they ALL that bad?" She rests her face in her hands, frowning. "Darn it... Do you think there might be people there that you haven't met that might have the potential?"
[17:56] <Rei-chan> "I know all the people at Mugen who have... supernatural affinity, yes," Rei says, nodding. "There's only one who I'd trust. The rest would sell their mothers if they thought it would get them ahead..."
[17:56] * Usagi-chan winces, but looks hopeful. "What about that one then? Could you introduce me to her?"
[18:01] <Rei-chan> "Her name's Eudial. I'll see about setting something up for you to meet her," Rei says, finishing off her sundae before continuing. "I think she could make a good member of the team, but I'm not really comfortable with thrusting that responsibility on her..." she shrugs, "Still, there's no harm in you meeting her. She's pretty much my only friend at that place, and I've been thinking about introducing her to you and the other girls for a while."
[18:03] <Usagi-chan> "Would you?" Usagi smiles. "Even if she doesn't work out as a senshi, it'd be really handy to have an idea of what I'm looking for in other people anyway. And you've mentioned Eudial before - I've kind of wanted to meet her for a while anyway."
[18:06] * Rei-chan nods. "Okay, I'll speak to her about it tomorrow." She looks thoughtful for a moment before continuing, "Hey, didn't you say those two new students at Juuban have strong auras? Alan and... Ann..." Rei trails off with a wince. 'No, Ann won't work as part of the team at all after today...' she thinks, recalling the reason they came out for ice cream in the first place.
[18:08] <Usagi-chan> "They do, but.... I don't know." Usagi thinks about it for a minute. "I don't know either of them very well - they're still acting kind of distant - but even aside from that, I just don't think Ann would work out as a senshi. And that's leaving Mamoru completely out of the picture for the moment." Usagi makes a face.
[18:09] * Usagi-chan pokes at her ice cream for a minute, then looks at Rei. "You said Eudial might have enough potential to be a senshi - does she know she has that much magical potential? The few people I've seen around that have any don't seem to notice it much, from what I've seen anyway."
[18:10] * Rei-chan looks even more awkward now. "Yes, she knows."
[18:11] * Usagi-chan takes on a look of concern as she continues to look at Rei. "Is something wrong?"
[18:11] <Rei-chan> "Not regarding Eudial, no," Rei shakes her head, "But she's not the only 'talented' person at Mugen, like I said..."
[18:12] * Usagi-chan leans her elbows on the table, now openly worried. "What's up with Mugen then? You really don't look very happy about it, whatever it is."
[18:17] * Rei-chan sighs, trying to phrase this without giving too much away. "Usagi, those other girls I mentioned - they have magical abilities, some of them being very powerful. And they aren't nice people at all. I really don't want you having anything to do with them."
[18:19] * Usagi-chan knits her brows. "What do you mean? Are they... I don't know, dangerous or something? They can't be THAT bad, right?"
[18:21] <Rei-chan> "They can be," Rei nods. "I'm pretty sure they wouldn't do anything to me, but they might not be so restrained towards you."
[18:23] * Usagi-chan grimaces. "Why would they have anything against me? I mean, no one knows about my 'second job', and aside from that I don't think anyone would have any reason to be upset with me at all - not like THAT, anyway."
[18:29] * Rei-chan shakes her head, trying to clear the sudden rush. "Sorry, what was that, Usagi?" she blinks several times, trying to refocus her vision.
[18:29] * Usagi-chan gives Rei a critical look for a minute. "You all right, Rei-chan?"
[18:30] <Rei-chan> "Yeah," Rei says, nodding. "Just think it was the sugar getting to me," she gestures at the empty plate that once held her sundae.
[18:31] * Usagi-chan still seems a bit puzzled. 'That's weird... it's never bothered her before like that.' She shrugs and goes back to her original question. "I was just asking why these people at Mugen would want to do anything to me. They don't even know me, after all."
[18:33] * Rei-chan takes a moment to regather her thoughts. "You're my friend, Usagi," she says, trying to impress upon the blonde the seriousness of the matter. "They can't act directly against me, but hurting my best friend would definitely appeal to at least one of them." The thought that Usagi's exceptionally pure heart could host a Talisman also crosses Rei's mind. "I mean it, Usagi. The less you have to do with that place, the better."
[18:36] * Usagi-chan is somewhat taken aback by the fervor of Rei's statement. "Um... okay, I guess." She scratches her head in puzzlement, although a small core of her wonders why Rei would be hanging around such dangerous people herself anyway.
[18:45] <Rei-chan> "Good," Rei nods, glad that she's gotten through to Usagi. "Like I said, Eudial is nice, but the rest of them..." she shakes her head as she trails off.
[18:47] * Usagi-chan reaches across the table and takes one of Rei's hands. "Then you better be really careful yourself, Rei. If they'd be like that to someone they don't even know, you might not be as safe as you think." She gives Rei's hand a squeeze. "I don't want anything to happen to you, so you'd better take care of yourself, okay?"
[18:48] <Rei-chan> "Heh," Rei smirks cockily, "Don't worry, I can handle myself - and the Professor disapproves most strongly of us fighting each other."
[18:49] <Usagi-chan> "I mean it, Rei." Usagi gives the miko an unusually intense look of concern. "I don't want you to get hurt."
[18:52] * Rei-chan takes a moment to nod, slightly cowed by Usagi's intensity. "I promise I'll be careful, Usagi," she says, seriously.
[18:53] * Usagi-chan squeezes the miko's hand again, a warm smile rapidly replacing the look of concern. "Thank you, Rei. That's all I really want."
[18:56] * Rei-chan is unsure of how to respond to that, and after a moment of floundering, comes up with a topic change of sorts, "Well, looks like we're both done with our sundaes. What do you want to do, now?"
[18:59] * Usagi-chan removes her hand, sitting back in the booth with a sigh. "I don't know... I've got the whole rest of the afternoon off, but I don't know what I want to do with it. I've already played the new senshi videogame a few times, and I'm bored with all the rest of them."
[19:14] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hey, Usagi!" Motoki calls out as you chat, walking up. He's looking cheery as usual, dressed in his apron and shirt.
[19:16] * Usagi-chan manages a bright smile as her favorite sundae maker comes up. "Heya, Motoki-oniisan!" She gives Motoki a friendly wave.
[19:16] <Rei-chan> "Hi, Motoki-san," Rei adds her own greeting.
[19:32] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hello, Rei," he nods before going on. "I heard something happened between you and Mamoru," his cheery smiles slips, and he gets to business. "He quit three hours after you talked to him."
[19:32] * Rei-chan groans quietly.
[19:32] * Usagi-chan winces. "Sorry to hear that, oniisan... I really didn't mean for it to cause you any trouble."
[19:33] <Sailor_Anastasia> He shakes his head. "It's not a huge deal and I'm not mad, Usagi, but Mamoru seemed really hurt." After a moment of debate, he sits down next to Rei, an unusual move. "He's been keeping to himself since you two talked."
[19:34] * Usagi-chan frowns. "Not as much as you might think..." she mutters half to herself.
[19:34] * Rei-chan nods, knowing exactly what Usagi's talking about.
[19:34] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Hm, what was that, Usagi," he asks, frowning himself. "Have you seen him around?"
[19:35] <Usagi-chan> "Yeah, I saw him just yesterday - going into the movies with a girl from my class." Usagi says with a hint of sourness in her tone.
[19:36] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Damn, really," he sounds honestly shocked, even swearing in front of you, which is rare. "He looked heartbroken a week ago..." he trails off, shaking his head. "You must've not meant that much to him, Usagi," he says, "Er... I mean that he just recovered quickly."
[19:37] <Rei-chan> "Yeah, he's good at that..." Rei mutters half to herself.
[19:37] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Go ahead and say it, Motoki - it's not like I haven't thought the same thing myself already."
[19:38] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Sorry," he says anyway. "But he's not the type to act like he did and not mean it. He really was hurt badly. I can't believe he's already off with another girl."
[19:39] <Usagi-chan> "He did look kind of broken up last week, but I can't deny what I saw with my own two eyes." Usagi sighs. "At least he's not still moping over me."
[19:40] * Rei-chan keeps quiet, not really wanting to get drawn into this conversation.
[19:41] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I guess," he shrugs. "And he never seemed that broken up long term after he dumped you, Rei," he says. "Although..." he trails off again. "He did remark he found you to be clingy, so that says something."
[19:41] <Rei-chan> "Excuse me!" Rei suddenly snaps, "He did NOT dump me! I broke up with him!"
[19:42] * Usagi-chan blushes slightly, remembering exactly how that entire thing happened.
[19:42] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Woah!" Motoki slides away a bit, putting his hands up in defense. "He said he dumped you when he found the girl of his dreams and not a clingy teenager," he says defensively.
[19:42] * Usagi-chan winces as she hears Mamoru's description of Rei.
[19:44] <Rei-chan> "That is a blatant lie!" Rei seethes. "He didn't have the decency to say one word to me about the end of our 'relationship'! I backed off myself," her eyes flicker momentarily to Usagi, "And he was only too happy to move right on without questioning his good fortune that I chose not to make an issue of it!" she barely manages to keep her voice down, and looks utterly pissed as she goes through her tirade.
[19:45] * Usagi-chan has the decency to look embarrassed at Rei's glance, staring down at her lap.
[19:46] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Gah..." Motoki mutters, shrinking back further. "I'll take your word for it, Rei," he quickly nods and smiles. "He just said he was the dumper and all that and that you were too young for him," Motoki scrambles as he tries damage control, blushing.
[19:46] * Usagi-chan snorts. "He didn't seem to think *I* was too young for him..." Usagi shakes her head.
[19:46] <Rei-chan> "Feh!" Rei snorts, "I'm a couple of months older than Usagi, aren't I?"
[19:47] <Sailor_Anastasia> "I'm not defending the logic or his comments," He says, nodding to what you said. "So you really dumped him when he started liking Usagi?"
[19:49] <Rei-chan> "It wasn't really a dumping," Rei sighs, deflating. "I just backed off because I didn't want to stand in the way of Usagi's happiness. None of us ever really talked about it..." some of her anger flares back up, "At least to each other. Looks like Mamoru was happy to brag to other people about tossing me aside."
[19:50] <Usagi-chan> "I'm not even sure when THAT was, to be honest." Usagi looks rather unhappy. We were starting to look at each other differently even before..." she trails off, giving Rei a brief glance. 'Before the Tower.' She finishes mentally.
[19:50] <Sailor_Anastasia> Motoki sighs. "Yeah... sorry about that, Rei. I should have just stayed quiet." He looks down at his hands, not replying further.
[19:51] * Rei-chan deflates again. "He's right, I suppose, at least in one thing... I was too clingy. I was just so excited at having my first boyfriend, but he never really seemed to care all that much about me." She laughs self-deprecatingly. "He probably just dated me because it was less hassle than getting rid of me."
[19:52] <Sailor_Anastasia> Motoki winces at that, and sends a pleading look to Usagi. "Um... let me get you some drinks, on the house," he says, getting up.
[19:53] * Rei-chan doesn't reply, just staring at the table, now.
[19:53] <Usagi-chan> "Thanks, Motoki." Usagi gives the poor young man a smile as he scurries off, then turns to Rei. "Well, he didn't know what he was missing out on then. With as great a friend as you are to me, I'll bet you'll make someone a really awesome girlfriend." She gives Rei a cheery smile.
[19:54] * Rei-chan snorts. "I think my track record speaks for itself."
[19:56] <Usagi-chan> "Hey, it's not your fault Minako did what she did!" Usagi says with some heat. "I tried not to be too nosy about you two, but from what I did see it seemed like you really were good to her."
[19:58] <Rei-chan> "I tried," Rei looks up with a wan smile. "At least she appreciated me a lot more than Mamoru did... not that it helped things in the end..." She gives a small chuckle. "And we came here to forget our troubles, too..."
[20:00] * Usagi-chan sniffs. "If anything you were too good for her, Rei-chan. Don't be so hard on yourself." Usagi gives her friend a reassuring smile. 'I still can't believe how suspicious Minako used to be...'
[20:02] * Rei-chan sighs. "Don't be like that, Usagi. Minako and I... we just weren't meant to be - neither of us was especially good for the other. I've moved on... and I suppose so has she, in a more literal sense..."
[20:04] * Usagi-chan deflates a bit. "I'm sorry, Rei... I shouldn't have said anything. It's just that some of the things she did to you really upset me too." The blonde looks somewhat downcast. "Look, just forget I said anything, okay?"
[20:05] <Rei-chan> "I know," Rei reaches over to put her hand over Usagi's. "And I appreciate your support, I'd just rather put the whole thing behind me. It's in the past and should stay there."
[20:07] * Usagi-chan puts her other hand on top of Rei's, giving the miko a regretful smile. "Of course you have my support, Rei-chan, you're my friend. I couldn't think of NOT supporting you when you needed it." She shakes her head slightly. "Anyway, enough about our messed-up love lives."
[20:08] <Rei-chan> "Couldn't agree more," Rei nods. "It's far too depressing, and we came out here to have fun."
[20:09] <Sailor_Anastasia> As it to affirm that, Motoki comes back, bearing a tray with both cold sodas and more chocolate ice cream. He sets it down in front of the both of you. "Here you go," he says. "It's the least I can do."
[20:09] <Rei-chan> "Thanks Motoki-san," Rei says appreciatively. "Sorry I snapped at you..."
[20:10] * Usagi-chan smiles at Motoki. "Thanks, 'niisan." She picks up one of the sodas and holds it in the air. "A toast, Rei-chan! To the unlucky in love - may they find it again someday!"
[20:10] <Rei-chan> "I'll drink to that," Rei clinks her glass against Usagi's and taking a few gulps.
[20:10] <Sailor_Anastasia> "It's alright," he smiles, brushing the matter aside. "Just enjoy yourselves... and here," he says, laying something else beside the refreshments. Two twenty-five token rolls plunk down, full of metal coins.
[20:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> "Try and have some fun, okay? I'm going off shift now, so have a good night and cheer up."
[20:11] <Rei-chan> "We will, Motoki-san, thanks again," Rei replies.
[20:11] * Usagi-chan waves to the retreating attendant. "Thanks, Motoki!"
[20:11] <Sailor_Anastasia> He goes off with a final wave, leaving you two to yourselves.
[20:12] <Rei-chan> "Reika-san sure is lucky," Rei comments as she starts in on her second ice cream.
[20:12] * Usagi-chan giggles. "He's even cute when he sticks his foot in his mouth."
[20:14] * Rei-chan nods. "It was awfully nice of him to give us this stuff for free, especially since I really didn't help things..."
[20:16] <Usagi-chan> "The expression on his face when he realized what he was saying was just priceless." Usagi grins. "I SO wish I'd had a camera."
[20:17] <Rei-chan> "I didn't really notice," Rei shakes her head, "I'm sorry you had to hear me saying those things, Usagi," she gives her friend an apologetic look.
[20:18] * Usagi-chan shakes her head. "Don't be, Rei." She snorts. "If anything, you should have told me sooner - maybe it would have helped me wake up to what he was really like sooner than it happened."
[20:19] <Rei-chan> "Well, I didn't want to upset you when you and he were first getting together, and then after he said those things before going to Hawaii, I figured it didn't matter..."
[20:21] <Usagi-chan> "Like I said, don't worry about it. It's not like I don't know what he's like now myself, after seeing him with Ann yesterday." Usagi shakes her head. "He was just bad for me - for both of us, actually - no matter how you slice it."
[20:22] * Rei-chan nods. "Nothing to do but put him behind you and move on," she says encouragingly.
[20:24] * Usagi-chan grins. "Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. I'll stop moping about Mamoru if you stop worrying about what happened with Minako. Like you said, they're both in the past - no use wasting our time on regrets, right?" She winks at the white-haired girl.
[20:25] <Rei-chan> "Deal!" Rei sticks her hand across the table for Usagi to shake.
[20:26] * Usagi-chan smiles brightly as she seizes the miko's hand and shakes it firmly, then grins. "I always did think the top hat was over the top, to tell you the truth."

Soulriders 5.0: Legend of the Unending Games

News:

The Great Log Posting: Arc III

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